Difference between revisions of "Conjure Flame"

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(Update to 0.25)
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{{version022}}
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{{version025}}
{{Spell
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{{spell info}}
|name=Conjure Flame
 
|level=3
 
|school1={{Conjurations}}
 
|school2={{Fire Magic}}
 
|school3=
 
|sources=<div>
 
*[[Book of Minor Magic]]
 
*[[Book of Flames]]
 
*[[Book of Clouds]]
 
</div>
 
|castingnoise=3
 
|spellnoise=2
 
}}
 
{{flavour|Creates a blazing column of flame in a targeted empty location.}}
 
 
{{AttackSpell
 
{{AttackSpell
 
|name=Conjure Flame
 
|name=Conjure Flame
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|maxdmg = 0
 
|maxdmg = 0
 
|maxsp = 100
 
|maxsp = 100
|range = 4
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|range = 0
|target = Smite
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|target =  
|special = '''Cloud damage''': 6 + (3d16)/3 ([[fire]]) <br> '''Cloud duration''': 3 + (1dPower)/2 + (1dPower)/2, but no more than 23 turns; divided by 4 if the cloud is over water <br> Cannot be cast on creatures. }}
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|special = '''Cloud damage''': 6 + (3d16)/3 ([[fire]]) <br> '''Cloud duration''': 3 + (1dPower)/2 + (1dPower)/2, but no more than 23 turns}}
  
'''Conjure Flame''' is a level 3 [[Conjurations]]/[[Fire Magic]] spell which creates a [[smite]]-targeted [[cloud]] of flame in a single empty tile. This will keep many weaker monsters at bay, but mindless, strong, or fire resistant monsters will march on through. The duration of the cloud is dependent on spellpower.
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'''Conjure Flame''' is a level 3 [[Conjurations]]/[[Fire Magic]] spell which creates a [[cloud]] of embers at the caster's position. These embers will burst into flames after the caster's next turn unless the tile is still occupied, in which case they will be smothered. Alternatively, recasting the spell will immediately ignite the embers (and the caster with them).
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The resulting cloud of flame will keep many weaker monsters at bay, but mindless, strong, or fire resistant monsters will march on through. The duration of the cloud is dependent on [[spellpower]].
  
 
[[Movement#Character_Speed|Slow]] monsters ([[List of worms and gastropods|worms]], [[List of nagas|nagas]]) do not take more damage from clouds; they burn on their own subjective turn.
 
[[Movement#Character_Speed|Slow]] monsters ([[List of worms and gastropods|worms]], [[List of nagas|nagas]]) do not take more damage from clouds; they burn on their own subjective turn.
  
 
==Tips & Tricks==
 
==Tips & Tricks==
*If you attempt to cast the spell on an empty tile and receive the message, "You see a ghostly outline there, and the spell fizzles," that indicates an invisible monster.
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*The timing of the smothering check is after your next turn, regardless of its duration. If your next action is not to either move or recast the spell, the embers ''will'' be smothered.
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*By the same token, monsters following you have your whole movement duration to catch up to you before the smothering check. Followers of [[Cheibriados]] in particular will need more distance from following monsters, or else a faster method of leaving their position like [[blink]]ing or [[Strong_Legs|hopping]].
 
*Certain [[Ice Magic|icy]] spells and effects (e.g. [[Throw Frost]], [[Bolt of Cold]], icy [[breath weapon]]s) will extinguish any flame clouds they strike, but are consumed in doing so. You can use Conjure Flame to block enemy ice attacks this way.
 
*Certain [[Ice Magic|icy]] spells and effects (e.g. [[Throw Frost]], [[Bolt of Cold]], icy [[breath weapon]]s) will extinguish any flame clouds they strike, but are consumed in doing so. You can use Conjure Flame to block enemy ice attacks this way.
 
**Do note that icy effects that are partially physical in nature (such as [[Throw Icicle]] or a [[wand of iceblast]]) can still pass through flame clouds.
 
