CrawlWiki - User contributions [en]

Current projects

2026-09-20T00:27:38Z

Ythern: /* Project Ideas For Adoption */

{{Community}}

{{flavour|This page is a work in progress as of 2026. Please add your name to projects to claim/contribute to them, feel free to add your own ideas in the bottom section, or discuss ideas in the Discussion tab.''}}

CrawlWiki is growing in size with more than [[Special:Statistics|400 registered users]]. To track what we are doing, and show what editors could chose to work on, we have created this list of current projects.

== Current Projects ==

{|class="prettytable"
! Project !! Goal !! Contributor(s) !! Status
|-
| '''0.35 Update Project'''
| See [[Current projects/0.35 update project|0.35 Update Project]] once features have been frozen for this cycle. Add the [[Template:CBA]] for upcoming trunk changes where applicable.
|All
|Active
|-
| ''No More Vs''
| Go through all [[Talisman]] and [[Shapeshifting]] related pages looking for references to the old hotkey "V", often in words like eVoke, and remove it. They are now used from the inventory. Need to put entering for timing to 5 turns when 0.35 release.
| Anyone
| Done
|-
| ''Unstub-a-dub-dub''
| Add anything you can to any of the pages in [[:Category:Stubs]]. If you add a lot of stuff, remove <nowiki>{{stub}}</nowiki>.
| All
| Ongoing
|-
| ''Missing pages''
| [[Special:WantedPages]], [[Special:WantedTemplates]], [[Special:WantedFiles]], [[Special:WantedCategories]]. This happens when pages link to something that doesn't exist yet. Aim to keep these wanted files empty!
| All
|Ongoing
|-
| ''Outdated CBA articles''
| [[:Category:Outdated_Crystal_Ball_Articles]]. These articles have <nowiki>{{CBA}}</nowiki> template for versions which already have been released, one should verify that change is already in the article (sometimes it was applied automatically, like monster stat change) or update the article according to the change. CBA part should be re-formulated as an entry in history, usually in past tense e.g. <code>Prior to version <nowiki>0.XX</nowiki> this was ...</code>
| All
|Ongoing
|-
|}

== Project Ideas For Adoption ==
{|class="prettytable"
! Project !! Goal !! Status
|-
| ''Auto Extract Stats Changes''
| Comment from Reddit user kibwen: "One thing that would alleviate the need to constantly update the wiki for each new release would be a companion website that automatically extracts information from the source of the game itself, things like monster stats, item descriptions, spell lists, basically anything that you can bring up via the ?/ in-game search. Such a database would likely require a negligible amount of storage per version (I'm guessing less than 1MB), and with a JSON interface it could then be used to power things like the infoboxes on the wiki (and it could also have a web interface of its own, of course)."
| Thoughts on feasibility/usefullness welcomed in Discussion Tab.
|-
| ''Updating pages to 0.34''
| Go through pages that's still relevant from 0.33 and before to update them to the 0.34 version, to be able to automatically update pages with untouched features to 0.35 when it release.
| Really big work, but would smooth out 0.35 release.
|-
| ''Your Idea Here''
| Write it in...
| Ongoing
|-
|}

[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Maintenance]]

Current projects

2026-09-20T00:16:20Z

Ythern:

{{Community}}

{{flavour|This page is a work in progress as of 2026. Please add your name to projects to claim/contribute to them, feel free to add your own ideas in the bottom section, or discuss ideas in the Discussion tab.''}}

CrawlWiki is growing in size with more than [[Special:Statistics|400 registered users]]. To track what we are doing, and show what editors could chose to work on, we have created this list of current projects.

== Current Projects ==

{|class="prettytable"
! Project !! Goal !! Contributor(s) !! Status
|-
| '''0.35 Update Project'''
| See [[Current projects/0.35 update project|0.35 Update Project]] once features have been frozen for this cycle. Add the [[Template:CBA]] for upcoming trunk changes where applicable.
|All
|Active
|-
| ''No More Vs''
| Go through all [[Talisman]] and [[Shapeshifting]] related pages looking for references to the old hotkey "V", often in words like eVoke, and remove it. They are now used from the inventory. Need to put entering for timing to 5 turns when 0.35 release.
| Anyone
| Done
|-
| ''Unstub-a-dub-dub''
| Add anything you can to any of the pages in [[:Category:Stubs]]. If you add a lot of stuff, remove <nowiki>{{stub}}</nowiki>.
| All
| Ongoing
|-
| ''Missing pages''
| [[Special:WantedPages]], [[Special:WantedTemplates]], [[Special:WantedFiles]], [[Special:WantedCategories]]. This happens when pages link to something that doesn't exist yet. Aim to keep these wanted files empty!
| All
|Ongoing
|-
| ''Outdated CBA articles''
| [[:Category:Outdated_Crystal_Ball_Articles]]. These articles have <nowiki>{{CBA}}</nowiki> template for versions which already have been released, one should verify that change is already in the article (sometimes it was applied automatically, like monster stat change) or update the article according to the change. CBA part should be re-formulated as an entry in history, usually in past tense e.g. <code>Prior to version <nowiki>0.XX</nowiki> this was ...</code>
| All
|Ongoing
|-
|}

== Project Ideas For Adoption ==
{|class="prettytable"
! Project !! Goal !! Status
|-
| ''Auto Extract Stats Changes''
| Comment from Reddit user kibwen: "One thing that would alleviate the need to constantly update the wiki for each new release would be a companion website that automatically extracts information from the source of the game itself, things like monster stats, item descriptions, spell lists, basically anything that you can bring up via the ?/ in-game search. Such a database would likely require a negligible amount of storage per version (I'm guessing less than 1MB), and with a JSON interface it could then be used to power things like the infoboxes on the wiki (and it could also have a web interface of its own, of course)."
| Thoughts on feasibility/usefullness welcomed in Discussion Tab.
|-
| ''Your Idea Here''
| Write it in...
| Ongoing
|-
|}

[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Maintenance]]

Talisman of death

2026-09-20T00:06:23Z

Ythern:

{{version033}}
{{flavour|A lone finger-bone, infused with dark power through a sickening ritual. Transforms the user into an undying offense against life itself.

Foes struck by user's melee weapons or hands are weakened, slowed, and drained, and they can heal themselves by tormenting foes nearby. (Shapeshifting skill increases the effectiveness of the latter.) The user also resists cold and is immune to poison, miasma, negative energy, and torment.

The user also gains some of the more dubious benefits of having an undead body. They are vulnerable to holy damage and Dispel Undead, and cannot consume potions.}}

[[File:talisman of death.png]] A '''talisman of death''' ('''death talisman''') is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Death Form'''.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a talisman of death turns you into Death Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Death Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 9 base damage.
*All melee attacks (including weapons) inflict [[drain]], [[slow]], and [[weak]]ness for 3-6 turns. [[Nonliving]] monsters are completely immune, but [[demon]]s, [[undead]], etc. can be slowed and weakened.<ref>{{source ref|0.31-b1|melee-attack.cc|678}}</ref>
*'''Siphon Essence:''' Active ability (20 MP). Inflicts [[torment]] to susceptible enemies within 2 tiles, then heals you for 100% of damage dealt, with a cap of <code>(19 + 3 * Shapeshifting) / 2</code> (50 at max skill).<ref>{{source ref|0.31-b1|ability.cc|2497}}</ref>

'''Resistances'''
*[[Willpower]]+
*Standard '''[[undead]]''' resistances:
**[[Cold resistance|rC+]]
**Immunity to [[poison]] and [[miasma]].
**[[Life protection|rN+++]] and immune to [[torment]]
**Cannot be [[mutate]]d. Receive [[stat drain]] if you would be mutated.
**Cannot be [[polymorph]]ed.
**Vulnerable to [[holy]], [[holy wrath]], and [[Dispel Undead]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' None.
*Cannot drink [[potion]]s.
*Cannot use certain forms of [[Necromancy]] ([[Sublimation of Blood]], [[Borgnjor's Revivification]], [[Death's Door]]). The holy wrath brand will not function on weapons you wield.

Death Form keeps most [[mutation]]s, does not change your [[size]], and gives no innate bonus to HP / [[AC]].

Death Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 26, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 27, which is the cap on Shapeshifting itself.

[[Josephina]] may drop a death talisman when defeated.

==Strategy==
Death Form is most useful in the [[extended game]]. Not having access to potions is a hefty penalty, but Death Form gives immunity to two important things: [[torment]] and [[mutation]]. Outside of extended, the skill minimum of 26 makes it impractical compared to other forms.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Djinni || Felid || Gargoyle || Naga || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Lichform.png]] || [[File:Lichform palentonga.png]] || [[File:Lichform djinni.png]] || [[File:Lichform felid.png]] || [[File:Lichform gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Lichform naga.png]] || [[File:Lichform octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Prior to [[0.33]], talismans of death only required 23 shapeshifting skill to use without penalty.
*Talismans of death were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. It replaced the level 8 [[Necromancy]]/[[Transmutation]] spell, [[Necromutation]] (lichform).
**Previously, lich form gave +6 AC, 5 base unarmed combat damage with a [[draining]] branded attack and a [[spell enhancer]] for [[Necromancy]], but it did not weaken/slow enemies on hit or have the Siphon Essence ability.
**Early versions of Siphon Essence worked against undead and demonic monsters.

==References==
<references />

{{Forms}}

Storm talisman

2026-09-20T00:03:05Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|Lightning trapped, impossibly, in a bottle. Lets the user walk through the air as a raging, lightning-filled tempest. The user's melee attacks electrified and strike all adjacent foes. The user also flies, gains immunity to poison, miasma, petrification, constriction, and sticky flame, and also resists electricity. They can launch themselves as a lightning bolt, blasting through everything in their way.

While transformed, any equipped weapons and armour are melded.

----

"Stormform is said to cause 
A tempest of winds and showers, 
Beware its powers, beware its powers. 
Though its coming brings the gods their night, 
It obliges a bloodred spren. 
Beware its end, beware its end." 
-Brandon Sanderson, "Words of Radiance". 2014}}

[[File:storm talisman.png]] A '''storm talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Storm Form'''.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a storm talisman turns you into Storm Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Storm Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''Innate AC:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down:
**Below minimum: 0 AC (0 skill) - 12 AC (23 skill)
**Above minimum: 12 AC (23 skill) - 15 AC (27 skill) ; +1 AC per 1.33 level
*'''Bonus EV:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down, adding to your innate EV:
**Below minimum: +0 EV (0 skill) - 20 EV (23 skill)
**Above minimum: 20 EV (23 skill) - 27 EV (27 skill) ; +1 EV per 0.57 level
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' Gains [[electrocution]] brand and [[cleaving]]. Damage linearly scales from the following points:
**Below minimum: 3 damage (0 skill) - 24 damage (23 skill)
**Above minimum: 24 damage (23 skill) - 30 damage (27 skill) ; +1.5 damage per level
*'''[[Blinkbolt]]:''' Bolt-targeted ability that deals electric damage to everything in its path, then blinks you to the end. Has a cooldown.
**Below minimum: 1d11 damage (0 skill) - 1d113 damage (23 skill)
**Above minimum: 1d113 damage (23 skill) - 1d131 damage (27 skill)

'''Resistances'''
*Poison immunity
*rElec
*Innate [[flight]].
*'''[[Non-living]]:''' [[Unbreathing]], lacks [[blood]], immune to [[sleep]].
*'''[[Insubstantial]]:''' Immune to [[constriction]] / [[throwing net|ensnarement]], [[Sticky Flame]], and [[petrification]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All [[armour]], [[weapon]] and [[shield]]. (Can only wear [[jewellery]])
*Suppresses many [[mutation]]s. Species [[movement speed]] set to 1.0.

Storm Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 23, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the AC, EV, and UC bonuses scale down. Maximum skill is 27, which is the cap on Shapeshifting itself.

[[Sojobo]] may carry a storm talisman.

==Strategy==
Storm Form is the highest damage form in the game. Shapeshifting specialists can inflict immense damage per hit, much stronger than even an [[executioner's axe]].

This form is surprisingly durable. You retain your natural EV, and gain bonuses to both EV and AC. Even though Dragon Form has 150% health, because it is [[Size#Giant|giant]], it loses EV; that hurts when your only defensive skills are [[Fighting]] and [[Dodging]]. In the end, Dragon Form is usually more durable, but Storm Form isn't far behind.

Compared to other forms:
*[[Death Form]]: Storm Form deals more damage and has [[cleaving]]. Death Form is arguably better against lone opponents, since it causes your melee attacks to inflict irresistible [[slow]]ness. Death Form also allows all armour slots, allows [[Throwing]], and has innate resistances of its own. However, it prevents potion use. The comparison largely depends on where you are.
**Outside of the [[extended]] game, you may prefer Storm Form for its higher DPS and potion use. Those with high [[Dodging]] should definitely use Storm Form, due to how the bonus EV works. If you need a certain resistance, though, Death Form can see merit.
**In the extended game, Death Form should be the go-to due to its crucial [[torment]] resistance. Storm Form does have a niche - if your character isn't strong enough to fight in Death Form, you may want this one.
*[[Dragon Form]]: Dragon Form has no cleaving, but has similar offense (due to +10 strength & [[aux attack]]s) and defense. More importantly, it takes less skill. Being a dragon is usually enough to handle [[orbs of fire]], and if you can do that, you can win a 3-rune game. Thus, Dragon Form allows you to invest XP into other skills (without lacking in power).

===Tips & Tricks===
*Like other forms, Storm Form benefits greatly from support magic, such as [[Ozocubu's Armour]] and [[Manifold Assault]].

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Felid || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Storm transform.png]] || [[File:Storm form felid.png]] || [[File:Storm form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Storm talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. This form was previously implemented as a level 7 [[Air Magic]]/[[Transmutation]] spell, [[Storm Form (spell)|Storm Form]]. ''For the spell present in [[0.30]], see [[Storm Form (spell)]].''

{{Forms}}

Sanguine talisman

2026-09-20T00:02:00Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A vial of roiling blood that pulses with the beat of an unseen heart. Transforms the user into a fearsome vampire - a creature that straddles the border between life and undeath. They can drink the lifeblood of the living to heal themselves, and even turn those they slay stealthily into vampiric thralls, but do not heal in the presence of monsters. At great effort, they may scatter into a swarm of bats - either to flee or to assail their enemies.}}

[[File:vampire talisman.png]] A '''sanguine talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Vampire Form'''.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a sanguine talisman turns you into Vampire, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Vampire Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 3 base damage (''no boost'').
*[[Stab]] attacks as well as all melee attacks made at 50% hp or lower heal you (the chance scales with Shapeshifting).
*Killing living or demonic beings with a stab attack can turn them into '''vampiric thralls'''. Thralls are quickly decaying undead, which have a vampiric bite attack, and, if they had spells, [[Vampiric Draining]]. You can have only one thrall at a time.
*Hypnotic gaze: Whenever a living, demonic, or holy monster first notices you, it may become momentarily [[dazed]], preventing it from shouting. Creatures which fail a willpower check will be dazed for longer.

'''Resistances'''
*'''Part-living and part-undead''': The form gives you ''some'' undead resistances and makes you vulnerable to [[Dispel Undead]] and [[holy wrath]], and you will recover more slowly from [[Doom]] and [[Banes]], but you can still be affected by [[poison]].
**[[Cold resistance|rC+]]
**[[Negative energy resistance|rN++]]
**[[Torment]] resistance (50% damage from torment, stacks with rN)

'''Restrictions'''
*Cannot regenerate health when monsters are visible.

'''Improved [[Bat Form]]''':
*You have an XP-rechargeable ability that lets you '''instantly''' turn into a bat swarm and surrounds you in clouds of bats.
*The clouds deal damage to non-undead and put monsters into sleep.
*You get a big EV bonus, which the regular bat form doesn't have.
*This only XP-recharges while the talisman is equipped.

Additionally, the form gives you a +100 [[Stealth]] bonus.

Vampire Form has a minimum of 17 [[Shapeshifting]] skill, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the contamination effect scales down. It has a maximum skill of 25; further skill has no further impact.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Bat Swarm Form || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Bat swarm.png]] || [[File:Bat swarm gargoyle.png]]
|}

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Armataur || Djinn || Felid || Gargoyle || Humanoid || Naga || Octopode || Tengu
|-
| [[File:Vampire form armataur.png]] || [[File:Vampire form djinn.png]] || [[File:Vampire form felid.png]] || [[File:Vampire form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Vampire form humanoid.png]] || [[File:Vampire form naga.png]] || [[File:Vampire form octopode.png]] || [[File:Vampire form tengu.png]]
|}

==Strategy==
This form is one of the few that doesn't meld gear, making it easily accessible to any character with enough training, and one of the few forms that works well for [[Ashenzari]] worshipers.

On the surface, this form directly buffs stabber builds with bonuses to both stealth and stabbing. However, there's no reason a caster wouldn't also find the range of resistances and the Daze effect helpful if they have the training (looking at you [[Gnoll]]s). The lack of regeneration while enemies are present is only infrequently a problem, but you may find yourself reliant on more healing potions than usual in this form.

==History==
{{CBA|0.34|vampiric thralls will get a bonus stabbing damage vs. sleeping monsters.}}
*Sanguine talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

[[Category: Transformation]]

Riddle talisman

2026-09-20T00:00:49Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version033}}
{{flavour|An intricate puzzlebox containing an unknowable prize. Transforms the user into a riddle-loving sphinx. In this form, they are capable of wearing a cloak and barding, and their melee attacks cause powerful winds to strike their foe which do increased damage for every open space next to them. They are also masterful enchanters, casting Hex spells much more easily and ignoring a portion of their foe's Willpower.

