Beast talisman

Trunk-only: This article pertains to a feature of Crawl which is being tested. It will likely change before the next release, and may even be removed entirely.

Transforms the user into a monstrous, furry were-beast, limbs pulsing with ferocious energy. Shapeshifting skill increases the killing power provided. While transformed, any gloves, cloaks, headgear and boots are melded.

A beast talisman is a talisman that changes you into Beast Form, a wild, hulking form that grants bonuses to melee.

Shapeshifters start with this item, and start the game in Beast Form.

Useful Info

When eVoked, a beast talisman turns you into Beast Form, which lasts until you end the form. Entering or exiting a form takes 5 turns.

Beast Form has the following effects:

Combat Bonuses

• Unarmed Combat: 3 base damage (no boost).
• Slaying Bonus: adds 1 + (7/10 * Shapeshifting) slaying (1-7 slay) to melee combat, rounded in a weighted fashion. Applies even when using a weapon. Slaying increases damage and accuracy.

Restrictions

• Melded Gear: All armour except for body armour and shields. (This includes helmets/hats, cloaks, gloves, and boots/bardings.)

Beast Form does not block any mutations, does not change your size, and gives no innate bonus to HP / AC.

Beast Form has no minimum Shapeshifting skill. It has a maximum skill of 10; further skill has no further impact.

Strategy

If you haven't found or can't use any auxiliary armor pieces yet, then Beast Form is a free +1.7 slaying. That's a net positive for every character - no Shapeshifting skill required. Generally, 1 slaying is worse than 2 AC, so good enough armour should take priority over this form.

Remember that Beast Form boosts weapons as much as it does Unarmed Combat. For example, if you find a dagger of venom on D:2, then don't hesitate to switch.

Even Shapeshifters might not want to invest in Shapeshifting skill right away. For Beast Form, Shapeshifting gives more damage than a weapon skill, but worse damage than Unarmed Combat skill:

• 1 Shapeshifting skill gives +0.7 slay per level, or +0.35 damage.
• 1 weapon skill will give benefits depending on the weapon itself. Examples:
  • A short sword gets +0.1 base damage, +0.5 accuracy, and -0.05 attack delay (5% to 10% faster) per Short Blades level (not including stabbing bonuses).
  • A mace gets +0.16 base damage, +0.5 accuracy, and -0.05 attack delay (4% to 9% faster) per M&F level.
• 1 Unarmed Combat skill gives +1 base damage, +0.5 accuracy, and slightly faster attacks.

In the early-game, Shapeshifters will want to invest in some UC, to increase immediate damage output. If you find a good weapon, then Shapeshiting will give a better return right now than <weapon skill>. But if you decide to abandon Shapeshifting, then weapon skill gives a more permanent benefit.

History

• Will be introduced in trunk, in the transformation overhaul. Beast Form is similar in function to Beastly Appendage.