Demonspawn mutations
As demonspawn characters level up, they gain useful mutations due to their demonic ancestry. Demonspawn mutations are semi-random, according to the following rules. A 'facet' is a set of three levels in one mutation:
- 90% of the time, they mutate as follows:
- They gain one body-slot facet
- They gain one scales facet
- They gain two tier 2 facets
- They gain one tier 3 facet
- 10% of the time, they are "monstrous", and instead mutate as follows:
- They gain three body-slot facets (claws, horns or antennae, hooves or talons)
- They have no scales facets
- They gain two tier 2 facets
- They gain one tier 3 facet
Monstrous demonspawn are far more offensive-minded: they have lower AC due to their inability to wear any armour other than cloaks, shields, and body armour, but their claws make them well-suited to Unarmed Combat. Your auxiliary attacks also support close combat.
Here is a list of all possible demonspawn mutations. Note that many of these mutations can also be gained randomly. However, demonspawn mutations are unique in that they cannot be removed by any means. You can check your current mutations with shift-A.
Body-Slot Facets
Monstrous demonspawn develop 3 body-slot facets, while others gain 1.
Claws
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +2 unarmed base damage. Negated by gloves. | You have sharp fingernails. |
2 | +4 unarmed base damage. Negated by gloves. | You have very sharp fingernails. |
3 | +6 unarmed base damage. Prohibits gloves. | You have claws for hands. |
Using Unarmed Combat with level 3 Claws will decapitate hydra heads. | ||
Species notes: Ghouls start with rank 1 and Trolls start with rank 3. | ||
Horns
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Auxiliary headbutt attack. Prohibits helmets. | You have a pair of small horns on your head. |
2 | Improved auxiliary headbutt attack. Prohibits helmets. | You have a pair of horns on your head. |
3 | Superior auxiliary headbutt attack. Prohibits all headgear. | You have a pair of large horns on your head. |
Damage: | ||
Species notes: Minotaurs start with rank 2, and Oni start with rank 1. Demonspawn can gain horns as a body slot option. Octopodes cannot gain horns. | ||
Antennae
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Shows the location of all invisible enemies in line of sight. Detects all monsters within 3 tiles, even through walls or opaque clouds. Prohibits helmets. | You have a pair of small antennae on your head. |
2 | Range increases to 5 tiles. Prohibits helmets. | You have a pair of antennae on your head. |
3 | Range increases to 7 tiles. Grants see invisible. Prohibits all headgear. | You have a pair of large antennae on your head. |
When playing in console mode, creatures not in line of sight are revealed as { or { glyphs, depending on whether the entity is hostile or friendly. In tile mode, they appear as icons which similarly indicate hostility. Mimics will be identified as soon as they enter your antennae range. | ||
Species notes: Formicids start with rank 3. Demonspawn can gain antennae as a body slot option. | ||
Hooves
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Auxiliary kick attack. Negated by boots. | You have large cloven feet. |
2 | Improved auxiliary kick attack. Negated by boots. | You have hoof-like feet. |
3 | Superior auxiliary kick attack. Prohibits boots. | You have hooves in place of feet. |
Damage: | ||
Species notes: Demonspawn can gain hooves as a body slot option. Nagas, merfolk, felids, and octopodes cannot gain hooves. | ||
Talons
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Auxiliary kick attack. Negated by boots. | You have sharp toenails. |
2 | Improved auxiliary kick attack. Negated by boots. | You have razor-sharp toenails. |
3 | Superior auxiliary kick attack. Prohibits boots. | You have claws for feet. |
Species notes: Tengu start at rank 3. Demonspawn can gain talons as a body slot option. | ||
Scales Facets
Most demonspawn develop scales; monstrous demonspawn do not. Demonspawn may still acquire scales through random mutation, but non-monstrous demonspawn can only get ranks of a scales mutation if it matches the one they would eventually develop later.
