Difference between revisions of "Ashenzari"

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[[File:Ashenzari altar.png]] ''"Partake of my vision. Partake of my curse."''
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[[File:Ashenzari altar.png]] "Partake of my vision. Partake of my curse."''
 
{{flavour|While it seems inconceivable that the divine could be shackled, Ashenzari is just that: bound to the sky for eternity, the unbudging god is all-knowing, all-seeing. Devoted worshippers are allowed to grasp shreds of this knowledge and foresight, but be warned: to Ashenzari, power and blessing and curse are all the same thing.
 
{{flavour|While it seems inconceivable that the divine could be shackled, Ashenzari is just that: bound to the sky for eternity, the unbudging god is all-knowing, all-seeing. Devoted worshippers are allowed to grasp shreds of this knowledge and foresight, but be warned: to Ashenzari, power and blessing and curse are all the same thing.
  
Ashenzari exhorts followers to curse their possessions, periodically offering these curses to worshipers as they explore. Cursed equipment can not be enchanted and only removed by shattering it forever. However, these curses enchance specific skills. They will also please Ashenzari, who will reveal the invisible and grant clarity of mind. The truly devot will gain a fragment of Ashenzari's astral sight, letting them see through walls.
+
Ashenzari exhorts followers to curse their possessions, periodically offering these curses to worshipers as they explore. Cursed equipment cannot be enchanted and only be removed by shattering it forever. However, these curses enhance specific skills. They will also please Ashenzari, who will reveal the invisible and grant clarity of mind. The truly devout will gain a fragment of Ashenzari's astral sight, letting them see through walls.
  
 
Ashenzari likes it when you bind yourself with curses.
 
Ashenzari likes it when you bind yourself with curses.
  
Ashenzari's powers are not effected by Invocations skill.}}
+
Ashenzari's powers are not affected by Invocations skill.}}
  
 
==Racial restrictions==
 
==Racial restrictions==
Line 13: Line 13:
  
 
==Appreciates==
 
==Appreciates==
Ashenzari likes it when you curse your equipment. Curses are offered periodically on exploration; approximately one curse per ordinary dungeon floor fully explored, if you have no curses pending.
+
Ashenzari likes it when you [[curse]] your equipment. Curses are offered periodically during exploration (approximately one curse per ordinary Dungeon floor fully explored, if you have no curses pending).
  
Piety is entirely dependent on how many equipment slots you have binded. For an unmutated [[human]], each cursed item will provide approximately 17 piety, ignoring piety gain on worship. Slot-limiting effects, such as [[species]], [[Ru]]'s Sacrifice Hand, or the [[Lear's hauberk]] are taken in consideration. When transformed, your bound status is based on your equipment pre-transformation.
+
[[Piety]] is entirely dependent on how many equipment slots you have bound. For an unmutated [[human]], each cursed item will provide 17 piety. The piety gained by worship is effectively negated (so having 1 cursed item is 17 piety, not 17 + 15). Slot limiting effects, such as two-handed weapons, [[species]]-specific equipment restrictions, [[Ru]]'s Sacrifice Hand, or [[Lear's hauberk]] are taken into consideration, and give proportionally more piety per curse. Cursed items that are melded due to [[transformation]]s still contribute to your piety, but do not provide their associated skill boosts.
  
 
==Deprecates==
 
==Deprecates==
 
* Abandonment.
 
* Abandonment.
* Uncursing items (loss of piety given by the cursed slot)
+
* Uncursing items (loss of piety given by the cursed slot; will never cause excommunication)
* Piety with Ashenzari does not increase over time.
+
* Piety with Ashenzari does not decrease over time.
  
 
==Given Abilities==
 
==Given Abilities==
 
'''Piety level (0):''' "Cursed"
 
