Lightning scales
A set of armoured plates assembled to protect a creature with a long, scaly lower body. Faintly crackling with electricity, they supercharge their wearer's ability to cover distance. |
+6 barding
Running ego (-10% movement delay)
rElec
Desirability
The lightning scales[1] provide excellent defense (better than all mundane bardings), an uncommon resistance, and the only source of unconditional increased movement speed in the game. However, as it is a barding, only Nagas and Armataurs can wear it.
Nagas with these scales will move below average speed (1.2 move delay), but that's still a significant improvement. It allows you to reposition without as many attacks, and lets you retreat a few more tiles before being attacked. The addition of Swiftness will allow them to finally move faster than average.
Armataurs, meanwhile, get to permanently move at above-average speed. This is a large benefit - fast speed means you can kite enemies, avoid attacks of opportunity, and retreat easier.
Followers of Cheibriados should avoid this item, as that god forbids hasty items like this.
History
- Prior to 0.26, only nagas could wear the lightning scales.
- Prior to 0.13, this artefact always reduced movement delay by 2, but only had a +3 enchantment bonus to AC.
- The lightning scales were added in 0.10.
References
- ↑ art-data.txt:1187 (0.30.0)