Difference between revisions of "Ziggurat"
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{{flavour|A portal leading to a ziggurat. | {{flavour|A portal leading to a ziggurat. | ||
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− | '''Ziggurats''' are the most dangerous, unpredictable, and lucrative [[branch]]es in the game. | + | '''Ziggurats''' are the most dangerous, unpredictable, and lucrative [[branch]]es in the game. A ziggurat has 27 oval- or cross-shaped floors, each increasing in size, monster count, and treasure. |
+ | |||
+ | ==Useful Info== | ||
+ | There are 2 ways to enter a ziggurat: | ||
+ | *One ziggurat portal is guaranteed to generate somewhere in [[the Depths]]. | ||
+ | *A [[figurine of a ziggurat]] can be found in [[Tomb]]:3, and at the end of any subsequent ziggurat. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziggurat portals do not expire over time. Once one has left a ziggurat, the portal turns into an empty arch and may not be reentered. Any new portal encountered or created leads to the first floor of a fresh ziggurat. Summoned creatures cannot follow the player through a ziggurat portal or stairway. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you successfully complete a ziggurat (exit from the 27th floor), all subsequent ziggurats become more difficult (more monsters, more loot), up to the 13th (some monster sets will continue to get more difficult forever). Also, clearing a ziggurat stops the [[Zot clock]] for the rest of the game. | ||
==Layout== | ==Layout== | ||
− | Each floor | + | Each floor has a number of monsters of a particular theme. The 1st floor may contain 2-3 monsters, the last floors will contain hundreds. Most are based around [[branch]]es (e.g. [[Shoals]] or [[Elven Halls|Elf]] floors), though some are ad-hoc. Deeper floors will have a greater ratio of powerful monsters to weak ones, and can generate all monsters awake and wandering (0% chance for Zig:1-4, 100% chance for Zig 25-27). |
− | Each floor may also contain a central clump of dungeon features. | + | Each floor may also contain a central clump of dungeon features known as pillars. Most of them are cosmetic, but some can contain foes ranging from [[crimson imp]]s to [[royal mummy|royal mummies]]. There are always 4 identical pillars generated in each "corner" of a ziggurat floor (actual contents may vary, but they are always the same type of feature). There is a small chance for a [[Zot trap]] pillar to generate. |
− | + | The entrance to each floor closes as soon as you walk through; the only way out is at the opposite end of the floor. Except on the final floor, there are always 2 staircases down, and 1 portal out. On the final floor, there's 2 portals out. | |
− | + | To compensate, ziggurats contain large amounts of treasure, including armour, jewellery, valuable potions (many of which are [[potions of experience]]), manuals, and many other wonderful things. Note that items can spawn on the exit portals/stairs, so don't forget about them. | |
+ | ==Monster Themes== | ||
+ | Unless mentioned otherwise, the chance for any given set is (approx.) 4.39% for Zig:1-13 and 4.26% for Zig:14-27. | ||
− | + | Enemies listed in ''italics'' have [[Symbol of Torment]] or other dangerous abilities, such as [[Lehudib's Crystal Spear]], or the high burst damage of a [[juggernaut]]. | |
− | |||
===Branches=== | ===Branches=== | ||
− | Lair, Shoals, and the [[Hells]] all have 50% chance of the normal chance to spawn. | + | Lair, Shoals, and the [[Hells]] all have 50% of the normal chance to spawn. Tartarus has 20% of the normal chance to spawn. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{Yellow|Y}} [[File:Death_yak.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Lair]]''', with bonus [[dire elephant]]s, [[skyshark]]s, ''[[torpor snail]]s'', [[catoblepas|catoblepae]], [[spriggan druid]]s, [[hellephant]]s and [[caustic shrike]]s. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{LightMagenta|N}} [[File:Nagaraja.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Snake Pit]]''', with bonus [[naga sharpshooter]]s, [[guardian serpent]]s, [[salamander tyrant]]s and [[nagaraja]]s, plus depth-dependent priority for [[quicksilver dragon]]s. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{LightMagenta|H}} [[File:Fenstrider_witch.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Swamp]]''', with bonus [[fenstrider witch]]es, and depth-dependent priority for [[tentacled monstrosity|tentacled monstrosities]] and [[shambling mangrove]]s, plus rare [[golden dragon]]s and [[green death]]s. |