'''Piety level (0):''' "Cursed"
*All items are immediately identified upon converting to Ashenzari.
+
*'''Curse Item:''' Curse an equipped item, granting you piety and two skill bonuses (see below), but turning the item into an [[artefact]] that cannot be altered or removed. Curses are offered periodically as you explore; if you get a new offer but haven't taken the previous one, the new offer will replace the old one.
*'''Curse Item:''' curse an item in your inventory. Offered periodically.
+
**[[Unrandart]] weapons that change their own enchantment as part of their mechanics ([[Wyrmbane]] and [[Maxwell's Thermic Engine]]) can still do so even after you curse them.
*'''Shatter the Chains:''' destroys a cursed item, forever.
+
*'''Shatter the Chains:''' Destroys a cursed item, freeing up that slot but reducing your piety accordingly. Also removes the currently offered curse, if one exists.
''The Detect Foo abilities start with a radius of 0, but their radius and power increases with piety.''
+
*'''Divine Knowledge:''' All of these abilities are passive. Many of them start with a radius of 0, but their radius and power increase with piety.
*'''Detect Curses:''' All items in sight will display as Cursed or Uncursed. (Passive)
+
**'''Detect Monsters:''' Shows the location and relative strength, but not the type, of monsters beyond your field of vision.
*'''Detect Items:''' Shows the location, but not the type, of items beyond your field of vision. (Passive)
+
**'''Detect Items:''' Shows the location, but not the type, of items beyond your field of vision.
*'''Detect Traps:''' Provides immunity to traps triggered by exploration. (Passive)
+
**'''Detect Terrain:''' Maps random tiles beyond your field of vision, similar to the [[Passive Mapping]] mutation. Functions even in the [[Abyss]].
*'''Detect Monsters:''' Shows the location and relative strength, but not the type, of monsters beyond your field of vision. (Passive)
+
**'''Detect Portals:''' Reveals the location of [[portal]]s, including in the [[Abyss]]. ("You have a vision of a gate.")
*'''Detect Terrain:''' Maps random tiles beyond your field of vision, similar to the [[deep dwarf]] [[Passive Mapping|mutation]]. It works in [[Labyrinth]]s and [[the Abyss]]. (Passive)
 
*'''Portal Detection:''' Instant detection of portals, including in the Abyss ("You have a vision of a gate."). (Passive)
 
  
 
'''Piety level (*):''' "Initiated"
 
'''Piety level (*):''' "Initiated"
* No new abilities.
+
*'''Detect Traps:''' Prevents you from randomly triggering [[trap]]s while exploring.
 +
*'''Identify Items:''' All items you are carrying are immediately identified upon reaching this piety level. Ashenzari will also identify any items you find as you explore, but items you have yet to see will remain unidentified should you lose enough piety or abandon Ashenzari.
  
 
'''Piety level (**):''' "Soothsayer"
 
'''Piety level (**):''' "Soothsayer"
* [[See invisible]].
+
* '''[[See invisible]]:''' Ashenzari allows you to see invisible creatures.
  
 
'''Piety level (***):''' "Seer"
 
'''Piety level (***):''' "Seer"
* [[Clarity]].
+
* '''[[Clarity]]:''' Protects you from [[confusion]], [[mesmerise|mesmerisation]], [[fear]], [[sleep]], and unintentionally going [[berserk]] (you may still willingly go berserk by using an item or ability).
  
 
'''Piety level (****):''' "Oracle"
 
'''Piety level (****):''' "Oracle"
*'''Scrying:''' Passively reveals everything with a set radius from you. Increases in radius with piety, with a maximum of 4 tile radius.
+
* '''Astral Sight:''' Passively grants full vision on all tiles within a set radius from you. Radius increases with piety to a maximum of 4 tiles.
  
 
'''Piety level (*****):''' "Illuminatus"
 
'''Piety level (*****):''' "Illuminatus"
Line 51: Line 50:
  
 
'''Piety level (******):''' "Omniscient"
 
'''Piety level (******):''' "Omniscient"
* No new abilities. Please note that unlike other gods, Ashenzari's piety caps at 170. You must curse every equipment slot possible to achieve this maximum.
+
* No new abilities. Unlike other gods, Ashenzari's piety caps at 170; you must curse every equipment slot possible to achieve this maximum.
  
