Agony

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

Agony

Agony is a level 5 Necromancy spell which functions as torment against a single, adjacent target. If it succeeds against the target's willpower, it cuts their HP by half, never lethal. Like torment, negative energy resistance provides protection (players: -5% HP per rN+, monsters: having any rN+ gives total immunity).

Agony has an enchantment power multiplier of x5, which makes it much harder to resist than the usual hex.

Strategy

Agony deals considerable damage. It isn't directly lethal, but it can quickly soften up powerful, uninjured targets like hydras or giants.

However, it can only be used in melee range. The caster must be able to survive a few turns at close range to take full advantage of it. Don't skimp on the evasion, and prepare a safe line of retreat if things go sour. If you haven't branched into other magic schools, Borgnjor's Vile Clutch is a good choice for either an escape tool or a finishing blow.

Monster Version

Most monsters have access to a ranged version of Agony (named, fittingly enough, Agony Range) that can affect any target within the caster's LOS. See that page for details.

The following monster can cast the regular, 1-tile version of Agony:

• H Fenstrider witch

History

• In 0.31, this spell will be reworked into Curse of Agony for players. It will have range 3 and inflict a curse instead of directly tormenting the target. A monster so cursed will be tormented the next 2 times the caster hits it in melee. The monster version will be renamed Agonizing Touch and retain the old effect, while the name Agony will be given to Agony Range.
• Prior to 0.25, this spell was identical to Agony Range (i.e, it had LOS range).