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[[image:Faxmachine.gif|A Fax Machine|center]]
<center>[[file:Faxmachine.gif|A Fax Machine]]
[[file:rainman.gif|link=Rainy Fax Dreams on your Wedding Day]]
[[file:abacus.gif|link=Doing the Maths]]
[[file:mimicchest.gif|link=%fn, lay an egg]]


The [[A Fax Machine|fax machine]], located in the [[VIP Lounge|Clan VIP Lounge]], allows players to summon photocopies of monsters, potentially including any monster copied by users connected to their clan's fax network. This page lists some of the most effective fax targets ("faxes") in the game for pathless ascensions. [[Special challenge path]] runs may benefit from different strategies, or may block access to the fax machine altogether; see the appropriate path strategy page for details. See [[copying strategy]] for targets that would need to be faxed multiple times.
[[file:briefcase.gif|link=Chateau Mantegna]]
[[file:timespinner.gif|link=Travel to a Recent Fight]]
[[file:gbottle_open.gif|link=Rubbed it the Right Way]]
[[file:whitecard.gif|link=pocket wish]]
[[file:cultistshorts.gif|link=What has it got in its pocketses?]]
[[file:backcamera.gif|link=Back-Up to your Last Enemy]]
[[file:lovelocket.gif|link=Reminiscing About Those Monsters You Fought]]
[[file:mimicegg.gif|link=Mimic DNA Bank]]
</center>
The [[A Fax Machine|fax machine]], located in the [[VIP Lounge|Clan VIP Lounge]], allows players to fight one photocopy of a monster per day, potentially including any monster copied by users connected to their clan's fax network. This page lists some of the most effective fax targets ("faxes") in the game for pathless ascensions. [[Special challenge path]] runs may benefit from different strategies, or may block access to the fax machine altogether; see the appropriate path strategy page for details. See [[copying strategy]] for targets that would need to be faxed multiple times.


The player-sponsored '''faustbot''' and '''Easyfax''' accounts retain copies of most of the interesting fax targets, and can deliver them on demand to your clan's fax machine. Faustbot or Easyfax must be whitelisted into your clan for this to work.
The player-sponsored '''[https://sourceforge.net/p/easyfax/code/HEAD/tree/list Easyfax]''' and '''[https://onlyfax.loathers.net OnlyFax]''' accounts retain copies of most of the interesting fax targets, and can deliver them on demand to your clan's fax machine by sending them a private message with the desired monster's name (<code>/msg EasyFax <monster></code>). Easyfax or OnlyFax must be whitelisted into your clan for this to work.
__NOTOC__
__NOTOC__
==Fax-like mechanics==
==Fax-like Mechanics==
Over time, other fax-like sources of on-demand monster summoning have entered the game. Keep in mind that in [[standard restrictions|Standard-restricted]] runs, the fax machine is not available, but some of the following sources may be.
Over time, other fax-like sources of on-demand monster summoning have entered the game. Keep in mind that in [[standard restrictions|Standard-restricted]] runs, the Fax Machine and some of these mechanics are unavailable. As of 2024, Calculate the Universe, the combat lover's locket, and the Chest Mimic are the only fax-like mechanics available in Standard.


*The painting in '''[[Chateau Mantegna]]''' allows you to summon the last monster you've painted with an [[Alpine watercolor set]]. Because the painting persists through ascension, much of the fax strategy below applies.
'''Skills:'''
*Using a [[Time-Spinner]] to '''[[Travel to a Recent Fight]]''' operates like a fax, but with the limitation that it only summons monsters you've naturally encountered during the current ascension. As such, its function is more similar to [[copying]].
*[[Calculate the Universe]]: A possible outcome for [[Doing the Maths]] is combat against a [[War Frat 151st Infantryman]]. Daily uses limited to the number of {{plural|Manual of Numberology}} read, up to 4.
*Using a [[genie bottle]] to '''[[Rubbed it the Right Way|wish for a fight]]''' allows you to summon almost any copyable monster at will (and even some uncopyable ones.)
*[[Rain Man]] ([[Heavy Rains]] path only): [[Rainy Fax Dreams on your Wedding Day]] allows combat against any copyable monster you have encountered in any Heavy Rains run, in addition to any copyable monsters with at least 1 factoid unlocked, if you have a [[Monster Manuel]] installed. Costs 50 rain drops, not usable when falling-down drunk.
*In the [[Heavy Rains]] challenge path, the skill [[Rain Man]] allows you to '''[[Rainy Fax Dreams on your Wedding Day|make a copy]]''' of any copyable monster you have encountered in any Heavy Rains run, in addition to any copyable monsters you have at least casually researched (at least 1 factoid) if you have a [[Monster Manuel]] installed.
*[[%fn, lay an egg]] (with sufficiently heavy [[Chest Mimic]] as active familiar): Combat skill, creates a [[mimic egg]] copy of your current (copyable) opponent. Usable up to 11 times per day, including multiple uses during the same combat if you want. Costs 50 [[Familiar Weight|familiar XP]].
 
