Difference between revisions of "Ancient lich"

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{{monster info}}
 
{{monster info}}
  
 
==Useful Info==
 
==Useful Info==
'''Ancient liches''' are extremely powerful undead casters with a wide array of resistances and access to several deadly attack spells that can deal ridiculous amounts of damage or summon devastatingly powerful allies. If you are not confident in your skills, escape is strongly advised. Ancient liches can rarely be found on the last floor of [[the Vaults]], in [[the Abyss]], [[the Crypt]], [[the Tomb]], and [[the Realm of Zot]], and are a common sight in the orb chamber of [[Zot:5]].
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'''Ancient liches''' are extremely powerful undead casters with a wide array of resistances and access to deadly attack spells that can deal ridiculous amounts of damage. If you are not confident in your skills, escape is strongly advised.
 +
 
 +
Ancient liches can rarely be found on the last floor of [[the Vaults]], in [[the Abyss]], [[the Crypt]], [[the Tomb]], and [[the Realm of Zot]]. They are a particularly common sight near the orb chamber of [[Zot:5]].
  
 
{{monster spells}}
 
{{monster spells}}
  
 
==Tips & Tricks==
 
==Tips & Tricks==
First and foremost, understand that ancient liches are some of the most powerful casters in the game. When dealing with them, don't worry too much about conserving resources; if burning a consumable or two will greatly ease the battle, do so. A character with [[potion of haste|Haste]] and [[Might]], for example, will have a much easier time than a character relying on their skills alone. [[Berserk]]ing is chancey, as ancient liches often generate in places where you don't want to be attracting a lot of attention, but the boost to [[HP]] and damage can make a huge difference.
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First and foremost, understand that ancient liches are some of the most powerful casters in the game. Don't worry too much about conserving resources; if burning a consumable or two will greatly ease the battle, do so. Going [[berserk]] is chancey, as ancient liches often generate in places where you don't want to be attracting a lot of attention, but the boost to [[HP]] and damage can make a huge difference.
 
 
As liches resist most elemental damage, combat casters should rely on pure [[Conjurations]] and [[Earth Magic]] (although [[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]], sadly, cannot target them, and their [[AC]] is high enough to minimize its shrapnel damage). [[Necromancy]] specialists can deal brutal amounts of damage with [[Dispel Undead]], though it requires being at point-blank range and will still take several castings to get the job done. Nearly all [[Hexes]] are useless against their infinite [[willpower]], so don't bother trying to enchant them.
 
  
Melee fighters should wield [[holy wrath]]- or [[antimagic]]-[[brand]]ed weapons if they are available, and should lure them around corners or use [[scrolls of blinking]] to get into melee range as quickly as possible; wasting turns rushing into the fray will result in you getting pounded by brutal attack spells or having various dangerous summons join the fight. Once you get close to the lich, casting [[Silence]] or reading a [[scroll of silence]] will disable the vast majority of their abilities. Their melee attacks might not be insignificant, but they're a good deal safer than most of their attack spells.
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As liches resist most elemental damage, combat casters should rely on pure [[Conjurations]] or [[Earth Magic]]. [[Necromancy]] specialists can deal brutal amounts of damage with [[Dispel Undead]], though it requires getting to and staying in point-blank range. Nearly all [[Hexes]] are useless against their infinite [[willpower]], so don't bother with them.
  
[[Throwing net]]s are very useful against ancient liches. Hitting one at the edge of your line of sight with one guarantees it won't be able to follow you for several turns, allowing a fairly safe escape. Hitting one in melee range will make it vulnerable to [[stab]]bing attempts, allowing [[Short Blades]] specialists to make very short work of them.
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Melee fighters should lure them around corners or use [[scrolls of blinking]] to get into melee range as quickly as possible, lest you get pounded by brutal attack spells or petrified. Once there, casting [[Silence]] or reading a [[scroll of silence]] will disable the vast majority of their abilities. It may be worth swapping to a [[Holy wrath]]- or [[antimagic]]-[[brand]]ed weapon, if available. The lich's melee attacks might not be insignificant, but they're a good deal safer than most of their attack spells.  
  
Of course, since it's unlikely that you'll be able to take them out without taking a single hit, being able to survive their spells is advisable. Don't go after them while wounded, apply any useful buffs you may have available, and if your character has any significant holes in their resistances, consider chugging a [[potion of resistance]]; it may be wasteful, but better to be safe than sorry (taking 100+ damage in a single turn stings).
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[[Throwing net]]s are very useful against ancient liches. Throwing a net at the edge of LOS guarantees that the lich won't be able to follow you for several turns, allowing a fairly safe escape. Nets distract monsters; letting any player, especially [[Short Blades]] users, multiple chances to attack for free.
  
