Difference between revisions of "Wyrmbane"

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{{flavour|An enchanted lance deadly to all dragonkind. It grows more powerful every time it inflicts a killing blow on a strong dragon. The more powerful it grows, the harder it will be to find a worthy opponent.}}
 
{{flavour|An enchanted lance deadly to all dragonkind. It grows more powerful every time it inflicts a killing blow on a strong dragon. The more powerful it grows, the harder it will be to find a worthy opponent.}}
 
[[File:Wyrmbane.png]] '''''the +8 lance "Wyrmbane"'''''
 
[[File:Wyrmbane.png]] '''''the +8 lance "Wyrmbane"'''''
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rC+<br>
 
rC+<br>
 
rPois<br>
 
rPois<br>
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Enchantment level rises when you kill dragons
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Enchantment increases when used to kill dragons
  
 
===Enchantment Mechanics===
 
===Enchantment Mechanics===
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If a dragon slaying-vulnerable target is killed by the base damage of this weapon, it will gain +1 enchantment up to the HD of the dragon killed.
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If a dragon slaying-vulnerable target is killed by Wyrmbane or an [[auxiliary attack]] afterwards, it will gain +1 enchantment up to the HD of the dragon killed.
  
 
Examples:
 
Examples:
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*If you kill a [[fire dragon]] (HD 12) with the basic +8 Wyrmbane, it will become +9
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*If you kill a [[fire dragon]] (HD 12) with the basic +8 Wyrmbane, it will become +9.
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*If you then use Wyrmbane to kill a [[swamp dragon]] (HD 9), Wyrmbane's enchantment will not change (the dragon was too weak to boost the enchantment).
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*If you then use Wyrmbane to kill a [[swamp dragon]] (HD 9), it's enchantment will not change (the dragon was too weak to boost the enchantment).
  
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The maximum enchantment Wyrmbane can gain this way is +18, though there are draconic monsters with higher HD. Even if you manage to kill something like the [[Serpent of Hell]] (HD 20) or [[Tiamat]] (HD 22) with Wyrmbane, its enchantment won't increase past +18.
+
The maximum enchantment Wyrmbane can gain this way is +18, even though there are draconic monsters with higher HD.
  
 
The following creatures can raise the enchantment of Wyrmbane when slain, assuming its enchantment is less than their HD. Any dragon slaying-vulnerable creature not listed here ([[steam dragon]], [[rime drake]], etc.) is too weak to affect even the base enchantment of Wyrmbane.
 
The following creatures can raise the enchantment of Wyrmbane when slain, assuming its enchantment is less than their HD. Any dragon slaying-vulnerable creature not listed here ([[steam dragon]], [[rime drake]], etc.) is too weak to affect even the base enchantment of Wyrmbane.
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==Desirability==
 
==Desirability==
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Extremely high. In almost all cases, a fully empowered '''Wyrmbane'''<ref>{{source ref|0.23.0|art-data.txt|563}}</ref> is the most powerful weapon in the game, given that it provides a high amount of irresistible damage coupled with excellent speed (5 min delay), the ability to wield a shield (even [[spriggan]]s can use it with a [[buckler]]), and four useful intrinsics which help your survivability immensely. Be aware that the [[dragon slaying]] brand has little to do with its excellent performance; Wyrmbane works just fine against any opponent you may encounter in ''Crawl'', particularly with [[haste]], [[might]], other [[slaying]] bonuses, or while [[berserk]]. Characters who are lucky enough to find this weapon should definitely consider switching to [[polearms]]; for a weapon as good as Wyrmbane, 12 ranks of Polearms (all that is required to reach minimum delay) is very reasonable, even for those with abysmal aptitude for it.
+
Very high. A fully empowered '''Wyrmbane'''<ref>{{source ref|0.31.0|art-data.txt|675}}</ref> is a top-tier weapon, arguably ''the'' best in the game. First off, Wyrmbane has a high, irresistible damage output. It also takes little skill to reach [[mindelay]], can be wielded with a [[shield]] (for all species), and provides some very helpful resistances.
  