Alas, their love of riddles is so compulsive that even the most hardened adventurer will be unable to resist posing them to new foes they encounter, no matter how unwise this may be.}}

[[File:riddle talisman.png]] A '''riddle talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that turns you into a [[sphinx marauder|sphinx]].

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a riddle talisman transforms you into Sphinx Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Sphinx Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*Unarmed combat: 3 base damage (no bonus)
*Attacks create an [[airstrike]] on the target, with the damage scaling with Shapeshifting skill:
**Below minimum: (1-4)d11 damage (0 skill) - (1-4)d13 damage (17 skill)
**Above minimum: (1-4)d13 damage (17 skill) - (1-4)d18 damage (25 skill)
**More open spaces adjacent to the target will result in a higher damage dice being used.
*Aid to Hexes: The [[Spell Success#Modifiers|raw failure rate]] of [[Hexes]] is reduced by x66.6% (equivalent to going from 0 -> 2 levels of [[wizardry]], stacking independently with wizardry).
*All enemies have their [[willpower]] effectively lowered by 40 (Will-) for the purposes of your actions, similar to using an [[guile|orb of guile]] without its downside.
*Encountering new enemies will sometimes force you to [[shout]], possibly [[vex]]ing or [[confusing]] foes.

'''Defensive traits'''
*+15% HP
*+7 AC
*Willpower+
*Grants [[flight]].
*[[Barding]]s can be worn, even if this would not be possible normally. This does not apply to [[Felid]]s.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All armor except bardings and cloaks
*'''Suppressed [[mutation]]s:''' Anatomy

Sphinx Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 17, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. The maximum skill for this form is 25.

==Strategy==
The willpower reduction is strong; many monsters have surprisingly low willpower, which makes even low-level hexes like [[Slow]] effective on enemies found later in the game. The buff is not just for spells, as [[wand]]s, [[scrolls of fear]], and [[Lugonu]]'s Banishment can all benefit.

Having to put ~17 levels into Shapeshifting, in addition to Hexes (or another will-related skill) is a lot, especially considering the presence of infinite will enemies. However:
*If it helps clear enemies pre-[[Zot]], it's arguably worth it on its own.
*In places where you need to deal with a lot of infinite will enemies (e.g., [[Zot:5]]), the Shapeshifting skill can be used for another form like [[Dragon Form]].

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Sphinx form || Sphinx form (barding) || Felid || Gargoyle || Gargoyle (barding)
|-
| [[File:Sphinx form.png]] || [[File:Sphinx form barding.png]] || [[File:Sphinx form felid.png]] || [[File:Sphinx form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Sphinx form gargoyle barding.png]]
|}

==History==
*Riddle talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Hive talisman

2026-09-19T23:59:33Z

Ythern:

{{version033}}
{{flavour|A preserved and decorated hive, still dripping with ambrosial nectar. Transforms the user into a living beehive, filled with the buzz of countless insects laboring inside them. The nectar produced within greatly increases the user's health and magic regeneration and if they become seriously injured, angry bees will swarm out to defend their hive.}}

[[File:Hive talisman.png]] A '''hive talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that transforms you into a walking beehive.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a hive talisman puts you into Hive Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Hive Form has the following effects:

'''Defensive traits'''
*+5 AC
*'''Innate regeneration:''' You gain [[regeneration|health]] and [[MP|magic regeneration]] which gets stronger with higher shapeshifting skill.
**Below minimum: No bonus (0 skill) - +1.6 HP/turn and +0.6 MP/turn regeneration (17 skill)
**Above minimum: +1.6 HP/turn and +0.6 MP/turn regeneration (17 skill) - +2.8 HP/turn and +1 MP/turn regeneration (25 skill)
*'''Bee swarm:''' When falling below 50% health, you release a number of [[killer bee]]s with the [[berserk]] and [[Concentrate Venom]] statuses, with the number depending on shapeshifting skill. This ability goes on cooldown until you reach full health again.
**Below minimum: 1 bee (0 skill) - 3.2 bees (17 skill)
**Above minimum: 3.2 bees (17 skill) - 5.5 bees (25 skill)

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Body armor and helmets

[[Okawaru]] disallows entering Hive Form.

Hive Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 17, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 25.

==Strategy==
*Hive Form is a purely defensive form, perfect for species who prefer not to/cannot wear heavier armor. At maximum skill, the regeneration bonus is the same as worshipping [[Jiyva]] and being at full piety. However, it takes a considerable skill investment to even use the form without incurring an HP penalty.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Felid || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Hive transform.png]] || [[File:Hive form felid.png]] || [[File:Hive form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Hive talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Granite talisman

2026-09-19T23:55:17Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version034}}
''For the spell present in [[0.30]], see [[Statue Form (spell)]].''
{{flavour|A heavy stone icon, bearing the countenance of some long-forgotten king or god. Transforms the user into a slow, stone statue. The user's stone body is immune to poison and miasma, and gains resistance to electricity, negative energy, and torment. Shapeshifting skill increases armour granted.

While transformed, any equipped body armour, gloves and boots are melded.}}
[[File:granite talisman.png]] A '''granite talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Statue Form''', granting you the durability (and speed) of a statue.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a granite talisman turns you into Statue Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Statue Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''HP Bonus:''' 130% HP
*'''Innate AC:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down:
**Below minimum: 7 AC (0 skill) - 27 AC (16 skill)
**Above minimum: 27 AC (16 skill) - 38 AC (25 skill) ; +1 AC per 0.81 level
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 8 base damage.
*+7 [[Strength]]
*All melee damage, including from [[weapon]]s, is increased by 50% (after [[AC]] is applied).

'''Resistances'''
*'''[[Non-living]]:''' Immune to [[poison]], [[sleep]], and [[miasma]]; does not have [[blood]]
**'''[[Unbreathing]]:''' Immune to [[asphyxiation]] and spore effects ([[sleepcap]]s, [[wandering mushroom]]s, [[ballistomycete]]s, etc)
*[[Electricity resistance|rElec]]
*[[Negative energy resistance|rN+]]
*[[Torment]] resistance (50% damage from torment, stacks with rN)
*Immune to [[petrification]]
*Vulnerable to [[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]] and [[Shatter]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' [[Body armour]], [[gloves]], [[boots]].
*'''All''' actions slowed by +50%, as if you were [[slow]]ed. This stacks with the slow status.
*Species [[movement delay]] set to 1.0. It is then slowed by 50% (to 1.5 with no other factors).
*[[EV]] is reduced by 20%.

Statue Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 17, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the AC bonus scales down. It has a maximum skill of 25, where skill has no further impact.

[[Gargoyle]]s cannot use this item, as they are already made out of stone.

[[Roxanne]] always carries a granite talisman.

==Strategy==
Being permanently [[slow]]ed is always dangerous, but Statue Form is ''very'' durable. Unlike many forms, you get to keep a [[shield]]. And unlike heavy [[body armour]], you'll have 80% of your unencumbered [[EV]]. With high HP, AC, EV, and decent SH, Statue Form offers more defense than any other form. It also has some nice resistances; [[torment]] resistance in particular is valuable in [[extended]].

Statue Form primarily boosts [[Unarmed Combat]]. Other characters can use it for its defenses or resistances, but will find it less useful.
*This form does not explicitly penalize spells... but all actions, including spellcasting, are slowed by 50%. Thus, direct damage spells become less effective. A Conjurations-focused caster can still appreciate Statue Form for its defenses, but bear in mind the slowness. Of course, spells are not ''useless'', as support magic can be very helpful.
*Statue Form boosts melee weapon damage by 50%, but it also slows melee by 50% - there's no net increase to damage.
*Like spells, [[Ranged Weapons]] are slowed with no damage boost.
*It's recommended to remove [[Statue Form]] during the [[Orb run]], as "running" toward the dungeon exit at half speed will get you swarmed.

In a 3-rune game, these characters should generally focus on [[Fighting]] and other defensive skills before using Statue Form. In [[extended]], however, the torment resistance can give this form more merit.

===Tips & Tricks===
*[[Translocations]] spells are great to use in this form. [[Lesser Beckoning]] and [[Vhi's Electric Charge]] help a slow-moving melee fighter approach enemies. [[Manifold Assault]] lets you swing your fists at full-screen range.
*Can be good for (15 rune) low turncount [[speedrun]]s. Since you act at 1.5 delay, you'll regenerate 1.5 [[decaAut]] per move, while only taking 1 "[[turn]]".

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Naga || Djinni || Octopode || Felid
|-
| [[File:Statue form humanoid.png]] || [[File:Statue form armataur.png]] || [[File:Statue form naga.png]] || [[File:Statue form djinni.png]] || [[File:Statue form octopode.png]] || [[File:Statue form felid.png]]
|}

==History==
*Prior to [[0.33]], Statue Form has 12 base unarmed damage, and it did not have +7 Str or -20% EV. Also, its minimum skill was 16.
*Prior to [[0.32]], amphibious characters could still enter deep water in statue form, but could not swim and would suffer penalties for being in water.
*Granite talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. This form was previously implemented as a level 6 [[Earth Magic]]/[[Transmutations]] spell, [[Statue Form (spell)|Statue Form]]. There are no direct changes between versions, but exiting a form now takes 5 turns, which is a notable nerf for this form in particular.

{{Forms}}

[[Category: Transformation]]

Dragon-coil talisman

2026-09-19T23:52:11Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version033}}
{{flavour|An intricate carving, inlaid with dragon tooth and scale. Transforms the user into a mighty golden dragon. The user becomes resistant to fire, cold and poison, and gains a powerful breath attack that inflicts all three types of damage at once, but only recharges as you gain XP.

For [[Draconian]]s:

Transforms the user into a mighty dragon. The user retains their innate colour, becomes resistant to poison, and their breath weapon's power and recharge rate is greatly increased.}}

[[File:dragon-coil talisman.png]] A '''dragon-coil talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Dragon Form'''.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a dragon-coil talisman turns you into Dragon Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Dragon Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''HP Bonus:''' +50% HP
*'''Bonus AC:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down:
**Below minimum: 0 AC (0 skill) - +12 AC (16 skill)
**Above minimum: +12 AC (17 skill) - +18 AC (25 skill)
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]] base damage:''' Linearly scales from the following points:
**Below minimum: 9 damage (0 skill) - 17 damage (17 skill)
**Above minimum: 17 damage (17 skill) - 27 damage (25 skill)
**'''Note:''' Damage including the Claws 3 mutation, which is not displayed in the in-game inventory description.
*[[Fangs]] 5 (11 damage bite [[auxiliary attack]])
*The off-hand punch is improved by Claws.
*'''Golden Breath:''' Active ability. Launch a piercing, range-5 bolt of [[fire]] and [[cold]], leaving clouds of [[Cloud#Poison|poison gas]] in its trajectory. No cost, but has a [[Breath|cooldown]] and charges need to be regained through [[experience]] gain.
**'''Damage:''' Linearly scales from the following points:
**Below minimum: 2 x 3d2 damage (0 skill) - 2 x 3d18 damage (17 skill)
**Above minimum: 2 x 3d18 damage (17 skill) - 2 x 3d28 damage (25 skill)
*'''Stat Bonus:''' +10 [[strength]].

'''Resistances'''
*[[Fire resistance|rF+]]
*[[Cold resistance|rC+]]
*[[Poison resistance|rPois]]
*Innate [[flight]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All [[armour]], [[weapon]] and [[shield]]. (Can only wear [[jewellery]])
*You cannot [[throw]] items.

'''Other'''
*Dragon Form is '''[[Size#Giant|Giant]]'''-sized. This gives a penalty to [[EV]], but you are resistant to [[trample|trampling]] and cannot be [[constricted]] by smaller monsters.
*Suppresses anatomy [[mutation]]s. Species [[movement speed]] set to 10.

Dragon Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 17, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the AC / Unarmed bonuses scale down alongside it. It has a maximum skill of 25, where skill has no further impact.

[[Bai Suzhen]] may carry a dragon-coil talisman.

===Draconians===
If you are a [[Draconian]], Dragon Form has the following modifiers:
*You retain your natural scale colours and Armoured Tail slap.
*The AC bonus from your scales is retained, but with a -6 AC penalty.<ref>{{source ref|0.33.1|transform.cc|778}}</ref>
*Your [[draconian breath weapon|breath weapon]] is retained instead of having Golden Breath.
*Instead of gaining rF+ and rC+, you retain your natural elemental resistances, or lack thereof.
**You still get rPois, no matter your colour.
*Damage dealt by your breath weapon receives bonus damage that linearly scales with your [[Shapeshifting]] skill from the following points, rounded down:
**Below minimum: 0% (0 skill) - +40% (17 skill)
**Above minimum: +40% (17 skill) - +~67% (25 skill)

==Strategy==
Despite the +50% HP, Dragon Form is quite frail, due to the lack of [[AC]]/[[SH]] and reduction to [[EV]]. Still, the Unarmed Combat boost is quite strong; considering the decent base damage boost, an auxiliary attack, and +10 strength, not a lot of Unarmed Combat skill is required to melee well. Golden Breath is a strong crowd-control option, especially against enemies who are not resistant to poison. The resistances are also OK.

[[Storm Form]] deals more Unarmed damage and similar average durability, but requires more skill. [[Statue Form]] is more durable and does not meld as many armour slots, but is slow and deals less Unarmed damage/turn.

Although Dragon Form melds [[staves]] and [[int]]-raising gear, you can use magic however you please. Since you won't have armour or shield [[encumbrance]], it might even be easier for you to cast spells than in your natural form.

===Tips & Tricks===
*Support magic, like [[Ozocubu's Armour]] or [[Vhi's Electric Charge]], can be very useful to have. Since you're using Unarmed Combat, [[Manifold Assault]] only hits 1/2 targets, but it can still be worth using.
*Don't forget about the golden breath, a free, moderately powerful ranged attack that creates a cloud of [[Cloud#Poison|poison gas]] through its path.
*If you can manage to get Dragon Form by the [[Lair]] rune branches, the ability to fly and poison resistance are helpful there. Just watch out for [[silver]] [[javelin]]s in [[Shoals]].
*Dragon Form's claws are big enough to remove [[hydra]] heads. Use magic/wands/your breath, or consider using a different form in areas like the [[Swamp]].

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Dragon Form / Golden || Black || Green || Grey || Pale || Purple || Red || White || Yellow || Felid || Gargoyle || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Dragon form golden.png]] || [[File:Dragon form black.png]] || [[File:Dragon form green.png]] || [[File:Dragon form grey.png]] || [[File:Dragon form pale.png]] || [[File:Dragon form purple.png]] || [[File:Dragon form red.png]] || [[File:Dragon form white.png]] || [[File:Dragon form yellow.png]] || [[File:Dragon form felid.png]] || [[File:Dragon form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Dragon form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Prior to [[0.33]], this talisman was named the '''dragon-blood talisman'''. It transformed non-[[Draconian]]s into fire dragons instead of golden dragons, granting rF++ / rC- instead of rF+ / rC+. The breath was Fire Breath, scaled with XL rather than skill, and recharged over time instead of XP. [[Draconian]]s did not recharge their breath faster while in Dragon Form. It also granted more UC base damage and gave non-Draconians an auxiliary tail slap. ''For the spell present in [[0.30]], see [[Dragon Form (spell)]].''
*Dragon-blood talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. This form was previously implemented as a level 7 Transmutations spell, [[Dragon Form (spell)|Dragon Form]]. Previously, Dragon Form had 38 base damage and a flat 16 AC.

==References==
<references/>

{{Forms}}

[[Category: Transformation]]

Blade talisman

2026-09-19T23:50:07Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A jagged cluster of blades, almost impossible to grasp without injury. Causes long, needle-thin blades to grow from the wearer's body, allowing them to perform rapid auxiliary melee attacks and even parry blows. Having so many fragments of metal inside one's body reduces the effectiveness of body armour, but Shapeshifting skill mitigates this effect as well as increases the damage dealt.}}

[[File:blade talisman.png]] A '''blade talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that gives you '''Blade Hands''', greatly increasing your [[Auxiliary attack]]s.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a blade talisman grants Blade Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Blade Hands has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 3 base damage (no bonus)
*'''Blade [[Auxiliary attack]]:''' Gain two aux attacks which have a 60% chance to attack independently with each melee attack you perform. Has a base damage of 10 (17 skill) to 16 (25 skill).
*'''[[Parrying]]:''' Gain temporary [[SH]] on turns you perform a melee attack. Scales with shapeshifting skill, from 6 SH at 17 skill to 12 SH at 25 skill. Also scales with [[Slaying]].
*Reduces base [[AC]] of [[body armour]]; multiplies body armour AC by -50% to -20%
**Does not impact [[enchantment]], but does impact AC gained from [[Armour skill]]. Stacks multiplicatively with [[Deformed]] / [[Pseudopods]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Blade Form melds no equipment and suppresses no mutations, unlike most other forms.

It has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 17, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], your armor is reduced further, and your blade auxes do less damage. It has a maximum skill of 25, where skill has no further impact.

==Strategy==
Blade form benefits greatly from [[slay]]ing bonuses, as it applies to both of the Aux attacks, along with improving shielding from Parry in a 1-to-1 ratio. This makes slay bonuses from [[Fugue of the Fallen]] and [[Wu Jian Council]]'s Heavenly Storm both offensive and defensive.

