Electrocution

Version 0.31: This article is up to date for the latest stable release of Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.

It sometimes electrocutes victims (1/4 chance, 8-20 damage).

The electrocution brand does the following:

• Has a 25% chance per hit to inflict 7 + 1d13 electricity damage per hit, regardless of damage from the weapon itself. Electricity resistant monsters do not take any extra damage. (Average 3.5 damage per swing)

Strategy

Electrocution deals a flat rate of damage, independent of your actual weapon damage. Therefore, it works best on fast, low mindelay weapons (such as Short Blades, whips, and spears); dealing 3.5 damage every 0.5 turn is better than 3.5 damage every 0.7 turn. This brand isn't terrible for "heavy" weapon types, either. On a +9 broad axe, for instance, it's overall slightly worse than flaming and freezing. As a bonus, few enemies resist electricity until you get to Zot and extended.

Electrocution's damage is completely independent from AC. This brand tends to be favored on fast weapons, though; the weapons themselves are reduced more by AC.

Comparisons

• Distortion is a flat effect which deals more damage (on average) and has no resistance. However, unless you worship Lugonu, unwielding a distortion weapon isn't safe. Minor negatives: you can banish monsters with desirable gear, or blink them away from you.
• The pain brand starts to outdamage electrocution when you have more than 7 Necromancy skill. However, pain is resisted by more monsters than electrocution.

History

• Prior to 0.28, electrocution had a 33% chance of activating.
• Prior to 0.15, this brand did 10-24 damage instead of 8-20.
• Prior to 0.14, discharges of electricity would occur when hitting monsters in water, damaging multiple targets nearby (including the player character).
• Prior to 0.13, this brand had no effect on flying monsters, considerably limiting its utility in certain branches.