 
==Curses==
 
==Curses==
Each curse you make will provide a boost to two distinct groups of skills. These groups are listed here:
+
Each curse you make will provide a boost to two distinct groups of [[skill]]s, then make the item into an unremovable artefact. These groups are listed as follows:
{| class="prettytable"
+
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Group ||  Boosted skills
 
! Group ||  Boosted skills
 
|-
 
|-
| Alchemy || Poison Magic, Transmutations
+
| Alchemy || [[Poison Magic]], [[Transmutations]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Beguiling || Conjurations, Hexes, Translocations
+
| Beguiling || [[Conjurations]], [[Hexes]], [[Translocations]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Companions || Summoning, Necromancy
+
| Companions || [[Summonings]], [[Necromancy]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Cunning || Dodging, Stealth
+
| Cunning || [[Dodging]], [[Stealth]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Elements || Fire, Ice, Air, Earth Magic
+
| Elements || [[Fire Magic]], [[Ice Magic]], [[Air Magic]], [[Earth Magic]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Evocations || Evocations
+
| Evocations || [[Evocations]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Fortitude || Armour, Shields
+
| Fortitude || [[Armour]], [[Shields]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Introspection || Fighting, Spellcasting
+
| Introspection || [[Fighting]], [[Spellcasting]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Melee Combat || All melee weapon skills.
+
| Melee Combat || All [[melee weapon]] skills, including [[Unarmed Combat]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Ranged Combat || Slings, Bows, Crossbows, Throwing
+
| Ranged Combat || [[Slings]], [[Bows]], [[Crossbows]], [[Throwing]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
WIth at least one curse boosting it, each skill is boosted by <code> (curses * 2 + 1) * (piety_rank + 1) * skill_level </code> skill ''points'' (not to be confused with levels)<ref>{{source ref|0.27.0|source/god-passive.cc|783}}</ref>. Therefore, skills with minimal investment will not be boosted much.
+
Each skill that is boosted is increased by <code>(curses * 1.5 + 1 ) * (piety_rank + 1) * skill_level</code> [[skill point]]s<ref>{{source ref|0.28.0|god-passive.cc|772}}</ref>.
  
 
==Punishments==
 
==Punishments==
 
{{flavour|Ashenzari does not appreciate abandonment, and will call down fearful punishments on disloyal followers!
 
{{flavour|Ashenzari does not appreciate abandonment, and will call down fearful punishments on disloyal followers!
Ashenzari's wrath is not like other gods'; it is constant and unrelenting for its duration. Victims find their skills impaired, and their enemies divinely guided - never losing track of them, never ending the hunt.}}
+
 
Upon abandoning Ashenzari, all cursed items immediately shatter. You will receive -4 to all skills until you've gained an amount of [[XP]] equivalent to two [[XL|experience levels]].
+
Those who abandon Ashenzari will immediately have their curses shattered, destroying whichever items they imbued with divine wisdom. Thereafter, Ashenzari's wrath is constant and unrelenting for its duration. Victims will find their skills impaired, and their enemies divinely guided never losing track of them, never ending the hunt.
 +
 
 +
Ashenzari's wrath lasts for a relatively long duration.}}
 +
 
 +
Upon abandoning Ashenzari, all cursed items immediately shatter. Your skills are temporarily halved until you've gained an amount of [[XP]] equivalent to two [[XL|experience levels]].
  
 
Additionally, monster AI gets a boost:
 
Additionally, monster AI gets a boost:
Line 93: Line 96:
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
Ashenzari provides a significant power boost relatively early in the game, soon after the player has managed to recieve a few curses. As a result of the ensuing skill boosts, melee combat types will be able to go toe-to-toe with much stronger enemies, and casters will see high level spells become castable much more quickly and low level utility spells castable with very little training. Since Ash offers no abilities that fill the escape or combat-support roles often provided by gods, players must take advantage of the skill enhancements and retraining flexibility to fill these roles themselves with the spellbooks and equipment they find.
+
Ashenzari provides a significant power boost relatively early in the game, soon after the player has managed to receive a few curses. The ensuing skill boosts allow melee combatants to go toe-to-toe with much stronger enemies, and mages will see spells becoming castable much more quickly. Since Ash offers no abilities that fill the escape or combat-support roles often provided by gods, players must take advantage of skill enhancements to fill these roles themselves with the spellbooks and equipment they find.
  
