Difference between revisions of "Guile"
m (→Strategy) |
(→Strategy) |
||
| (4 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
==Strategy== | ==Strategy== | ||
| − | Losing willpower is ''incredibly'' risky. [[Paralysis]] and [[Petrify]] can instantly kill you if you're unlucky. Other hexes | + | Losing willpower is ''incredibly'' risky. [[Paralysis]] and [[Petrify]] can instantly kill you if you're unlucky. Other hexes - such as [[sleep]], [[banishment]], and [[confusion]] - range from annoying to directly lethal. Also, as an orb, it prevents you from wearing a [[shield]]. |
| − | At the same time, a flat -80 willpower is an incredibly strong effect. [[Death yak]]s, for instance, go from 100 to 20 will, turning [[Ensorcelled Hibernation]] from a 2% to 68% chance of success. Most non-[[unique]] enemies | + | At the same time, a flat -80 willpower is an incredibly strong effect. [[Death yak]]s, for instance, go from 100 to 20 will, turning a mid-power [[Ensorcelled Hibernation]] from a 2% to 68% chance of success. Most non-[[unique]] enemies before [[Zot]] don't even have 100 will, allowing you to get very consistent (60% - 90%) success rates for [[Hexes]], status [[wand]]s, etc. Don't think you need to be a Hexes or Evocations specialist to benefit. If you just have 5 Evocations skill, a [[wand of paralysis]] has a 77% chance to succeed against 0 willpower monsters. |
| + | |||
| + | Overall, it is a massive power boost for Hexes-reliant characters. If the character relies on willpower spells and is insufficiently strong to handle enemies, guile is great. However, if the character is "above the curve" and the player is also strong, then the risk of instadeath is not enough to be worth it, even if using Hexes. | ||
The risk can be mitigated in a few ways: | The risk can be mitigated in a few ways: | ||
| − | *Using guile in places with few willpower threats. The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]], arguably [[Shoals]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. | + | *Using guile in places with few or no willpower threats. |
| − | + | **The early [[Dungeon]], the [[Lair]], and some of its branches ([[Spider]], [[Snake]], arguably [[Shoals]]) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify ([[basilisk]]s), [[Mesmerise]] ([[merfolk siren]]s), and [[Dimension Anchor]] ([[nagaraja]]) can still harm you. Also, [[Unique]]s like [[Rupert]] and [[Louise]] can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, ''any'' humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you. | |
| − | * | + | **In places with no hexes, such as in a [[portal]] level with no will threats, using guile is safe. Using it on a mostly cleared level, e.g., if you cleared [[Slime Pits|Slime]]:5 save for [[the Royal Jelly]], can also be relatively safe; standing on the stairs can make it safer if a will enemy does show up. |
| − | *Using hexes/statuses of your own. Paralysis will prevent monsters from using Paralyse, for instance. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at ~80% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed, | + | *Using hexes/statuses of your own. Paralysis will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse, for instance. [[Cause Fear]] is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of [[scroll of fear|fear scrolls]] at ~80% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its [[LOS]].) |
===Tips & Tricks=== | ===Tips & Tricks=== | ||
| − | *Note that monsters won't go below 0 willpower. If you've got a 68% chance to succeed against [[hydra]]s, you'll also get a 68% chance to succeed against [[rat]]s and [[hobgoblin]]s. Therefore, guile has the most | + | *Note that monsters won't go below 0 willpower. If you've got a 68% chance to succeed a hex against [[hydra]]s, you'll also get a 68% chance to succeed against [[rat]]s and [[hobgoblin]]s. Therefore, guile has the most noticeable effect against monsters around the 80 - 120 will range. |
*Sadly, it does not affect hexes from your allies (such as [[Hepliaklqana]]'s ancestor). | *Sadly, it does not affect hexes from your allies (such as [[Hepliaklqana]]'s ancestor). | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The guile ego was introduced with orbs in [[0.28]]. | + | *The guile ego was introduced, along with orbs, in [[0.28]]. |
{{orb}} | {{orb}} | ||
Latest revision as of 21:44, 20 December 2025
Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
| It weakens the willpower of the wielder and anyone they hex. |
The Guile ego, exclusive to orbs, gives you -80 (**) willpower. In exchange, monsters you target with Hexes or other willpower checks effectively have -80 willpower.
Strategy
Losing willpower is incredibly risky. Paralysis and Petrify can instantly kill you if you're unlucky. Other hexes - such as sleep, banishment, and confusion - range from annoying to directly lethal. Also, as an orb, it prevents you from wearing a shield.
At the same time, a flat -80 willpower is an incredibly strong effect. Death yaks, for instance, go from 100 to 20 will, turning a mid-power Ensorcelled Hibernation from a 2% to 68% chance of success. Most non-unique enemies before Zot don't even have 100 will, allowing you to get very consistent (60% - 90%) success rates for Hexes, status wands, etc. Don't think you need to be a Hexes or Evocations specialist to benefit. If you just have 5 Evocations skill, a wand of paralysis has a 77% chance to succeed against 0 willpower monsters.
Overall, it is a massive power boost for Hexes-reliant characters. If the character relies on willpower spells and is insufficiently strong to handle enemies, guile is great. However, if the character is "above the curve" and the player is also strong, then the risk of instadeath is not enough to be worth it, even if using Hexes.
The risk can be mitigated in a few ways:
- Using guile in places with few or no willpower threats.
- The early Dungeon, the Lair, and some of its branches (Spider, Snake, arguably Shoals) don't have many willpower checks; you aren't expected to have good will yet. However, there are still some dangers. Spells like Petrify (basilisks), Mesmerise (merfolk sirens), and Dimension Anchor (nagaraja) can still harm you. Also, Uniques like Rupert and Louise can appear around these areas, armed with deadly hexes. And if the wand of paralysis spawns in your game, any humanoid monster has the potential to paralyse you.
- In places with no hexes, such as in a portal level with no will threats, using guile is safe. Using it on a mostly cleared level, e.g., if you cleared Slime:5 save for the Royal Jelly, can also be relatively safe; standing on the stairs can make it safer if a will enemy does show up.
- Using hexes/statuses of your own. Paralysis will prevent monsters from using their Paralyse, for instance. Cause Fear is brutally effective with guile, giving you a renewable supply of fear scrolls at ~80% success. (This isn't 100% guaranteed; not only does it have a chance to fail, but a monster can paralyse you the turn you step into its LOS.)
Tips & Tricks
- Note that monsters won't go below 0 willpower. If you've got a 68% chance to succeed a hex against hydras, you'll also get a 68% chance to succeed against rats and hobgoblins. Therefore, guile has the most noticeable effect against monsters around the 80 - 120 will range.
- Sadly, it does not affect hexes from your allies (such as Hepliaklqana's ancestor).
History
- The guile ego was introduced, along with orbs, in 0.28.
| Orbs |
|---|
| Energy • Guile • Light • Mayhem • Wrath |
