Difference between revisions of "Spriggan"

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{{flavour|Spriggans are small magical creatures distantly related to Elves. They love to frolic and cast mischievous spells.
 
{{flavour|Spriggans are small magical creatures distantly related to Elves. They love to frolic and cast mischievous spells.
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==Innate abilities==
 
==Innate abilities==
*[[Good mutations#Acute Vision|Acute Vision]]: Spriggans can [[see invisible]].
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*Spriggans are '''[[Size#Player Sizes|little]]'''. They get bonuses to [[EV]] and [[Dodging]], but are too small for many items.
*[[Fast|Fast 3]]: Spriggans cover ground extremely quickly during [[movement]]. Each move takes 0.6 [[decaAut]], which equals to 16.67 monster "speed".
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**They are completely unable to use most two-[[hand]]ed weapons: [[great sword]]s, [[triple sword]]s, [[dire flail]]s, [[great mace]]s, [[battleaxe]]s,  [[executioner's axe]]s, [[halberd]]s, [[scythe]]s, [[glaive]]s, [[bardiche]]s, [[longbow]]s, [[triple crossbow]]s, [[javelin]]s, and anything medium-sized species can't wield.  
*Spriggans are [[Size#Player Sizes|little]], too small for many items.
 
**They are completely unable to use most two-[[hand]]ed weapons: [[great sword]]s, [[triple sword]]s, [[dire flail]]s, [[great mace]]s, [[battleaxe]]s,  [[executioner's axe]]s, [[halberd]]s, [[scythe]]s, [[glaive]]s, [[bardiche]]s, [[longbow]]s, [[javelin]]s, and anything medium-sized species can't wield.  
 
 
**Large one-handed weapons: [[magical staves]], [[double sword]]s, [[trident]]s, [[demon trident]]s, and [[broad axe]]s, are two-handed weapons to them.
 
**Large one-handed weapons: [[magical staves]], [[double sword]]s, [[trident]]s, [[demon trident]]s, and [[broad axe]]s, are two-handed weapons to them.
**In addition, spriggans are unable to wear the following types of armour: [[kite shield]]s, [[tower shield]]s, [[gloves]], [[boots]], [[helmet]]s, and any type of body armour apart from [[robe]]s, [[troll leather armour]], and [[dragon scales]].
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**In addition, spriggans are unable to wear the following types of armour: [[kite shield]]s, [[tower shield]]s, [[gloves]], [[boots]], [[helmet]]s, and any type of body armour apart from [[robe]]s or hide-based armour ([[animal skin]], [[troll leather armour]], and [[dragon scales]]).
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*'''[[Good mutations#Acute Vision|Acute Vision]]''': Spriggans can [[see invisible]].
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*'''[[Fast|Fast 3]]''': Spriggans cover ground extremely quickly during [[movement]]. Each move takes 0.6 [[decaAut]] (which is as fast as a 167% speed monster).  
  
 
Spriggans have a base [[Strength]] of 4, [[Intelligence]] of 9 and [[Dexterity]] of 10 (before Background modifiers). They have +1 to base [[magic points]].
 
Spriggans have a base [[Strength]] of 4, [[Intelligence]] of 9 and [[Dexterity]] of 10 (before Background modifiers). They have +1 to base [[magic points]].
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==Preferred Backgrounds==
 
==Preferred Backgrounds==
 
*'''Warriors:''' [[Brigand]]
 
*'''Warriors:''' [[Brigand]]
*'''Zealots:''' [[Abyssal Knight]]
 
 
*'''Warrior-mages:''' [[Warper]], [[Enchanter]]
 
*'''Warrior-mages:''' [[Warper]], [[Enchanter]]
*'''Mages:''' [[Conjurer]], [[Earth Elementalist]], [[Venom Mage]]
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*'''Mages:''' [[Conjurer]], [[Earth Elementalist]], [[Alchemist]]
 
*'''Adventurers:''' [[Artificer]]
 
*'''Adventurers:''' [[Artificer]]
  
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{{Moderate}}
 
{{Moderate}}
  
Spriggans are a fairly easy race to play, primarily due to their very fast movement speed. They are also the only species with a "tiny" body, giving them high [[evasion]] and [[stealth]] bonuses, complemented by their excellent aptitudes for those skills. Spriggans also have tremendous, albeit uneven, aptitudes in magic skills.  
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Spriggans are fairly easy to play, mostly due to their fast movement speed. Where a normal species would need to fight or expend resources, a Spriggan might be able to just run away. They also have high [[evasion]], a massive [[Stealth]] aptitude, and are good with a few types of magic. High willpower is a nice bonus on top.
  
