Bolt of Inaccuracy

Obsolete: This article refers to an aspect of the game which has been removed. It is retained for historical reference only.

Bolt of Inaccuracy
Level	3
School1	Conjuration
School2
School3
Source(s)	Rod of inaccuracy
Casting noise	0
Spell noise	3

This spell inflicts enormous damage upon any creature struck by the bolt of incandescent energy conjured into existence. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to aim and very rarely hits anything. Pity, that.

Spell Details
Damage Formula	10d(4+Power/10)
Max Damage	10d(12.6) ~ 68 (Evocations at 27)
Max Power	1000
Range	7
Targeting	Bolt
To-hit
Special

Bolt of Inaccuracy is a level 3 Conjurations spell, but as it's only available through a rod of Inaccuracy, Evocations determines its potency. It deals severe irresistible damage to anything it strikes, and has a range almost equal to your line of sight that is unaffected by the number of targets it hits, but it can only reliably hit the least evasive monsters in the game.

Strategy

• Although this spell will miss its target often, its damage output is surprisingly high, especially at high Evocations skill. Considering that it costs you nothing except for a very small amount of hunger and the half turn it takes to wield the rod, it is actually a very powerful (if situational) spell for any character willing to train the needed skill.
• Sleeping or petrified opponents are easy targets, and even if you miss, the spell produces such a small amount of noise that you're unlikely to wake a sleeping target up. Consider it a long-range equivalent to Stabbing. Long lines of opponents in narrow hallways are also good targets; although you probably won't hit everything, you're likely to at least hit something.
• The following monsters have such lousy EV that you should be able to hit them semi-regularly (not a complete list):
  • Hydras
  • Statues
  • Curse skulls
  • Oklob plants
  • Most jellies
  • Most eyeballs
  • Most mummies
  • All giants
  • Bone dragons
  • Gold dragon armour-wearing player ghosts
  • Gastronok
• Hitting your target with Corona, Sticky Flame, or Fedhas Madash's Sunshine ability will significantly increase your accuracy against it, making it a much easier target. The Shining One's Halo aura is even better, automatically highlighting almost everything on the screen.
• Vehumet worshipers also enjoy improved use of this spell, as he increases Bolt of Inaccuracy's range to include your entire line of sight.
• Nagas and octopodes can constrict opponents, dramatically reducing their EV. This greatly increases the odds of hitting with a bolt of inaccuracy.

History

• Before the removal of rods in 0.20, this spell was available through the rod of inaccuracy.
• Prior to 0.16, this spell was available through use of a tome of Destruction.
• Prior to 0.12, this spell was available in one of the rods of destruction.
• In the pre-DCSS days, this was actually found in the book of Greater Conjurations (which later became the Book of Annihilations), as a level 4 Conjurations spell.