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'''Demonspawn''' are horrible half-mortal, half-infernal creatures, the flip side of the [[Demigod]]s. They can be created through magical experiments, breeding, unholy pacts, or any number of other ways. Although many of them are indistinguishable from pure mortal stock, many more have horns, scales or other demonic features. They will develop [[Demonspawn mutations]] as they grow in experience - these can be powerful, but they are also random, and not all of them are beneficial. Due to their unholy nature, they also get a damage bonus if they use demonic weapons, but are more vulnerable to evil-smiting powers.
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''This page refers to the player [[species]]. For the monster, see [[Demonspawn (monster)]]. For a list of all monstrous demonspawn, see [[List of demonspawn]]. For a list of their mutations, see [[Demonspawn mutations]].''
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{{flavour|Demonspawn are horrible half-mortal, half-infernal creatures. Demonspawn can be created in any number of ways: magical experiments, breeding, unholy pacts, etc. Although many Demonspawn may initially be indistinguishable from those of pure mortal stock, they will inevitably grow horns, scales or other unusual features. Powerful members of this class of beings also develop a range of unholy abilities, which are listed as mutations.
  
Demonspawn advance quite slowly in level and have comparable skill aptitudes to [[Demigod]]s (that is, slightly below [[Human]] average). However, they are a little better at [[Fighting]], and much better at [[Conjurations]], [[Summonings]], [[Necromancy]], and [[Invocations]]. Also unlike Demigods, they may worship a [[god]] if they choose, although good gods ([[Elyvilon]], [[the Shining One]], and [[Zin]]) will not accept them.
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Demonspawn advance slowly in experience and learn most skills slightly slower than Humans, although they are talented at some forms of magic. They learn Invocations especially quickly, although the good gods will not accept their worship due to their unholy nature.}}
  
 
==Innate Abilities==
 
==Innate Abilities==
*Demonspawn gain more of their "demonic ancestry" (random [[Demonspawn mutations]]) as they rise in level. The levels this occurs at are randomized, but will include at least five mutations by the maximum level of 27. Some of these mutations are available only to Demonspawn. Unfortunately, gaining mutations you already have through other sources does not cause them to stack; the mutation simply becomes irrevocable and permanent. You may even lose benefits if you already had more than a single rank when the demonic mutation kicks in.
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*Demonspawn are considered '''[[evil]]''' - they cannot worship any of the good gods ([[Zin]], [[Elyvilon]], or [[The Shining One]]), they have vulnerability to [[holy|holy damage]] and [[holy wrath]], and the [[holy wrath]] brand is disabled for them. However, they aren't true [[demon]]s, so they don't get any of the demonic resistances by default (e.g. no poison/torment resistance without a mutation).
* Damage bonus when using demonic weapons ([[Demon trident]], [[Demon whip]], [[Demon blade]]).
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Demonspawn have a base [[Strength]] of 8, [[Intelligence]] of 8 and [[Dexterity]] of 8 (before Background modifiers).
  
 
==Preferred Backgrounds==
 
==Preferred Backgrounds==
Demonspawn are among the most versatile races in the game. They can excel as [[Fighter]]s, [[Gladiator]]s, [[Monk]]s, [[Hunter]]s, [[Berserker]]s, [[Abyssal Knight]]s, [[Death Knight]]s, [[Skald]]s, [[Transmuter]]s, [[Warper]]s, [[Arcane Marksmen]], [[Wizard]]s, [[Conjurer]]s, [[Summoner]]s, [[Necromancer]]s, [[Fire Elementalist]]s, [[Ice Elementalist]]s, [[Air Elementalist]]s, [[Earth Elementalist]]s, [[Venom Mage]]s, and [[Artificer]]s.
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*'''Warriors:''' [[Gladiator]]
 
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*'''Zealots:''' [[Berserker]]
Due to their demonic nature, Demonspawn are prohibited from becoming [[Priest]]s or [[Healer]]s.
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*'''Mages:''' [[Hedge Wizard]], [[Necromancer]], [[Fire Elementalist]], [[Ice Elementalist]], [[Venom Mage]]
  
 
==Level Bonuses==
 
==Level Bonuses==
*Demonspawn gain a random stat increase every 4 levels starting at level 4.
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*+1 to a random [[stat]] every 4th level.
*Demonspawn have average HP and MP.
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*Average [[HP]] and [[MP]].
*Demonspawn gain 3 magic resistance per level.
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*+3 [[willpower]] per level.
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*Gain more of your "demonic ancestry" (random [[demonspawn mutations]]) as you rise in level. The levels this occurs at are randomized, but will include at least five full-ranked mutations by level 27. Some of these mutations are available only to Demonspawn. Note that demonspawn mutations will increase the damage you take from [[silver]] weaponry.
  
