Demise: Ascension - is anyone else here playing it?

[litk]

Important thing to mention that despite 123214 years of development the game is still not compatible with newer versions of Windows and should be played in compatibility mode. It is really a product of 1999, updated in 1999 fashion - so a lot of conted added but almost not QoL, interface changes, etc. Even the fullscreen is not really working.
In order to run this game (and I mean 2023 release) you have to type /nondirectx into the target path. Without that game will run in software mode with limited automap visibility.

Game is bigger but slower, not optimized at all. I guess that decklin just added more legacy-like spaghetti code into already something very 'legacy looking'. That guy is unable to code html, Demise/decklin's page is unfinished, latest news is from 2014, a lot of stuff is not working.

I love this game, but I feel it is missing some very basic content like a proper UI for monster interaction interface, party interaction interface, tooltips and description & refactoring of all legacy code. Just imagine this being upgraded to modern standards, with full screen high resolution, you could fit so much more info, separate tabs for each team member, bigger automap, a proper lightning system, upscaled textures with bump mapping.

One can only dream.

All of this is really not important while a game is great, but Ascension/Revange is not at all. The most important flaw is instead of focus on fundamental thing like: enter dungeon -> kill monsters -> take a loot -> buck to the city to level up, and do it again and again, the game was transmuted to puzzle game to walking through huge labyrint killing weak monsters like rock snakes and skurgs which is wasting of time.

 

[Belthazor]

More complaints

• Why can't you read a single book in the dungeon in the library?
• Or use the dead monster parts to craft something.
• Or sacrifice your companion on an altar and summon a demon.
• Or level up your companions.

 

[Belthazor]

And now some serious complaints

A lot of windows still don't have key support. Yes, you can use the mouse.
But, for example, it would be convenient when your inventory is full and you find a new crap item, you can just press Escape on the keyboard and discard it.
Instead you have to leave the keyboard, position the mouse and press Cancel.
Give us a squelch list to auto-drop crappy items.

Why in God's name is the library not sorted on alphabet? It was in Mordor and Mordor II.
And why can't you search for an item or monster?

Why can you search for an item in the Store but you need to type it perfectly?
If you type "Crystal of Healin" (without the g) it says: Item Not Found!
A LIKE search would be convenient: *<searchitem>*.

Why isn't the Store one big list with items in bold text that you can use/equip (like in Mordor I and II)?
Same for the spell lists. One list is more convenient than all these categories with a few spells.
And if a spell category is selected, like Resist, and you move to the next character to check their resistance value and go back, you loose the category and have to navigate to it again.
And if we type 'c' and then manually type in a spellname to cast, use a intermediate list of the spells known by the character (not all spells known to the game) to make sure the spellname is unique.

 

[Belthazor]

Still with all of its shortcomings it's a gem of a game.

Incredibly large and diverse dungeon
Almost unlimited character building (9 races, 12 guilds, 1499 levels per guild)
Lots of items (600+)
Lots of monsters (1000+)
Lots of spells (140+)
Different languages
Finding out what those monsters have to say
Finding out where teleporters go to
Completing your map

Multiple stages of the game:

• choosing from races and guilds to form your party
• tome hunting
• maxing out your stats
• increasing your attack/defense by equipping better items
• meeting weapon immune monsters
• meeting insta-death monsters (Nastrums, Z-brats, Piranha's, ....)
• increasing resistances
• slowly develop skills and levels
• Use spells or companions to defeat weapon immune monsters
• Using melee to defeat magic immune monsters
• Doing Guild Quests
• Doing Lord Gherrick missions
• Doing Special Guild Training
• Taking out the Ku'tan Jenal
• Closing the portals
• Area's unlock
• Travelling through anti-teleport zones
• Doing Tavern Keeper missions
• Etcetera

 

[Dorateen]

One way to look at it, or at least the impression I had, even though Demise:Ascnesion is presented as a monolithic dungeon to crawl it is really set up like an open world. There are forest areas, graveyard levels, the notorious water levels, the mines, Heaven and Hell, so many other thematic and atmospheric locations.

