Difference between revisions of "Constriction"

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(Created page with "'''Constriction''' is the act of grabbing a target, preventing it from moving away, and crushing it to death over several turns. This makes it much easier to defeat fast-moving e...")
 
m (+CBA per commit 9adf0d1; also, blinking actually counts as 1 attempt with improved odds)
 
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'''Constriction''' is the act of grabbing a target, preventing it from moving away, and crushing it to death over several turns. This makes it much easier to defeat fast-moving enemies such as [[bat]]s and [[unseen horror]]s, and prevents monsters from fleeing. Only certain [[species]] and monsters are capable of doing this:
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{{version031}}
*{{Green|S}} [[File:Ball_python.png]] [[Ball python]]
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'''Constriction''' is the act of grabbing a target, preventing it from moving away, and crushing it to death over several turns. This lowers the [[ev]]asion of the target, and prevents them from moving or [[blink]]ing away.
*{{LightGrey|S}} [[File:Anaconda.png]] [[Anaconda]]
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*{{Green|X}} [[File:Tentacled_monstrosity.png]] [[Tentacled monstrosity]]
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==List of constrictors==
*{{Green|N}} [[File:Naga.png]] [[Naga (monster)|Naga]]  
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===Monsters===
*{{Red|N}} [[File:Naga_mage.png]] [[Naga mage]]
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*{{Green|N}} [[File:Naga (monster).png]] '''[[Naga (monster)|Naga]]'''
*{{Blue|N}} [[File:Naga_warrior.png]] [[Naga warrior]]
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*{{monsterlink|Naga mage}}
*{{LightRed|N}} [[File:Greater_naga.png]] [[Greater naga]]
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*{{monsterlink|Naga sharpshooter}}
*{{LightCyan|x}} [[File:Octopode_(monster).png]] [[Octopode (monster)|Octopode]]
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*{{monsterlink|Naga ritualist}}
*You, if you're playing an [[octopode]] or a level 13 or greater [[naga]]
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*{{monsterlink|Naga warrior}}
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*{{monsterlink|Nagaraja}}
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*{{monsterlink|Snaplasher vine}}
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*{{monsterlink|Ball python}}
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*{{monsterlink|Anaconda}}
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*{{monsterlink|Tentacled monstrosity}}
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*{{monsterlink|Starspawn tentacle}}
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*{{LightCyan|x}} [[File:Octopode (monster).png]] '''[[Octopode (monster)|Octopode]]'''
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*{{monsterlink|Vashnia}}
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*'''[[Grasping Roots]]'''
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**{{monsterlink|Jorgrun}}
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**{{monsterlink|Shambling mangrove}}
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===Playable species===
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*'''[[Octopode]]'''
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*'''[[Naga]]''' - gains the ability at [[experience level]] 13.
 +
 
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===Forms===
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*'''[[Serpent talisman]]'''
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===Other Constriction Effects===
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*[[Borgnjor's Vile Clutch]]
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*[[Wand of roots]]
  
 
==Initiating Constriction==
 
==Initiating Constriction==
Constriction occurs whenever a constriction-capable character or monster makes a melee attack (not necessarily [[Unarmed Combat]]). All the following conditions must apply:
 
* The attacker is not constricting another creature, unless the attacker is an octopode that has free tentacles. Octopodes are capable of maintaining up to eight at once (it doesn't matter if you wield weapons or shields).
 
* The defender is not constricted by another creature (only one constricter at a time).
 
* The attacker must be able to see the victim.
 
* The attacker is not confused.
 
* The size of the attacker is greater or equal than the size of the defender.
 
* The defender is not immune to constriction attacks. The following monsters are immune: [[porcupine]]s, [[list of jellies|jellies]], [[flaming corpse]]s and [[:Category:insubstantial monsters|insubstantial]] monsters.
 
* The defender must be next to the attacker (weapons of reaching don't allow you to constrict non-adjacent targets).
 
