Difference between revisions of "Earth Elementalist"

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{{flavour|Earth Elementalists know the Sandblast spell, and carry stones to fuel the spell. More earthen spells are in their set of starting spells.}}
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{{flavour|Earth Elementalists know the Sandblast spell. More earthen spells are in their set of starting spells.}}
 
'''Earth Elementalists''' are mages with a preference for [[Earth Magic]].
 
'''Earth Elementalists''' are mages with a preference for [[Earth Magic]].
  
==Preferred Races==
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==Preferred Species==
[[Deep Elf]], [[Deep Dwarf]], [[Spriggan]], [[Gargoyle]], [[Demigod]], [[Ghoul]] and [[Octopode]] are the recommended races if you pick an Earth Elementalist Background.
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[[Deep Elf]], [[Spriggan]], [[Gargoyle]], [[Demigod]], [[Ghoul]] and [[Octopode]] are the recommended species if you pick an Earth Elementalist Background.
  
 
==Starting Equipment==
 
==Starting Equipment==
 
Some [[species]] may receive different items based on their unique restrictions.
 
Some [[species]] may receive different items based on their unique restrictions.
 
*+0 [[robe]]
 
*+0 [[robe]]
*30 [[stone]]s
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*[[Potion of magic]]
  
 
'''Available Spells:'''
 
'''Available Spells:'''
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*[[Passwall]]
 
*[[Passwall]]
 
*[[Stone Arrow]]
 
*[[Stone Arrow]]
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*[[Brom's Barrelling Boulder]]
 
*[[Petrify]]
 
*[[Petrify]]
  
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*[[Stealth]]: 2
 
*[[Stealth]]: 2
 
*[[Spellcasting]]: 2
 
*[[Spellcasting]]: 2
*[[Transmutations]]: 1
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*[[Conjurations]]: 1
 
*[[Earth Magic]]: 3
 
*[[Earth Magic]]: 3
  
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==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
An Earth Elementalist's repitore starts with two fairly standard offensive spells. They have standard beam targeting, aren't countered by a specific resistance, and are perfectly servicable in damage. What differentiates EE from a more bomastic school, like [[Fire Elementalist]], is a small but useful variety of utility spells. This trend continues with Earth Magic as a whole; [[Iron Shot]] deals good (if slightly inaccurate) damage to any enemy, while utility spells include [[Borgnjor's Vile Clutch]] and [[Statue Form]].
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An Earth Elementalist's bread and butter consists of two fairly standard damage spells. They have standard beam targeting, aren't countered by a specific resistance, and are perfectly serviceable in the damage department. But what differentiates EE from a more boombastic school, like [[Fire Elementalist]], is Earth Magic's tendency toward utility. [[Bombard]] has a chance to move you away from your target, while [[Borgnjor's Vile Clutch]] constricts a line of enemies.
  
 
===Spell Details===
 
===Spell Details===
*Sandblast is your level 1 spell. It deals more damage than most level 1 spells, in exchange for its low range. It shines against enemies with low [[AC]], such as [[Ogre (monster)|ogres]].  
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[[Sandblast]] is your level 1 spell. It deals more damage than most level 1 spells, but it's low range, inaccurate, and slow to cast. For reference, enemies will get 3 attacks for every 2 Sandblasts. Also, it is poor against foes with high AC.
**The main downside to Sandblast is that it requires a stone for every casting, consuming it in the process. You only start with 30 stones, and you have to make these last until either you reach XL 3, (for Stone Arrow), or you find more stones on the floor.  
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*Stone Arrow is a very competent damage spell. It's nothing special, though can't be resisted. Ironically, the level 3 spell has to compete a lot with Sandblast: The latter is much more MP efficent, while dealing similar damage/turn to foes without high AC. But as the stone cost becomes prohibitive, Stone Arrow simply works.
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At level 3, you gain [[Stone Arrow]]. It's a competent damage spell - nothing special, though no monster resists it. Sandblast is still useful, however. It deals a similar amount of damage, but costs 1 MP instead of Stone Arrow's 3 MP. The advantage of Stone Arrow is that it's cast at normal speed, so it deals more damage per turn. Once you get a decent MP reserve, you should rely on Stone Arrow for its faster kill speed.
*Petrify offers an entirely different kind of spell for Earth Elemtalists, being very similar to [[Hexes]]. After a few turns, your opponent will be unable to act, vulnerable to [[stab]]s. Earth Elementalists who don't find more conventional attacks can rely on the psuedo-stabber playstyle that Petrify offers.
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*It's often easy to forget that Passwall exists, but it can be a lifesaver in quite a few situations. It takes a few turns to act, but you'll ''pass'' through ''walls'', to the other side. It remains useful for most of the game.
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[[Brom's Barrelling Boulder]] is a more complex damage spell. It creates a boulder that knocks back enemies, dealing damage each time. It is damaged each time it collides with an enemy; it also explodes when it hits a wall or leaves your line of sight. These features make Brom's Barrelling Boulder less consistent than Stone Arrow, but more useful for [[kiting]].
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[[Petrify]] offers an entirely different kind of spell for EE, being very similar to [[Hexes]]. After a few turns, your opponent will be unable to act. It enables a playstyle of [[stab]]bing - and it can work for a while in the stead of more conventionally offensive spells.
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It's often easy to forget that Passwall exists, but it can be a lifesaver in quite a few situations. It takes a few turns to act, but you'll ''pass'' through ''walls'', to the other side. It remains useful in various niches for most of the game, including the [[orb run]].
  
