Ancient lich

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Revision as of 06:57, 5 June 2014 by DC Malleus (talk | contribs) (Updated to mention Aura of Abjuration)
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ancient lich LAncient lich.png
HP 87-132
HD 27
XP 7501
Speed 10
AC 20
EV 10
Will Immune
Attack1 20 (touch: drain experience)


Resistances rF+, rC++,
rElec, rPois+++,
rN+++, rTorm,
rRot+++, rDrown,
rWater
Vulnerabilities Holy, Holy wrath
Habitat Land
Intelligence High
Uses Open doors
Holiness Undead
Size Medium
Type lich, lich
Flags Actual spells
Evil
See invisible
Speaks
Spellcaster
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 resistance to fire, near immunity to cold and electricity, and complete immunity to poison and negative energy. They can deal ridiculous amounts of damage at medium range (player death in one or two hits is not unheard of) and can summon hordes of greater demons. If you are not confident in your skills, escape is strongly advised. Ancient liches can be found in certain vaults of the Dungeon and most later branches, and are a common sight in the orb chamber of the Realm of Zot.

Spells

Spell set I
Slot1 Bolt of Cold (3d37)
Slot2 Paralyse (50% success rate when MR=72)
Slot3 Summon Greater Demon
Slot4 Animate Dead
Slot5 Iron Shot (3d44)
Slot6 Teleport Self
Spell set II
Slot1 Bolt of Draining (3d33)
Slot2 Slow (50% success rate when MR=72)
Slot3 Invisibility
Slot4 Throw Icicle (3d37)
Slot5 Lehudib's Crystal Spear (3d48)
Slot6 Invisibility
Spell set III
Slot1 Bolt of Fire (3d37)
Slot2 Confuse (50% success rate when MR=72)
Slot3 Haste
Slot4 Bolt of Draining (3d33)
Slot5 Summon Greater Demon
Slot6 Banishment (50% success rate when MR=72)
Spell set IV
Slot1 Iskenderun's Mystic Blast (3d30)
Slot2 Bolt of Cold (3d37)
Slot3 Invisibility
Slot4 Animate Dead
Slot5 Orb of Destruction (9d20)
Slot6 Invisibility

Tips & Tricks

Ancient liches are vulnerable to Dispel Undead, weapons of holy wrath, the Shining One's Cleansing Flame, and Silence, but be prepared to escape quickly if they start summoning or hit you with a crystal spear. Their melee attacks are draining branded a la wraiths and wights, but don't do much damage, so Silence renders them mostly harmless as long as it lasts.

Ancient liches are immune to magic, making most Hexes useless against them. Scrolls of vulnerability will have no effect on them.

Those without 200+ HP should keep their distance (at least 6 squares to avoid Iron Shot, 7 for Bolt of Draining/Bolt of Fire, and 8 for Bolt of Cold) and use their longest range attacks. Aura of Abjuration is very effective to get rid of the summons, provided you have it. Haste is also useful.

As with wizards and other casters with multiple spell sets, observe what the lich is casting to have an idea of what to expect. For example, you know that a lich that casts Iron Shot or Bolt of Fire also knows Summon Greater Demon.

If you're a melee-focused character with no choice in the matter, try to get into melee as quickly as possible. A scroll of blinking can get you into killing range without getting hammered by half a dozen lethal spells, life protection can make the actual fight less painful, and berserking will help you cut them down in half the time.