As always, remember that killing a summoner destroys all its summons. If you are confident you can finish off an ancient lich before its summoned fiends can tear you to pieces, go for it. If you ''aren't'' confident of that, consider what safe escape routes you have available.
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Of course, since it's unlikely that you'll be able to take them out without taking a single hit, being able to survive their spells is advisable. Don't go after them while wounded, apply any useful buffs you may have available, and consider chugging a [[potion of resistance]] to patch up vulnerabilities; it may be wasteful, but better to be safe than sorry! Taking 100+ damage in a single turn stings.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
*Prior to [[0.18]], ancient liches had random spell sets.
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*Prior to [[0.27]], ancient liches could have one of several spell sets. In particular, the [[Summoning]]-focused spells were given to the newly-introduced [[dread lich]]es.
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** [[Bolt of Cold]] (3d37), [[Force Lance]] (3d27), [[Summon Greater Demon]], [[Slow]], [[Invisibility]]
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** [[Bolt of Draining]] (3d33), [[Poison Arrow]] (3d34), [[Haunt]], [[Banishment]], [[Haste]]
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** [[Bolt of Fire]] (3d37), [[Iron Shot]] (3d44), Summon Greater Demon, [[Confuse]], Invisibility
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** [[Corrosive Bolt]] (3d28), [[Lehudib's Crystal Spear]] (3d48), [[Petrify]], Haste
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** [[Lightning Bolt]] (3d29), [[Orb of Destruction]] (9d20), [[Paralyze]], Haste
 +
*Prior to [[0.18]], ancient liches had randomized spell sets.
 
*Prior to [[0.16]], ancient liches would generate with one of four predetermined spell sets.
 
*Prior to [[0.16]], ancient liches would generate with one of four predetermined spell sets.

Revision as of 15:18, 22 December 2021

Version 0.27: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
ancient lich LAncient lich.png
HP 71-144
HD 27
XP 8103
Speed 10
AC 20
EV 10
Will Immune
Attack1 20 (touch: drain experience)


Resistances rF+
rC++
rElec
rPois+++
rDrown
rMiasma
rN+++
rTorm
Vulnerabilities Holy
Habitat Land
Intelligence Human
Uses Open doors
Holiness Undead
Size Medium
Type lich, lich
Flags Evil
See invisible
Speaks
A lich who, having existed for countless centuries, has grown almost unimaginably powerful through the study of dark magic.

Useful Info

Ancient liches are extremely powerful undead casters with a wide array of resistances and access to deadly attack spells that can deal ridiculous amounts of damage. If you are not confident in your skills, escape is strongly advised.

Ancient liches can rarely be found on the last floor of the Vaults, in the Abyss, the Crypt, the Tomb, and the Realm of Zot. They are a particularly common sight near the orb chamber of Zot:5.

Spells

Spell set I
Slot1 Corrosive Bolt (3d34) Wizard flag
Slot2 Lehudib's Crystal Spear (3d48) Wizard flag
Slot3 Haste Wizard flag
Slot4 Petrify Wizard flag
Slot5 Invisibility Wizard flag

Tips & Tricks

First and foremost, understand that ancient liches are some of the most powerful casters in the game. Don't worry too much about conserving resources; if burning a consumable or two will greatly ease the battle, do so. Going berserk is chancey, as ancient liches often generate in places where you don't want to be attracting a lot of attention, but the boost to HP and damage can make a huge difference.

As liches resist most elemental damage, combat casters should rely on pure Conjurations or Earth Magic. Necromancy specialists can deal brutal amounts of damage with Dispel Undead, though it requires getting to and staying in point-blank range. Nearly all Hexes are useless against their infinite willpower, so don't bother with them.

Melee fighters should lure them around corners or use scrolls of blinking to get into melee range as quickly as possible, lest you get pounded by brutal attack spells or petrified. Once there, casting Silence or reading a scroll of silence will disable the vast majority of their abilities. It may be worth swapping to a Holy wrath- or antimagic-branded weapon, if available. The lich's melee attacks might not be insignificant, but they're a good deal safer than most of their attack spells.

Throwing nets are very useful against ancient liches. Throwing a net at the edge of LOS guarantees that the lich won't be able to follow you for several turns, allowing a fairly safe escape. Nets distract monsters; letting any player, especially Short Blades users, multiple chances to attack for free.

Of course, since it's unlikely that you'll be able to take them out without taking a single hit, being able to survive their spells is advisable. Don't go after them while wounded, apply any useful buffs you may have available, and consider chugging a potion of resistance to patch up vulnerabilities; it may be wasteful, but better to be safe than sorry! Taking 100+ damage in a single turn stings.

History