0.2: qw 0.2.0

0.2.0 (2023-06-16)

This version supports DCSS 0.30.

Release Highlights

• Support for ranged combat with launchers.
• Greatly improved within-level pathing.
• Use of exclusions for unreachable monsters.

Configuration and Performance

• The default 15-rune route now attempts Slime before converting to TSO.
• The Orb goal now only has qw seek and pick up the Orb of Zot. This can be
  used with subsequent non-winning goals to do challenges like Orb run Tomb.
• A new Escape goal that has qw exit on D:1 (regardless of having the Orb).
• A new Win goal that executes the Orb goal followed by Escape. This goal
  is always selected when the end of the goal list is reached.
• qw assumes 32MB of max memory available to lua and will halt execution if 90%
  of this limit is reached. Crawl has a new -lua-max-memory argument that
  should be used to increase the memory available to clua to at least 32MB.
• A COROUTINE_THROTTLE variable to enable or disable use of yielding to
  break up cpu-intensive calculations.
• Crawl should be run with the -no-throttle argument for WebTiles or
  dgamelaunch servers, since we can't guarantee that qw won't trigger crawl's
  lua throttle even if qw's coroutine throttle is enabled.
• Gameplans are now referred to as goals in both documentation and code.

Debug

• New functions reset_coroutine() and resume_qw() to aid in debugging when
  qw halts due to an error.
• An override_goal() function to set which has qw attempt the specified goal.
• New functions print_traversal_map(), print_unexcluded_map(),
  print_distance_maps(), and print_distance_map() to display sections of
  map data in the message log.

Exploration and Map

• Use of distance mapping to navigate many previously unsolveable pathing
  situations:
  • Unreachable monsters withoutlos_no_trans that still prevent resting or
    autoexplore.
  • Unreachable monsters with los_no_trans that we can't move to and that
    can't move to us.
  • Unreachable travel destinations due to firewood monsters blocking the path.
  • Moving towards unexplored areas to satisfy exploration goals when
    autoexplore is unable to reach these areas.
• Use of exclusions for unreachable monsters:
  • Unreachable monsters we can't attack with ranged.
  • Unreachable monsters that get us to low HP while we try to use ranged
    attacks.
  • Consider whether we have digging and want to dig out a currently
    unreachable monster instead of excluding it.
  • Move past excluded monsters to the next feature we need to take for travel
    purposes.
  • Mark excluded stairs in exclusions as unsafe. Don't stairdance up a
    staircase if its destination staircase is unsafe.
• Move towards the abyssal runelights to help find the abyssal rune.
• Move towards the abyssal rune even with hostiles around if HP is not low.
• The Orb run and Abyss are handled in what is now the single move plan list.
  This allows attempting non-Win goals after the Orb has been obtained, e.g.
  Orbrun Tomb.
• Waypoints are used on every level, allowing execution of plans that use
  distance mapping in the Abyss, Pan, and in portals.
• Monster pathing checks now considers each monster's specific traversal
  abilities.
• qw can recover from missing c_persist data and will visit any levels as
  necessary to re-record data.

Items and Equipment

• Assessment and use of launcher weapons for characters that start with one.
• Dex and Str from items are valued according to which stat qw's weapon uses.
• On weapons, value the spectral brand twice as much and the electrocution
  brand half as much. The new heavy brand is valued 33% more than
  flaming/freezing.
• More accurately keep currently unfavorable items based on future goals:
  • Items that won't be disliked by future gods.
  • Items that don't remove availability of MP required for future gods.
• Correct evaluation of future god MP requirements for items.
• Evaluation of Str and Dex based on which stat our weapon uses.

Strategy and Tactics

• Targeting for throwing and launchers that chooses the best enemy based on
  relevant criteria like distance, threat, damage level, etc.
• A new tatical step that tries to move away from slimy walls.
• The water movement tactical step can activate if we have a ranged target even
  if we have no adjacent enemies.