Moxie Combat Strategy

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The Moxie Combat Strategy capitalizes on the fact that when your Moxie reaches a certain point above your opponent's muscle, it can not hit you, but you can hit it. A comprehensive list of those Moxie values can be found here. Unlike most other combat strategies, this one does not center around skills, but is instead based mostly on effects and equipment. Because of this, what you find is a lot more important than with another strategy, like LTS, which is a disadvantage, but unlike LTS, it requires little to no MP to run. Because the strategy is based almost exclusively on having high Moxie, it makes it difficult to use this strategy in conjunction with monster level increasers, which is an important way to increase run speed in more advanced hardcore, and softcore as well.

This strategy uses various potions and other buffs to increase your Moxie so that it is high enough to hit the monster. This means that the strategy is purely hitting the monster with a crossbow or other ranged weapon until it dies. Though melee damage increasers like Flaming Talons or Claws of the Walrus will increase the damage you deal, they will only shorten the fight, not make you more likely to win it. Initiative-increasing skills have a small place in the strategy as well--if you can use them to get the jump on a monster you can not out-Moxie, you'll be able delevel the monster with a combat item or skill.

Useful Skills:

Class	Skill	Notes	Level
Accordion Thief	Stevedave's Shanty of Superiority	30 MP (Buff) +10% All Stats	10
Accordion Thief	Psalm of Pointiness	15 MP (Buff) Deals 4-8 Damage to opponent when you are hit -3 Monster Stats when activated	8
Accordion Thief	Moxious Madrigal	2 MP (Buff) +10 Moxie	1
Accordion Thief	Moxie of the Mariachi	1 MP (Self-Buff) +1 Moxie +4 Max HP	1
Disco Bandit	Disco Face Stab	10 MP (Combat Skill) Deals 15-18 Damage -7 Monster Stats	10
Disco Bandit	Disco Aerobics	1 MP (Self-Buff) +2 Moxie	1
Seal Clubber	Super-advanced Meatsmithing	Passive Allows smithing of advanced weapons. Weapons that require this skill are indicated with (RAMS).	5

Other Notes: Though you may want to take Madrigal as your first AT skill, it's not advisable to pick up Moxie strategy skills for the strategy itself simply because you can't really expand it to non-Moxie classes.

Moxie Strategy Weapons:

Item	Related Enchantments	Hands	Power	Notes
Star Crossbow	+8 Moxie	2	165	5 Stars, 6 Lines
Star Boomerang	+5 Moxie	1	135	4 stars, 5 lines
Carob Cannon	+7 Moxie	2	135	Smith (RAMS): Chrome Crossbow+Carob Chunks +3 Adventures at Rollover, +5 Stench Damage
Hot Cross Bow	+7 Moxie	2	130	Smith (RAMS): Asbestos Crossbow+Hot Nuggets +5 Muscle, +5 Hot Damage
Projectile Icemaker	+7 Moxie	2	125	Smith (RAMS): Linoleum Crossbow+Cold Nuggets +7 Spell Damage, +5 Cold Damage
Chrome Crossbow	+7 Moxie	2	120	Smith (RAMS): Sinewey Crossbow String+Chrome Meat Stack +3 adventures at rollover
Potato Pistol	+5 Moxie	1	120	Smith: Kentucky-Fried Meat Crossbow+t8r Tots +5 Sleaze Damage
Asbestos Crossbow	+7 Moxie	2	110	Smith (RAMS): Sinewey Crossbow String+Asbestos Meat Stack +5 Muscle
Linoleum Crossbow	+7 Moxie	2	100	Smith (RAMS): Sinewey Crossbow String+Linoleum Meat Stack +7 Spell Damage
Goulauncher	+4 Moxie	2	100	Smith: Savory Crossbow+Ghuol Guolash +5 Spooky Damage
Lead Yo-yo		1	80	Purchase in the Armory and Leggery
Savory Crossbow	+4 Moxie	2	80	Smith: Dense Meat Crossbow+Scrumptious Reagent
Bubble Bauble Bow	+3 Moxie	2	80	Smith: Bubblewrap Crossbow+Bling-bling +2 Mysticality, +5% Item Drops
Can Cannon	+3 Moxie	2	75	Smith: Styrofoam Crossbow+Razor-Sharp Can Lid +3 Monster Level, +3 Melee Damage The Moxie and Monster Level cancel.
Kentucky-Fried Meat Crossbow	+5 Moxie	2	70	Smith: Dense Meat Crossbow String+Secret Blend of Herbs and Spices
Grease Gun	+3 Moxie	1	65	Smith: Cardboard Crossbow+White Citadel Burger +3 Melee Damage, +3 Sleaze Damage
Dense Meat Crossbow	+3 Moxie	2	60	Smith: Sinewy Crossbow String+Dense Meat Stack
Bubblewrap	+3 Moxie	2	60	Smith: Basic Meat Crossbow+Bubblewrap Ore +2 Mysticality
Cardboard Crossbow	+3 Moxie	2	60	Smith: Basic Meat Crossbow+Cardboard Ore +3 Melee Damage
Styrofoam Crossbow	+3 Moxie	2	60	Smith: Basic Meat Crossbow+Styrofoam Ore +3 Monster Level The Moxie and Monster Level cancel.
eXtreme Meat Crossbow	+7 Moxie	2	60	Smith: Basic Meat Crossbow String+Stone of eXtreme Power
Disco Banjo	+7 Moxie Bonus for Disco Bandits only	2	50	Stone Banjo (Banjo Strings+Big Rock)+Disco Ball
Rock and Roll Legend	+7 Moxie Bonus for Accordion Thieves only	2	50	Heart of Rock and Roll (Hot Buttered Roll+Big Rock)+Stolen Accordion Increases AT Buff Duration by 10
Dripping Meat Crossbow	+2 Moxie	2	50	Smith: Basic Meat Crossbow+Catsup/Ketchup
Curdflinger	+3 Moxie Successful hit weakens opponent	2	40	Smith: Starchy Crossbow+Bow of Cottage Cheese Useful if opponent is close to being unable to hit you.
Starchy Crossbow	+3 Moxie	2	40	Smith: Basic Meat Crossbow+Dry Noodles
Basic Meat Crossbow	+1 Moxie	2	40	Smith: Meat Stack+Crossbow String
Disco Ball		1	10	Disco Bandit Starting Item, Sewer Drop