− | *{{Green|m}} [[File:Merfolk_aquamancer.png]] Monsters from '''[[ | + | *{{Green|m}} [[File:Merfolk_aquamancer.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Shoals]]''', with bonus [[merfolk impaler]]s, [[merfolk javelineer]]s, [[water nymph]]s and [[merfolk aquamancer]]s. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{Blue|H}} [[File:Jorogumo.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Spider's Nest]]''' with bonus [[torpor snail]]s, ''[[ghost moth]]s'', [[entropy weaver]]s, [[moth of wrath|moths of wrath]], [[emperor scorpion]]s and ''[[orb spider]]s''. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{LightCyan|J}} [[File:Acid_blob.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Slime Pits]]''', with bonus [[azure jelly|azure jellies]], [[quicksilver ooze]]s, [[rockslime]]s, [[acid blob]]s and ''[[glass eye]]s''. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{LightCyan|o}} [[File:Orc_warlord.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Orcish Mines]]''', with bonus [[orc warlord]]s, [[orc high priest]]s, [[orc sorcerer]]s and [[stone giant]]s, plus [[iron troll]]s and ''[[juggernaut]]s'', with depth-dependent priority for [[moths of wrath]] and ''[[undying armoury|undying armouries]]''. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{LightMagenta|e}} [[File:Deep_elf_sorcerer.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Elven Halls]]''', with bonus ''[[deep elf high priest]]s'', [[deep elf blademaster]]s, [[deep elf master archer]]s, ''[[deep elf annihilator]]s'' and ''[[deep elf demonologist]]s''. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{Cyan|p}} [[File:Vault_guard.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Vaults]]''', plus bonus ''[[titan]]s'', [[golden dragon]]s, [[sphinx]]es, and depth-dependent ''[[ancient lich|ancient]] and [[dread lich]]es''. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{LightMagenta|z}} [[File:Curse_skull.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Crypt]]''', with bonus ''[[dread lich]]es'', ''[[ancient lich]]es'', [[revenant]]s and ''[[curse skull]]s''. |
− | *{{Blue|X}} [[File:Starcursed_mass.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Abyss]]''', | + | *{{White|M}} [[File:Royal_mummy.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Tomb]]''', with bonus [[bennu]], ''[[mummy priest]]s'' and ''[[royal mummy|royal mummies]]''. |
− | *{{White|1}} [[File:Ice_fiend.png]] Monsters from '''[[Cocytus]]''', with | + | *{{Blue|X}} [[File:Starcursed_mass.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Abyss]]''', with bonus [[starcursed mass]]es, [[wretched star]]s, [[bone dragon]]s, [[lich]]es and [[demonspawn corrupter]]s. |
− | *{{LightRed|1}} [[File:Brimstone_fiend.png]] Monsters from '''[[Gehenna]]''', with | + | *{{White|1}} [[File:Ice_fiend.png]] Monsters from '''[[Cocytus]]''', with bonus ''[[Ice Fiend]]s'', [[shard shrike]]s and ''[[titan]]s''. |
− | *{{Brown|1}} [[File:Hell_sentinel.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Iron City of Dis]]''', with | + | *{{LightRed|1}} [[File:Brimstone_fiend.png]] Monsters from '''[[Gehenna]]''', with bonus ''[[Brimstone Fiend]]s'', ''[[hellion]]s'' and [[hellephant]]s. |
− | *{{Magenta|1}} [[File:Tzitzimitl.png]] Monsters from '''[[Tartarus]]''', with | + | *{{Brown|1}} [[File:Hell_sentinel.png]] Monsters from the '''[[Iron City of Dis]]''', with bonus ''[[Hell Sentinel]]s'', [[iron dragon]]s and [[iron giant]]s. |
− | + | *{{Magenta|1}} [[File:Tzitzimitl.png]] Monsters from '''[[Tartarus]]''', with bonus ''[[Tzitzimimeh]]'', ''[[curse toe]]s'', [[doom hound]]s and ''[[silent spectre]]s''. | |
− | *{{ | + | *{{LightGrey|1}} [[File:Executioner.png]] '''[[Pandemonium]]''' spawns and a single ''[[Pandemonium lord]]'', with extra ''[[greater demon]]s'' and [[List_of_demonspawn#Demonspawn_Occupations|classed demonspawn]]. Pan lords can spawn even on Zig:1, making it dangerous to enter a ziggurat unprepared |
===Theme Sets=== | ===Theme Sets=== | ||
− | Giants, dragons, archers, and | + | Giants, dragons, archers, conjurers and the Vestibule have 20% of the normal chance to place, while Lair rune branches has 50% of the normal chance. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{LightGreen|C}} [[File:Juggernaut.png]] '''[[List of giants|Giants]]''': [[cyclopes]], [[stone giant]]s, [[fire giant]]s, [[frost giant]]s, [[ettin]]s, [[protean progenitor]]s, ''[[titan]]s'' and ''[[juggernaut]]s''. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{Yellow|D}} [[File:Golden_dragon.png]] '''[[Dragon]]s''' of all colours, [[drake]]s of all types and [[hydra]]s. |
*{{LightGreen|d}} [[File:Draconian_zealot.png]] '''[[Draconian]]s''' of all colours and walks of life, with classed draconians increasing by depth. | *{{LightGreen|d}} [[File:Draconian_zealot.png]] '''[[Draconian]]s''' of all colours and walks of life, with classed draconians increasing by depth. | ||
− | *{{LightGrey|e}} [[File:Deep_elf_master_archer.png]] '''Archers''': [[centaur]]s, [[yaktaur]]s, [[centaur warrior]]s, [[yaktaur captain]]s, [[cyclops|cyclopes]], [[stone giant]]s, [[naga sharpshooter]]s, [[merfolk javelineer]]s, [[deep elf master archer]]s, | + | *{{LightGrey|e}} [[File:Deep_elf_master_archer.png]] '''Archers''': [[centaur]]s, [[yaktaur]]s, [[centaur warrior]]s, [[yaktaur captain]]s, [[cyclops|cyclopes]], [[stone giant]]s, [[naga sharpshooter]]s, [[merfolk javelineer]]s, [[deep elf master archer]]s, [[faun]]s, [[satyr]]s, [[thorn hunter]]s and [[kobold blastminer]]s. