Difference between revisions of "Curse skull"

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{{monster info}}
{{monster
 
|name=curse skull
 
|glyph={{LightCyan|z}}
 
|tile=[[File:Curse skull.png]]
 
|flags={{Evil flag}}<br>{{Levitate flag}}<br>{{Maintain range flag}}<br>{{Noisy spells flag}}<br>{{See invisible flag}}<br>{{Speaks flag}}<br>{{Vigilant flag}}<br>{{!sil flag}}
 
|resistances={{Hellfire resistance}}, {{Cold resistance 2}}, <br>{{Electricity resistance 2}}, {{Poison resistance 3}}, <br>{{Negative energy resistance 3}}, {{Torment resistance}}, <br>{{Rot resistance 3}}, {{Drown resistance}}
 
|vulnerabilities={{Holy vulnerability 2}}, {{Holy wrath vulnerability}}
 
|max_chunks=0
 
|meat={{No corpse}}
 
|xp=1631
 
|holiness={{Undead}}
 
|magic_resistance=Immune
 
|hp_range=55
 
|avg_hp=55
 
|armour_class=25
 
|evasion=3
 
|habitat=Land
 
|speed= 15 (act: 150%)
 
|size={{tiny}}
 
|item_use={{Uses nothing}}
 
|attack1=
 
|attack2=
 
|attack3=
 
|attack4=
 
|hit_dice=13
 
|base_hp=0
 
|extra_hp=0
 
|fixed_hp=55
 
|intelligence={{High intelligence}}
 
|genus=curse skull
 
|species=curse skull
 
}}
 
{{Flavour|A charred skull floating in the air and rotating slowly. Mystic symbols carved into its blackened surface indicate its resistance to almost any form of attack.}}
 
 
 
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==Useful Info==
 
==Useful Info==
[[Curse skull]]s are undead immobile monsters found in [[the Crypt]]. They have an almost complete set of resistances and cast powerful necromantic spells. Be prepared to fight the [[undead]] and endure [[torment]].
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'''Curse skulls''' are fast and powerful [[undead]] monsters, which resist most elements, summon swarms of undead allies, and [[torment]] you repeatedly. They can be found in [[the Crypt]].
  
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{{monster spells}}
==Spells==
 
 
 
{{Spellcaster
 
|number=
 
|slot1=[[Summon Undead]]
 
|slot2=[[Summon Undead]]
 
|slot3=''none''
 
|slot4=[[Symbol of Torment]]
 
|slot5=[[Summon Undead]]
 
|slot6=''none''
 
}}
 
{{clear}}
 
 
 
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==Tips & Tricks==
 
==Tips & Tricks==
*They fall very quickly to [[Dispel Undead]], although since that spell requires a clear line of sight to hit, they can often shield themselves by summoning undead.
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*Curse skulls can [[torment|halve your HP]] every turn. With high AC, elemental resistances, and swarms of summons, they are difficult to kill. The following things are effective at killing them:
*Conjurers will want to switch to [[Earth]] spells or pure conjurations such as [[Orb of Destruction]], if they lack Dispel Undead.  If you have it, [[Fire Storm]] is quite efficient at taking out curse skulls, since it is smite targeted; [[Ice Storm]] less so, as it requires a clear line of sight.
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**[[Dispel Undead]] ignores AC, so it'll destroy curse skulls quickly. However, due to the mass of summons, getting into range can be a challenge.
*While their tendency to surround themselves with summons might make a smite-targeted spell such as [[Airstrike]] or [[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]] seem attractive, their absurdly high AC generally renders both spells ineffective.
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**[[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]] is also great to use - when targeting the skull itself (and not the walls around the skull), it ignores AC. Unlike Dispel Undead, LRD can be used from a distance.
*Unfortunately, [[Silence]] doesn't affect them.
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**Level 9 spells pierce resistances, so they remain effective against curse skulls. Failing that, try to avoid elemental spells - use irresistible spells like [[Borgnjor's Vile Clutch]] or [[Airstrike]] instead.
*For melee fighters, it's important to get into melee range ASAP. Use a [[scroll of blinking]], or just try to enter their [[LOS]] as close as possible.
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**Melee fighters can use weapons of [[holy wrath]]. [[Javelin]]s or bolt [[wand]]s can work well if you can't get in melee range.
*They have absurdly high [[AC]] but fairly low [[HP]]. For [[short blades]] wielders, this generally means melee is out as an option, unless they have high amounts of [[ring of slaying|slaying]].  Even those wielding heavier weapons will find that the amount of time required to destroy a curse skull is highly variable, owing to the way AC damage reduction works.
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*Curse skulls are immune to [[Silence]] and have infinite willpower, so you can't simply disable their ability to cast spells.
*Their [[EV]] is 3. If you've got it, [[Bolt of Inaccuracy]] is highly effective against them, especially since it'll pierce through their summons.
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*Try to minimize time spent in [[line of sight]] with the skull; this minimizes the amount of torments. Use corners or a [[scroll of fog]] to break the [[line of sight]].
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*A [[potion of lignification]] gives immunity to torment. However, you'll be trapped with the curse skull, along with its army of summoned reinforcements. Use with caution; preferably use it around a corner/hallway, somewhere away from unexplored regions.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
In [[0.13]] curse skulls will be able to move while the player cannot see them (like [[wandering mushroom]]s), and their hp and ac will be lowered.
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*In [[0.16]] onward, curse skulls can move like any other monster, now at fast (15) speed.
 