Molten Scales
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +2 AC | You are partially covered in molten scales. |
2 | +3 AC | You are mostly covered in molten scales. |
3 | +4 AC, rF+ | You are completely covered in molten scales. |
Icy Blue Scales
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +2 AC | You are partially covered in icy blue scales. |
2 | +3 AC | You are mostly covered in icy blue scales. |
3 | +4 AC, rC+ | You are completely covered in icy blue scales. |
Slimy Green Scales
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +2 AC | You are partially covered in slimy green scales. |
2 | +3 AC | You are mostly covered in slimy green scales. |
3 | +4 AC, rPois | You are completely covered in slimy green scales. |
Thin Metallic Scales
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +2 AC | You are partially covered in thin metallic scales. |
2 | +3 AC | You are mostly covered in thin metallic scales. |
3 | +4 AC, rElec | You are completely covered in thin metallic scales. |
Yellow Scales
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +2 AC | You are partially covered in yellow scales. |
2 | +3 AC | You are mostly covered in yellow scales. |
3 | +4 AC, rCorr | You are completely covered in yellow scales. |
Rugged Brown Scales
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +1 AC, +3% HP | You are partially covered in rugged brown scales. |
2 | +2 AC, +5% HP | You are mostly covered in rugged brown scales. |
3 | +3 AC, +7% HP | You are completely covered in rugged brown scales. |
Large Bone Plates
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +4 SH | You are partially covered in large bone plates. |
2 | +6 SH | You are mostly covered in large bone plates. |
3 | +8 SH | You are completely covered in large bone plates. |
Repulsion Field
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +2 EV | You are surrounded by a mild repulsion field. |
2 | +3 EV | You are surrounded by a moderate repulsion field. |
3 | +4 EV, Repel Missiles | You are surrounded by a strong repulsion field. |
Prior to 0.19, the EV bonus applied even when paralysed, sleeping, etc. | ||
Thin Skeletal Structure
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +2 DEX, +25 Stealth | You have a somewhat thin skeletal structure. |
2 | +4 DEX, +50 Stealth | You have a moderately thin skeletal structure. |
3 | +6 DEX, +75 Stealth | You have an unnaturally thin skeletal structure. |
In earlier versions of Crawl, this mutation also reduced strength by 1 per rank. |
Sturdy Frame
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | -2 Encumbrance from equipped armour. | Your movements are slightly less encumbered by armour. (ER -2) |
2 | -4 Encumbrance from equipped armour. | Your movements are less encumbered by armour. (ER -4) |
3 | -6 Encumbrance from equipped armour. | Your movements are significantly less encumbered by armour. (ER -6) |
This mutation allows the player to wear heavier Armour without the associated penalties to EV or Spell Success. | ||
Sanguine Armour
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | When you have 2/3 of your max health or less, gain +6 AC. | When seriously injured, your bleeding wounds create armour. (AC +0). |
2 | The same as the previous level but +9 AC. | When seriously injured, your bleeding wounds create thick armour. (AC +0). |
3 | The same as the previous level but +12 AC. | When seriously injured, your bleeding wounds create very thick armour. (AC +0). |
Big Brain
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +2 INT | You have an unusually large brain. |
2 | +4 INT | You have an extremely huge brain. |
3 | +6 INT, permanent Wizardry effect | You have an absolutely massive brain. |
Sharp Scales
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +1 AC, +1 slaying bonus | You are partially covered in razor-sharp scales. |
2 | +2 AC, +2 slaying bonus | You are mostly covered in razor-sharp scales. |
3 | +3 AC, +3 slaying bonus | You are completely covered in razor-sharp scales. |
Tier 2 Facets
All demonspawn develop two tier 2 facets.
Ignite Blood
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Blood spilled in your LOS has a 33% chance to immediately burst into a cloud of flame. You are immune to clouds of flame. |
Your demonic aura sometimes causes spilled blood to erupt in flames. |
2 | Chance of igniting blood increased to 66%. Flame cloud duration improves. | Your demonic aura often causes spilled blood to erupt in flames. |
3 | Chance of igniting blood increased to 100%. Flame cloud duration improves. | Your demonic aura causes all spilled blood to erupt in flames. |
Flame clouds appear where player or enemy blood is spilled and last from | ||
Icemail
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Condensation Shield: +4 SH, but melts in the heat. | A meltable shield of frost defends you. |
2 | Icemail: Provides an extra +4 AC. | A meltable icy envelope protects you from harm. |
3 | Icemail 2: AC improves to +8. | A thick, meltable icy envelope protects you from harm. |
Melts each time you take fire damage but regenerates after 300 auts have passed. | ||
Powered by Death
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Powered by death is triggered at a (100 - 10 * powered by death regen strength)% chance when you kill an enemy. If triggered you gain random2(mutation level + 1) powered by death regen strength, lasts for 1 + 1d4 turns per level of regen strength. Resets duration when triggered. Adds 100 * powered by death regen strength to your regeneration rate. | You regenerate a little health from kills. |
2 | The same as the previous level but the mutation level is higher. | You regenerate health from kills. |
