Skeletal warrior

Version 0.12: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

skeletal warrior z
HP	55-75
HD	10
XP	817
Speed	10
AC	15
EV	10
Will	93
Attack1	25 (hit: plain)
Resistances	rC+, rPois+++, rN+++, rTorm, rRot+++, rDrown
Vulnerabilities	Holy, Holy wrath
Habitat	Land
Intelligence	Normal
Uses	Weapons & armour Starting equipment Open doors
Holiness	Undead
Size	Medium
Type	skeletal warrior, skeletal warrior
Flags	Actual spells Fighter Evil Spellcaster

The vicious and heavily armed skeleton of a humanoid creature, animated by unholy power.

Useful Info

Skeletal warriors are surprisingly dangerous undead monsters which travel in packs. Although they resemble small skeletons, they move at average speed, have significant durability, and come armed with powerful branded weapons. On top of that, they can raise any fallen corpses around them as skeletons and zombies. They are found in the mid-to-late-Dungeon, the Crypt, and the Abyss.

Spells

Spell set
Slot1	Animate Dead
Slot2	none
Slot3	Animate Dead
Slot4	none
Slot5	none
Slot6	none

Tips & Tricks

• Avoid letting them attack you more than one at a time. Hallways help, but keep an eye out for skeletons armed with polearms.
• Dispel Undead will take them down in two or three castings.
• Control Undead works well to turn them against each other, which will help thin out their numbers and likely give you a chance to escape if necessary.
• Weapons of holy wrath are also effective, the bigger, the better.
• If you don't have any way to reliably take on a pack of skeletal warriors, consider skipping them and coming back once you've leveled up more. Even a single skeletal warrior can kill a lightly armored character in a few hits, especially if they've got a big, nasty weapon.

Variant Skeletal Warrior

While exploring the Crypt, you may come across a skeletal archer. These ranged fighters are as durable as the warriors, but come in a pack and are armed with longbows.

Since when is having flesh a requirement to be a master archer? These skeletal fellows can turn you into a bloody hedgehog with ease. Meatlings like you are only good for a supply of sinew for bowstrings anyway. "For a glory of all evil spirits rise for victory Pain for pain, blood for blood Pagan warriors moved quickly forward Bows are ready to shoot out their searing Darts..." -Mastiphal, "For a Glory of All Evil Spirits"

Variant: Ancient champions

The unfathomably ancient skeleton of a humanoid creature. It has hundreds of golden sigils etched onto its bones, and pulses with terrible, unholy power.

Ancient champions are very dangerous skeletal warriors with powerful spellcasting abilities and good weapons and armour, found only in one particular vault.

Spells

Spell set 1
Slot1	Throw Frost
Slot2	Bolt of Draining
Slot3	Haste
Slot4	none
Slot5	none
Slot6	none

Spell set 2
Slot1	Venom Bolt
Slot2	Haunt
Slot3	Haste
Slot4	none
Slot5	none
Slot6	none

Spell set 3
Slot1	Pain
Slot2	Iron Shot
Slot3	Haste
Slot4	none
Slot5	none
Slot6	none

Spell set 4
Slot1	Iskenderun's Mystic Blast
Slot2	Slow
Slot3	Haste
Slot4	none
Slot5	none
Slot6	none

All ancient champions are considerable threats in melee, wearing plate mail and wielding heavy, branded two-handed weapons, in addition to always being able to haste themselves. However, their spell sets vary considerably in threat level: Bolt of Draining and Iskenderun's Mystic Blast are both fairly negligible, while Iron Shot and Haunt are much harder to deal with. Consider switching to an amulet of warding if you suddenly find yourself surrounded by summoned ghosts.

History

In 0.13 skeletal warriors will lose their spellset, and ancient champions will be considered different monsters that will be randomly generated in the Crypt possibly with a band of skeletal warriors.