Difference between revisions of "Snake Pit"

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This branch contains the serpentine rune of Zot.}}
 
This branch contains the serpentine rune of Zot.}}
  
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[[File:Snake entry.png]] The '''Snake Pit''' is one of the five [[branch]]es accessible through [[the Lair]]. Those who explore it are rewarded with the serpentine [[rune of Zot]], but must deal with the many [[list of snakes|snakes]], [[list of nagas|nagas, and salamanders]] that call these halls home.
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[[File:Snake entry.png]] The '''Snake Pit''' is a 4-floor [[branch]] found in [[the Lair]]. Those who explore it are rewarded with the serpentine [[rune of Zot]], but must deal with the many [[list of snakes|snakes]], [[list of nagas|nagas, and salamanders]] that call these halls home.
  
 
The entrance to the Snake Pit is located between [[Lair]]:2 and Lair:3. If you find Snake, you will not find the [[Spider's Nest]] in your current game.  
 
The entrance to the Snake Pit is located between [[Lair]]:2 and Lair:3. If you find Snake, you will not find the [[Spider's Nest]] in your current game.  
  
 
==Layout==
 
==Layout==
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The Snake Pit is four floors deep and found between [[Lair]]:2-4. The entrance stairs are frequently guarded by a small group of [[naga (monster)|nagas]], usually in a distinct stone [[wall]]ed [[vault]].
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The Snake Pit's layout is very variable, ranging  from collections of small square rooms connected by [[door]]ed hallways to wide open areas, occasionally spotted with bodies of water. It most closely resembles [[the Dungeon]], but without some of its more exotic layouts. Most walls are made out of rock, which can be [[wand of digging|dug]] through.  
  
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The Snake Pit's layout is very variable; floors can range from collections of small square rooms connected by [[door]]ed hallways to wide open areas, occasionally spotted with bodies of water. The [[wall]]s of the Snake Pits are made almost entirely out of rock, making [[wand of digging|digging]] easy. It most closely resembles a collection of generic floors from [[the Dungeon]], though it cannot host some of the more exotic Dungeon vaults and layouts. Like [[the Shoals]], this branch occasionally generates [[shop]]s, though this is by no means guaranteed.
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Unlike Spider, this branch generates [[shop]]s, though this is by no means guaranteed.
  
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===Snake:4===
 
Snake:4 will always contain a stone-walled, heavily-guarded rune vault which is drastically different from the rest of the Snake Pits, but the specific design will vary from game to game. This vault will take up a large portion of Snake:4, but the rest of the floor will generally be made up of simple rooms and hallways.
 
Snake:4 will always contain a stone-walled, heavily-guarded rune vault which is drastically different from the rest of the Snake Pits, but the specific design will vary from game to game. This vault will take up a large portion of Snake:4, but the rest of the floor will generally be made up of simple rooms and hallways.
  
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==Useful Info==
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==Strategy==
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As with all rune branches, entering the Snake Pit when you first encounter it is not recommended; few characters will be ready for the many threats found within so early in the game. Survival here requires preparation for a fairly wide variety of damage types. First and foremost, all nagas and nearly all snakes will be capable of [[poison]]ing you, making poison resistance strongly recommended if you don't want to be constantly losing [[HP]] or burning through your [[potions of curing]]. Strongly consider delaying entry until you've acquired a reliable source of this resistance. It's not technically required, but it makes things much easier.
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As with the other Lair branches, you won't want to enter Snake when you first encounter it; few characters can handle its threats so early.  
  
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[[Fire]] and [[electricity]] resistance are also surprisingly helpful. The many salamanders you encounter are capable of dealing fire damage with their standard melee attacks, and some come with fiery ranged attacks as well. Keeping up at least rF+ at all times is recommended. Even worse are the [[shock serpent]]s. Left unchecked, these pests are deadlier than [[electric eel]]s at range and are even worse when handled in melee, countering your melee attacks with unavoidable electricity damage. Although they aren't especially common, having a piece of rElec [[jewellery]] to swap in as needed is very useful, though [[potions of resistance]] will do in a pinch.
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Poison resistance is very helpful, since there's a high amount of poison-themed enemies. All nagas can [[Spit Poison]], but resistance also reduces the damage of [[Poison Arrow]], and [[naga ritualist]]s can inflict rPois- with their [[Virulence]] spell. If you don't have rPois, consider waiting to enter Snake.
  