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{White|L}} [[File:Ancient_lich.png]] '''Conjurers''': [[occultist]]s, [[arcanist]]s, [[necromancer_(monster)|necromancer]]s, [[ogre mage]]s, [[orc sorcerer]]s, [[naga mage]]s, [[naga ritualist]]s, [[salamander mystic]]s, [[nagaraja]], [[tengu conjurer]]s, [[tengu reaver]]s, [[spriggan air mage]]s, [[merfolk aquamancer]]s, ''[[deep elf annihilator]]s'', ''[[deep elf sorcerer]]s'', ''[[draconian scorcher]]s'', [[draconian knight]]s, ''[[draconian annihilator]]s'', [[lich]]es, ''[[ancient lich]]es'' and ''[[demonspawn blood saint]]s''. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{LightGreen|D}} [[File:Hydra.png]] '''Lair rune branches''': starting from Zig:14, monsters from the [[Swamp]], the [[Snake Pit]], the [[Shoals]] and the [[Spider's Nest]], with bonus [[nagaraja]]s, [[guardian serpent]]s, [[fenstrider witch]]es, [[tentacled monstrosity|tentacled monstrosities]], [[merfolk aquamancer]]s, [[water nymph]]s, ''[[ghost moth]]s'' and [[moth of wrath|moths of wrath]]. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{Brown|2}} [[File:Hell_beast.png]] '''The Vestibule''': starting from Zig:14, monsters from the [[Vestibule of Hell]], [[Gehenna]], [[Cocytus]], [[Dis]] and [[Tartarus]], with bonus ''[[hellion]]s'', ''[[tormentor]]s'' and ''[[greater demon]]s'', depth-dependent [[hell beast]] spawns, as well as extra [[searing wretch]]es, [[shard shrike]]s, [[ancient champion]]s and ''[[silent spectre]]s''. |
===Elemental=== | ===Elemental=== | ||
Elemental floors all have 20% of the normal chance to place, aside from Chaos. | Elemental floors all have 20% of the normal chance to place, aside from Chaos. | ||
− | *{{ | + | *{{White|A}} [[File:Angel.png]] '''Holy''': [[daeva]]s, [[angel]]s, [[cherub]]s, [[pearl dragon]]s, [[ophan]]im, [[apis]] and ''[[seraph]]im''. |
− | *{{Red|*}} [[File:Orb_of_fire.png]] '''Fire''': [[ | + | *{{Red|*}} [[File:Orb_of_fire.png]] '''Fire''': [[efreet]]s, [[fire crab]]s, [[hell knight]]s, [[will-o-the-wisp]]s, [[salamander tyrant]]s, [[balrug]]s, ''[[red draconian|red]] [[draconian scorcher]]s'' and ''[[orb of fire|orbs of fire]]''. |
− | *{{LightBlue|2}} [[File:Blizzard_demon.png]] '''Ice''': [[ | + | *{{LightBlue|2}} [[File:Blizzard_demon.png]] '''Ice''': [[rime drake]]s, [[frost giant]]s, [[azure jelly|azure jellies]], [[ice devil]]s, [[blizzard demon]]s, ''[[Ice Fiend]]s'', [[simulacra]], [[white draconian|white]] [[draconian knight]]s, [[ironbound frostheart]]s, [[walking frostbound tome]]s and [[shard shrike]]s. |
− | *{{LightCyan|8}} [[File:Electric_golem.png]] '''Air''': | + | *{{LightCyan|8}} [[File:Electric_golem.png]] '''Air''': [[air elemental]]s, [[titan]]s, [[raiju]]s, [[storm dragon]]s, [[electric golem]]s, [[spriggan air mage]]s, [[spark wasp]]s and [[shock serpent]]s. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{Cyan|8}} [[File:Iron_golem.png]] '''Earth''': [[gargoyle]]s, [[war gargoyle]]s, [[earth elemental]]s, [[boulder beetle]]s, ''[[torpor snail]]s'', [[iron golem]]s, [[stone giant]]s, [[caustic shrike]]s, [[entropy weaver]]s, [[crystal guardian]]s, [[iron dragon]]s, [[iron giant]]s, ''[[undying armoury|undying armouries]]'' and ''[[Hell Sentinel]]s''. |
− | *{{Red|A}} [[File:Profane_servitor.png]] '''Negative energy''': [[ | + | *{{Red|A}} [[File:Profane_servitor.png]] '''Negative energy''': [[soul eater]]s, [[phantasmal warrior]]s, [[deep elf death mage]]s, [[shadow dragon]]s, [[ghost crab]]s, [[eidolon|eidola]], [[revenant]]s, [[demonspawn black sun]]s, ''[[curse skull]]s'', ''[[curse toe]]s'' and various ''[[player ghost]]s''. |
− | *{{ | + | *{{LightGrey|p}} [[File:Killer_Klown.png]] '''Chaos''': heavy depth dependence for [[chaos spawn]], [[very ugly thing]]s, ''[[apocalypse crab]]s'', high-HD [[shapeshifter (monster)|shapeshifter]]s and [[glowing shapeshifter]]s, [[protean progenitor]]s, ''[[Killer Klown]]s'', ''[[greater demon]]s'' and a multitude of ''[[pandemonium lord]]s''. |
− | == | + | ==Strategy== |
+ | If you actually intend to complete a ziggurat, it's usually the last thing you should do - Zig:27 can potentially be the hardest place in the game. | ||
+ | |||
+ | That being said, a character ready for [[Zot]] is likely able to handle the first few floors of a Zig. If you need certain items, like [[potions of mutation]] or [[spellbook]]s, dipping into a ziggurat can be a good option. You could come across a nasty [[pan lord]] on the first floor, so it's recommended to have consumables ([[scrolls of blinking]], [[potions of haste]], etc.) if you want to enter. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Tips & Tricks=== | ||
+ | *Ziggurats only get harder if the previous one is fully completed, and you get 2 chances to enter a fresh Zig. So if you exit the 1st Zig from level 26 or before, you'll get a 2nd Zig at the same difficulty. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Completion Strategies== | ||
''Main article: [[Mega-Zig]]'' | ''Main article: [[Mega-Zig]]'' | ||
− | + | Preparation is similar to [[Pandemonium]], but harder. For a reasonable amount of safety, the following is ''highly'' recommended: | |
− | + | *XL 27 and very high skills. | |
− | |||
− | * | ||
*Decent (~40+) [[AC]] and [[EV]]. | *Decent (~40+) [[AC]] and [[EV]]. | ||
− | |||