Items that you would want to keep on for the entire game; whenever it'd be a well-enchanted [[artefact]], a [[ring of willpower]], or a good amulet, are even more useful for Ashenzari worshippers. Conversely, common or replacable items like an unbranded [[robe]] or [[plate armour]] are ''also'' useful. These sacrifical items let you take immediate advantage of Ashenzari's knowledge, even when the stat bonuses offered do not benefit you. You can wait until you get an especialy advantagous curse to inflict on your most valuable items. An [[amulet of faith]] is entirely useless for Ashenzari, besides the benefits gained by cursing it.
+
Ashenzari's early curses might not benefit your gameplan. Common or replaceable items, such as an unbranded [[robe]] or [[plate armour]], are therefore quite useful; these sacrificial items let you take immediate advantage of Ashenzari's knowledge, even when the skill bonuses offered don't provide good benefits. Alternatively, you can change your gameplan; for example, a [[Fighter]] might consider learning some spells if they get a curse that benefits some spell schools.
  
Remember that Ashenzari does not punish adventuring with uncursed equipment.  The tradeoff is merely certain less-boosted or un-boosted skills, and inferior god abilities.  So if a strategy or dungeon branch requires a swappable slot (e.g. for rings of protection from cold or fire in [[Depths]]), go ahead and leave it unbound as needed.
+
Conversely, items that you would want to use for an entire game, such as a well-enchanted [[artefact]] or even just a good amulet, are perfect candidates for a curse -- as long as you won't abandon Ash, that is. You can wait until you get especially advantageous curses with your most valuable items.  
  
Ashenzari worshippers may discover occasional disconnected [[vaults]] (which often contain treasure). Normally these are only found via [[magic mapping]] or the [[Passive Mapping]] mutation / [[Deep Dwarf]] passive.
+
Remember that Ashenzari does not punish adventuring with uncursed equipment. If a strategy or dungeon branch requires a swappable slot (e.g. switching between rings for resistances, or switching between multiple weapons), go ahead and leave that slot unbound as needed. Maximum piety is helpful, but not entirely necessary.
  
[[Felid]]s can start gaining piety with Ashenzari particularly quickly - each cursed jewllery will provide ** of piety, each. However, this comes at the cost of losing much of your ability to swap resistances on the fly.
+
===Tips & Tricks===
 +
*Worshippers with significant equipment restrictions (like [[spriggan]]s, [[ogre]]s, [[troll]]s) can gain piety very quickly with Ashenzari, but cannot gain as many skill boosts. [[Felid]]s gain ** of piety per cursed piece of jewellery worn, but they'll receive exceedingly few skill bonuses and lose the ability to swap resistances on the fly.
 +
*Conversely, worshippers with limited skill selection, namely the [[Djinn]], will be much more likely to recieve relevant skill bonuses.
 +
*Be wary of [[mutations]] that restrict or disable item slots -- developing mutations that force you to unequip a cursed item (such as growing [[Horns]] while wearing a [[helmet]]) will automatically shatter the item.
 +
*Ashenzari's benefits work well in the [[Abyss]]. Its followers can see gates both leading deeper and leading out of the branch, spending relatively little time in potential danger. They can also see tiles and walls indicative of a rune vault, giving them an advantage in finding the vault and planning their attempt at the rune.
 +
*Skills with minimal investment will not be boosted much, but even putting just a few levels into a skill will provide major benefits.
 +
*The [[Passwall]] spell is particularly useful to those who can see through the walls they wish to traverse.
 +
*Shattering a cursed item does not count as unequipping it -- in a pinch, this can be a safe way to remove a weapon of [[distortion]], and an [[artefact]] that causes [[magical contamination]] is safe to use.
 +
*An [[amulet of faith]] is entirely useless for followers of Ashenzari, apart from the benefits gained by cursing it.
 +
*Ashenzari worshippers may discover occasional disconnected [[vaults]] that are normally only found via [[magic mapping]] or the [[Passive Mapping]] mutation. A [[wand of digging]], Passwall, or (in extreme cases) [[Shatter]] can get you into such areas.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
*In [[0.27]], Ashenzari and [[curse]]s were reworked. Ashenzari would boost skills related to the item cursed, scrying was an active ability, and had the ability to transfer skill points between schools. To see more details on Ashenzari prior [[0.27]], see [http://crawl.chaosforge.org/index.php?title=Ashenzari&oldid=55043 this revision].
+
*In [[0.29]], Ashenzari will block [[mutation]]s which would force currently worn gear to be taken off (thus, shattered). Mutations that are innate to your species, namely [[demonspawn mutation]]s, are unaffected.
 +
*Prior to [[0.28]], Ashenzari gave more (<code>(curses * 2 + 1) * (piety_rank + 1) * skill_level</code>) skill points by cursing, provided trap avoidance and item identification on worship, and stripped followers of all items (even if uncursed) on abandonment.
 +
*In [[0.27]], Ashenzari and [[curse]]s were reworked. In previous versions, Ashenzari had a regular piety system, boosted drastically by wearing cursed items. Cursed items boosted skills directly related to the item in question, scrying was an active ability, and Ashenzari offered the ability to transfer skill points between skills. To see more details on Ashenzari prior to [[0.27]], see [http://crawl.chaosforge.org/index.php?title=Ashenzari&oldid=55043 this revision].
 