Although Wu Jian is the most obvious god choice, anything that increases attack speed will increase the damage output of this form. [[Okawaru]] is another natural choice, but [[Trog]]'s [[Berserk]] can also do the trick.

This form is especially great for characters who don't care about the [[AC]] from body armor. Dex-based characters, [[Felid]]s, and characters with large amounts of slaying (which provides [[SH]]) can effectively negate or ignore the lost AC. This is a game-winning form when all the synergies are considered, and often a natural progression for a character previously using [[Maw Form]] or [[Eel Form]].

==History==
*Prior to [[0.34]], Blade Form was a 12-skill form which replaced the user's hands with long needles, greatly increasing unarmed damage (and enabling stabbing) but melding weapons and the offhand slot, as well as suppressing the [[claws]] mutation.
*Prior to [[0.33]], the initial AC penalty at lower shapeshifting levels was 100% of base AC.
*Introduced in [[0.31]] in the transformation overhaul. Previously implemented as a spell, [[Blade Hands (spell)|Blade Hands]]. The previous spell had 22 base damage, cut [[hydra]] heads, had a spellcasting penalty, and didn't have an AC penalty. (However, since it was a spell, heavy armour made it harder to cast).

==References==
<references />

{{Forms}}

Wellspring talisman

2026-09-19T23:48:53Z

Ythern:

{{version033}}
{{stub}}
{{flavour|A small amphora from which pours a seemingly unending quantity of water. Transforms the user's flesh into elemental water, allowing them to move flexibly and reach to attack from a great distance. From time to time, they can even cause the water around them to rise up and drown their enemies.

The malleability of this water even allows them to retain the benefits of their physical mutations, but cold attacks can freeze it solid and fire may cause it to erupt with steam.}}

[[File:wellspring talisman.png]] A '''wellspring talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that turns your body into a wellspring of elemental water.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a wellspring talisman transforms you into Aqua Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Aqua Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*Unarmed combat: 3 base damage (no bonus)
*All attacks gain +2 tiles of [[reaching]]. 
**[[Auxiliary attack]]s can be used with reaching attacks.
**Stacks with the reaching of [[polearm]]s (including [[Rift]]). Attacks made possible by the reaching of a polearm (further than 3 tiles away) will not trigger aux attacks.
**Cleaving will hit the primary target and all enemies adjacent to you.
**Cannot get [[stab]]s with reaching hits.
*'''Watery Grave:''' Active ability with XP-based cooldown. Deals drowning damage to all enemies in water within 4 tiles of the player and applies the [[waterlog]]ged status effect, if possible, then removes shallow water created by the player. Damage scales with Shapeshifting skill:
**Below minimum: 4d1 damage (0 skill) - 4d15 damage (12 skill)
**Above minimum: 4d15 damage (12 skill) - 4d25 damage (20 skill)

'''Defensive traits'''
*[[Amorphous]]: Cannot be [[constrict]]ed or [[held]].
*[[Amphibious]]: Can travel through water and ignore water penalties, immune to [[drowning]] damage
*'''Innate EV:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down:
**Below minimum: +0 EV (0 skill) - +6 (12 skill)
**Above minimum: +6 EV (12 skill) - +13 EV (20 skill)
*When damaged, you sometimes create temporary pools of shallow water nearby.
**Taking fire damage releases steam clouds.
**Taking cold damage applies the [[frozen]] status 50% of the time, slowing movement speed.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Body armor
*'''Suppressed [[mutation]]s:''' Substance

Aqua Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. The maximum skill for this form is 20.

==Strategy==
This form can at least be helpful in the [[Lair]] branches. Constriction immunity is great in [[Snake]] and web immunity helps defend against [[jumping spider]]s in [[Spider]]. [[Swamp]] and [[Shoals]] are filled with water, allowing you to benefit from amphibiousness and Watery Grave.

The Watery Grave ability is akin to extra charges of a [[phial of floods]] - preventing enemy casters from using spells at all is a strong effect, although it only affects creatures in water.

The damage from steam clouds can be fully resisted by any amount of rF+, but rC+ does not protect from the Frozen status.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Djinni || Felid || Gargoyle || Naga || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Aqua form.png]] || [[File:Aqua form armataur.png]] || [[File:Aqua form djinni.png]] || [[File:Aqua form felid.png]] || [[File:Aqua form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Aqua form naga.png]] || [[File:Aqua form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Wellspring talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Spider talisman

2026-09-19T23:47:35Z

Ythern:

{{version033}}
{{stub}}
{{flavour|A strange charm made from shed arachnid exoskeletons bound together with silk. Transforms the user into an agile jumping spider who can move swiftly towards foes and inflict grievous damage on any it catches unaware. Its attacks can also ensnare its enemies in webs and it can leap briskly away from many dangers.}}

[[File:spider talisman.png]] A '''spider talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that transforms you into a [[jumping spider]].

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a spider talisman puts you into Spider Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Spider Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 3 base damage (no bonus)
**Unarmed attacks gain [[short blade]]-tier [[stabbing]] bonuses
**Small chance to ensnare enemies in a [[web]] on hit (20% - 40%, depending on the Shapeshifting skill)
*[[Rampaging]]
*+5 [[dexterity]]

'''Defensive traits'''
*Poison vulnerability (rPois-)
*'''Innate EV''': +5-15 EV, scaling with Shapeshifting skill
*Tiny [[size]] (+6 base EV and Dodging skill bonus compared to a medium-sized species)
*[[Stealth]]+
*Jump ability: Transports you to a random tile in LOS (like the [[Blink]] spell), causes you to evade all attacks you can evade, and has a chance to cause enemies to lose track of you. (Cooldown)

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All weapons and armor
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' Anatomy, blood, bones

Spider Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 20.

==Strategy==

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Spider Form || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Spider form transform.png]] || [[File:Spider form gargoyle.png]]
|}

==History==
*Spider talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Serpent talisman

2026-09-19T23:46:31Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A jade snake coiled around a nagaraja's name-day egg. Transforms the user into a giant, cold-blooded, poison-resistant serpent, ready to wind their coils around foes and crush them to death. Shapeshifting skill increases the armour provided by the snake's scales. While transformed, any equipped weapons and armour are melded.}}
[[File:serpent talisman.png]] A '''serpent talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Serpent Form''', a giant, [[constrict]]ing snake.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, this talisman turns you into Serpent Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Serpent Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''HP Bonus:''' 120% HP
*'''Innate AC:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down:
**Below minimum: 1 AC (0 skill) - 10 AC (12 skill)
**Above minimum: 10 AC (12 skill) - 16 AC (20 skill)
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 7 base damage.
*'''[[Constriction]]:''' When making a melee attack, you initiate [[constriction]]. You can constrict 1 [[large]] (or smaller) foe at a time.
*'''[[Strength|Stat Bonus]]:''' +5 strength.

'''Resistances'''
*[[Poison resistance|rPois]]

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' [[Body armour]], [[Gloves]], [[Boots]], [[Cloak]]s, [[Weapon]], and [[Shield]]. (Can wear [[jewellery]] and 2 [[Helmet]]s/[[Hats]].)
*You cannot [[throw]] items.

'''Other'''
*'''[[Cold-blooded]]:''' You will be [[slow]]ed when hit by certain cold attacks. Negated by any amount of [[cold resistance]].
*'''[[Amphibious]]:''' Can swim in [[water]], immune to [[drowning]] damage. Note that unless your species is already amphibious, you can't recover items from [[deep water]].
*'''[[Large]]''' size: Species smaller than large will have reduced [[EV]] in this form. (Being large also lets you constrict large opponents and increases your resistance to knockback effects such as [[trample]].)
*Provides a 2nd Head (including the extra Aux slot). This does not provide [[Felid]]s with any head slots.
*Suppresses many [[mutation]]s. Species [[movement delay]] set to 1.0.

Serpent Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the AC bonus scales down. It has a maximum skill of 20, where skill has no further impact.

[[Aizul]] always carries a serpent talisman.

==Strategy==
Constriction is a strong effect, inflicting a large EV penalty while dealing extra damage. Because Serpent Form is [[large]], it can constrict large monsters like [[list of centaurs|centaurs]], [[list of ogres|ogre]]s, and [[yak]]s (which base Octopodes cannot).

Serpent Form also gives a fair bit of AC. For many characters first entering [[the Lair]], it offers slightly more AC than lighter armours, without the [[encumbrance]] of heavy armour. When combined with the 120% HP and the innate poison resistance, it's a moderately durable form. However, the lack of [[shield]] will reduce your defense in the long run.

===Tips & Tricks===
*This form can be very useful for [[Naga]]s (fittingly enough), as it lets them move at normal speed. [[Barachim]] can also move normally, though they'll lose their hop.
*Being cold-blooded can be risky when fighting monsters with [[freezing]] weapons or other types of cold damage. Note what activates cold-blooded and what doesn't; e.g. certain spells like [[Flash Freeze]] won't cause the mutation to activate.
*If you haven't found a source of [[flight]] yet, Serpent Form will let you pass through deep water even at 0 Shapeshifting skill (though using it at such low skill will greatly reduce your maximum HP).

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Serpent Form || Felid || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Serpent form.png]] || [[File:Serpent form felid.png]] || [[File:Serpent form gargoyle.png]]
|}

==History==
*[[0.34]] Levels and damage adjusted to match other T3s.
*[[0.33]] Serpent Form gains have two heads, letting the player wear two helmets. This does not apply to [[Felid]]s.
*Serpent talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. Serpent Form had no previous counterpart, but is similar in role to [[Ice Form]].

{{Forms}}

[[Category: Transformation]]

Lupine talisman

2026-09-19T23:45:20Z

Ythern:

{{version034}}
{{flavour|An painted eyepatch made from a scrap of wolf pelt. Transforms the user into a vicious werewolf, muscles surging with predatory instinct. Killing enemies in this form will give a stacking bonus to your damage and accuracy, and slaying enough of them in a row will cause you to unleash a vicious howl that makes any still alive cower in fear - and leaves them susceptible to a devastating leaping takedown.}}

[[File:lupine talisman.png]] A '''lupine talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into a ferocious werewolf.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a lupine talisman turns you into Werewolf Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Werewolf Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 9 base damage (''counting the [[Claws]] 3 mutation, which is not accounted for in the in-game inventory'')
**Claws 3 also boosts the offhand punch and cuts off [[hydra]] heads.
*Str+3
*Dex+3
*'''Werefury''': killing enemies in melee gives you a slaying bonus, which stacks up to +12. You get an extra 1.20-2.20 Slay per kill, depending on your Shapeshifting skill.
*'''Werehowl''': if you Werefury bonus is at least 5 slay, you may unleash a howl that freezes all nearby enemies in place with fear if it overcomes their [[willpower]]. Howl power is 80-120, depending on your Shapeshifting skill.
*'''Bestial Takedown''' ability, which performs a jumping attack at +(75-125)% damage against any enemy who is currently afraid (whether from you howling at them, or any other source, like a [[scroll of fear]]). Kills made by Bestial Takedown will always cause you to perform a howl afterward.

'''Defensive traits'''
*Cold resistance (rC+)
*Willpower vulnerability (Will-)
*Regeneration bonus (similar to an [[amulet of regeneration]])

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Gloves, boots, barding
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' None

Werewolf Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, and the maximum skill is 20.

==Strategy==
For melee characters, Werewolf Form can offer strong and entirely passive crowd control, without melding body armour or shield. But having to invest ~12 levels of Shapeshifting for a form that provides few initial bonuses can be tough to manage. Also watch out for Will-, which can be lethal - certain statuses ([[paralysis]], [[vex]]) can kill you before you get another turn to act.

This form's claws will cut [[hydra]] heads, causing more to grow.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Djinni || Felid || Gargoyle || Naga || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Werewolf form.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form armataur.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form djinni.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form felid.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form naga.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Prior to [[0.34]], Werewolf Form melded helmets and cloaks.
*Lupine talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Fortress talisman

2026-09-19T23:44:01Z

Ythern:

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A miniature battlement, carved from a piece of shell. Transforms the user into a heavily armoured crab, fusing whatever body armour they are wearing into the shell in the process. In this form, they are slow-moving, but well-defended and even capable of wielding a weapon in their large main claw. They can also breathe clouds of rust at the cost of their own HP, which corrode and weaken enemies.}}

[[File:fortress talisman.png]] A '''fortress talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into a heavily-armoured crab.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a fortress talisman turns you into Fortress Crab Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Fortress Crab Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 8-13 base damage, depending on your Shapeshifting skill.
*You can breath [[clouds]] of rust, which [[corrode]] and [[weak]]en enemies. The cost is <code>12 HP + 12% max HP</code>. The size of the cloud is 9-25 tiles, depending on your Shapeshifing skill. Note that there is no breath timer for this ability.

'''Defensive traits'''
*Body armour base AC increased by 70%-135%, depending on your Shapeshifting skill.
*Doubles the effect of body armor [[ego]]s.
*Poison vulnerability
*Corrosion resistance (rCorr)
*'''Innate AC:''' 3 AC

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Offhand, helmet, gloves, boots, barding, cloak
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' Anatomy, bones
*You are slow (-30% move speed).
*You can't use a shield, but you can equip any 2 handed weapon your base form can use.

Fortress Crab Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, and the maximum skill is 20.

==Strategy==
Fortress Crab Form has many downsides, making it niche at best:
*The loss of aux slots reduces the effective AC given by this form and prevents you from gaining [[ego]]s/[[artefact]] properties from those slots. The loss of a [[shield]] lowers defenses further.
*It has slow movement speed.
*It requires significant investment in Shapeshifting, as well as Armour and other melee skills. In addition, most other talisman forms meld the body armour slot, making this investment spread awkward to pursue.

It is seemingly best on a heavy armour character in the mid-game who hasn't filled many of the aux armour slots yet, which is unlikely, and preferably has prior investment in Shapeshifting. That said, this form can be used to reach over 100 AC with the right gear and skilling.

The doubling of your Armor Ego means that wearing, for example, a Chain Mail of Poison Resist will result in rP+ even when in form and despite the form's inherent poison vulnerability. However, 1. other resistances have diminishing returns (rF+, rC+, rN+) and, 2. other egos boost unrelated skills like [[Summonings]], which splits your XP between multiple unsynergistic skills unlikely to be used by a Fortress-form using character: that skill, Shapeshifting, and Armour.

Note that there is no synergy with [[Awaken Armour]]; that spell uses the base AC from the armour type without accounting for the form bonus.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Fortress Crab Form || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Fortress crab form.png]] || [[File:Fortress crab form gargoyle.png]]
|}

==History==
*Fortress talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Eel talisman

2026-09-19T23:42:35Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A strange sea fossil, adorned with abalone and pearl. Causes the wearer's hands to transform into a par of wriggling electric eels that sometimes discharge arcs of electricity through connected targets when used to strike enemies. When the wearer's health becomes dangerously low, they will discharge and even more violent voltage.}}

----

[[File:eel talisman.png]] A '''eel talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Eel Form''' when '''P'''ut on.

Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Eel Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''

*'''Discharge:''' Your melee hits have a 50% chance of discharging an arc of electricity that travels between several connected enemies.
*'''Jolt Damage:''' Scaling from 1d25 (12 skill) to 1d44 (20 skill)
*'''Violent Discharge:''' When your health drops to 40% of your max HP, your eels violently discharge electricity, striking all connected targets within 2 tiles of yourself, for twice the damage their electricity normally does. This effect cannot activate again until you fully heal. It can also strike allies.
*'''Unarmed Combat Bonus:''' Scales from +3 (12 skill) to +7 (20 skill)

'''Resistances'''
*rElec

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All [[weapon]]s and [[gloves]].
*Suppresses hand [[mutation]]s.

Eel Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], UC bonuses and Jolt damage scales down. Maximum skill is 20.

==History==
*Eel talismans were introduced in [[0.34]], along with [[Spore talisman]]s.

{{Forms}}

Maw talisman

2026-09-19T23:39:07Z

Ythern:

{{version034}}
{{flavour|Transforms the user's midsection into a giant mouth, gnashing and ready to devour foes. The mouth may devour slain creatures, healing the user to an extent increased by the user's Shapeshifting skill and the power of the creature eaten. Skill also increases the damage done by the maw.}}

[[File:maw talisman.png]] A '''maw talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Maw Form''', which adds a giant, gnashing mouth in place of the stomach.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a maw talisman turns you into Maw Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Maw Form has the following effects:

*'''Maw aux attack:''' Adds a biting [[auxiliary attack]]. Unlike other aux attacks, your bite attack happens every 15 auts, independent of attack speed. 75% of your strength is added to the bite damage. Damage scales linearly with Shapeshifting skill:
**Below minimum: 14 damage (0 skill) - 23 damage (12 skill)
**Above minimum: 23 damage (12 skill) - 29 damage (20 skill)
*'''Devour on kill:''' Whenever you kill an enemy that can drop a [[corpse]] in melee, you have an independent 66% chance to devour it, increasing your [[Regeneration rate]]. You don't need to make a maw attack to devour.<ref>{{source ref|0.32.0|melee-attack.cc|851}}</ref> The duration of regeneration is based on monster HD. Regeneration rate scales linearly with Shapeshifting skill:
**Below minimum: 0 Regen (0 skill) - 2.20 Regen (12 skill)
**Above minimum: 2.20 Regen (12 skill) - 5.00 Regen (20 skill)

*'''Growling stomach:''' Your maw's appetite is insatiable. Whenever you first encounter an edible monster, there is a 1 in 6 chance to become [[Mesmerise]]d by it and let out a loud growl.