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By far the most dangerous opponents you'll encounter here are the various naga bands wandering each floor. All are capable of hitting you with [[Spit Poison]] at range, and can [[constrict]] you in melee (making them extremely dangerous for low-AC characters to tangle with), but each type has its own unique strengths that must be taken into account. They also come with a wide variety of weapons, ranging from measly [[club]]s to heavy 2-handed [[polearms]]. Read up on their individual pages for strategies, and pay attention to the exact composition of the band you face before acting. Also, when encountering naga mages and nagarajas, feel free to let them [[haste]] themselves and then lure them away from their allies. It's much easier to take them out in waves than all at once.
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Other than poison, the following elements are worth mentioning:
 +
*[[Fire]] - [[List of nagas#Salamander Types|Salamander]] bands are common. Common salamanders have fiery melee attacks; [[salamander tyrant]]s have highly damaging fire spells.
 +
*[[Electricity]] - [[Shock serpent]]s are the only common electric enemy, but they can deal high damage quickly. Their bolts can [[doublezap]], they can fire twice per turn, and their damage ignores 1/2 of your AC.
  
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Beyond the nagas, salamander bands can be a serious threat if you lack fire resistance, and the various snakes, while easy individually except [[anaconda]]s, can complicate fights with other foes. When facing both snakes and nagas, take advantage of their speed difference to lure the snakes into battle somewhere safe while the nagas slowly catch up. This may not be an option when dealing with guardian serpents, however. When these opponents are present, expect enemies to be blinking into encircling melee range with you regularly.
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Most of the monsters in Snake consist of naga packs (slow moving) and snakes (fast).
 +
*Nagas can [[constrict]], making it hard to escape, and each naga comes with its own abilities. [[Naga warrior]]s are tough melee threats with all sorts of weapons; [[naga sharpshooter]]s can hit for upwards of 50 damage with [[smite-targeted]] projectiles.
 +
*Snakes are hard to escape from. [[Anaconda]]s are fast, constricting threats; [[mana viper]]s can drain your MP.  
 +
*There are also salamanders, which are fiery enemies at normal speed. [[Salamander mystic]]s can [[haste]] nearby nagas and salamanders, and [[salamander tyrant]]s have highly damaging fire magic.
  
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===Snake Pit:4===
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Since snakes are faster than their naga brethren, a common tactic is to back away to separate the group. The same applies to [[naga mage]]s and [[nagaraja]]s that cast [[Haste]] on themselves.
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The bottom floor of the Snake Pit will always contain a large, heavily-guarded rune vault. There are eight possibilities:
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*'''Three Stairways''' (snake_hunt): One of the nastier rune vaults, this vault's entrance chamber is filled with a variety of nagas, including nagarajas and [[guardian serpent]]s, as well as three upward [[stairs|staircases]]. Because of this, players often find themselves out in the open facing several dangerous enemies as soon as they enter the floor (though due to the fact that one of these staircases may be an escape hatch, there may also be a normal staircase leading to another part of the floor). After clearing this chamber, there are several narrow hallways and small chambers densely packed with further guards, with the rune located all the way in the back.
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Some of the more dangerous monsters include:
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*'''Serpent's Egg''' (snake_pit): A large rectangular chamber with an oval stone chamber in the middle, open at the top. The entire chamber is heavily populated with nagas of all sorts, and the rune can be found resting against the inner wall of the "egg".
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*{{monsterlink|Guardian serpent}} - these aren't terribly dangerous on their own. However, serpents' [[Blink Allies Encircling]] can quickly surround you with monsters in the ''serpents'' [[line of sight]] - including monsters that you didn't know about. Being constricted by 8 nagas is a very quick death.
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*'''Caduceus''' (minmay_snake_end_coiled): This vault consists of a large rectangular block with a straight hallway running through the middle and a winding hallway weaving back and forth over the central. All along these paths, nagas of various sorts will be waiting. The winding hallway eventually ends in a narrow, heavily-guarded chamber containing the rune, as well as several [[nagaraja]]s. This is by far the easiest rune vault, as almost any character can lure the guards out one or two at a time, eventually clearing their way to the end.
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*{{monsterlink|Nagaraja}} - the most powerful nagas, nagarajas are tough and dangerous threats. They can [[Haste]] themselves, increasing their damage significantly (and making them faster than most players).
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*'''Naga Fortress''' (snake_pit_salamanders_mu): The most elaborate of the Snake:4 vaults, this consists of a large trapezoidal stone structure taking up roughly half of the floor. Accessed from either the right or left corner of the structure, it consists of a series of hallways weaving back and forth over each other, eventually ending in the rune chamber. Each chamber contains a variety of nagas, and most also contain some lava with a few [[salamander mystic]]s or [[lindwurm]]s. However, the wide door to the final chamber instead hides anacondas and many other snakes, including [[shock serpent]]s.
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*{{monsterlink|Salamander tyrant}} - As mentioned above, these salamanders have very strong fire spells. Their [[Eruption]] creates lava, and [[Pyroclastic Surge]] can only be used if you're on or adjacent to lava. By avoiding lava (if at all possible), you make it less likely for you to be hit by a fire spell.
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*'''Spirals''' (grunt_snake_rune_spirals): A large corridor with two spirals branching off in each direction, guarded by various nagas and some guardian serpents. There are no chokepoints or sharp corners, but if you're stealthy you can pick off one or two nagas at a time. One spiral will contain the rune and the other will contain an acquirement-level item (or occasionally a rune mimic!)
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*{{monsterlink|Shock serpent}} - Buffed [[electric eel]]s, these fast creatures fire Electrical Bolts. The bolts can [[doublezap]], much like [[Shock]], so try not to stand in front of walls.
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*'''Pools''' (grunt_snake_rune_pools): This vault is filled with pools and [[sea snake]]s. Open opening a wide door you will find a small chamber with various snakes and a few nagas. Beyond this is another chamber with more nagas and sea snakes, and the final, larger chamber which contains similar threats.
 
