Ascension kit

The ascension kit is the nickname given to a set of items that are virtually required for a successful ascension. Most often, they are chosen for their attributes: Reflection, Magic Resistance and Cancellation, and similar. The most common AK includes MR, MC3, Reflection, Very Fast speed, a unihorn, blessed luckitem, levitation, capability to attack at a range, conflict, and augmented stats, either Int and Wis, Dex, or Str.

Common items include:

• Dragon scale mail, usually silver or grey : This provides either magic resistance or reflection, 9 base points of AC, and does not hinder spellcasting.
• Cloak of magic resistance : Provides magic resistance, MC3, and 1 base point of AC.
• Robe : Provides enhanced spellcasting, MC3, and 2 base points of AC. Commonly combined with GDSM and an amulet of reflection, or SDSM and a quest artifact that provides MR.
• Gauntlets of power or dexterity : Gauntlets of power provide strength 25 (+6 to damage) and 2 points of base AC; casters prefer gauntlets of dexterity, which do not hinder spellcasting, increase dexterity by the number of points in the enchantment, and provide base AC 1.
• Speed boots or Jumping Boots and Haste Self : Combined with intrinsic speed (zap yourself with a wand of speed monster or eat a quantum mechanic if your class does not get it by default), this provides Very Fast speed, helping you get through the endgame faster and dodge monsters. Jumping boots (or the spell of Jump, or a knight's intrinsic jumping ability) allow you to move sometimes up to three or four squares in one turn, which is even better than speed.
• Helm of brilliance or Elven Leather Helm : Helm of Brilliance does not hinder spellcasting and increases Intelligence and Wisdom by its enchantment, along with providing base AC 2 and protecting your head from falling rocks. Elven leather helms do not hinder spellcasting, provide base AC 1, and can be safely enchanted up to +7, giving them a higher potential AC boost than any other helm.
• Shield of reflection or amulet of reflection : If you are not wearing SDSM, you want some source of reflection; otherwise lightning attacks can explode rings and wands, cold attacks can freeze potions, &c. The shield is a good choice for non-spellcasters, cannot rust or corrode, and provides 2 base AC. The amulet takes up a useful slot where lifesaving could go, but confident players often choose this option.
• Ring of levitation : Players must be levitating or flying to move usefully on the plane of Air. The potion of levitation is unreliable, levitation boots are generally less desirable than speed boots or jumping boots, and the Heart of Ahriman is not worth keeping around just for this plane. Levitation is also helpful but not necessary on the plane of Fire; you can walk to the portal if you really have to, and fireproof boots of water walking are also an option. Still, most players levitate, and most levitating players use the ring.
• Amulet of life saving : If you die while wearing it, unless the cause of death would still kill you afterward, you come back with full HP. While not necessary, it's hard to argue with this as a useful item.
• Blessed luckstone : Or a blessed Quest Artifact that acts as a luckstone (for example, the Tsurugi of Muramasa.
• Blessed unicorn horn : Can be invoked to cure sickness caused by Pestilence, not to mention all of the status ailments you might pick up otherwise.
• Wand of death : Pestilence and Famine are both vulnerable to wands of death, as are other endgame baddies: the Wizard of Yendor, air elementals, player monsters, &c. (note: Do not zap Death with a wand of death.)
• Wand of teleportation : Can be zapped (even on non-teleport levels!) at monsters or objects to make them go away. Very useful when trying to get to a high altar or get rid of air elementals.

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