*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' None. However, [[AC]] from Body Armor is reduced by 75%.

Maw Form does not block any [[mutation]]s, does not change your [[size]], and gives no innate bonus to HP / [[AC]].

[[Beogh]] followers will not devour [[list of orcs|orc]] corpses. [[Gozag]] turns corpses into gold, stopping this effect. [[Death drop]]s still generate, so you won't miss out on [[dragon scales]] and the like. However, [[Animate Dead]] and [[Infestation]] won't function for corpses you devour.

[[Rupert]] may carry a maw talisman.

Maw Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the maw's damage scales down. It has a maximum skill of 20, where skill has no further impact.

==Strategy==
The maw [[auxiliary attack]] has a bite speed of 15 auts (1.5 turns). Therefore, unlike most aux attacks, faster attack speeds will not result in more bites.

The mesmerising effect can be quite dangerous as it may lock you in combat until the enemy is killed. When packs of enemies come into view at once, there is a very high chance of this occurring - a good reason to consider how much the regeneration rate and high bite damage will negate the risk.

Species that do not wear body armour ([[draconian]]s, [[octopode]]s, [[felid]]s) incur no penalty from using Maw Form (other than any penalty resulting from insufficient Shapeshifting skill).

==History==
*[[0.34]] Maw form was changed to a Tier 3 talisman, increasing damage and skill requirements, changing the heal to a regeneration effect, removing shoutitis, and adding a chance to mesmerise the player.
*[[0.33]] Maw Form changed to reduce your body armour's AC by 75% instead of completely melding it. The damage was be reduced a bit, and the player received a [[Screaming|shoutitis]]-like mutation. The skill requirements changed from min 10/max 19 to min 8/max 14.}}
*Maw talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. Maw Form had no previous counterpart.

==References==
<references />

{{Forms}}

Medusa talisman

2026-09-19T23:38:14Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version033}}
{{stub}}
{{flavour|A fossilised jellyfish polyp, inscribed with sigils. Causes a mane of long stinging tendrils to sprout from the user's head which lash out at nearby enemies whenever the user attacks, poisoning them. When they feel their host's life is in danger, they can even turn these poisoned foes to stone.}}

[[File:Medusa talisman.png]] A '''medusa talisman''' is a talisman that changes you into a medusa.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a medusa talisman turns you into Medusa Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Medusa Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''Unarmed Combat:''' 3 base damage (''no bonus'')
*When attacking in melee, tendrils lash out and poison several random nearby enemies.
**The number of enemies attacked with tendrils scales from 2.5 at minimum Shapeshifting skill to 4 at maximum skill.
**The tendrils can poison any enemy within 2 tiles of the player.

'''Defensive traits'''
*Poison resistance (rPois)
*'''Lithotoxin:''' When you drop below 60% HP, all nearby poison is empowered with a skill-based chance to petrify poisoned enemies. When activated, you get -Lithotoxin status until you heal to full HP.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''Melded Gear:''' [[Helmet]]s and [[cloak]]s

Medusa Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 8, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 14.

==Strategy==

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Felid || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Medusa form humanoid.png]] || [[File:Medusa form armataur.png]] || [[File:Medusa form felid.png]] || [[File:Medusa form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
{{CBA|0.33|medusa talismans will be added to the game.}}

{{Forms}}

Rimehorn talisman

2026-09-19T23:36:42Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version033}}
{{stub}}
{{flavour|A crude ornament carved from the horn of a rare arctic beast - so cold to the touch that ice still clings to it. Transforms the user into a rime yak, a hardy ungulate that is highly resistant to cold and whose breath is so frigid that it freezes the walls around itself as it fights. Being so attuned to arctic temperatures also makes it easier for the user to cast Ice magic.}}

[[File:rimehorn talisman.png]] A '''rimehorn talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into an icy yak.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a rimehorn talisman turns you into Yak Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Yak Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 7 base damage
*Attacking enemies next to walls creates frigid walls next to the target, which deal cold damage to adjacent enemies each turn (similarly to [[Frozen Ramparts]]).
**Frigid wall damage scales from 2d12 per turn at minimum shapeshifting skill to 2d18 at maximum skill.
*'''Aid to Ice Magic:''' The [[Spell Success#Modifiers|raw failure rate]] of [[Ice Magic]] is reduced by x66.6% (equivalent to going from 0 -> 2 levels of [[wizardry]], stacking independently with wizardry).

'''Defensive traits'''
*+15% Hitpoints
*Your [[size]] is large
*Cold resistance 2 (rC++)
*Fire vulnerability (rF-)
*'''Innate AC:''' +6-12 AC, scaling with shapeshifting skill
*[[Amphibious]]

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All weapons and armor
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' Anatomy

Yak Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 8, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 14.

==Strategy==

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Rime Yak Form || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Rime yak form.png]] || [[File:Rime yak form gargoyle.png]]
|}

==History==
*Rimehorn talismans will be added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Spore talisman

2026-09-19T23:35:30Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A small charm made from a still-living mushroom. Transforms one of the wearer's arms and parts of their lower body into a vibrant mass of multicoloured fungus. Melee attacks in this form may release spores that weaken their target, as well as cause mushrooms to sprout on the ground behind them which will release their own bursts of dazing spores if allowed to grow.}}

[[File:Spore talisman.png]] A '''spore talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Spore Form''' when '''P'''ut on.

Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Spore Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''

*'''Unarmed Combat Bonus:''' +4 (does not increase with skill)
*'''Burstshrooms:''' Melee attacks cause multiple burstshrooms to begin growing on unoccupied tiles behind your target. If allowed to grow for several turns, they explode, damaging nearby enemies briefly [[daze|dazing]] them. Scales from 2d7 (8 skill) to 2d12 (at 14 skill) damage.
*'''Spore Ejection:''' Your melee attacks have a chance to [[weak]]en breathing enemies.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Offhand and [[boots]].

Spore Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 8, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and less Burstshroom damage. Maximum skill is 14.

==History==
*Spore talismans were introduced in [[0.34]], along with [[Eel talisman]]s.

{{Forms}}

Scarab talisman

2026-09-19T23:33:09Z

Ythern:

{{version033}}
{{flavour|A small golden cameo of a beetle. Transforms the user into a sun scarab, a fiery insect that carries around a mote of searing heat and light outside itself, like a tiny sun.

This solar ember burns adjacent enemies whenever the scarab attacks, and can be healed by swapping with it. In addition, the scarab's own mandibles can reduce enemies' fire resistance and Fire spells are easier for the user to cast.}}

[[File:scarab talisman.png]] A '''scarab talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into a scarab beetle rolling around a miniature sun.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a scarab talisman turns you into Scarab Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Scarab Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 3 base damage (''no bonus'')
*'''Aid to Fire Magic:''' The [[Spell Success#Modifiers|raw failure rate]] of [[Fire Magic]] is reduced by x66.6% (equivalent to going from 0 -> 2 levels of [[wizardry]], stacking independently with wizardry).
*Your melee attacks have a 50% chance to apply rF- if they pass AC.

'''Solar ember'''
*While in this form, the player will have a {{monsterlink|solar ember}} that follows alongside them. It uses similar leashing behavior to [[phalanx beetle]]s, but additionally will not move while already adjacent to the player (so that its positioning remains predictable while the player fights.)
*Every 2nd melee attack triggers the solar ember to unleash a blast of fire against all enemies adjacent to it (and damage itself by 7-10 HP).
**The damage is 2d14-2d24, scaling with Shapeshifting skill.
*Swapping places with the ember heals it for 75% of its max HP.
*If the ember is destroyed, it will automatically respawn 20-32 turns later.

'''Defensive traits'''
*Fire resistance 2 (rF++)
*Poison vulnerability (rPois-)
*'''Innate AC:''' +5-9 AC, scaling with Shapeshifting skill
*Scarab Form is '''[[Size#Small|Small]]'''-sized. This gives a significant benefit to [[EV]] for species who are Medium or larger, scaling more to one's [[Dexterity]] and [[Dodging]] skill.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All weapons and armor
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' Anatomy, blood, bones

Scarab Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 8, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 14.

==Strategy==

Scarab Form is the glass cannon of Tier-2 talismans, with high [[EV]] and high damage output in exchange for the [[AC]] of one's melded armour. Not only does the flare do immense damage for its investment levels, but in the early to mid [[Dungeon]] and [[Lair]], there are very few monsters with [[fire resistance]], so rF- melee attacks will let solar ember flares outcompete most other mage background spells (like [[Flame Wave]]). Positioning for the flare and monsters alike to keep the ember safe without also leaving yourself open is crucial- against multiple monsters, try to find slightly open chokepoints the ember and you together can then fill up.

<gallery class="left" widths="300px" heights="300px" mode="nolines">
File:Scarab positioning.png|thumb|left|Two-space-wide chokepoints particularly help with monsters focusing on the player first.
</gallery>

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Scarab Form || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Scarab form.png]] || [[File:Scarab form gargoyle.png]]
|}

==History==
*Scarab talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Inkwell talisman

2026-09-19T23:31:45Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version033}}
{{flavour|A small bottle filled with mystical ink. Transforms the user into a walking scroll whose body is tattooed with the knowledge of a hundred mages. Being an omnibus of magical techniques gives them increased skill with all spell schools, which improves with Shapeshifting skill, but the form's ability to channel such magic is limited, and it cannot cast spells above level 4.

Its attacks are also very weak, but have a chance of restoring 1 MP when they hit.}}

[[File:inkwell talisman.png]] An '''inkwell talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into a walking scroll.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, an inkwell talisman turns you into Walking Scroll Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Walking Scroll Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 3 base damage (''no bonus'')
*Your melee attacks have a 50% chance to restore 1 MP when you hit (even if you do no damage).
*Your melee attacks do 50% less damage.
*Your skill with all magic schools is increased by <code>0.5 + Shapeshifting/2</code>, capped at +4.

'''Defensive traits'''
*You become [[nonliving]]: [[unbreathing]], cannot be put to [[sleep]], lacking [[blood]]
*Your [[size]] is tiny
*Poison immunity
*Fire vulnerability (rF-)
*Your max MP is increased by 4-9 MP, depending on your Shapeshifting skill.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All weapons and armor
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' Anatomy, substance, blood
*You can cast only level 1-4 spells.

Walking Scroll Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 0, and the maximum skill is 7.

==Strategy==
Walking Scroll Form provides many useful benefits for casters in the early-mid Dungeon. It grants valuable poison ''immunity'', protecting from threats like [[adder]]s and [[hornet]]s, while boosting MP, casting skill, and EV. You can get away with having no or very little Shapeshifting skill in this form.

Still, you must be careful of early fire attacks, such as from [[orc wizard]]s, [[bombardier beetle]]s, [[wands of flame]], and weapons of [[flaming]]. In addition, it's infeasible stay in this form for long due to the spell level cap and lack of armour.

If you find another talisman in a timely manner (e.g., a [[scarab talisman]] for fire casters, [[rimehorn talisman]] for ice), this form can act as a useful bridge for those forms.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Walking Scroll Form
|-
| [[File:Walking scroll form.png]]
|}

==History==
*Inkwell talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Quill talisman

2026-09-19T23:29:57Z

Ythern:

{{version033}}
{{flavour|A spiny trinket reminiscent of a cactus. Causes sharp quills to grow all over the user's body which may cause injury to anyone unwise enough to attack them in melee.}}

[[File:quill talisman.png]] A '''quill talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that transforms you into the quill form.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a quill talisman puts you into Quill Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5.

Quill Form has the following effects:

'''Defensive traits'''
*'''Spiny:''' You have a 40% chance to automatically retaliate against a melee attack by doing 1d2 - 1d8 damage, scaling linearly with Shapeshifting skill. It also makes you immune to [[constriction]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Helmet, gloves, boots, barding, cloak.

Quill Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 0, and the maximum skill is 7.

[[Shapeshifter]]s start with a quill talisman.

==Strategy==
The spiny damage doesn't scale well with skill. It can still be worth it to train Shapeshifting to access new forms, but don't train it ''just'' to boost Quill Form.

If you don't have any auxiliary armor yet, Quill Form is purely beneficial. Note that the form itself has no special bonus to Unarmed Combat, so weapons are OK to use.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Djinni || Felid || Gargoyle || Naga|| Octopode
|-
| [[File:Quill form.png]] || [[File:Quill form armataur.png]] || [[File:Quill form djinni.png]] || [[File:Quill form felid.png]] || [[File:Quill form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Quill form naga.png]] || [[File:Quill form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Quill talismans were added in [[0.33]], replacing [[Beast talisman]]s.

{{Forms}}

Talisman

2026-09-19T23:27:12Z

Ythern: Corrected number of turns needed to exit a form.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|Talismans allow their user to shift into a different form. Entering or leaving a form with a talisman requires a brief period of concentration, but otherwise, forms last until the user chooses to leave them.

More powerful talismans require some amount of Shapeshifting skill, without which a user will find their maximum health reduced until they leave the form. Shapeshifting skill also increases other benefits provided by talismans' forms, though weaker talismans have a limit to how helpful skill can be.}}
'''Talismans''' are items used to change your [[Transformation|form]], using the [[Shapeshifting]] skill.

==Useful Info==
A talisman, when '''P'''ut on, turns you into its respective [[transformation]] (e.g. a [[quill talisman]] turns you into [[Quill Form]]). This transformation lasts indefinitely. It can't be [[potion of cancellation|cancelled]] or [[Quicksilver Bolt|dispelled]], though you can voluntarily exit by taking off the talisman at any time. Entering a form takes 4 turns and exiting it takes 5<ref>{{source ref|0.34.0|delay.h|653}}</ref>. If you are turned into a [[bad form]], when you revert, you'll go back to your talisman form.

Talismans may spawn as [[randart]]s; any randart properties apply so long as you remain in the form. For example, the quill talisman "Qicrucob" {rF+} would give permanent [[fire resistance]] in addition to all the benefits of Quill Form.

The [[undead]] ([[Mummies]], [[Poltergeist]]s and [[Revenant]]s) are unable to transform. [[Zin]] despises form-shifting, and will instantly excommunicate any follower who uses one.

===Transformations===
Each form has its own benefits and downsides. However, talisman forms share a few things in common:

* Many talisman forms boost [[Unarmed Combat]]'s base damage.
* Most forms will [[meld]] certain types of equipment, which cannot be used. For example, a [[blade talisman]] turns your hands into blades, melding your [[weapon]], [[shield]], and [[gloves]].
* Forms often negate certain [[mutation]]s, or add new ones. They can also change your [[size]].

Being in any form will make you take +75% damage from [[silver]] weaponry.

===Skill===
Each form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill. Below this skill, you will receive a penalty to max HP. Every level of skill below the minimum gives a penalty of -10% max HP (max. -90% HP), which is then multiplied by the form bonus. 

Raising Shapeshifting past this point will give you form-specific benefits. Quill Form will have increased damage on quills, Statue Form will increase your defenses further, etc. Each form also has a maximum Shapeshifting skill, where further training has no benefit.

Talismans are not related to [[spell]]s in any way, so [[intelligence]], [[wizardry]], etc. has no effect, and [[Trog]] won't hate them. They are also unaffected by [[Ru#Sacrifices|Sacrifice Artifice]], since they are not evocables.

==Sources==
Talismans are found around the dungeon and in jewellery [[shop]]s. There's a 50% chance to find a [[blade talisman]], possibly an artefact one, in the Hall of Blades part of [[Elven Halls]]:2. The loot chamber in [[Crypt]]:3 has a 33% chance to contain a [[talisman of death]].

Some [[unique]]s can drop talismans after you kill them:
*{{monsterlink|Rupert}}, [[maw talisman]], 50% chance
*{{monsterlink|Aizul}}, [[serpent talisman]], 100% chance (guaranteed to be an [[artefact]])
*{{monsterlink|Roxanne}}, [[granite talisman]], 100% chance
*{{monsterlink|Sojobo}}, [[storm talisman]], 50% chance
*{{monsterlink|Bai Suzhen}}, [[dragon talisman]], 50% chance
*{{monsterlink|Josephina}}, [[death talisman]], 50% chance

==List of talismans==
Talismans are sorted by "tiers"; each tier has the same [[Shapeshifting]] skill thresholds.