*As many resistances as possible; at least something like rCorr, rElec, rPois, rC+, and rF++. You should strive for rN+++, especially if you're susceptible to [[torment]]. | *As many resistances as possible; at least something like rCorr, rElec, rPois, rC+, and rF++. You should strive for rN+++, especially if you're susceptible to [[torment]]. | ||
− | The following are | + | The following are recommended, if not essential: |
*[[Scrolls of fog]] to block enemy sight, and [[scrolls of blinking]] to escape. | *[[Scrolls of fog]] to block enemy sight, and [[scrolls of blinking]] to escape. | ||
*[[Potions of curing]] to cure confusion (especially if you use an [[orb]] of [[energy]]), potions of heal wounds to recover lost HP, potions of might/brilliance/haste to enhance your battle prowess, and potions of magic to recover MP in a pinch. | *[[Potions of curing]] to cure confusion (especially if you use an [[orb]] of [[energy]]), potions of heal wounds to recover lost HP, potions of might/brilliance/haste to enhance your battle prowess, and potions of magic to recover MP in a pinch. | ||
+ | *[[Blink]] and [[Passage of Golubria]] at 1% failure, to avoid getting surrounded, create some distances from powerful enemies, or just escape. | ||
Keep in mind you're limited to 52 items; only bring what you know will be useful, else you might not be able to take all the loot you want with you. Artefacts with multiple resistances and intrinsics are your friend! | Keep in mind you're limited to 52 items; only bring what you know will be useful, else you might not be able to take all the loot you want with you. Artefacts with multiple resistances and intrinsics are your friend! | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
===Conjurer Strategy=== | ===Conjurer Strategy=== | ||
− | The basic strategy is to use [[ | + | The basic strategy is to use [[talisman of death|death form]] and cast your offensive spells. Throw [[javelin]]s at silencing foes. Depending on your god choice, you can also use Sif Muna's channel (more reliable), Vehumet's MP gain on killing (somewhat more random, but passive), or [[Gozag]]'s magic potion (expensive at first). Keep in mind that you can't escape to rest for MP, so make sure to have backup in the form of a potion of magic, Sublimation of Blood, etc... |
====Spells==== | ====Spells==== | ||
Support Spells: | Support Spells: | ||
− | |||
*'''[[Translocation]]s''': [[Blink]], [[Passage of Golubria]], maybe [[Disjunction]] all allow the movement of things to be in your favor. | *'''[[Translocation]]s''': [[Blink]], [[Passage of Golubria]], maybe [[Disjunction]] all allow the movement of things to be in your favor. | ||
Offensive Spells: | Offensive Spells: | ||
− | *'''[[ | + | *'''[[Fire Storm]] or [[Chain Lightning]]''': High damage, high power AOE spells. |
− | *'''[[Polar Vortex]]''': MP | + | *'''[[Polar Vortex]]''': MP efficient, largely irresistible, passive damage that sustains in silence. |
− | *'''[[Shatter]]''': Another [[LOS]]-wide spell with good damage. However, many threatening enemies like [[pandemonium lord]]s and the [[orb of fire]] are [[flying]], so take little damage from | + | *'''[[Shatter]]''': Another [[LOS]]-wide spell with good damage, better against resistances. However, many threatening enemies like [[pandemonium lord]]s and the [[orb of fire]] are [[flying]], so take little damage from this spell. |
+ | |||
+ | If you plan on going past 1-2 ziggurats or so, you should rely mostly on '''[[Ignition]]''' rather than Fire Storm/Chain Lightning. Ignition hits every enemy in the cramped floors of a ziggurat 9 times over, which can outdamage both spells. However, Ignition cannot hurt fire-immune enemies, so you'll still want to have one of the latter spells. Also, for most of the 1st/2nd Zig, Fire Storm can match or even outperform Ignition. (Ignition can still be useful to have for one-time ziggurat divers.) | ||
Optional Spells: | Optional Spells: | ||
− | *'''[[Discord]]''': this makes floors with many natural monsters with low | + | *'''[[Discord]]''': this makes floors with many natural monsters with low willpower, such as orc or merfolk floors, very easy. |
− | *'''[[ | + | *'''[[Chain Lightning]]''': Useful for killing dangerous monsters (especially Pan lords) who get close to you. [[Crystal spear]] is an inferior alternative, but can work if you can't cast Chain Lightning yet. |
− | + | *'''[[Dragon's Call]]''': Creates distractions for a somewhat efficient MP cost, though it'll use your entire bar if you aren't careful. | |
− | *'''[[Dragon's Call]]''': Creates distractions for a somewhat | ||
====Equipment==== | ====Equipment==== | ||
In addition to the general equipment: | In addition to the general equipment: | ||
*Enhancers (e.g. rings of fire/ice, staff of conjuration/fire/cold/air, etc...) to enhance the power of Fire Storm, Ignition, or Polar Vortex. A [[robe of the Archmagi]] is amazing for this purpose, if low AC. | *Enhancers (e.g. rings of fire/ice, staff of conjuration/fire/cold/air, etc...) to enhance the power of Fire Storm, Ignition, or Polar Vortex. A [[robe of the Archmagi]] is amazing for this purpose, if low AC. | ||
