Lightning scales

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Version 0.31: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
A set of armoured plates assembled to protect a creature with a long, scaly lower body. Faintly crackling with electricity, they supercharge their wearer's ability to cover distance.

New lightning scales.png the +6 lightning scales

+6 barding

Running ego (-10% movement delay)
rElec

Desirability

The lightning scales[1] provide excellent defense (better than all mundane bardings), an uncommon resistance, and the only source of unconditional increased movement speed in the game. However, as it is a barding, only Nagas and Armataurs can wear it.

Nagas with these scales will move below average speed (1.2 move delay), but that's still a significant improvement. It allows you to reposition without as many attacks, and lets you retreat a few more tiles before being attacked. The addition of Swiftness will allow them to finally move faster than average.

Armataurs, meanwhile, get to permanently move at above-average speed. This is a large benefit - fast speed means you can kite enemies, avoid attacks of opportunity, and retreat easier.

Followers of Cheibriados should avoid this item, as that god forbids hasty items like this.

History

  • Prior to 0.26, only nagas could wear the lightning scales.
  • Prior to 0.13, this artefact always reduced movement delay by 2, but only had a +3 enchantment bonus to AC.
  • The lightning scales were added in 0.10.

References