Difference between revisions of "The Vaults"

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''Not to be confused with "[[vault]]s", pregenerated features of the dungeon.''
 
{{flavour|Possibly constructed by some powerful madman, the Vaults are said to be home to great treasures. The blood spattered liberally around the entrance suggests that there is a certain amount of violence, too.
 
{{flavour|Possibly constructed by some powerful madman, the Vaults are said to be home to great treasures. The blood spattered liberally around the entrance suggests that there is a certain amount of violence, too.
  
 
The entrance to this branch can be found between levels 13 and 14 of the Dungeon.
 
The entrance to this branch can be found between levels 13 and 14 of the Dungeon.
  
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This branch can only be entered while carrying at least 1 rune of Zot.
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This branch can only be exited while carrying at least 1 rune of Zot.
  
 
This branch is 5 levels deep.
 
This branch is 5 levels deep.
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This branch contains the silver rune of Zot.}}
 
This branch contains the silver rune of Zot.}}
  
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[[File:Vaults entry.png]] '''The Vaults''' are a convoluted 5-floor [[Dungeon branch]] filled with long, wide hallways and countless treasure chambers, most of which are (unfortunately) empty. They are guarded by a wide variety of late-game monsters, as well as a number of guards unique to the branch, but the promise of the silver [[rune of Zot]], access to [[the Crypt]], and four guaranteed treasure or [[shop]] vaults makes it well worth the hazards.  
+
[[File:Vaults entry.png]] '''The Vaults''' are 5-floor [[branch]] filled with long, wide hallways and countless chambers. The gate to the Vaults can be found on either floor 13 or 14 of [[the Dungeon]].  
  
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The gate to the Vaults can be found on either floor 13 or 14 of [[the Dungeon]]; it requires at least one [[Rune of Zot]] to open.
+
You can enter at any time, but you must have at least 1 [[rune of Zot]] (no matter where it's from) in order to exit back into the [[Dungeon]]. If you try to enter with no runes, you will receive a prompt warning you that you must have a rune to exit.
  
 
==Layout==
 
==Layout==
−
The Vaults are a sprawling compound made up of wide hallways and small chambers of various shapes and sizes, most of which are separated by [[door]]s. Composed primarily of stone, metal, and crystal [[wall]]s, only the most powerful [[Earth Magic]] specialists or sufficiently pious followers of [[Lugonu]] can expect to alter the floor plan much. Because the arrangement of rooms can be extremely convoluted, it's easy to get cut off from the stairway back up if you aren't careful; try to clear rooms methodically to avoid enemies you missed showing up when you're already half dead.
+
The Vaults are a sprawling compound made up of wide hallways and small chambers of various shapes and sizes, most of which are separated by [[door]]s. The entirety of this branch is made of [[wand of digging|undiggable]] material; stone, metal, and rarely crystal walls. If you aren't careful, it's easy to get cut off from an upstairs. Try to clear rooms methodically to avoid enemies you missed showing up when you're already half dead.
  
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The fifth and final floor changes this pattern abruptly. The floor contains four very large rectangular chambers that take up almost the entire area, save for a cross-shaped central hallway separating them all and an outer hallway bordering everything. These four large vault chambers have openings at each corner. All three normal staircases from the 4th to the 5th floor dump you in the very center of the floor, which will be surrounded by many [[vault guard]]s and other angry Vault inhabitants. Fortunately, this floor also houses an immense amount of loot and possibly shops, along with the silver rune of Zot.
+
===Vaults:5===
 +
The fifth and final floor changes this pattern abruptly. Vaults:5 contains 4 very large rectangular chambers that take up almost the entire area. Each chamber is filled with loot and/or [[shop]]s. A cross-shaped hallway cuts through the center, and the outer border is a hallway. The silver [[rune]] will be in one of the chambers, although there are [[mimic]]s imitating the rune.
 +
 
 +
All three of the regular staircases from Vaults:4 lead to the center of Vaults:5. The center is always surrounded by 24 [[vault guard]]s, as well as a number of other angry inhabitants.
 +
 
