There are no T1 ranged weapons (other than the Mage’s Staff). I thought something like a slingshot would help in the first two regions because sometimes artillery are scarce and the Wandmaker doesn’t always offer a good offensive wand. I imagine a slingshot like a weaker Spirit Bow, something with infinite ammo (since there would likely be small fragments of rock everywhere in the Dungeon). There have been times when I’ve faced Tengu with nothing more than a Wand of BlastWave and a pair of Throwing Clubs, so something like a slingshot would increase chances of success with such a poor selection of weapons.
I feel like someone suggested this years ago but can’t remember specifically.
I think a blowpipe is a good idea, consider my view changed! Anything that increases the chance of attacking at a distance on those runs devoid of artillery and offensive wands. I feel like spears and whips are too valuable in the early game, can’t tell you how many times I’ve bought a spear in the Prison Shop because it was essential to success in that region.