Difference between revisions of "Cleaving"

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Although [[axes]] are numerically less powerful than [[long blades]] and [[maces & flails]], their '''cleaving''' effect helps make up for this. Cleaving occurs each time you make a melee attack with any sort of axe, and allows you to strike every adjacent opponent with each attack. While axes aren't the most ideal weapon for taking out powerful single targets, they outperform all other weapons when it comes to dealing with swarms of opponents.
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The '''cleaving''' effect, found mostly on [[Axes]], allows you to strike every adjacent opponent at the same time. Cleaving occurs each time you make a melee attack with an axe, [[lochaber axe]], while in [[Storm Form]], or during [[Xom]]'s '''Cleave''' status. While axes aren't the most ideal weapon for taking out powerful single targets, they outperform all other weapons when it comes to dealing with swarms of opponents.
  
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==Cleaving Mechanics==
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==Useful Info==
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Whenever you attack a target, you also attack all tiles adjacent to you with a slight penalty to damage (75% of normal):
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Whenever you attack a target, you also attack all tiles adjacent to you with a x0.7 penalty to damage:
  
 
  .....
 
  .....
Line 12: Line 12:
 
  .....<br><br>@ = You
 
  .....<br><br>@ = You
 
  P = Primary target (100% damage)
 
  P = Primary target (100% damage)
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  s = Secondary targets (75% damage)
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  s = Secondary targets (70% damage, no aux attacks)
 
  . = Tile unaffected by your attack
 
  . = Tile unaffected by your attack
  
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Each tile is attacked separately, so you may hit some while missing others. Also, although attacks against secondary targets receive a 25% penalty to damage, each damage roll is calculated separately; while it usually won't be the case, you may wind up hitting a secondary target harder than you hit the primary, even before AC is taken into account. Even with this penalty, however, you'll still deal a tremendous amount of additional damage when facing multiple foes.
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In addition, you only make [[auxiliary attack]]s against the "primary" target. Each monster's damage is calculated separately: you can miss some targets while hitting others, or deal more damage to a secondary target simply due to luck.
  
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This effect ignores friendly units, allowing you to wield an axe without fear of slaughtering your allies:
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This effect ignores friendly units, even when [[confuse]]d. Note that you can still confusedly hit an ally as a primary target. Cleaving completely ignores walls and other [[dungeon features]]; you'll always hit every tile adjacent to you.
  
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  .....
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===Reach-cleave===
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  .sPs.
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The [[unrand]] pole-axe [[lochaber axe]] features a superior form of cleaving, that hits all targets within 2 tiles:
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  .s@A.
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  .......
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  .sss.
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.ssPss.
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  .....<br><br>A = Ally. Note that you still cleave into the foe beyond it.
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  .sssss.
 +
  .ss@ss.
 +
  .sssss.
 +
  .sssss.
 +
.......<br><br>
 +
P = Primary target (100% damage)
 +
s = Secondary targets (70% damage)
  
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You can even cleave through walls:
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You may also reave by wielding a [[reaching]] weapon with [[Xom]]'s ''cleave'' effect.
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−
.....
 
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.sPs.
 
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.s@##
 
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.sss.
 
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.....<br><br># = Wall. The tile behind the wall is still affected.
 
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
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*For cleaving to actually matter, you need to be facing multiple opponents at once. As such, physical tank-type characters have the easiest time of it; don't skimp on your [[AC]], [[GDR]], [[EV]], and [[SH]] (if using a one-handed axe) if you intend to be an axe-wielder. If a gang of opponents seems too dangerous to deal with all at once, don't be afraid to use [[stair dancing]] and tunnels to limit yourself to one opponent at a time. It might be less efficient, but it's a whole lot healthier.
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Even if you have cleaving, '''it's better to fight 1v1 or in hallways than to let yourself get surrounded'''.
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*Unless you worship [[Fedhas Madash]], your cleaves will hack into any innocent [[plant]]s or [[fungus]] you happen to be standing next to. Don't expect them to provide cover for long.
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*When fighting 1 adjacent monster, you'll deal 100% damage, and the monster deals 100% damage.
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*Cleaving is great for dealing with [[invisible]] enemies. By holding CTRL and attempting to move, you'll swing at all adjacent tiles. This removes the guesswork normally involved in attack unseen foes.
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*When fighting 2 adjacent monsters, you'll deal 170% damage, but the monsters deal 200% damage.
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*Although it may seem thematically appropriate to recklessly [[tab]] through combat while wielding an axe, try not to do so when actually facing a swarm of opponents. The AI's axe-attack decision making is rarely optimal, often wasting the heaviest attacks on enemies near death. This helps you learn that tab is a generally ineffective strategy.
 
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*Cleaving has strong synergies with worshipping [[Makhleb]], who restores some of your health on killing enemies. While it may be suicidal to engage a large crowd of enemies under normal circumstances, a strong axe wielder can survive and thrive very long under Makhleb's protection. But this does not work if most of the enemies you are facing are summons. [[TSO]] provides a similar effect, but only for killing evil beings.
 
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*You can minimize the damage taken by only partially bottle-necking foes like this.
 
−
ooooo
 
−
osPso
 
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##@##
 
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##.##
 
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##.##<br><br>o = Other enemy that would normally swarm you if in the open. This limits your damage intake.
 
