[RevJ]

I think the random nature of rogue-likes is what makes them so addictive. Sometimes it all comes together well and you can run around kicking monster butt, other times you have be more tactical.

One of the armors (scale I think) protects against poison, which can be handy if you don't have an antidote. Arrows work well against creatures that you don't want to have come too close (like trick-bags, those mushroom things, and wyverns). Wands can also do wonders at a distance.

I don't let much go to waste - reading a torch scroll will still show up traps, weak weapons and shields can still be thrown at the enemy, blindness and eyesight herbs can still be eaten to stave off hunger etc.

I use the keyboard, knowing how that works helps too, eg Z+X to heal (if you can afford getting hungrier), C to change direction, D to travel diagonally. Moving diag helps to move around using less food and speeds up the game.