Difference between revisions of "Curse skull"

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==Useful Info==
 
==Useful Info==
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'''Curse skulls''' are powerful [[undead]] monsters which resist almost everything, summon swarms of undead allies, and [[torment]] you repeatedly. They never move while you're within [[line of sight]], but will quickly position themselves in irritatingly out-of-reach places whenever you flee. They can be found in [[the Crypt]].
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'''Curse skulls''' are fast and powerful [[undead]] monsters, which resist most elements, summon swarms of undead allies, and [[torment]] you repeatedly. They can be found in [[the Crypt]].
  
 
{{monster spells}}
 
{{monster spells}}
  
 
==Tips & Tricks==
 
==Tips & Tricks==
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*Their high AC, elemental resistances, and evasive behavior make them more difficult to kill than you might expect.
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*Curse skulls can [[torment|halve your HP]] every turn. With high AC, elemental resistances, and swarms of summons, they are difficult to kill. The following things are effective at killing them:
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**Casters with [[Dispel Undead]] can destroy them in a couple shots once they get within range, though their tendency to summon allies coupled with their habit of appearing at the very edge of your line of sight makes reaching them difficult. Several [[Earth Magic]] and pure [[Conjurations]] spells also work fairly well, though the undead allies often get in the way of [[Orb of Destruction]].
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**[[Dispel Undead]] ignores AC, so it'll destroy curse skulls quickly. However, due to the mass of summons, getting into range can be a challenge.
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**If you have to rely on elemental magic, use the most powerful spells you have at your disposal. Curse skulls might have a wide range of resistances, but they will still succumb eventually to spells like [[Bolt of Magma]], [[Starburst]], or [[Ozocubu's Refrigeration]]. [[Fire Storm]] works very well, if you can cast it.
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**[[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]] is also great to use - when targeting the skull itself (and not the walls around the skull), it ignores AC. Unlike Dispel Undead, LRD can be used from a distance.
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**[[Air elementalist]]s are mostly out of luck; they ignore [[electricity]] damage, and even though they fly, their AC makes [[Airstrike]] much less effective than you might hope.
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**Level 9 spells pierce resistances, so they remain effective against curse skulls. Failing that, try to avoid elemental spells - use irresistible spells like [[Borgnjor's Vile Clutch]] or [[Airstrike]] instead.
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**Melee fighters with weapons of [[holy wrath]] can take them down quickly, and [[vorpal]] weapons are your best bet when that's not an option. Due to the way AC damage reduction works, killing them in melee will take somewhat longer for [[short blades]] specialists than for heavy two-handed weapon-wielders; try drinking a [[potion of might]] or corroding them with a [[wand of acid]] if you're having trouble doing damage. Also, if you're vulnerable to [[torment]], consider using a spare [[scroll of blinking]] to jump directly to melee range.
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**Melee fighters can use weapons of [[holy wrath]]. [[Javelin]]s or bolt [[wand]]s can work well if you can't get in melee range.
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*Try to minimize the time when a curse skull can see and torment you without you doing damage to it. Use corners or a [[scroll of fog]] to break the [[line of sight]].
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*Curse skulls are immune to [[Silence]] and have infinite willpower, so you can't simply disable their ability to cast spells.
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*Curse skulls are immune to [[Silence]] and [[Hexes]], so you can't simply disable their ability to cast spells.
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*Try to minimize time spent in [[line of sight]] with the skull; this minimizes the amount of torments. Use corners or a [[scroll of fog]] to break the [[line of sight]].
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*A [[potion of lignification]] will render you immune to torment, but you'll be trapped with the curse skull for the duration, and their army of summoned reinforcements will still be able to physically beat you to death. Use with caution, preferably around a corner somewhere away from unexplored regions.
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*A [[potion of lignification]] gives immunity to torment. However, you'll be trapped with the curse skull, along with its army of summoned reinforcements. Use with caution; preferably use it around a corner/hallway, somewhere away from unexplored regions.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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*In [[0.13]] and [[0.14]], curse skulls could move when out of the player's [[line of sight]] (similar to [[wandering mushroom]]s). In [[0.15]], they returned to being stationary, and finally in [[0.16]] and later they could move quickly.
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*In [[0.16]] onward, curse skulls can move like any other monster, now at fast (15) speed.
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*Prior to [[0.13]], curse skulls were [[stationary]] and had significantly higher HP and AC.
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*In [[0.15]], curse skulls were [[stationary]] and had 15 speed.
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*In [[0.13]] and [[0.14]], curse skulls could move only when outside player [[LOS]], at only 10 speed. They also had the [[vigilant]] flag.
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*Prior to [[0.13]], curse skulls were stationary, had 10 speed, and had significantly higher HP and AC.

Latest revision as of 06:37, 29 January 2024

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
curse skull z Curse skull.png
HP 34-70
HD 13
XP 1586
Speed 15
AC 35
EV 3
Will Immune



Resistances rF++
rC++
rElec
rPois+++
rDrown
rMiasma
rN+++
rTorm
Vulnerabilities Holy
Habitat Land
Intelligence Human
Uses Uses nothing
Holiness Undead
Size Tiny
Type curse skull, curse skull
Flags Evil
See invisible
Flying
Unbreathing
Speaks
A charred skull floating in the air and rotating slowly. Mystic symbols are carved into its blackened surface.

Useful Info

Curse skulls are fast and powerful undead monsters, which resist most elements, summon swarms of undead allies, and torment you repeatedly. They can be found in the Crypt.

Spells

Spell set I
Slot1 Summon Undead Magical flag,
Noisy flag
Slot2 Symbol of Torment Magical flag,
Noisy flag

Tips & Tricks

  • Curse skulls can halve your HP every turn. With high AC, elemental resistances, and swarms of summons, they are difficult to kill. The following things are effective at killing them:
    • Dispel Undead ignores AC, so it'll destroy curse skulls quickly. However, due to the mass of summons, getting into range can be a challenge.
    • Lee's Rapid Deconstruction is also great to use - when targeting the skull itself (and not the walls around the skull), it ignores AC. Unlike Dispel Undead, LRD can be used from a distance.
    • Level 9 spells pierce resistances, so they remain effective against curse skulls. Failing that, try to avoid elemental spells - use irresistible spells like Borgnjor's Vile Clutch or Airstrike instead.
    • Melee fighters can use weapons of holy wrath. Javelins or bolt wands can work well if you can't get in melee range.
  • Curse skulls are immune to Silence and have infinite willpower, so you can't simply disable their ability to cast spells.
  • Try to minimize time spent in line of sight with the skull; this minimizes the amount of torments. Use corners or a scroll of fog to break the line of sight.
  • A potion of lignification gives immunity to torment. However, you'll be trapped with the curse skull, along with its army of summoned reinforcements. Use with caution; preferably use it around a corner/hallway, somewhere away from unexplored regions.

History

  • In 0.16 onward, curse skulls can move like any other monster, now at fast (15) speed.
  • In 0.15, curse skulls were stationary and had 15 speed.
  • In 0.13 and 0.14, curse skulls could move only when outside player LOS, at only 10 speed. They also had the vigilant flag.
  • Prior to 0.13, curse skulls were stationary, had 10 speed, and had significantly higher HP and AC.
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