  
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==History==
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The more monsters adjacent, the worse the comparison gets. That being said, sometimes you can't help but be surrounded. For example, you could be swarmed by fast enemies, or encounter a pack with no nearby hallway. When you're ''forced'' to be adjacent to multiple enemies, cleaving is great to have.
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Prior to [[0.17]], cleaving didn't work under confusion.
 
  
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Prior to [[0.16]], cleaving could not go through walls. This was removed because it limited the use of axes in doorways.
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===Tips & Tricks===
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*For cleaving to matter, you'll need to be facing multiple opponents. As such, physical tank characters have the best time with it. Don't skimp on defenses (HP, AC, EV).
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**Cleaving combos well with the [[vampiric]] brand, as well as gods that heal on kill ([[Makhleb]] against all non-summoned enemies, [[TSO]] against evil enemies).
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*If a gang of opponents seems too dangerous to deal with all at once, don't be afraid to use stair dancing and corridors to limit yourself to one opponent at a time.
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*While it may seem thematic to [[tab]] through monsters, it's better to manually target. Autofight's attack decision is rarely optimal.
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*Cleaving can help against [[invisible]] monsters. If you don't know a monster's precise location, swing with '''v''' or '''Ctrl + direction'''. This removes the guesswork involved in attacking unseen foes.
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*Unless you worship [[Fedhas]], you'll attack any [[plant]]s or [[fungi]] in your vicinity. Don't expect them to provide cover for long.
  
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Prior to [[0.15]], cleaving would not target the tile directly behind your primary target.
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==History==
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*Prior to [[0.17]], cleaving didn't work under confusion.
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Cleaving was implemented in [[0.12]], where it accompanied a drop in base damage for the three most powerful axes.
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*Prior to [[0.16]], cleaving could not go through walls; it would rotate from the main target in both rotational directions (until the halfway point), checking walls in the way. If there was a wall in the way, you couldn't hit targets past it. Secondary targets also took 75% instead of 70% damage.
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*Prior to [[0.15]], cleaving would not target the tile directly behind your primary target.
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*Cleaving was implemented in [[0.12]], where it accompanied a drop in base damage for the three most powerful axes.
  
 
[[Category:Game mechanics]]
 
[[Category:Game mechanics]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Axes]]
 
[[Category:Axes]]

Latest revision as of 21:50, 9 March 2024

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

The cleaving effect, found mostly on Axes, allows you to strike every adjacent opponent at the same time. Cleaving occurs each time you make a melee attack with an axe, lochaber axe, while in Storm Form, or during Xom's Cleave status. While axes aren't the most ideal weapon for taking out powerful single targets, they outperform all other weapons when it comes to dealing with swarms of opponents.

Useful Info

Whenever you attack a target, you also attack all tiles adjacent to you with a x0.7 penalty to damage: 

.....
.sPs.
.s@s.
.sss.
.....

@ = You
P = Primary target (100% damage)
s = Secondary targets (70% damage, no aux attacks)
. = Tile unaffected by your attack

In addition, you only make auxiliary attacks against the "primary" target. Each monster's damage is calculated separately: you can miss some targets while hitting others, or deal more damage to a secondary target simply due to luck.

This effect ignores friendly units, even when confused. Note that you can still confusedly hit an ally as a primary target. Cleaving completely ignores walls and other dungeon features; you'll always hit every tile adjacent to you.

Reach-cleave

The unrand pole-axe lochaber axe features a superior form of cleaving, that hits all targets within 2 tiles: 

.......
.ssPss.
.sssss.
.ss@ss.
.sssss.
.sssss.
.......


P = Primary target (100% damage)
s = Secondary targets (70% damage)

You may also reave by wielding a reaching weapon with Xom's cleave effect.

Strategy

Even if you have cleaving, it's better to fight 1v1 or in hallways than to let yourself get surrounded.

  • When fighting 1 adjacent monster, you'll deal 100% damage, and the monster deals 100% damage.
  • When fighting 2 adjacent monsters, you'll deal 170% damage, but the monsters deal 200% damage.

The more monsters adjacent, the worse the comparison gets. That being said, sometimes you can't help but be surrounded. For example, you could be swarmed by fast enemies, or encounter a pack with no nearby hallway. When you're forced to be adjacent to multiple enemies, cleaving is great to have.

Tips & Tricks

  • For cleaving to matter, you'll need to be facing multiple opponents. As such, physical tank characters have the best time with it. Don't skimp on defenses (HP, AC, EV).
    • Cleaving combos well with the vampiric brand, as well as gods that heal on kill (Makhleb against all non-summoned enemies, TSO against evil enemies).
  • If a gang of opponents seems too dangerous to deal with all at once, don't be afraid to use stair dancing and corridors to limit yourself to one opponent at a time.
  • While it may seem thematic to tab through monsters, it's better to manually target. Autofight's attack decision is rarely optimal.
  • Cleaving can help against invisible monsters. If you don't know a monster's precise location, swing with v or Ctrl + direction. This removes the guesswork involved in attacking unseen foes.
  • Unless you worship Fedhas, you'll attack any plants or fungi in your vicinity. Don't expect them to provide cover for long.

History

  • Prior to 0.17, cleaving didn't work under confusion.
  • Prior to 0.16, cleaving could not go through walls; it would rotate from the main target in both rotational directions (until the halfway point), checking walls in the way. If there was a wall in the way, you couldn't hit targets past it. Secondary targets also took 75% instead of 70% damage.
  • Prior to 0.15, cleaving would not target the tile directly behind your primary target.
  • Cleaving was implemented in 0.12, where it accompanied a drop in base damage for the three most powerful axes.
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