Survivalist
by Charis

Class: Any (tough for Sorcerers)
Tag: Y2K

Introduction

The survivalist knows there's only one person he can trust for his own safety... himself. Potions run out, scrolls are used up, and the townsfolk are profit hungry. The survivalist's ultimate goal is to self sufficient, eventually never buying potions. He's not quite Living off the Land, but it some ways more extreme.

Items

Unrestricted until after 3rd dot.

Spells

Unrestricted.

Circles

1st Circle, Conservationist
He learns to never buy what he won't use, including potions. In this phase he never takes more potions & scrolls into the dungeon than can fit on his belt. He or she chooses battles wisely and is careful with mana usage. There are three missions as a Conservationist (see below), and this circle ends with the first dot.

2nd Circle, Stockpiler
Convinced of a future economic disruption, the survivalist feels the need to hoard to protect himself. He may choose either gold coins, precious metals (rings/amulets) or rare art (unique items). In any case he must completely fill the upper three quarters of his backpack with these items which he must find (not gifts). When he has accomplished this, he may attempt to earn the second dot.

3rd Circle, Knowledge Seeker
When resources are scarce, knowledge is power. The Survivalist must make efforts to insure that his brain is as sharp as his sword. All spells must be brought up to a healthy level 5 for W, 7 for R, 9 for S. Then he is ready to attempt the third dot.

Final Circle, Survivalist
Now a full fledged survivalist, he relies not on townsfolk. Weapons of blood and vampires, perhaps with a Helm of Sprits, are his trademark. Warriors will seek more mana than plain warriors, while Sorcerers must have strong melee skills to earn the mana they use to cast. At this stage there are restrictions on items.

- A Vampire weapon must always be carried or used.
- No potions may be carried except those in your belt.
- Cain and Wirt alone may be used for purchases among the townsfolk, for they are tumbleweeds like the Survivalist, unfettered by roof or job. While Pepin and Gris are around, they may be used for healing and repair, although even this is done grudgingly.
- "of the Ages" items are sought. When it does not hurt to do so, these are worn (ie, AFP of Ages with AC 170 would be preferred over plain AFP AC 180; Godly Shield of Ages over an Awesome Tiger; Eaglehorn over some Merciless Bow, etc.)
- At game end, only the bottom row of the backpack can be used. The survivalist travels light.
- Clearly, the Survivalist would never consider using a "mule."

There are three exceptions to traveling light.

i) Constricting rings do not count against this limit. They are considered of great value in case of disaster. Survivalist may trade for, or receive, such rings.

ii) A second weapon may be carried, since one must be Vampire. It can be a bow, of Blood, Dreamflange, a haste weapon... whatever.

iii) The Y2K may also carry ONE extra item which he is trying to make indestructible by hidden shrines, if he chooses. If so, at a minimum lvl 2 and the Butcher should be cleared to show some effort at this shrine hunt (besides, you may find a HoS in the process). If he manages to pull this off, a new extra item may be carried for toughening up.

Missions

All missions must be done solo.

1) Initiation (Required for Conservationist Circle)
Until the young Survivalist can survive the church on a single belt of potions, he is an Initiate, with the following routine.

Full LoL rules, although Cain ID is allowed. No money can be brought out of a game. Magic must be raised to 20 to be able to cast a 2nd level Heal. The Blue Globe cannot be wasted! When he thinks he is ready, gear is left temporarily in town except for one belt full. Church must be cleared using what is found there, without dying.

2) Green Peace (Required for Conservationist Circle)
To survive, once must not be a visible target. Sometime after a darkness item is obtained, the Conservationist must make it through the Cats starting with *no* potions, and exit via the stairs on lvl 9. No monsters need be killed, although this is allowed in self defense.

3) Chernobyl (Required for Conservationist Circle)
The final mission. The Conservationist breaks into Adria's hut and steals three dozen contaminated potions that she is shamelessly trying to sell. The caves must be cleared, mostly or all by magic. All suspect potions must be destroyed or used before entering lvl 13, and he must survive until he reaches the stairs returning to town.

These other missions crop up from time to time...

4) Y2K Compliance If an item is received as a gift, it must be shown to be Y2K Compliant before it can be used as part of his setup. The Survivalist must use *only* that item plus what they find on the way, to kill the boss or type of creature that dropped the item. If this info is not known, they must survive through the dungeon section where the item can first appear. Only a single belt of potions is allowed at the start of this mission. If an item is non-compliant (i.e., you die), it may be retested after three level-ups.

5) The Camel Streak Every fifth lvl starting at lvl 5, the Survivalist enters the church and dives as deep as he can taking or using NO potions. This streak is continued until he has killed Diablo using no potions.

Cooperative Play, Dual Classes, and Acknowledgement

There are several solo missions, but the Survivalist will gladly coop with others. However he will NOT use a higher level or tougher character to take him to a dangerous place he could not handle on his own (this goes against self reliance). They particularly love to play with LoL characters, and may freely carry some extra res and ID scrolls if they make a habit of playing with LoLs.

Dual class? LoL is certainly possible, really only giving up Wirt and Cain. A Scavenger Rat would be fun too. Sorcerer Survivalists will by necessity become Muscle or Agile Mage like after third dot. Rogues, having to handle a Vampire weapon, should like melee.

Acknowledgement to 'The Obsessed', who used the term Survivalist in a DSF post for a Warrior who likes HoS and KSOV to virtually eliminate potion consumption. Also thanks to Dr. Disaster for the Fairy's 'Quest of Acceptance' on which the Y2K Compliance mission is based.