Silent spectre - Revision history

Hordes: /* Tips & Tricks */

2023-09-05T00:31:01Z

‎Tips & Tricks

Hordes: v. bump, strategy -> T&T

2023-09-05T00:28:07Z

v. bump, strategy -> T&T

Ge0ff: /* Strategy */ Lamps of fire are no more

2020-09-16T19:36:52Z

‎Strategy: Lamps of fire are no more

Spudwalt at 05:01, 14 September 2020

2020-09-14T05:01:15Z

Ge0ff: Silence doesn't prevent commanding allies any more; switch to {{monster info}}

2019-01-16T19:20:04Z

Silence doesn't prevent commanding allies any more; switch to {{monster info}}

Kernmantle: Added Strategy, folded Tips & Tricks into it

2018-12-16T09:01:46Z

Added Strategy, folded Tips & Tricks into it

Lyrick: Replace some poor and/or outdated advice. Tornado+haste from the edge of the aura is not useful advice for most characters (even spellcasters). There are much cheaper alternatives that don't require level 9 spells.

2018-12-13T21:28:59Z

Replace some poor and/or outdated advice. Tornado+haste from the edge of the aura is not useful advice for most characters (even spellcasters). There are much cheaper alternatives that don't require level 9 spells.

Pinkbeast: /* Tips & Tricks */

2018-03-27T00:11:50Z

‎Tips & Tricks

Kernmantle: /* Tips & Tricks */

2016-05-17T14:41:53Z

‎Tips & Tricks

Kernmantle: /* Tips & Tricks */

2015-06-07T20:07:27Z

‎Tips & Tricks

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 *Remember that silence doesn't prevent use of weapons, [[evocable]]s, [[potion]]s, or natural [[abilities]].
 *Their presence is never a surprise - their aura extends well past your [[LOS]]. At the same time, this makes it nearly impossible to kill using spells. You'll need a 'lasting' effect (e.g. [[Summoning]] spells) or some other means of dealing damage to kill a spectre.
-**If you're a caster heading into [[extended]], [[Throwing]] and/or [[Evocations]] can be good investments. [[Penetrating]] attacks ([[javelin]]s, [[lightning rod]]) or AOE attacks ([[tin of tremorstones]]) are great at sniping spectres through other enemies.
+**If you're a caster heading into [[extended]], [[Throwing]] and/or [[Evocations]] can be good investments. Penetrating attacks ([[javelin]]s, [[lightning rod]]) or AOE attacks ([[tin of tremorstones]]) are great at sniping spectres through other enemies.
 *The silence can be used to your advantage - proper spellcasters, including all [[lich]]es, ''are'' affected by silence.
-*For [[Mega-Zig]] characters, Tartarus floors are one of the most deadly, almost entirely due to silent spectres. You'll often be silenced on entry, putting you on a time limit before [[Necromutation]] runs out. It's important to buff yourself before entering each floor. Depending on the situation, you can use javelins, evocables, [[Tree Form]], unwield [[distortion]] to win the floor.
+*For [[Mega-Zig]] characters, Tartarus floors are one of the most deadly floors, almost entirely due to silent spectres. By the 10th Zig, you'll often be silenced on entry, putting you on a time limit before [[Necromutation]] runs out. It's important to buff yourself before entering each floor. Depending on the situation, you can use javelins, evocables, enter [[Tree Form]], or unwield [[distortion]] to try and not die.
 ==History==
 *Silent spectres were introduced in [[0.8]].

