Necromutation

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

Necromutation Necromutation (lichform) is a level 8 Transmutations/Necromancy spell which transforms the caster into a lich.

Useful Info

Casting this spell gives you Lich Form for a spellpower-dependent duration. You'll gain the following:

Combat

• Innate AC: 6 (plus any AC from armour)
• Unarmed Combat: 5 base damage, with an added drain brand.
• A spell enhancer for Necromancy spells.

Resistances

• Standard undead resistances:
  • rC+
  • Immunity to poison and miasma.
  • rN+++ and immune to torment
  • Cannot be mutated. Receive stat drain if you would be mutated.
  • Cannot be polymorphed.
  • Vulnerable to holy, holy wrath, and Dispel Undead.
• Will+

Restrictions

• Cannot drink potions.
• Cannot use spells that require you to be alive (any other form-changing spell, Borgnjor's Revivification, Death's Door. Sublimination of Blood)
• Cannot wield holy wrath weapons.

Lichform does not meld any equipment.

Like all form changing spells, mummies, ghouls, and bloodless vampires cannot use this spell.

Strategy

Having this spell is a game-changer in late-game areas rife with effects that do not affect the undead, such as torment, negative energy, and mutations. The Hells, Pandemonium, and the Tomb in particular are good places to be a lich, as any place with Malmutators. Unlike naturally undead species, you can also go back to the world of the living to deal with foes that use Dispel Undead or holy damage.

The Necromancy boost is useful, but unfortunately the most powerful Necromancy spells (Borgnjor's Revivification and Death's Door) are unusable while undead. The other boosts like AC are too minor to justify training this spell in an ordinary 3-rune game, and it's still quite the skill cost for the extended game.

Tips and Tricks

• Remember to recast Necromutation before it expires, as the spell will take advantage of its own Necromancy enhancer and last longer.
• Note that casting this spell while worshiping a good god will cause you to be immediately excommunicated.

Settings

Users of this spell may want to add this to their rcfile:

runrest_ignore_message -= transformation is almost over\.

This will stop autotravel if the spell is nearly over and allow you to recast it before it runs out.

Humanoid	Armatuar	Naga	Djinni	Octopode	Felid

History

• Prior to 0.26, lichform stopped your hunger clock.
• Prior to 0.24, Fedhas strongly disliked the use of this spell (penance).
• Prior to 0.13, the caster also received +3 strength and a bonus to stealth.