Variant idea

[ZatarRufus]

Someone in another thread (I cant remember where) said they went up 2 levles just from all the monsters dying when they activated the carion stones.

That would be:

LemmingofGlory:
I was playing a "No experience" non-HC Nec last week-ish. He leveled to 2 from the Carin stones frying Raka's minions and from hitting a Poison Shrine.

This is from the 'No experience expedition' thread. [Note to self, try quoting twentythree's first post to figure out how to do the linking thing.]

I chose not to continue posting in that thread as too many things were requiring my attention. LemmingofGlory appeared (to me) to jump at the chance for a well thought out Variant, however I hadn't even considered what to do after boot camp, nor of any other character 'cept the Barbarian.

twentythree:..... can a lvl 1 character even buy a thorns belt? Is that mod aviable on items at such a low level?

Yes. I've found many a belt I 'could' equip, but testing with another character reveiled I'd also gain experience from the richochet kills. This, during boot camp, was contrary to my objective. It also seems as tho I'd found the 'attacker takes damage of X' on other items as well, but since that was taboo to me, I'd sell and not pay particular attention to the stats (mods?).

Which brings me to a point I'd like to make.

moget?:
Where are you gonna get all the cash for a merc? Even with clever flavie/shrine usage, its going to be a challenge coming up with 300 gold for a rogue mercenary!

When running around in the Dark Wood, the Black Marsh, & the Tamoe Highlands, one can open chests which yield items that can be sold for good money. Keep in mind one may spend anywhere from a few minutes to an hour to collect the items. Not because of scarcity, but because you must learn the AI and how to trap and lose the enemies in order to clear the area for safely opening the chest and, of course, acquiring the item. One of my worst situations occurred when I saw a Unique hit the ground and was not able to re-approach it for some time.

Edit: Just noticed, "I saw a Unique hit the..." No, I saw an interestingly colored item hit the ground, and later it turned out to be a Unique.

Edit2: Been a while, I don't recall if one can see the tan color when it falls or after it is identified. Anyhow, it was a small axe of some sort and was exciting for the reason that a no experience character found it.