Guile - Revision history

Hordes: /* Mitigating Will penalty */

2026-02-06T17:11:15Z

‎Mitigating Will penalty

Hordes at 17:09, 6 February 2026

2026-02-06T17:09:19Z

Qqqqwe2: shoals has many willpower checks

2026-02-06T16:07:06Z

shoals has many willpower checks

Hordes: /* Strategy */

2026-02-06T01:53:24Z

‎Strategy

Hordes: /* Mitigating Will penalty */

2026-02-06T01:01:57Z

‎Mitigating Will penalty

Hordes: /* Strategy */

2026-02-06T00:58:20Z

‎Strategy

Hordes: /* Strategy */

2026-02-06T00:53:42Z

‎Strategy

Hordes at 00:49, 6 February 2026

2026-02-06T00:49:32Z

Hordes: /* History */

2026-01-22T21:17:39Z

‎History

Hordes at 21:17, 22 January 2026

2026-01-22T21:17:20Z

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 **The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify ([[basilisk]]s) and [[Dimension Anchor]] ([[nagaraja]]) can still harm you. Also, [[unique]]s like [[Rupert]] and [[Louise]] can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, ''any'' humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you.
 **In places with no hexes, such as in a [[portal]] level with no will threats, using guile is safe. Using it on a mostly cleared level, e.g., if you cleared an entire level except for an [[unique]], can also be relatively safe; standing on the stairs can make it safer if a will enemy does show up.
-*Using hexes/statuses of your own. Your own paralysis, confusion, etc. will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse, for instance. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at >50% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its [[LOS]].)
+*Using hexes/statuses of your own. Your own paralysis, confusion, etc. will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at >50% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its [[LOS]].)
 ===Tips & Tricks===

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 The risk of Will-- can be mitigated in a few ways:
 *Using guile in places with few or no willpower threats.
-**The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify ([[basilisk]]s), [[Mesmerise]] ([[merfolk siren]]s), and [[Dimension Anchor]] ([[nagaraja]]) can still harm you. Also, [[unique]]s like [[Rupert]] and [[Louise]] can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, ''any'' humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you.
+**The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify ([[basilisk]]s) and [[Dimension Anchor]] ([[nagaraja]]) can still harm you. Also, [[unique]]s like [[Rupert]] and [[Louise]] can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, ''any'' humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you.
 **In places with no hexes, such as in a [[portal]] level with no will threats, using guile is safe. Using it on a mostly cleared level, e.g., if you cleared an entire level except for an [[unique]], can also be relatively safe; standing on the stairs can make it safer if a will enemy does show up.
 *Using hexes/statuses of your own. Your own paralysis, confusion, etc. will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse, for instance. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at >50% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its [[LOS]].)

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 The risk of Will-- can be mitigated in a few ways:
 *Using guile in places with few or no willpower threats.
-**The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]], arguably [[Shoals]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify ([[basilisk]]s), [[Mesmerise]] ([[merfolk siren]]s), and [[Dimension Anchor]] ([[nagaraja]]) can still harm you. Also, [[unique]]s like [[Rupert]] and [[Louise]] can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, ''any'' humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you.
+**The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify ([[basilisk]]s), [[Mesmerise]] ([[merfolk siren]]s), and [[Dimension Anchor]] ([[nagaraja]]) can still harm you. Also, [[unique]]s like [[Rupert]] and [[Louise]] can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, ''any'' humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you.
 **In places with no hexes, such as in a [[portal]] level with no will threats, using guile is safe. Using it on a mostly cleared level, e.g., if you cleared an entire level except for an [[unique]], can also be relatively safe; standing on the stairs can make it safer if a will enemy does show up.
 *Using hexes/statuses of your own. Your own paralysis, confusion, etc. will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse, for instance. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at >50% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its [[LOS]].)