*Prior [[0.23]], Ashenzari provided the only source of full monster equipment identification. It also provided a passive boost to finding traps rather than immunity to exploration traps.
 
*Prior [[0.23]], Ashenzari provided the only source of full monster equipment identification. It also provided a passive boost to finding traps rather than immunity to exploration traps.
*Prior to [[0.18]], players would have to pray over scrolls of remove curse to convert them into the now-obsolete scrolls of [[Scroll of curse armour|curse armour]], [[Scroll of curse weapon|curse weapon]], and [[Scroll of curse jewellery|curse jewellery]].
+
*Prior to [[0.18]], players would have to pray over [[scrolls of remove curse]] to convert them into the now-obsolete scrolls of [[Scroll of curse armour|curse armour]], [[Scroll of curse weapon|curse weapon]], and [[Scroll of curse jewellery|curse jewellery]].
*Prior to [[0.14]], scrolls of curse item could be randomly generated, but Ashenzari gave fewer of them for sacrificing remove curse.
+
*Prior to [[0.14]], scrolls of curse item could be randomly generated, but Ashenzari gave fewer of them for sacrificing scrolls of remove curse.
 
*Prior to [[0.12]], Ashenzari's altars often had an [[artefact]] [[spell book]] next to them with only one spell: [[Animate Skeleton]]. This was to assist in butchering [[corpse]]s while wielding cursed blunt weapons.
 
*Prior to [[0.12]], Ashenzari's altars often had an [[artefact]] [[spell book]] next to them with only one spell: [[Animate Skeleton]]. This was to assist in butchering [[corpse]]s while wielding cursed blunt weapons.
 
*Prior to [[0.9]], worshippers of Ashenzari would receive a bonus to experience gain instead of a boost to skills, and shields were not considered a separate equipment category in regards to being bound.
 
*Prior to [[0.9]], worshippers of Ashenzari would receive a bonus to experience gain instead of a boost to skills, and shields were not considered a separate equipment category in regards to being bound.
 
*Ashenzari was added in [[0.8]].
 
*Ashenzari was added in [[0.8]].
 +
 +
[[Category:Crystal Ball Articles]]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 23:36, 27 July 2022

Version 0.28: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Ashenzari altar.png "Partake of my vision. Partake of my curse."
While it seems inconceivable that the divine could be shackled, Ashenzari is just that: bound to the sky for eternity, the unbudging god is all-knowing, all-seeing. Devoted worshippers are allowed to grasp shreds of this knowledge and foresight, but be warned: to Ashenzari, power and blessing and curse are all the same thing.

Ashenzari exhorts followers to curse their possessions, periodically offering these curses to worshipers as they explore. Cursed equipment cannot be enchanted and only be removed by shattering it forever. However, these curses enhance specific skills. They will also please Ashenzari, who will reveal the invisible and grant clarity of mind. The truly devout will gain a fragment of Ashenzari's astral sight, letting them see through walls.

Ashenzari likes it when you bind yourself with curses.

Ashenzari's powers are not affected by Invocations skill.

Racial restrictions

Demigods cannot worship Ashenzari (or any other god).

Appreciates

Ashenzari likes it when you curse your equipment. Curses are offered periodically during exploration (approximately one curse per ordinary Dungeon floor fully explored, if you have no curses pending).

Piety is entirely dependent on how many equipment slots you have bound. For an unmutated human, each cursed item will provide 17 piety. The piety gained by worship is effectively negated (so having 1 cursed item is 17 piety, not 17 + 15). Slot limiting effects, such as two-handed weapons, species-specific equipment restrictions, Ru's Sacrifice Hand, or Lear's hauberk are taken into consideration, and give proportionally more piety per curse. Cursed items that are melded due to transformations still contribute to your piety, but do not provide their associated skill boosts.

