Lum the Mad's Machine

morfeus · Post by **morfeus** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 5:16 am

I hardly ever get the searchengine to work so I am not sure if any has posted on this topic before...... So,

What did u do with Lum's machine (in Tob, not the boot-machine in SoA). I started to try all 3 digit combinations, (729 in all) like 1-2-3, 1-2-4, 1-2-5 and so on, but after a few hours I didnt bother anymore. (Lots of reloads in between.)

Later, I found hints for all the "lucky numbers", but I have a few thoughts about this machine.

First of all, I dont like to cheat, but I like to take advantage of the opportunities in a game. Example, In the underdark, the first time, I thought there was an endless stream of -elementals at the portals, and an endless stream of teleported mindflayers, so I didnt kill too many. Second time around I knew the number were fixed so I killed them all. To me the game is spoiled if I can get one trillion gold or any uber-weapon or things like that. I like to eke my way through on my own skills.

The lum-machine on the other hand confuses me. I am sure the most rewards/penalties are randomly (apart from a few fixed combinations), but are the number of goodies fixed? I received some 1.000.000 exp.points and a lot of punishment. Then after a while I stopped, cause I see no reason to sit for weeks and boost my exp to 100M just because it is possible.

On the other hand if the number of 100.000 exp gains is fixed I consider it almost mandatory to gain them.

So, what do you know and think of this machine? Tried all combinations? Any statistics?

polaris · Post by **polaris** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 5:25 am

**SPOILERS**

Located at various places in Watchers keep, you will find various notes written by "Lum the Mad" [Example: Beautiful people are short, red, and green.....I might not remember this right so be sure you look at the notes YOURSELF.] Each one of these notes is a code that you can use in Lum's machine. Unless you want to cheat and look up the codes in a source guide, DON'T THROW THOSE NOTES AWAY!

-Polaris

P.S. I suppose it would not be cheating (since it could be done IC) to write down all the codes you find on ONE sheet of paper and then toss them.

morfeus · Post by **morfeus** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 5:40 am

I know about the notes. No. I didnt use them, But that is not the topic at all.

The point is that there a total of 729 combination to push the buttons. Should we or should we not try all of them out?

Further I ask, how many exp. is it possible to drain from the machine? How many extra hitpoint, wisdom, dexterity etc is it possible to gain?

Is it a fixed number of rewards to gain from the machine or are the rewards/penalties from RANDOM combination 100% randomly distributed?

Should we consider the machine as a cheat-box or is it mandatory to try out combinations for 20 hours to boost our crew for future horrors and monsters?

polaris · Post by **polaris** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 5:47 am

Morpheus,

AHH....ok I misunderstood your question then. Sorry about that. Since I haven't look at the script behind 'Lum's Machine', I can't give you a definative answer (perhaps someone who has done this could?) From what I have seen and have been told, however, if you stray from the standard (notes) combinations (or use the notes more than once), you get a completely random result (usually bad).

Of course your milage may vary, and I too would be interested in hearing something more definitive.

-Polaris

morfeus · Post by **morfeus** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 6:07 am

Yep, I understood that you misunderstood, but allow me to fill you in what I experienced.

1) A random combination doesnt give a fixed result. Trying (for example) 5-7-8 for the first time, several times (reload inbetween) gives different (randomly) result.

2) "Rewards" I have gained:
100.000 exp. at least 7 times.
abilities + four times (never a repeat in same ability)
HP + 4 once. Only once.
Lighting bolt many times.
Fireball a few times.
Acid multiple
Petrify many times (sigh)
Imprisonment Im quite familiar with it.
Potion adaequate for a healthfarm

+ the "usual" stuff

nickygoh · Post by **nickygoh** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 6:12 am

I also haven't looked at the script, but it seems generally accepted that you can only get the stat increases and item once each... Having also done some more or less random button bashing, I would guess it's random what effect you get, with the XP one being *extremely* rare...

As an aside, after I'd got the stat increases and item, I thought I'd randomly button bash. The very first, totally random combination I did opened the portal to the next level.

That was *without* knowing the combination either... What are the odds on that, now?!?

polaris · Post by **polaris** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 6:13 am

Interesting,

From the data so far, I would have to say that unless you use those special combos, the result is completely random *regardless* of what combination you chose. I tried one myself (blue-blue-blue) and got (for example) a potion of superior healing.

I would be interested in hearing from someone that actually knows something about how it was coded.

-Polaris

nickygoh · Post by **nickygoh** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 6:16 am

*addendum*

Hmmm - morfeus, are those stat increases you mention above in addition to the 6 you can get through the recognised combos??

morfeus · Post by **morfeus** » Fri Aug 03, 2001 6:43 am

Achilles :
My mentioned stats are what I experienced. I gained 600.000 exp points (6x100.000) from random buttons. But I am quite sure that my pluss' in abilites was from hitting the known combo's. And I must add that I also gained a few minus on abilities. (nothing a reload couldnt cure)