Difference between revisions of "Venom Bolt"

From CrawlWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Add AttackSpell semantic properties)
(Updated for 0.15, gave it a less scathing review)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{version013}}
+
{{version015}}
 
{{spell
 
{{spell
 
|name=Venom Bolt
 
|name=Venom Bolt
Line 34: Line 34:
 
|dam_denom = 5}}
 
|dam_denom = 5}}
  
'''Venom Bolt''' is a level 5 [[Conjurations]]/[[Poison Magic]] spell which causes [[poison]] damage to all enemies that it strikes along its path, both immediately (max 4d34) and over time by poisoning them. Poison resistant targets take significantly less damage. Each time it hits a monster it loses one square of range.
+
'''Venom Bolt''' is a level 5 [[Conjurations]]/[[Poison Magic]] [[bolt spell]] which causes [[poison]] damage to all enemies that it strikes along its path, both immediately and over time by poisoning them. Poison resistant targets take significantly less damage. Each time it hits a monster it loses one square of range.
  
 
==Tips & Tricks==
 
==Tips & Tricks==
For its level, Venom Bolt deals significant amounts of damage, making it useful in clearing those mid-game [[branch]]es that have few poison resistant monsters such as [[the Lair]], the [[Orcish Mines]], the [[Elven Halls]], and [[the Shoals]]. If you can line up several enemies along a narrow hallway, you can devastate them with only one or two castings.
+
For its level, Venom Bolt deals significant amounts of damage, making it useful in clearing those mid-game [[branch]]es that have few poison resistant monsters such as [[the Lair]], the [[Orcish Mines]], the [[Elven Halls]], [[the Spider's Nest]], and [[the Shoals]]. If you can line up several enemies along a narrow hallway, you can devastate them with only one or two castings.
  
Unfortunately, many of the game's later dangers are resistant to poison damage, rendering the spell ineffective. On top of that, you can deal more irresistible damage to single targets with [[Poison Arrow]], and can affect a larger area with [[smite]]-targeting through [[Poisonous Cloud]], making those spells popular alternatives. Although it has its use in the mid-game, you will probably want to [[scroll of amnesia|forget]] Venom Bolt at some point, if you decide to take it up at all.
+
Just be mindful of the spell's limited effect against resistant foes. All [[undead]], [[demon]]ic, [[:Category:Plant holiness|plant]], and [[:Category:Nonliving holiness|non-living]] opponents are resistant or immune to poison damage, as are a number of perfectly ordinary living foes. While there are viable targets in nearly every branch of the Dungeon, you might prefer [[Poisonous Cloud]] for versatility and area of effect or [[Poison Arrow]] for higher single-target damage instead.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
Prior to [[0.12]], Venom Bolt did less damage.
 
Prior to [[0.12]], Venom Bolt did less damage.

Revision as of 21:09, 11 February 2015

Version 0.15: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Venom bolt.png Venom Bolt
Level 5
School1 Conjuration
School2 Poison
Source(s)
Casting noise 5
Spell noise 5
This spell throws a bolt of poison.
Spell Details
Damage Formula 4d(4+0.15*Power)
Max Damage 4d34
Max Power 200
Range 6
Targeting Bolt
To-hit
Special Poison

Venom Bolt is a level 5 Conjurations/Poison Magic bolt spell which causes poison damage to all enemies that it strikes along its path, both immediately and over time by poisoning them. Poison resistant targets take significantly less damage. Each time it hits a monster it loses one square of range.

Tips & Tricks

For its level, Venom Bolt deals significant amounts of damage, making it useful in clearing those mid-game branches that have few poison resistant monsters such as the Lair, the Orcish Mines, the Elven Halls, the Spider's Nest, and the Shoals. If you can line up several enemies along a narrow hallway, you can devastate them with only one or two castings.

Just be mindful of the spell's limited effect against resistant foes. All undead, demonic, plant, and non-living opponents are resistant or immune to poison damage, as are a number of perfectly ordinary living foes. While there are viable targets in nearly every branch of the Dungeon, you might prefer Poisonous Cloud for versatility and area of effect or Poison Arrow for higher single-target damage instead.

History

Prior to 0.12, Venom Bolt did less damage.