However, spriggans have very low HP, and are unable to wear most armors. Keep this in mind even when you have huge EV and feel that nothing can touch you; a few bad rolls — or a few evasion-ignoring attacks — can be fatal. Fortunately, Spriggans' high speed makes it easy to remain in control and fight or flee from battles on your own terms.   
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However, they have very low HP, and are too tiny for most armour. Always keep this in mind, even when you have huge EV and feel that nothing can touch you. A few bad rolls — or a few evasion-ignoring attacks — can be fatal. Fortunately, Spriggans' high speed makes it easy to remain in control and fight or flee from battles on your own terms.   
  
 
{{species_aptitudes|Spriggan}}
 
{{species_aptitudes|Spriggan}}
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
Spriggans are fast, meaning that outside of getting trapped in between monsters, you should just be able to run away. Careful exploration (so that you don't have to retreat into unexplored areas) is extremely helpful to avoid those types of nasty situations. They are even faster than [[centaur (monster)|centaurs]], meaning you can run before the monster starts firing. A +5 [[Stealth]] aptitude serves as a reinforcement. Considering Spriggans often don't want to wear heavy dragon armours, training some stealth early on costs little and helps a lot.
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In the early game, the main threats to a Spriggan are:
 +
*Getting trapped between monsters. Careful exploration - so that you don't have to retreat towards unexplored areas - is nearly essential to avoid the possibility of being trapped.
 +
*Scary ranged attackers. An early [[orc priest]] can one-shot you, for instance. Spriggans have two defenses against this. The first is speed - in many cases, you can run away, and enter from a different staircase. The second is their great [[Stealth]], which lets you dodge enemies. Considering that many Spriggans stay in light armour for the entire game, training some stealth costs little and helps a lot.
 +
**Note that monsters can't attack outside [[line of sight]]. If both you and the monster have a ranged attack, then keep monsters at the edge of LOS (7 tiles away). If you take too much damage, step away to force the monster outside LOS, allowing you to make a getaway.
  
While they have both the speed to [[kite]] and an amazing +2 aptitude for Slings and Bows, keep in mind that Spriggans don't have much [[strength]], are unable to use [[longbow]]s (a net 66% base damage increase from [[shortbow]]s), and that [[fustibali]] are frustratingly rare outside of gifting gods. Kiting is powerful, but not the be all, end all, with your fragility noticable in ranged duels.
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While spells like [[Blink]] and [[Iskenderun's Mystic Blast]] can negate the former threat, ranged attacks will always remain a problem. Also, certain monsters (such as [[killer bee]]s and [[black mamba]]s) are even faster than you, so you can't just run away.
 +
 
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With the speed to [[kite]], high [[dexterity]] and a tendency for light armour, Spriggans can be good at [[Ranged Weapons]]. Note, however, that they can't use [[longbow]]s and [[triple crossbow]]s. Kiting is powerful, but not the be all, end all: your fragility is still noticeable in a ranged fight.
 +
 
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Spriggans have a high aptitude in [[Shapeshifting]], but note that entering [[Serpent Form|Serpent]], [[Statue Form|Statue]], [[Dragon Form|Dragon]], or [[Storm Form]] will negate your fast movement speed. However, due to the HP and defenses these forms provide, you may want to use them anyways.
  
 
===Background Choice===
 
===Background Choice===
 
Spriggans' innate abilities make them well-suited to a few particular classes:
 
Spriggans' innate abilities make them well-suited to a few particular classes:
 
*[[Enchanter]]s: Spriggans' aptitudes heavily favour [[stabbing]], as they are quite talented in Stealth, [[Short Blades]], and [[Hexes]]. Moreover, their high speed works very well for a stabber: unlike normal speed races, a few bad rolls of the dice will not leave a Spriggan with an angry ogre sticking to them like glue.
 