 +
Vaults:5 often contains much stronger monsters than the rest of the branch, including  [[titan]]s, [[quicksilver dragon]]s, [[golden dragon]]s, and [[lich]]es.
 +
 
 +
==Strategy==
 +
The Vaults are inhabited by a wide variety of monsters, with many foes from late [[Dungeon]] and early [[Depths]]. Getting beaten to death by brute force is an everpresent threat, but there's many magical monsters as well.
 +
 
 +
Pack enemies appear in great numbers, from [[deep troll]]s and high-level [[orc]] bands, to squads of [[yaktaur]]s firing at range. The wide hallways and open chambers make it difficult to effectively bottleneck opponents or cut off lines of fire.
 +
 
 +
The various guard units unique to the Vaults each cause their own issues:
 +
*{{monsterlink|Vault guard}}- Plentiful lumbering oafs with heavy weapons and sturdy armour.
 +
*{{monsterlink|Vault sentinel}}- Wakes up nearby enemies, afflicts you with [[Sentinel's Mark]], often has a [[crossbow]].
 +
*{{monsterlink|Vault warden}}- Can seal [[door]]s and [[stairs]] around you, forcing you to kill it to get past.
 +
*{{monsterlink|Ironbound convoker}}- Recalls and buffs enemy units from elsewhere on the floor.
 +
*{{monsterlink|Ironbound preserver}}- Soaks partial damage for other enemies, effectively doubling their HP until the preserver dies.
 +
*{{monsterlink|Ironbound frostheart}}- [[Creeping Frost|Freezes]] anything standing by the walls.
 +
*{{monsterlink|Ironbound thunderhulk}}- [[List of ogres|Ogres]] who bombard you with lightning, but only from a distance.
 +
 
 +
Bring sufficient firepower, take your time, and be ready to take a different staircase down if the one you just used places you in a fight you don't want to deal with right away. Also, if you get hit with a Sentinel's Mark, retreat to an empty floor as quickly as possible. The reinforcements it will bring can be devastating on a mostly unexplored floor.
 +
 
 +
Do not enter Vaults:5 before you are ready for it. If you had difficulty with floors 1-4, floor 5 will probably be too much for you, and even peeking down there can be ''immediately fatal''. Many players will do Vaults:1-4, move on to the other branches, then come down to get the rune.
 +
 
 +
==Vaults:5 Strategy==
 +
As soon as you climb down to V:5, you can be locked in by a [[vault warden]], so preparation is important.
 +
 
 +
===Preparation===
 +
Resistances are more important than usual. [[Shadow dragon]]s and [[storm dragon]]s can deal surprising damage if you don't resist them. Other elemental threats like [[titan]]s and [[list of deep elves|deep elves]] are common, too.
  
−
==Useful Info==
+
When entering V:5 for the first time, use what buffs are at your disposal before heading down: [[Haste]], [[Might]], [[potion of brilliance|Brilliance]], [[Heroism]]/[[Finesse]]...
−
The Vaults are inhabited by a wide variety of monsters (almost anything that can appear in the lowest floors of the Dungeon or [[the Depths]] can generate here) with a very diverse array of attacks, but generally speaking the biggest threat is simply getting beaten to death by sheer brute force. [[Stone giant]]s, [[yaktaur]] bands, and other creatures which have high physical damage output at range are common enough, and the wide hallways and open chambers make it difficult to effectively bottleneck opponents or cut off lines of fire. Pack enemies also appear in great numbers, ranging from high-level [[orc]] bands to devastating [[hell knight]] packs, and the various guard units unique to the Vaults each cause their own issues:
+
*Haste is particularly important, either for darting through the ring of guards towards a hallway, or for killing as many of them as quickly as possible.  
 +
*[[Invisibility]] isn't very helpful here -- the vault guards and many of the most dangerous threats down here can all [[see invisible]].
  
−
{{monsterlink|Vault guard}}- Plentiful lumbering oafs with heavy weapons and sturdy armour.
+
===Tactics===
 +
There are two/three 'common' strategies to tackling the entry vault. These are not exclusive with each other; you may need to use multiple.
  
