Difference between revisions of "The Royal Jelly"

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(Cleaning up strategy; i don't think we need strats for every single class. Bolt spells no longer exist, smites are already rare. Added stuff of my own; free to badwiki me)
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==Useful Info==
 
==Useful Info==
'''The Royal Jelly''' ('''"TRJ"''' for short) is the [[list of jellies|jelly]] boss of [[the Slime Pits]]. Located in the center of Slime:5, it will not emerge until you've entered the stone structure it resides in (or you make enough [[noise]] nearby to awaken it), giving you plenty of time to clear the rest of the floor first.
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'''The Royal Jelly''' (or '''TRJ''') is the [[list of jellies|jelly]] boss of [[the Slime Pits]]. Located in the center of Slime:5, it will not emerge until you've entered the stone structure it resides in, or you make enough [[noise]] nearby to awaken it.
  
 
It has an impressive amount of [[HP]], powerful [[acid]]ic melee attacks, exceptional speed, and an unusual defense mechanism: whenever it's damaged, it spawns various powerful jelly-type monsters to attack you ([[azure jellies]], [[death ooze]]s, and [[acid blob]]s). Fortunately, it cannot pursue you up [[stairs]], allowing you to abort attempts at killing it that you don't feel confident you can complete.
 
It has an impressive amount of [[HP]], powerful [[acid]]ic melee attacks, exceptional speed, and an unusual defense mechanism: whenever it's damaged, it spawns various powerful jelly-type monsters to attack you ([[azure jellies]], [[death ooze]]s, and [[acid blob]]s). Fortunately, it cannot pursue you up [[stairs]], allowing you to abort attempts at killing it that you don't feel confident you can complete.
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==Tips & Tricks==
 