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*'''Serpentine Throne''' (grunt_snake_rune_serpentine_throne): A well-guarded snaking corridor leads to a large throne room filled with nagas. The rune is at the very back.
 
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*'''Scales''' (johnstein_snake_rune_scales): A triangular stone structure with a double door entrance. Guarded by nagarajas, nagas, snakes and possibly [[Vashnia]]. Rune can be found in one of the three rooms in the back of the vault.
 
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Note that salamanders are uncommon in these vaults, with the exception of the fortress.
 
  
 
===Useful Traits===
 
===Useful Traits===
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*[[Poison]] and [[fire]] resistance at all times, [[electricity]] resistance as needed
 
*[[Poison]] and [[fire]] resistance at all times, [[electricity]] resistance as needed
 
*[[Blink]] or [[teleport]] (to escape constriction easily)
 
*[[Blink]] or [[teleport]] (to escape constriction easily)
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 +
==Snake:4 Vaults==
 +
The bottom floor of the Snake Pit will always contain a large, heavily-guarded rune vault. There are a couple of possibilities:
 +
*'''Three Stairways''': One of the nastier rune vaults, this vault's entrance chamber is filled with a variety of nagas, including nagarajas and [[guardian serpent]]s, as well as three upward [[stairs|staircases]]. Because of this, players often find themselves out in the open facing several dangerous enemies as soon as they enter the floor (though due to the fact that one of these staircases may be an escape hatch, there may also be a normal staircase leading to another part of the floor). After clearing this chamber, there are several narrow hallways and small chambers densely packed with further guards, with the rune located all the way in the back.
 +
*'''Serpent's Egg''': A large rectangular chamber with an oval stone chamber in the middle, open at the top. The entire chamber is heavily populated with nagas of all sorts, and the rune can be found resting against the inner wall of the "egg".
 +
*'''Caduceus''': This vault consists of a large rectangular block with a straight hallway running through the middle and a winding hallway weaving back and forth over the central. All along these paths, nagas of various sorts will be waiting. The winding hallway eventually ends in a narrow, heavily-guarded chamber containing the rune, as well as several [[nagaraja]]s. This is by far the easiest rune vault, as almost any character can lure the guards out one or two at a time, eventually clearing their way to the end.
 +
*'''Naga Fortress''': The most elaborate of the Snake:4 vaults, this consists of a large trapezoidal stone structure taking up roughly half of the floor. Accessed from either the right or left corner of the structure, it consists of a series of hallways weaving back and forth over each other, eventually ending in the rune chamber. Each chamber contains a variety of nagas, and most also contain some lava with a few [[salamander mystic]]s or [[lindwurm]]s. However, the wide door to the final chamber instead hides anacondas and many other snakes, including [[shock serpent]]s.
 +
*'''Spirals''': A large corridor with two spirals branching off in each direction, guarded by various nagas and some guardian serpents. There are no chokepoints or sharp corners, but if you're stealthy you can pick off one or two nagas at a time. One spiral will contain the rune and the other will contain an acquirement-level item (or occasionally a rune mimic!)
 +
*'''Pools''': This vault is filled with pools and [[sea snake]]s. Open opening a wide door you will find a small chamber with various snakes and a few nagas. Beyond this is another chamber with more nagas and sea snakes, and the final, larger chamber which contains similar threats.
 +
*'''Serpentine Throne''': A well-guarded snaking corridor leads to a large throne room filled with nagas. The rune is at the very back.
 +
*'''Scales''' : A triangular stone structure with a double door entrance. Guarded by nagarajas, nagas, snakes and possibly [[Vashnia]]. Rune can be found in one of the three rooms in the back of the vault.
 +
*'''Quicksilver Temple''': Has [[statue]]s of dragons on its entrance. Guarded by 2 [[quicksilver dragon]]s, this is an incredibly dangerous to tackle early - these dragons are fast and [[dispel]] buffs like haste and teleport.
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 +
Note that salamanders are uncommon in these vaults, with the exception of the fortress.
  