− | **A ring of wizardry to improve the success rates of your level 9 spells, if necessary. Also, try downgrading your shield type (tower | + | **A ring of wizardry to improve the success rates of your level 9 spells, if necessary. Also, try downgrading your shield type (tower shield to a kite shield to a buckler) if your Shields skill isn't high enough. Your offense is your best defense. |
− | * | + | **[[Orb of Mayhem|Orbs of mayhem]] can disable an entire screen's worth of enemies, including orbs of fire and other nonliving enemies, by causing them to go into a frenzy and attack their former comrades. This will also disable their spellcasting. |
====Specific Floors==== | ====Specific Floors==== | ||
− | Most floors can be completed by spamming high power spells. However, some need special care; more detail can be found in the | + | Most floors can be completed by spamming high power spells. However, some need special care; more detail can be found in the [[Mega-Zig]] article. |
+ | |||
+ | Silence, whenever it be from [[silent spectre]]s or [[pandemonium lord]]s, should be your main threat. It disables nearly all of your damage output and escape options. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Fire floors, with [[orbs of fire]] and [[balrug]]s, demand a spell that is not Ignition. [[Ozocubu's Refrigeration]] and [[Chain Lightning]] work nicely. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
− | + | ===Necromancer Strategy=== | |
+ | While this is not as effective as using offensive, full-screen elemental spells, a more companion driven variant is still effective. Begin every ziggurat floor with [[Death Channel]]. Use [[Infestation]] in crowded groups of enemies, and begin by slaying the first few infested monsters to begin snowballing with undead. [[Ignition]] is a great way of initiating the cascade. In particularly difficult floors, be prepared to escape with [[Death's Door]] and a [[scroll of blinking]] or two. | ||
− | + | ====Spells==== | |
+ | Support Spells: | ||
+ | *'''[[Anguish]]''': Affects the entire screen, so every monster that passes a willpower check takes damage from attacking. A [[scroll of vulnerability]] can greatly increase the number of affected targets, but be careful of dangerous hexers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Offensive Spells: | ||
+ | *'''[[Death Channel]]''' & '''[[Infestation]]''': Create undead allies in large quantities. | ||
+ | *'''[[Ignition]]''': Hits every enemy in the cramped floors of a ziggurat up to 9 times over; does not harm allies. | ||
+ | *'''Non-Elemental Spells''': A lesser priority, but spells like [[Iron Shot]] are useful for hitting singlular immune enemies when Death Channel has not started yet. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
=== Spell-less Strategy === | === Spell-less Strategy === | ||
− | + | Generally, you shouldn't attempt to fully clear a Ziggurat without spells of some sort. It is very likely to be fatal. Having said that, the first few floors are usually safe for many XL 27 characters, although this can still be risky. | |
− | + | The [[Singing Sword]] is a notable exception to this, and it is viable to clear the first ziggurat by using it with [[Manifold Assault]]. | |
− | |||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
− | *[[Mega-Zig]] | + | *[[Mega-Zig]] - also includes strategies to beat them. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
− | * Prior to [[0.28]], | + | *After [[0.32]], ziggurats now scale monster difficulty three times as fast and the monster count twice as fast. |
− | * In [[0.27]], the [[Zot clock]] now stops when you complete your first | + | *In [[0.31]], a [[The Vestibule of Hell|vestibule]] floor was added, and many floors were revamped to compensate for the difficulty change caused by other gameplay reworks. |
− | * [[ | + | *Prior to [[0.28]], ziggurats required at least 2 runes of Zot to enter. |
− | * Prior to [[0.18]], | + | *In [[0.27]], the [[Zot clock]] now stops when you complete your first ziggurat. |
− | * [[0.16]] introduced so-called [[Mega-Zig]]s. Every time a ziggurat is cleared, subsequent ziggurats become much harder. | + | *Ziggurat [[player ghost]]s were added in [[0.25]]. |
− | * Prior to [[0.16]], | + | *Prior to [[0.18]], ziggurat portals generated randomly in the Pandemonium, requiring money to enter. |
− | * Prior to [[0.15]], a | + | *[[0.16]] introduced so-called [[Mega-Zig]]s. Every time a ziggurat is cleared, subsequent ziggurats become much harder. |
− | * Prior to [[0.14]], | + | *Prior to [[0.16]], ziggurats required at least 3 runes of Zot to enter. |
− | + | *Prior to [[0.15]], a ziggurat portal could be summoned by the [[Trowel card]] of a legendary [[Deck of dungeons]] once per game. The [[Trowel card]] was removed in [[0.15]]. | |
− | * Prior to [[0.10]], it was possible to permanently leave a | + | *Prior to [[0.14]], ziggurat portals would generate randomly in the main [[Dungeon]], and required you pay an admission fee of 2,100 to 14,000 [[gold]] to enter. |
+ | *Prior to [[0.10]], it was possible to permanently leave a ziggurat via [[Banishment]]. | ||
{{Portals}} | {{Portals}} |
Latest revision as of 04:42, 30 August 2024
A portal leading to a ziggurat.
