Difference between revisions of "Polar Vortex"

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{{Spell
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'''Polar Vortex''' is a level 9 [[Ice Magic]] spell that creates a frenzy of raging wind up to 6 tiles around you, dealing catastrophic [[cold]] damage.
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|name=Polar Vortex
 
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|level=9
 
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|school1={{Ice Magic}}
 
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|school2=
 
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|school3=
 
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|castingnoise=7
 
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|spellnoise=~15 (depends on radius and delay of your last action)
 
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|sources=<div>
 
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*[[Book of Ice]]
 
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</div>
 
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}}
 
  
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{{flavour|Turns the air around the caster into a freezing vortex, doing tremendous damage to everyone caught in it that can only be partially mitigated by resistance to cold. Those affected will also be swept up into the air and tossed around. Only the eye of the storm is a safe place, and it follows the caster. The vortex is unable to follow the caster through long-distance translocations. This spell's effectiveness is greatly diminished in closed areas. After the vortex fades, it cannot be called forth again for a short time.}}
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==Useful Info==
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Polar Vortex creates [[cloud]]s of raging wind, dealing a base of <code>12d(pow/15)</code> damage per 1.0 turn.<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|spl-vortex.cc|377}}</ref> Only 50% of damage is affected by [[cold resistance]].
  
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'''Polar Vortex''' is a level 9 [[Ice Magic]] spell which creates a frenzy of raging wind around you (maximum radius is 6 squares), dealing catastrophic physical damage to every monster in it. On top of this damage, the caster begins to fly in the eye of the storm, while everything else caught in it ([[monster]]s, [[cloud]]s, [[Orb of Destruction|orbs of destruction]], etc.) is randomly scattered about the area. Creatures take more damage the closer they are to the eye of the storm on any given turn. As you move, the storm goes with you. [[Blinking]], through one of the spells, the scroll, or any other effect, immediately ends the spell.
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The damage is then adjusted by:<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|spl-vortex.cc|294}}</ref>
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* Percentage of tiles open. In tight spaces, damage is reduced. Damage is multiplied by the ratio, <code>(tiles with wind) / (tiles that could have wind)</code>.<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|spl-vortex.cc|271}}</ref>
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* "Duration-radius" factor. Creatures on the outside of the vortex will receive the most damage.<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|spl-vortex.cc|291}}</ref>
  
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As the description says, the spell is most powerful when cast in open spaces, but in a pinch it can be used in corridors for a less deadly, but still formidable, attack.
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The vortex's radius is equal to <code>sqrt([[aut]]_passed) * 7/5</code>, or roughly 1 tile per 1.0 turn, with a max. of 5 tiles. Creatures and [[cloud]]s caught inside will rotate in a counterclockwise fashion. The "rotation" is a square shape, and done at a rate of ~1 full rotation per 6 turns.
  
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Some specific monsters, such as [[air elemental]]s and [[Sojobo]], are specifically immune to the effects of this spell—this is called '''rTornado''' and is indicated in monster descriptions as "It is immune to tornadoes".  Casting Tornado also confers immunity to any other creature's tornado.
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While casting the spell, the caster and anything caught inside will [[fly]] for a short period of time. Once it ends, there's a grace period of 1 turn until flight ends.<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|spl-vortex.cc|351}}</ref><ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|spl-vortex.cc|365}}</ref> Monsters won't make any effort to avoid falling into [[deep water]] or [[lava]].
  
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==Tips & Tricks==
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Polar Vortex lasts for 6 turns. The vortex immediately ends if you [[blink]] or [[teleport]] via any means, or if you enter another floor. After it ends, it has a cooldown of 3.5 - 4.5 turns.
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*While Polar Vortex is less impressive than other [[Book_of_Annihilations|level 9 spells]], it is efficent on MP, using it only on cast.
 
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*When the radius is 6, the amount of noise is 15. This number is multiplied by the delay of your last action (in [[aut]]s) and divided by 10.
 
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*Any [[tree]]s within Tornado's range have a chance of being destroyed by the spell.
 
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*Be careful not to use [[Blink]] while the spell is up unless you specifically want to end its effects.
 
  
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Creatures who are currently casting Polar Vortex (including [[twister]]s) are immune to other creatures' Polar Vortex. No other monster is immune.
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==Strategy==
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While Polar Vortex has poor damage/turn compared to other level 9 spells, it has great MP efficiency. For a single, 9 MP cast, you'll get up to 6 turns of damage. Plus, you can cast other spells while the vortex is running. Great in an open area, especially against crowds. The ability to pierce cold resistance is also useful for Ice Magic specialists.
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The downsides (other than damage/turn) mostly stem from the vortex mechanic: it is much weaker in a cramped area, has a short radius (for most of the duration), and a lengthy cooldown.
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As a single school spell, Polar Vortex is easier to train than the likes of [[Fire Storm]] or [[Chain Lightning]], but it's still a significant XP investment. In a 3 rune game, training for a level 9 spell usually means sacrificing on your defenses. Yet, as a low-range, damage over time spell that excels in open areas, you'll want good defenses, thus making this spell harder to justify. Polar Vortex can still be worth using, but don't rush for it.
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===Tips & Tricks===
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*When the radius is 5, the amount of noise is 15. This number is multiplied by the delay of your last action (in [[aut]]s) and divided by 10.
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*Be careful not to use [[Blink]] while the spell is up, unless you specifically want to end its effects.
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*Any [[tree]]s within Polar Vortex's range have a chance of being destroyed by the spell.
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==Gallery==
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[[File:Polar Vortex demo.png|left|thumb|350px|Polar Vortex at max radius.]]
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{{clear}}
 