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 **The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]], arguably [[Shoals]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify ([[basilisk]]s), [[Mesmerise]] ([[merfolk siren]]s), and [[Dimension Anchor]] ([[nagaraja]]) can still harm you. Also, [[unique]]s like [[Rupert]] and [[Louise]] can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, ''any'' humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you.
 **In places with no hexes, such as in a [[portal]] level with no will threats, using guile is safe. Using it on a mostly cleared level, e.g., if you cleared an entire level except for an [[unique]], can also be relatively safe; standing on the stairs can make it safer if a will enemy does show up.
-*Using hexes/statuses of your own. Your own paralysis, confusion, etc. will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse, for instance. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at ~80% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its [[LOS]].)
+*Using hexes/statuses of your own. Your own paralysis, confusion, etc. will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse, for instance. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at >50% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its [[LOS]].)
 ===Tips & Tricks===

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 The risk of Will-- can be mitigated in a few ways:
 *Using guile in places with few or no willpower threats.
-**The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]], arguably [[Shoals]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify ([[basilisk]]s), [[Mesmerise]] ([[merfolk siren]]s), and [[Dimension Anchor]] ([[nagaraja]]) can still harm you. Also, [[Unique]]s like [[Rupert]] and [[Louise]] can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, ''any'' humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you.
+**The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]], arguably [[Shoals]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify ([[basilisk]]s), [[Mesmerise]] ([[merfolk siren]]s), and [[Dimension Anchor]] ([[nagaraja]]) can still harm you. Also, [[unique]]s like [[Rupert]] and [[Louise]] can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, ''any'' humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you.
-**In places with no hexes, such as in a [[portal]] level with no will threats, using guile is safe. Using it on a mostly cleared level, e.g., if you cleared [[Slime Pits|Slime]]:5 save for [[the Royal Jelly]], can also be relatively safe; standing on the stairs can make it safer if a will enemy does show up.
+**In places with no hexes, such as in a [[portal]] level with no will threats, using guile is safe. Using it on a mostly cleared level, e.g., if you cleared an entire level except for an [[unique]], can also be relatively safe; standing on the stairs can make it safer if a will enemy does show up.
 *Using hexes/statuses of your own. Your own paralysis, confusion, etc. will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse, for instance. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at ~80% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its [[LOS]].)

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 |}
-The success rate boost is significant. For reference, most non-[[unique]] enemies before [[Zot]] have less than 100 will, so the boost remains impactful for a long time. [[Hexes]] specialists clearly have the most to gain, but status [[wand]]s, [[scrolls of fear]], and certain other spells like [[Petrify]] also benefit.
+The success rate boost is significant. For reference, most non-[[unique]] enemies before [[Zot]] have less than 100 will, so the boost at 8 Evocations remains impactful for a long time. With more Evocations investment, the boost becomes even higher. [[Hexes]] specialists clearly have the most to gain, but status [[wand]]s, [[scrolls of fear]], and certain other spells like [[Petrify]] also benefit.
 Overall, guile offers a great power boost for Hexes-reliant characters. If the character relies on willpower spells and is "below the curve" (insufficiently strong to handle standard encounters), guile is worth using. However, if the character is "above the curve", it should be avoided even if relying on Hexes.

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 Losing willpower is ''incredibly'' risky. [[Paralysis]], [[Petrify]], and [[Vex]] can instantly kill you if you're unlucky. Other hexes - such as [[sleep]], [[banishment]], and [[confusion]] - range from annoying to directly lethal. Also, as an orb, it prevents you from wearing a [[shield]].
-At the same time, subtracting willpower is an incredibly' strong effect due to how the willpower formula works. If you had 8 Evocations, you'd reduce enemy willpower by 48, resulting in the following success changes:
+At the same time, subtracting willpower is an incredibly strong effect, due to how the willpower formula works. If you had 8 Evocations (a reasonable investment), you'd reduce enemy willpower by 48, resulting in the following success changes:
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 The success rate boost is significant. For reference, most non-[[unique]] enemies before [[Zot]] have less than 100 will, so the boost remains impactful for a long time. [[Hexes]] specialists clearly have the most to gain, but status [[wand]]s, [[scrolls of fear]], and certain other spells like [[Petrify]] also benefit.
-Overall, it is a great power boost for Hexes-reliant characters. If the character relies on willpower spells and is "below the curve" (insufficiently strong to handle standard encounters), guile is worth using. However, if the character is "above the curve", it should be avoided even if relying on Hexes.
+Overall, guile offers a great power boost for Hexes-reliant characters. If the character relies on willpower spells and is "below the curve" (insufficiently strong to handle standard encounters), guile is worth using. However, if the character is "above the curve", it should be avoided even if relying on Hexes.
 ===Mitigating Will penalty===

