Difference between revisions of "Wyrmbane"

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{{flavour|An enchanted lance which grows more and more powerful every time it inflicts a killing blow on a dragon.}}
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{{flavour|An enchanted lance deadly to all dragonkind. It grows more powerful every time it inflicts a killing blow on a strong dragon. The more powerful it grows, the harder it will be to find a worthy opponent.}}
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[[File:Wyrmbane.png]] '''''the +9,+6 lance "Wyrmbane"'''''
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[[File:Wyrmbane.png]] '''''the +8 lance "Wyrmbane"'''''
  
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+9, +6 lance (8 damage, +4 accuracy, 110% speed)
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+8 lance (modified [[spear]]: 8 base damage)
  
 
[[Dragon slaying]] brand<br>
 
[[Dragon slaying]] brand<br>
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+5 AC<br>
+
+3 AC<br>
 
rF+<br>
 
rF+<br>
 +
rC+<br>
 
rPois<br>
 
rPois<br>
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Allows Berserk<br>
+
Enchantment increases when used to kill dragons
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Enchantment level rises when you kill dragons
 
  
 
===Enchantment Mechanics===
 
===Enchantment Mechanics===
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If a dragon slaying-vulnerable target is killed by the base damage of this weapon, it will gain +1, +1 enchantment up to the HD of the dragon killed. Though Wyrmbane can be thrown like a [[spear]], killing a dragon by doing so will not raise its enchantment.
+
If a dragon slaying-vulnerable target is killed by Wyrmbane or an [[auxiliary attack]] afterwards, it will gain +1 enchantment up to the HD of the dragon killed.
  
 
Examples:
 
Examples:
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*If you kill a standard fire-breathing [[dragon]] (HD 12) with the basic +9, +6 Wyrmbane, it will become +10, +7 (both enchantments were under 12, so both were raised by 1).
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*If you kill a [[fire dragon]] (HD 12) with the basic +8 Wyrmbane, it will become +9.
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*If you then use Wyrmbane to kill a [[swamp dragon]] (HD 9), Wyrmbane will become +10, +8 (the to-damage enchantment was raised by 1, but the to-hit enchantment was already greater than 9).
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*If you then use Wyrmbane to kill a [[swamp dragon]] (HD 9), it's enchantment will not change (the dragon was too weak to boost the enchantment).
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*If you then use Wyrmbane to kill a [[steam dragon]] (HD 4), Wyrmbane's enchantment will not change (the dragon was too weak to boost the enchantment).
 
  
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The maximum enchantment Wyrmbane can gain this way is +18, +18, though there are draconic monsters with higher HD. Even if you manage to kill something like the [[Serpent of Hell]] (HD 20) or [[Tiamat]] (HD 22) with Wyrmbane, its enchantment won't increase past +18, +18.
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The maximum enchantment Wyrmbane can gain this way is +18, even though there are draconic monsters with higher HD.
 +
 
 +
The following creatures can raise the enchantment of Wyrmbane when slain, assuming its enchantment is less than their HD. Any dragon slaying-vulnerable creature not listed here ([[steam dragon]], [[rime drake]], etc.) is too weak to affect even the base enchantment of Wyrmbane.
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{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Glyph || Tile || Name || HD
 +
|-
 +
| {{LightGreen|k}} || [[File:Lindwurm.png]] || [[Lindwurm]] || 9
 +
|-
 +
| {{LightGrey|k}} || [[File:Death drake.png]] || [[Death drake]] || 9
 +
|-
 +
| {{Brown|D}} || [[File:Swamp dragon.png]] || [[Swamp dragon]] || 9
 +
|-
 +
| {{Green|D}} || [[File:Fire dragon.png]] || [[Fire dragon]] || 12
 +
|-
 +
| {{White|D}} || [[File:Ice dragon.png]] || [[Ice dragon]] || 12
 +
|-
 +
| {{Red|d}} || [[File:Red draconian.png]] || [[List of draconians|Any adult draconian]] || 14
 +
|-
 +
| {{LightBlue|D}} || [[File:Storm dragon.png]] || [[Storm dragon]] || 14
 +
|-
 +
| {{Cyan|d}} || [[File:Draconian knight.png]] || [[List of draconians#Draconian Occupations|Any professional draconian]] || 16
 +
|-
 +
| {{LightCyan|D}} || [[File:Quicksilver dragon.png]] || [[Quicksilver dragon]] || 16
 +
|-
 +
| {{Magenta|D}} || [[File:Shadow dragon.png]] || [[Shadow dragon]] || 17
 +
|-
 +
| {{Cyan|D}} || [[File:Iron dragon.png]] || [[Iron dragon]] || 18
 +
|-
 +
| {{Yellow|D}} || [[File:Pearl dragon.png]] || [[Pearl dragon]] || 18
 +
|-
 +
| {{Yellow|D}} || [[File:Golden dragon.png]] || [[Golden dragon]] || 18
 +
|-
 +
| {{Red|D}} || [[File:Xtahua.png]] || [[Xtahua]] || 19
 +
|-
 +
| {{LightGrey|D}} || [[File:Bone dragon.png]] || [[Bone dragon]] || 20
 +
|-
 +
| {{Red|D}} || [[File:Serpent of Hell (Gehenna).png]] || The [[Serpent of Hell]] || 20
 +
|-
 +
| {{LightBlue|d}} || [[File:Bai Suzhen.png]]  || [[Bai Suzhen]] || 20
 +
|-
 +
| {{Green|d}} || [[File:Tiamat.png]] || [[Tiamat]] || 22
 +
|}
  
