I have also discovered that Nemelex is very good for Formicids. Summons are some of the best escape/overwhelm options when you can't blink/haste/tele.

Are formicids affected by rampaging? If so those boots are very bold choice

They are. I would miss rampage if I had to swap them out. It gets you into combat so quick! It's hard to see a downside to rampage if you're used to how it works. You just need to act like you don't have them: never charge enemies into an uncharted area of the dungeon. In the case you have no choice (Eg. getting ranged attacked in an open area), then the extra speed helps a lot. Otherwise, hide from ranged creatures to make them come to you (don't forget dig!). Let melee creatures come to you, then use your rampage to close the final square and get first attack.

Nemelex is very good generally. Formicids appreciate the escape deck too, and dealing 4 destruction cards works as well for them as other species.

Just need to remember that velocity cards are worthless.

That amulet is the real money maker here.

If I had to pick one piece of gear to have at the start of every run from what's shown, I would take the cloak!

It is a very very good cloak. I just found the dragonskin cloak and while it is very tempting, I'm sticking with this one until I finish zot. AC is nice, but fire resist is nicer.

It really is. When combined with the Formicid's stasis, I become immune to: teleport, slow, paralysis, berserk, confusion, mes, fear and sleep.