 

[Belthazor]

Out of reach
When you encounter monsters and they are out of reach the monsters get first strike.
This applies to breathing and spitting monsters.
They can either breathe fire or cold or spit acid.
Monsters without these abilities just walk up to the party and the battle begins.


SpellStrike
A new cool concept in Revenge is the spell SpellStrike.
When you've found the Codex of Telekinesis and donated it to the guilds you learn the spell.
Then you cast the spell and it applies to your weapon.
If you encounter monsters which are out of reach you get first strike and a free round of attack for the number of swings you have (only for that character).
Thereafter the normal fight begins and iniative is determined. Because most of the time the party has higher dexterity, you get iniative and get to strike again.
Since it works through magic, it doesn't work in anti-magic zones.

A few weapons have innate SpellStrike capabilities.
Such a weapon is the Runed Mace.


Runed Mace

Art 159, War 218, Pal 218, Exp 258, Bar 258, Cle 278

A32 / D0 [2.6] Mace (Class Restricted)
Stats: 22 str, 20 con, 18 dex
Two-handed Item, 3 swings
Casts "Detect Rock" at a Spell Level of 100
Stone(1), SpellStrike(1)
Resistances: 50% Magic, 95% Stone

This mace has a strong attack capability, and can do a lot of base damage when it hits.
What makes it so prized and feared, apart from its action at a distance, is the high likelihood of stoning its target with each succesful hit.
It is also thought to affect spells aimed at its bearer; true or not, it does protect against almost all stoning attacks.
As well, it helps identify whether or not an adjacent dungeon area is part of the wall structure.

 

[Torus]

Appreciate your passion for posting about this game. Think I'll have a look and finally try to get somewhere in it.

Have to use a charmer just because it feels like a somewhat unique class feature. At least I know I should be multiclassing this time...

 

[Belthazor]

Demo build 134 is available (May 7, 2023).
See Demos.

• You can now use the spacebar to pause/unpause the game.
  This makes using different tactics in combat a lot more accessible.
  (Shift-P still works).
  
  
• Gold and XP text are repositioned to allow for larger numbers.
  
  
  
  
  
• Gold and XP textcolor can now be toggled between black and gold.
  Use z in the City or Dungeon to open the "Set DEMISE Volume..." window.
  
  
• Withdrawing or depositing huge amounts of gold error partly solved.
  
  
• Floating windows (messages, map, combat messages) now remember their position and size.
  Use Alt - v to toggle combat messages and save (first check Verbose Combat Messages in Video Options).
  
  
  

 

[covr]

I've wanted to beat dwarven lord, but he is resistant to my attacks. What kind of weapon should I use? I thought that I have some steel & iron weapons (e.g.Thief sword). Or should I use that crappy quest related dagger found with Norns?

 

[Belthazor]

Hi covr,

If you don't have weapons that can hit the Dwarven Lord, you can talk with him (several times) until he vanishes. Now you only need to deal with the Dwarven Guards.
The Blade of Sacrifice is needed to defeat the Gruks at level 10.

I think this ancient information from Mordor still applies to Ascension and Revenge.
The dungeon level where you first find a weapon matters. Let's call it it's base-level.
The item can be used to hit weapon-resistant monsters as two times base-level + 1.
For example, when you find a weapon with base-level 2 it should be able to hit monsters until dungeon level 5.
When you find a weapon with base-level 3 it should be able to hit monsters until dungeon level 7.
When you find an weapon with base-level 4 it should be able to hit weapon-resistant monsters until dungeon level 9.
And so on.
See: https://dejenol.com/index.php?title=Weapon_Effectiveness_By_Level

That's also why weapons which can only be found in the store, like the Sword of the Winds can't hit any weapon-resistant monsters.

 

[covr]

Thank you. That weapon nonsense is one of the most absurd things in the game. It is kind of level calling, but for items. I was so looking forward using Sword of the winds!