*[[Enchanter]]s: Spriggans' aptitudes heavily favour [[stabbing]], as they are quite talented in Stealth, [[Short Blades]], and [[Hexes]]. Moreover, their high speed works very well for a stabber: unlike normal speed races, a few bad rolls of the dice will not leave a Spriggan with an angry ogre sticking to them like glue.
*[[Venom Mage]]s and [[Brigand]]s: Both of these builds rely (early on, at least) upon inflicting high levels of poison on monsters from a distance. Spriggans' speed allows them to maintain that distance, allowing them deal with many threats without ever letting them into melee range.
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*[[Alchemist]]s and [[Brigand]]s: Both of these builds rely (early on, at least) upon inflicting high levels of poison on monsters from a distance. Spriggans' speed allows them to maintain that distance, allowing them deal with many threats without ever letting them into melee range.
 
*[[Necromancer]]s: Spriggans have passable aptitude with Necromancy, and the ability to raise several meat shields for yourself is always helpful.
 
*[[Necromancer]]s: Spriggans have passable aptitude with Necromancy, and the ability to raise several meat shields for yourself is always helpful.
 
*Conjurer and Summoner types in general: Being able to maintain distance while blasting is a great thing. Unfortunately, Spriggans' aptitudes for such magic are rather terrible, but spells like [[Fulminant Prism]] (Conjurer) and [[Summon Forest]] (later on) also use your greater aptitudes.
 
*Conjurer and Summoner types in general: Being able to maintain distance while blasting is a great thing. Unfortunately, Spriggans' aptitudes for such magic are rather terrible, but spells like [[Fulminant Prism]] (Conjurer) and [[Summon Forest]] (later on) also use your greater aptitudes.
 +
*[[Hunter]]: As mentioned in the main strategy section, Spriggan hunters are able to continuously kite melee enemies and maintain distance.
  
 
===God Choice===
 
===God Choice===
 
Spriggans are reasonably good with most gods, but a few stand out (in no particular order):
 
Spriggans are reasonably good with most gods, but a few stand out (in no particular order):
 
*[[Kikubaaqudgha]]: Goes well with a necromancer build. The torment ability is a bit more useful for Spriggans than most races, since their speed provides a powerful escape option.
 
*[[Kikubaaqudgha]]: Goes well with a necromancer build. The torment ability is a bit more useful for Spriggans than most races, since their speed provides a powerful escape option.
*[[Trog]]: A somewhat paradoxical choice, but actually pretty strong. Spriggans' intrinsic speed makes post-berserk slowing somewhat less dangerous, Trog's Hand helps out with their low HP, and Brothers in Arms is a powerful panic button in general.
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*[[Trog]]: A somewhat paradoxical choice, but actually pretty strong. Spriggans' intrinsic speed makes post-berserk slowing noticeably less dangerous, as you remain faster than regular speed enemies. Trog's Hand helps out with their low HP, and Brothers in Arms is a powerful panic button in general.
 
*[[Ashenzari]]: Complements a stabbing build very nicely. The detection and scrying can be good for avoiding danger, particularly around corners.
 
*[[Ashenzari]]: Complements a stabbing build very nicely. The detection and scrying can be good for avoiding danger, particularly around corners.
*[[Okawaru]]: Armour gifts can occasionally be useful for Spriggans, since they are guaranteed to be wearable for them.
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*[[Okawaru]]: The armour gift can be useful for Spriggans, since they are guaranteed to be wearable. Also boosts and gifts ranged weapons.
  
[[Cheibriados]] is considerably more difficult, since they remove one of Spriggans' primary advantages (speed).
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[[Cheibriados]] is considerably more difficult, since this god removes one of Spriggans' primary advantages (speed).
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
*Spriggans replace starting [[kite shield]]s with [[buckler]]s, but no background in [[0.28]] gives the former.
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*Prior to [[0.29]], Spriggans could wield [[triple crossbow]]s, and had a +2 aptitude to [[Slings (skill)|Slings]] and [[Bows (skill)|Bows]].
 
