Difference between revisions of "Shadow Form"

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{{flavour|Transforms you into a swirling mass of dark shadows. While in this form, you are permanently invisible and are immune to poison, draining, torment, and hostile enchantments. All incoming damage will be halved, and you will bleed smoke on any incoming attack. However, your ability to deal damage in melee and with ranged attacks will be halved, your spellcasting power will be greatly hampered, and your skills will be further drained when taking damage.
 
{{flavour|Transforms you into a swirling mass of dark shadows. While in this form, you are permanently invisible and are immune to poison, draining, torment, and hostile enchantments. All incoming damage will be halved, and you will bleed smoke on any incoming attack. However, your ability to deal damage in melee and with ranged attacks will be halved, your spellcasting power will be greatly hampered, and your skills will be further drained when taking damage.
 
Invocations skill increases the duration of the transformation.}}
 
Invocations skill increases the duration of the transformation.}}
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'''Shadow Form''' is a transformation which turns you into an immaterial shadow being. This is an entirely defensive form, greatly increasing your ability to survive dangerous situations, though at significant cost to your offensive capabilities. Shadow Form is only available through worshiping [[Dithmenos]], costs 9 [[MP]], 10-15 [[piety]], and lightly [[draining|drains]] you when activated.
 
'''Shadow Form''' is a transformation which turns you into an immaterial shadow being. This is an entirely defensive form, greatly increasing your ability to survive dangerous situations, though at significant cost to your offensive capabilities. Shadow Form is only available through worshiping [[Dithmenos]], costs 9 [[MP]], 10-15 [[piety]], and lightly [[draining|drains]] you when activated.
  
While Shadow Form's benefits are very similar to those of being [[undead]], Shadow Form does not actually make you undead. As such, it does not make you vulnerable to weapons of [[holy wrath]] or [[Dispel Undead]]. And while it is based on the [[shadow]] monster, you won't get innate [[flight]].  
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While Shadow Form's benefits are very similar to those of being [[undead]], Shadow Form does not actually make you undead. As such, it does not make you vulnerable to weapons of [[holy wrath]] or [[Dispel Undead]]. And, while it is based on the [[shadow]] monster, you won't get innate [[flight]].  
  
 
===Pros===
 
===Pros===
*[[Invisibility]] without [[magical contamination]]
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*[[Invisibility]]
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**Immunity to backlighting ([[Corona]], [[Meteoran]] aura, glow from high [[magic contamination]])
 
*Immunity to [[poison]]
 
*Immunity to [[poison]]
 
*Immunity to external sources of [[draining]]
 
*Immunity to external sources of [[draining]]
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==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
Shadow Form is very costly and counterproductive for use as a general combat buff. First and foremost, it cripples your physical and magical offensive capabilities; unless you're playing a [[stab]]ber capable of inflicting massive damage through invisi-stabs, you'll be wasting a lot of time in long, drawn-out battles. On top of that, even the minimized damage you'll take will be aggravating as your drain levels pile higher and higher. Use Shadow Form in the specific situations it excels at.
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Shadow Form is clearly meant as an escape tool. The combination of [[invisibility]] and bleeding [[scroll of fog|smoke clouds]] allows you to shake off ranged attackers and unintelligent melee enemies. Should you be chased by something that can [[see invisible]] and keep up with you, increasing your speed with [[Swiftness]] or a [[potion of haste]], or simply [[teleport]]ing away, is recommended
  
The combination of [[invisibility]] and bleeding [[scroll of fog|smoke clouds]] allows you to shake off many ranged attackers or unintelligent melee enemies, especially if you have better than average movement speed. Should you be chased by something that can [[see invisible]] and keep up with you, increasing your speed with [[Swiftness]] or a [[potion of haste]], or simply [[teleport]]ing away, is recommended instead.
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It's also perfect for ninja'ing runes. You can break into a rune vault, grab the rune via [[Apportation]], and teleport or [[Translocations|translocate]] away. The 50% damage reduction is very significant, even before considering the immunity. However, you'll almost certainly wind up with heavy draining once you're in the clear. And, if you haven't cleared the rest of the floor, your getaway might not be as safe as you'd hoped.
  