−
{{monsterlink|Vault sentinel}}- Wakes up nearby enemies, afflicts you with [[Sentinel's Mark]], often has a [[crossbow]].
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*'''[[Stair dancing]].''' Only adjacent enemies follow you up the stairs. If you have good [[AC]] (and are reasonably lucky), stair dancing can clean up the entrance party.
 +
:However, a variety of foes may prevent you from using stairs. [[Vault warden]]s can seal stairs. [[Tentacled monstrosities]] can constrict you, and [[list of dragons|dragon]]s can [[trample]] you away. Having a way to snipe enemies ([[javelin]]s, all manner of high-level spells, offensive [[Invocations]], [[evocable]]s, etc.) is great to have.
 +
:In addition, the stairs may become too dangerous to climb down. Sometimes, the best thing to do is teleport away - see below for detail.
  
−
{{monsterlink|Vault warden}}- Can seal [[door]]s and [[stairs]] around you, forcing you to kill it to escape.
+
*'''Teleport strategy.''' The basic gist is to [[teleport]] (or use an [[escape hatch]]) to land in a random location. This may land you in one of the sparsely-populated hallways along the edges of the level, where you can begin methodically clearing the level. Your goal is to end up in the corners and create a safe place to rest (by killing nearby monsters).
 +
:Of course, it might also land you in the middle of one of the treasure chambers, along with an assortment of far deadlier enemies. You may need to teleport multiple times to get a good location - teleport early and often. Buffs are highly recommended.  
  
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{{monsterlink|Ironbound convoker}}- Recalls and buffs enemy units from elsewhere on the floor.
+
*'''Being loud.''' Blast through everything in your path. If you can sustain combat for a long time, large AOE can be a good idea. Be aware that (at least when fighting in the center) the noise you generate will wake and lure out monsters from the four chambers.
 +
**A [[scroll of immolation]] will tear through the initial vault guards, but you'll absolutely need as much [[fire resistance]] as possible. Read the scroll on the guards (or other enemies) and start a chain reaction. It's extremely [[noise|loud]], so will attract a bunch of enemies, but successfully pulling it off is a blast (literally). If you plan to teleport to the edges, making noise in the center can actually be to your benefit.
 +
**AOE offensive spells: [[Freezing Cloud]], [[Starburst]], [[Olgreb's Toxic Radiance]] + [[Ignite Poison]], [[Eringya's Noxious Bog]], and high level spells like [[Ignition]] and [[Polar Vortex]] can clear things out.
 +
**[[Discord]] is a powerful crowd clearing effect, though watch out for the frenzied monsters ''you'' have to deal with. Mass debuffs, like [[Metabolic Englaciation]] and [[Alistair's Intoxication]], can also be effective.
  
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{{monsterlink|Ironbound preserver}}- Soaks partial damage for other enemies, effectively doubling their HP until the preserver dies.
+
One of the worst possible things that can happen on V:5 is to receive a [[Sentinel's Mark]]. If this happens, quaff a [[potion of cancellation]] or quickly retreat up the stairs to V:4. Normally, targeting yourself with your own [[wand of quicksilver|quicksilver bolt]] or [[Yara's Violent Unravelling]] isn't a recommended tactic, but it may just well be worth the damage.
  
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{{monsterlink|Ironbound frostheart}}- [[Frozen Ramparts|Freezes]] the walls around you.
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Even if you don't plan on being loud, it's nice to have some form of AOE attack. If you don't have spells, certain divine abilities ([[Chei]]'s Slouch, [[Nemelex]]'s deck of destruction, [[Ru]]'s Apocalypse, [[Qazlal]]'s Disaster Area...) can fill the gap. For any character, [[evocable]]s ([[condenser vane]] / [[tin of tremorstones]]) are great tools if you have high Evocations skill.
  
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{{monsterlink|Ironbound beastmaster}}- Attacks you with beasts whipped up into action.
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Casters should be mindful of their MP, especially when teleporting. "MP efficient" spells like [[Malign Gateway]] and [[Spellforged Servitor]] are very useful. Remember to use [[potions of brilliance]] and/or [[potions of ambrosia]] when you got the chance.
  