A ziggurat is a strange tower constructed of incrementally larger combat arenas, each containing greater wealth and even greater danger than the last. Beware, for a ziggurat is not a place for the faint of heart: even the bravest and most skilled adventurers have met their ends in one. While a portal to safety will be present on every level, once left, a ziggurat cannot be re-entered. One ziggurat is guaranteed in the Depths. Tales tell of an magical item found at the bottom of each ziggurat, granting access to a new ziggurat in turn. Such an item is also said to be found at the bottom of the Tomb of the Ancients. Each time a ziggurat is conquered by exiting it from the final floor, subsequent ziggurats will become increasingly dangerous and lucrative. “Captain: Take off every ‘zig’!! |
Ziggurats are the most dangerous, unpredictable, and lucrative branches in the game. A ziggurat has 27 oval- or cross-shaped floors, each increasing in size, monster count, and treasure.
Contents
Useful Info
There are 2 ways to enter a ziggurat:
- One ziggurat portal is guaranteed to generate somewhere in the Depths.
- A figurine of a ziggurat can be found in Tomb:3, and at the end of any subsequent ziggurat.
Ziggurat portals do not expire over time. Once one has left a ziggurat, the portal turns into an empty arch and may not be reentered. Any new portal encountered or created leads to the first floor of a fresh ziggurat. Summoned creatures cannot follow the player through a ziggurat portal or stairway.
If you successfully complete a ziggurat (exit from the 27th floor), all subsequent ziggurats become more difficult (more monsters, more loot), up to the 13th (some monster sets will continue to get more difficult forever). Also, clearing a ziggurat stops the Zot clock for the rest of the game.
Layout
Each floor has a number of monsters of a particular theme. The 1st floor may contain 2-3 monsters, the last floors will contain hundreds. Most are based around branches (e.g. Shoals or Elf floors), though some are ad-hoc. Deeper floors will have a greater ratio of powerful monsters to weak ones, and can generate all monsters awake and wandering (0% chance for Zig:1-4, 100% chance for Zig 25-27).
Each floor may also contain a central clump of dungeon features known as pillars. Most of them are cosmetic, but some can contain foes ranging from crimson imps to royal mummies. There are always 4 identical pillars generated in each "corner" of a ziggurat floor (actual contents may vary, but they are always the same type of feature). There is a small chance for a Zot trap pillar to generate.
The entrance to each floor closes as soon as you walk through; the only way out is at the opposite end of the floor. Except on the final floor, there are always 2 staircases down, and 1 portal out. On the final floor, there's 2 portals out.
To compensate, ziggurats contain large amounts of treasure, including armour, jewellery, valuable potions (many of which are potions of experience), manuals, and many other wonderful things. Note that items can spawn on the exit portals/stairs, so don't forget about them.
Monster Themes
Unless mentioned otherwise, the chance for any given set is (approx.) 4.39% for Zig:1-13 and 4.26% for Zig:14-27.
Enemies listed in italics have Symbol of Torment or other dangerous abilities, such as Lehudib's Crystal Spear, or the high burst damage of a juggernaut.
Branches
Lair, Shoals, and the Hells all have 50% of the normal chance to spawn. Tartarus has 20% of the normal chance to spawn.
- Y Monsters from the Lair, with bonus dire elephants, skysharks, torpor snails, catoblepae, spriggan druids, hellephants and caustic shrikes.
- N Monsters from the Snake Pit, with bonus naga sharpshooters, guardian serpents, salamander tyrants and nagarajas, plus depth-dependent priority for quicksilver dragons.
- H Monsters from the Swamp, with bonus fenstrider witches, and depth-dependent priority for tentacled monstrosities and shambling mangroves, plus rare golden dragons and green deaths.
- m Monsters from the Shoals, with bonus merfolk impalers, merfolk javelineers, water nymphs and merfolk aquamancers.
- H Monsters from the Spider's Nest with bonus torpor snails, ghost moths, entropy weavers, moths of wrath, emperor scorpions and orb spiders.
- J Monsters from the Slime Pits, with bonus azure jellies, quicksilver oozes, rockslimes, acid blobs and glass eyes.
- o Monsters from the Orcish Mines, with bonus orc warlords, orc high priests, orc sorcerers and stone giants, plus iron trolls and juggernauts, with depth-dependent priority for moths of wrath and undying armouries.
- e Monsters from the Elven Halls, with bonus deep elf high priests, deep elf blademasters, deep elf master archers, deep elf annihilators and deep elf demonologists.
- p Monsters from the Vaults, plus bonus titans, golden dragons, sphinxes, and depth-dependent ancient and dread liches.
- z Monsters from the Crypt, with bonus dread liches, ancient liches, revenants and curse skulls.
- M Monsters from the Tomb, with bonus bennu, mummy priests and royal mummies.
- X Monsters from the Abyss, with bonus starcursed masses, wretched stars, bone dragons, liches and demonspawn corrupters.
- 1 Monsters from Cocytus, with bonus Ice Fiends, shard shrikes and titans.