==Tips & Tricks==
 
===How To Kill It===
 
===How To Kill It===
*Melee fighters should ''not'' simply charge in and bash the thing. Even with corrosion resistance and heavy armour, having eight corrosive opponents attacking you repeatedly will quickly send your offensive capabilities and your AC plummeting, leaving you weak and very vulnerable. Always soften it up before engaging it in melee, and buff heavily: Potions of haste, might, and/or brilliance can help you deal lethal damage to TRJ before its reinforcements make life unbearable. [[Berserk]]ing also works, but it greatly limits your other options and might run out and leave you helpless while surrounded by angry jellies.
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Buffing up is highly recommended, regardless of your strategy.  Potions of haste, might, and/or brilliance can help you deal lethal damage to TRJ before its reinforcements make life unbearable.
*[[Stealth]]y [[stab]]bers may be tempted to try to kill it in a single blow, followed by a timely teleport to safety. This is entirely possible, but TRJ has enough HP to survive all but the most highly-skilled assassination attempts. Furthermore, several enemies guard the corridors leading to its chamber; should any of them wake up, the noise you make while fighting them might be enough to also wake TRJ. Try it at your own risk: equip a [[dagger]] for maximum stabbing damage, and be prepared to change strategies should it suddenly wake up.
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*TRJ is [[size|large]], but not [[size|giant]]. This means it is vulernable to [[throwing net]]s; allowing you to get free actions while the boss is immobile. Its many slime allies can still attack, however.
*Fighting TRJ in one of the central corridors restricts how many monsters can reach you. Just be prepared for the angry jelly mob once you're done.
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*Melee fighters should ''not'' simply charge in and bash the thing. Even with corrosion resistance and heavy armour, having eight corrosive opponents attacking you repeatedly will quickly send your offensive capabilities and your AC plummeting, leaving you weak and very vulnerable. Always soften it up before engaging it in melee, and buff heavily. Similarlly, [[stab|stabbing]] TRJ is possible - but highly unrecommended.
*TRJ retreats behind its spawned jellies periodically, forcing you to fight through them. Attack wands, [[bolt spells]], weapons of [[penetration]], and [[smite]]-targeted attacks will all help to pierce through the surrounding jellies. Or, summon your own allies while adjacent to TRJ and box it in before attacking (works best in the corridors).
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*TRJ retreats behind its spawned jellies periodically, forcing you to fight through them. Attacks like [[javelin]]s, [[Starburst]], and Beogh's [[smite]] can ignore the surrounding jellies.  
*Ranged weapon fighters can just pelt the Royal Jelly with projectiles. Kiting it will still be difficult, as it's almost as fast as a [[centaur (monster)|centaur]] and you'll likely have to deal with the ranged attacks of the acid blobs it spawns.
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**Fighting TRJ in one of the central corridors restricts how many monsters can reach you. Just be prepared for the angry jelly mob once you're done. Reading a [[scroll of summoning]] will prevent TRJ's slimes from reaching you or used as retreat fodder.
*[[Banish]]ing TRJ via [[Lugonu]]'s [[ability]] doesn't unlock the vault, meaning you'll need some way to bypass [[stone wall]]s. Corrupting the floor will open the vaults easily, though [[Shatter]] can also do so without unleashing an abyssal horde. Failing all else, a trip to the [[Abyss]] to kill TRJ will be necessary.
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*TRJ is a natural creature, and thus vulnerable to [[torment]]. Reading two or three [[scrolls of torment]] will drop it to near death, and a few ranged or [[smite]]-targeted attacks will kill it despite the surrounding army. Just be aware that this strategy will also leave your own HP dangerously low (rN+++, or else being [[undead]] is highly recommended).
*TRJ is a natural creature, and thus vulnerable to [[torment]]. Reading two or three [[scrolls of torment]] will drop it to near death, and a few [[bolt spells]] or [[smite]]-targeted attacks will kill it despite the surrounding army. Just be aware that this strategy will also leave your own HP dangerously low (rN+++, [[Statue Form]], or being [[undead]] are highly recommended).
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*A [[scroll of immolation]] works well: hit TRJ 1-2 times, read the scroll, then kill any of the spawns to set off a chain reaction. Make sure to have strong. [[haste]d ranged attacks - or rF++(+) to tank the immolation blasts.
*If you decide to use summoning magic, you can't do better than [[Dragon's Call]]. Interspersing this with other high-level summons can create a wall of units capable of matching TRJ's allies. You'll need to plan ahead, of course: 18 or 19 Summonings skill, high intelligence, and a ring of [[wizardry]] are the bare minimum, with some spare [[potions of magic]] being highly recommended.
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*TRJ can be [[wand of polymorph|polymorphed]] if your [[Evocations]] is fairly high and you reduce its willpower with a [[scroll of vulnerability]] or two. Succeeding will immediately create a very large number of jellies, and due to TRJ's high [[HD]], whatever it turns into will also be dangerous: expect [[titan]]s, high-end [[dragon]]s, or [[list of birds|shrikes]]. However, TRJ will spawn no further slimes, and killing it will still unlock the rune vaults.
*Worshipers of [[Trog]] can also benefit from summons; a small pack of berserk [[iron troll]]s or [[stone giant]]s should survive long enough to deal tremendous damage to TRJ before being dissolved.
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*Attack TRJ 1-2 times so it spawns jellies/oozes, read a [[scroll of immolation]], then kill any of the spawns to set off a chain reaction. This strategy risks self-immolation, so ensure that you can kill one of the spawns at a distance immediately after reading the scroll ([[orb of destruction]] or a cloud spell work well). Being [[haste]]d helps, giving TRJ less time to respond to your appearance and move out of explosion range. Having rF+++ or a [[potion of resistance]] is useful as a failsafe in case you get caught in the blast.
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===God Abilities===
*Spawned jellies are unaffected by several combat [[Necromancy]] spells like [[Borgnjor's Vile Clutch]], [[Infestation]], or [[Death Channel]], and nothing in the Slime Pits can be [[Animate Dead|zombified]] or turned into [[Simulacrum|simulacra]]. Characters relying on Necromancy should consider avoiding TRJ until other means of fighting it are acquired (though [[Agony]] will chew through its HP if you can manage to get past its [[willpower]]).
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*[[Banish]]ing TRJ via [[Lugonu]]'s [[ability]] doesn't unlock the vault, meaning you'll need some way to bypass [[stone wall]]s. Luckily, Lugonu provides the stone-breaking Corrupt ability. Failing this, you may need to use [[Shatter]] or even follow TRJ the [[Abyss]] yourself.
**While Infestation and Death Channel are useless on the jellies TRJ creates, they can at least build you a small army if you use them on the naturally spawned creatures on the floor.
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*Many god abilities can bust through TRJ. Whenever it'd be multiple Brothers in Arms from [[Trog]], a well positioned Disaster Area from [[Qazlal]], or a horde of cards from [[Nemelex]], make sure to actually use your piety!
*TRJ can be [[wand of polymorph|polymorphed]] if your [[Evocations]] is fairly high and you reduce its willpower with a [[scroll of vulnerability]] or two, but this is generally inadvisable. Succeeding will immediately create a very large number of jellies, and due to TRJ's high [[HD]], whatever it turns into will also be dangerous: expect [[titan]]s, high-end [[dragon]]s, or [[list of birds|shrikes]].
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*Of course, if you wish to avoid this entire mess, you can simply worship Jiyva and waltz in at 6* of piety. Most of the treasure will inevitably get eaten, but you'll at least be able to make off with the rune and whatever [[artefact]]s were present.
**If you ''do'' manage to polymorph TRJ, it will no longer spit out more jellies every time it's hit and killing it will still unlock the rune vaults; once you've dealt with the army of jellies, taking a polymorphed TRJ down will be fairly simple.
 
