Difference between revisions of "Silent spectre"

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{{monster
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{{version025}}
|name=silent spectre
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{{monster info}}
|glyph={{Cyan|p}}
 
|tile=[[File:silent spectre.png]]
 
|flags={{Evil flag}}<br>{{Special ability flag}}<br>{{Levitate flag}}<br>{{See invisible flag}}<br>{{Insubstantial flag}}
 
|resistances={{Poison resistance}}, {{Cold resistance}}, {{Rot resistance}},<br>{{Negative energy resistance}}, {{Torment resistance}}, {{Constriction resistance}}
 
|vulnerabilities={{Holy vulnerability}}
 
|max_chunks=0
 
|meat={{No corpse}}
 
|xp=313
 
|holiness={{Undead}}
 
|magic_resistance=42
 
|hp_range=24 - 64
 
|avg_hp=44
 
|armour_class=5
 
|evasion=15
 
|habitat=land
 
|speed=10
 
|size={{Medium}}
 
|item_use={{Open doors}}
 
|attack1=15 ({{Hit type}}: {{Plain flavour}})
 
|attack2=
 
|attack3=
 
|attack4=
 
|hit_dice=8
 
|base_hp=3
 
|extra_hp=5
 
|fixed_hp=0
 
|intelligence={{Normal intelligence}}
 
|genus=wraith
 
|species=silent spectre
 
}}
 
  
{{Flavour|The bane of wizards, these terrible spirits bring an unearthly silence to the area around them.}}
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==Useful Info==
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'''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.
  
==Useful Info==
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==Strategy==
'''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, using abilities, or commanding allies. Fortunately it's easy to avoid them, as their large aura can be seen long before they enter your [[line of sight]]. Silent spectres cannot use stairs. They can be found in [[the Crypt]], [[the Abyss]], [[Tartarus]], [[Ziggurat]]s, and in [[Jory]]'s "Tower of Silence" [[vault]].
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Keep in mind that their aura disables spellcasting, [[invocations]], and [[scroll]]s, but not [[wand]]s, [[potion]]s, [[abilities]], or [[evocable items]].
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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]]...
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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.
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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.
  
==Tips & Tricks==
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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 magic users, spectres are deadly when found in concert with other substantial or unique monsters.  Thus, if come upon a spectre's aura, don't engage him until you know the level is relatively cleared out.
 
*Silence disables magic and [[scroll]]s, but not [[wand]]s or [[potion]]s. A [[wand 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.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
Silent spectres were added to the game in [[0.8]].
 
Silent spectres were added to the game in [[0.8]].

Revision as of 20:36, 16 September 2020

Version 0.25: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
silent spectre WSilent spectre.png
HP 29-59
HD 8
XP 314
Speed 10
AC 5
EV 15
Will 40
Attack1 15 (hit: plain)


Resistances rC+++
rPois+++
rDrown
rMiasma
rN+++
rTorm
rSticky
Vulnerabilities Holy
Habitat Land
Intelligence Human
Uses Open doors
Holiness Undead
Size Medium
Type wraith, silent spectre
Flags Evil
See invisible
Flying
Unbreathing
Speaks
Insubstantial
No stairs
The bane of wizards, these terrible spirits bring an unearthly silence to the area around them, making it impossible to recite the magical incantations involved with casting spells or reading scrolls.

“There is a silence where hath been no sound,
There is a silence where no sound may be,—
In the cold grave, under the deep, deep sea,
Or in the wide desert where no life is found.”
-Thomas Hood, “Silence”. Early 19th cent.

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 scrolls, or shouting. They can be randomly found in the Crypt, the Abyss, Tartarus, and Ziggurats, and elsewhere as part of predefined vaults. Silent spectres cannot use stairs.

Strategy

Keep in mind that their aura disables spellcasting, invocations, and scrolls, but not wands, potions, 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, 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-silenced tiles near your escape route will now be affected by silence.

Having a 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 liches around; that permanent aura of silence affects everything in its range, not just you.

History

Silent spectres were added to the game in 0.8.