Difference between revisions of "Mephitic Cloud"

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'''Mephitic Cloud''' is a Level 3 [[Conjurations]]/[[Poison Magic|Poison]]/[[Air Magic]] spell that creates up to a 3x3 [[cloud]] of noxious fumes, which will linger for several turns.  
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'''Mephitic Cloud''' is a Level 3 [[Conjurations]]/[[Alchemy]]/[[Air Magic]] spell that creates up to a 3x3 [[cloud]] of noxious fumes, which will linger for several turns.  
  
[[Venom Mage]]s and [[Hedge Wizard]]s start with this spell.
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[[Alchemist]]s and [[Hedge Wizard]]s start with this spell.
  
 
==Useful Info==
 
==Useful Info==
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==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
[[Confusion]] is a powerful effect: it prevents enemy [[spell]]casting, gives a ~60% chance for melee attacks to target a wrong tile, and allows [[stab]]bing. Clouds last for multiple turns, so each cast can give multiple chances to confuse. And because it's a level 3 spell, it doesn't take that much investment to cast. Overall, despite Mephitic Cloud checking two properties (rPois and HD), it is a strong spell. Many of the most dangerous enemies in the early game, such as [[orc priest]]s, [[centaur (monster)|centaurs]], and all sorts of early [[unique]]s, are vulnerable.  
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[[Confusion]] is a powerful effect: it prevents enemy abilities/[[spell]]casting, gives a ~60% chance for melee attacks to target a wrong tile, and allows [[stab]]bing. The clouds last for multiple turns, making this spell strong in both MP and turn economy, and because it's a level 3 spell, it doesn't take that much investment to cast. Overall, despite Mephitic Cloud checking two properties (rPois and HD), it is a strong spell.  
  
In the late-game, this spell is less effective: more and more monsters have poison resistance, and the rest have high [[HD]]. But, by then, a level 3 spell will have done its work.
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Many of the most dangerous enemies in the early game, such as [[orc priest]]s, [[centaur (monster)|centaurs]], and all sorts of early [[unique]]s, are vulnerable. It has surprising longevity for a level 3 spell, being useful against all sorts of spell-/ability-using monsters, e.g., preventing [[ironbound convoker]]s in [[Vaults]] from completing their [[Word of Recall]], disabling [[list of deep elves|deep elves]] in [[Elven Halls|Elf]], and packs in [[Depths]]. The clouds get multiple confuse attempts, each attempt happens passively, and the spell affects a small area, meaning it can be useful on stronger enemies than the raw confuse% would suggest.
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Compared to [[Alistair's Intoxication]], Mephitic Cloud has less range, a smaller AOE, and typically has a lower initial chance to succeed, but can affect non-intelligent monsters and is more MP efficient.
  
 
===Aiming===
 
===Aiming===
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===Tips & Tricks===
 
===Tips & Tricks===
*If you come across [[Ignite Poison]], you can use Mephitic Cloud to create clouds of flame. Surround your foes with noxious fumes, then light them on fire! This can let [[Venom Mage]]s deal with poison-resistant enemies.
 
 
*Clouds cannot be placed on tiles that already have a cloud. So if you're immune to noxious fumes, you can cast Mephitic Cloud to prevent [[Petrifying Cloud]] or [[Chaos Breath]] clouds from affecting you.
 
*Clouds cannot be placed on tiles that already have a cloud. So if you're immune to noxious fumes, you can cast Mephitic Cloud to prevent [[Petrifying Cloud]] or [[Chaos Breath]] clouds from affecting you.
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*If you come across [[Ignite Poison]], you can use Mephitic Cloud to create clouds of flame. You can confuse your enemies, then ignite them to inflict extra damage.
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*[[Irradiate]] also combos well with this spell, as Irradiate shares two schools and lowers enemy HD, making them more likely to be confused. rPois is recommended to use this spell in melee range.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==