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Its base enchantment level of +8 does not keep it from being an extremely effective weapon, but in order to make the best use of Wyrmbane, one must first kill many dragons with it. Fortunately, this is an easier task than it might seem. Getting Wyrmbane up to +12 can be accomplished by hunting [[fire dragon|fire]] and [[ice dragon]]s, which can be found throughout [[the Depths]] easily enough. [[Storm dragon]]s, [[shadow dragon]]s, and [[quicksilver dragon]]s will take you further but are less commonly encountered, though you'll probably see at least a couple of them in the [[Vaults]] (they're especially likely to appear on Vaults:5).
+
Be aware that the [[dragon slaying]] brand has little to do with its excellent performance. Swinging a +18 or so lance at 0.5 delay works fine against any opponent. It stacks well with other slaying bonuses and [[might]]/[[berserk]].
  
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[[Golden dragon|Golden]] and [[bone dragon]]s are probably the easiest dragons to find that will get you all the way up to +18. You can either dip into [[The Realm of Zot]] to hunt golden dragons (the [[list of draconians|draconians]] can also help you get a bit closer to maxed out), or into [[The Crypt]], where bone dragons and [[skeleton (monster)|skeletal]] or [[zombie|zombified]] dragons of very high HD tend to roam. You can also find high-HD undead dragons in the [[Abyss]], if you can handle a trip through it (and you may as well look for the [[Rune of Zot|Abyssal Rune]] while you're there). The [[iron dragon]]s of [[Dis]] and [[Serpent of Hell]] are also viable targets, and you'll find more undead dragons in the various [[Hell]] branches, but exploring there is significantly more dangerous than the other options. The same applies to [[Pandemonium]], which is generally the only place you'll ever see [[pearl dragon]]s outside of rare vaults.
+
A +9 [[demon trident]] of [[flaming]]/[[freezing]] can be stronger at high strength and skill (~18+ skill). However, it requires more skill, can be resisted, and provides no extra resistances of its own. Wyrmbane is slightly easier to train; just 12 skill reaches mindelay, which is attainable even with an abysmal Polearms aptitude. Further training is not 100% necessary, though it obviously is helpful.
  
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The uniques [[Maggie]] and [[Margery]] both have a chance of spawning with a slightly pre-enchanted Wyrmbane; Maggie's version is +9 while Margery has raised it to +10. You can also receive it as a gift from [[Trog]].  
+
===Finding Dragons===
 +
In order to make the best use of Wyrmbane, one must first kill many dragons with it. Fortunately, this is an easier task than it might seem. Getting Wyrmbane up to +12 can be accomplished by hunting [[fire dragon|fire]] and [[ice dragon]]s, which can be found throughout [[the Depths]] easily enough. [[Storm dragon|Storm]], [[shadow dragon|shadow]], and [[quicksilver dragon]]s (HD 14-17) are often found in [[Vaults]]:5. [[List of draconians|Professional draconians]] (HD 16) can be found in [[Zot]] and around its entrance.
  
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Two remarks:
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[[Golden dragon|Golden]] and [[bone dragon]]s are probably the easiest dragons to find that will get you all the way up to +18. You can either dip into the Realm of Zot to hunt golden dragons, or into [[The Crypt]], where bone dragons and [[skeleton (monster)|skeletal]] or [[zombie|zombified]] dragons of very high HD tend to roam. The [[Abyss]], [[Hell]]s, and [[Pandemonium]] all contain even more dragons for the particularly daring explorer to slay.
  
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1. Even though Wyrmbane is extremely effective for killing individual enemies or small groups, you should always keep an axe in your inventory as well. It cross-trains with polearms and works much better in situations where you find yourself surrounded by 5 or more enemies with more standing in 2nd row.
+
The uniques [[Maggie]] and [[Margery]] both have a tiny chance (1%) of spawning with a slightly pre-enchanted Wyrmbane; Maggie's version is +9 while Margery has raised it to +10.
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2. While attaining min delay is the first major milestone if you are heavily relying on melee for your damage dealing, consider pushing your Polearms skill all the way up to 27: the way [[weapon damage]] is calculated, you keep on getting higher damage rolls the higher your weapon skill is.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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*Maggie and Margery were given the ability to appear wielding Wyrmbane in [[0.25]]
+
*Maggie and Margery were given the ability to appear wielding a pre-enchanted Wyrmbane in [[0.25]]
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*Prior to [[0.19]], Wyrmbane provided [[Berserk|+Rage]] instead of [[Cold|rC+]] and had a +5 [[AC]] bonus.
+
*Prior to [[0.19]], Wyrmbane provided [[berserk|+Rage]] instead of [[cold resistance|rC+]] and had a +5 [[AC]] bonus.
 
*Prior to [[0.15]], Wyrmbane had a +9,+6 enchantment bonus, either of which could increase when slaying dragons.
 
