Keymap/Macro for mage
 

I've been looking at how to use fewer keystrokes for spells and it seems very complicated to me. Would someone be kind enough to walk me through step by step what i need to do to be able to cast magic missile at my chosen target with just one keystroke?

1. Inscribe spellbooks with @m<number>, e.g. @m1 for beginner's handbook
2. Go to keymap menu. Select create new keymap
3. Pick a character, say 'p' for new keymap and a specific action you want
Let's assume you want a key for "Shoot magic missile at current target."
4. Add keymap p: m1a5$
For cast spell a from book 1 at target. (5 represents target if it exists, or select target if it doesn't. ) $ closes the keymap
5. Select 'y' not ESC when prompted for acceptance. (It's anniyingly easy to get this wrong.)

Inscribe (with the '{' command) your spellbook with "@m1". Hit '=' to bring up options, then go to keymaps and create a new keymap. Choose the key you want to use for the command (I like to use "!" for this one). Type "*tm1a" for the command.

Note:
Derakon's recipe shoots at nearest target, not current.

Oh, right, yes. I usually use " for the same command but with the current target. But then, I use a Dvorak keyboard. If you're on Qwerty, you can use Q instead, and if you really want to access the normal function of the Q command, you can hit '\' then Q to perform the "underlying" function of that key.

Thanks a lot guys! I think i may use both of those recipies. :D

I add the following lines to my <username>.prf file:

Further note: the reason to use numbers rather than letters is it allows you to lose (or gain) books.
Otherwise, if you use maa5 instead of m1a5, it'll work, but it will do something unexpected if you lose all copies of book one (say to fire, or you are trying to get home with a full load of loot.)

I can't seem to find the <username>.prf file. :(

Also, I mapped magic missile like Pete Mack suggested and it worked great, but after quitting angband the keymap was gone. Anyone know why that would be?

You create one when you save preferences. Without a preferences file, the game has no memory of changes you make.
Generally you want one for each class you play. (For other classes, youll want keymaps for archery instead of magic.)

That said, I rarely make a single map for a go-to damage spell, because the spell changes throughout the game, from magic missile, to fire or acid bolt, to meteor swarm. I dont have enough spare keys to map them all at the same time.

Starting to feel like an idiot, but i can't seem to find out how to save my preferences. I've played angband before, but never really costumized it in any way. Would appreciate if anyone could tell me.

What operating system are you playing on?

Windows 10

So you need to go to the option menu '=', k to create your keymaps, and then save to a file. The file should be in your lib/user folder, and you can then edit it directly.

If I've got that wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me :)

Found the save keymaps command in options and got the file :)

People are still as helpful on this forum as i remember from several years back :D

Thanks guys!

I did something a bit diifferent than the above, but it works .... While playing a particular class, I build up the keymaps as I go, then, I save that file to ranger.prf or mage.prf, so that way, when I am playing a new char of a previously played class, I just load 'ranger.prf" and then save as charname.prf just so I don't have to load the class file every time.

Clumsy, but it works.