'''Items/Other:'''
*[[Chateau Mantegna]]: The painting leads to combat with the last monster you've painted with an [[Alpine watercolor set]], persisting through Ascension. Usable once per day.
*[[Time-Spinner]]: The [[Travel to a Recent Fight]] option allows combat against any copyable monster in the [[Adventure Queue|combat queues]] in all locations. Costs 3 minutes (out of 10 minutes per day).
*[[genie bottle]] or [[pocket wish]]: [[Rubbed it the Right Way|Wishing for a fight]] allows combat with almost any copyable monster, with some exceptions. Wished fights limited to 3 per day.
*[[Cargo Cultist Shorts]]: [[What has it got in its pocketses?|Reaching into a pocket]] may lead to combat against certain monsters, many of which are ascension-relevant. The resulting combat is a [[free fights|free fight]], but is considered uncopyable for its duration, disabling copying and other mechanics that only work on copyable monsters. Limited to one pocket per day, and each pocket can be reached into once per ascension.
*[[backup camera]]: Not fax-like itself, but the combat skill [[Back-Up to your Last Enemy]] turns your current opponent into your previous opponent. Pairs nicely with all fax-like sources to allow multiple consecutive fights against a summoned monster. Usable 11 times per day.
*[[combat lover's locket]]: The [[Reminiscing About Those Monsters You Fought|reminisce]] link allows combat against any copyable monster that you have previously encountered while wearing the locket. Usable three times per day; each specific monster can be summoned only once per day.
*[[Mimic DNA Bank]]: Players with [[Chest Mimic]]s can donate their {{plural|mimic egg}} instead of using them. Once the DNA Bank has collected 100 eggs for a particular monster, that monster's eggs become available to anyone with an active Chest Mimic with at least 100 [[Familiar Weight|familiar XP]] (10 lbs.). Can withdraw up to 11 eggs per day; shares that counter with [[%fn, lay an egg]], so a maximum of 11 eggs per day regardless of source.


==Turn Efficiency==
==Turn Efficiency==
These faxes directly reduce the number of turns required to complete quests, and the benefit gained from faxing them can't be gained in any other way. Monsters are listed in roughly the order you'd fax them.
These faxes directly reduce the number of turns required to complete quests.


{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
Line 20: Line 41:
! Monster !! Availability !! Purpose !! Needs<br/>Copying? !! Other<br/>Requirements? !! Notes
! Monster !! Availability !! Purpose !! Needs<br/>Copying? !! Other<br/>Requirements? !! Notes
|-
|-
|'''[[sleepy mariachi]]'''
|'''[[mountain man]]'''
|/w faustbot sleepy_mariachi
|No restrictions<br>Available from Cargo Cultist Shorts (565)
|Item drops, Moxie stats
|[[Mt. McLargeHuge Quest|Level 8]] Quest
|No
|Yellow ray
|Saves several powerleveling turns for Moxie classes; makes [[Fancypants Scarecrow|the]] [[Mad Hatrack|best]] [[Baby Gravy Fairy|Fairies]] in the game
|-
|'''[[ghost]]'''
|/w faustbot ghost
|[[digital key]]
|Yes
|Yes
|150% items
| +150%/+900% Items, or Yellow ray
|Saves ~15+ turns in the 8-Bit Realm when copied if you can't access [[Fear Man's Level]]
|Drops up to 2 of each ore (40% and 10%), alternative to [[Itznotyerzitz Mine|mining]] or [[Clover Adventures|clovering ores]]
|-
|-
|'''[[ninja snowman assassin]]'''
|'''[[ninja snowman assassin]]'''
|/w faustbot ninja_assassin
|Cannot be wished for
|[[Mt._McLargeHuge_Quest|Level 8]] quest
|Level 8 quest
|Yes
|Yes
|Survival
|Survival
|Saves ~12 turns (or 3 pulls) when copied twice
|Saves ~12 turns (or 3 pulls) when copied twice
|-
|-
|'''[[Orcish Frat Boy Spy]]'''
|'''[[smut orc pervert]]'''
|/w faustbot frat_spy
|Only available from Cargo Cultist Shorts (666)<br>Cannot be copied
|[[Mysterious Island Quest|Level 12]] quest and/or [[Recover_the_Sisters'_Meat#Notes|the Nuns trick]]
|[[Orc Chasm Quest|Level 9]] Quest
|N/A
|None
|Drops a [[smut orc keepsake box]], worth 5 bridge segments
|-
|'''[[War Frat 151st Infantryman]]'''
|Calculate the Universe
|[[Mysterious Island Quest|Level 12]] quest
|No
|No
|234% items
| +900% Items/Yellow ray
|<nowiki>-</nowiki> Saves 1-2 yellow rays, depending on if you need anything from [[The Hippy Store]]<br/>- Saves 8 turns if it frees up resources that enable the Nuns trick
| Drops the [[Frat Warrior Fatigues]] (10% for each item)
|-
|-
|'''[[lobsterfrogman]]'''
|'''[[lobsterfrogman]]'''
|/w faustbot lobsterfrogman
|No restrictions<br>Available from Cargo Cultist Shorts (220)
|[[Recover_the_Lighthouse_Keeper's_Gunpowder|Sonofa Beach quest]]
|[[Recover the Lighthouse Keeper's Gunpowder|Sonofa Beach quest]]
|No
|No
|None
|None
|Saves ~4 turns (and lots of RNG swing) over finding each one manually <br>(per copy, up to a total of ~20 turns for 5 copies)  
|Saves ~4 turns (and lots of RNG swing) over finding each one manually <br>(per copy, up to a total of ~20 turns for 5 copies)
|-
|'''[[Green Ops Soldier]]'''
|No restrictions<br>Available from Cargo Cultist Shorts (589)
|Level 12 Quest, free runaways
|Yes
| +1900% Items/Yellow ray
|Progresses the War when fighting on the Frat side, drops a [[green smoke bomb]] (5%, 90% chance of a free runaway)
|}
|}