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{{monsterlink|Ironbound thunderhulk}}- [[List of ogres|Ogres]] who fire lightning, but only at a distance.
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==Monsters==
 +
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 +
| {{monsterlink|Centaur warrior}} || {{monsterlink|Yaktaur}} || {{monsterlink|Yaktaur captain}} || {{monsterlink|Orc knight}} || {{monsterlink|Orc warlord}}
 +
|-
 +
| {{monsterlink|Dire elephant}} || {{monsterlink|Slime creature}} || {{monsterlink|Harpy}} || {{monsterlink|Lindwurm}} || {{monsterlink|Boggart}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{monsterlink|Vault guard}} || {{monsterlink|Vault sentinel}} || {{monsterlink|Vault warden}} || {{monsterlink|Ironbound convoker}} || {{monsterlink|Ironbound preserver}}
 +
|-
 +
| {{monsterlink|Ironbound frostheart}} || {{monsterlink|Ironbound thunderhulk}} || {{monsterlink|Deep troll}} || {{monsterlink|Entropy weaver}} ||{{monsterlink|Necromancer (monster)}}
 +
|-
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|{{monsterlink|Wizard (monster)}} || {{monsterlink|Very ugly thing}} || {{monsterlink|Great orb of eyes}} || {{monsterlink|Glowing orange brain}} || {{monsterlink|Sphinx}}
 +
|-
 +
| {{monsterlink|Peacekeeper}} || {{monsterlink|War gargoyle}} || {{monsterlink|Crystal guardian}}
 +
|}
  
 +
===Vaults:5===
 +
Also includes most enemies from the above list.
  
−
Bring sufficient firepower, take your time, and be ready to take a different staircase down if the one you just used places you in a fight you don't want to deal with right away. Also, if you get hit with a Sentinel's Mark, retreat to an empty floor as quickly as possible. The reinforcements it will bring can be devastating on a mostly unexplored floor.
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'''Easier'''
 +
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 +
|{{monsterlink|Hell knight}} || {{monsterlink|Phantasmal warrior}} || {{monsterlink|Freezing wraith}} || {{monsterlink|Shadow wraith}} || {{monsterlink|Flayed ghost}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{monsterlink|Deep elf annihilator}} || {{monsterlink|Deep elf sorcerer}} || {{monsterlink|Deep elf death mage}} || {{monsterlink|Deep elf demonologist}} || {{monsterlink|Deep elf high priest}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{monsterlink|Stone giant}} || {{monsterlink|Ettin}} || {{monsterlink|Fire giant}} || {{monsterlink|Frost giant}} || {{monsterlink|Ogre mage}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{monsterlink|Deep troll earth mage}} || {{monsterlink|Tengu reaver}} || {{monsterlink|Lich}}
 +
|}
  
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Do not enter Vaults:5 before you are ready for it. If you had difficulty with floors 1-4, floor 5 will probably be too much for you, and even peeking down there ''can be immediately fatal''.
+
'''Harder'''
 +
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 +
|-
 +
|{{monsterlink|Shadow dragon}} || {{monsterlink|Storm dragon}} || {{monsterlink|Quicksilver dragon}} || {{monsterlink|Golden dragon}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{monsterlink|Titan}} || {{monsterlink|Tentacled monstrosity}} || {{monsterlink|Ancient lich}} || {{monsterlink|Dread lich}}
 +
|}
  
 
===Uniques===
 
===Uniques===
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| {{monsterlink|Sojobo}}
 
| {{monsterlink|Sojobo}}
 
| {{monsterlink|Xtahua}}
 
| {{monsterlink|Xtahua}}
 +
| {{monsterlink|Zenata}}
 
|}
 
|}
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===Vaults:5===
 
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The fifth floor is an abrupt change from the first four. All of the standard down staircases to V:5 place you in the very center of the floor, with a ring of over a dozen [[vault guard]]s waiting for you and several other (much more dangerous) opponents lurking right behind them. These monsters can include [[titan]]s, [[storm dragon]]s, [[quicksilver dragon]]s, [[shadow dragon]]s, and [[lich]]es, along with the worst of what you've encountered on the previous 4 floors. No matter what your character type may be, charging in and slugging it out is very likely to go poorly.
 