Deprecates

  • Abandonment.
  • Uncursing items (loss of piety given by the cursed slot; will never cause excommunication)
  • Piety with Ashenzari does not decrease over time.

Given Abilities

Piety level (0): "Cursed"

  • Curse Item: Curse an equipped item, granting you piety and two skill bonuses (see below), but turning the item into an artefact that cannot be altered or removed. Curses are offered periodically as you explore; if you get a new offer but haven't taken the previous one, the new offer will replace the old one.
  • Shatter the Chains: Destroys a cursed item, freeing up that slot but reducing your piety accordingly. Also removes the currently offered curse, if one exists.
  • Divine Knowledge: All of these abilities are passive. Many of them start with a radius of 0, but their radius and power increase with piety.
    • Detect Monsters: Shows the location and relative strength, but not the type, of monsters beyond your field of vision.
    • Detect Items: Shows the location, but not the type, of items beyond your field of vision.
    • Detect Terrain: Maps random tiles beyond your field of vision, similar to the Passive Mapping mutation. Functions even in the Abyss.
    • Detect Portals: Reveals the location of portals, including in the Abyss. ("You have a vision of a gate.")

Piety level (*): "Initiated"

  • Detect Traps: Prevents you from randomly triggering traps while exploring.
  • Identify Items: All items you are carrying are immediately identified upon reaching this piety level. Ashenzari will also identify any items you find as you explore, but items you have yet to see will remain unidentified should you lose enough piety or abandon Ashenzari.

Piety level (**): "Soothsayer"

Piety level (***): "Seer"

Piety level (****): "Oracle"

  • Astral Sight: Passively grants full vision on all tiles within a set radius from you. Radius increases with piety to a maximum of 4 tiles.

Piety level (*****): "Illuminatus"

  • No new abilities.

Piety level (******): "Omniscient"

  • No new abilities. Unlike other gods, Ashenzari's piety caps at 170; you must curse every equipment slot possible to achieve this maximum.

Curses

Each curse you make will provide a boost to two distinct groups of skills, then make the item into an unremovable artefact. These groups are listed as follows:

Group Boosted skills
Alchemy Poison Magic, Transmutations
Beguiling Conjurations, Hexes, Translocations
Companions Summonings, Necromancy
Cunning Dodging, Stealth
Elements Fire Magic, Ice Magic, Air Magic, Earth Magic
Evocations Evocations
Fortitude Armour, Shields
Introspection Fighting, Spellcasting
Melee Combat All melee weapon skills, including Unarmed Combat
Ranged Combat Slings, Bows, Crossbows, Throwing

Each skill that is boosted is increased by (curses * 1.5 + 1 ) * (piety_rank + 1) * skill_level skill points[1].

Punishments

Ashenzari does not appreciate abandonment, and will call down fearful punishments on disloyal followers!

Those who abandon Ashenzari will immediately have their curses shattered, destroying whichever items they imbued with divine wisdom. Thereafter, Ashenzari's wrath is constant and unrelenting for its duration. Victims will find their skills impaired, and their enemies divinely guided – never losing track of them, never ending the hunt.

Ashenzari's wrath lasts for a relatively long duration.

Upon abandoning Ashenzari, all cursed items immediately shatter. Your skills are temporarily halved until you've gained an amount of XP equivalent to two experience levels.

Additionally, monster AI gets a boost:

  • They track you better.
  • They never forget about you.
  • They are more likely to know your position while you are invisible.

Strategy

Ashenzari provides a significant power boost relatively early in the game, soon after the player has managed to receive a few curses. The ensuing skill boosts allow melee combatants to go toe-to-toe with much stronger enemies, and mages will see spells becoming castable much more quickly. Since Ash offers no abilities that fill the escape or combat-support roles often provided by gods, players must take advantage of skill enhancements to fill these roles themselves with the spellbooks and equipment they find.

Ashenzari's early curses might not benefit your gameplan. Common or replaceable items, such as an unbranded robe or plate armour, are therefore quite useful; these sacrificial items let you take immediate advantage of Ashenzari's knowledge, even when the skill bonuses offered don't provide good benefits. Alternatively, you can change your gameplan; for example, a Fighter might consider learning some spells if they get a curse that benefits some spell schools.

