Difference between revisions of "Wand of charming"

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{{flavour|A magical device which causes slavish obedience in a creature.}}
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{{flavour|A magical device which causes a creature to be fiercely, but briefly, loyal to its use.}}
  
A '''wand of charming''' will attempt to enslave the creature it hits, temporarily making it fight for you. If used upon the player, you will become [[confusion|confused]] instead. Targets may resist these effects with [[willpower]], and targets with unshakeable will simply ignore them entirely. Unlike [[summon]]ed monsters, a charmed monster remains charmed when you use the stairs; indeed, if adjacent, it will follow you to the next floor.
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A '''wand of charming''' will attempt to charm a creature, checking the target's [[willpower]]. If successful, it will become [[allied]] for a short time. Unlike [[summon]]ed monsters, charmed monsters can follow you up stairs (remaining loyal). If used on the player, it inflicts [[confusion]] instead.
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This wand is [[alternate items|mutually exclusive]] with the [[wand of paralysis]]; only one will appear in a given game.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
This wand's uses are obvious, especially if you enslave the biggest monsters in a group. Many a [[kobold brigand]], [[orc warrior]], and [[gnoll sergeant]] has been robbed of their chance to murder a low-to-mid level player this way, instead felling only their own flimsier allies. Packs of [[killer bee]]s are also a good target for enslavement, to avoid being swarmed.
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This wand's uses are straightforward:
 
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*Charm the biggest monster in the group. In the early game, no monsters have serious willpower. As an example, you can hit an [[orc warrior]], use it to destroy the orc pack, then fight the wounded orc warrior in a 1v1 fight. (You can attack allied monsters in melee with '''v''' or '''ctrl-direction'''.)
Another popular technique for when you're fighting groups in a one tile wide corridor is to enslave the monster closest to you and let it block up traffic for several turns, giving you time to run and likely resulting in at least one opponent killed. If you're facing a strong-willed target, consider targeting other creatures -- that [[death yak]] might be able to shrug off the effect, but other opponents in the room may not.
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*Prevent a monster from attacking you. A charmed [[killer bee]] or [[wolf spider]] won't attack you, prevents other monsters from occupying its space, and fights for you. In a hallway, a charmed creature will block traffic for a few turns.
 
 
Less obvious is that you should be liberal when using these wands. Again, their effect can be resisted, and if you save them until the mid- or late-game (where monsters tend to have more willpower), you may not get as much mileage out of them. They'll do you no good at all if you simply pick them up, drop them off in a [[stash]] somewhere, and forget they ever existed.
 
  
If you're a D&D veteran, be aware that unlike in that game, charm effects in ''Crawl'' ''can'' work on the [[undead]] and "mindless" monsters like [[jelly|jellies]].
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As you progress, more and more tough creatures will have high willpower. Even in the late game, however, "support" monsters like [[death cob]]s and [[hellion]]s often have low will (and are prime targets for this wand).
  
==Tips & Tricks==
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===Tips & Tricks===
*To get rid of a troublesome monster, charm it, and then [[shout|order i'''t''']] to '''r'''etreat. If you want to operate freely on the current level, go up/down the stairs with it following, order it to retreat, then use the stairs again.
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*To get rid of a troublesome monster, you can charm it, and then [[shout|order i'''t''']] to '''r'''etreat. If you want to operate freely on the current level, go up/down the stairs with it following, order it to retreat, then use the stairs again.
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*If you're a D&D veteran, be aware that unlike in that game, charm effects in ''Crawl'' ''can'' work on the [[undead]] and "mindless" monsters like [[jelly|jellies]].
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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*Prior to [[0.29]], this wand did not [[alternate items|alternate]] with the wand of paralysis.
 
*Prior to [[0.27]], this wand was called the '''wand of enslavement'''.
 
*Prior to [[0.27]], this wand was called the '''wand of enslavement'''.
 
*Prior to [[0.19]], it was impossible to enslave enemies hated by your god. For example, followers of [[Trog]] couldn't enslave [[:Category:Actual_spells|spellcasters]].
 
*Prior to [[0.19]], it was impossible to enslave enemies hated by your god. For example, followers of [[Trog]] couldn't enslave [[:Category:Actual_spells|spellcasters]].

Revision as of 00:50, 12 September 2023

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Type Wand
Name Wand of charming
Icon Wand of charming.png
A magical device which causes a creature to be fiercely, but briefly, loyal to its use.

A wand of charming will attempt to charm a creature, checking the target's willpower. If successful, it will become allied for a short time. Unlike summoned monsters, charmed monsters can follow you up stairs (remaining loyal). If used on the player, it inflicts confusion instead.

This wand is mutually exclusive with the wand of paralysis; only one will appear in a given game.

Strategy

This wand's uses are straightforward:

  • Charm the biggest monster in the group. In the early game, no monsters have serious willpower. As an example, you can hit an orc warrior, use it to destroy the orc pack, then fight the wounded orc warrior in a 1v1 fight. (You can attack allied monsters in melee with v or ctrl-direction.)
  • Prevent a monster from attacking you. A charmed killer bee or wolf spider won't attack you, prevents other monsters from occupying its space, and fights for you. In a hallway, a charmed creature will block traffic for a few turns.

As you progress, more and more tough creatures will have high willpower. Even in the late game, however, "support" monsters like death cobs and hellions often have low will (and are prime targets for this wand).

Tips & Tricks

  • To get rid of a troublesome monster, you can charm it, and then order it to retreat. If you want to operate freely on the current level, go up/down the stairs with it following, order it to retreat, then use the stairs again.
  • If you're a D&D veteran, be aware that unlike in that game, charm effects in Crawl can work on the undead and "mindless" monsters like jellies.

History

  • Prior to 0.29, this wand did not alternate with the wand of paralysis.
  • Prior to 0.27, this wand was called the wand of enslavement.
  • Prior to 0.19, it was impossible to enslave enemies hated by your god. For example, followers of Trog couldn't enslave spellcasters.
  • Prior to 0.15, monsters could not use this wand (though players could still confuse themselves with it).
Wands
Acid / Light / QuicksilverIceblast / Roots / WarpingCharming / Paralysis
DiggingFlameMindburstPolymorph