Electrocution

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

The electrocution brand gives weapons a 25% chance to inflict 7 + 1d13 electricity damage per hit, regardless of the damage done by the weapon itself. Electricity resistant monsters do not take any extra damage.

Strategy

Since this brand deals a flat rate of damage - independent of actual weapon damage - electrocution works best on fast, low mindelay weapons (demon whips, quick blades, spears, whips, etc.). However, even for a "heavy" weapon type, this brand is competitive with the likes of flaming and freezing. As a bonus, few enemies resist electricity until you get to Zot and extended.

Electrocution's damage is completely independent from AC. Elec tends to be favored on faster weapons, though; the weapons themselves are reduced more by AC.

Comparisons

• Distortion is a flat effect which deals more damage (on average) and has no resistance. However, unless you worship Lugonu, unwielding a distortion weapon isn't safe. Minor negatives: you can banish monsters with desirable gear, or blink them away from you.
• The pain brand starts to outdamage electrocution when you have more than 7 Necromancy skill. However, pain is resisted by more monster than electrocution.

History

• Prior to 0.28, electrocution had a 33% chance of activating.
• Prior to 0.15, this brand did 10-24 damage instead of 8-20.
• Prior to 0.14, discharges of electricity would occur when hitting monsters in water, damaging multiple targets nearby (including the player character).
• Prior to 0.13, this brand had no effect on flying monsters, considerably limiting its utility in certain branches.