**Do note that icy effects that are partially physical in nature (such as [[Throw Icicle]] or a [[wand of iceblast]]) can still pass through flame clouds.
*It's possible to reinforce existing clouds of flame, but creating a new cloud is more efficient: the duration of a reinforced cloud is only 1+1d(Power/2).
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*It's possible to reinforce existing clouds of flame, but creating a new cloud is more efficient: the additional duration of a reinforced cloud is only 1+1d(Power)/4, maximum 11 turns. Also, this requires continuing to stand in a cloud of flames.
*If you are retreating in a corridor with more than one monster pursuing, and a weaker monster is closest to you, attempt to set up a flame cloud ''behind'' the weaker monster and let the stronger monster walk into it. Then simply wait there (or cast protective spells). The stronger monster will suffer fire damage every turn and all you have to do is weather the weaker monster's trifling attacks.
 
 
*If you have the ability to [[confusion|confuse]] (eg, [[Mephitic Cloud]]) and are battling a very powerful monster, dot the areas around this monster with flame clouds after it becomes confused. This extra fire damage can help considerably.
 
*If you have the ability to [[confusion|confuse]] (eg, [[Mephitic Cloud]]) and are battling a very powerful monster, dot the areas around this monster with flame clouds after it becomes confused. This extra fire damage can help considerably.
 
*If you place a cloud of flame adjacent to a tile with water in it, clouds of [[steam]] will generate around it.
 
*If you place a cloud of flame adjacent to a tile with water in it, clouds of [[steam]] will generate around it.
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Conjure Flame is quite useful for blocking off narrow hallways and creating bottlenecks. Note that mindless monsters, many beasts, or particularly strong or high-HP monsters will choose to walk through the flame to reach you anyway. You can exploit this by laying several Conjure Flames in a straight line between yourself and your target: the latter will happily tread through the flames, taking severe damage, until they're severely wounded. If they're monsters who flee when injured (or who you've just subjected to a [[scroll of fear]] or [[Cause Fear]] spell), they'll attempt to escape... right back into the flames behind them.  
 
Conjure Flame is quite useful for blocking off narrow hallways and creating bottlenecks. Note that mindless monsters, many beasts, or particularly strong or high-HP monsters will choose to walk through the flame to reach you anyway. You can exploit this by laying several Conjure Flames in a straight line between yourself and your target: the latter will happily tread through the flames, taking severe damage, until they're severely wounded. If they're monsters who flee when injured (or who you've just subjected to a [[scroll of fear]] or [[Cause Fear]] spell), they'll attempt to escape... right back into the flames behind them.  
  
Monsters standing in a harmful cloud will always be willing to step from it into another harmful cloud, even if it's worse, as long as they weren't immune to the first cloud. You can exploit this by either creating more dangerous clouds between your Conjured Flame and yourself, or by casting a spell like [[Mephitic Cloud]] or [[Poisonous Vapors]] to prompt a stubborn monster to enter your flames.
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Monsters standing in a harmful cloud will always be willing to step from it into another harmful cloud, even if it's worse, as long as they weren't immune to the first cloud. You can exploit this by either creating more dangerous clouds between your Conjured Flame and yourself, or by casting a spell like [[Mephitic Cloud]] or [[Poisonous Vapours]] to prompt a stubborn monster to enter your flames.
  
 
When there is a monster adjacent to you standing in a flame cloud, it is generally best to try to stay there, because the enemy will take high damage per turn. This strategy fails with [[trample|trampling]] monsters who can knock you off your tile on the first melee and potentially only spend 1 turn in your flame.
 
When there is a monster adjacent to you standing in a flame cloud, it is generally best to try to stay there, because the enemy will take high damage per turn. This strategy fails with [[trample|trampling]] monsters who can knock you off your tile on the first melee and potentially only spend 1 turn in your flame.
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==History==
 
==History==
*In [[0.25]], Conjure Flame will instead create a cloud of embers directly underneath the caster; this will ignite into a cloud of flames the next turn so long as no creature is standing in the tile, or immediately if the spell is cast again (which will burn the caster).
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*Prior to [[0.25]], Conjure Flame was a range 4 smite-targeted spell that immediately created a cloud of flame on any unoccupied space.
 
