Difference between revisions of "Ancient lich"

From CrawlWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Updoot)
m (they spawn in enough places to make it a list)
 
(6 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{version|027}}
+
{{version031}}
 +
{{list of|liches}}
 
{{monster info}}
 
{{monster info}}
  
 
==Useful Info==
 
==Useful Info==
'''Ancient liches''' are extremely powerful undead casters with a wide array of resistances and access to deadly attack spells that can deal ridiculous amounts of damage. If you are not confident in your skills, escape is strongly advised.
+
'''Ancient liches''' are extremely powerful undead casters with a wide array of resistances and access to brutal conjurations that can deal ridiculous amounts of damage. If you are not confident in your skills, escape is strongly advised.
  
Ancient liches can rarely be found on the last floor of [[the Vaults]], in [[the Abyss]], [[the Crypt]], [[the Tomb]], and [[the Realm of Zot]]. They are a particularly common sight near the orb chamber of [[Zot:5]].
+
Ancient liches can be found in various locations throughout the late-game Dungeon:
 +
*All of the [[Hell]]s (not including the vestibule), [[the Realm of Zot]] (they are particularly common in the orb chamber of [[Zot:5]]), [[the Tomb]] and various [[Ziggurat]] floors
 +
*Rarely in [[the Abyss]] and [[the Depths]]
 +
*On the final floor of [[the Vaults]] and [[the Crypt]]
  
 
{{monster spells}}
 
{{monster spells}}
  
==Tips & Tricks==
+
==Strategy==
First and foremost, understand that ancient liches are some of the most powerful casters in the game. Don't worry too much about conserving resources; if burning a consumable or two will greatly ease the battle, do so. Going [[berserk]] is chancey, as ancient liches often generate in places where you don't want to be attracting a lot of attention, but the boost to [[HP]] and damage can make a huge difference.
+
Understand that ancient liches are some of the most powerful casters in the game. Don't worry too much about conserving resources; if burning a consumable or two will greatly ease the battle, do so. A [[haste]]d ancient lich can deal up to 288 damage per turn, enough to one-round most characters. While this max damage is exceedingly rare, ancient liches can still cause huge spikes of damage. Taking 100+ damage in a single turn stings.
  
As liches resist most elemental damage, combat casters should rely on pure [[Conjurations]] or [[Earth Magic]]. [[Necromancy]] specialists can deal brutal amounts of damage with [[Dispel Undead]], though it requires getting to and staying in point-blank range. Nearly all [[Hexes]] are useless against their infinite [[willpower]], so don't bother with them.
+
As these liches resist most elemental damage, casters should use pure [[Conjurations]] or [[Earth Magic]] to deal with them. Necromancy users can use [[Dispel Undead]]. Melee fighters should lure them around corners or use a [[scroll of fog]]. If available, a strong [[holy wrath]] or [[antimagic]] weapon works great.
  
Melee fighters should lure them around corners or use [[scrolls of blinking]] to get into melee range as quickly as possible, lest you get pounded by brutal attack spells or petrified. Once there, casting [[Silence]] or reading a [[scroll of silence]] will disable the vast majority of their abilities. It may be worth swapping to a [[Holy wrath]]- or [[antimagic]]-[[brand]]ed weapon, if available. The lich's melee attacks might not be insignificant, but they're a good deal safer than most of their attack spells.  
+
===Tips & Tricks===
 
+
* Ancient liches are spellcasters, so are vulnerable to both [[silence]] and [[antimagic]]. When silenced, all it can do is make weak melee attacks,  which is only dangerous to players at low HP. Weapons of antimagic and [[Enfeeble]] are also effective at disabling them.
[[Throwing net]]s are very useful against ancient liches. Throwing a net at the edge of LOS guarantees that the lich won't be able to follow you for several turns, allowing a fairly safe escape. Nets distract monsters; letting any player, especially [[Short Blades]] users, multiple chances to attack for free.
+
* [[Berserk]] can work well, as liches don't blink. However, ancient liches usually generate in areas you don't want attention (Vaults:5 and Zot:5). Being [[slow]]ed when an [[orb of fire]] comes into view isn't exactly a great situation.
 
+
* Like most enemies in Crawl, ancient liches are vulnerable to [[throwing net]]s. Throwing a net at the edge of [[LOS]] guarantees that you can run away. Nets also allow for [[stab]] attempts.
Of course, since it's unlikely that you'll be able to take them out without taking a single hit, being able to survive their spells is advisable. Don't go after them while wounded, apply any useful buffs you may have available, and consider chugging a [[potion of resistance]] to patch up vulnerabilities; it may be wasteful, but better to be safe than sorry! Taking 100+ damage in a single turn stings.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
*Prior to [[0.27]], ancient liches could have one of several spell sets. In particular, the [[Summoning]]-focused spells were given to the newly-introduced [[dread lich]]es.
 
