EDIT: Immediately after posting this, I found that Angband just got an update from version 3.3.2 to 3.4.0. I doubt that commands are different, but keep in mind that all my discussions AFTER this will be based upon Angband 3.4.0.
One aspect of Angband that initially threw me for a loop is the commands. Some are obvious, but there are many that are just different enough from the ones I use in Nethack that a review of them is worthwhile. Within the game, there are two ways to read information about the game: either press the “?” to bring up a group of subjects to look at in more detail,
or else press the Enter key (if you are looking for a command).
Each of those lines will bring up a list of related commands. For instance, setting the cursor at “Information” and hitting Enter gives you
Here is a list of most relevant commands, just keep in mind that the link in the beginning to “Thangoradrim.net” is broken and won’t work.
Inscriptions, macros, and keymaps:
Angband has the ability to let you set up complex commands to activate with a single keypress. I can’t really do better describing how to do this than the official manual, so here’s the link to the relevant page. Although it does warn you that it’s outdated, the information is still applicable.
Useful early playing tips:
Even if you don’t set up macros, learn to use the ‘ key to target nearby monsters with spells or missiles. The rooms in Angband can get pretty large even in the early game, and moving to a straight line of sight lets the monsters move closer (when they are awake).
You can “T”unnel without a shovel, but it takes more time. Differently colored squares mean magma or quartz, which will yield ore when dug out. As you go deeper, more valuable metals can be found.
When the way is blocked: if it’s rubble in a hallway, just “T”unnel past it. If it’s a hall, try “s”earching for a secret door; Angband seems to have a higher success rate for that than Nethack does, and secret doors are never locked. Sometimes a door is stuck, in which case you can “B”ash it open or use a spell to open it. Bashing will stun/paralyze you for a few turns but doesn’t seem to hurt you.
Beware of traps, which can be detected by mage spell and disarmed by rogues or rangers (or spell, I think).
Mushrooms are a bit like potions – they come in different flavors, not all are beneficial, and you can sell them to some shops (which will identify them).
One of Angband’s unique features is that you can restart dead characters at level 1, as if they were newly created with the same name. Such characters will have a “monster memory” file that lets you gradually get information about the creatures you encountered with the previous version of the character. To read the information your character has learned, press the “~” key and select the section you want to see:
main knowledge menu
and to learn about monsters, just select the correct type and press Enter. Here’s what my mage knows about white snakes:
You learn more the more of any type you kill.
Shops in Angband play an important role; here’s the manual page about the Town and its shops. If you follow the links at the bottom of the page, there are additional helpful instructions for beginners on various topics.
One Day, I Will Ascend 