Conversely, items that you would want to use for an entire game, such as a well-enchanted artefact or even just a good amulet, are perfect candidates for a curse -- as long as you won't abandon Ash, that is. You can wait until you get especially advantageous curses with your most valuable items.

Remember that Ashenzari does not punish adventuring with uncursed equipment. If a strategy or dungeon branch requires a swappable slot (e.g. switching between rings for resistances, or switching between multiple weapons), go ahead and leave that slot unbound as needed. Maximum piety is helpful, but not entirely necessary.

Tips & Tricks

  • Worshippers with significant equipment restrictions (like spriggans, ogres, trolls) can gain piety very quickly with Ashenzari, but cannot gain as many skill boosts. Felids gain ** of piety per cursed piece of jewellery worn, but they'll receive exceedingly few skill bonuses and lose the ability to swap resistances on the fly.
  • Conversely, worshippers with limited skill selection, namely the Djinn, will be much more likely to recieve relevant skill bonuses.
  • Be wary of mutations that restrict or disable item slots -- developing mutations that force you to unequip a cursed item (such as growing Horns while wearing a helmet) will automatically shatter the item.
  • Ashenzari's benefits work well in the Abyss. Its followers can see gates both leading deeper and leading out of the branch, spending relatively little time in potential danger. They can also see tiles and walls indicative of a rune vault, giving them an advantage in finding the vault and planning their attempt at the rune.
  • Skills with minimal investment will not be boosted much, but even putting just a few levels into a skill will provide major benefits.
  • The Passwall spell is particularly useful to those who can see through the walls they wish to traverse.
  • Shattering a cursed item does not count as unequipping it -- in a pinch, this can be a safe way to remove a weapon of distortion, and an artefact that causes magical contamination is safe to use.
  • An amulet of faith is entirely useless for followers of Ashenzari, apart from the benefits gained by cursing it.
  • Ashenzari worshippers may discover occasional disconnected vaults that are normally only found via magic mapping or the Passive Mapping mutation. A wand of digging, Passwall, or (in extreme cases) Shatter can get you into such areas.

History

  • In 0.29, Ashenzari will block mutations which would force currently worn gear to be taken off (thus, shattered). Mutations that are innate to your species, namely demonspawn mutations, are unaffected.
  • Prior to 0.28, Ashenzari gave more ((curses * 2 + 1) * (piety_rank + 1) * skill_level) skill points by cursing, provided trap avoidance and item identification on worship, and stripped followers of all items (even if uncursed) on abandonment.
  • In 0.27, Ashenzari and curses were reworked. In previous versions, Ashenzari had a regular piety system, boosted drastically by wearing cursed items. Cursed items boosted skills directly related to the item in question, scrying was an active ability, and Ashenzari offered the ability to transfer skill points between skills. To see more details on Ashenzari prior to 0.27, see this revision.
  • Prior 0.23, Ashenzari provided the only source of full monster equipment identification. It also provided a passive boost to finding traps rather than immunity to exploration traps.
  • Prior to 0.18, players would have to pray over scrolls of remove curse to convert them into the now-obsolete scrolls of curse armour, curse weapon, and curse jewellery.
  • Prior to 0.14, scrolls of curse item could be randomly generated, but Ashenzari gave fewer of them for sacrificing scrolls of remove curse.
  • Prior to 0.12, Ashenzari's altars often had an artefact spell book next to them with only one spell: Animate Skeleton. This was to assist in butchering corpses while wielding cursed blunt weapons.
  • Prior to 0.9, worshippers of Ashenzari would receive a bonus to experience gain instead of a boost to skills, and shields were not considered a separate equipment category in regards to being bound.
  • Ashenzari was added in 0.8.

References

Gods
Good ElyvilonZinThe Shining One
Neutral AshenzariCheibriadosFedhas MadashGozag Ym SagozHepliaklqanaIgnisNemelex XobehOkawaruQazlalRuSif MunaTrogUskayawVehumetWu Jian
Chaotic JiyvaXom
Evil BeoghDithmenosKikubaaqudghaLugonu *Makhleb *Yredelemnul
* Chaotic & Evil