Difference between revisions of "Hexslinger"

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==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
Arcane Marksmen are fragile and dependent on a limited ammo supply to get them through tough fights. The first floors of the dungeon often have extra ammunition lying around, so make sure to look for it. If you're low on ammo, the most effective strategy is to use a melee weapon in easy fights, while you keep training your ranged combat skill. Reserve your ammo for nastier stuff like [[gnoll]]s and [[adder]]s.
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Arcane Marksmen are fragile, and dependent on a limited ammo supply to get them through tough fights. The first floors of the dungeon often have extra ammunition lying around, so make sure to look for it. If you're low on ammo, the most effective strategy is to use a melee weapon in easy fights, while you keep training your ranged combat skill. Reserve your ammo for nastier stuff like [[gnoll]]s and [[adder]]s. It's generally a priority to train weapon skill first, then your Hexes (not both at the same time).
  
[[Slow]] everything you don't clearly overpower, regardless of whether you're shooting or going hand-to-hand. It may sometimes take several castings to apply, but can enable a kiting strategy for things you can't melee safely. [[Portal Projectile]] is perfect for sniping particularly dangerous monsters like [[orc priest]]s without having to first fight your way through all their friends. [[Inner Flame]] can be tricky to pull off without blowing yourself up, but is very effective against groups, especially if you can combine it with Slow or Portal Projectile. [[Cause Fear]] is both a great panic button and offensive tool, but doesn't work on undead or demons, so have fun with it in the Lair branches!
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[[Okawaru]] is a decent choice for playing it safe since the ammo gifts will help ease the strain until you can build up a big surplus, and you'll eventually earn a well-enchanted [[fustibalus]], [[longbow]], or [[arbalest]]. If you find yourself running low on ammo, dive deeper into the main [[Dungeon]] or head for [[the Vaults]]: [[centaur (monster)|centaur]]s and [[yaktaur]]s are eager to help you reload.
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===Spell Details===
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[[Slow]] everything you don't clearly overpower, regardless of whether you're shooting or going hand-to-hand. It may sometimes take several castings to apply, but can enable a kiting strategy for things you can't melee safely.
 +
 
 +
[[Portal Projectile]] is perfect for sniping particularly dangerous monsters like [[orc priest]]s without having to first fight your way through all their friends.
  
Look for [[Blink]] and [[Swiftness]] -- those are fantastic utilities for a ranged player throughout the entire game. Eventually, you'll also want to be able to cast other utility spells like [[Metabolic Englaciation]] or [[Leda's Liquefaction]]. That's really all you need to sweep through most branches: an enchanted bow, a big stack of arrows, and a handful of spells. You'll have a lot of experience left over, so pour it into [[Fighting]], [[Armour]]/[[Dodging]], and [[Stealth]].
+
[[Inner Flame]] can be tricky to pull off without blowing yourself up, but is very effective against groups. It combos well with the other two hexes: Slow gives you space to avoid the explosion, while Portal Projectile exists.
  
As you'll mostly be fighting from a distance, a [[scarf]] of [[Repel Missiles]] will protect you from any ranged attackers that decide to engage you in a sniper duel.
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[[Cause Fear]] is both a great panic button and good offensive tool. It's like a [[scroll of fear]], but can be used infinitely. It doesn't work on undead or demons, but have fun in the Lair branches!
  
[[Okawaru]] is a decent choice for playing it safe since the ammo gifts will help ease the strain until you can build up a big surplus, and you'll eventually earn a well-enchanted [[fustibalus]], [[longbow]], or [[arbalest]]. If you find yourself running low on ammo, dive deeper into the main [[Dungeon]] or head for [[the Vaults]]: [[centaur (monster)|centaur]]s and [[yaktaur]]s are eager to help you reload.
+
Look for [[Blink]] and [[Swiftness]] -- those are fantastic utilities for a ranged player throughout the entire game. Eventually, you'll also want to be able to cast other utility spells like [[Metabolic Englaciation]] or [[Leda's Liquefaction]]. That's really all you need to sweep through most branches: an enchanted bow, a big stack of arrows, and a handful of spells. You'll have a lot of experience left over, so pour it into [[Fighting]], [[Armour]]/[[Dodging]], and [[Stealth]].
  