 
==Desirability==
 
==Desirability==
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A +18 '''Wyrmbane''' is a very respectable weapon indeed, given that it provides a high amount of damage with excellent speed (5 min delay). In terms of raw damage it will outperform a [[demon trident]] of freezing fairly well, and it isn't too far behind a branded [[bardiche]] while requiring considerably less skill investment to start using; it also allows you to use a shield. Moreover, it provides a number of useful intrinsics, many of which can help you survive the dragons you'll have to kill in order to improve the weapon.
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Very high. A fully empowered '''Wyrmbane'''<ref>{{source ref|0.31.0|art-data.txt|675}}</ref> is a top-tier weapon, arguably ''the'' best in the game. First off, Wyrmbane has a high, irresistible damage output. It also takes little skill to reach [[mindelay]], can be wielded with a [[shield]] (for all species), and provides some very helpful resistances.
 +
 
 +
Be aware that the [[dragon slaying]] brand has little to do with its excellent performance. Swinging a +18 or so lance at 0.5 delay works fine against any opponent. It stacks well with other slaying bonuses and [[might]]/[[berserk]].
 +
 
 +
A +9 [[demon trident]] of [[flaming]]/[[freezing]] can be stronger at high strength and skill (~18+ skill). However, it requires more skill, can be resisted, and provides no extra resistances of its own. Wyrmbane is slightly easier to train; just 12 skill reaches mindelay, which is attainable even with an abysmal Polearms aptitude. Further training is not 100% necessary, though it obviously is helpful.
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===Finding Dragons===
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In order to make the best use of Wyrmbane, one must first kill many dragons with it. Fortunately, this is an easier task than it might seem. Getting Wyrmbane up to +12 can be accomplished by hunting [[fire dragon|fire]] and [[ice dragon]]s, which can be found throughout [[the Depths]] easily enough. [[Storm dragon|Storm]], [[shadow dragon|shadow]], and [[quicksilver dragon]]s (HD 14-17) are often found in [[Vaults]]:5. [[List of draconians|Professional draconians]] (HD 16) can be found in [[Zot]] and around its entrance.
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 +
[[Golden dragon|Golden]] and [[bone dragon]]s are probably the easiest dragons to find that will get you all the way up to +18. You can either dip into the Realm of Zot to hunt golden dragons, or into [[The Crypt]], where bone dragons and [[skeleton (monster)|skeletal]] or [[zombie|zombified]] dragons of very high HD tend to roam. The [[Abyss]], [[Hell]]s, and [[Pandemonium]] all contain even more dragons for the particularly daring explorer to slay.
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The uniques [[Maggie]] and [[Margery]] both have a tiny chance (1%) of spawning with a slightly pre-enchanted Wyrmbane; Maggie's version is +9 while Margery has raised it to +10.
  
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The downside is, one must be willing to invest the time spent killing stronger and stronger dragons with it in order to make it a truly competitive weapon. Getting Wyrmbane up to +12 isn't that hard, as you only need to kill [[dragon|fire]] or [[ice dragon]]s to get that far, and reaching +14 from fighting [[storm dragon]]s isn't too much more difficult (provided you have electricity resistance). Past there, though, you'll have to start killing things like [[shadow dragon]]s, [[golden dragon]]s, or [[bone dragon]]s, none of which are particularly easy to fight.
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==History==
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*Maggie and Margery were given the ability to appear wielding a pre-enchanted Wyrmbane in [[0.25]]
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*Prior to [[0.19]], Wyrmbane provided [[berserk|+Rage]] instead of [[cold resistance|rC+]] and had a +5 [[AC]] bonus.
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*Prior to [[0.15]], Wyrmbane had a +9,+6 enchantment bonus, either of which could increase when slaying dragons.
  