*Prior to [[0.15]], Wyrmbane had a +9,+6 enchantment bonus, either of which could increase when slaying dragons.
  

Latest revision as of 22:49, 22 March 2024

Version 0.31: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
An enchanted lance deadly to all dragonkind. It grows more powerful every time it inflicts a killing blow on a strong dragon. The more powerful it grows, the harder it will be to find a worthy opponent.

Wyrmbane.png the +8 lance "Wyrmbane"

+8 lance (modified spear: 8 base damage)

Dragon slaying brand
+3 AC
rF+
rC+
rPois
Enchantment increases when used to kill dragons

Enchantment Mechanics

If a dragon slaying-vulnerable target is killed by Wyrmbane or an auxiliary attack afterwards, it will gain +1 enchantment up to the HD of the dragon killed.

Examples:

  • If you kill a fire dragon (HD 12) with the basic +8 Wyrmbane, it will become +9.
  • If you then use Wyrmbane to kill a swamp dragon (HD 9), it's enchantment will not change (the dragon was too weak to boost the enchantment).

The maximum enchantment Wyrmbane can gain this way is +18, even though there are draconic monsters with higher HD.

The following creatures can raise the enchantment of Wyrmbane when slain, assuming its enchantment is less than their HD. Any dragon slaying-vulnerable creature not listed here (steam dragon, rime drake, etc.) is too weak to affect even the base enchantment of Wyrmbane.

Glyph Tile Name HD
k Lindwurm.png Lindwurm 9
k Death drake.png Death drake 9
D Swamp dragon.png Swamp dragon 9
D Fire dragon.png Fire dragon 12
D Ice dragon.png Ice dragon 12
d Red draconian.png Any adult draconian 14
D Storm dragon.png Storm dragon 14
d Draconian knight.png Any professional draconian 16
D Quicksilver dragon.png Quicksilver dragon 16
D Shadow dragon.png Shadow dragon 17
D Iron dragon.png Iron dragon 18
D Pearl dragon.png Pearl dragon 18
D Golden dragon.png Golden dragon 18
D Xtahua.png Xtahua 19
D Bone dragon.png Bone dragon 20
D Serpent of Hell (Gehenna).png The Serpent of Hell 20
d Bai Suzhen.png Bai Suzhen 20
d Tiamat.png Tiamat 22

Desirability

Very high. A fully empowered Wyrmbane[1] is a top-tier weapon, arguably the best in the game. First off, Wyrmbane has a high, irresistible damage output. It also takes little skill to reach mindelay, can be wielded with a shield (for all species), and provides some very helpful resistances.

Be aware that the dragon slaying brand has little to do with its excellent performance. Swinging a +18 or so lance at 0.5 delay works fine against any opponent. It stacks well with other slaying bonuses and might/berserk.

A +9 demon trident of flaming/freezing can be stronger at high strength and skill (~18+ skill). However, it requires more skill, can be resisted, and provides no extra resistances of its own. Wyrmbane is slightly easier to train; just 12 skill reaches mindelay, which is attainable even with an abysmal Polearms aptitude. Further training is not 100% necessary, though it obviously is helpful.

Finding Dragons

In order to make the best use of Wyrmbane, one must first kill many dragons with it. Fortunately, this is an easier task than it might seem. Getting Wyrmbane up to +12 can be accomplished by hunting fire and ice dragons, which can be found throughout the Depths easily enough. Storm, shadow, and quicksilver dragons (HD 14-17) are often found in Vaults:5. Professional draconians (HD 16) can be found in Zot and around its entrance.

Golden and bone dragons are probably the easiest dragons to find that will get you all the way up to +18. You can either dip into the Realm of Zot to hunt golden dragons, or into The Crypt, where bone dragons and skeletal or zombified dragons of very high HD tend to roam. The Abyss, Hells, and Pandemonium all contain even more dragons for the particularly daring explorer to slay.

The uniques Maggie and Margery both have a tiny chance (1%) of spawning with a slightly pre-enchanted Wyrmbane; Maggie's version is +9 while Margery has raised it to +10.

History

  • Maggie and Margery were given the ability to appear wielding a pre-enchanted Wyrmbane in 0.25
  • Prior to 0.19, Wyrmbane provided +Rage instead of rC+ and had a +5 AC bonus.
  • Prior to 0.15, Wyrmbane had a +9,+6 enchantment bonus, either of which could increase when slaying dragons.

References

  1. ↑ art-data.txt:675 (0.31.0)
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