Static Discharge

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

Static Discharge
Level	2
School1	Air
School2	Conjuration
Source(s)	Book of Storms
Casting noise	3
Spell noise	0
Power Cap	100
Range	1
Flags	Area

Releases electrical charges against those next to the caster. These may arc to other adjacent creatures, or back to the caster, before eventually grounding out. It deals reduced damage when arcing to the caster, and bypasses any armour the target may have.

Spell Details
Damage Formula	3 + 1d(3 + pow/12)
Max Damage	3 + 1d(7)
Max Power	50
Range	1 (but can jump to monsters adjacent to the victim)
Targeting	Self
To-hit	Never miss
Special	Ignores AC Reduced damage to player

Static Discharge is a level 2 Conjurations/Air Magic spell which releases charges of electricity at one or more targets adjacent to the caster.

Useful Info

Static Discharge deals electric damage to a random adjacent target, ignoring AC. It will then "arc" to a creature adjacent to the target, dealing full damage. Static Discharge can make up to 1d(2 + pow/20) arcs (max. 5), and multiple arcs can hit the same monster.

If an arc hits the caster, the damage is reduced (dealing 1d(2 + pow/15) instead), and the Static Discharge grounds out; no future arcs are made.

It does not affect electricity-immune targets; any arcs aimed at immune creatures will immediately ground out.

The Arc Blade uses a particularly high-powered version of this spell for its special effect.

Strategy

Static Discharge is most helpful against crowds of monsters, as such crowds allow for multiple arcs to bounce through them. The ability to bypass AC and EV lets it see use against single monsters with high defenses, like orc warriors or killer bees. It's also just a good (level 2) attacking spell.

Exercise caution when using this spell against crowds, however -- much like axes, having more targets means you'll also be taking more attacks. But unlike axes, Static Discharge can hit monsters behind the target. When used in a hallway, you can hit 2 monsters while only being hit back by one.

History

• Prior to 0.30, Static Discharge dealt 3 + 1d(3 + pow/8) damage and had a power cap of 100. rElec monsters were fully immune to this spell.
• Prior to 0.29, this spell dealt 2 + 1d(5 + Power/10 + (1d(Power)-1)/10) damage, and power was reduced for each arc of the spell.
• Prior to 0.27, this spell was a level 3 spell.
• Prior to 0.26, insubstantial wisps could cast this spell.
• Prior to 0.13, this spell would deal less damage to levitating or flying targets.
• Prior to 0.9, Static Discharge was a level 4 spell.