Difference between revisions of "Staff of Wucad Mu"

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{{item
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{{obsolete}}
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|itemtype=Magical staves
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{{flavour|A crystal staff overflowing with magical energies, which can be channeled by a skilled wielder to allow them to cast spells without exhausting any of their own magical energies — at the risk of damaging the user's mind.}}
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|name=staff of Wucad Mu
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''For the current version of this item, see [[crystal ball of Wucad Mu]].''
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|cost=
 
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|weight=15
 
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}}
 
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{{flavour|Its power varies in proportion to its wielder's intelligence. It can be evoked to restore large amounts of magical energy, but at the risk of damaging the user's mind.}}
 
  
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The '''staff of Wucad Mu''' is a rare [[magical staff]] whose melee power varies with  its owner's intelligence and which can also function to channel [[MP]] like an improved [[staff of channeling]]. Equipping it will cause it to auto-identify.
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[[File:Staff of wucad mu.png]] '''''the +9 staff of Wucad Mu'''''
  
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The staff can be used in combat, functioning as a [[quarterstaff]] with an [[intelligence]]-based enchantment bonus to both accuracy and damage. It can also be evoked to restore a large amount of MP, but successfully doing so comes with the consistent chance of causing [[Divinations]] [[miscast effect]]s. These effects are, at best, nothing, and at worst: 3-24 MP drain, temporary 1-5 INT loss, or [[confusion]] for 10 turns.
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+9 [[staff]]
  
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{{crawlquote|'''Enchantments''': +(Intelligence-3) to hit, +(Intelligence/2) to damage  (MAX: +22, +13)<br>'''Success Rate''': 4% + ([[Evocations]] × 4%) '''&mdash;''' 100% at 24 Evocations<br>'''MP Gained''': 3-7MP + (Evocations/3) '''&mdash;''' 3-7MP at 0 Evocations, 12-16MP at 27 Evocations<br>'''Divinations Miscast Effect Rate''': 25% after a ''successful'' evocation<br>'''Cost''': 50 [[food]]}}
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[[Channeling|Channels MP]] (may refund the MP of spells cast by the wielder)
  
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You can improve your melee performance with this staff by training [[Fighting]] and [[Staves]].
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==Mechanics==
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When casting a spell while wielding the staff of Wucad Mu<ref>{{source ref|0.29.1|spl-cast.cc|694}}</ref>, you have a <code>3 * Evocations / 108</code> chance of regaining the MP used in the spell (75% chance at 27 Evocations). This chance stacks with the chance from wielding an [[orb]] of [[energy]] -- see the [[Channeling]] page for more details.
  
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==Strategy==
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Each time this happens, you have a <code>1 / (Evocations - MP cost)</code> chance of either being confused for <code>1 + 1d4</code> turns or losing 1-5 [[intelligence]].
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While the odds of miscast effects occurring are intimidatingly high, not every miscast effect is a severe miscast. The amount of MP you can channel in a single turn is truly impressive when you get your Evocations skill into the double digits. You can avoid confusion by having [[clarity]]. Wearing a [[ring of sustain abilities]] or two will prevent some or most of the intelligence damage. Even so, a number of [[potion of restore ability|potions of restore abilities]] will be necessary if this item is to be used consistently.
 
