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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]].''
{{flavour|Demonspawn are horrible half-mortal, half-infernal creatures - the flip side of the Demigods. 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.
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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 slowly in experience and learn most skills at about the same rate as do Demigods. However, they are a little better at fighting and conjurations and much better at necromancy and invocations. Note that unlike Demigods, they can take on gods, although not all will 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 are considered demonic creatures. They cannot worship any of the good gods ([[Zin]], [[Elyvilon]], or [[The Shining One]]), and they have vulnerability to [[holy]] damage.
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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).
  
Demonspawn have a base [[Strength]] of 8, [[Intelligence]] of 9 and [[Dexterity]] of 9 (before Background modifiers).
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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==
 
*'''Warriors:''' [[Gladiator]]
 
*'''Warriors:''' [[Gladiator]]
*'''Zealots:''' [[Berserker]], [[Abyssal Knight]]
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*'''Zealots:''' [[Berserker]]
*'''Mages:''' [[Wizard]], [[Necromancer]], [[Fire Elementalist]], [[Ice Elementalist]], [[Venom Mage]]
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*'''Mages:''' [[Hedge Wizard]], [[Necromancer]], [[Fire Elementalist]], [[Ice Elementalist]], [[Venom Mage]]
  
 
==Level Bonuses==
 
==Level Bonuses==
 
*+1 to a random [[stat]] every 4th level.
 
*+1 to a random [[stat]] every 4th level.
*Average [[HP]].
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*Average [[HP]] and [[MP]].
*Average [[MP]].
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*+3 [[willpower]] per level.
*+3 magic resistance 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.
*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]] ammunition.
 
  
 
==Starting Skills and Equipment==
 
==Starting Skills and Equipment==
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==Difficulty of Play==
 
==Difficulty of Play==
 
 
{{Moderate}}
 
{{Moderate}}
  
Demonspawn can be a moderately difficult race to play. They have slightly bad aptitudes and slow leveling, but are compensated for with the random demonspawn mutations they will inevitably acquire. These mutations can vary from irritating, to interesting, to gamechanging. See the [[demonspawn mutation]] page if you want to figure out the ways your character can develop.
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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.
  
Demonspawn are demonic and evil. That means they can't worship the good gods, and are vulnerable to holiness (they'll be damaged by a [[scroll of holy word]], and take greatly amplified damage from cleansing flames and holy wrath weapons). They can't wield weapons of holy wrath, like other evil creatures, and take greatly increased damage from them.
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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.
  
 
{{species_aptitudes|Demonspawn}}
 
{{species_aptitudes|Demonspawn}}
  
==Tips and Tricks==
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==Tips & Tricks==
Some combinations of demonspawn mutations have great synergy with some character types.
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Some combinations of demonspawn mutations have great synergy with some character types:
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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.
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*[[Powered by Pain]] / [[Powered by Death]] and [[Mana Shield]] can give you fantastic mana regeneration and durability.
  
*Casters with knowledge of freezing cloud will greatly enjoy having icemail; dropping a cloud around you will cancel out most fire based spells.
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==Trivia==
*Powered by Pain and Mana Font can give you fantastic mana regeneration and durability.
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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.
*Nightstalker is great for stabbers and melee based characters, but could be detrimental to spell focused characters who rely on long ranged spells. Antenna can be useful to stabbers too; the detection will occur even against objects and foes out of your reduced line of sight. Ignite Blood may or may not be helpful; stabbing produces ludicrous amounts of it, but you may wake up foes by lighting them on fire.
 
*Repulsion field is nice for Troglodytes, since it is [[amulet of the air|very difficult]] to obtain otherwise.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
The Demonspawn mutation system was substantially overhauled in [[0.7]].  Prior to that version, they mutated in a generally more random fashion: mutations were only grouped into low power and high power, and Demonspawn would receive six total mutations (two low, four high power).  The mutation lists, which can be found on [http://r1gm.free.fr/Crawl/crawlSS_052_mutations.txt this page], were extremely varied.  For instance, "high power" mutations could be absolutely mediocre things such as 1d3 levels of negative energy resistance, or they could be potentially game breaking things such as fast movement or complete torment immunity.  In addition, Demonspawn mutations had some dependence on a character's skills and deity.  While the old Demonspawn may have had much more powerful mutations available to them, the lack of any coherence to the mutations, or any guarantee of getting useful ones, made them in general a much more difficult species under the old 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]].
 
 
Since the overhaul, Demonspawn have continued to evolve: in [[0.8]], they stopped receiving breath attack mutations.  Later versions, particularly [[0.10]], have added a number of new mutations and rebalanced others.
 
  
Prior to [[0.14]], Demonspawn dealt more damage than normal while wielding demonic weapons ([[demon trident]]s, [[demon whip]]s, and [[demon blade]]s).
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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).
  
 
{{species}}
 
{{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