View source for Ancient lich

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{{monster
|name=ancient lich
|glyph={{White|L}}
|tile=[[File:Ancient lich.png]]
|flags={{Evil flag}}<br>{{See invisible flag}}<br>{{Speaks flag}}
|resistances={{Fire resistance}}, {{Cold resistance 2}}, <br>{{Electricity resistance}}, {{Poison resistance 3}}, <br>{{Negative energy resistance 3}}, {{Torment resistance}}, <br>{{Rot resistance 3}}, {{Drown resistance}}, <br>{{Water resistance}}
|vulnerabilities={{Holy vulnerability 2}}, {{Holy wrath vulnerability}}
|max_chunks=0
|meat={{No corpse}}
|xp=7854
|holiness={{Undead}}
|magic_resistance=Immune
|hp_range=83-132
|avg_hp=107
|armour_class=20
|evasion=10
|habitat=Land
|speed= 10
|size={{Medium}}
|item_use={{Open doors}}
|attack1=20 ({{Touch type}}: {{Drain experience flavour}})
|attack2=
|attack3=
|attack4=
|hit_dice=27
|base_hp=2
|extra_hp=4
|fixed_hp=0
|intelligence={{High intelligence}}
|genus=lich
|species=lich
}}
{{Flavour|A lich who, having existed for countless centuries, has grown almost unimaginably powerful through the study of dark magic.}}
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==Useful Info==
'''Ancient liches''' are extremely powerful undead casters with a wide array of resistances and access to several deadly attack spells. They can deal ridiculous amounts of damage at medium range (player death in one or two hits is not unheard of) and can summon devastatingly powerful greater [[demon]]s. If you are not confident in your skills, escape is strongly advised. Ancient liches can be found rarely in [[the Abyss]], [[the Crypt]], [[the Tomb]], and [[the Realm of Zot]], and are a common sight in the orb chamber of [[Zot:5]].

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==Spells==
{{Spellcaster6
|number=
|slot1=''random''
|slot2=''random''
|slot3=''random''
|slot4=''random''
|slot5=''random''
|slot6=''random''
}}
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==Tips & Tricks==
First and foremost, understand that ancient liches are some of the most powerful casters in the game. When dealing with them, don't worry too much about conserving resources; if burning a consumable or two will greatly ease the battle, do so. A character with [[Haste]] and [[Deflect Missiles]], for example, will have a much easier time than a character relying on their skills alone. [[Berserk]]ing is chancey, as ancient liches often generate in places where you don't want to be attracting a lot of attention, but the boost to [[HP]] and damage can make a huge difference.

As liches resist most elemental damage, combat casters should rely on pure [[Conjurations]] and [[Earth Magic]] (although [[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]], sadly, cannot target them, and their [[AC]] is high enough to minimize its shrapnel damage). [[Necromancy]] specialists can deal brutal amounts of damage with [[Dispel Undead]], though even that will take several castings to get the job done. Nearly all [[Hexes]] are useless against their infinite [[magic resistance]], so don't bother, even if you have a [[scroll of vulnerability]] lying around.

Melee fighters should wield [[holy wrath]]- or [[antimagic]]-[[brand]]ed weapons if they are available, and should lure them around corners or use [[scrolls of blinking]] to get into melee range as quickly as possible; wasting turns rushing into the fray will result in you getting pounded by brutal attack spells or having various top-tier demons summoned to the fight. Once you get close to the lich, casting [[Silence]] or reading a [[scroll of silence]] will disable the vast majority of their abilities. Their melee attacks might not be insignificant, but they're a good deal safer than most of their attack spells.

[[Throwing net]]s are very useful against ancient liches. Hitting one at the edge of your line of sight with one guarantees it won't be able to follow you for several turns, allowing a fairly safe escape. Hitting one in melee range will make it vulnerable to [[stab]]bing attempts, allowing [[Short Blades]] specialists to make very short work of them.

Of course, since it's unlikely that you'll be able to take them out without taking a single hit, being able to survive their spells is advisable:
*Two ranks of [[fire]] and [[cold]] resistance should largely negate their [[Bolt spells]], while high [[AC]]/[[EV]]/[[SH]] and [[Repel Missiles]]/[[Deflect Missiles]] will help out across the board and especially against their [[Earth Magic]].
*[[Negative energy]] resistance will cut their [[Bolts of Draining]] down significantly, as well as the danger of their melee attacks.
*A large [[HP]] pool (200+) is very helpful for surviving those lucky [[Iron Shot]]s and [[Lehudib's Crystal Spear]]s, so characters with less than that should be cautious about those possibilities.
*Don't underestimate the power of their [[Orbs of Destruction]]. Outrunning them simply doesn't work; use [[blink]]ing, human shields, or anything else necessary to avoid letting them hit you, especially if the lich managed to cast it at medium or long range.
*Having significant amounts of [[magic resistance]] will help prevent you from becoming [[slow]]ed, [[paralyse]]d, [[confuse]]d, or [[banish]]ed (though the last one really isn't too threatening by this stage in the game).
*Finally, be very concerned if they manage to summon a tier-1 demon to the battlefield, as [[torment]] and [[hellfire]] can tear through most characters with frightening speed. If you have [[Aura of Abjuration]], cast it before the fight. If not, consider how quickly you can kill the caster, as all of its summons will vanish upon its death. If you don't think you can manage it quickly, strongly consider the viability of your escape options.

As with [[wizard (monster)|wizards]] and other casters with multiple spell sets, you can observe what a lich is casting to decipher its entire spell list. For example, a lich that casts [[Iron Shot]] or [[Bolt of Fire]] also knows [[Summon Greater Demon]].

==History==
In [[0.16]], ancient liches will have randomized spell sets.