Rincewind has survived all the books he has appeared in so far, if only by constantly running away. Running could be said to be his best quality, it certainly isn't magic since in all his years in the Unseen University, he has yet to reach the first of eight levels of magic. He has been said, by one of his tutors, to have not yet reached level zero, which normal people are born at.

However, despite his magical inadequacy, Rincewind has been to a lot of places and seen a lot of things - He was present at the beginning of creation, helped to overthrow a troublesome government in the Counterweight Continent and is believed to be the only person to visit the kingdom of Death whilst alive.