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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
|-
|-
! Monster !! FaxBot Message !! Purpose !! Needs<br/>Copying? !! Other<br/>Requirements? !! Notes
! Monster !! Purpose !! Needs<br/>Copying? !! Other<br/>Requirements? !! Notes
|-
|-
|'''1000 ML butt'''
|'''[[Bram the Stoker]]'''
|/w faustbot bigbutt
|[[Bram's choker]]
|Substats
|No
|No
|Survival
|50 mys equip req
|For players who want lots of substats on turn 1
|If you have difficulty mustering the full -25% [[Combat Frequency|CF]]
|-
|-
|'''[[Bailey's Beetle]]'''
|'''[[Bailey's Beetle]]'''
|/w faustbot baileys
|Level 12 Quest, quality of life
|(see Notes)
|No
|No
|Yellow ray
|Yellow ray
Line 78: Line 104:
|-
|-
|'''[[sleepy mariachi]]'''
|'''[[sleepy mariachi]]'''
|/w faustbot sleepy_mariachi
|Item drops
|Item drops
|No
|No
|Yellow ray
|[[Mad Hatrack]] or [[Fancypants Scarecrow]], and +900% Items or Yellow Ray
|For non-Moxie classes, a spangle-fam is still fantastic for item drops and Potato blocking
|Spangly equipment for converting either familiar into a strong Fairy/Potato combo.
|-
|-
|'''[[Blooper]]'''
|'''Semi-Rare Monsters''':
|/w faustbot blooper
*[[Knob Goblin Elite Guard]]
|[[digital key]]
*[[7-Foot Dwarf Foreman]]
|No
*[[Baa'baa'bu'ran]]
|Olfaction<br/>67% items
|
|To kick off Olfaction; hugely inferior to [[Fear Man's Level]] or the [[ghost]] fax, but does not require any extra IotMs
*[[Knob Goblin Elite Guard Uniform]]
|-
*[[Mining Gear]]
|'''Semi-Rare Monsters'''
*[[stone wool]]
|/w faustbot kge<br/>/w faustbot miner<br/>/w faustbot baabaaburan
|[[Knob Goblin Elite Guard Uniform]]<br/>[[Mining Gear]]<br/>[[stone wool]]
|Varies
|Varies
|None<br/>234% items<br/>Up to 400% items
|
|In case you weren't able to structure your SRs around them, or if your path blocks [[fortune cookie]]s
*None
|-
*234% items
|'''[[mountain man]]'''
*Up to 400% items
|/w faustbot mountain_man
|In case your path blocks clovers
|Drops ore
|Yes
|150% items for one of each ore, YR for two of each
|Alternative to [[Itznotyerzitz Mine|mining]] or [[Clover Adventures|clovering ores]]
|-
|-
|'''[[modern zmobie]]'''
|'''[[modern zmobie]]'''
|/w faustbot modern_zmobie
|[[The Defiled Alcove]]
|[[The Defiled Alcove]]
|Yes
|Yes
|None
|None
|Saves several turns in the Alcove over encountering them directly
|Saves several turns in the Alcove over encountering them directly, cannot be wished for
|-
|'''[[craggy bartender]]'''
*[[glass of herbal tequila]]
*[[shot of mescal]]
*[[whiskey in a broken glass]]
|High-quality booze
|Possibly
|567% items or Yellow Ray, survival
|Silly turngen option that grants up to 9 drunkenness worth of awesome-tier booze that will never have Standard restrictions. Combine with [[Melodramedary]], [[Grey Goose]], [[industrial fire extinguisher]], or copiers for lots and lots of booze.
|-
|-
|'''[[remains of a jilted mistress]]'''
|'''[[remains of a jilted mistress]]'''
|/w faustbot jilted
|[[antique hand mirror]]
|[[antique hand mirror]]
|No
|No
Line 120: Line 146:
|-
|-
|'''[[Bad ASCII Art]],'''<br/>'''[[rampaging adding machine]]'''
|'''[[Bad ASCII Art]],'''<br/>'''[[rampaging adding machine]]'''
|/w faustbot ascii<br>/w faustbot adding_machine
|[[A Quest, LOL]]
|[[A Quest, LOL]]
|Varies
|Varies
Line 126: Line 151:
|For players who want the Meat from this quest or want to copy the ASCII art for [[31337 scroll]]s
|For players who want the Meat from this quest or want to copy the ASCII art for [[31337 scroll]]s
|-
|-
|Witchess monsters
|'''[[Play against the Witchess Pieces|Witchess monsters]]'''
|/w cheesefax witchess bishop
|Substats, item drops
/w cheesefax witchess knight
|Possibly
|Possibly
|Survival
|Survival
|For players who want the +items bonus of ""[[Sacramento wine]]"" or ""[[Jumping horseradish]]""
|Free fights that give epic-quality consumables [[Sacramento wine]] or [[Jumping horseradish]] with +item or +meat bonuses
|}
|}
==Notes==
*You can only use one [[photocopied monster]] per day.
*You can use photocopied monsters while falling-down drunk.