 
===Tips & Tricks===
 
===Tips & Tricks===
*Use melee and throwables such as [[boomerang]]s against weak monsters in order conserve your stones.
 
**You can often find [[dagger]]s and [[whip]]s with useful brands on them in the early dungeon. These and [[hunting sling]]s are effective and easy to use even without any relevant weapon skill. Just don't throw rocks without a sling.
 
 
*You can create passwall-able corridors with a [[wand of digging]], for future use.
 
*You can create passwall-able corridors with a [[wand of digging]], for future use.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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*Prior to [[0.31]], Earth Elementalists started with 1 in [[Transmutations]] instead of Conjurations. [[Brom's Barrelling Boulder]] was also introduced in this version.
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*In [[0.29]], most backgrounds were buffed; all Mage backgrounds gained a [[potion of magic]]. They also lost 30 [[stone]]s (which were required for [[Sandblast]]).
 
*Prior to [[0.27]], Earth Elementalists started with the [[Book of Geomancy]], and had [[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]].  
 
*Prior to [[0.27]], Earth Elementalists started with the [[Book of Geomancy]], and had [[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]].  
 
*Prior to [[0.19]], Earth Elementalists started with 20 stones instead of 30. The increase was to compensate for the fact that sandblast now requires a stone for every cast.
 
*Prior to [[0.19]], Earth Elementalists started with 20 stones instead of 30. The increase was to compensate for the fact that sandblast now requires a stone for every cast.

Latest revision as of 22:14, 30 January 2024

Version 0.31: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Earth Elementalists know the Sandblast spell. More earthen spells are in their set of starting spells.

Earth Elementalists are mages with a preference for Earth Magic.

Preferred Species

Deep Elf, Spriggan, Gargoyle, Demigod, Ghoul and Octopode are the recommended species if you pick an Earth Elementalist Background.

Starting Equipment

Some species may receive different items based on their unique restrictions.

Available Spells:

Earth elementalists start with the Sandblast spell already memorised.

Starting Skills and Stats

These are adjusted by your species' aptitudes.

Choosing Earth Elementalist adds 7 to your starting Intelligence and 5 to your starting Dexterity.

Strategy

An Earth Elementalist's bread and butter consists of two fairly standard damage spells. They have standard beam targeting, aren't countered by a specific resistance, and are perfectly serviceable in the damage department. But what differentiates EE from a more boombastic school, like Fire Elementalist, is Earth Magic's tendency toward utility. Bombard has a chance to move you away from your target, while Borgnjor's Vile Clutch constricts a line of enemies.

Spell Details

Sandblast is your level 1 spell. It deals more damage than most level 1 spells, but it's low range, inaccurate, and slow to cast. For reference, enemies will get 3 attacks for every 2 Sandblasts. Also, it is poor against foes with high AC.

At level 3, you gain Stone Arrow. It's a competent damage spell - nothing special, though no monster resists it. Sandblast is still useful, however. It deals a similar amount of damage, but costs 1 MP instead of Stone Arrow's 3 MP. The advantage of Stone Arrow is that it's cast at normal speed, so it deals more damage per turn. Once you get a decent MP reserve, you should rely on Stone Arrow for its faster kill speed.

Brom's Barrelling Boulder is a more complex damage spell. It creates a boulder that knocks back enemies, dealing damage each time. It is damaged each time it collides with an enemy; it also explodes when it hits a wall or leaves your line of sight. These features make Brom's Barrelling Boulder less consistent than Stone Arrow, but more useful for kiting.

Petrify offers an entirely different kind of spell for EE, being very similar to Hexes. After a few turns, your opponent will be unable to act. It enables a playstyle of stabbing - and it can work for a while in the stead of more conventionally offensive spells.

It's often easy to forget that Passwall exists, but it can be a lifesaver in quite a few situations. It takes a few turns to act, but you'll pass through walls, to the other side. It remains useful in various niches for most of the game, including the orb run.

Tips & Tricks

  • You can create passwall-able corridors with a wand of digging, for future use.

History

  • Prior to 0.31, Earth Elementalists started with 1 in Transmutations instead of Conjurations. Brom's Barrelling Boulder was also introduced in this version.
  • In 0.29, most backgrounds were buffed; all Mage backgrounds gained a potion of magic. They also lost 30 stones (which were required for Sandblast).
  • Prior to 0.27, Earth Elementalists started with the Book of Geomancy, and had Lee's Rapid Deconstruction.
  • Prior to 0.19, Earth Elementalists started with 20 stones instead of 30. The increase was to compensate for the fact that sandblast now requires a stone for every cast.
  • Prior to 0.14, Earth Elementalists only started with 1 level of Spellcasting.
Backgrounds
Warriors FighterGladiatorMonkHunterBrigand
Zealots BerserkerChaos KnightCinder Acolyte
Warrior-mages WarperHexslingerEnchanterReaver
Mages Hedge WizardConjurerSummonerNecromancerFire ElementalistIce ElementalistAir ElementalistEarth ElementalistAlchemist
Adventurers ArtificerShapeshifterWandererDelver