−
 
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Resistances are much more important on V:5 than on the floors above. The [[draining]] attacks of shadow dragons can strip away your [[HP]] with frightening speed unless you have [[negative energy]] resistance (the more the better). Failing that, high [[ev]]asion and possibly [[Repel Missiles#Player sources|Repel Missiles]] help tremendously. Storm dragon breath can be brutal as well without [[electricity]] resistance, which also protects against the lightning bolts of [[titan]]s, (but these also know [[Airstrike]], so avoid [[fly]]ing in their presence). [[Quicksilver dragon]]s deal severe damage regardless of your defenses and can dispel any buffs you might be taking advantage of, so try to make them a high priority. Packing some [[fire]] and [[cold]] resistance on top of everything else is advisable, as there are plenty of other dragon types around, not to mention casters with broad spell lists. High [[willpower]] will help protect you from some of the dangerous enchantments you're likely to see here ([[Slow]], [[Confuse]], [[Paralyze]], [[Banishment]], and ''especially'' [[Sentinel's Mark]]).
 
−
 
−
When entering V:5 for the first time, use what buffs are at your disposal before heading down: [[Haste]], [[Might]], [[potion of brilliance|Brilliance]], [[Heroism]]/[[Finesse]]... Haste is particularly important, either for darting through the ring of guards towards a hallway or for killing as many of them as quickly as possible. [[Invisibility]] isn't so helpful here -- the vault guards and many of the most dangerous threats down here can all [[see invisible]].
 
−
 
−
[[Stair dancing]] to break up the oncoming horde into manageable squads can work very well, but a [[vault warden]] sealing the staircases from the edge of your vision, a [[tentacled monstrosity]] constricting you, or a [[list of dragons|dragon]] trampling you off the stairs before you can make it back up will ruin your day. [[Javelin]]s, Level 6-9 [[Conjurations]] spells, or offensive [[Invocation]]s. can usually take out such threats quickly, but they still leave you subject to several attacks in the meantime.
 
−
 
−
A good tactic can be to teleport yourself out of the ring of guards into one of the hallways surrounding the treasure vaults, forcing most of your opponents to come at you from one direction instead of all sides. [[Blink]] might land you where you want to go, but a [[scroll of blinking]] will guarantee it. Alternatively, a [[scroll of teleportation]] might land you in one of the sparsely-populated hallways along the edges of the level, where you can begin methodically clearing the level at a slower pace; of course, it might also land you in the middle of one of the treasure chambers along with an assortment of far deadlier enemies. Taking an [[escape hatch]] or a [[shaft]] down from V:4 can produce a similar result, but with the added bonus of not necessarily waking the guards around the stairs.
 
−
 
−
If you do choose to stand and fight, use the most powerful area-of-effect attacks you have. [[Freezing Cloud]], [[Ozocubu's Refrigeration]], [[Starburst]], [[Olgreb's Toxic Radiance]]/[[Ignite Poison]]... Extremely high-level spells like [[Ignition]], [[Fire Storm]], [[Tornado]], or [[Shatter]] are very effective, if you can cast them. Be aware that the noise you generate will wake and lure out monsters from the four treasure vaults.
 
−
 
−
For a more subtle approach, you can try slowing or disabling opponents with spells like [[Dazzling Flash]], [[Metabolic Englaciation]], or [[Leda's Liquefaction]]. [[Alistair's Intoxication]] works well here, as you'll confuse the majority of the guards, causing them to injure each other and leaving you free to take out the more serious threats. [[Discord]] can also work, but you'll want to have an escape plan so you aren't standing in the middle of an angry mob as it tears itself apart.
 
−
 
−
Characters without magic still have a couple tools at their disposal. Several gods offer potent invokable abilities, such as [[Cheibriados]]'s Slouch, [[Nemelex Xobeh]]'s deck of destruction, [[Ru]]'s Apocalypse, or [[Qazlal]]'s Disaster Area. A [[condenser vane]] with some [[Evocations]] training behind it can whittle down your attackers to manageable levels. Another tactic is to stack as much [[fire resistance]] as possible, waltz down the stairs to V:5, read a [[scroll of immolation]], and set off a chain reaction. You'll still take considerable damage and will generate an immense amount of noise, but successfully pulling it off is a blast (literally).
 