3 | The same as the previous level but the mutation level is higher. | You regenerate a lot of health from kills. |
Every enemy you kill has a percentage chance to increase your regeneration rate by an amount, the chance decreases when the amount increases. The amount it can increase by per kill increases with the mutation level. | ||
Mana Shield
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Doubles your natural MP regeneration. | You regenerate magic rapidly. |
2 | Permanently grants the spirit shield intrinsic. | When hurt, damage is shared between your health and your magic reserves. |
3 | At low MP, converts your HP regeneration to MP regeneration. | When low on magic, you restore magic in place of health. |
Demonic Guardian
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Chance to automatically summon a weak demonic ally when damaged. | A weak demonic guardian rushes to your aid. |
2 | Summons average demons. | A demonic guardian rushes to your aid. |
3 | Summons powerful demons. | A powerful demonic guardian rushes to your aid. |
Summons may occur after taking damage. You may shoot through guardians harmlessly. | ||
Nightstalker
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +50 Stealth, -1 LOS | You are slightly more attuned to the shadows. |
2 | +100 Stealth, -2 LOS | You are significantly more attuned to the shadows. |
3 | +150 Stealth, -3 LOS | You are completely attuned to the shadows. |
Species Notes: Exclusive to Kobold. | ||
Spiny
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Automatic retaliation to monster melee attacks. 50% chance, 1 to (2 * XL / 3) + 3 damage. | You are partially covered in sharp spines. |
2 | Automatic retaliation to monster melee attacks. 50% chance, 2 to (2 * XL / 3) + 6 damage. | You are mostly covered in sharp spines. |
3 | Automatic retaliation to monster melee attacks. 50% chance, 3 to (2 * XL / 3) + 9 damage. | You are completely covered in sharp spines. |
Blocked attacks don't cause retaliation. For more details, see spiny. Players with this mutation are immune to constriction. | ||
Powered by Pain
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Each time you are injured, gain a bonus if random2(damage suffered) > 4 + (XL/4) OR if damage suffered > 50% of your max HP. | You sometimes gain a little power by taking damage. |
2 | Increased mana gain and longer durations for might and agility bonuses. | You sometimes gain power by taking damage. |
3 | Even higher mana gain, and even longer durations for might and agility. | You are powered by pain. |
Possible Bonuses | ||
Foul Stench
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | When damaged in melee, 10% chance to release a cloud of miasma. You are immune to miasma. | You may rarely emit foul miasma when damaged in melee. |
2 | Chance of releasing miasma increased to 25%. | You sometimes emit foul miasma when damaged in melee. |
3 | Chance of releasing miasma increased to 40%. | You frequently emit foul miasma when damaged in melee. |
Clouds of miasma are placed at the attacker's location and last for 5 to 10 turns. | ||
Tier 3 Facets
All demonspawn gain one tier 3 facet.
Hurl Hellfire
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Improved willpower (equal to Will+). Enemies take damage when you resist their enchantments. |
You punish those that try to bend your will. |
2 | Torment resistance. | You are resistant to unholy torment. |
3 | Hurl Damnation for 15% of max HP. | You can hurl damnation. |
Damage from demonic will scales with the power of the spell resisted: 3 + 1d(spell_power / 10) At XL 27, damnation damage is 3d42. Ignores AC and fire resistance, but not damnation resistance. | ||
Passive Freeze
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | When hit in melee, you retaliate with Freeze (1d10, 100% chance). | A frigid envelope surrounds you and freezes all who hurt you. |
Prior to 0.27, was a three rank Demonspawn mutation. | ||
Robust
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | +10% max HP | You are robust. |
2 | +20% max HP | You are very robust. |
3 | +30% max HP | You are extremely robust. |
Negative Energy Resistance
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Enhances Hexes | Your hexes are more powerful. |
2 | 20% to inflict one of drain, weak, or antimagic in melee | Your melee attacks may debilitate your foes. |
3 | Silences all adjacent tiles (your own tile is not silenced). | You are surrounded by an aura of silence. |
For level 2 of this mutation, if a status would be useless against a target, it is rerolled. | ||
Augmentation
Rank | Effect | Flavor |
1 | Slaying bonus at high HP. | Your magical and physical power is slightly enhanced at high health. |
2 | Improved slaying bonus at high HP. | Your magical and physical power is enhanced at high health. |
3 | Superior slaying bonus at high HP. | Your magical and physical power is greatly enhanced at high health. |
Bonus of +3 slaying and +40% spell power per level of augmentation. | ||
Prior to 0.20, the slaying bonus was 4 per rank. | ||
History
- In 0.26, Nightstalker will no longer be a demonspawn mutation.
- Prior to 0.19, Powered by Death gave regen from nearby corpses, regen is now given from kills.
- Sanguine Armour was added in 0.19.
- Sturdy Frame was added in 0.18.
- Rough Black Scales were removed in 0.18.
- Prior to 0.14, the negative energy facet granted a second level of rN, instead of the Black Mark passive ability.
- Prior to 0.13, Demonic Guardian would function for Okawaru worshipers, often resulting in massive piety losses. Hellfire cost 25% of max HP instead of 15.
- Mana Shield was added in 0.13.
- Prior to 0.12, Augmentation kicked in at low HP instead of high HP.
- Prior to 0.11, magic resistance was available as a Tier 2 facet.