  
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Although primarily useful for its channeling effects, this staff can be surprisingly good for melee. Anyone with maxed intelligence (followers of [[Cheibriados]], [[demigod]]s, obsessive INT pushers) may see truly absurd bonuses. The low base damage of the weapon means you shouldn't go toe-to-toe with a Pan lord, but it can usefully finish off weakened opponents. This may allow a hard-pressed mage to save MP for more dangerous threats, or to avoid an unnecessary mid-fight channel.
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==Desirability==
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The '''staff of Wucad Mu'''<ref>{{source ref|0.29.1|art-data.txt|269}}</ref> is most useful for characters that have invested heavily in both [[Evocations]] and magic. Evocations is required to actually get MP, while magic skill is required so that you can actually make use of mana. Many evocable items tend to be redundant with a good spell repertoire, so it's somewhat difficult to invest in both.
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The staff of Wucad Mu does little to help those who have run out of MP entirely, as it only ''refunds'' a spell's MP cost. Regardless, the ability to cast your most powerful spells even a few more times can and will make a difference between victory and running dry mid-fight. Overall, it is a powerful item balanced by its fair share of drawbacks -  assuming you're casting spells in the first place.
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[[Ziggurat]] raiders have the high-level spells to cast and the XP to spare; they'll find few better items to wield for general use. While confusion is annoying for [[lichform]] players, a source of [[Clarity]] will block it entirely, while Intelligence drain will be cured near instantly.
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[[Djinn]] do not use MP and cannot activate the staff of Wucad Mu, other than using it to bludgeon enemies as a plain +9 [[staff]]. By no means a main weapon, a non-Djinn could use this to finish off weakened enemies.
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==History==
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*In [[0.30]], this item was replaced by the [[crystal ball of Wucad Mu]]. Also, channeling mechanics were changed between versions.
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*In [[0.28]], sources of channeling were made stackable. Wucad Mu refunds MP 1.5x as much (now counting as 3 sources, but each source was halved).
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*In [[0.27]], the staff was buffed: it refunds MP more often (1.5x) and refunds MP even when it backfires.
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*Prior to [[0.26]], the staff of Wucad Mu could be evoked to restore MP, but had a chance of backfiring when used in this manner.
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*Prior to [[0.20]], the staff's negative effects were based on [[Divinations]] [[miscast effect]]s.
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*Prior to [[0.12]], the enchantments on this weapon depended on intelligence and were capable of reaching up to +22/+13.
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*Prior to [[0.11]], this item appeared as an '''ephemeral quarterstaff''' when unidentified.
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*Prior to [[0.8]], this staff would occasionally cause miscast effects simply by attacking with it.
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==References==
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<references />
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[[Category:Unrands]]
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[[Category:Staves]]

Latest revision as of 12:43, 10 May 2023

Obsolete: This article refers to an aspect of the game which has been removed. It is retained for historical reference only.
A crystal staff overflowing with magical energies, which can be channeled by a skilled wielder to allow them to cast spells without exhausting any of their own magical energies — at the risk of damaging the user's mind.

For the current version of this item, see crystal ball of Wucad Mu.

Staff of wucad mu.png the +9 staff of Wucad Mu

+9 staff

Channels MP (may refund the MP of spells cast by the wielder)

Mechanics

When casting a spell while wielding the staff of Wucad Mu[1], you have a 3 * Evocations / 108 chance of regaining the MP used in the spell (75% chance at 27 Evocations). This chance stacks with the chance from wielding an orb of energy -- see the Channeling page for more details.

Each time this happens, you have a 1 / (Evocations - MP cost) chance of either being confused for 1 + 1d4 turns or losing 1-5 intelligence.

Desirability

The staff of Wucad Mu[2] is most useful for characters that have invested heavily in both Evocations and magic. Evocations is required to actually get MP, while magic skill is required so that you can actually make use of mana. Many evocable items tend to be redundant with a good spell repertoire, so it's somewhat difficult to invest in both.

The staff of Wucad Mu does little to help those who have run out of MP entirely, as it only refunds a spell's MP cost. Regardless, the ability to cast your most powerful spells even a few more times can and will make a difference between victory and running dry mid-fight. Overall, it is a powerful item balanced by its fair share of drawbacks - assuming you're casting spells in the first place.

Ziggurat raiders have the high-level spells to cast and the XP to spare; they'll find few better items to wield for general use. While confusion is annoying for lichform players, a source of Clarity will block it entirely, while Intelligence drain will be cured near instantly.

Djinn do not use MP and cannot activate the staff of Wucad Mu, other than using it to bludgeon enemies as a plain +9 staff. By no means a main weapon, a non-Djinn could use this to finish off weakened enemies.

History

  • In 0.30, this item was replaced by the crystal ball of Wucad Mu. Also, channeling mechanics were changed between versions.
  • In 0.28, sources of channeling were made stackable. Wucad Mu refunds MP 1.5x as much (now counting as 3 sources, but each source was halved).
  • In 0.27, the staff was buffed: it refunds MP more often (1.5x) and refunds MP even when it backfires.
  • Prior to 0.26, the staff of Wucad Mu could be evoked to restore MP, but had a chance of backfiring when used in this manner.
  • Prior to 0.20, the staff's negative effects were based on Divinations miscast effects.
  • Prior to 0.12, the enchantments on this weapon depended on intelligence and were capable of reaching up to +22/+13.
  • Prior to 0.11, this item appeared as an ephemeral quarterstaff when unidentified.
  • Prior to 0.8, this staff would occasionally cause miscast effects simply by attacking with it.

References

  1. ↑ spl-cast.cc:694 (0.29.1)
  2. ↑ art-data.txt:269 (0.29.1)
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