*Prior to [[0.27]], Spriggans had a +4 Dodging aptitude and started with base 11 Dexterity, but EV had a hidden stepdown.
 
*Prior to [[0.27]], Spriggans had a +4 Dodging aptitude and started with base 11 Dexterity, but EV had a hidden stepdown.
 
*Prior to the removal of the hunger system in [[0.26]], spriggans had [[Slow Metabolism]] 2 and were [[Herbivorous]], meaning they required very little food, but could only eat [[ration]]s.
 
*Prior to the removal of the hunger system in [[0.26]], spriggans had [[Slow Metabolism]] 2 and were [[Herbivorous]], meaning they required very little food, but could only eat [[ration]]s.
 
*In [[0.20]], [[demon trident]]s became two handed for spriggans again.
 
*In [[0.20]], [[demon trident]]s became two handed for spriggans again.
*Prior to [[0.19]], spriggans could not use [[triple crossbow]]s. Also, [[morningstar]]s, [[eveningstar]]s, [[long sword]]s, [[scimitar]]s, [[demon blade]]s, [[war axe]]s, [[spear]]s, [[demon trident]]s, and [[greatsling]]s were two handed for them.
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*Prior to [[0.19]], Spriggans could not use [[triple crossbow]]s. Also, [[morningstar]]s, [[eveningstar]]s, [[long sword]]s, [[scimitar]]s, [[demon blade]]s, [[war axe]]s, [[spear]]s, [[demon trident]]s, and [[greatsling]]s were two handed for them.
*Prior to [[0.16]], spriggans began play with a [[potion of porridge]] in place of a bread ration.
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*Prior to [[0.16]], Spriggans began play with a [[potion of porridge]] in place of a bread ration.
  
 
[[Category:Spriggan]]
 
[[Category:Spriggan]]
  
 
{{species}}
 
{{species}}

Latest revision as of 23:58, 29 August 2024

Version 0.32: This article is up to date for the latest stable release of Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.
This page is about the player species. For the monster, see Spriggan (monster).
Spriggans are small magical creatures distantly related to Elves. They love to frolic and cast mischievous spells.

They are poor fighters and have little physical resilience, though they are incredibly skilled at dodging attacks. They are terrible at destructive magic - conjurations, summonings, necromancy and elemental spells. On the other hand, they are excellent at other forms of magic, and are very good at moving silently and quickly. So great is their speed that a Spriggan can overtake a Centaur. Their size makes them unable to wear most armour. They cannot wield large weapons, and even most smaller weapons require both hands to be wielded by a Spriggan.

Innate abilities

Spriggans have a base Strength of 4, Intelligence of 9 and Dexterity of 10 (before Background modifiers). They have +1 to base magic points.

Preferred Backgrounds

Level Bonuses

Starting Skills and Equipment

Spriggans start with the skills and equipment listed for their background, with the following exceptions.

Difficulty of Play

SimpleIntermediateAdvanced

Spriggans are fairly easy to play, mostly due to their fast movement speed. Where a normal species would need to fight or expend resources, a Spriggan might be able to just run away. They also have high evasion, a massive Stealth aptitude, and are good with a few types of magic. High willpower is a nice bonus on top.

However, they have very low HP, and are too tiny for most armour. Always keep this in mind, even when you have huge EV and feel that nothing can touch you. A few bad rolls — or a few evasion-ignoring attacks — can be fatal. Fortunately, Spriggans' high speed makes it easy to remain in control and fight or flee from battles on your own terms.

Skill aptitudes

The higher the value, the better the aptitude.

