Shadow dragon scales

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

Name	Shadow dragon scales
Size to wear	Any
Armour Class	11
Encumbrance rating	15
Maximum Enchantment	+11
Grants	Stealth++++
Time to Wear	5

The scales of a great umbral dragon. It is heavier than most dragon-scale armours, but despite this, blends in so well with the shadows as to provide a substantial benefit to the wearer's stealth.

Shadow dragon scales are a fairly heavy suit of armour, providing defensive stats superior to plate armor. As such, these scales make spellcasting and evasion significantly more difficult, but oddly enough, actually provide a boost to the wearer's stealth.

It is possible to obtain a set of shadow dragon scales by killing a shadow dragon.

Desirability

By the time shadow dragons are common, players will often have better alternatives. Most characters who wouldn't mind the casting or EV penalties would have either found (and enchanted) a plate armour, or wait for the more generally useful storm or gold dragon scales instead. At the very least, an early set of scales is better than plate armour.

Stabbers may appreciate these scales, as a heavy armour that won't hinder stealth. While many stabbers rely on Dodging, it can be an interesting option for those with high strength and/or Armour skill (if you don't care about casting any particularly high-level spell).

Note that the normal heavy armour stealth penalties apply to the shadow dragon armour, so for stealth purposes the armour is similar to a robe with Stlth+.

History

• Prior to 0.29, shadow dragon scales only provided 10 AC.
• Shadow dragon scales were known as shadow dragon armour before 0.19. They were created by using a scroll of enchant armour on a shadow dragon hide.
• Shadow dragon armour was added in 0.16.

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Shadow dragon scales