==History==
==History==
*The [[smut orc pervert]] used to be the best turn-saving fax target until it become uncopyable on August 14, 2013.
*The [[smut orc pervert]] used to be the best turn-saving fax target until it become uncopyable on August 14, 2013.
* The [[writing desk]] and [[dirty thieving brigand]] also provided turn-saving shortcuts until they were made uncopyable at the start of 2019.


==See Also==
==See Also==

Latest revision as of 18:50, 16 April 2024

A Fax Machine

The fax machine, located in the Clan VIP Lounge, allows players to fight one photocopy of a monster per day, potentially including any monster copied by users connected to their clan's fax network. This page lists some of the most effective fax targets ("faxes") in the game for pathless ascensions. Special challenge path runs may benefit from different strategies, or may block access to the fax machine altogether; see the appropriate path strategy page for details. See copying strategy for targets that would need to be faxed multiple times.

The player-sponsored Easyfax and OnlyFax accounts retain copies of most of the interesting fax targets, and can deliver them on demand to your clan's fax machine by sending them a private message with the desired monster's name (/msg EasyFax <monster>). Easyfax or OnlyFax must be whitelisted into your clan for this to work.

Fax-like Mechanics

Over time, other fax-like sources of on-demand monster summoning have entered the game. Keep in mind that in Standard-restricted runs, the Fax Machine and some of these mechanics are unavailable. As of 2024, Calculate the Universe, the combat lover's locket, and the Chest Mimic are the only fax-like mechanics available in Standard.

Skills:

Items/Other:

  • Chateau Mantegna: The painting leads to combat with the last monster you've painted with an Alpine watercolor set, persisting through Ascension. Usable once per day.
  • Time-Spinner: The Travel to a Recent Fight option allows combat against any copyable monster in the combat queues in all locations. Costs 3 minutes (out of 10 minutes per day).
  • genie bottle or pocket wish: Wishing for a fight allows combat with almost any copyable monster, with some exceptions. Wished fights limited to 3 per day.
  • Cargo Cultist Shorts: Reaching into a pocket may lead to combat against certain monsters, many of which are ascension-relevant. The resulting combat is a free fight, but is considered uncopyable for its duration, disabling copying and other mechanics that only work on copyable monsters. Limited to one pocket per day, and each pocket can be reached into once per ascension.
  • backup camera: Not fax-like itself, but the combat skill Back-Up to your Last Enemy turns your current opponent into your previous opponent. Pairs nicely with all fax-like sources to allow multiple consecutive fights against a summoned monster. Usable 11 times per day.
  • combat lover's locket: The reminisce link allows combat against any copyable monster that you have previously encountered while wearing the locket. Usable three times per day; each specific monster can be summoned only once per day.
  • Mimic DNA Bank: Players with Chest Mimics can donate their mimic eggs instead of using them. Once the DNA Bank has collected 100 eggs for a particular monster, that monster's eggs become available to anyone with an active Chest Mimic with at least 100 familiar XP (10 lbs.). Can withdraw up to 11 eggs per day; shares that counter with %fn, lay an egg, so a maximum of 11 eggs per day regardless of source.

Turn Efficiency

These faxes directly reduce the number of turns required to complete quests.

Monster Availability Purpose Needs
Copying?		 Other
Requirements?		 Notes
mountain man No restrictions
Available from Cargo Cultist Shorts (565) 		Level 8 Quest Yes +150%/+900% Items, or Yellow ray Drops up to 2 of each ore (40% and 10%), alternative to mining or clovering ores
ninja snowman assassin Cannot be wished for Level 8 quest Yes Survival Saves ~12 turns (or 3 pulls) when copied twice
smut orc pervert Only available from Cargo Cultist Shorts (666)
Cannot be copied 		Level 9 Quest N/A None Drops a smut orc keepsake box, worth 5 bridge segments
War Frat 151st Infantryman Calculate the Universe Level 12 quest No +900% Items/Yellow ray Drops the Frat Warrior Fatigues (10% for each item)
lobsterfrogman No restrictions
Available from Cargo Cultist Shorts (220) 		Sonofa Beach quest No None Saves ~4 turns (and lots of RNG swing) over finding each one manually
(per copy, up to a total of ~20 turns for 5 copies)
Green Ops Soldier No restrictions
Available from Cargo Cultist Shorts (589) 		Level 12 Quest, free runaways Yes +1900% Items/Yellow ray Progresses the War when fighting on the Frat side, drops a green smoke bomb (5%, 90% chance of a free runaway)

Niche / Quality of Life

These faxes can be helpful, even if they're not strictly optimal.

Monster Purpose Needs
Copying?		 Other
Requirements?		 Notes
Bram the Stoker Bram's choker No 50 mys equip req If you have difficulty mustering the full -25% CF
Bailey's Beetle Level 12 Quest, quality of life No Yellow ray A multi-purpose quality of life fax; provides some substats, the full War Hippy Fatigues, and a powerful shield
sleepy mariachi Item drops No Mad Hatrack or Fancypants Scarecrow, and +900% Items or Yellow Ray Spangly equipment for converting either familiar into a strong Fairy/Potato combo.
Semi-Rare Monsters: Varies
  • None
  • 234% items
  • Up to 400% items
 In case your path blocks clovers
modern zmobie The Defiled Alcove Yes None Saves several turns in the Alcove over encountering them directly, cannot be wished for
craggy bartender High-quality booze Possibly 567% items or Yellow Ray, survival Silly turngen option that grants up to 9 drunkenness worth of awesome-tier booze that will never have Standard restrictions. Combine with Melodramedary, Grey Goose, industrial fire extinguisher, or copiers for lots and lots of booze.
remains of a jilted mistress antique hand mirror No 150% items Saves several turns hunting for One Nightstand (Wooden) for Myst classes, if powerleveling in the Haunted Bathroom is desired.
Bad ASCII Art,
rampaging adding machine 		A Quest, LOL Varies None For players who want the Meat from this quest or want to copy the ASCII art for 31337 scrolls
Witchess monsters Substats, item drops Possibly Survival Free fights that give epic-quality consumables Sacramento wine or Jumping horseradish with +item or +meat bonuses

History

See Also

Ascension Strategy
Rankings: HC Skills - HC Familiars - HC IotMs
General: Class selection - Familiar usage - Lucky adventures
Paths: BHY - Fist - AoB - BI - ZS - AoJ - BIG! - KOLHS - CA2 - AoSP - SS - HR - Picky - Ed - Random - AoWoL - Source - NA - GN - LtA - L.A.R. - PF - G-Lover - DD
Additional Paths: DG - 2CRS - KoE - PotP - LKS - GG - Y,Robot - QT - WF - GY - JM - FotD
IotMs: Tomes - Faxing - Copying - YR - Garden - Correspondent - Workshed - Tea party - Florist
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