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[[The Crypt]] and the [[Hell]]s tend to send plentiful [[skeleton]] and [[zombie]] dragons at you, including some of the highest HD ones. These undead foes are much easier than their living brethren, and count as dragons for the purpose of improving Wyrmbane.
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==References==
 +
<references/>
  
 
[[Category:Unrands]]
 
[[Category:Unrands]]
 
[[Category:Polearms]]
 
[[Category:Polearms]]

Latest revision as of 22:49, 22 March 2024

Version 0.31: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
An enchanted lance deadly to all dragonkind. It grows more powerful every time it inflicts a killing blow on a strong dragon. The more powerful it grows, the harder it will be to find a worthy opponent.

Wyrmbane.png the +8 lance "Wyrmbane"

+8 lance (modified spear: 8 base damage)

Dragon slaying brand
+3 AC
rF+
rC+
rPois
Enchantment increases when used to kill dragons

Enchantment Mechanics

If a dragon slaying-vulnerable target is killed by Wyrmbane or an auxiliary attack afterwards, it will gain +1 enchantment up to the HD of the dragon killed.

Examples:

  • If you kill a fire dragon (HD 12) with the basic +8 Wyrmbane, it will become +9.
  • If you then use Wyrmbane to kill a swamp dragon (HD 9), it's enchantment will not change (the dragon was too weak to boost the enchantment).

The maximum enchantment Wyrmbane can gain this way is +18, even though there are draconic monsters with higher HD.

The following creatures can raise the enchantment of Wyrmbane when slain, assuming its enchantment is less than their HD. Any dragon slaying-vulnerable creature not listed here (steam dragon, rime drake, etc.) is too weak to affect even the base enchantment of Wyrmbane.

Glyph Tile Name HD
k Lindwurm.png Lindwurm 9
k Death drake.png Death drake 9
D Swamp dragon.png Swamp dragon 9
D Fire dragon.png Fire dragon 12
D Ice dragon.png Ice dragon 12
d Red draconian.png Any adult draconian 14
D Storm dragon.png Storm dragon 14
d Draconian knight.png Any professional draconian 16
D Quicksilver dragon.png Quicksilver dragon 16
D Shadow dragon.png Shadow dragon 17
D Iron dragon.png Iron dragon 18
D Pearl dragon.png Pearl dragon 18
D Golden dragon.png Golden dragon 18
D Xtahua.png Xtahua 19
D Bone dragon.png Bone dragon 20
D Serpent of Hell (Gehenna).png The Serpent of Hell 20
d Bai Suzhen.png Bai Suzhen 20
d Tiamat.png Tiamat 22

Desirability

Very high. A fully empowered Wyrmbane[1] is a top-tier weapon, arguably the best in the game. First off, Wyrmbane has a high, irresistible damage output. It also takes little skill to reach mindelay, can be wielded with a shield (for all species), and provides some very helpful resistances.

Be aware that the dragon slaying brand has little to do with its excellent performance. Swinging a +18 or so lance at 0.5 delay works fine against any opponent. It stacks well with other slaying bonuses and might/berserk.

A +9 demon trident of flaming/freezing can be stronger at high strength and skill (~18+ skill). However, it requires more skill, can be resisted, and provides no extra resistances of its own. Wyrmbane is slightly easier to train; just 12 skill reaches mindelay, which is attainable even with an abysmal Polearms aptitude. Further training is not 100% necessary, though it obviously is helpful.

Finding Dragons

In order to make the best use of Wyrmbane, one must first kill many dragons with it. Fortunately, this is an easier task than it might seem. Getting Wyrmbane up to +12 can be accomplished by hunting fire and ice dragons, which can be found throughout the Depths easily enough. Storm, shadow, and quicksilver dragons (HD 14-17) are often found in Vaults:5. Professional draconians (HD 16) can be found in Zot and around its entrance.

Golden and bone dragons are probably the easiest dragons to find that will get you all the way up to +18. You can either dip into the Realm of Zot to hunt golden dragons, or into The Crypt, where bone dragons and skeletal or zombified dragons of very high HD tend to roam. The Abyss, Hells, and Pandemonium all contain even more dragons for the particularly daring explorer to slay.

The uniques Maggie and Margery both have a tiny chance (1%) of spawning with a slightly pre-enchanted Wyrmbane; Maggie's version is +9 while Margery has raised it to +10.

History

  • Maggie and Margery were given the ability to appear wielding a pre-enchanted Wyrmbane in 0.25
  • Prior to 0.19, Wyrmbane provided +Rage instead of rC+ and had a +5 AC bonus.
  • Prior to 0.15, Wyrmbane had a +9,+6 enchantment bonus, either of which could increase when slaying dragons.

References

  1. ↑ art-data.txt:675 (0.31.0)
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