- 1 Monsters from Gehenna, with bonus Brimstone Fiends, hellions and hellephants.
- 1 Monsters from the Iron City of Dis, with bonus Hell Sentinels, iron dragons and iron giants.
- 1 Monsters from Tartarus, with bonus Tzitzimimeh, curse toes, doom hounds and silent spectres.
- 1 Pandemonium spawns and a single Pandemonium lord, with extra greater demons and classed demonspawn. Pan lords can spawn even on Zig:1, making it dangerous to enter a ziggurat unprepared
Theme Sets
Giants, dragons, archers, conjurers and the Vestibule have 20% of the normal chance to place, while Lair rune branches has 50% of the normal chance.
- C Giants: cyclopes, stone giants, fire giants, frost giants, ettins, protean progenitors, titans and juggernauts.
- D Dragons of all colours, drakes of all types and hydras.
- d Draconians of all colours and walks of life, with classed draconians increasing by depth.
- e Archers: centaurs, yaktaurs, centaur warriors, yaktaur captains, cyclopes, stone giants, naga sharpshooters, merfolk javelineers, deep elf master archers, fauns, satyrs, thorn hunters and kobold blastminers.
- L Conjurers: occultists, arcanists, necromancers, ogre mages, orc sorcerers, naga mages, naga ritualists, salamander mystics, nagaraja, tengu conjurers, tengu reavers, spriggan air mages, merfolk aquamancers, deep elf annihilators, deep elf sorcerers, draconian scorchers, draconian knights, draconian annihilators, liches, ancient liches and demonspawn blood saints.
- D Lair rune branches: starting from Zig:14, monsters from the Swamp, the Snake Pit, the Shoals and the Spider's Nest, with bonus nagarajas, guardian serpents, fenstrider witches, tentacled monstrosities, merfolk aquamancers, water nymphs, ghost moths and moths of wrath.
- 2 The Vestibule: starting from Zig:14, monsters from the Vestibule of Hell, Gehenna, Cocytus, Dis and Tartarus, with bonus hellions, tormentors and greater demons, depth-dependent hell beast spawns, as well as extra searing wretches, shard shrikes, ancient champions and silent spectres.
Elemental
Elemental floors all have 20% of the normal chance to place, aside from Chaos.
- A Holy: daevas, angels, cherubs, pearl dragons, ophanim, apis and seraphim.
- * Fire: efreets, fire crabs, hell knights, will-o-the-wisps, salamander tyrants, balrugs, red draconian scorchers and orbs of fire.
- 2 Ice: rime drakes, frost giants, azure jellies, ice devils, blizzard demons, Ice Fiends, simulacra, white draconian knights, ironbound frosthearts, walking frostbound tomes and shard shrikes.
- 8 Air: air elementals, titans, raijus, storm dragons, electric golems, spriggan air mages, spark wasps and shock serpents.
- 8 Earth: gargoyles, war gargoyles, earth elementals, boulder beetles, torpor snails, iron golems, stone giants, caustic shrikes, entropy weavers, crystal guardians, iron dragons, iron giants, undying armouries and Hell Sentinels.
- A Negative energy: soul eaters, phantasmal warriors, deep elf death mages, shadow dragons, ghost crabs, eidola, revenants, demonspawn black suns, curse skulls, curse toes and various player ghosts.
- p Chaos: heavy depth dependence for chaos spawn, very ugly things, apocalypse crabs, high-HD shapeshifters and glowing shapeshifters, protean progenitors, Killer Klowns, greater demons and a multitude of pandemonium lords.
Strategy
If you actually intend to complete a ziggurat, it's usually the last thing you should do - Zig:27 can potentially be the hardest place in the game.
That being said, a character ready for Zot is likely able to handle the first few floors of a Zig. If you need certain items, like potions of mutation or spellbooks, dipping into a ziggurat can be a good option. You could come across a nasty pan lord on the first floor, so it's recommended to have consumables (scrolls of blinking, potions of haste, etc.) if you want to enter.
Tips & Tricks
- Ziggurats only get harder if the previous one is fully completed, and you get 2 chances to enter a fresh Zig. So if you exit the 1st Zig from level 26 or before, you'll get a 2nd Zig at the same difficulty.
Completion Strategies
Main article: Mega-Zig
Preparation is similar to Pandemonium, but harder. For a reasonable amount of safety, the following is highly recommended:
- XL 27 and very high skills.
- Decent (~40+) AC and EV.
- As many resistances as possible; at least something like rCorr, rElec, rPois, rC+, and rF++. You should strive for rN+++, especially if you're susceptible to torment.
The following are recommended, if not essential:
- Scrolls of fog to block enemy sight, and scrolls of blinking to escape.
- Potions of curing to cure confusion (especially if you use an orb of energy), potions of heal wounds to recover lost HP, potions of might/brilliance/haste to enhance your battle prowess, and potions of magic to recover MP in a pinch.
- Blink and Passage of Golubria at 1% failure, to avoid getting surrounded, create some distances from powerful enemies, or just escape.
Keep in mind you're limited to 52 items; only bring what you know will be useful, else you might not be able to take all the loot you want with you. Artefacts with multiple resistances and intrinsics are your friend!
Conjurer Strategy
The basic strategy is to use death form and cast your offensive spells. Throw javelins at silencing foes. Depending on your god choice, you can also use Sif Muna's channel (more reliable), Vehumet's MP gain on killing (somewhat more random, but passive), or Gozag's magic potion (expensive at first). Keep in mind that you can't escape to rest for MP, so make sure to have backup in the form of a potion of magic, Sublimation of Blood, etc...