'''Tier 1:''' (min. 0 skill, max. 7 skill)
*[[File:Quill talisman.png]] [[Quill talisman]] (Quill Form)
*[[File:Inkwell talisman.png]] [[Inkwell talisman]] (Scroll Form)

'''Tier 1.5:''' (min. 5 skill, max. 14 skill)
*[[File:flux bauble.png]] [[Flux bauble]] (Flux Form)

'''Tier 2:''' (min. 8 skill, max. 14 skill)
*[[File:protean talisman.png]] [[Protean talisman]] (Transforms into another Tier 2 talisman when used)
*[[File:medusa talisman.png]] [[Medusa talisman]] (Medusa Form)
*[[File:rimehorn talisman.png]] [[Rimehorn talisman]] (Yak Form)
*[[File:scarab talisman.png]] [[Scarab talisman]] (Scarab Form)
*[[File:spore talisman.png]] [[Spore talisman]] (Spore Form)

'''Tier 3:''' (min. 12 skill, max. 20 skill)
*[[File:maw talisman.png]] [[Maw talisman]] (Maw Form)
*[[File:eel talisman.png]] [[Eel talisman]] (Eel Form)
*[[File:fortress talisman.png]] [[Fortress talisman]] (Crab Form)
*[[File:lupine talisman.png]] [[Lupine talisman]] (Werewolf Form)
*[[File:serpent talisman.png]] [[Serpent talisman]] (Serpent Form)
*[[File:spider talisman.png]] [[Spider talisman]] (Spider Form)
*[[File:wellspring talisman.png]] [[Wellspring talisman]] (Aqua Form)

'''Tier 4:''' (min. 17 skill, max. 25 skill)
*[[File:blade talisman.png]] [[Blade talisman]] (Blade Form)
*[[File:dragon-coil talisman.png]] [[Dragon-coil talisman]] (Dragon Form)
*[[File:granite talisman.png]] [[Granite talisman]] (Statue Form)
*[[File:hive talisman.png]] [[Hive talisman]] (Hive Form)
*[[File:riddle talisman.png]] [[Riddle talisman]] (Sphinx Form)
*[[File:vampire talisman.png]] [[Sanguine talisman]] (Vampire Form)

'''Tier 5:''' (min. 23 skill, max. 27 skill)
*[[File:talisman of death.png]] [[Talisman of death]]* (Death Form)
*[[File:storm talisman.png]] [[Storm talisman]] (Storm Form)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>''Talismans of death have a minimum of 26 skill''

===Melded Slots===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! '''Form''' || '''Weapon''' || '''Offhand''' || '''Body Armour''' || '''Helmet''' || '''Cloak''' || '''Gloves''' || '''Boots''' || '''Barding'''
|-
!Quill
| || || || x || x || x || x || x
|-
!Inkwell
| x || x || x || x || x || x || x || x
|-
!Flux
| x || x || x || || || x || ||
|-
!Medusa
| || || || x || x || || ||
|-
!Yak
| x || x || x || x || x || x || x || x
|-
!Scarab
| x || x || x || x || x || x || x || x
|-
!Maw
| || || -75% || || || || ||
|-
!Spore
| || x || || || || || x ||
|-
!Eel
| x || x || || || || x || ||
|-
!Crab
| || x || +70%~+135% || x || x || x || x || x
|-
!Werewolf
| || || || || || x || x || x
|-
!Serpent
| x || x || x || x || || x || x || x
|-
!Spider
| x || x || x || x || x || x || x || x
|-
!Aqua
| || || x || || || || ||
|-
!Blade
| || || -60%~0% || || || || ||
|-
!Dragon
| x || x || x || x || x || x || x || x
|-
!Statue
| || || x || || || x || x || x
|-
!Hive
| || || x || x || || || ||
|-
!Sphinx
| x || x || x || x || || x || x || +
|-
!Vampire
| || || || || || || ||
|-
!Storm
| x || x || x || x || x || x || x || x
|-
!Death
| || || || || || || ||
|}

'''''Percentages''' indicate changes in AC derived from [[body armour]].'' 
'''''Ranges''' indicate values at minimum and maximum [[Shapeshifting]], in accordance to the talisman's Tier.'' 
'''''+''' indicates a slot is enabled while in this form, regardless of [[species]].''

==History==
{{CBA|0.35|The delay for putting on and taking off talismans will be normalized to 5 turns. Update not applied as of Sept. 20th. In [[0.34]] the delay is 4 on, 5 off.}}
*In [[0.34]], [[spore talisman]]s and [[eel talisman]]s were added, while [[maw talisman]] and [[blade talisman]] tiers were shifted upwards. Talismans were also made to be cheaper in shops. Also, talismans are now considered gear and are (p)ut on instead of e(v)oked.
*In [[0.33]], a ''dozen'' new talismans were added, including: [[Quill talisman]], [[Inkwell talisman]], [[Protean talisman]], [[Medusa talisman]], [[Rimehorn talisman]], [[Scarab talisman]], [[Fortress talisman]], [[Lupine talisman]], [[Spider talisman]], [[Wellspring talisman]], [[Hive talisman]], [[Riddle talisman]], [[Sanguine talisman]].
:Also, the skill requirements for different tiers changed:
:*Tier 2 (ie: protean tier) is 8-14 instead of 7-14.
:*Tier 3 (ie: blade tier) is 12-20 instead of 10-19.
:*Tier 4 (ie: statue tier) is 17-25 instead of 16-25.
*Talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], replacing [[Transmutations]] magic. Removed spells include [[Beastly Appendage]], [[Spider Form]], [[Ice Form]], [[Blade Hands]], [[Statue Form]], [[Dragon Form]], [[Storm Form]], and [[Necromutation]] (Lichform).

{{Forms}}

Current projects

2026-09-19T15:45:58Z

Ythern:

{{Community}}

{{flavour|This page is a work in progress as of 2026. Please add your name to projects to claim/contribute to them, feel free to add your own ideas in the bottom section, or discuss ideas in the Discussion tab.''}}

CrawlWiki is growing in size with more than [[Special:Statistics|400 registered users]]. To track what we are doing, and show what editors could chose to work on, we have created this list of current projects.

== Current Projects ==

{|class="prettytable"
! Project !! Goal !! Contributor(s) !! Status
|-
| '''0.35 Update Project'''
| See [[Current projects/0.35 update project|0.35 Update Project]] once features have been frozen for this cycle. Add the [[Template:CBA]] for upcoming trunk changes where applicable.
|All
|Active
|-
| ''No More Vs''
| Go through all [[Talisman]] and [[Shapeshifting]] related pages looking for references to the old hotkey "V", often in words like eVoke, and remove it. They are now used from the inventory.
| Anyone
| Ongoing
|-
| ''Unstub-a-dub-dub''
| Add anything you can to any of the pages in [[:Category:Stubs]]. If you add a lot of stuff, remove <nowiki>{{stub}}</nowiki>.
| All
| Ongoing
|-
| ''Missing pages''
| [[Special:WantedPages]], [[Special:WantedTemplates]], [[Special:WantedFiles]], [[Special:WantedCategories]]. This happens when pages link to something that doesn't exist yet. Aim to keep these wanted files empty!
| All
|Ongoing
|-
| ''Outdated CBA articles''
| [[:Category:Outdated_Crystal_Ball_Articles]]. These articles have <nowiki>{{CBA}}</nowiki> template for versions which already have been released, one should verify that change is already in the article (sometimes it was applied automatically, like monster stat change) or update the article according to the change. CBA part should be re-formulated as an entry in history, usually in past tense e.g. <code>Prior to version <nowiki>0.XX</nowiki> this was ...</code>
| All
|Ongoing
|-
|}

== Project Ideas For Adoption ==
{|class="prettytable"
! Project !! Goal !! Status
|-
| ''Auto Extract Stats Changes''
| Comment from Reddit user kibwen: "One thing that would alleviate the need to constantly update the wiki for each new release would be a companion website that automatically extracts information from the source of the game itself, things like monster stats, item descriptions, spell lists, basically anything that you can bring up via the ?/ in-game search. Such a database would likely require a negligible amount of storage per version (I'm guessing less than 1MB), and with a JSON interface it could then be used to power things like the infoboxes on the wiki (and it could also have a web interface of its own, of course)."
| Thoughts on feasibility/usefullness welcomed in Discussion Tab.
|-
| ''Your Idea Here''
| Write it in...
| Ongoing
|-
|}

[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Maintenance]]

Talisman of death

2026-09-19T12:57:29Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version033}}
{{flavour|A lone finger-bone, infused with dark power through a sickening ritual. Transforms the user into an undying offense against life itself.

Foes struck by user's melee weapons or hands are weakened, slowed, and drained, and they can heal themselves by tormenting foes nearby. (Shapeshifting skill increases the effectiveness of the latter.) The user also resists cold and is immune to poison, miasma, negative energy, and torment.

The user also gains some of the more dubious benefits of having an undead body. They are vulnerable to holy damage and Dispel Undead, and cannot consume potions.}}

[[File:talisman of death.png]] A '''talisman of death''' ('''death talisman''') is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Death Form'''.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a talisman of death turns you into Death Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Death Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 9 base damage.
*All melee attacks (including weapons) inflict [[drain]], [[slow]], and [[weak]]ness for 3-6 turns. [[Nonliving]] monsters are completely immune, but [[demon]]s, [[undead]], etc. can be slowed and weakened.<ref>{{source ref|0.31-b1|melee-attack.cc|678}}</ref>
*'''Siphon Essence:''' Active ability (20 MP). Inflicts [[torment]] to susceptible enemies within 2 tiles, then heals you for 100% of damage dealt, with a cap of <code>(19 + 3 * Shapeshifting) / 2</code> (50 at max skill).<ref>{{source ref|0.31-b1|ability.cc|2497}}</ref>

'''Resistances'''
*[[Willpower]]+
*Standard '''[[undead]]''' resistances:
**[[Cold resistance|rC+]]
**Immunity to [[poison]] and [[miasma]].
**[[Life protection|rN+++]] and immune to [[torment]]
**Cannot be [[mutate]]d. Receive [[stat drain]] if you would be mutated.
**Cannot be [[polymorph]]ed.
**Vulnerable to [[holy]], [[holy wrath]], and [[Dispel Undead]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' None.
*Cannot drink [[potion]]s.
*Cannot use certain forms of [[Necromancy]] ([[Sublimation of Blood]], [[Borgnjor's Revivification]], [[Death's Door]]). The holy wrath brand will not function on weapons you wield.

Death Form keeps most [[mutation]]s, does not change your [[size]], and gives no innate bonus to HP / [[AC]].

Death Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 26, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 27, which is the cap on Shapeshifting itself.

[[Josephina]] may drop a death talisman when defeated.

==Strategy==
Death Form is most useful in the [[extended game]]. Not having access to potions is a hefty penalty, but Death Form gives immunity to two important things: [[torment]] and [[mutation]]. Outside of extended, the skill minimum of 26 makes it impractical compared to other forms.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Djinni || Felid || Gargoyle || Naga || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Lichform.png]] || [[File:Lichform palentonga.png]] || [[File:Lichform djinni.png]] || [[File:Lichform felid.png]] || [[File:Lichform gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Lichform naga.png]] || [[File:Lichform octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Prior to [[0.33]], talismans of death only required 23 shapeshifting skill to use without penalty.
*Talismans of death were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. It replaced the level 8 [[Necromancy]]/[[Transmutation]] spell, [[Necromutation]] (lichform).
**Previously, lich form gave +6 AC, 5 base unarmed combat damage with a [[draining]] branded attack and a [[spell enhancer]] for [[Necromancy]], but it did not weaken/slow enemies on hit or have the Siphon Essence ability.
**Early versions of Siphon Essence worked against undead and demonic monsters.

==References==
<references />

{{Forms}}

Storm talisman

2026-09-19T12:55:38Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|Lightning trapped, impossibly, in a bottle. Lets the user walk through the air as a raging, lightning-filled tempest. The user's melee attacks electrified and strike all adjacent foes. The user also flies, gains immunity to poison, miasma, petrification, constriction, and sticky flame, and also resists electricity. They can launch themselves as a lightning bolt, blasting through everything in their way.

While transformed, any equipped weapons and armour are melded.

----

"Stormform is said to cause 
A tempest of winds and showers, 
Beware its powers, beware its powers. 
Though its coming brings the gods their night, 
It obliges a bloodred spren. 
Beware its end, beware its end." 
-Brandon Sanderson, "Words of Radiance". 2014}}

[[File:storm talisman.png]] A '''storm talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Storm Form'''.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a storm talisman turns you into Storm Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Storm Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''Innate AC:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down:
**Below minimum: 0 AC (0 skill) - 12 AC (23 skill)
**Above minimum: 12 AC (23 skill) - 15 AC (27 skill) ; +1 AC per 1.33 level
*'''Bonus EV:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down, adding to your innate EV:
**Below minimum: +0 EV (0 skill) - 20 EV (23 skill)
**Above minimum: 20 EV (23 skill) - 27 EV (27 skill) ; +1 EV per 0.57 level
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' Gains [[electrocution]] brand and [[cleaving]]. Damage linearly scales from the following points:
**Below minimum: 3 damage (0 skill) - 24 damage (23 skill)
**Above minimum: 24 damage (23 skill) - 30 damage (27 skill) ; +1.5 damage per level
*'''[[Blinkbolt]]:''' Bolt-targeted ability that deals electric damage to everything in its path, then blinks you to the end. Has a cooldown.
**Below minimum: 1d11 damage (0 skill) - 1d113 damage (23 skill)
**Above minimum: 1d113 damage (23 skill) - 1d131 damage (27 skill)

'''Resistances'''
*Poison immunity
*rElec
*Innate [[flight]].
*'''[[Non-living]]:''' [[Unbreathing]], lacks [[blood]], immune to [[sleep]].
*'''[[Insubstantial]]:''' Immune to [[constriction]] / [[throwing net|ensnarement]], [[Sticky Flame]], and [[petrification]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All [[armour]], [[weapon]] and [[shield]]. (Can only wear [[jewellery]])
*Suppresses many [[mutation]]s. Species [[movement speed]] set to 1.0.

Storm Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 23, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the AC, EV, and UC bonuses scale down. Maximum skill is 27, which is the cap on Shapeshifting itself.

[[Sojobo]] may carry a storm talisman.

==Strategy==
Storm Form is the highest damage form in the game. Shapeshifting specialists can inflict immense damage per hit, much stronger than even an [[executioner's axe]].

This form is surprisingly durable. You retain your natural EV, and gain bonuses to both EV and AC. Even though Dragon Form has 150% health, because it is [[Size#Giant|giant]], it loses EV; that hurts when your only defensive skills are [[Fighting]] and [[Dodging]]. In the end, Dragon Form is usually more durable, but Storm Form isn't far behind.

Compared to other forms:
*[[Death Form]]: Storm Form deals more damage and has [[cleaving]]. Death Form is arguably better against lone opponents, since it causes your melee attacks to inflict irresistible [[slow]]ness. Death Form also allows all armour slots, allows [[Throwing]], and has innate resistances of its own. However, it prevents potion use. The comparison largely depends on where you are.
**Outside of the [[extended]] game, you may prefer Storm Form for its higher DPS and potion use. Those with high [[Dodging]] should definitely use Storm Form, due to how the bonus EV works. If you need a certain resistance, though, Death Form can see merit.
**In the extended game, Death Form should be the go-to due to its crucial [[torment]] resistance. Storm Form does have a niche - if your character isn't strong enough to fight in Death Form, you may want this one.
*[[Dragon Form]]: Dragon Form has no cleaving, but has similar offense (due to +10 strength & [[aux attack]]s) and defense. More importantly, it takes less skill. Being a dragon is usually enough to handle [[orbs of fire]], and if you can do that, you can win a 3-rune game. Thus, Dragon Form allows you to invest XP into other skills (without lacking in power).

===Tips & Tricks===
*Like other forms, Storm Form benefits greatly from support magic, such as [[Ozocubu's Armour]] and [[Manifold Assault]].

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Felid || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Storm transform.png]] || [[File:Storm form felid.png]] || [[File:Storm form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Storm talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. This form was previously implemented as a level 7 [[Air Magic]]/[[Transmutation]] spell, [[Storm Form (spell)|Storm Form]]. ''For the spell present in [[0.30]], see [[Storm Form (spell)]].''

{{Forms}}

Sanguine talisman

2026-09-19T12:54:33Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A vial of roiling blood that pulses with the beat of an unseen heart. Transforms the user into a fearsome vampire - a creature that straddles the border between life and undeath. They can drink the lifeblood of the living to heal themselves, and even turn those they slay stealthily into vampiric thralls, but do not heal in the presence of monsters. At great effort, they may scatter into a swarm of bats - either to flee or to assail their enemies.}}

[[File:vampire talisman.png]] A '''sanguine talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Vampire Form'''.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a sanguine talisman turns you into Vampire, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Vampire Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 3 base damage (''no boost'').
*[[Stab]] attacks as well as all melee attacks made at 50% hp or lower heal you (the chance scales with Shapeshifting).
*Killing living or demonic beings with a stab attack can turn them into '''vampiric thralls'''. Thralls are quickly decaying undead, which have a vampiric bite attack, and, if they had spells, [[Vampiric Draining]]. You can have only one thrall at a time.
*Hypnotic gaze: Whenever a living, demonic, or holy monster first notices you, it may become momentarily [[dazed]], preventing it from shouting. Creatures which fail a willpower check will be dazed for longer.

'''Resistances'''
*'''Part-living and part-undead''': The form gives you ''some'' undead resistances and makes you vulnerable to [[Dispel Undead]] and [[holy wrath]], and you will recover more slowly from [[Doom]] and [[Banes]], but you can still be affected by [[poison]].
**[[Cold resistance|rC+]]
**[[Negative energy resistance|rN++]]
**[[Torment]] resistance (50% damage from torment, stacks with rN)

'''Restrictions'''
*Cannot regenerate health when monsters are visible.

'''Improved [[Bat Form]]''':
*You have an XP-rechargeable ability that lets you '''instantly''' turn into a bat swarm and surrounds you in clouds of bats.
*The clouds deal damage to non-undead and put monsters into sleep.
*You get a big EV bonus, which the regular bat form doesn't have.
*This only XP-recharges while the talisman is equipped.