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-{{version030}}
+{{version034}}
-{{flavour|It weakens the willpower of the wielder and anyone they hex.}}
+{{flavour|It weakens the willpower of the wielder and anyone they hex, the latter of which is increased by Evocations skill.}}
-The '''Guile''' [[ego]], exclusive to [[orb]]s, gives you -80 (**) [[willpower]]. In exchange, monsters you target with [[Hexes]] or other willpower checks effectively have -80 willpower.
+The '''Guile''' [[ego]], exclusive to [[orb]]s, gives you -80 [[willpower]] (Will--). In exchange, monsters you target with [[Hexes]] or other willpower checks have their effective willpower reduced by:
-==Strategy==
+At the same time, subtracting willpower is an incredibly' strong effect due to how the willpower formula works. If you had 8 Evocations, you'd reduce enemy willpower by 48, resulting in the following success changes:
-Losing willpower is ''incredibly'' risky. [[Paralysis]] and [[Petrify]] can instantly kill you if you're unlucky. Other hexes - such as [[sleep]], [[banishment]], and [[confusion]] - range from annoying to directly lethal. Also, as an orb, it prevents you from wearing a [[shield]].
-At the same time, a flat -80 willpower is an incredibly strong effect. [[Death yak]]s, for instance, go from 100 to 20 will, turning a mid-power [[Ensorcelled Hibernation]] from a 2% to 68% chance of success. Most non-[[unique]] enemies before [[Zot]] don't even have 100 will, allowing you to get very consistent (60% - 90%) success rates for [[Hexes]], status [[wand]]s, etc. Don't think you need to be a Hexes or Evocations specialist to benefit. If you just have 5 Evocations skill, a [[wand of paralysis]] has a 77% chance to succeed against 0 willpower monsters.
+The success rate boost is significant. For reference, most non-[[unique]] enemies before [[Zot]] have less than 100 will, so the boost remains impactful for a long time. [[Hexes]] specialists clearly have the most to gain, but status [[wand]]s, [[scrolls of fear]], and certain other spells like [[Petrify]] also benefit.
-Overall, it is a massive power boost for Hexes-reliant characters. If the character relies on willpower spells and is insufficiently strong to handle enemies, guile is great. However, if the character is "above the curve" and the player is also strong, then the risk of instadeath is not enough to be worth it, even if using Hexes.
+Overall, it is a great power boost for Hexes-reliant characters. If the character relies on willpower spells and is "below the curve" (insufficiently strong to handle standard encounters), guile is worth using. However, if the character is "above the curve", it should be avoided even if relying on Hexes.
-The risk can be mitigated in a few ways:
+===Mitigating Will penalty===
 *Using guile in places with few or no willpower threats.
 **The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]], arguably [[Shoals]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify ([[basilisk]]s), [[Mesmerise]] ([[merfolk siren]]s), and [[Dimension Anchor]] ([[nagaraja]]) can still harm you. Also, [[Unique]]s like [[Rupert]] and [[Louise]] can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, ''any'' humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you.
 **In places with no hexes, such as in a [[portal]] level with no will threats, using guile is safe. Using it on a mostly cleared level, e.g., if you cleared [[Slime Pits|Slime]]:5 save for [[the Royal Jelly]], can also be relatively safe; standing on the stairs can make it safer if a will enemy does show up.
-*Using hexes/statuses of your own. Paralysis will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse, for instance. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at ~80% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its [[LOS]].)
+*Using hexes/statuses of your own. Your own paralysis, confusion, etc. will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse, for instance. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at ~80% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its [[LOS]].)
 ===Tips & Tricks===
-*Note that monsters won't go below 0 willpower. If you've got a 68% chance to succeed a hex against [[hydra]]s, you'll also get a 68% chance to succeed against [[rat]]s and [[hobgoblin]]s. Therefore, guile has the most noticeable effect against monsters around the 80 - 120 will range.
+*Note that monsters won't go below 0 willpower, so guile's effect is most pronounced on enemies with intermediate will (Will++ to Will+++)
-*Sadly, it does not affect hexes from your allies (such as [[Hepliaklqana]]'s ancestor).
+*Sadly, it does not affect hexes from your allies (such as [[Hepliaklqana]]'s ancestor or [[Sphinx Sisters]]).
 ==History==
-{{CBA|0.34|the willpower reduction will instead be <code>20 + 7*Evocations/2</code> until -75 Will, then <code>75 * log2[(20 + 7*Evocations/2)/75]</code> afterwards.}}
+*Prior to [[0.34]], the enemy willpower reduction was -80 and did not depend on Evocations.
 *The guile ego was introduced, along with orbs, in [[0.28]].
 {{orb}}