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[Kayin]

Lotta machete talk! So lemme say that, in my experience (Few thousand games, 50+ wins, scores over a million), that the machete is pretty much close to worthless. I try and make use of every item... And the only two items I never ever use at this point are machetes and sticky bombs.

Now, while sticky bombs don't work for me, there isn't much wrong with them -- they just don't fit into my gameplan which often involves dropping bombs to clear threats -- such as shop keepers. The Machete on the other hand just doesn't do anything useful. I was even excited about the 0.99.9 changes and put time in to try and make use of it, but still, it failed to impress me.

After seeing this discussion I went back and used the debugger to give me a machete at the start of every game and I put time into every area and tried stuff out against different elements.

So what ARE the the advantages of the machete? Hits over head and diagonally in front of you, hits for longer, does more damage and juggles downed enemies. The disadvantages? Is a held item, has LESS horizontal range and has a horrible back stroke (and in fact, when facing right, you don't even have a back stroke).

So the first two benefits are certainly true, but they eclipsed by thrown items. The only exception to this is some situations where a spider is elevated one title and has a brick next to him. Usually that situation requires a bomb to safely deal with). It doesn't let you hit spiders who are placed higher either (backwhip hits the same height spiders the machete can).

So theres more damage and juggling downed enemies, but the general response is.... who cares? A stunned enemy is pretty much naturalized. Chuck him away, run past him, whatever. The only time it is useful is against yetis, but at the same time, rocks can do the same job from longer range. It's semi helpful against Cultists, but the whips superior backstroke allows you to deal with them easier (either while running or in quick response to a jump or whatever). None of the 'boss' monsters are easier to kill with it either. Spider is still best not handled by melee, Jaws actually goes down faster to the whip (and clearing the pool actually seems easier with the whip, but I can't give any facts as to why this would be o_O). Yeti King and Tomb Lord go down easier to jumping.

Oh yeah, it does own vampires. I'll give it that. So does the bow. I can't think of a single case where either has come up in game though. The machete should either have much bigger hitboxes and be superior to the whip in all ways, OR be an upgrade. As is it'd be a decent upgrade. The drawbacks (less range, bad backstroke, kills some enemies or shreds maneaters when you might want to sack them) might lead to some consideration as to whither you'd want to pick it up. But as a carried item? No thanks, I'll take a rock.

The hold slot is just a really valuable slot. I would argue that a shotgun, with no mobility enhancers or angry shopkeepers, is a burden. It's a tad bit overkill for most things you fight and makes you have to juggle damsels and statues. With mobility enhancers, it gets more and more powerful and allows you to always attack from safe ranges and positions. I'd never kill a shopkeeper just for a shotgun. That shopkeeper has to have lots of goodies to be worth the aggro (or I'm raiding the *spoilers*). The machete doesn't get stronger with more options it's always just a slightly better whip with a few draw backs that takes up that valuable slot. Even the BOW lets you confront things from range, climb obstacles and, occasionally, serve as a .. well, you know.

As for the blood idea, it's kinda pointless. All you need is a pile of bodies and any droppable item and your set. So yeah. Machete could still use a large buff, because right now it's close to worthless. If someone can find use in it for how they play, thats nice, but in general it's still pretty darn awful.

edit: Oh and the machete doesn't hit within it's arc. So small things that get in and hit you sometimes won't 'trade' hits with you, especially if you're facing right. Probably why clearing the pond is a pain.

[poorwill]

Woah, laying down some science here.

The pile 'o bodies trick is a glitch though, surely?  I haven't used it (I just found out about it), but it seems kind of game breaking.

[Kegluneq]

Woah, laying down some science here.

The pile 'o bodies trick is a glitch though, surely?  I haven't used it (I just found out about it), but it seems kind of game breaking.

Only after the headjet though, it takes way too much time to get enough health to make it worthwhile. And after the headjet there are a bunch of things that can insta-kill you so I guess it's not so bad.

[TriCorce]

Lotta machete talk! So lemme say that, in my experience (Few thousand games, 50+ wins, scores over a million), that the machete is pretty much close to worthless.

Hey, have you ever considered making a Spelunky mod (when it goes open-source so it would be legal to distribute) called "I Wanna Be The Spelunky" or "I Want To Have That Golden Idol" or something? P.S. I never got past either of the second screens (on easy!) in IWBTG.

[moldy_tomato]

P.S. I never got past either of the second screens (on easy!) in IWBTG.

Actually there's a third "second screen" on the left side of the first screen.

[Vom]

Hehe, 6 wins, well over 1000 deaths and I only just found out that spiders die if they fall in water. A game that is still surprising after this much play is something rare indeed 

[Kayin]

Lotta machete talk! So lemme say that, in my experience (Few thousand games, 50+ wins, scores over a million), that the machete is pretty much close to worthless.

Hey, have you ever considered making a Spelunky mod (when it goes open-source so it would be legal to distribute) called "I Wanna Be The Spelunky" or "I Want To Have That Golden Idol" or something? P.S. I never got past either of the second screens (on easy!) in IWBTG.

I've considered making a mod, but a serious one and not another IWBTG related. SpelHacky if you will! Class choices, deeper dungeon, perhaps the need to actually ascend and just little tweaks to make things more interesting in my opinion!

(also wow I have 50 wins in like 3000 games and I didn't realize that about spiders either!)

[Hempuli‽]

Suddenly my 700 - 6 status looks bad... :O

I haven't noticed that either, but if you whip the pots there really isn't any occasions you'd meet a spider in the jungle world!

[frood]

Can someone tell me how to create a custom 1st level with some good items so the game is a bit easier? I've tried the level editor but I don't know how to replace the default 1st level.

Thank you!

[Grif]

You can't; all levels in the game are automatically generated.

A few builds back (99.5?) you could, but that was fixed with the inclusion of the level select screen.

[frood]

Dammit, this game needs CHEATZ!

Just an option to start with sticky gloves, or glasses, or something!

It's too hard. What pisses me off is losing two hearts to a ricocheted arrow or rock! Make it easier to regain hearts, at least!

[LazyWaffle]

Dammit, this game needs CHEATZ!

Just an option to start with sticky gloves, or glasses, or something!

It's too hard. What pisses me off is losing two hearts to a ricocheted arrow or rock! Make it easier to regain hearts, at least!

That's kind of the point. He's not going to make it easier, really. If you want an easy game find one, but Spelunky isn't one.

[Grif]

Dammit, this game needs CHEATZ!

Just an option to start with sticky gloves, or glasses, or something!

It's too hard. What pisses me off is losing two hearts to a ricocheted arrow or rock! Make it easier to regain hearts, at least!

You can cheat with GM Debugger if you're that set on doing it.

Look on the spelunky wiki.

[Hempuli‽]

You can cheat with GM Debugger if you're that set on doing it.

Look on the spelunky wiki.

SSHHT!
I hate games where you're able to make it easier for you with codes, mostly because I feel tempted to use them myself.

frood, I command you to not use the debugger! Learn to play the game like a real man! After 500+ tries it becomes a bit easier!

[hryx]

I've come across one or two of the bugs mentioned in the wiki, but since this thread is bigger than Jesus I'll avoid redundancy.

This is great fun, by the way. I was hooked all day and haven't won once. Lots of detail in the mechanics, very smooth, and new things to explore and unlock. Derek is really proving himself to be a distinguished game nerd.

Also, I have a fearful respect for the shopkeeper, because he's so easy to accidentally set off. He sure has an itchy trigger finger.