*Prior to [[0.27]], ancient liches could have one of several spell sets. In particular, the [[Summoning]]-focused spells were given to the newly-introduced [[dread lich]]es.
** [[Bolt of Cold]], [[Force Lance]], [[Summon Greater Demon]], [[Slow]], [[Invisibility]]
+
** [[Bolt of Cold]] (3d37), [[Force Lance]] (3d27), [[Summon Greater Demon]], [[Slow]], [[Invisibility]]
** [[Bolt of Draining]], [[Poison Arrow]], [[Haunt]], [[Banishment]], [[Haste]]
+
** [[Bolt of Draining]] (3d33), [[Poison Arrow]] (3d34), [[Haunt]], [[Banishment]], [[Haste]]
** [[Bolt of Fire]], [[Iron Shot]], Summon Greater Demon, [[Confuse]], Invisibility
+
** [[Bolt of Fire]] (3d37), [[Iron Shot]] (3d44), Summon Greater Demon, [[Confuse]], Invisibility
** [[Corrosive Bolt]], [[Lehudib's Crystal Spear]], [[Petrify]], Haste
+
** [[Corrosive Bolt]] (3d28), [[Lehudib's Crystal Spear]] (3d48), [[Petrify]], Haste
** [[Lightning Bolt]], [[Orb of Destruction]], [[Paralyze]], Haste
+
** [[Lightning Bolt]] (3d29), [[Orb of Destruction]] (9d20), [[Paralyze]], Haste
 
*Prior to [[0.18]], ancient liches had randomized spell sets.
 
*Prior to [[0.18]], ancient liches had randomized spell sets.
 
*Prior to [[0.16]], ancient liches would generate with one of four predetermined spell sets.
 
*Prior to [[0.16]], ancient liches would generate with one of four predetermined spell sets.

Latest revision as of 17:11, 21 October 2024

Version 0.31: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

For a list of all liches, see list of liches.

ancient lich LAncient lich.png
HP 71-144
HD 27
XP 8103
Speed 10
AC 20
EV 10
Will Immune
Attack1 20 (touch: drain experience)


Resistances rF+
rC++
rElec
rPois+++
rDrown
rMiasma
rN+++
rTorm
Vulnerabilities Holy
Habitat Land
Intelligence Human
Uses Open doors
Holiness Undead
Size Medium
Type lich, lich
Flags Evil
See invisible
Speaks
A lich who, having existed for countless centuries, has grown almost unimaginably powerful through the study of dark magic.

Useful Info

Ancient liches are extremely powerful undead casters with a wide array of resistances and access to brutal conjurations that can deal ridiculous amounts of damage. If you are not confident in your skills, escape is strongly advised.

Ancient liches can be found in various locations throughout the late-game Dungeon:

Spells

Spell set I
Slot1 Corrosive Bolt (3d34) Wizard flag
Slot2 Lehudib's Crystal Spear (3d48) Wizard flag
Slot3 Haste Wizard flag
Slot4 Petrify Wizard flag
Slot5 Invisibility Wizard flag

Strategy

Understand that ancient liches are some of the most powerful casters in the game. Don't worry too much about conserving resources; if burning a consumable or two will greatly ease the battle, do so. A hasted ancient lich can deal up to 288 damage per turn, enough to one-round most characters. While this max damage is exceedingly rare, ancient liches can still cause huge spikes of damage. Taking 100+ damage in a single turn stings.

As these liches resist most elemental damage, casters should use pure Conjurations or Earth Magic to deal with them. Necromancy users can use Dispel Undead. Melee fighters should lure them around corners or use a scroll of fog. If available, a strong holy wrath or antimagic weapon works great.

Tips & Tricks

  • Ancient liches are spellcasters, so are vulnerable to both silence and antimagic. When silenced, all it can do is make weak melee attacks, which is only dangerous to players at low HP. Weapons of antimagic and Enfeeble are also effective at disabling them.
  • Berserk can work well, as liches don't blink. However, ancient liches usually generate in areas you don't want attention (Vaults:5 and Zot:5). Being slowed when an orb of fire comes into view isn't exactly a great situation.
  • Like most enemies in Crawl, ancient liches are vulnerable to throwing nets. Throwing a net at the edge of LOS guarantees that you can run away. Nets also allow for stab attempts.

History