Difference between revisions of "Wand of digging"

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{{flavour|A magical device which drills tunnels through unworked rock.}}
 
{{flavour|A magical device which drills tunnels through unworked rock.}}
  
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A '''wand of digging''' will remove rock walls in a straight line in the direction [[zap]]ped.  It affects only rock walls, whether normal, transparent or translucent.  It will have no effect on [[wall|''non''-rock walls]]; e.g., stone walls, metal walls, crystal walls, beeswax, statues, "unnaturally hard"  walls, etc.  If used successfully, it will be identified, either by its visible effect or the grinding noise it makes. If it does not hit a rock wall, there is no effect, and the wand is not identified; however the lack of any effect is also a way for the player to identify this wand.
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A '''wand of digging''' will remove a straight line of rock [[wall]]s in the direction [[zap]]ped; a targeter allows you to determine the exact path the line will take.  
  
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A wand of digging is quite useful for digging passages into otherwise inaccessible areas, to escape incoming enemies, or to create corridors so as to fight only one enemy at a time when faced with a group. Equally, it can be used to broaden existing corridors to increase access to a monster (say, by a summoner aiding his horde).
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It is effective on rock walls (normal or [[Wall#Translucent_Rock|transparent]]), and certain strange types of walls (such as the walls of the [[Slime Pits]], [[Pandemonium]], or the translucent membranes in [[Cigotuvi's Fleshworks]]). It also affects [[Statue#Inanimate statues|inanimate statue]]s, [[iron grate]]s, and petrified [[Wall#Petrified_Trees|tree]]s. Digging has no effect on non-rock walls, such as [[Wall#Stone|stone walls]], [[Wall#Metal|metal walls]], [[Wall#Crystal|crystal walls]], [[Wall#Unnaturally_Hard_Wall|"unnaturally hard" walls]], nor does it affect non-rock impediments such as [[Wall#Trees|trees]], [[Wall#Mangroves|mangroves]], [[bush]]es, or [[briar patch]]es. In any case, you can't dig past the edge of the map. This wand does not benefit from [[Evocations]] skill.
  
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The level 4 Transmutations/Earth Magic spell [[Dig]] has a similar effect.
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==Strategy==
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Wands of digging let you create corridors and [[killhole]]s virtually anywhere with rock walls. Fighting enemies one-at-a-time is a vital tactic in ''Crawl'' - it'll turn unwinnable fights into something you can manage. It also be used to dig escape routes, create a path to otherwise inaccessible areas, or (if you have spare charges) create routes to enemies.
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Wands of digging are rare and come with few charges, so use them wisely. Also, beware: digging into a wall may reveal new monsters on the other side, perhaps making your situation worse.
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===Corridors and Killholes===
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The code block below illustrates what corridors and killholes look like when dug with the wand. A corridor only costs 1 charge and allows you to melee enemies 1 at a time, and allows your [[penetration|piercing]] attacks to hit multiple monsters. A killhole costs 1-2 charges, depending on location and has the advantage of preventing distant enemies from using [[smite-targeted]] attacks.
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Corridor:    Killhole:
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..####.#    ..####.#
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..###@##    ..###.##
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..##.###    ...#@###
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..#.####    ..#.####
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...#####    ..##.###
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===Tips & Tricks===
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*Certain levels contain ''only'' stone or crystal walls, so it can be valuable to take account of that fact upon entering such levels.
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*Even [[Formicid]]s can benefit from a wand of digging, as it digs tunnels without [[drain]]ing you.
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==History==
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*Prior to [[0.23]], wands of digging had significantly more charges.
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*Prior to [[0.22]], the wand could not be aimed past existing walls, reducing its precision.
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*Prior to [[0.20]], this wand could not destroy inanimate statues.
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*Prior to [[0.14]], this effect was also available through use of the level 4 [[Earth Magic]] spell [[Dig]].
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*Prior to [[0.12]], monsters would never use wands of digging.
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{{wands}}

Latest revision as of 05:04, 14 June 2024

Version 0.31: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Type Wand
Name Wand of digging
Icon Wand of digging.png
A magical device which drills tunnels through unworked rock.

A wand of digging will remove a straight line of rock walls in the direction zapped; a targeter allows you to determine the exact path the line will take.

It is effective on rock walls (normal or transparent), and certain strange types of walls (such as the walls of the Slime Pits, Pandemonium, or the translucent membranes in Cigotuvi's Fleshworks). It also affects inanimate statues, iron grates, and petrified trees. Digging has no effect on non-rock walls, such as stone walls, metal walls, crystal walls, "unnaturally hard" walls, nor does it affect non-rock impediments such as trees, mangroves, bushes, or briar patches. In any case, you can't dig past the edge of the map. This wand does not benefit from Evocations skill.

Strategy

Wands of digging let you create corridors and killholes virtually anywhere with rock walls. Fighting enemies one-at-a-time is a vital tactic in Crawl - it'll turn unwinnable fights into something you can manage. It also be used to dig escape routes, create a path to otherwise inaccessible areas, or (if you have spare charges) create routes to enemies.

Wands of digging are rare and come with few charges, so use them wisely. Also, beware: digging into a wall may reveal new monsters on the other side, perhaps making your situation worse.

Corridors and Killholes

The code block below illustrates what corridors and killholes look like when dug with the wand. A corridor only costs 1 charge and allows you to melee enemies 1 at a time, and allows your piercing attacks to hit multiple monsters. A killhole costs 1-2 charges, depending on location and has the advantage of preventing distant enemies from using smite-targeted attacks. 

Corridor:    Killhole:
..####.#     ..####.#
..###@##     ..###.##
..##.###     ...#@###
..#.####     ..#.####
...#####     ..##.###

Tips & Tricks

  • Certain levels contain only stone or crystal walls, so it can be valuable to take account of that fact upon entering such levels.
  • Even Formicids can benefit from a wand of digging, as it digs tunnels without draining you.

History

  • Prior to 0.23, wands of digging had significantly more charges.
  • Prior to 0.22, the wand could not be aimed past existing walls, reducing its precision.
  • Prior to 0.20, this wand could not destroy inanimate statues.
  • Prior to 0.14, this effect was also available through use of the level 4 Earth Magic spell Dig.
  • Prior to 0.12, monsters would never use wands of digging.
Wands
Acid / Light / Quicksilver • Iceblast / Roots / Warping • Charming / Paralysis
Digging • Flame • Mindburst • Polymorph
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