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{version025}}
+{{version030}}
 {{monster info}}
 ==Useful Info==
-'''Silent spectres''' are weak, insubstantial [[undead]] that would be no real threat except for the permanent 12-tile [[aura]] of [[Silence]] they radiate. A character with even moderate weapon skills should be able to defeat them easily, but pure casters will find themselves suddenly incapable of casting spells, reading [[scroll]]s, or [[shout]]ing. They can be randomly found in [[the Crypt]], [[the Abyss]], [[Tartarus]], and [[Ziggurat]]s, and elsewhere as part of predefined [[vault]]s. Silent spectres cannot use stairs.
+'''Silent spectres''' are weak, insubstantial [[undead]] that permanently radiate a 12-tile [[aura]] of [[Silence]]. This prevents use of [[spell]]s, [[god]] abilities, and [[scroll]]s. They can be found in [[Tartarus]], rarely inside [[the Abyss]], in Tartarus-themed [[Ziggurat]] floors, and in various themed [[vault]]s.
-==Strategy==
+Silent spectres cannot use stairs.
-Their presence is never a surprise, as their large, wall-penetrating aura can be seen long before they enter your [[line of sight]]. However, for the same reason, magic users can never use attack spells on them and would do well to buff themselves and have tactics organized before entering the aura: e.g., [[Shroud of Golubria]], [[Aura of Abjuration]], [[Ring of Flames]]...
+==Tips & Tricks==
+*Silent spectres aren't a threat by themselves, but they make other monsters a lot more threatening. Most [[demon]]s are unaffected by silence, and are free to [[torment]] or cast other spells. Even if you aren't a caster, you'll lose access to many emergency tools, which makes everything more dangerous.
-Most troubling is not the spectre itself, but the possible horde that might be interposed between you and the spectre. If the horde is mighty, pick away at it, with a ready avenue of escape. Keep in mind that once you do so, the spectre itself may move closer and previously "safe," non-silenced tiles near your escape route will now be affected by silence.
+*Remember that silence doesn't prevent use of weapons, [[evocable]]s, [[potion]]s, or natural [[abilities]].
+*Their presence is never a surprise - their aura extends well past your [[LOS]]. At the same time, this makes it nearly impossible to kill using spells. You'll need a 'lasting' effect (e.g. [[Summoning]] spells) or some other means of dealing damage to kill a spectre.
-Having a [[penetration|penetrating]] weapon can be useful to attempt to pick off the spectre from afar. A [[lightning rod]] can be quite useful too, albeit having a much shorter range.
+**If you're a caster heading into [[extended]], [[Throwing]] and/or [[Evocations]] can be good investments. [[Penetrating]] attacks ([[javelin]]s, [[lightning rod]]) or AOE attacks ([[tin of tremorstones]]) are great at sniping spectres through other enemies.
+*The silence can be used to your advantage - proper spellcasters, including all [[lich]]es, ''are'' affected by silence.
-A silent spectre can be a boon for competent melee fighters if there are dangerous spellcasters like [[lich]]es around; that permanent aura of silence affects ''everything'' in its range, not just you.
+*For [[Mega-Zig]] characters, Tartarus floors are one of the most deadly, almost entirely due to silent spectres. You'll often be silenced on entry, putting you on a time limit before [[Necromutation]] runs out. It's important to buff yourself before entering each floor. Depending on the situation, you can use javelins, evocables, [[Tree Form]], unwield [[distortion]] to win the floor.
 ==History==
-Silent spectres were added to the game in [[0.8]].
+*Silent spectres were introduced in [[0.8]].

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 Most troubling is not the spectre itself, but the possible horde that might be interposed between you and the spectre. If the horde is mighty, pick away at it, with a ready avenue of escape. Keep in mind that once you do so, the spectre itself may move closer and previously "safe," non-silenced tiles near your escape route will now be affected by silence.
-Having a [[penetration|penetrating]] weapon can be useful to attempt to pick off the spectre from afar. A [[lamp of fire]] or [[lightning rod]] can be quite useful, albeit the latter has a much shorter range.
+Having a [[penetration|penetrating]] weapon can be useful to attempt to pick off the spectre from afar. A [[lightning rod]] can be quite useful too, albeit having a much shorter range.
 A silent spectre can be a boon for competent melee fighters if there are dangerous spellcasters like [[lich]]es around; that permanent aura of silence affects ''everything'' in its range, not just you.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{version022}}
+{{version025}}
 {{monster info}}
@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Keep in mind that the aura disables spellcasting and [[scroll]]s, but not [[wand]]s, [[potion]]s, [[abilities]], or [[evocable items]].
+Keep in mind that their aura disables spellcasting, [[invocations]], and [[scroll]]s, but not [[wand]]s, [[potion]]s, [[abilities]], or [[evocable items]].
-Their presence is never a surprise, as their large (wall-penetrating) aura can be seen long before they enter your [[line of sight]]. However, for the same reason, magic users can never use attack spells on them and would do well to buff themselves and have tactics organized before entering the aura: e.g., [[Shroud of Golubria]], [[Deflect Missiles]], [[Regeneration]], [[Aura of Abjuration]], [[Ring of Flames]].
+Their presence is never a surprise, as their large, wall-penetrating aura can be seen long before they enter your [[line of sight]]. However, for the same reason, magic users can never use attack spells on them and would do well to buff themselves and have tactics organized before entering the aura: e.g., [[Shroud of Golubria]], [[Aura of Abjuration]], [[Ring of Flames]]...
-Most troubling is not the spectre itself, but the possible horde that might be interposed between you and the spectre. If the horde is mighty, pick away at it, with a ready avenue of escape. Keep in mind that once you do so, the spectre itself may move closer and previously "safe," non-aura tiles near your escape route will now be affected by silence.
+Most troubling is not the spectre itself, but the possible horde that might be interposed between you and the spectre. If the horde is mighty, pick away at it, with a ready avenue of escape. Keep in mind that once you do so, the spectre itself may move closer and previously "safe," non-silenced tiles near your escape route will now be affected by silence.
 Having a [[penetration|penetrating]] weapon can be useful to attempt to pick off the spectre from afar. A [[lamp of fire]] or [[lightning rod]] can be quite useful, albeit the latter has a much shorter range.
 ==History==
 Silent spectres were added to the game in [[0.8]].