Additionally, the form gives you a +100 [[Stealth]] bonus.

Vampire Form has a minimum of 17 [[Shapeshifting]] skill, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the contamination effect scales down. It has a maximum skill of 25; further skill has no further impact.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Bat Swarm Form || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Bat swarm.png]] || [[File:Bat swarm gargoyle.png]]
|}

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Armataur || Djinn || Felid || Gargoyle || Humanoid || Naga || Octopode || Tengu
|-
| [[File:Vampire form armataur.png]] || [[File:Vampire form djinn.png]] || [[File:Vampire form felid.png]] || [[File:Vampire form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Vampire form humanoid.png]] || [[File:Vampire form naga.png]] || [[File:Vampire form octopode.png]] || [[File:Vampire form tengu.png]]
|}

==Strategy==
This form is one of the few that doesn't meld gear, making it easily accessible to any character with enough training, and one of the few forms that works well for [[Ashenzari]] worshipers.

On the surface, this form directly buffs stabber builds with bonuses to both stealth and stabbing. However, there's no reason a caster wouldn't also find the range of resistances and the Daze effect helpful if they have the training (looking at you [[Gnoll]]s). The lack of regeneration while enemies are present is only infrequently a problem, but you may find yourself reliant on more healing potions than usual in this form.

==History==
{{CBA|0.34|vampiric thralls will get a bonus stabbing damage vs. sleeping monsters.}}
*Sanguine talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

[[Category: Transformation]]

Riddle talisman

2026-09-19T12:52:52Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version033}}
{{flavour|An intricate puzzlebox containing an unknowable prize. Transforms the user into a riddle-loving sphinx. In this form, they are capable of wearing a cloak and barding, and their melee attacks cause powerful winds to strike their foe which do increased damage for every open space next to them. They are also masterful enchanters, casting Hex spells much more easily and ignoring a portion of their foe's Willpower.

Alas, their love of riddles is so compulsive that even the most hardened adventurer will be unable to resist posing them to new foes they encounter, no matter how unwise this may be.}}

[[File:riddle talisman.png]] A '''riddle talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that turns you into a [[sphinx marauder|sphinx]].

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a riddle talisman transforms you into Sphinx Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Sphinx Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*Unarmed combat: 3 base damage (no bonus)
*Attacks create an [[airstrike]] on the target, with the damage scaling with Shapeshifting skill:
**Below minimum: (1-4)d11 damage (0 skill) - (1-4)d13 damage (17 skill)
**Above minimum: (1-4)d13 damage (17 skill) - (1-4)d18 damage (25 skill)
**More open spaces adjacent to the target will result in a higher damage dice being used.
*Aid to Hexes: The [[Spell Success#Modifiers|raw failure rate]] of [[Hexes]] is reduced by x66.6% (equivalent to going from 0 -> 2 levels of [[wizardry]], stacking independently with wizardry).
*All enemies have their [[willpower]] effectively lowered by 40 (Will-) for the purposes of your actions, similar to using an [[guile|orb of guile]] without its downside.
*Encountering new enemies will sometimes force you to [[shout]], possibly [[vex]]ing or [[confusing]] foes.

'''Defensive traits'''
*+15% HP
*+7 AC
*Willpower+
*Grants [[flight]].
*[[Barding]]s can be worn, even if this would not be possible normally. This does not apply to [[Felid]]s.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All armor except bardings and cloaks
*'''Suppressed [[mutation]]s:''' Anatomy

Sphinx Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 17, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. The maximum skill for this form is 25.

==Strategy==
The willpower reduction is strong; many monsters have surprisingly low willpower, which makes even low-level hexes like [[Slow]] effective on enemies found later in the game. The buff is not just for spells, as [[wand]]s, [[scrolls of fear]], and [[Lugonu]]'s Banishment can all benefit.

Having to put ~17 levels into Shapeshifting, in addition to Hexes (or another will-related skill) is a lot, especially considering the presence of infinite will enemies. However:
*If it helps clear enemies pre-[[Zot]], it's arguably worth it on its own.
*In places where you need to deal with a lot of infinite will enemies (e.g., [[Zot:5]]), the Shapeshifting skill can be used for another form like [[Dragon Form]].

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Sphinx form || Sphinx form (barding) || Felid || Gargoyle || Gargoyle (barding)
|-
| [[File:Sphinx form.png]] || [[File:Sphinx form barding.png]] || [[File:Sphinx form felid.png]] || [[File:Sphinx form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Sphinx form gargoyle barding.png]]
|}

==History==
*Riddle talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Hive talisman

2026-09-19T12:52:00Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version033}}
{{flavour|A preserved and decorated hive, still dripping with ambrosial nectar. Transforms the user into a living beehive, filled with the buzz of countless insects laboring inside them. The nectar produced within greatly increases the user's health and magic regeneration and if they become seriously injured, angry bees will swarm out to defend their hive.}}

[[File:Hive talisman.png]] A '''hive talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that transforms you into a walking beehive.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a hive talisman puts you into Hive Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Hive Form has the following effects:

'''Defensive traits'''
*+5 AC
*'''Innate regeneration:''' You gain [[regeneration|health]] and [[MP|magic regeneration]] which gets stronger with higher shapeshifting skill.
**Below minimum: No bonus (0 skill) - +1.6 HP/turn and +0.6 MP/turn regeneration (17 skill)
**Above minimum: +1.6 HP/turn and +0.6 MP/turn regeneration (17 skill) - +2.8 HP/turn and +1 MP/turn regeneration (25 skill)
*'''Bee swarm:''' When falling below 50% health, you release a number of [[killer bee]]s with the [[berserk]] and [[Concentrate Venom]] statuses, with the number depending on shapeshifting skill. This ability goes on cooldown until you reach full health again.
**Below minimum: 1 bee (0 skill) - 3.2 bees (17 skill)
**Above minimum: 3.2 bees (17 skill) - 5.5 bees (25 skill)

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Body armor and helmets

[[Okawaru]] disallows entering Hive Form.

Hive Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 17, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 25.

==Strategy==
*Hive Form is a purely defensive form, perfect for species who prefer not to/cannot wear heavier armor. At maximum skill, the regeneration bonus is the same as worshipping [[Jiyva]] and being at full piety. However, it takes a considerable skill investment to even use the form without incurring an HP penalty.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Felid || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Hive transform.png]] || [[File:Hive form felid.png]] || [[File:Hive form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Hive talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Granite talisman

2026-09-19T12:51:14Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version034}}
''For the spell present in [[0.30]], see [[Statue Form (spell)]].''
{{flavour|A heavy stone icon, bearing the countenance of some long-forgotten king or god. Transforms the user into a slow, stone statue. The user's stone body is immune to poison and miasma, and gains resistance to electricity, negative energy, and torment. Shapeshifting skill increases armour granted.

While transformed, any equipped body armour, gloves and boots are melded.}}
[[File:granite talisman.png]] A '''granite talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Statue Form''', granting you the durability (and speed) of a statue.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a granite talisman turns you into Statue Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Statue Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''HP Bonus:''' 130% HP
*'''Innate AC:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down:
**Below minimum: 7 AC (0 skill) - 27 AC (16 skill)
**Above minimum: 27 AC (16 skill) - 38 AC (25 skill) ; +1 AC per 0.81 level
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 8 base damage.
*+7 [[Strength]]
*All melee damage, including from [[weapon]]s, is increased by 50% (after [[AC]] is applied).

'''Resistances'''
*'''[[Non-living]]:''' Immune to [[poison]], [[sleep]], and [[miasma]]; does not have [[blood]]
**'''[[Unbreathing]]:''' Immune to [[asphyxiation]] and spore effects ([[sleepcap]]s, [[wandering mushroom]]s, [[ballistomycete]]s, etc)
*[[Electricity resistance|rElec]]
*[[Negative energy resistance|rN+]]
*[[Torment]] resistance (50% damage from torment, stacks with rN)
*Immune to [[petrification]]
*Vulnerable to [[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]] and [[Shatter]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' [[Body armour]], [[gloves]], [[boots]].
*'''All''' actions slowed by +50%, as if you were [[slow]]ed. This stacks with the slow status.
*Species [[movement delay]] set to 1.0. It is then slowed by 50% (to 1.5 with no other factors).
*[[EV]] is reduced by 20%.

Statue Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 17, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the AC bonus scales down. It has a maximum skill of 25, where skill has no further impact.

[[Gargoyle]]s cannot use this item, as they are already made out of stone.

[[Roxanne]] always carries a granite talisman.

==Strategy==
Being permanently [[slow]]ed is always dangerous, but Statue Form is ''very'' durable. Unlike many forms, you get to keep a [[shield]]. And unlike heavy [[body armour]], you'll have 80% of your unencumbered [[EV]]. With high HP, AC, EV, and decent SH, Statue Form offers more defense than any other form. It also has some nice resistances; [[torment]] resistance in particular is valuable in [[extended]].

Statue Form primarily boosts [[Unarmed Combat]]. Other characters can use it for its defenses or resistances, but will find it less useful.
*This form does not explicitly penalize spells... but all actions, including spellcasting, are slowed by 50%. Thus, direct damage spells become less effective. A Conjurations-focused caster can still appreciate Statue Form for its defenses, but bear in mind the slowness. Of course, spells are not ''useless'', as support magic can be very helpful.
*Statue Form boosts melee weapon damage by 50%, but it also slows melee by 50% - there's no net increase to damage.
*Like spells, [[Ranged Weapons]] are slowed with no damage boost.
*It's recommended to remove [[Statue Form]] during the [[Orb run]], as "running" toward the dungeon exit at half speed will get you swarmed.

In a 3-rune game, these characters should generally focus on [[Fighting]] and other defensive skills before using Statue Form. In [[extended]], however, the torment resistance can give this form more merit.

===Tips & Tricks===
*[[Translocations]] spells are great to use in this form. [[Lesser Beckoning]] and [[Vhi's Electric Charge]] help a slow-moving melee fighter approach enemies. [[Manifold Assault]] lets you swing your fists at full-screen range.
*Can be good for (15 rune) low turncount [[speedrun]]s. Since you act at 1.5 delay, you'll regenerate 1.5 [[decaAut]] per move, while only taking 1 "[[turn]]".

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Naga || Djinni || Octopode || Felid
|-
| [[File:Statue form humanoid.png]] || [[File:Statue form armataur.png]] || [[File:Statue form naga.png]] || [[File:Statue form djinni.png]] || [[File:Statue form octopode.png]] || [[File:Statue form felid.png]]
|}

==History==
*Prior to [[0.33]], Statue Form has 12 base unarmed damage, and it did not have +7 Str or -20% EV. Also, its minimum skill was 16.
*Prior to [[0.32]], amphibious characters could still enter deep water in statue form, but could not swim and would suffer penalties for being in water.
*Granite talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. This form was previously implemented as a level 6 [[Earth Magic]]/[[Transmutations]] spell, [[Statue Form (spell)|Statue Form]]. There are no direct changes between versions, but exiting a form now takes 5 turns, which is a notable nerf for this form in particular.

{{Forms}}

[[Category: Transformation]]

Dragon-coil talisman

2026-09-19T12:49:58Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version033}}
{{flavour|An intricate carving, inlaid with dragon tooth and scale. Transforms the user into a mighty golden dragon. The user becomes resistant to fire, cold and poison, and gains a powerful breath attack that inflicts all three types of damage at once, but only recharges as you gain XP.

For [[Draconian]]s:

Transforms the user into a mighty dragon. The user retains their innate colour, becomes resistant to poison, and their breath weapon's power and recharge rate is greatly increased.}}

[[File:dragon-coil talisman.png]] A '''dragon-coil talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Dragon Form'''.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a dragon-coil talisman turns you into Dragon Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Dragon Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''HP Bonus:''' +50% HP
*'''Bonus AC:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down:
**Below minimum: 0 AC (0 skill) - +12 AC (16 skill)
**Above minimum: +12 AC (17 skill) - +18 AC (25 skill)
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]] base damage:''' Linearly scales from the following points:
**Below minimum: 9 damage (0 skill) - 17 damage (17 skill)
**Above minimum: 17 damage (17 skill) - 27 damage (25 skill)
**'''Note:''' Damage including the Claws 3 mutation, which is not displayed in the in-game inventory description.
*[[Fangs]] 5 (11 damage bite [[auxiliary attack]])
*The off-hand punch is improved by Claws.
*'''Golden Breath:''' Active ability. Launch a piercing, range-5 bolt of [[fire]] and [[cold]], leaving clouds of [[Cloud#Poison|poison gas]] in its trajectory. No cost, but has a [[Breath|cooldown]] and charges need to be regained through [[experience]] gain.
**'''Damage:''' Linearly scales from the following points:
**Below minimum: 2 x 3d2 damage (0 skill) - 2 x 3d18 damage (17 skill)
**Above minimum: 2 x 3d18 damage (17 skill) - 2 x 3d28 damage (25 skill)
*'''Stat Bonus:''' +10 [[strength]].

'''Resistances'''
*[[Fire resistance|rF+]]
*[[Cold resistance|rC+]]
*[[Poison resistance|rPois]]
*Innate [[flight]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All [[armour]], [[weapon]] and [[shield]]. (Can only wear [[jewellery]])
*You cannot [[throw]] items.

'''Other'''
*Dragon Form is '''[[Size#Giant|Giant]]'''-sized. This gives a penalty to [[EV]], but you are resistant to [[trample|trampling]] and cannot be [[constricted]] by smaller monsters.
*Suppresses anatomy [[mutation]]s. Species [[movement speed]] set to 10.

Dragon Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 17, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the AC / Unarmed bonuses scale down alongside it. It has a maximum skill of 25, where skill has no further impact.

[[Bai Suzhen]] may carry a dragon-coil talisman.

===Draconians===
If you are a [[Draconian]], Dragon Form has the following modifiers:
*You retain your natural scale colours and Armoured Tail slap.
*The AC bonus from your scales is retained, but with a -6 AC penalty.<ref>{{source ref|0.33.1|transform.cc|778}}</ref>
*Your [[draconian breath weapon|breath weapon]] is retained instead of having Golden Breath.
*Instead of gaining rF+ and rC+, you retain your natural elemental resistances, or lack thereof.
**You still get rPois, no matter your colour.
*Damage dealt by your breath weapon receives bonus damage that linearly scales with your [[Shapeshifting]] skill from the following points, rounded down:
**Below minimum: 0% (0 skill) - +40% (17 skill)
**Above minimum: +40% (17 skill) - +~67% (25 skill)

==Strategy==
Despite the +50% HP, Dragon Form is quite frail, due to the lack of [[AC]]/[[SH]] and reduction to [[EV]]. Still, the Unarmed Combat boost is quite strong; considering the decent base damage boost, an auxiliary attack, and +10 strength, not a lot of Unarmed Combat skill is required to melee well. Golden Breath is a strong crowd-control option, especially against enemies who are not resistant to poison. The resistances are also OK.

[[Storm Form]] deals more Unarmed damage and similar average durability, but requires more skill. [[Statue Form]] is more durable and does not meld as many armour slots, but is slow and deals less Unarmed damage/turn.

Although Dragon Form melds [[staves]] and [[int]]-raising gear, you can use magic however you please. Since you won't have armour or shield [[encumbrance]], it might even be easier for you to cast spells than in your natural form.

===Tips & Tricks===
*Support magic, like [[Ozocubu's Armour]] or [[Vhi's Electric Charge]], can be very useful to have. Since you're using Unarmed Combat, [[Manifold Assault]] only hits 1/2 targets, but it can still be worth using.
*Don't forget about the golden breath, a free, moderately powerful ranged attack that creates a cloud of [[Cloud#Poison|poison gas]] through its path.
*If you can manage to get Dragon Form by the [[Lair]] rune branches, the ability to fly and poison resistance are helpful there. Just watch out for [[silver]] [[javelin]]s in [[Shoals]].
*Dragon Form's claws are big enough to remove [[hydra]] heads. Use magic/wands/your breath, or consider using a different form in areas like the [[Swamp]].

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Dragon Form / Golden || Black || Green || Grey || Pale || Purple || Red || White || Yellow || Felid || Gargoyle || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Dragon form golden.png]] || [[File:Dragon form black.png]] || [[File:Dragon form green.png]] || [[File:Dragon form grey.png]] || [[File:Dragon form pale.png]] || [[File:Dragon form purple.png]] || [[File:Dragon form red.png]] || [[File:Dragon form white.png]] || [[File:Dragon form yellow.png]] || [[File:Dragon form felid.png]] || [[File:Dragon form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Dragon form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Prior to [[0.33]], this talisman was named the '''dragon-blood talisman'''. It transformed non-[[Draconian]]s into fire dragons instead of golden dragons, granting rF++ / rC- instead of rF+ / rC+. The breath was Fire Breath, scaled with XL rather than skill, and recharged over time instead of XP. [[Draconian]]s did not recharge their breath faster while in Dragon Form. It also granted more UC base damage and gave non-Draconians an auxiliary tail slap. ''For the spell present in [[0.30]], see [[Dragon Form (spell)]].''
*Dragon-blood talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. This form was previously implemented as a level 7 Transmutations spell, [[Dragon Form (spell)|Dragon Form]]. Previously, Dragon Form had 38 base damage and a flat 16 AC.