 
==Monsters==
 
==Monsters==
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| {{Green|N}} [[File:Naga (monster).png]] '''[[Naga (monster)|Naga]]''' || {{monsterlink|Naga mage}} || {{monsterlink|Naga ritualist}} || {{monsterlink|Naga sharpshooter}} || {{monsterlink|Naga warrior}} || {{monsterlink|Nagaraja}}
 
| {{Green|N}} [[File:Naga (monster).png]] '''[[Naga (monster)|Naga]]''' || {{monsterlink|Naga mage}} || {{monsterlink|Naga ritualist}} || {{monsterlink|Naga sharpshooter}} || {{monsterlink|Naga warrior}} || {{monsterlink|Nagaraja}}
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{monsterlink|Salamander mystic}} || {{monsterlink|Salamander}} || {{monsterlink|Sea snake}} || {{monsterlink|Shock serpent}} || {{monsterlink|Water moccasin}} ||  
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| {{monsterlink|Salamander}} || {{monsterlink|Salamander msytic}} || {{monsterlink|Salamander tyrant}} || {{monsterlink|Shock serpent}} || {{monsterlink|Sea snake}} ||  
 
|}
 
|}
  

Revision as of 22:05, 4 September 2023

Version 0.25: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
The corridors of the Snake Pit are home to all varieties of serpent, and are inhabited by a society of powerful nagas and salamanders.

A dungeon features only one of the Snake Pit and Spider Nest branches.

The entrance to this branch can be found between levels 2 and 4 of the Lair of Beasts.

This branch is 4 levels deep.

This branch contains the serpentine rune of Zot.

Snake entry.png The Snake Pit is a 4-floor branch found in the Lair. Those who explore it are rewarded with the serpentine rune of Zot, but must deal with the many snakes, nagas, and salamanders that call these halls home.

The entrance to the Snake Pit is located between Lair:2 and Lair:3. If you find Snake, you will not find the Spider's Nest in your current game.

Layout

The Snake Pit's layout is very variable, ranging from collections of small square rooms connected by doored hallways to wide open areas, occasionally spotted with bodies of water. It most closely resembles the Dungeon, but without some of its more exotic layouts. Most walls are made out of rock, which can be dug through.

Unlike Spider, this branch generates shops, though this is by no means guaranteed.

Snake:4

Snake:4 will always contain a stone-walled, heavily-guarded rune vault which is drastically different from the rest of the Snake Pits, but the specific design will vary from game to game. This vault will take up a large portion of Snake:4, but the rest of the floor will generally be made up of simple rooms and hallways.

Strategy

As with the other Lair branches, you won't want to enter Snake when you first encounter it; few characters can handle its threats so early.

Poison resistance is very helpful, since there's a high amount of poison-themed enemies. All nagas can Spit Poison, but resistance also reduces the damage of Poison Arrow, and naga ritualists can inflict rPois- with their Virulence spell. If you don't have rPois, consider waiting to enter Snake.

Other than poison, the following elements are worth mentioning:

  • Fire - Salamander bands are common. Common salamanders have fiery melee attacks; salamander tyrants have highly damaging fire spells.
  • Electricity - Shock serpents are the only common electric enemy, but they can deal high damage quickly. Their bolts can doublezap, they can fire twice per turn, and their damage ignores 1/2 of your AC.

Most of the monsters in Snake consist of naga packs (slow moving) and snakes (fast).

Since snakes are faster than their naga brethren, a common tactic is to back away to separate the group. The same applies to naga mages and nagarajas that cast Haste on themselves.