Shadow Form is excellent for surviving several turns of high damage output, making it perfect for breaking into a rune vault, grabbing the rune with [[Apportation]], and teleporting away without dealing with any of the actual guardians. The 50% damage reduction effectively doubles your durability and healing effects even before you consider the various immunities you gain. However, you'll almost certainly wind up with heavy draining once you're in the clear, and if you haven't cleared the rest of the floor, your getaway might not be as safe as you'd hoped.
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As a general combat buff, Shadow Form is very costly, and usually counter productive. It inflicts heavy [[drain]], costs a lot of piety, and reduces your offensive capabilities. But, it does have a niche. Dedicated [[stab]]ber can take advantage of the invis-stabs. The infinite [[willpower]] can block hex effects from [[unique]]s and other monsters. Can also be used for poison resistance in a pinch, though there are better sources.
  
Finally, Shadow Form's immunities to certain threats makes it an excellent buff when faced with particular battles, in spite of the combat penalties. Many dangerous [[unique]]s have devastating attacks that must overcome your willpower, and many end-game opponents are capable of rapidly weakening you with [[torment]]; these threats are entirely disabled while in Shadow Form. [[Poison]] is rarely so threatening as to merit use of Shadow Form, but if you lack rPois and find yourself face to face with an enemy capable of casting [[Poison Arrow]], or think you're about to spend many turns stuck in a poison [[cloud]], it will greatly reduce the damage you take.
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If you aren't flying, watch out for [[water]], which will reveal your position.
  
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0; text-align: center"
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==History==
 
==History==
*In [[0.29]], Shadow Form will be immune to [[Corona|backlighting]].
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*In [[0.29]], Shadow Form was made immune to [[Corona|backlighting]].
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[[Category:Status effects]]
 
[[Category:Status effects]]
 
{{Forms}}
 
{{Forms}}

Revision as of 20:03, 18 June 2023

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Transforms you into a swirling mass of dark shadows. While in this form, you are permanently invisible and are immune to poison, draining, torment, and hostile enchantments. All incoming damage will be halved, and you will bleed smoke on any incoming attack. However, your ability to deal damage in melee and with ranged attacks will be halved, your spellcasting power will be greatly hampered, and your skills will be further drained when taking damage.

Invocations skill increases the duration of the transformation.

Shadow Form is a transformation which turns you into an immaterial shadow being. This is an entirely defensive form, greatly increasing your ability to survive dangerous situations, though at significant cost to your offensive capabilities. Shadow Form is only available through worshiping Dithmenos, costs 9 MP, 10-15 piety, and lightly drains you when activated.

While Shadow Form's benefits are very similar to those of being undead, Shadow Form does not actually make you undead. As such, it does not make you vulnerable to weapons of holy wrath or Dispel Undead. And, while it is based on the shadow monster, you won't get innate flight.

Pros

Cons

  • Your attacks do 50% less damage
  • Two negative spell power enhancements
  • Taking damage also inflicts further unavoidable drain

Strategy

Shadow Form is clearly meant as an escape tool. The combination of invisibility and bleeding smoke clouds allows you to shake off ranged attackers and unintelligent melee enemies. Should you be chased by something that can see invisible and keep up with you, increasing your speed with Swiftness or a potion of haste, or simply teleporting away, is recommended

It's also perfect for ninja'ing runes. You can break into a rune vault, grab the rune via Apportation, and teleport or translocate away. The 50% damage reduction is very significant, even before considering the immunity. However, you'll almost certainly wind up with heavy draining once you're in the clear. And, if you haven't cleared the rest of the floor, your getaway might not be as safe as you'd hoped.

As a general combat buff, Shadow Form is very costly, and usually counter productive. It inflicts heavy drain, costs a lot of piety, and reduces your offensive capabilities. But, it does have a niche. Dedicated stabber can take advantage of the invis-stabs. The infinite willpower can block hex effects from uniques and other monsters. Can also be used for poison resistance in a pinch, though there are better sources.

If you aren't flying, watch out for water, which will reveal your position.

Shadow Form
Shadow form.png

History

Transformations
Talisman Beast FormFlux FormBlade FormMaw FormSerpent FormStatue FormDragon FormDeath FormStorm Form
Bad Forms Bat FormFungus FormPig FormTree FormWisp Form
Divine Slaughter Form