==References==
<references/>

{{Forms}}

[[Category: Transformation]]

Blade talisman

2026-09-19T12:48:30Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A jagged cluster of blades, almost impossible to grasp without injury. Causes long, needle-thin blades to grow from the wearer's body, allowing them to perform rapid auxiliary melee attacks and even parry blows. Having so many fragments of metal inside one's body reduces the effectiveness of body armour, but Shapeshifting skill mitigates this effect as well as increases the damage dealt.}}

[[File:blade talisman.png]] A '''blade talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that gives you '''Blade Hands''', greatly increasing your [[Auxiliary attack]]s.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a blade talisman grants Blade Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Blade Hands has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 3 base damage (no bonus)
*'''Blade [[Auxiliary attack]]:''' Gain two aux attacks which have a 60% chance to attack independently with each melee attack you perform. Has a base damage of 10 (17 skill) to 16 (25 skill).
*'''[[Parrying]]:''' Gain temporary [[SH]] on turns you perform a melee attack. Scales with shapeshifting skill, from 6 SH at 17 skill to 12 SH at 25 skill. Also scales with [[Slaying]].
*Reduces base [[AC]] of [[body armour]]; multiplies body armour AC by -50% to -20%
**Does not impact [[enchantment]], but does impact AC gained from [[Armour skill]]. Stacks multiplicatively with [[Deformed]] / [[Pseudopods]].

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Blade Form melds no equipment and suppresses no mutations, unlike most other forms.

It has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 17, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], your armor is reduced further, and your blade auxes do less damage. It has a maximum skill of 25, where skill has no further impact.

==Strategy==
Blade form benefits greatly from [[slay]]ing bonuses, as it applies to both of the Aux attacks, along with improving shielding from Parry in a 1-to-1 ratio. This makes slay bonuses from [[Fugue of the Fallen]] and [[Wu Jian Council]]'s Heavenly Storm both offensive and defensive.

Although Wu Jian is the most obvious god choice, anything that increases attack speed will increase the damage output of this form. [[Okawaru]] is another natural choice, but [[Trog]]'s [[Berserk]] can also do the trick.

This form is especially great for characters who don't care about the [[AC]] from body armor. Dex-based characters, [[Felid]]s, and characters with large amounts of slaying (which provides [[SH]]) can effectively negate or ignore the lost AC. This is a game-winning form when all the synergies are considered, and often a natural progression for a character previously using [[Maw Form]] or [[Eel Form]].

==History==
*Prior to [[0.34]], Blade Form was a 12-skill form which replaced the user's hands with long needles, greatly increasing unarmed damage (and enabling stabbing) but melding weapons and the offhand slot, as well as suppressing the [[claws]] mutation.
*Prior to [[0.33]], the initial AC penalty at lower shapeshifting levels was 100% of base AC.
*Introduced in [[0.31]] in the transformation overhaul. Previously implemented as a spell, [[Blade Hands (spell)|Blade Hands]]. The previous spell had 22 base damage, cut [[hydra]] heads, had a spellcasting penalty, and didn't have an AC penalty. (However, since it was a spell, heavy armour made it harder to cast).

==References==
<references />

{{Forms}}

Wellspring talisman

2026-09-19T12:47:14Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version033}}
{{stub}}
{{flavour|A small amphora from which pours a seemingly unending quantity of water. Transforms the user's flesh into elemental water, allowing them to move flexibly and reach to attack from a great distance. From time to time, they can even cause the water around them to rise up and drown their enemies.

The malleability of this water even allows them to retain the benefits of their physical mutations, but cold attacks can freeze it solid and fire may cause it to erupt with steam.}}

[[File:wellspring talisman.png]] A '''wellspring talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that turns your body into a wellspring of elemental water.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a wellspring talisman transforms you into Aqua Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Aqua Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*Unarmed combat: 3 base damage (no bonus)
*All attacks gain +2 tiles of [[reaching]]. 
**[[Auxiliary attack]]s can be used with reaching attacks.
**Stacks with the reaching of [[polearm]]s (including [[Rift]]). Attacks made possible by the reaching of a polearm (further than 3 tiles away) will not trigger aux attacks.
**Cleaving will hit the primary target and all enemies adjacent to you.
**Cannot get [[stab]]s with reaching hits.
*'''Watery Grave:''' Active ability with XP-based cooldown. Deals drowning damage to all enemies in water within 4 tiles of the player and applies the [[waterlog]]ged status effect, if possible, then removes shallow water created by the player. Damage scales with Shapeshifting skill:
**Below minimum: 4d1 damage (0 skill) - 4d15 damage (12 skill)
**Above minimum: 4d15 damage (12 skill) - 4d25 damage (20 skill)

'''Defensive traits'''
*[[Amorphous]]: Cannot be [[constrict]]ed or [[held]].
*[[Amphibious]]: Can travel through water and ignore water penalties, immune to [[drowning]] damage
*'''Innate EV:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down:
**Below minimum: +0 EV (0 skill) - +6 (12 skill)
**Above minimum: +6 EV (12 skill) - +13 EV (20 skill)
*When damaged, you sometimes create temporary pools of shallow water nearby.
**Taking fire damage releases steam clouds.
**Taking cold damage applies the [[frozen]] status 50% of the time, slowing movement speed.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Body armor
*'''Suppressed [[mutation]]s:''' Substance

Aqua Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. The maximum skill for this form is 20.

==Strategy==
This form can at least be helpful in the [[Lair]] branches. Constriction immunity is great in [[Snake]] and web immunity helps defend against [[jumping spider]]s in [[Spider]]. [[Swamp]] and [[Shoals]] are filled with water, allowing you to benefit from amphibiousness and Watery Grave.

The Watery Grave ability is akin to extra charges of a [[phial of floods]] - preventing enemy casters from using spells at all is a strong effect, although it only affects creatures in water.

The damage from steam clouds can be fully resisted by any amount of rF+, but rC+ does not protect from the Frozen status.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Djinni || Felid || Gargoyle || Naga || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Aqua form.png]] || [[File:Aqua form armataur.png]] || [[File:Aqua form djinni.png]] || [[File:Aqua form felid.png]] || [[File:Aqua form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Aqua form naga.png]] || [[File:Aqua form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Wellspring talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Spider talisman

2026-09-19T12:45:55Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version033}}
{{stub}}
{{flavour|A strange charm made from shed arachnid exoskeletons bound together with silk. Transforms the user into an agile jumping spider who can move swiftly towards foes and inflict grievous damage on any it catches unaware. Its attacks can also ensnare its enemies in webs and it can leap briskly away from many dangers.}}

[[File:spider talisman.png]] A '''spider talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that transforms you into a [[jumping spider]].

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a spider talisman puts you into Spider Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Spider Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 3 base damage (no bonus)
**Unarmed attacks gain [[short blade]]-tier [[stabbing]] bonuses
**Small chance to ensnare enemies in a [[web]] on hit (20% - 40%, depending on the Shapeshifting skill)
*[[Rampaging]]
*+5 [[dexterity]]

'''Defensive traits'''
*Poison vulnerability (rPois-)
*'''Innate EV''': +5-15 EV, scaling with Shapeshifting skill
*Tiny [[size]] (+6 base EV and Dodging skill bonus compared to a medium-sized species)
*[[Stealth]]+
*Jump ability: Transports you to a random tile in LOS (like the [[Blink]] spell), causes you to evade all attacks you can evade, and has a chance to cause enemies to lose track of you. (Cooldown)

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All weapons and armor
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' Anatomy, blood, bones

Spider Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 20.

==Strategy==

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Spider Form || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Spider form transform.png]] || [[File:Spider form gargoyle.png]]
|}

==History==
*Spider talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Serpent talisman

2026-09-19T12:44:20Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A jade snake coiled around a nagaraja's name-day egg. Transforms the user into a giant, cold-blooded, poison-resistant serpent, ready to wind their coils around foes and crush them to death. Shapeshifting skill increases the armour provided by the snake's scales. While transformed, any equipped weapons and armour are melded.}}
[[File:serpent talisman.png]] A '''serpent talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Serpent Form''', a giant, [[constrict]]ing snake.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, this talisman turns you into Serpent Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Serpent Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''
*'''HP Bonus:''' 120% HP
*'''Innate AC:''' Linearly scales from the following points, rounding down:
**Below minimum: 1 AC (0 skill) - 10 AC (12 skill)
**Above minimum: 10 AC (12 skill) - 16 AC (20 skill)
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 7 base damage.
*'''[[Constriction]]:''' When making a melee attack, you initiate [[constriction]]. You can constrict 1 [[large]] (or smaller) foe at a time.
*'''[[Strength|Stat Bonus]]:''' +5 strength.

'''Resistances'''
*[[Poison resistance|rPois]]

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' [[Body armour]], [[Gloves]], [[Boots]], [[Cloak]]s, [[Weapon]], and [[Shield]]. (Can wear [[jewellery]] and 2 [[Helmet]]s/[[Hats]].)
*You cannot [[throw]] items.

'''Other'''
*'''[[Cold-blooded]]:''' You will be [[slow]]ed when hit by certain cold attacks. Negated by any amount of [[cold resistance]].
*'''[[Amphibious]]:''' Can swim in [[water]], immune to [[drowning]] damage. Note that unless your species is already amphibious, you can't recover items from [[deep water]].
*'''[[Large]]''' size: Species smaller than large will have reduced [[EV]] in this form. (Being large also lets you constrict large opponents and increases your resistance to knockback effects such as [[trample]].)
*Provides a 2nd Head (including the extra Aux slot). This does not provide [[Felid]]s with any head slots.
*Suppresses many [[mutation]]s. Species [[movement delay]] set to 1.0.

Serpent Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the AC bonus scales down. It has a maximum skill of 20, where skill has no further impact.

[[Aizul]] always carries a serpent talisman.

==Strategy==
Constriction is a strong effect, inflicting a large EV penalty while dealing extra damage. Because Serpent Form is [[large]], it can constrict large monsters like [[list of centaurs|centaurs]], [[list of ogres|ogre]]s, and [[yak]]s (which base Octopodes cannot).

Serpent Form also gives a fair bit of AC. For many characters first entering [[the Lair]], it offers slightly more AC than lighter armours, without the [[encumbrance]] of heavy armour. When combined with the 120% HP and the innate poison resistance, it's a moderately durable form. However, the lack of [[shield]] will reduce your defense in the long run.

===Tips & Tricks===
*This form can be very useful for [[Naga]]s (fittingly enough), as it lets them move at normal speed. [[Barachim]] can also move normally, though they'll lose their hop.
*Being cold-blooded can be risky when fighting monsters with [[freezing]] weapons or other types of cold damage. Note what activates cold-blooded and what doesn't; e.g. certain spells like [[Flash Freeze]] won't cause the mutation to activate.
*If you haven't found a source of [[flight]] yet, Serpent Form will let you pass through deep water even at 0 Shapeshifting skill (though using it at such low skill will greatly reduce your maximum HP).

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Serpent Form || Felid || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Serpent form.png]] || [[File:Serpent form felid.png]] || [[File:Serpent form gargoyle.png]]
|}

==History==
*[[0.34]] Levels and damage adjusted to match other T3s.
*[[0.33]] Serpent Form gains have two heads, letting the player wear two helmets. This does not apply to [[Felid]]s.
*Serpent talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. Serpent Form had no previous counterpart, but is similar in role to [[Ice Form]].

{{Forms}}

[[Category: Transformation]]

Lupine talisman

2026-09-19T12:43:09Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|An painted eyepatch made from a scrap of wolf pelt. Transforms the user into a vicious werewolf, muscles surging with predatory instinct. Killing enemies in this form will give a stacking bonus to your damage and accuracy, and slaying enough of them in a row will cause you to unleash a vicious howl that makes any still alive cower in fear - and leaves them susceptible to a devastating leaping takedown.}}

[[File:lupine talisman.png]] A '''lupine talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into a ferocious werewolf.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a lupine talisman turns you into Werewolf Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Werewolf Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 9 base damage (''counting the [[Claws]] 3 mutation, which is not accounted for in the in-game inventory'')
**Claws 3 also boosts the offhand punch and cuts off [[hydra]] heads.
*Str+3
*Dex+3
*'''Werefury''': killing enemies in melee gives you a slaying bonus, which stacks up to +12. You get an extra 1.20-2.20 Slay per kill, depending on your Shapeshifting skill.
*'''Werehowl''': if you Werefury bonus is at least 5 slay, you may unleash a howl that freezes all nearby enemies in place with fear if it overcomes their [[willpower]]. Howl power is 80-120, depending on your Shapeshifting skill.
*'''Bestial Takedown''' ability, which performs a jumping attack at +(75-125)% damage against any enemy who is currently afraid (whether from you howling at them, or any other source, like a [[scroll of fear]]). Kills made by Bestial Takedown will always cause you to perform a howl afterward.

'''Defensive traits'''
*Cold resistance (rC+)
*Willpower vulnerability (Will-)
*Regeneration bonus (similar to an [[amulet of regeneration]])

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Gloves, boots, barding
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' None

Werewolf Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, and the maximum skill is 20.

==Strategy==
For melee characters, Werewolf Form can offer strong and entirely passive crowd control, without melding body armour or shield. But having to invest ~12 levels of Shapeshifting for a form that provides few initial bonuses can be tough to manage. Also watch out for Will-, which can be lethal - certain statuses ([[paralysis]], [[vex]]) can kill you before you get another turn to act.

This form's claws will cut [[hydra]] heads, causing more to grow.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Djinni || Felid || Gargoyle || Naga || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Werewolf form.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form armataur.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form djinni.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form felid.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form gargoyle.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form naga.png]] || [[File:Werewolf form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
*Prior to [[0.34]], Werewolf Form melded helmets and cloaks.
*Lupine talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Fortress talisman

2026-09-19T12:41:46Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A miniature battlement, carved from a piece of shell. Transforms the user into a heavily armoured crab, fusing whatever body armour they are wearing into the shell in the process. In this form, they are slow-moving, but well-defended and even capable of wielding a weapon in their large main claw. They can also breathe clouds of rust at the cost of their own HP, which corrode and weaken enemies.}}

[[File:fortress talisman.png]] A '''fortress talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into a heavily-armoured crab.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a fortress talisman turns you into Fortress Crab Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Fortress Crab Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 8-13 base damage, depending on your Shapeshifting skill.
*You can breath [[clouds]] of rust, which [[corrode]] and [[weak]]en enemies. The cost is <code>12 HP + 12% max HP</code>. The size of the cloud is 9-25 tiles, depending on your Shapeshifing skill. Note that there is no breath timer for this ability.

'''Defensive traits'''
*Body armour base AC increased by 70%-135%, depending on your Shapeshifting skill.
*Doubles the effect of body armor [[ego]]s.
*Poison vulnerability
*Corrosion resistance (rCorr)
*'''Innate AC:''' 3 AC

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Offhand, helmet, gloves, boots, barding, cloak
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' Anatomy, bones
*You are slow (-30% move speed).
*You can't use a shield, but you can equip any 2 handed weapon your base form can use.

Fortress Crab Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, and the maximum skill is 20.

==Strategy==
Fortress Crab Form has many downsides, making it niche at best:
*The loss of aux slots reduces the effective AC given by this form and prevents you from gaining [[ego]]s/[[artefact]] properties from those slots. The loss of a [[shield]] lowers defenses further.
*It has slow movement speed.
*It requires significant investment in Shapeshifting, as well as Armour and other melee skills. In addition, most other talisman forms meld the body armour slot, making this investment spread awkward to pursue.

It is seemingly best on a heavy armour character in the mid-game who hasn't filled many of the aux armour slots yet, which is unlikely, and preferably has prior investment in Shapeshifting. That said, this form can be used to reach over 100 AC with the right gear and skilling.

The doubling of your Armor Ego means that wearing, for example, a Chain Mail of Poison Resist will result in rP+ even when in form and despite the form's inherent poison vulnerability. However, 1. other resistances have diminishing returns (rF+, rC+, rN+) and, 2. other egos boost unrelated skills like [[Summonings]], which splits your XP between multiple unsynergistic skills unlikely to be used by a Fortress-form using character: that skill, Shapeshifting, and Armour.

Note that there is no synergy with [[Awaken Armour]]; that spell uses the base AC from the armour type without accounting for the form bonus.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Fortress Crab Form || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Fortress crab form.png]] || [[File:Fortress crab form gargoyle.png]]
|}

==History==
*Fortress talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Eel talisman

2026-09-19T00:49:38Z

Ythern:

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A strange sea fossil, adorned with abalone and pearl. Causes the wearer's hands to transform into a par of wriggling electric eels that sometimes discharge arcs of electricity through connected targets when used to strike enemies. When the wearer's health becomes dangerously low, they will discharge and even more violent voltage.}}

----

[[File:eel talisman.png]] A '''eel talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Eel Form''' when '''P'''ut on.

Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Eel Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''

*'''Discharge:''' Your melee hits have a 50% chance of discharging an arc of electricity that travels between several connected enemies.
*'''Jolt Damage:''' Scaling from 1d25 (12 skill) to 1d44 (20 skill)
*'''Violent Discharge:''' When your health drops to 40% of your max HP, your eels violently discharge electricity, striking all connected targets within 2 tiles of yourself, for twice the damage their electricity normally does. This effect cannot activate again until you fully heal. It can also strike allies.
*'''Unarmed Combat Bonus:''' Scales from +3 (12 skill) to +7 (20 skill)

'''Resistances'''
*rElec

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All [[weapon]]s and [[gloves]].
*Suppresses hand [[mutation]]s.