−
 
−
The worst possible thing that can happen on V:5 is to receive a [[Sentinel's Mark]]. If this happens, quaff a [[potion of cancellation]] or quickly retreat up the stairs to V:4. Normally, targeting yourself with your own [[draconian|purple draconian]] breath or [[Yara's Violent Unravelling]] isn't a recommended tactic, but if you're out of potions of cancellation, stripping a V:5 Sentinel's Mark by any means necessary is often worth the risk.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
−
*In [[0.27]], new enemies were be added: [[ironbound frostheart]]s, [[ironbound thunderhulk]]s, and [[ironbound beastmaster]]s. Additionally, the spawn rates of some of the weaker enemies were be reduced.
+
*Prior to [[0.30]], you needed one [[rune of Zot]] in order to enter this branch. (This requirement has now been moved to the exit)
 +
*[[0.28]] removed [[ironbound beastmaster]]s.
 +
*[[0.27]] added [[ironbound frostheart]]s, [[ironbound thunderhulk]]s, and ironbound beastmasters. Additionally, many of the weaker enemies that could spawn in the Vaults were reduced in number or removed altogether.
 
*Prior to [[0.14]], it was not necessary to obtain a [[rune of Zot]] to enter this branch, and its entrance was located on D:15-20. Also, the four chambers on Vault:5 only had entrances on the corners nearest the center of the floor.
 
*Prior to [[0.14]], it was not necessary to obtain a [[rune of Zot]] to enter this branch, and its entrance was located on D:15-20. Also, the four chambers on Vault:5 only had entrances on the corners nearest the center of the floor.
 
*Prior to [[0.12]], the Vaults were made up of 8 floors, the first 7 of which were all wide open areas spotted with rectangular rooms. Also, the [[vault guard]] was the only guard-type monster found here, and they usually appeared on the eighth floor.
 
*Prior to [[0.12]], the Vaults were made up of 8 floors, the first 7 of which were all wide open areas spotted with rectangular rooms. Also, the [[vault guard]] was the only guard-type monster found here, and they usually appeared on the eighth floor.
  
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[[Category:Dungeon Branches]]
+
{{branches}}

Latest revision as of 01:29, 23 April 2024

Version 0.31: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

Not to be confused with "vaults", pregenerated features of the dungeon.

Possibly constructed by some powerful madman, the Vaults are said to be home to great treasures. The blood spattered liberally around the entrance suggests that there is a certain amount of violence, too.

The entrance to this branch can be found between levels 13 and 14 of the Dungeon.

This branch can only be exited while carrying at least 1 rune of Zot.

This branch is 5 levels deep.

This branch contains the entrance to the Crypt.

This branch contains the silver rune of Zot.

Vaults entry.png The Vaults are 5-floor branch filled with long, wide hallways and countless chambers. The gate to the Vaults can be found on either floor 13 or 14 of the Dungeon.

You can enter at any time, but you must have at least 1 rune of Zot (no matter where it's from) in order to exit back into the Dungeon. If you try to enter with no runes, you will receive a prompt warning you that you must have a rune to exit.

Layout

The Vaults are a sprawling compound made up of wide hallways and small chambers of various shapes and sizes, most of which are separated by doors. The entirety of this branch is made of undiggable material; stone, metal, and rarely crystal walls. If you aren't careful, it's easy to get cut off from an upstairs. Try to clear rooms methodically to avoid enemies you missed showing up when you're already half dead.

Vaults:5

The fifth and final floor changes this pattern abruptly. Vaults:5 contains 4 very large rectangular chambers that take up almost the entire area. Each chamber is filled with loot and/or shops. A cross-shaped hallway cuts through the center, and the outer border is a hallway. The silver rune will be in one of the chambers, although there are mimics imitating the rune.

All three of the regular staircases from Vaults:4 lead to the center of Vaults:5. The center is always surrounded by 24 vault guards, as well as a number of other angry inhabitants.

Vaults:5 often contains much stronger monsters than the rest of the branch, including titans, quicksilver dragons, golden dragons, and liches.

