| This neat feature keeps track of where your character(s) have been
and gives a player access to a graphical map of exactly where they are
(if the character isn’t lost), what direction they’re facing and what level
they are on. The nice thing is that it’s shared. If one character
goes down and completely maps level 1, then all of the other characters
in the game have access to the same map. The map is also shared
between single-player and Multiplayer mode (it’s the only
thing that’s shared), but you cannot share your map with another player’s map
in MP mode.
Mapping ability is based
on a character’s Perception ability (See Guild Statistics).
As a character becomes more powerful, they will be able to map more completely,
not missing little things. Once a square is properly mapped, it will
not be “erased” by another character with a lower perception ability.
The map for a level is automatically updated as a character walks into
unmapped areas.
Click on picture for larger image
Getting
Lost
If your character manages to get lost (by hitting a Teleporter, or
something), the Automap will no longer reflect where you are. A lost
character can find themselves by either stepping back into explored territory
or figuring out where they are (by using their perception ability).
Annotations
You have the ability of leaving annotations on the Automap, which can
be read and referenced later. To do this, right-click on the square
(it must be explored) to bring up the Annotation menu. Select Annotate Square
to add an annotation to the square. You can Edit and Delete existing
annotations to change and remove them.
Changing to Full Screen
Mode
You can switch between windowed (default) and full-screen mode by
double-clicking on the Automap. Note that the purpose of the full-screen mode is to
be able to plan your path through the dungeon, or check what areas you have
yet to map, not to play in: If you walk through the dungeon with your attention
only on the map, don’t be surprised when a monster hits you in back of your head!
Changing
Levels
You can use the scroll bar located in the Automap window to
page through the levels. The Automap will only allow levels that
have been ‘explored’ to be accessible (e.g. if the deepest you have been
is level 6, the Automap will not allow you to look at any levels deeper
than 6 until somebody ventures down there!).
Getting
the Coordinates of a Specific Square
You can hold the mouse over any portion of the Automap and move the
mouse around to find out the exact coordinates of the selected square.
Moving
the Automap Around
You can move the Automap around by left-clicking anywhere on the Automap
and dragging it around. Useful for looking around on a level,
or locating that important teleporter or set of stairs! |