 
==Starting Skills and Equipment==
 
==Starting Skills and Equipment==
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==Difficulty of Play==
 
==Difficulty of Play==
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{{Moderate}}
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Demonspawn can be a moderately difficult race to play. They are similar to [[Human]]s, but with worse aptitudes and leveling. To compensate, you'll get random mutations over time - these vary from irritating, to interesting, to game-changing. See the [[demonspawn mutation]] page if you want to figure out the ways your character can grow. It can take a while for these mutations to really develop, so their early game can be difficult.
  
{{Moderate}}
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Since Demonspawn can't worship [[good god]]s or wield [[holy wrath]] weapons, their options in [[extended]] are more limited. However, by the time you reach extended, you'll have a full gamut of mutations to take advantage of.
  
Demonspawn are a moderately difficult race to play because of their lack of specialization and demonic status. Being demonic, like being undead, makes one vulnerable to holy effects ([[Cleansing Flame]], [[Holy Word]], weapons of [[Holy wrath]]) and unable to worship the three good gods, but it offers none of the guaranteed bonuses of being undead (poison immunity, cold resistance, life protection, torment resistance). Instead, they receive benefits when using demonic equipment (excellent in the late game, but non-existent early on) and get random but potentially awesome demonspawn mutations.
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{{species_aptitudes|Demonspawn}}
  
{{aptitudes
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==Tips & Tricks==
|arm = -1
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Some combinations of demonspawn mutations have great synergy with some character types:
|ddg = -1
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*Casters with knowledge of [[Freezing Cloud]] will greatly enjoy having [[Icemail]]; dropping a cloud around you will cancel out most fire based spells.
|sth = -1
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*[[Powered by Pain]] / [[Powered by Death]] and [[Mana Shield]] can give you fantastic mana regeneration and durability.
|stb = -1
 
|shd = -1
 
|t&d = -1
 
|inv = +2
 
|evo = 0
 
|exp = 160
 
|fgt = 0
 
|sbl = -1
 
|lbl = -1
 
|axs = -1
 
|m&f = -1
 
|pla = -1
 
|stv = -1
 
|u_c = -1
 
|thr = -1
 
|slg = -1
 
|bws = -1
 
|crb = -1
 
|spc = 0
 
|coj = 0
 
|hex = 0
 
|cha = -1
 
|sum = 0
 
|nec = +1
 
|trl = -1
 
|trm = -1
 
|fir = -1
 
|ice = -1
 
|air = -1
 
|ear = -1
 
|poi = 0
 
}}
 
  
==Strategy==
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==Trivia==
* [[Demonspawn Conjurer of Vehumet Guide]]
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Demonspawn are by far the most popular species, judging from the number of online games played. Note that, due to the prevalence of [[scumming|start scumming]] for a 'good' mutation set, this number is most likely inflated.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
[[0.7.0]] - Demonspawn became significantly easier to use due to a new and more powerful mutation system.
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Demonspawn are as unstable as they are in game. For changes in their mutation set, see [[Demonspawn mutations#History|Demonspawn mutation's History]].
 
 
[[0.8]] - Demonspawn no longer receive breath attack mutations.
 
  
[[0.10]] Demonspawns received several new mutations and had others rebalanced.
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*Prior to [[0.31]], Demonspawn had 1 more intelligence, for base attributes of 8 Str / 9 Int / 8 Dex.
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*Prior to [[0.14]], Demonspawn dealt more damage than normal while wielding demonic weapons ([[demon trident]]s, [[demon whip]]s, and [[demon blade]]s).
  