Other notes: Ranged weapons are pretty much the only way for this strategy to work. If you spend a turn or two smithing something, but it enables you to dodge and hit things safely, it's worth it.

With the advent of physically resistant monsters, it becomes important for Moxie classes to seek alternative ways of doing damage. To deal with these monsters (like the Snow Queen on the Icy Peak), eat an Insanely Spicy Enchanted Bean Burrito (if you're on a path that can eat) for Chronic Indigestion, CLEESH the physically-resistant monster when you come across it, or buy some Hairsprays (since the monster will be unable to hit you anyway, this is a viable tactic).

Moxie Strategy Equipment:

Item	Related Enchantments	Type	Power	Notes
Chrome Helmet Turtle	+5 Moxie	Hat	120	Smith: Meaty Helmet Turtle+Chrome Ore +5 Muscle, Mysticality Requires Armorcraftiness
f3d0r4	+6 Moxie	Hat	110	Drops in the Valley Beyond the Orc Chasm
Draggin' Ball Hat	+6 Moxie	Hat	100	Drops in the Valley Beyond the Orc Chasm -3 Muscle
Worn Tophat	+7 Moxie	Hat	1255	Drops in the Haunted Ballroom Also +20% Initiative
Baron Von Ratsworth's tophat	+5 Moxie	Hat	75	MCD Reward (Setting: 9) Also +5 Muscle and Mysticality
Knob Goblin Visor	+3 Moxie	Hat	50	Drops in Knob Goblin Treasury
Knob Goblin Harem Girl T-Shirt	+3 Moxie	Shirt	25	Drops in Cobb's Knob Harem if you have Torso Awaregness
Plexiglass Pants	+30% Moxie	Pants	180	Hardcore Oxygenarian Disco Bandit Reward Also +25% Initiative and +20% Items
Stainless Steel Slacks	+15% Moxie	Pants	90	Hardcore Disco Bandit Reward Also +15% Initiative and +20% Meat
Swashbuckling Pants	+4 Moxie	Pants	80	Drops in Obligatory Pirate's Cove Useful for its decent power and Moxie increase.
Boss Bat Britches	+5 Moxie	Pants	65	MCD Reward (Setting: 4)
Knob Goblin Elite Pants	+3 Moxie	Pants	60	Drops in Harem and Treasury
Plexiglass Pendant	+30% Moxie Never Fumble	Accessory		Hardcore Oxygenarian Accordion Thief Reward Also Hold 4 songs in head
Stainless Steel Suspenders	+15% Moxie	Accessory		Hardcore Accordion Thief Reward Also +60 Damage Absorption and +40 Max MP
Chintzy Accordion Pin	+12 Moxie	Accessory		Drop in the Haunted Bedroom +6 Mysticality
Chintzy Disco Pendant	+12 Moxie	Accessory		Drop in the Haunted Bedroom +6 Muscle
Tap Shoes	+11 Moxie	Accessory		Drop in the Haunted Ballroom -20% Initiative
Cape of the Goblin King	+7 Moxie	Accessory		MCD Reward (Setting: 7)
Bonerdagon Necklace	+5 Moxie	Accessory		MCD Reward (Setting: 10) Also +5 Muscle and +30% Combat Initiative
Badass Belt	+5 Moxie	Accessory		Skull of the Bonerdagon+Batskin Belt Also +5 Muscle and Mysticality
Porquoise Bracelet	+4 Moxie Never Fumble	Accessory		Jewelrymaking: Poquoise+Hemp Bracelet
Shiny Ring	+3 Moxie	Accessory		Typical Tavern Quest Reward Also +3 Muscle and Mysticality

Other notes: These are a lot of +Moxie items you are likely to come across during the course of a "normal" hardcore ascension.

Moxie Strategy Items:

Item	Effect	Notes
Connery's Elixir of Audacity	+200% Moxie	Cook: Cocktail Onion+Scrumdiddlyumptious Solution
Potion of Temporary Gr8tness	+100% All Stats	Cook: gr8ps+Scrumdiddlyumptious Solution
Serum of Sarcasm	+100% Moxie	Cook: Olive+Scrumptious Reagent
Tomato Juice of Powerful Power	+50% All Stats	Cook: Tomato+Scrumptious Reagent
Shot of Flower Schnapps	+20% All Stats	Fermenting Powder+Pretty Flower Alternative: Flower Petal Pie
Can of Hair Spray	+15% Moxie	Purchase in The Market in Market Square
Eyedrops of Newt	+25 Moxie	Cook: Eye of Newt+Scrumptious Reagent

Other notes: The potions, though they cost a turn to make, are worthwhile if they enable you to finish higher-level areas like the Hole in the Sky.