Difference between revisions of "Shadow dragon"

From CrawlWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(added armour mention)
(Updated for 0.16)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{version014}}
+
{{version016}}
 
{{list of | dragons}}
 
{{list of | dragons}}
 
<!--monster-bot-begin-->
 
<!--monster-bot-begin-->
Line 60: Line 60:
  
 
==Useful Info==
 
==Useful Info==
−
'''Shadow dragons''' are terrifying [[list of dragons|dragonkind]] whose breath and bite attacks inflict [[draining]]. Unlike some dragons, butchering it produces no special hide; doing so only produces [[rot]]-inducing [[chunk]]s which most characters will want to avoid touching. They are uncommon, usually only found on [[Vaults]]:5, [[the Depths]], and [[the Realm of Zot]], though they may appear elsewhere in certain late-game [[vault]]s. They can drop a [[Shadow dragon hide]] which can be enchanted into a [[Shadow dragon armour]] which provides stabbers with excellent defenses and bonus stealth at the cost of some spellcasting ability.
+
'''Shadow dragons''' are terrifying [[list of dragons|dragonkind]] whose breath and bite attacks inflict [[draining]]. Characters that lack resistance to [[negative energy]] may find themselves severely handicapped after combat with one if they allow the fight to go on too long. They are uncommon, usually only appearing in [[the Depths]], [[the Realm of Zot]], and the lowest floor of [[the Vaults]].
  
 
<!--spl-bot-begin-->
 
<!--spl-bot-begin-->
Line 73: Line 73:
  
 
==Tips & Tricks==
 
==Tips & Tricks==
−
*Each rank of [[life protection]] you have will reduce the effect of their draining by a third, providing complete immunity with three ranks. If you have good reason to suspect a shadow dragon is coming (Vaults:5 is almost a guarantee), it's not a bad idea to come packing [[rings of life protection]], an [[amulet of warding]], or other rN+ sources. Undead characters need not worry, as their physical damage output is none too terrifying.
+
*[[Negative energy]] resistance will significantly reduce the effect of their draining, providing complete immunity with three ranks. If you have good reason to suspect a shadow dragon is coming (Vaults:5 is almost a guarantee), it's not a bad idea to come packing a [[ring of positive energy]] or two, an [[amulet of warding]], or other rN+ sources. [[Ghoul]]s and [[mummies]] need not worry, as they come with innate rN+++, and a shadow dragon's physical damage output is far less terrifying.
−
**Failing that, high [[ev]]asion, [[Repel Missiles]], or [[Deflect Missiles]] will allow you to dodge many of their breath attacks, although not infallibly. In any case, kill them as quickly as possible to limit their opportunities to drain you.
+
**If negative energy resistance is not an option, high [[ev]]asion, [[Repel Missiles]], or [[Deflect Missiles]] will allow you to dodge many of their breath attacks, although not infallibly. In any case, kill them as quickly as possible to limit their opportunities to drain you.
−
*Although they aren't undead, they have the standard undead [[cold resistance]] and immunity to negative energy. Fortunately, they are also [[evil]] and thus vulnerable to [[Cleansing Flame]] (but not weapons of [[holy wrath]]).
+
*Although shadow dragons aren't undead, they have the standard undead [[cold]] resistance, [[poison]] resistance, and immunity to negative energy. Being neither demonic nor undead, however, they are not susceptible to weapons of [[holy wrath]]. [[The Shining One]]'s Cleansing Flame is quite effective against them, however, as they are still considered [[evil]].
 +
*Butchering a shadow dragon [[corpse]] may produce a [[shadow dragon hide]]. When [[scroll of enchant armour|enchanted]], this turns into [[shadow dragon armour]], a body armour that provides very solid physical protection and better [[stealth]] capabilities than even a [[robe]], but with some penalties to [[ev]]asion and [[spell success]] rates. The corpses also produce [[chunk]]s so vile that only a [[ghoul]] can safely eat them.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 +
Prior to [[0.16]], shadow dragons produced no hides.
 +
 
Prior to [[0.14]], shadow dragons were even more obnoxious. They were special-cased to flee from combat when moderately injured, only returning to drain you further after getting several spaces away from you while you fight other foes.
 
Prior to [[0.14]], shadow dragons were even more obnoxious. They were special-cased to flee from combat when moderately injured, only returning to drain you further after getting several spaces away from you while you fight other foes.