  
 
===How To Escape It===
 
===How To Escape It===
 
*TRJ will not follow you [[stairs|upstairs]], but its generated slimes will. If you plan on running back upstairs mid-fight, expect some of its spawns to follow you.
 
*TRJ will not follow you [[stairs|upstairs]], but its generated slimes will. If you plan on running back upstairs mid-fight, expect some of its spawns to follow you.
*If you need to escape the floor without pursuing jellies following you up, Haste will also allow you to make a fairly safe escape; TRJ will keep up with you, but nothing else will. If you wish to actually outrun TRJ, you'll likely need both Haste ''and'' [[boots]] of [[running]] or a timely casting of [[Swiftness]].
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*If you need to escape the floor without pursuing jellies following you up, Haste will also allow you to make a fairly safe escape; TRJ will keep up with you, but nothing else will. If you wish to actually outrun TRJ, you'll likely need both Haste ''and'' have [[boots]] of [[running]] or use a timely casting of [[Swiftness]].
 
*If you've accidentally created an army of jellies and need to abort, heal up and then stair dance so you can clear out the reinforcements without dealing with too many of them at a time. Entering the floor from different staircases will let you avoid being immediately surrounded.
 
*If you've accidentally created an army of jellies and need to abort, heal up and then stair dance so you can clear out the reinforcements without dealing with too many of them at a time. Entering the floor from different staircases will let you avoid being immediately surrounded.
 
*[[Shatter]], while ineffective against everything you'll find in the Slime Pits, can be used to break open the loot vaults and skip the fight entirely. It is, however, very difficult to cast as well as very loud and will likely attract the attention of every slime on the entire floor.
 
*[[Shatter]], while ineffective against everything you'll find in the Slime Pits, can be used to break open the loot vaults and skip the fight entirely. It is, however, very difficult to cast as well as very loud and will likely attract the attention of every slime on the entire floor.
*Of course, if you wish to avoid this entire mess, you can simply worship Jiyva and waltz in when your piety is high enough. Most of the treasure will inevitably get eaten, but you'll at least be able to make off with the rune and whatever [[artefact]]s were present.
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==History==
 
==History==
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*In [[0.27]], anti-magic quicksilver oozes and resistant rock slimes are spawned in place of [[death ooze]]s.
 
*Prior to [[0.23]], exploding the Royal Jelly with [[Uskayaw]]'s Grand Finale didn't generate any jellies.
 
*Prior to [[0.23]], exploding the Royal Jelly with [[Uskayaw]]'s Grand Finale didn't generate any jellies.
 
*Prior to [[0.19]], the Royal Jelly could eat items and could heal itself when shot with anything other than stones.
 
*Prior to [[0.19]], the Royal Jelly could eat items and could heal itself when shot with anything other than stones.

Revision as of 05:09, 12 July 2021

Version 0.26: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

For a list of all jellies, see list of jellies. For the obsolete item, see royal jelly (item).

the Royal Jelly JThe Royal Jelly.png
HP 152-308
HD 21
XP 14247
Speed 14
AC 8
EV 4
Will 180
Attack1 50 (hit: acid)
Attack2 30 (hit: acid)


Resistances rPois+
rAcid+++
rDrown
Vulnerabilities Silver
Habitat Land
Intelligence Brainless
Uses Uses nothing
Holiness Natural
Size Large
Type jelly, jelly
Flags Destroys doors
See invisible
Unbreathing
Unblindable
Unique
Acidic flesh
Web immune
A particularly rich and golden gelatinous thing. Smaller jellies swim and pulse just below its surface, ready to burst forth at the slightest touch.

Useful Info

The Royal Jelly (or TRJ) is the jelly boss of the Slime Pits. Located in the center of Slime:5, it will not emerge until you've entered the stone structure it resides in, or you make enough noise nearby to awaken it.

It has an impressive amount of HP, powerful acidic melee attacks, exceptional speed, and an unusual defense mechanism: whenever it's damaged, it spawns various powerful jelly-type monsters to attack you (azure jellies, death oozes, and acid blobs). Fortunately, it cannot pursue you up stairs, allowing you to abort attempts at killing it that you don't feel confident you can complete.