Eel Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], UC bonuses and Jolt damage scales down. Maximum skill is 20.

==History==
*Eel talismans were introduced in [[0.34]], along with [[Spore talisman]]s.

{{Forms}}

Maw talisman

2026-09-19T00:46:17Z

Ythern:

{{version034}}
{{flavour|Transforms the user's midsection into a giant mouth, gnashing and ready to devour foes. The mouth may devour slain creatures, healing the user to an extent increased by the user's Shapeshifting skill and the power of the creature eaten. Skill also increases the damage done by the maw.}}

[[File:maw talisman.png]] A '''maw talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Maw Form''', which adds a giant, gnashing mouth in place of the stomach.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a maw talisman turns you into Maw Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Maw Form has the following effects:

*'''Maw aux attack:''' Adds a biting [[auxiliary attack]]. Unlike other aux attacks, your bite attack happens every 15 auts, independent of attack speed. 75% of your strength is added to the bite damage. Damage scales linearly with Shapeshifting skill:
**Below minimum: 14 damage (0 skill) - 23 damage (12 skill)
**Above minimum: 23 damage (12 skill) - 29 damage (20 skill)
*'''Devour on kill:''' Whenever you kill an enemy that can drop a [[corpse]] in melee, you have an independent 66% chance to devour it, increasing your [[Regeneration rate]]. You don't need to make a maw attack to devour.<ref>{{source ref|0.32.0|melee-attack.cc|851}}</ref> The duration of regeneration is based on monster HD. Regeneration rate scales linearly with Shapeshifting skill:
**Below minimum: 0 Regen (0 skill) - 2.20 Regen (12 skill)
**Above minimum: 2.20 Regen (12 skill) - 5.00 Regen (20 skill)

*'''Growling stomach:''' Your maw's appetite is insatiable. Whenever you first encounter an edible monster, there is a 1 in 6 chance to become [[Mesmerise]]d by it and let out a loud growl.

*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' None. However, [[AC]] from Body Armor is reduced by 75%.

Maw Form does not block any [[mutation]]s, does not change your [[size]], and gives no innate bonus to HP / [[AC]].

[[Beogh]] followers will not devour [[list of orcs|orc]] corpses. [[Gozag]] turns corpses into gold, stopping this effect. [[Death drop]]s still generate, so you won't miss out on [[dragon scales]] and the like. However, [[Animate Dead]] and [[Infestation]] won't function for corpses you devour.

[[Rupert]] may carry a maw talisman.

Maw Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 12, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and the maw's damage scales down. It has a maximum skill of 20, where skill has no further impact.

==Strategy==
The maw [[auxiliary attack]] has a bite speed of 15 auts (1.5 turns). Therefore, unlike most aux attacks, faster attack speeds will not result in more bites.

The mesmerising effect can be quite dangerous as it may lock you in combat until the enemy is killed. When packs of enemies come into view at once, there is a very high chance of this occurring - a good reason to consider how much the regeneration rate and high bite damage will negate the risk.

Species that do not wear body armour ([[draconian]]s, [[octopode]]s, [[felid]]s) incur no penalty from using Maw Form (other than any penalty resulting from insufficient Shapeshifting skill).

==History==
*[[0.34]] Maw form was changed to a Tier 3 talisman, increasing damage and skill requirements, changing the heal to a regeneration effect, removing shoutitis, and adding a chance to mesmerise the player.
*[[0.33]] Maw Form changed to reduce your body armour's AC by 75% instead of completely melding it. The damage was be reduced a bit, and the player received a [[Screaming|shoutitis]]-like mutation. The skill requirements changed from min 10/max 19 to min 8/max 14.}}
*Maw talismans were introduced in [[0.31]], along with talismans themselves. Maw Form had no previous counterpart.

==References==
<references />

{{Forms}}

Medusa talisman

2026-09-19T00:04:43Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version033}}
{{stub}}
{{flavour|A fossilised jellyfish polyp, inscribed with sigils. Causes a mane of long stinging tendrils to sprout from the user's head which lash out at nearby enemies whenever the user attacks, poisoning them. When they feel their host's life is in danger, they can even turn these poisoned foes to stone.}}

[[File:Medusa talisman.png]] A '''medusa talisman''' is a talisman that changes you into a medusa.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a medusa talisman turns you into Medusa Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Medusa Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''Unarmed Combat:''' 3 base damage (''no bonus'')
*When attacking in melee, tendrils lash out and poison several random nearby enemies.
**The number of enemies attacked with tendrils scales from 2.5 at minimum Shapeshifting skill to 4 at maximum skill.
**The tendrils can poison any enemy within 2 tiles of the player.

'''Defensive traits'''
*Poison resistance (rPois)
*'''Lithotoxin:''' When you drop below 60% HP, all nearby poison is empowered with a skill-based chance to petrify poisoned enemies. When activated, you get -Lithotoxin status until you heal to full HP.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''Melded Gear:''' [[Helmet]]s and [[cloak]]s

Medusa Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 8, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 14.

==Strategy==

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Humanoid || Armataur || Felid || Octopode
|-
| [[File:Medusa form humanoid.png]] || [[File:Medusa form armataur.png]] || [[File:Medusa form felid.png]] || [[File:Medusa form octopode.png]]
|}

==History==
{{CBA|0.33|medusa talismans will be added to the game.}}

{{Forms}}

Rimehorn talisman

2026-09-19T00:03:23Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version033}}
{{stub}}
{{flavour|A crude ornament carved from the horn of a rare arctic beast - so cold to the touch that ice still clings to it. Transforms the user into a rime yak, a hardy ungulate that is highly resistant to cold and whose breath is so frigid that it freezes the walls around itself as it fights. Being so attuned to arctic temperatures also makes it easier for the user to cast Ice magic.}}

[[File:rimehorn talisman.png]] A '''rimehorn talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into an icy yak.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a rimehorn talisman turns you into Yak Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Yak Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 7 base damage
*Attacking enemies next to walls creates frigid walls next to the target, which deal cold damage to adjacent enemies each turn (similarly to [[Frozen Ramparts]]).
**Frigid wall damage scales from 2d12 per turn at minimum shapeshifting skill to 2d18 at maximum skill.
*'''Aid to Ice Magic:''' The [[Spell Success#Modifiers|raw failure rate]] of [[Ice Magic]] is reduced by x66.6% (equivalent to going from 0 -> 2 levels of [[wizardry]], stacking independently with wizardry).

'''Defensive traits'''
*+15% Hitpoints
*Your [[size]] is large
*Cold resistance 2 (rC++)
*Fire vulnerability (rF-)
*'''Innate AC:''' +6-12 AC, scaling with shapeshifting skill
*[[Amphibious]]

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All weapons and armor
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' Anatomy

Yak Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 8, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 14.

==Strategy==

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Rime Yak Form || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Rime yak form.png]] || [[File:Rime yak form gargoyle.png]]
|}

==History==
*Rimehorn talismans will be added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Spore talisman

2026-09-18T23:34:37Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A small charm made from a still-living mushroom. Transforms one of the wearer's arms and parts of their lower body into a vibrant mass of multicoloured fungus. Melee attacks in this form may release spores that weaken their target, as well as cause mushrooms to sprout on the ground behind them which will release their own bursts of dazing spores if allowed to grow.}}

[[File:Spore talisman.png]] A '''spore talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Spore Form''' when '''P'''ut on.

Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Spore Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''

*'''Unarmed Combat Bonus:''' +4 (does not increase with skill)
*'''Burstshrooms:''' Melee attacks cause multiple burstshrooms to begin growing on unoccupied tiles behind your target. If allowed to grow for several turns, they explode, damaging nearby enemies briefly [[daze|dazing]] them. Scales from 2d7 (8 skill) to 2d12 (at 14 skill) damage.
*'''Spore Ejection:''' Your melee attacks have a chance to [[weak]]en breathing enemies.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Offhand and [[boots]].

Spore Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 8, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and less Burstshroom damage. Maximum skill is 14.

==History==
*Spore talismans were introduced in [[0.34]], along with [[Eel talisman]]s.

{{Forms}}

Spore talisman

2026-09-18T23:34:16Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version034}}
{{flavour|A small charm made from a still-living mushroom. Transforms one of the wearer's arms and parts of their lower body into a vibrant mass of multicoloured fungus. Melee attacks in this form may release spores that weaken their target, as well as cause mushrooms to sprout on the ground behind them which will release their own bursts of dazing spores if allowed to grow.}}

[[File:Spore talisman.png]] A '''spore talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into '''Spore Form''' '''P'''ut on.

Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Spore Form has the following effects:

'''Combat Bonuses'''

*'''Unarmed Combat Bonus:''' +4 (does not increase with skill)
*'''Burstshrooms:''' Melee attacks cause multiple burstshrooms to begin growing on unoccupied tiles behind your target. If allowed to grow for several turns, they explode, damaging nearby enemies briefly [[daze|dazing]] them. Scales from 2d7 (8 skill) to 2d12 (at 14 skill) damage.
*'''Spore Ejection:''' Your melee attacks have a chance to [[weak]]en breathing enemies.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' Offhand and [[boots]].

Spore Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 8, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]], and less Burstshroom damage. Maximum skill is 14.

==History==
*Spore talismans were introduced in [[0.34]], along with [[Eel talisman]]s.

{{Forms}}

Scarab talisman

2026-09-18T23:18:31Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version033}}
{{flavour|A small golden cameo of a beetle. Transforms the user into a sun scarab, a fiery insect that carries around a mote of searing heat and light outside itself, like a tiny sun.

This solar ember burns adjacent enemies whenever the scarab attacks, and can be healed by swapping with it. In addition, the scarab's own mandibles can reduce enemies' fire resistance and Fire spells are easier for the user to cast.}}

[[File:scarab talisman.png]] A '''scarab talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into a scarab beetle rolling around a miniature sun.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, a scarab talisman turns you into Scarab Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Scarab Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 3 base damage (''no bonus'')
*'''Aid to Fire Magic:''' The [[Spell Success#Modifiers|raw failure rate]] of [[Fire Magic]] is reduced by x66.6% (equivalent to going from 0 -> 2 levels of [[wizardry]], stacking independently with wizardry).
*Your melee attacks have a 50% chance to apply rF- if they pass AC.

'''Solar ember'''
*While in this form, the player will have a {{monsterlink|solar ember}} that follows alongside them. It uses similar leashing behavior to [[phalanx beetle]]s, but additionally will not move while already adjacent to the player (so that its positioning remains predictable while the player fights.)
*Every 2nd melee attack triggers the solar ember to unleash a blast of fire against all enemies adjacent to it (and damage itself by 7-10 HP).
**The damage is 2d14-2d24, scaling with Shapeshifting skill.
*Swapping places with the ember heals it for 75% of its max HP.
*If the ember is destroyed, it will automatically respawn 20-32 turns later.

'''Defensive traits'''
*Fire resistance 2 (rF++)
*Poison vulnerability (rPois-)
*'''Innate AC:''' +5-9 AC, scaling with Shapeshifting skill
*Scarab Form is '''[[Size#Small|Small]]'''-sized. This gives a significant benefit to [[EV]] for species who are Medium or larger, scaling more to one's [[Dexterity]] and [[Dodging]] skill.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All weapons and armor
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' Anatomy, blood, bones

Scarab Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 8, below which you get an [[Talisman#Skill|HP penalty]]. Maximum skill is 14.

==Strategy==

Scarab Form is the glass cannon of Tier-2 talismans, with high [[EV]] and high damage output in exchange for the [[AC]] of one's melded armour. Not only does the flare do immense damage for its investment levels, but in the early to mid [[Dungeon]] and [[Lair]], there are very few monsters with [[fire resistance]], so rF- melee attacks will let solar ember flares outcompete most other mage background spells (like [[Flame Wave]]). Positioning for the flare and monsters alike to keep the ember safe without also leaving yourself open is crucial- against multiple monsters, try to find slightly open chokepoints the ember and you together can then fill up.

<gallery class="left" widths="300px" heights="300px" mode="nolines">
File:Scarab positioning.png|thumb|left|Two-space-wide chokepoints particularly help with monsters focusing on the player first.
</gallery>

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Scarab Form || Gargoyle
|-
| [[File:Scarab form.png]] || [[File:Scarab form gargoyle.png]]
|}

==History==
*Scarab talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}

Protean talisman

2026-09-18T23:15:39Z

Ythern: Updated the talisman to the 0.34 version

{{version034}}
{{flavour|An ever-changing fragment of something primordial; its substance seems to undulate between flesh and bone and perhaps even metal. A sufficiently skilled shapeshifter can stabilise it into a useable - if unpredictable - form.

(If your Shapeshifting skill is at least 6, attempting to put this on will transform it into a random one of: Rimehorn, Scarab, Medusa, or Spore talismans.)
}}

[[File:Protean talisman.png]] A '''Protean talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that will turn into a tier 2 talisman when '''P'''ut on with at least 6 Shapeshifting skill.

The talisman has an equal chance to turn into one of the following talismans:
*[[rimehorn talisman]]
*[[scarab talisman]]
*[[medusa talisman]]
*[[spore talisman]]

[[Shapeshifter]]s start with a protean talisman; otherwise, this talisman can only generate in certain [[vault]]s.

==History==
*In [[0.34]], [[spore talisman]]s were added, while [[maw talisman]]s tier were shifted upwards, making [[spore talisman]] replace [[maw talisman]] in the possible outcome of the Protean talisman.
*Protean talismans were added in [[0.33]].

[[Category:Items]]

Protean talisman

2026-09-18T23:06:37Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked.

{{version033}}
{{flavour|An ever-changing fragment of something primordial; its substance seems to undulate between flesh and bone and perhaps even metal. A sufficiently skilled shapeshifter can stabilise it into a useable - if unpredictable - form.

(If your Shapeshifting skill is at least 6, you can evoke this to transform it into a random one of: Rimehorn, Scarab, Medusa, or Maw talismans.)
}}

[[File:Protean talisman.png]] A '''Protean talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that will turn into a tier 2 talisman when '''P'''ut on with at least 6 Shapeshifting skill.

The talisman has an equal chance to turn into one of the following talismans:
*[[rimehorn talisman]]
*[[scarab talisman]]
*[[medusa talisman]]
*[[maw talisman]]

[[Shapeshifter]]s start with a protean talisman; otherwise, this talisman can only generate in certain [[vault]]s.

==History==
*Protean talismans were added in [[0.33]].

[[Category:Items]]

User talk:Ythern

2026-09-18T22:47:30Z

Ythern: Created page with "{{welcome}}"

User:Ythern

2026-09-18T22:42:12Z

Ythern: Created page with "New player of DCSS, currently trying to do a lowest win greater player."

New player of DCSS, currently trying to do a lowest win greater player.

Inkwell talisman

2026-09-18T22:36:37Z

Ythern: Fixed that talismans needs to be put on instead of evoked. Also transformation delay is apparently 4, 3 in code + this wait starts on next turn.

{{version033}}
{{flavour|A small bottle filled with mystical ink. Transforms the user into a walking scroll whose body is tattooed with the knowledge of a hundred mages. Being an omnibus of magical techniques gives them increased skill with all spell schools, which improves with Shapeshifting skill, but the form's ability to channel such magic is limited, and it cannot cast spells above level 4.

Its attacks are also very weak, but have a chance of restoring 1 MP when they hit.}}

[[File:inkwell talisman.png]] An '''inkwell talisman''' is a [[talisman]] that changes you into a walking scroll.

==Useful Info==
When '''P'''ut on, an inkwell talisman turns you into Walking Scroll Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 4 turns.

Walking Scroll Form has the following effects:

'''Offensive traits'''
*'''[[Unarmed Combat]]:''' 3 base damage (''no bonus'')
*Your melee attacks have a 50% chance to restore 1 MP when you hit (even if you do no damage).
*Your melee attacks do 50% less damage.
*Your skill with all magic schools is increased by <code>0.5 + Shapeshifting/2</code>, capped at +4.

'''Defensive traits'''
*You become [[nonliving]]: [[unbreathing]], cannot be put to [[sleep]], lacking [[blood]]
*Your [[size]] is tiny
*Poison immunity
*Fire vulnerability (rF-)
*Your max MP is increased by 4-9 MP, depending on your Shapeshifting skill.

'''Restrictions'''
*'''[[Transformation#Useful Info|Melded Gear]]:''' All weapons and armor
*'''Suppressed [[mutations]]:''' Anatomy, substance, blood
*You can cast only level 1-4 spells.

Walking Scroll Form has a minimum [[Shapeshifting]] skill of 0, and the maximum skill is 7.

==Strategy==
Walking Scroll Form provides many useful benefits for casters in the early-mid Dungeon. It grants valuable poison ''immunity'', protecting from threats like [[adder]]s and [[hornet]]s, while boosting MP, casting skill, and EV. You can get away with having no or very little Shapeshifting skill in this form.

Still, you must be careful of early fire attacks, such as from [[orc wizard]]s, [[bombardier beetle]]s, [[wands of flame]], and weapons of [[flaming]]. In addition, it's infeasible stay in this form for long due to the spell level cap and lack of armour.

If you find another talisman in a timely manner (e.g., a [[scarab talisman]] for fire casters, [[rimehorn talisman]] for ice), this form can act as a useful bridge for those forms.

{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
! Walking Scroll Form
|-
| [[File:Walking scroll form.png]]
|}

==History==
*Inkwell talismans were added in [[0.33]].

{{Forms}}