Rakshasa

Version 0.14: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

rakshasa R
HP	45-84
HD	11
XP	993
Speed	10
AC	10
EV	14
Will	146
Attack1	20 (hit: plain)
Resistances	rPois+, rN+++, rTorm, rRot
Vulnerabilities	Holy, Holy wrath
Habitat	Land
Intelligence	High
Uses	Weapons & armour Starting equipment Open doors
Holiness	Demonic
Size	Medium
Type	rakshasa, rakshasa
Flags	See invisible Silence immune

A demon in the form of a tiger who comes to the material world in search of power and knowledge. Rakshasas are experts in the art of illusion, and are simultaneously intelligent and cruel. “Vaisampayana said, 'Not far from the place where the Pandavas were asleep, a Rakshasa by name Hidimva dwelt on the Sala tree. Possessed of great energy and prowess, he was a cruel cannibal of visage that was grim in consequence of his sharp and long teeth. He was now hungry and longing for human flesh. Of long shanks and a large belly, his locks and beard were both red in hue. His shoulders were broad like the neck of a tree; his ears were like unto arrows, and his features were frightful.” -_Mahābhārata_, Adi Parva, Hidimva-vadha Parva, section CLIV. ca. 500 B.C. trans. Kisari Mohan Ganguli, 1883.

Useful Info

Rakshasas are demonic illusionists that wield whips and spawn multiple decoys of themselves and any monsters in their line of sight. These decoys are every bit as dangerous as the original, but all decoys will disappear when the original is slain. Also, when reduced to 50% HP, they will occasionally create two duplicates instantly. They are a common sight in the Depths, the Abyss, and Lom Lobon's realm in Pandemonium.

Spells

Spell set
Slot1	Iskenderun's Mystic Blast (3d16)
Slot2	Iskenderun's Mystic Blast (3d16)
Slot3	Phantom Mirror
Slot4	Phantom Mirror
Slot5	Blink
Slot6	none

Tips & Tricks

• Thanks to their IMB spell, their ranged damage output is significant, especially to lightly armoured characters. If you're uncomfortable facing a single rakshasa, flee before it duplicates and makes itself even deadlier.
• Lure rakshasas away from unexplored territory if you don't want it duplicating any wandering monsters that happen to hear the explosions they generate.

History

Prior to 0.14, they knew Blink, Invisibility, Teleport Self, and the much-less-deadly Rakshasa Summon in place of their current spellset.