Talisman

Trunk-only: This article pertains to a feature of Crawl which is being tested. It will likely change before the next release, and may even be removed entirely.

Talismans are items used to change your form with the Shapeshifting skill.

Useful Info

A talisman, when eVoked, turns you into its respective transformation (e.g. a beast talisman turns you into Beast Form). This transformation lasts indefinitely. It can't be cancelled or dispelled, though you can voluntarily exit (also with V) at any time. Entering or exiting a form takes 5 turns. If you are turned into a bad form, when you revert, you'll go back to your talisman form.

Once you have turned into a desired form, the talisman can safely be dropped. You do not need to hold the talisman to stay in a form or exit one. Talismans are found around the dungeon and in jewellery shops.

The undead (Ghouls, Mummies, bloodless Vampires) are unable to transform. Zin despises form-shifting, and will instantly excommunicate any follower who uses one.

Transformations

Each form has its own benefits and downsides. However, talisman forms share a few things in common:

• All talisman forms will boost Unarmed Combat in some way.
• Most forms will meld certain types of equipment, which cannot be used. For example, a blade talisman turns your hands into blades, melding your weapon, shield, and gloves.
• Forms often negate certain mutations, or add new ones. They can also change your size.

Being in any form will make you take +75% damage from silver weaponry.

Skill

Each form has a minimum Shapeshifting skill. Below this skill, you will receive a penalty to max HP. Every level of skill below the minimum gives a penalty of -10% max HP (min. 30%), which is then multiplied by the form bonus.

Raising Shapeshifting past this point will give you form-specific benefits. Beast Form will increase your slaying (attack) bonus, Statue Form will increase your defenses, etc. Each form also has a maximum Shapeshifting skill, where further training has no benefit.

Talismans are not related to spells in any way, so intelligence, wizardry, etc. has no effect.

List of talismans

Talismans are sorted by "tiers". Each tier has the same minimum and maximum Shapeshifting skill.

Tier 1: (min. 0 skill, max. 13 skill)

• Beast talisman (Beast Form)

Tier 2: (min. 9 skill, max. 20 skill)

• Blade talisman (Blade Hands)
• Maw talisman (Maw Form)
• Serpent talisman (Anaconda Form)

Tier 3: (min. 17 skill, max. 23 skill)

• Dragon-blood talisman (Dragon Form)
• Granite talisman (Statue Form)

Tier 4: (min. 21 skill, max. 27 skill)

• Talisman of death (Death Form)
• Storm talisman (Storm Form)

History

• In trunk, talismans will be introduced, replacing form-shifting Transmutation spells. Removed spells include Beastly Appendage, Spider Form, Ice Form, Blade Hands, Statue Form, Dragon Form, Storm Form, and Necromutation (Lichform).