Scavenger Rat
by Charis

Class: Any
Tag: RAT

Introduction

The Scavenger Rat is one who knows that to run away is to live to fight another day. Nicknamed the 'Rat', he's half pack-rat and half rat-terrier. Early levels are characterized by extreme pacifist tendencies, while later he loves a good fight as long as he is well protected.

Rules

1@17 (or less), 2@20 and 3@30 are goals for the Scavenger.

The Scavenger Rat spends more time as a level one character than any other character. In fact it will likely be 99% of his games before first dot. He strips off any thing he is wearing, and heads to the church. There he will collect gold and items, and hunt for shrines. He has several goals in doing this.

i) improve stats with shrines, getting at least +10 each

ii) collect gold to buy armor and protective goods at Gris

iii) build up holy bolt, fire bolt, and charged bolt spells with Ornate, Fascinating and Sacred Shrines. At a minimum, one of each must be taken. Since he is only lvl 1, the mana loss is not severe.1

The Scavenger *loves* to jump into games and rummage around for useful stuff left behind by others. He will take any existing portals (withOUT requesting one or asking if it's safe) and see what goodies may be found! If an item is in town, however, found by these mighty adventurers, he won't take it, with the exception of jewels and walking sticks (staves). As a bonus, there are almost always a half dozen unused cauldrons waiting to be used in a cleared hell dungeon. :)

Before his tenure as a lvl 1 character ends, he must complete two special missions. (See quest section)

1: Initial mana for W/R/S is 10/22/70. After the minimum three hits, losing 10% each time, the remaining mana is 7/16/51 (-3, -5, -19 total). The patient (insane?) scavenger can get lvl 15 in each of three spells as a lvl 1 character for a permanent mana loss of -10/-22/-70.

Items

Initially any, but later there is a very strong preference for -dfe (damage from enemy) items, above all the Scavenger's Carapace.

Spells

Phasing and Teleport must be begged, borrowed or stolen, and are used very very frequently.

Quests

1) Butcher Bash
(to be completed before reaching clvl 2)

With no experience gained from the Butcher, he gets a great chuckle out of killing the beast with a legitimate lvl 1 character. Bake or Bow might be more appropriate than Bash, but he must survive lvl 1 and an unknown part of lvl 2 to carry this out. If Shadowbite is present on dlvl 2 in this game, be sure to show him who is boss!

2) Pack Rat
(to be completed before reaching clvl 2)

The Scavenger Rat signs on as a game mule for a Hell clear that higher level characters are doing. His role to is stick well clear of action, bring found items up to town for ID, and carry back potions for the adventurers. They should only have to return to town for repair if he does his job properly. Only as a pack mule can he ask for or inquire about town portals. As compensation for his service, he is allowed to take any *unwanted* items that were found in that game.

3) First Dot
Depending on the luck, patience, and boldness of the scavenger, he may himself in a very good position for a dot at an early age. He has two choices at this point.

i) A through-the-dungeon clear, heading for new stairs at lvl 8, 13 and 17. His goal is to attempt a 1@17 (first dot solo at 17th lvl).

ii) Take someone's portal to Hell, for a 1@1 attempt

In both cases he can take *no* assistance in killing anything in Laz chamber or on dlvl 16. If going for 1@1 he may ask his companion to clear a path to Laz and the pentagram.

With telekinesis, caution, and a boat load of blue potions, it can be possible! Remember, no 'gifts' at this stage - just what you have scavenged for yourself.

As for stunning, you won't be able to stun Diablo with Holy Bolt, Fire Bolt, or Charged Bolt. Of course, if your melee damage is at least 33 you can stun. On normal difficulty Diablo has 1666 hit points. Good luck. (One thing I would hope to have... Bountiful Firewall staff :)

4) Trying for the Second Dot
Now finally the Scavenger Rat is actually doing combat. Nothing could possibly comfort him more than a sturdy Carapace for protection. If he has not found one, he should try to trade for one. It cannot be a gift, but must be traded for something of value to the giver of the Scavenger's Carapace. If that is not possible, he must somehow come up with -15 dfe for his second dot attempt.

5) Challenge Before the Third Dot
To help him remember that combat is not always necessary or best, the Scavenger tries for a special one game-one kill- one unique Laz run. It may be Normal or NM diff. Nothing may be killed except for a single Laz chamber boss of your choice. If a unique item is dropped, you're done. If not, try again! (First take out your disappointment on remaining bosses :) Skilled scavengers should be able to do a run in under 2 minutes.

One this test is done, the Scavenger Rat is ready to try for the third dot. It must be accomplished in a game where Shadowbite, the Scavenger boss on dlvl 2, is found and killed. There can be only one TRUE Scavenger boss! At this point damage absorbing equipment (-dfe) is highly prized and most often worn.