Skill Aptitude Skill Aptitude Skill Aptitude
Attack Miscellaneous Magic
Fighting -2 Armour -3 Spellcasting 2
Dodging 3
Maces & Flails -3 Shields -3 Conjurations -3
Axes -2 Stealth 5 Hexes 2
Polearms -3 Summonings -2
Staves -3 Invocations 0 Necromancy -1
Unarmed Combat -2 Evocations 3 Translocations 4
Throwing 0 Shapeshifting 2 Alchemy 1
Fire Magic -2
Short Blades 1 Ice Magic -2
Long Blades -2 Air Magic -1
Ranged Weapons 0 Experience -1 Earth Magic -1

Strategy

In the early game, the main threats to a Spriggan are:

  • Getting trapped between monsters. Careful exploration - so that you don't have to retreat towards unexplored areas - is nearly essential to avoid the possibility of being trapped.
  • Scary ranged attackers. An early orc priest can one-shot you, for instance. Spriggans have two defenses against this. The first is speed - in many cases, you can run away, and enter from a different staircase. The second is their great Stealth, which lets you dodge enemies. Considering that many Spriggans stay in light armour for the entire game, training some stealth costs little and helps a lot.
    • Note that monsters can't attack outside line of sight. If both you and the monster have a ranged attack, then keep monsters at the edge of LOS (7 tiles away). If you take too much damage, step away to force the monster outside LOS, allowing you to make a getaway.

While spells like Blink and Iskenderun's Mystic Blast can negate the former threat, ranged attacks will always remain a problem. Also, certain monsters (such as killer bees and black mambas) are even faster than you, so you can't just run away.

With the speed to kite, high dexterity and a tendency for light armour, Spriggans can be good at Ranged Weapons. Note, however, that they can't use longbows and triple crossbows. Kiting is powerful, but not the be all, end all: your fragility is still noticeable in a ranged fight.

Spriggans have a high aptitude in Shapeshifting, but note that entering Serpent, Statue, Dragon, or Storm Form will negate your fast movement speed. However, due to the HP and defenses these forms provide, you may want to use them anyways.

Background Choice

Spriggans' innate abilities make them well-suited to a few particular classes:

  • Enchanters: Spriggans' aptitudes heavily favour stabbing, as they are quite talented in Stealth, Short Blades, and Hexes. Moreover, their high speed works very well for a stabber: unlike normal speed races, a few bad rolls of the dice will not leave a Spriggan with an angry ogre sticking to them like glue.
  • Alchemists and Brigands: Both of these builds rely (early on, at least) upon inflicting high levels of poison on monsters from a distance. Spriggans' speed allows them to maintain that distance, allowing them deal with many threats without ever letting them into melee range.
  • Necromancers: Spriggans have passable aptitude with Necromancy, and the ability to raise several meat shields for yourself is always helpful.
  • Conjurer and Summoner types in general: Being able to maintain distance while blasting is a great thing. Unfortunately, Spriggans' aptitudes for such magic are rather terrible, but spells like Fulminant Prism (Conjurer) and Summon Forest (later on) also use your greater aptitudes.
  • Hunter: As mentioned in the main strategy section, Spriggan hunters are able to continuously kite melee enemies and maintain distance.

God Choice

Spriggans are reasonably good with most gods, but a few stand out (in no particular order):

  • Kikubaaqudgha: Goes well with a necromancer build. The torment ability is a bit more useful for Spriggans than most races, since their speed provides a powerful escape option.
  • Trog: A somewhat paradoxical choice, but actually pretty strong. Spriggans' intrinsic speed makes post-berserk slowing noticeably less dangerous, as you remain faster than regular speed enemies. Trog's Hand helps out with their low HP, and Brothers in Arms is a powerful panic button in general.
  • Ashenzari: Complements a stabbing build very nicely. The detection and scrying can be good for avoiding danger, particularly around corners.
  • Okawaru: The armour gift can be useful for Spriggans, since they are guaranteed to be wearable. Also boosts and gifts ranged weapons.

Cheibriados is considerably more difficult, since this god removes one of Spriggans' primary advantages (speed).

History

Species
Simple Mountain DwarfMinotaurMerfolkGargoyleDraconianTrollDeep ElfArmataurGnoll
Intermediate HumanKoboldDemonspawnDjinniSprigganGhoulTenguOniBarachi
Advanced CoglinVine StalkerVampireDemigodFormicidNagaOctopodeFelidMummy