*Prior to version [[0.15]], Conjure Flame could set nearby [[tree]]s ablaze.
 
*Prior to version [[0.15]], Conjure Flame could set nearby [[tree]]s ablaze.
 
[[Category:Crystal Ball Articles]]
 

Revision as of 13:01, 7 September 2020

Version 0.25: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

Conjure Flame

Spell Details
Damage Formula 0
Max Damage 0
Max Power 100
Range 0
Targeting
To-hit
Special Cloud damage: 6 + (3d16)/3 (fire)
Cloud duration: 3 + (1dPower)/2 + (1dPower)/2, but no more than 23 turns

Conjure Flame is a level 3 Conjurations/Fire Magic spell which creates a cloud of embers at the caster's position. These embers will burst into flames after the caster's next turn unless the tile is still occupied, in which case they will be smothered. Alternatively, recasting the spell will immediately ignite the embers (and the caster with them).

The resulting cloud of flame will keep many weaker monsters at bay, but mindless, strong, or fire resistant monsters will march on through. The duration of the cloud is dependent on spellpower.

Slow monsters (worms, nagas) do not take more damage from clouds; they burn on their own subjective turn.

Tips & Tricks

  • The timing of the smothering check is after your next turn, regardless of its duration. If your next action is not to either move or recast the spell, the embers will be smothered.
  • By the same token, monsters following you have your whole movement duration to catch up to you before the smothering check. Followers of Cheibriados in particular will need more distance from following monsters, or else a faster method of leaving their position like blinking or hopping.
  • Certain icy spells and effects (e.g. Throw Frost, Bolt of Cold, icy breath weapons) will extinguish any flame clouds they strike, but are consumed in doing so. You can use Conjure Flame to block enemy ice attacks this way.
    • Do note that icy effects that are partially physical in nature (such as Throw Icicle or a wand of iceblast) can still pass through flame clouds.
  • It's possible to reinforce existing clouds of flame, but creating a new cloud is more efficient: the additional duration of a reinforced cloud is only 1+1d(Power)/4, maximum 11 turns. Also, this requires continuing to stand in a cloud of flames.
  • If you have the ability to confuse (eg, Mephitic Cloud) and are battling a very powerful monster, dot the areas around this monster with flame clouds after it becomes confused. This extra fire damage can help considerably.
  • If you place a cloud of flame adjacent to a tile with water in it, clouds of steam will generate around it.

Strategy

Conjure Flame is quite useful for blocking off narrow hallways and creating bottlenecks. Note that mindless monsters, many beasts, or particularly strong or high-HP monsters will choose to walk through the flame to reach you anyway. You can exploit this by laying several Conjure Flames in a straight line between yourself and your target: the latter will happily tread through the flames, taking severe damage, until they're severely wounded. If they're monsters who flee when injured (or who you've just subjected to a scroll of fear or Cause Fear spell), they'll attempt to escape... right back into the flames behind them.

Monsters standing in a harmful cloud will always be willing to step from it into another harmful cloud, even if it's worse, as long as they weren't immune to the first cloud. You can exploit this by either creating more dangerous clouds between your Conjured Flame and yourself, or by casting a spell like Mephitic Cloud or Poisonous Vapours to prompt a stubborn monster to enter your flames.

When there is a monster adjacent to you standing in a flame cloud, it is generally best to try to stay there, because the enemy will take high damage per turn. This strategy fails with trampling monsters who can knock you off your tile on the first melee and potentially only spend 1 turn in your flame.

If the monster refuses to cross your flame, use your reaching-branded weapon with impunity (unless it also has one). Otherwise, this gives you breathing room to retreat and pummel it from afar with ranged weapons and magic. (Remember not to cast fire-neutralizing Ice Magic across the flame.)

History

  • Prior to 0.25, Conjure Flame was a range 4 smite-targeted spell that immediately created a cloud of flame on any unoccupied space.
  • Prior to version 0.15, Conjure Flame could set nearby trees ablaze.