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{version022}}
-<!--monster-bot-begin-->
+{{monster info}}
 ==Useful Info==
-'''Silent spectres''' are weak, insubstantial [[undead]] that would be no real threat except for the permanent 12-tile [[aura]] of [[Silence]] they radiate. A character with even moderate weapon skills should be able to defeat them easily, but pure casters will find themselves suddenly incapable of casting spells, reading [[scroll]]s, or [[shout|commanding allies]]. They can be randomly found in [[the Crypt]], [[the Abyss]], [[Tartarus]], and [[Ziggurat]]s, and elsewhere as part of predefined [[vault]]s. Silent spectres cannot use stairs.
+'''Silent spectres''' are weak, insubstantial [[undead]] that would be no real threat except for the permanent 12-tile [[aura]] of [[Silence]] they radiate. A character with even moderate weapon skills should be able to defeat them easily, but pure casters will find themselves suddenly incapable of casting spells, reading [[scroll]]s, or [[shout]]ing. They can be randomly found in [[the Crypt]], [[the Abyss]], [[Tartarus]], and [[Ziggurat]]s, and elsewhere as part of predefined [[vault]]s. Silent spectres cannot use stairs.
 ==Strategy==
 Keep in mind that the aura disables spellcasting and [[scroll]]s, but not [[wand]]s, [[potion]]s, [[abilities]], or [[evocable items]].
-Their presence is never a surprise, as their large (wall-penetrating) aura can be seen long before they enter your [[line of sight]]. However, for the same reason, magic users can never user attack spells on them and would do well to buff themselves and have tactics organized before entering the aura: eg, [[Shroud of Golubria]], [[Deflect Missiles]], [[Regeneration]], [[Aura of Abjuration]], [[Ring of Flames]].
+Their presence is never a surprise, as their large (wall-penetrating) aura can be seen long before they enter your [[line of sight]]. However, for the same reason, magic users can never use attack spells on them and would do well to buff themselves and have tactics organized before entering the aura: e.g., [[Shroud of Golubria]], [[Deflect Missiles]], [[Regeneration]], [[Aura of Abjuration]], [[Ring of Flames]].
 Most troubling is not the spectre itself, but the possible horde that might be interposed between you and the spectre. If the horde is mighty, pick away at it, with a ready avenue of escape. Keep in mind that once you do so, the spectre itself may move closer and previously "safe," non-aura tiles near your escape route will now be affected by silence.

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 ==Tips & Tricks==
-*For magic users, spectres are deadly when found in concert with other substantial or unique monsters.  Thus, if you come upon a spectre's aura, don't engage him until you know the level is relatively cleared out. However, when forced into attack (perhaps you are about to be enveloped by his aura on a [[ziggurat]] level), if you move towards him with [[Haste]] and [[Tornado]], the raging winds will reach and kill him before the horde can significantly harm you; then you are free to back out and use distance magic as per usual.
+*For magic users, spectres are deadly when found in concert with other substantial or unique monsters.  Thus, if you come upon a spectre's aura, don't engage it until you know the level is relatively cleared out. However, when forced into attack (perhaps you are about to be enveloped by it aura on a [[ziggurat]] level), if you move towards it with [[Haste]] and [[Tornado]], the raging winds will reach and kill it before the horde can significantly harm you; then you are free to back out and use distance magic as per usual.
 *Silence disables spellcasting and [[scroll]]s, but not [[wand]]s, [[potion]]s, or [[evocable items]]. A [[wand of fire]] or [[lamp of fire]] can take a spectre out easily, while a [[wand of teleportation]] can help you escape if he has friends.
 *Remember that silence affects enemies as well! A heavily armoured melee fighter could conceivably keep a silent spectre alive as a pet for dealing with [[lich]]es and spellcasting [[unique]]s on the level.  This is most likely to be useful on Crypt:3, where many of the ending vaults contain dangerous spellcasters, up to and including [[ancient lich]]es.