Strategy

The Vaults are inhabited by a wide variety of monsters, with many foes from late Dungeon and early Depths. Getting beaten to death by brute force is an everpresent threat, but there's many magical monsters as well.

Pack enemies appear in great numbers, from deep trolls and high-level orc bands, to squads of yaktaurs firing at range. The wide hallways and open chambers make it difficult to effectively bottleneck opponents or cut off lines of fire.

The various guard units unique to the Vaults each cause their own issues:

Bring sufficient firepower, take your time, and be ready to take a different staircase down if the one you just used places you in a fight you don't want to deal with right away. Also, if you get hit with a Sentinel's Mark, retreat to an empty floor as quickly as possible. The reinforcements it will bring can be devastating on a mostly unexplored floor.

Do not enter Vaults:5 before you are ready for it. If you had difficulty with floors 1-4, floor 5 will probably be too much for you, and even peeking down there can be immediately fatal. Many players will do Vaults:1-4, move on to the other branches, then come down to get the rune.

Vaults:5 Strategy

As soon as you climb down to V:5, you can be locked in by a vault warden, so preparation is important.

Preparation

Resistances are more important than usual. Shadow dragons and storm dragons can deal surprising damage if you don't resist them. Other elemental threats like titans and deep elves are common, too.

When entering V:5 for the first time, use what buffs are at your disposal before heading down: Haste, Might, Brilliance, Heroism/Finesse...

  • Haste is particularly important, either for darting through the ring of guards towards a hallway, or for killing as many of them as quickly as possible.
  • Invisibility isn't very helpful here -- the vault guards and many of the most dangerous threats down here can all see invisible.

Tactics

There are two/three 'common' strategies to tackling the entry vault. These are not exclusive with each other; you may need to use multiple.

  • Stair dancing. Only adjacent enemies follow you up the stairs. If you have good AC (and are reasonably lucky), stair dancing can clean up the entrance party.
However, a variety of foes may prevent you from using stairs. Vault wardens can seal stairs. Tentacled monstrosities can constrict you, and dragons can trample you away. Having a way to snipe enemies (javelins, all manner of high-level spells, offensive Invocations, evocables, etc.) is great to have.
In addition, the stairs may become too dangerous to climb down. Sometimes, the best thing to do is teleport away - see below for detail.
  • Teleport strategy. The basic gist is to teleport (or use an escape hatch) to land in a random location. This may land you in one of the sparsely-populated hallways along the edges of the level, where you can begin methodically clearing the level. Your goal is to end up in the corners and create a safe place to rest (by killing nearby monsters).
Of course, it might also land you in the middle of one of the treasure chambers, along with an assortment of far deadlier enemies. You may need to teleport multiple times to get a good location - teleport early and often. Buffs are highly recommended.
  • Being loud. Blast through everything in your path. If you can sustain combat for a long time, large AOE can be a good idea. Be aware that (at least when fighting in the center) the noise you generate will wake and lure out monsters from the four chambers.

One of the worst possible things that can happen on V:5 is to receive a Sentinel's Mark. If this happens, quaff a potion of cancellation or quickly retreat up the stairs to V:4. Normally, targeting yourself with your own quicksilver bolt or Yara's Violent Unravelling isn't a recommended tactic, but it may just well be worth the damage.

Even if you don't plan on being loud, it's nice to have some form of AOE attack. If you don't have spells, certain divine abilities (Chei's Slouch, Nemelex's deck of destruction, Ru's Apocalypse, Qazlal's Disaster Area...) can fill the gap. For any character, evocables (condenser vane / tin of tremorstones) are great tools if you have high Evocations skill.

Casters should be mindful of their MP, especially when teleporting. "MP efficient" spells like Malign Gateway and Spellforged Servitor are very useful. Remember to use potions of brilliance and/or potions of ambrosia when you got the chance.