 
==History==
 
==History==

Revision as of 22:01, 22 March 2022

Version 0.28: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Arcane Marksmen are Hunters who use debilitating spells to assist their ranged attacks. They are particularly good at keeping their enemies at a distance. They begin the game with a ranged weapon of their choice, some spells to support its use, and a robe.

Arcane Marksmen are ranged combat specialists who complement their attacks with debilitating Hexes.

Preferred Races

Formicid, Deep Elf, Kobold, Spriggan, and Troll are the recommended races if you pick an Arcane Marksman Background.

Starting Equipment

Some species may receive different items based on their unique restrictions.

Available Spells:

Arcane Marksmen start with the Slow spell memorised.

Starting Skills and Stats

These are adjusted by your species' aptitudes.

Choosing Arcane Marksman adds 2 to your starting Strength, 5 to your starting Intelligence and 5 to your starting Dexterity.

Strategy

Arcane Marksmen are fragile, and dependent on a limited ammo supply to get them through tough fights. The first floors of the dungeon often have extra ammunition lying around, so make sure to look for it. If you're low on ammo, the most effective strategy is to use a melee weapon in easy fights, while you keep training your ranged combat skill. Reserve your ammo for nastier stuff like gnolls and adders. It's generally a priority to train weapon skill first, then your Hexes (not both at the same time).

Okawaru is a decent choice for playing it safe since the ammo gifts will help ease the strain until you can build up a big surplus, and you'll eventually earn a well-enchanted fustibalus, longbow, or arbalest. If you find yourself running low on ammo, dive deeper into the main Dungeon or head for the Vaults: centaurs and yaktaurs are eager to help you reload.

Spell Details

Slow everything you don't clearly overpower, regardless of whether you're shooting or going hand-to-hand. It may sometimes take several castings to apply, but can enable a kiting strategy for things you can't melee safely.

Portal Projectile is perfect for sniping particularly dangerous monsters like orc priests without having to first fight your way through all their friends.

Inner Flame can be tricky to pull off without blowing yourself up, but is very effective against groups. It combos well with the other two hexes: Slow gives you space to avoid the explosion, while Portal Projectile exists.

Cause Fear is both a great panic button and good offensive tool. It's like a scroll of fear, but can be used infinitely. It doesn't work on undead or demons, but have fun in the Lair branches!

Look for Blink and Swiftness -- those are fantastic utilities for a ranged player throughout the entire game. Eventually, you'll also want to be able to cast other utility spells like Metabolic Englaciation or Leda's Liquefaction. That's really all you need to sweep through most branches: an enchanted bow, a big stack of arrows, and a handful of spells. You'll have a lot of experience left over, so pour it into Fighting, Armour/Dodging, and Stealth.

History

  • Prior to 0.28, Arcane Marksmen started with the Corona spell memorized.
  • Prior to 0.27, Arcane Marksmen had the Book of Debilitation, and started with Leda's Liquefaction.
  • Prior to 0.20, the book of Debilitation had Gell's Gravitas instead of Portal Projectile.
  • Prior to 0.17, teleport control combined with the blink spell allowed for semi-controlled blinks which was super useful for kiting even fast enemies.
  • Prior to 0.15, Arcane Marksmen starting with javelins didn't get any throwing nets.
  • Prior to 0.14, Arcane Marksmen started with 2 levels of Spellcasting.
  • In earlier versions of the game, ammunition for launchers was much less common in the early game. This required careful ammo management until supplies were found deeper in the dungeon.
Backgrounds
Warriors FighterGladiatorMonkHunterBrigand
Zealots BerserkerChaos KnightCinder Acolyte
Warrior-mages WarperHexslingerEnchanterReaver
Mages Hedge WizardConjurerSummonerNecromancerFire ElementalistIce ElementalistAir ElementalistEarth ElementalistAlchemist
Adventurers ArtificerShapeshifterWandererDelver