Latest revision as of 05:44, 3 November 2025

Version 0.33: This article is up to date for the latest stable release of Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.
Mephitic cloud.png Mephitic Cloud
Level 3
School1 Air
School2 Alchemy
School3 Conjuration
Source(s) Book of the Senses
Trismegistus Codex
Casting noise 3
Spell noise 15
Power Cap 100
Range 4
Flags Area, Cloud, Dir or target, Needs tracer
Conjures a fragile flask that explodes into short-lived clouds of noxious fumes. These clouds may cause confusion in any creature not resistant to poison. Tougher, more experienced creatures are less likely to be affected.

Mephitic Cloud is a Level 3 Conjurations/Alchemy/Air Magic spell that creates up to a 3x3 cloud of noxious fumes, which will linger for several turns.

Alchemists and Hedge Wizards start with this spell.

Useful Info

Creates a bank of noxious fumes, affecting random tiles within a 3x3 radius from its release point. Higher spell power increases the amount of tiles affected. The clouds stay for a duration of 1d(power / 50) turns.

Anything standing in noxious fumes has a (21 - hit dice) / 21 chance per turn to become confused. Monsters with 21 or more hit dice have a flat 2% chance to be affected. Creatures that are resistant or immune to poison are immune to noxious fumes, anything with clarity is also immune.

Mephitic Cloud is very loud, making as much noise as Fireball. Since it can be targeted at an empty square, this increases the effective range by one.

Strategy

Confusion is a powerful effect: it prevents enemy abilities/spellcasting, gives a ~60% chance for melee attacks to target a wrong tile, and allows stabbing. The clouds last for multiple turns, making this spell strong in both MP and turn economy, and because it's a level 3 spell, it doesn't take that much investment to cast. Overall, despite Mephitic Cloud checking two properties (rPois and HD), it is a strong spell.

Many of the most dangerous enemies in the early game, such as orc priests, centaurs, and all sorts of early uniques, are vulnerable. It has surprising longevity for a level 3 spell, being useful against all sorts of spell-/ability-using monsters, e.g., preventing ironbound convokers in Vaults from completing their Word of Recall, disabling deep elves in Elf, and packs in Depths. The clouds get multiple confuse attempts, each attempt happens passively, and the spell affects a small area, meaning it can be useful on stronger enemies than the raw confuse% would suggest.

Compared to Alistair's Intoxication, Mephitic Cloud has less range, a smaller AOE, and typically has a lower initial chance to succeed, but can affect non-intelligent monsters and is more MP efficient.

Aiming

If you are adjacent to a target, you can aim diagonally behind the target in order to not hit yourself (i.e. aim at the *):

.........  .........
...###...  ....###..
...#*#...  ....#*#..
...##Y...  ....Y##..
....@....  ....@....
.........  .........

By targeting diagonally behind the yak, you can catch it in the cloud radius without catching yourself.

If you have poison resistance, clarity, or are worshipping Qazlal, you are immune to clouds, so don't be afraid to blast yourself. Even if you aren't immune, risking self-confusion can be worth it. You can drink a potion of curing to end it; most enemies can't.

Tips & Tricks

  • Clouds cannot be placed on tiles that already have a cloud. So if you're immune to noxious fumes, you can cast Mephitic Cloud to prevent Petrifying Cloud or Chaos Breath clouds from affecting you.
  • If you come across Ignite Poison, you can use Mephitic Cloud to create clouds of flame. You can confuse your enemies, then ignite them to inflict extra damage.
  • Irradiate also combos well with this spell, as Irradiate shares two schools and lowers enemy HD, making them more likely to be confused. rPois is recommended to use this spell in melee range.

History

  • Prior to 0.28, noxious fumes would deal minor (0-2) poison-based damage while in them.
  • Prior to 0.27, unbreathing creatures were immune to noxious fumes.
  • Prior to 0.10, Mephitic Cloud guaranteed a 3x3 cloud.