Revision as of 16:11, 25 March 2015

Version 0.16: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

For a list of all dragons, see list of dragons.

shadow dragon D Shadow dragon.png
HP 102-149
HD 17
XP 2067
Speed 10
AC 15
EV 10
Will 120
Attack1 20 (bite: drain experience)
Attack2 15 (claw: plain)
Attack3 15 (claw: plain)
Resistances rC++, rPois+,
rN+++, rDrown,
rWater
Vulnerabilities Holy, Dragon Slaying
Habitat Land
Intelligence Animal
Uses Uses nothing
Holiness Natural
Size Giant
Type dragon, shadow dragon
Flags Cold-blooded
Evil
Flying
See invisible
A great umbral dragon, radiating evil and death. Its breath reeks of the grave.

“Crux sacra sit mihi lux / Non draco sit mihi dux
Vade retro satana / Numquam suade mihi vana
Sunt mala quae libas / Ipse venena bibas”
“Let the Holy Cross be my light / Let not the dragon be my guide
Step back Satan / Never tempt me with vain things
What you offer me is evil / You drink the poison yourself.”
-full text of initials on the Saint Benedict Medal, worn to ward off evil spririts. Inscription from 11-15th century, formally approved by pope Benedict XIV in 18th century

“On the other hand, Confucius is made to say to his disciples, ‘I know how birds can fly, how fishes can swim, and how animals can run. But the runner may be snared, the swimmer may be hooked, and the flyer may be shot by the arrow. But there is the dragon. I cannot tell how he mounts on the wind through the clouds, and rises to heaven. Today I have seen Lao-tsze, and can only compare him to the dragon.’”
-Life of Confucius

“This Dragon had Two furious Wings
Each one upon each Shoulder;
With a Sting in his Tail as long as a Flail,
Which made him bolder and bolder.
He had long Claws, and in his Jaws
Four and forty Teeth of Iron;
With a Hide as tough, as any Buff,
Which did him round environ.”

-“An Excellent Ballad of a most dreadful Combat, fought between Moore of Moore-Hall, and the Dragon of Wantley”, retold by Ambrose Philips, _A Collection of Old Ballads. Corrected from the Best and Most Ancient Copies Extant. With Introductions Historical, Critical, Or Humorous_. 1723.

Useful Info

Shadow dragons are terrifying dragonkind whose breath and bite attacks inflict draining. Characters that lack resistance to negative energy may find themselves severely handicapped after combat with one if they allow the fight to go on too long. They are uncommon, usually only appearing in the Depths, the Realm of Zot, and the lowest floor of the Vaults.

Spells

Spell set
Slot1 Bolt of Draining (3d24) Natural flag

Tips & Tricks

  • Negative energy resistance will significantly reduce the effect of their draining, providing complete immunity with three ranks. If you have good reason to suspect a shadow dragon is coming (Vaults:5 is almost a guarantee), it's not a bad idea to come packing a ring of positive energy or two, an amulet of warding, or other rN+ sources. Ghouls and mummies need not worry, as they come with innate rN+++, and a shadow dragon's physical damage output is far less terrifying.
    • If negative energy resistance is not an option, high evasion, Repel Missiles, or Deflect Missiles will allow you to dodge many of their breath attacks, although not infallibly. In any case, kill them as quickly as possible to limit their opportunities to drain you.
  • Although shadow dragons aren't undead, they have the standard undead cold resistance, poison resistance, and immunity to negative energy. Being neither demonic nor undead, however, they are not susceptible to weapons of holy wrath. The Shining One's Cleansing Flame is quite effective against them, however, as they are still considered evil.
  • Butchering a shadow dragon corpse may produce a shadow dragon hide. When enchanted, this turns into shadow dragon armour, a body armour that provides very solid physical protection and better stealth capabilities than even a robe, but with some penalties to evasion and spell success rates. The corpses also produce chunks so vile that only a ghoul can safely eat them.

History

Prior to 0.16, shadow dragons produced no hides.

Prior to 0.14, shadow dragons were even more obnoxious. They were special-cased to flee from combat when moderately injured, only returning to drain you further after getting several spaces away from you while you fight other foes.

Retrieved from "http://crawl.chaosforge.org/index.php?title=Shadow_dragon&oldid=35262"