Killing the Royal Jelly causes two things to happen:

  • The translucent walls of the four central vaults that the Royal Jelly guarded will come crumbling down, allowing you access to the slimy rune of Zot and the piles of treasure.
  • Jiyva, the god of slimes, immediately ceases to exist once its only sentient worshiper dies. You can prevent this deicide by worshiping Jiyva yourself before killing TRJ, but killing such a high-ranking jelly will result in penance.

Tips & Tricks

How To Kill It

Buffing up is highly recommended, regardless of your strategy. Potions of haste, might, and/or brilliance can help you deal lethal damage to TRJ before its reinforcements make life unbearable.

  • TRJ is large, but not giant. This means it is vulernable to throwing nets; allowing you to get free actions while the boss is immobile. Its many slime allies can still attack, however.
  • Melee fighters should not simply charge in and bash the thing. Even with corrosion resistance and heavy armour, having eight corrosive opponents attacking you repeatedly will quickly send your offensive capabilities and your AC plummeting, leaving you weak and very vulnerable. Always soften it up before engaging it in melee, and buff heavily. Similarlly, stabbing TRJ is possible - but highly unrecommended.
  • TRJ retreats behind its spawned jellies periodically, forcing you to fight through them. Attacks like javelins, Starburst, and Beogh's smite can ignore the surrounding jellies.
    • Fighting TRJ in one of the central corridors restricts how many monsters can reach you. Just be prepared for the angry jelly mob once you're done. Reading a scroll of summoning will prevent TRJ's slimes from reaching you or used as retreat fodder.
  • TRJ is a natural creature, and thus vulnerable to torment. Reading two or three scrolls of torment will drop it to near death, and a few ranged or smite-targeted attacks will kill it despite the surrounding army. Just be aware that this strategy will also leave your own HP dangerously low (rN+++, or else being undead is highly recommended).
  • A scroll of immolation works well: hit TRJ 1-2 times, read the scroll, then kill any of the spawns to set off a chain reaction. Make sure to have strong. [[haste]d ranged attacks - or rF++(+) to tank the immolation blasts.
  • TRJ can be polymorphed if your Evocations is fairly high and you reduce its willpower with a scroll of vulnerability or two. Succeeding will immediately create a very large number of jellies, and due to TRJ's high HD, whatever it turns into will also be dangerous: expect titans, high-end dragons, or shrikes. However, TRJ will spawn no further slimes, and killing it will still unlock the rune vaults.

God Abilities

  • Banishing TRJ via Lugonu's ability doesn't unlock the vault, meaning you'll need some way to bypass stone walls. Luckily, Lugonu provides the stone-breaking Corrupt ability. Failing this, you may need to use Shatter or even follow TRJ the Abyss yourself.
  • Many god abilities can bust through TRJ. Whenever it'd be multiple Brothers in Arms from Trog, a well positioned Disaster Area from Qazlal, or a horde of cards from Nemelex, make sure to actually use your piety!
  • Of course, if you wish to avoid this entire mess, you can simply worship Jiyva and waltz in at 6* of piety. Most of the treasure will inevitably get eaten, but you'll at least be able to make off with the rune and whatever artefacts were present.

How To Escape It

  • TRJ will not follow you upstairs, but its generated slimes will. If you plan on running back upstairs mid-fight, expect some of its spawns to follow you.
  • If you need to escape the floor without pursuing jellies following you up, Haste will also allow you to make a fairly safe escape; TRJ will keep up with you, but nothing else will. If you wish to actually outrun TRJ, you'll likely need both Haste and have boots of running or use a timely casting of Swiftness.
  • If you've accidentally created an army of jellies and need to abort, heal up and then stair dance so you can clear out the reinforcements without dealing with too many of them at a time. Entering the floor from different staircases will let you avoid being immediately surrounded.
  • Shatter, while ineffective against everything you'll find in the Slime Pits, can be used to break open the loot vaults and skip the fight entirely. It is, however, very difficult to cast as well as very loud and will likely attract the attention of every slime on the entire floor.


History

  • In 0.27, anti-magic quicksilver oozes and resistant rock slimes are spawned in place of death oozes.
  • Prior to 0.23, exploding the Royal Jelly with Uskayaw's Grand Finale didn't generate any jellies.
  • Prior to 0.19, the Royal Jelly could eat items and could heal itself when shot with anything other than stones.
  • Prior to 0.16, the Royal Jelly did not immediately spit out a large number of jellies when polymorphed, making it a viable combat strategy.
  • Prior to 0.15, hitting the Royal Jelly could generate brown oozes as well.
  • Prior to 0.11, the Royal Jelly was not able to regenerate naturally. This made the fight much easier to complete over several small assaults.