 

[Belthazor]

Revenge of the Tavern Keeper is finally for sale.
Being worked on from 2015 - 2023.
See: https://decklinsdomain.e-junkie.com...e-Tavern-Keeper-v1.07.36-download-Pre-Release
Price: $32.50

 

[Elwro]

I don't understand the 'Silver release' thing

 

[Belthazor]

I don't understand the 'Silver release' thing

Ascension was released around 2012.
The Silver version was released in 2015, with 3 years of bugfixes, additions etc.
The Gold version will (probably) be released in 2023, where the fixes made to Revenge that apply to Ascension will be incorporated.

Same for Revenge.

 

[Elwro]

What? Dear Lord, so the new thing is not really the ultimate version of this game? It says on that website that it includes the two previous volumes.

Wait, hm, maybe I see. It's about the fixes. Jesus what a mess...

Anyway, if we buy this now there will be some future 'Gold' version that we'll be supposed to buy if we want to play Ascension with the qol improvements. Got it. (I think.)

 

[Belthazor]

No correct. Revenge Gold version will probably take another year or so.
Yes, Revenge includes all 3 volumes.
No, if you buy Revenge now all future updates are free of cost, always was with Deckin.

Same for Ascension, if you've bought it and whenever the Gold version is released, you'll get it for free.

All the players who participated in Revenge Beta got the game for free.

I think you even get a discount on Revenge if you already own Demise: Rise of the Ku'tan or Demise: Ascension and even more when you own both.
You have to ask Decklin for details about discount information.

Most players/beta testers will buy Demise: Revenge of the Tavern Keeper just to support him.

 

[Elwro]

That's very nice then, thanks, I had no idea.

 

[KainenMorden]

No correct. Revenge Gold version will probably take another year or so.
Yes, Revenge includes all 3 volumes.
No, if you buy Revenge now all future updates are free of cost, always was with Deckin.

Same for Ascension, if you've bought it and whenever the Gold version is released, you'll get it for free.

All the players who participated in Revenge Beta got the game for free.

I think you even get a discount on Revenge if you already own Demise: Rise of the Ku'tan or Demise: Ascension and even more when you own both.
You have to ask Decklin for details about discount information.

Most players/beta testers will buy Demise: Revenge of the Tavern Keeper just to support him.

Could you play through this game with just 1 character in the party?

 

[Dorateen]

No correct. Revenge Gold version will probably take another year or so.
Yes, Revenge includes all 3 volumes.
No, if you buy Revenge now all future updates are free of cost, always was with Deckin.

Same for Ascension, if you've bought it and whenever the Gold version is released, you'll get it for free.

All the players who participated in Revenge Beta got the game for free.

I think you even get a discount on Revenge if you already own Demise: Rise of the Ku'tan or Demise: Ascension and even more when you own both.
You have to ask Decklin for details about discount information.

Most players/beta testers will buy Demise: Revenge of the Tavern Keeper just to support him.

Could you play through this game with just 1 character in the party?

Yes, although you will need to switch to multiple classes on that character.

The key strategic difference is that a party can push deeper into the dungeon quicker, while leveling up more slowly. But a single character will have to build up their strength gradually until powerful enough to take on more difficult monsters.

 

[Reinhardt]

can you high seas it?

 

[KainenMorden]

No correct. Revenge Gold version will probably take another year or so.
Yes, Revenge includes all 3 volumes.
No, if you buy Revenge now all future updates are free of cost, always was with Deckin.

Same for Ascension, if you've bought it and whenever the Gold version is released, you'll get it for free.

All the players who participated in Revenge Beta got the game for free.

I think you even get a discount on Revenge if you already own Demise: Rise of the Ku'tan or Demise: Ascension and even more when you own both.
You have to ask Decklin for details about discount information.

Most players/beta testers will buy Demise: Revenge of the Tavern Keeper just to support him.

Could you play through this game with just 1 character in the party?

Yes, although you will need to switch to multiple classes on that character.

The key strategic difference is that a party can push deeper into the dungeon quicker, while leveling up more slowly. But a single character will have to build up their strength gradually until powerful enough to take on more difficult monsters.

Any suggestions on builds for a solo character?