Spells
Support Spells:
- Translocations: Blink, Passage of Golubria, maybe Disjunction all allow the movement of things to be in your favor.
Offensive Spells:
- Fire Storm or Chain Lightning: High damage, high power AOE spells.
- Polar Vortex: MP efficient, largely irresistible, passive damage that sustains in silence.
- Shatter: Another LOS-wide spell with good damage, better against resistances. However, many threatening enemies like pandemonium lords and the orb of fire are flying, so take little damage from this spell.
If you plan on going past 1-2 ziggurats or so, you should rely mostly on Ignition rather than Fire Storm/Chain Lightning. Ignition hits every enemy in the cramped floors of a ziggurat 9 times over, which can outdamage both spells. However, Ignition cannot hurt fire-immune enemies, so you'll still want to have one of the latter spells. Also, for most of the 1st/2nd Zig, Fire Storm can match or even outperform Ignition. (Ignition can still be useful to have for one-time ziggurat divers.)
Optional Spells:
- Discord: this makes floors with many natural monsters with low willpower, such as orc or merfolk floors, very easy.
- Chain Lightning: Useful for killing dangerous monsters (especially Pan lords) who get close to you. Crystal spear is an inferior alternative, but can work if you can't cast Chain Lightning yet.
- Dragon's Call: Creates distractions for a somewhat efficient MP cost, though it'll use your entire bar if you aren't careful.
Equipment
In addition to the general equipment:
- Enhancers (e.g. rings of fire/ice, staff of conjuration/fire/cold/air, etc...) to enhance the power of Fire Storm, Ignition, or Polar Vortex. A robe of the Archmagi is amazing for this purpose, if low AC.
- A ring of wizardry to improve the success rates of your level 9 spells, if necessary. Also, try downgrading your shield type (tower shield to a kite shield to a buckler) if your Shields skill isn't high enough. Your offense is your best defense.
- Orbs of mayhem can disable an entire screen's worth of enemies, including orbs of fire and other nonliving enemies, by causing them to go into a frenzy and attack their former comrades. This will also disable their spellcasting.
Specific Floors
Most floors can be completed by spamming high power spells. However, some need special care; more detail can be found in the Mega-Zig article.
Silence, whenever it be from silent spectres or pandemonium lords, should be your main threat. It disables nearly all of your damage output and escape options.
Fire floors, with orbs of fire and balrugs, demand a spell that is not Ignition. Ozocubu's Refrigeration and Chain Lightning work nicely.
Necromancer Strategy
While this is not as effective as using offensive, full-screen elemental spells, a more companion driven variant is still effective. Begin every ziggurat floor with Death Channel. Use Infestation in crowded groups of enemies, and begin by slaying the first few infested monsters to begin snowballing with undead. Ignition is a great way of initiating the cascade. In particularly difficult floors, be prepared to escape with Death's Door and a scroll of blinking or two.
Spells
Support Spells:
- Anguish: Affects the entire screen, so every monster that passes a willpower check takes damage from attacking. A scroll of vulnerability can greatly increase the number of affected targets, but be careful of dangerous hexers.
Offensive Spells:
- Death Channel & Infestation: Create undead allies in large quantities.
- Ignition: Hits every enemy in the cramped floors of a ziggurat up to 9 times over; does not harm allies.
- Non-Elemental Spells: A lesser priority, but spells like Iron Shot are useful for hitting singlular immune enemies when Death Channel has not started yet.
Spell-less Strategy
Generally, you shouldn't attempt to fully clear a Ziggurat without spells of some sort. It is very likely to be fatal. Having said that, the first few floors are usually safe for many XL 27 characters, although this can still be risky.
The Singing Sword is a notable exception to this, and it is viable to clear the first ziggurat by using it with Manifold Assault.
See Also
- Mega-Zig - also includes strategies to beat them.
History
- After 0.32, ziggurats now scale monster difficulty three times as fast and the monster count twice as fast.
- In 0.31, a vestibule floor was added, and many floors were revamped to compensate for the difficulty change caused by other gameplay reworks.
- Prior to 0.28, ziggurats required at least 2 runes of Zot to enter.
- In 0.27, the Zot clock now stops when you complete your first ziggurat.
- Ziggurat player ghosts were added in 0.25.
- Prior to 0.18, ziggurat portals generated randomly in the Pandemonium, requiring money to enter.
- 0.16 introduced so-called Mega-Zigs. Every time a ziggurat is cleared, subsequent ziggurats become much harder.
- Prior to 0.16, ziggurats required at least 3 runes of Zot to enter.
- Prior to 0.15, a ziggurat portal could be summoned by the Trowel card of a legendary Deck of dungeons once per game. The Trowel card was removed in 0.15.
- Prior to 0.14, ziggurat portals would generate randomly in the main Dungeon, and required you pay an admission fee of 2,100 to 14,000 gold to enter.
- Prior to 0.10, it was possible to permanently leave a ziggurat via Banishment.
Temporary Portals | |
---|---|
Early Game | Ossuary • Sewers |
Mid Game | Bailey • Gauntlet • Ice cave • Volcano |
Late Game | Desolation of Salt • Wizard Laboratory • Ziggurat (Mega-Zig) |
Peaceful | Bazaar • Treasure trove |