==History==
 
==History==
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*'''Polar Vortex''' will be added in [[trunk|0.27]], replacing [[Tornado]]. Compared to Tornado, Polar Vortext deals 33% more damage and is 40% resistable to [[Cold Resistance]].
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*Prior to [[0.30]], Polar Vortex was 60% irresistible.
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*Prior to [[0.28]], Polar Vortex's power was not stored on cast. Using [[Sif Muna]]'s Divine Exegesis would cause a 0 power vortex after the first turn. Also, switching gear would recheck the power.
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*Polar Vortex was added in [[0.27]], as a rethemed version of [[Tornado]]. Comparative to Tornado, Vortex deals 33% more damage, but is partially resistible. In addition, a few monsters lost rTornado.
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==References==
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<references/>

Latest revision as of 09:11, 29 June 2024

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Polar vortex.png Polar Vortex
Level 9
School1 Ice
Source(s) Book of Ice
Casting noise 5
Spell noise 15
Power Cap 200
Range 5
Flags Area
Turns the air around the caster into a freezing vortex, doing tremendous damage to everyone caught in it that can only partially be mitigated by resistance to cold. Those affected will also be swept up into the air and tossed around. Only the eye of the storm is a safe place, and it follows the caster. The vortex is unable to follow the caster through long-distance translocations. The spell's effectiveness is greatly diminished in closed areas. After the vortex fades, it cannot be called forth again for a short time.

Polar Vortex is a level 9 Ice Magic spell that creates a frenzy of raging wind up to 6 tiles around you, dealing catastrophic cold damage.

Useful Info

Polar Vortex creates clouds of raging wind, dealing a base of 12d(pow/15) damage per 1.0 turn.[1] Only 50% of damage is affected by cold resistance.

The damage is then adjusted by:[2]

  • Percentage of tiles open. In tight spaces, damage is reduced. Damage is multiplied by the ratio, (tiles with wind) / (tiles that could have wind).[3]
  • "Duration-radius" factor. Creatures on the outside of the vortex will receive the most damage.[4]

The vortex's radius is equal to sqrt(aut_passed) * 7/5, or roughly 1 tile per 1.0 turn, with a max. of 5 tiles. Creatures and clouds caught inside will rotate in a counterclockwise fashion. The "rotation" is a square shape, and done at a rate of ~1 full rotation per 6 turns.

While casting the spell, the caster and anything caught inside will fly for a short period of time. Once it ends, there's a grace period of 1 turn until flight ends.[5][6] Monsters won't make any effort to avoid falling into deep water or lava.

Polar Vortex lasts for 6 turns. The vortex immediately ends if you blink or teleport via any means, or if you enter another floor. After it ends, it has a cooldown of 3.5 - 4.5 turns.

Creatures who are currently casting Polar Vortex (including twisters) are immune to other creatures' Polar Vortex. No other monster is immune.

Strategy

While Polar Vortex has poor damage/turn compared to other level 9 spells, it has great MP efficiency. For a single, 9 MP cast, you'll get up to 6 turns of damage. Plus, you can cast other spells while the vortex is running. Great in an open area, especially against crowds. The ability to pierce cold resistance is also useful for Ice Magic specialists.

The downsides (other than damage/turn) mostly stem from the vortex mechanic: it is much weaker in a cramped area, has a short radius (for most of the duration), and a lengthy cooldown.

As a single school spell, Polar Vortex is easier to train than the likes of Fire Storm or Chain Lightning, but it's still a significant XP investment. In a 3 rune game, training for a level 9 spell usually means sacrificing on your defenses. Yet, as a low-range, damage over time spell that excels in open areas, you'll want good defenses, thus making this spell harder to justify. Polar Vortex can still be worth using, but don't rush for it.

Tips & Tricks

  • When the radius is 5, the amount of noise is 15. This number is multiplied by the delay of your last action (in auts) and divided by 10.
  • Be careful not to use Blink while the spell is up, unless you specifically want to end its effects.
  • Any trees within Polar Vortex's range have a chance of being destroyed by the spell.

Gallery

Polar Vortex at max radius.

History

  • Prior to 0.30, Polar Vortex was 60% irresistible.
  • Prior to 0.28, Polar Vortex's power was not stored on cast. Using Sif Muna's Divine Exegesis would cause a 0 power vortex after the first turn. Also, switching gear would recheck the power.
  • Polar Vortex was added in 0.27, as a rethemed version of Tornado. Comparative to Tornado, Vortex deals 33% more damage, but is partially resistible. In addition, a few monsters lost rTornado.

References

  1. ↑ spl-vortex.cc:377 (0.30.0)
  2. ↑ spl-vortex.cc:294 (0.30.0)
  3. ↑ spl-vortex.cc:271 (0.30.0)
  4. ↑ spl-vortex.cc:291 (0.30.0)
  5. ↑ spl-vortex.cc:351 (0.30.0)
  6. ↑ spl-vortex.cc:365 (0.30.0)
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