Monsters

c Centaur warrior.png Centaur warrior c Yaktaur.png Yaktaur c Yaktaur captain.png Yaktaur captain o Orc knight.png Orc knight o Orc warlord.png Orc warlord
Y Dire elephant.png Dire elephant J Slime creature.png Slime creature H Harpy.png Harpy k Lindwurm.png Lindwurm g Boggart.png Boggart
p Vault guard.png Vault guard p Vault sentinel.png Vault sentinel p Vault warden.png Vault warden p Ironbound convoker.png Ironbound convoker p Ironbound preserver.png Ironbound preserver
p Ironbound frostheart.png Ironbound frostheart O Ironbound thunderhulk.png Ironbound thunderhulk T Deep troll.png Deep troll B Entropy weaver.png Entropy weaver p Necromancer.png Necromancer (monster)
p Wizard.png Wizard (monster) u Very ugly thing.png Very ugly thing G Great orb of eyes.png Great orb of eyes G Glowing orange brain.png Glowing orange brain H Sphinx.png Sphinx
9 Peacekeeper.png Peacekeeper 9 War gargoyle.png War gargoyle 9 Crystal guardian.png Crystal guardian

Vaults:5

Also includes most enemies from the above list.

Easier

p Hell knight.png Hell knight W Phantasmal warrior.png Phantasmal warrior W Freezing wraith.png Freezing wraith W Shadow wraith.png Shadow wraith W Flayed ghost.png Flayed ghost
e Deep elf annihilator.png Deep elf annihilator e Deep elf sorcerer.png Deep elf sorcerer e Deep elf death mage.png Deep elf death mage e Deep elf demonologist.png Deep elf demonologist e Deep elf high priest.png Deep elf high priest
C Stone giant.png Stone giant C Ettin.png Ettin C Fire giant.png Fire giant C Frost giant.png Frost giant O Ogre mage.png Ogre mage
T Deep troll earth mage.png Deep troll earth mage Q Tengu reaver.png Tengu reaver L Lich.png Lich

Harder

D Shadow dragon.png Shadow dragon D Storm dragon.png Storm dragon D Quicksilver dragon.png Quicksilver dragon D Golden dragon.png Golden dragon
C Titan.png Titan X Tentacled monstrosity.png Tentacled monstrosity L Ancient lich.png Ancient lich L Dread lich.png Dread lich

Uniques

S Aizul.png Aizul H Asterion.png Asterion d Bai Suzhen.png Bai Suzhen L Boris.png Boris @ Donald.png Donald
@ Frederick.png Frederick V Jory.png Jory R Mara.png Mara @ Margery.png Margery A Mennas.png Mennas
@ Nikola.png Nikola o Saint Roka.png Saint Roka Q Sojobo.png Sojobo D Xtahua.png Xtahua a Zenata.png Zenata

History

  • Prior to 0.30, you needed one rune of Zot in order to enter this branch. (This requirement has now been moved to the exit)
  • 0.28 removed ironbound beastmasters.
  • 0.27 added ironbound frosthearts, ironbound thunderhulks, and ironbound beastmasters. Additionally, many of the weaker enemies that could spawn in the Vaults were reduced in number or removed altogether.
  • Prior to 0.14, it was not necessary to obtain a rune of Zot to enter this branch, and its entrance was located on D:15-20. Also, the four chambers on Vault:5 only had entrances on the corners nearest the center of the floor.
  • Prior to 0.12, the Vaults were made up of 8 floors, the first 7 of which were all wide open areas spotted with rectangular rooms. Also, the vault guard was the only guard-type monster found here, and they usually appeared on the eighth floor.
Dungeon branches
Dungeon exit.png The Dungeon • Temple entry.png The Temple • Depths entry.png The Depths • Zot entry.png Realm of Zot
Lair entry.png The Lair ( Spider entry.png Spider's Nest • Snake entry.png Snake Pit • Swamp entry.png The Swamp • Shoals entry.png The Shoals • Slime entry.png Slime Pits)
Orc entry.png Orcish Mines ( Elf entry.png Elven Halls) • Vaults entry.png The Vaults ( Crypt entry.png The Crypt • Tomb entry.png The Tomb)
Abyss entry.png The Abyss • Pandemonium entry.png Pandemonium • Hell entry.png Hell ( Cocytus entry.png Cocytus • Dis entry.png • Dis • Gehenna entry.png Gehenna • Tartarus entry.png Tartarus)
See also: Portal
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