Angband Variants

[GW-Angband] [Ingband] [JAngband] [KAmband] [KAngband] [MAngband] [PsiBand] [QAngband] [RAngband] [SAngband] [Utumno] [YYAngband] [ZAngband] [Download] [Other Variants]

With the popularity of Angband comes the need to diversify. That's what Angband variants do. The original Angband is left untouched, but new gameplay ideas are introduced in the variant. Here are a few of them:

GW-Angband (Greg Wooledge Angband)

Programmer: Greg Wooledge

I haven't played much of this variant so I don't know what's different about it. It seems generally the same as Angband.

Ingband (IronMan-Angband)

Programmer: Robert Shiells

Angband madness surfaces in this variant. Shops are permanently closed and down is the only direction you can go. Only for the hard-core Angbander.

JAngband (Jurriaan's Angband)

Programmer: Jurriaan Kalkman

Quite a number of changes have been made here. The interface is slightly different, new monsters, items and traps. The town has been improved on and more. Do take a look at it.

KAmband

Programmer: Robert Ruehlmann

A wierd variant of Angband, based on the variant Kangband. Start somewhere in the dungeon and make your way up to town. This variant introduces new races, dungeon levels, religion, items and more.

KAngband

Programmer: ?

An interesting variant of Angband with a 'questy' feel. The town has been expanded, with buildings such as guilds where you can gain new spells or get healed, a castle where the king gives you quests, an arena where you fight for the grand prize, a casino, a library and more. Also added is a mini-wilderness outside town, and a couple of quests. A new class, the Illusionist has also been added with new spells. As an added bonus, terrain features such as water has been added to dungeon levels. Definitely worth the download.

Tips and Hints:

Want quick and easy exp? The arena is a great source. Priests and paladins should have a great time with this, but warriors whould also find it fruitful. Simply fight in the arena. Since magic is not allowed in it, fighters are better off. The exp earned can be terrific. Too boost your fighting capability, enter only when fully healed and pray prayers (for warriors, read scrolls) such as 'Bless' before entering and you should enjoy your arena life.

MAngband (Multi-player Angband)

Programmer: ?

Amazing but true! Angband, now real-time and multiplayer. Don't have much to comment on it though, as it runs REAL slow on my connection and when I logged on, no one was there.

Tips and Hints:

To get the fullest out of your MAngbanding, get a GOOD connection, fast and lag free. You'll appreciate it.

PsiBand (Psionic Angband)

Programmer: ?

Angband with a new character class, the Psionicist. Psionic foci are worn in place of amulets for such characters, and they grant bonuses and abilities depending on their type and level. Interesting idea.

QAngband (Quest Angband)

Programmer: Heino Vander Sanden

My personal favourite. Select from 2 to 40 quests (the compulsory 2 being Sauron and Morgoth) to perform during your venture through the dungeon. Then plunge in and hack away. Upon the completion of the quests, the last quest monster drops an excellent item and the stair down to the next level appears. Also supports random artifacts, and a few new items such as 'Rings of Mana' have been added. The fun thing about quests? The quest monsters are usually considerably out of depth...

Tips and Hints:

Monster scumming! Well, not exactly, considering that the type of monsters remains the same, but its great for exp. Here's how it goes: find a quest with monsters that are relatively easy to kill and provide great exp. Then kill all but the last one, go up the stairs and then come back down. Those quest monsters would have regenarated and you can kill them again for exp. Also, watch out for Rings of Mana as they boost your total mana dramatically, especially for low level characters. My level 17 paladin has over 140 mana :).

RAngband (Realistic Angband)

Author: Eric Bock

Definitely much more realistic. Slain monsters leave corpses with can be eaten, along with MUCH more stuff as you would expect them to carry. Spells cost much less in mana, so you can dish out Orbs of Draining like they were water. Items can also weigh much more, up to millions of pounds for the corpse of a dragon. Watch as blood and gore splatter across dungeon walls. All this and more in Realistic Angband.

Tips and Hints:

KILL! With the cost of spells reduced, that really shouldn't be a problem. Plus the stuff you will get...

SAngband (Skill Angband)

Programmer: ?

A new exp system, this time based on skills. Spend your hard earned exp on skills such as two-weapon wield and backstabbing. A refreshing look at Angband. Truly a worthy variant.

Utumno

Programmer: Matt Craighead

This variant should make Diablo fans drool. Angband in real time, with graphics and an isometric view of the dungeon. For those who have played Diablo, you know you should get it. For those who haven't, all the more you should get it.

Tips and Hints:

Beginners definitely want to decrease the game speed, because the game runs in real time and so reflexes are as important as tactics. This is especially true for magic users, who may have difficulty targeting their spells.

YYAngband (Yin-Yang Angband)

Programmer: Dag Arneson

Angband witht the addition of a Mutant race with random stats and mana batteries which can store mana. Not really impressive, but you may find it otherwise.

ZAngband (Zelazny Angband)

Programmer: Topi Ylinen

Based on Roger Zelazny's 'Amber' universe, this is probably the most popuplar Angband variant out there. In fact, to call it a variant is quite an understatement. So many changes have been made that it is almost a new roguelike in itself. Sauron and Morgoth have been replaced by Oberon and the Serpent of Chaos. The magic system has been revamped, with seven realms of magic, each with 28 spells. New items and monsters have been added. Dungeon levels have been revamped. TONS of new classes and races to choose from. The list just keeps going on. Definitely worth a look.