[[Category:Species]]
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{{species}}

Latest revision as of 03:34, 2 September 2024

Version 0.32: This article is up to date for the latest stable release of Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.

This page refers to the player species. For the monster, see Demonspawn (monster). For a list of all monstrous demonspawn, see List of demonspawn. For a list of their mutations, see Demonspawn mutations.

Demonspawn are horrible half-mortal, half-infernal creatures. Demonspawn can be created in any number of ways: magical experiments, breeding, unholy pacts, etc. Although many Demonspawn may initially be indistinguishable from those of pure mortal stock, they will inevitably grow horns, scales or other unusual features. Powerful members of this class of beings also develop a range of unholy abilities, which are listed as mutations.

Demonspawn advance slowly in experience and learn most skills slightly slower than Humans, although they are talented at some forms of magic. They learn Invocations especially quickly, although the good gods will not accept their worship due to their unholy nature.

Innate Abilities

  • Demonspawn are considered evil - they cannot worship any of the good gods (Zin, Elyvilon, or The Shining One), they have vulnerability to holy damage and holy wrath, and the holy wrath brand is disabled for them. However, they aren't true demons, so they don't get any of the demonic resistances by default (e.g. no poison/torment resistance without a mutation).

Demonspawn have a base Strength of 8, Intelligence of 8 and Dexterity of 8 (before Background modifiers).

Preferred Backgrounds

Level Bonuses

  • +1 to a random stat every 4th level.
  • Average HP and MP.
  • +3 willpower per level.
  • Gain more of your "demonic ancestry" (random demonspawn mutations) as you rise in level. The levels this occurs at are randomized, but will include at least five full-ranked mutations by level 27. Some of these mutations are available only to Demonspawn. Note that demonspawn mutations will increase the damage you take from silver weaponry.

Starting Skills and Equipment

Demonspawn begin with the equipment and skills listed for their background, adjusted for their aptitudes.

Difficulty of Play

SimpleIntermediateAdvanced

Demonspawn can be a moderately difficult race to play. They are similar to Humans, but with worse aptitudes and leveling. To compensate, you'll get random mutations over time - these vary from irritating, to interesting, to game-changing. See the demonspawn mutation page if you want to figure out the ways your character can grow. It can take a while for these mutations to really develop, so their early game can be difficult.

Since Demonspawn can't worship good gods or wield holy wrath weapons, their options in extended are more limited. However, by the time you reach extended, you'll have a full gamut of mutations to take advantage of.

Skill aptitudes

The higher the value, the better the aptitude.

Skill Aptitude Skill Aptitude Skill Aptitude
Attack Miscellaneous Magic
Fighting 0 Armour -1 Spellcasting -1
Dodging -1
Maces & Flails -1 Shields -1 Conjurations 0
Axes -1 Stealth 0 Hexes 0
Polearms -1 Summonings 0
Staves -1 Invocations 3 Necromancy 1
Unarmed Combat -1 Evocations 0 Translocations -1
Throwing -1 Shapeshifting -2 Alchemy 0
Fire Magic -1
Short Blades -1 Ice Magic -1
Long Blades -1 Air Magic -1
Ranged Weapons -1 Experience -1 Earth Magic -1

Tips & Tricks

Some combinations of demonspawn mutations have great synergy with some character types:

Trivia

Demonspawn are by far the most popular species, judging from the number of online games played. Note that, due to the prevalence of start scumming for a 'good' mutation set, this number is most likely inflated.

History

Demonspawn are as unstable as they are in game. For changes in their mutation set, see Demonspawn mutation's History.

  • Prior to 0.31, Demonspawn had 1 more intelligence, for base attributes of 8 Str / 9 Int / 8 Dex.
  • Prior to 0.14, Demonspawn dealt more damage than normal while wielding demonic weapons (demon tridents, demon whips, and demon blades).
Species
Simple Mountain DwarfMinotaurMerfolkGargoyleDraconianTrollDeep ElfArmataurGnoll
Intermediate HumanKoboldDemonspawnDjinniSprigganGhoulTenguOniBarachi
Advanced CoglinVine StalkerVampireDemigodFormicidNagaOctopodeFelidMummy