Some of the more dangerous monsters include:

  • S Guardian serpent.png Guardian serpent - these aren't terribly dangerous on their own. However, serpents' Blink Allies Encircling can quickly surround you with monsters in the serpents line of sight - including monsters that you didn't know about. Being constricted by 8 nagas is a very quick death.
  • N Nagaraja.png Nagaraja - the most powerful nagas, nagarajas are tough and dangerous threats. They can Haste themselves, increasing their damage significantly (and making them faster than most players).
  • N Salamander tyrant.png Salamander tyrant - As mentioned above, these salamanders have very strong fire spells. Their Eruption creates lava, and Pyroclastic Surge can only be used if you're on or adjacent to lava. By avoiding lava (if at all possible), you make it less likely for you to be hit by a fire spell.
  • S Shock serpent.png Shock serpent - Buffed electric eels, these fast creatures fire Electrical Bolts. The bolts can doublezap, much like Shock, so try not to stand in front of walls.

Useful Traits

Snake:4 Vaults

The bottom floor of the Snake Pit will always contain a large, heavily-guarded rune vault. There are a couple of possibilities:

  • Three Stairways: One of the nastier rune vaults, this vault's entrance chamber is filled with a variety of nagas, including nagarajas and guardian serpents, as well as three upward staircases. Because of this, players often find themselves out in the open facing several dangerous enemies as soon as they enter the floor (though due to the fact that one of these staircases may be an escape hatch, there may also be a normal staircase leading to another part of the floor). After clearing this chamber, there are several narrow hallways and small chambers densely packed with further guards, with the rune located all the way in the back.
  • Serpent's Egg: A large rectangular chamber with an oval stone chamber in the middle, open at the top. The entire chamber is heavily populated with nagas of all sorts, and the rune can be found resting against the inner wall of the "egg".
  • Caduceus: This vault consists of a large rectangular block with a straight hallway running through the middle and a winding hallway weaving back and forth over the central. All along these paths, nagas of various sorts will be waiting. The winding hallway eventually ends in a narrow, heavily-guarded chamber containing the rune, as well as several nagarajas. This is by far the easiest rune vault, as almost any character can lure the guards out one or two at a time, eventually clearing their way to the end.
  • Naga Fortress: The most elaborate of the Snake:4 vaults, this consists of a large trapezoidal stone structure taking up roughly half of the floor. Accessed from either the right or left corner of the structure, it consists of a series of hallways weaving back and forth over each other, eventually ending in the rune chamber. Each chamber contains a variety of nagas, and most also contain some lava with a few salamander mystics or lindwurms. However, the wide door to the final chamber instead hides anacondas and many other snakes, including shock serpents.
  • Spirals: A large corridor with two spirals branching off in each direction, guarded by various nagas and some guardian serpents. There are no chokepoints or sharp corners, but if you're stealthy you can pick off one or two nagas at a time. One spiral will contain the rune and the other will contain an acquirement-level item (or occasionally a rune mimic!)
  • Pools: This vault is filled with pools and sea snakes. Open opening a wide door you will find a small chamber with various snakes and a few nagas. Beyond this is another chamber with more nagas and sea snakes, and the final, larger chamber which contains similar threats.
  • Serpentine Throne: A well-guarded snaking corridor leads to a large throne room filled with nagas. The rune is at the very back.
  • Scales : A triangular stone structure with a double door entrance. Guarded by nagarajas, nagas, snakes and possibly Vashnia. Rune can be found in one of the three rooms in the back of the vault.
  • Quicksilver Temple: Has statues of dragons on its entrance. Guarded by 2 quicksilver dragons, this is an incredibly dangerous to tackle early - these dragons are fast and dispel buffs like haste and teleport.

Note that salamanders are uncommon in these vaults, with the exception of the fortress.

Monsters

S Anaconda.png Anaconda S Black mamba.png Black mamba S Electric eel.png Electric eel S Guardian serpent.png Guardian serpent S Lava snake.png Lava snake S Mana viper.png Mana viper
N Naga.png Naga N Naga mage.png Naga mage N Naga ritualist.png Naga ritualist N Naga sharpshooter.png Naga sharpshooter N Naga warrior.png Naga warrior N Nagaraja.png Nagaraja
N Salamander.png Salamander Script error File:Salamander msytic.png Salamander msytic N Salamander tyrant.png Salamander tyrant S Shock serpent.png Shock serpent S Sea snake.png Sea snake

Uniques

i Agnes.png Agnes S Aizul.png Aizul H Asterion.png Asterion R Azrael.png Azrael d Bai Suzhen.png Bai Suzhen
@ Donald.png Donald @ Frances.png Frances g Jorgrun.png Jorgrun @ Josephine.png Josephine @ Kirke.png Kirke
@ Louise.png Louise R Mara.png Mara @ Nikola.png Nikola 8 Roxanne.png Roxanne @ Rupert.png Rupert
o Saint Roka.png Saint Roka N Vashnia.png Vashnia

History

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