 

[Belthazor]

I. Evil Human Ninja/Sorcerer/Magi
Ninja gives you the most swings
lvl 28 +1 swing
lvl 56 +2 swings

Ninja's fighting is good.
Ninja's perception is good.

Ninja used to have a lot of random quests that slowed you down.
But random quests are optional in Ascension.

Ninja got 2nd best A/D (after Warrior).

Ninja got some decent thieving, you won't be robbed blind.
And is good enough at opening chests.
Locked chests will be a problem for a long time.
Magical Entry will cost at minimum 9 spellpoints around guild level 150-160.
But while a Ninja you won't have much use for your spellpoints anyway.

Ninja's have unique weapons and items.
Ninja's end gear isn't the strongest.

Once you're Ninja 80 or so, you can join Sorcerer.
Ninja's extra swings will give a big penalty to other guilds.

Sorcerer will give you the most offensive magic (Fire, Cold, Electrical, Alchemy) and all resistances at cheapest spellcost.
And you can heal with Morkal magic.

You're missing movement spells (Levitation, Magical Flight, Ethereal Portal).
That can be solved with a little bit of Magi.
Magi gives you Movement spells (not all), Healing and Charming.

Ninja 1->80
Sor 1->40
Mag 1->40
Ninja 80->150
Sor 40->75
Mag 40->75
Nin 150->250
...
...






II. Neutral Dwarf Warrior/Thief/Magi
Warrior has best fighting, best A/D, best end-gear.
Warrior to 46 will earn you your 2nd swing.
Thief is best at thieving, prevent gold/items being stolen from, succesfully opening chests, opening locked chests.
Magi for a bit of movement spells (ethereal portal, levitation, magical flight), healing and charming.


War 1->80
Thi 1->40
Mag 1->40
War 80->150
Thi 40->75
Mag 40->75
War 150->250
...
...



III. Neutral Dwarf Warrior/Thief/Cleric/Warlock
If you want to take your time and select the best guilds.
Best fighting.
Best A/D
Best thieving.
Best healing and blasting.
All resistances.
All movement spells.

This combo is strong enough to make it all the way.
But you'll need levels above the 1000 to make it solo.

Warrior 1->80
Thief 1->40
Cleric 1->40
Warlock 1->40
Warrior 80->150
Thief 40->75
Cleric 40->75
Warlock 40->75
...
...



IV. Good Human Paladin/Sorcerer/Explorer
Paladin gives good fighting and healing.
The guild crest gives mana regeneration which is nice.
Paladins get more extra swings than warriors.

Sorcerer gives blasting and resistances.
Explorer gives you movement spells and perception.

Art 1
Pal 1->80
Sor 1->40
Exp 1->40
Pal 80->150
Sor 40->75
Exp 40->75
Pal 150->250



Big problem with a single character is getting paralyzed.
Once paralyzed monsters take free shots at you, until you get unparalyzed and that can take a while.
Build up your Resist Paralysis spell from Sorcerer.
Or use equipment: Dalyn's Tear (Nin/Sor 106) gives 75% Paralysis and Stone resistance.
Or use companions so that you're not a single target and your companions will continue fighting while you are paralysed.

An inconvenience is only having one Establish Mystic Portal location.
You will use Open Mystic Portal / greenies for returning to town when you're pinned.
You'll probably not be using them to get instantly in the dungeon to fight where you left of.



Good luck! Please let us know which race/guild combo you ultimately decide on.

 

[anvi]

This sounds like a proper RPG. Where can you get it?

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

decklain's domain or w/e.

 

[covr]

I am slowly exploring 7-8 lvl with my poor and sub optimal party of adventurers (Magi 50lv, Warrior/Thief 60lv, Artisan/Explorer 60lv).

When to stop lvl explorer - does he gets any better? He has some useful spells, but I am thinking on switching to artisan to get all the good gear asap.

My magi sucks, I am thinking on muticlassing him with sorcerer, but exp penalty could be harsh.

Warrior/Thief - many kills, good at chests

Where is tea room? When can I level more than 2 levels after being pinned?

This game is cancer, I fucking love it.