Notes for Helpers

[Rhialto]

I think we should start a thread about tips for those who help newbies.
My best tip is on weapons: Professor Henderson in MU has a long cane which does an average of 10 damage and is level 0, so it's a great weapon to enchant+brand+perm to give to new players, especially those initiates and convent undergraduates who have skill in maces.

[Blargh]

I'd recommend the thermal zapper if your newbie prefers daggers (and meets the intelligence requirement). Level 8 with a flaming brand and a fair whack to them. Low enough to enchant, a sharpen and perm can be thrown on too. The most accessible spots to get a hold of them are probably player shops. One just outside the Ulthar Temple sells them, last I saw.

[FranklinWest]

I guess my addition to this is to remember that the armor bug was fixed a while back. The AC bonus on forged armor will no longer slowly degenerate until the armor is worthless, or even detrimental. It's constant now, as it should be. Some armor forged from the yuggoth crystals will give a new player a nice mana boost - especially helpful if they're spellcasters-in-training.

My biggest beef (which I think I've said 100 times or so) is buffing beyond the point where it's practical - which just encourages the person to use their new shiny weapon until it no longer omglolwtfpwnz0rz everything - which for a hero skilled in forging means the newbie is pretty much set until it's time to hit the abyss/monks. I like the buffed thermal zapper, and the buffed rapier is a good idea as well. I like the idea that these things can really help out, without teaching helplessness.

A few little boosts given a few days apart, in my opinion, can be much more beneficial than one big one all at once. I can't tell you how many hero-forged flaming vorpal permananced branded enchanted level 13 daggers I've seen left laying around in morgues until the refresh gobbles them.

[Raymond]

...Don't forget poisoned :p