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*In [[0.15]], curse skulls were [[stationary]] and had 15 speed.
[[Category:Crystal Ball Articles]]
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*In [[0.13]] and [[0.14]], curse skulls could move only when outside player [[LOS]], at only 10 speed. They also had the [[vigilant]] flag.
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*Prior to [[0.13]], curse skulls were stationary, had 10 speed, and had significantly higher HP and AC.

Latest revision as of 06:37, 29 January 2024

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
curse skull zCurse skull.png
HP 34-70
HD 13
XP 1586
Speed 15
AC 35
EV 3
Will Immune



Resistances rF++
rC++
rElec
rPois+++
rDrown
rMiasma
rN+++
rTorm
Vulnerabilities Holy
Habitat Land
Intelligence Human
Uses Uses nothing
Holiness Undead
Size Tiny
Type curse skull, curse skull
Flags Evil
See invisible
Flying
Unbreathing
Speaks
A charred skull floating in the air and rotating slowly. Mystic symbols are carved into its blackened surface.

Useful Info

Curse skulls are fast and powerful undead monsters, which resist most elements, summon swarms of undead allies, and torment you repeatedly. They can be found in the Crypt.

Spells

Spell set I
Slot1 Summon Undead Magical flag,
Noisy flag
Slot2 Symbol of Torment Magical flag,
Noisy flag

Tips & Tricks

  • Curse skulls can halve your HP every turn. With high AC, elemental resistances, and swarms of summons, they are difficult to kill. The following things are effective at killing them:
    • Dispel Undead ignores AC, so it'll destroy curse skulls quickly. However, due to the mass of summons, getting into range can be a challenge.
    • Lee's Rapid Deconstruction is also great to use - when targeting the skull itself (and not the walls around the skull), it ignores AC. Unlike Dispel Undead, LRD can be used from a distance.
    • Level 9 spells pierce resistances, so they remain effective against curse skulls. Failing that, try to avoid elemental spells - use irresistible spells like Borgnjor's Vile Clutch or Airstrike instead.
    • Melee fighters can use weapons of holy wrath. Javelins or bolt wands can work well if you can't get in melee range.
  • Curse skulls are immune to Silence and have infinite willpower, so you can't simply disable their ability to cast spells.
  • Try to minimize time spent in line of sight with the skull; this minimizes the amount of torments. Use corners or a scroll of fog to break the line of sight.
  • A potion of lignification gives immunity to torment. However, you'll be trapped with the curse skull, along with its army of summoned reinforcements. Use with caution; preferably use it around a corner/hallway, somewhere away from unexplored regions.

History

  • In 0.16 onward, curse skulls can move like any other monster, now at fast (15) speed.
  • In 0.15, curse skulls were stationary and had 15 speed.
  • In 0.13 and 0.14, curse skulls could move only when outside player LOS, at only 10 speed. They also had the vigilant flag.
  • Prior to 0.13, curse skulls were stationary, had 10 speed, and had significantly higher HP and AC.