  
If all the previous requisites are met, the game rolls the to_hit of the attacker and the evasion/SH of the defender. For the player, to_hit is calculated as follows:
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===Melee Constriction===
  to_hit = 13 + DEX*0.6 + STR*0.15 + Fighting*0.3 + Slaying bonus + Other bonuses
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Constriction can occur whenever a constriction-capable character or monster makes a melee attack (not necessarily [[Unarmed Combat]]). All the following conditions apply:<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|actor.cc|687}}</ref>
 +
*The attacker is not constricting another creature, unless the attacker is an Octopode. Octopodes are capable of maintaining up to eight at once (it doesn't matter if you wield weapons or shields).
 +
*The defender is not constricted or engulfed by another creature.
 +
*The attacker must be able to see the victim.
 +
*The attacker is not confused.
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*The size of the attacker is greater than or equal to the size of the defender.
 +
*The defender is not immune to constriction attacks (see below).
 +
*The defender must be next to the attacker (weapons of reaching don't allow you to constrict non-adjacent targets).
 +
 
 +
If all the previous requisites are met, the game rolls the to_hit of the attacker and the evasion/SH of the defender. For the player this is the standard [[auxiliary attack]] to_hit. Its calculated as follows:
 +
  to_hit = 13 + DEX*0.75 + Fighting*0.3 + Slaying bonus + Other bonuses<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|fight.cc|71}}</ref>
 +
 
 
For the monsters, it is basically:
 
For the monsters, it is basically:
  to_hit = 18 + HD*1.5 + Other bonuses (replace 1.5 with 2.5 if the monster is a [[:Category:Fighter|fighter]]: naga warriors)
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  to_hit = 18 + HD*1.5 + Other bonuses (replace 1.5 with 2.5 if the monster is a [[:Category:Fighter|fighter]] i.e. naga warriors)
 
If the attack hits, the constriction starts.
 
If the attack hits, the constriction starts.
 +
 +
===Spell Constriction===
 +
For [[Borgnjor's Vile Clutch]], [[wand of roots]], or [[Grasping Roots]], the following apply:
 +
*The defender is not constricted or engulfed by another creature.
 +
*The attacker must be able to see the victim.
 +
*The defender is not immune to constriction attacks.
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*The defender is not over [[deep water]] or [[lava]].
 +
 +
These forms of constriction always hit.
 +
 +
===Constriction Immunity===
 +
The following monsters are immune:<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|monster.cc|3834}}</ref>
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*[[list of jellies|jellies]],
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*[[:Category:Spiny|spiny]] monsters,
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*[[:Category:insubstantial monsters|insubstantial]] monsters.
 +
 +
Player sources:<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|player.cc|6438}}</ref>
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*[[insubstantial]] forms, like the [[Storm Form]] or [[wisp form]],
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*the [[Spiny (mutation)|Spiny]] mutation, which is available only to [[demonspawn]],
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*[[slick slippers]] unrand.
  
 
==Maintaining Constriction==
 
==Maintaining Constriction==
While the target is constricted, it will take an increasing amount of damage each turn, will be unable to move in any direction, and will suffer an [[ev]]asion penalty (-3 EV for the player; for monsters EV is divided by 2+body [[size]]). Attempting to move away will constitute an escape attempt, using all of the above variables along with the number of escape attempts thus far (successive attempts have better success rates) to determine whether or not the escape succeeds.
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While the target is constricted, it will take an increasing amount of damage each turn, will be unable to move in any direction, and will suffer an [[ev]]asion penalty (-3 EV for the player; for monsters EV is divided by <code>2 + body [[size]]</code>). Attempting to move away will constitute an escape attempt, using all of the above variables along with the number of escape attempts thus far (successive attempts have better success rates) to determine whether or not the escape succeeds.
  
 
===Damage Calculations===
 
===Damage Calculations===
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   (Base damage) * (1 + log2(1 + Duration/5)) * (0.33 + 0.67 * (XL/27))
 
   (Base damage) * (1 + log2(1 + Duration/5)) * (0.33 + 0.67 * (XL/27))
  
* '''Base damage''': For players 2d([[Strength]]/5), which means that a character with 20 points of strength will do twice as much damage as a character with only 10. For monsters, it is the base damage of that particular attack.
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*'''Base damage''': For players constricting in melee, this is equal to <code>2d([[Strength]]/5)</code>. A character with 20 strength does twice the damage as a character with 10. When using [[Borgnjor's Vile Clutch]] or a [[wand of roots]], it depends of the [[spellpower|power]] of the cast. For monsters, it is the base damage of that particular attack.
* '''Duration modifier''': The second factor means that the more time you have been constricting a monster the more damage you do. The damage is increased by approximately 20% each turn, so after 5 turns you will do twice as much damage as you did in the first turn. After the fifth turn the rate is a bit lower than 20%.
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*'''Duration modifier''': The second factor means that the more time you have been constricting a monster the more damage you do. The damage is increased by approximately 20% each turn, so after 5 turns you will do twice as much damage as you did in the first turn. After the fifth turn the rate is a bit lower than 20%. Due to a bug, this modifier is not applied to players.
* '''Experience level modifier''': The third factor means that your damage increases linearly with your [[experience level]]. A level 27 character will do thrice as much damage as one at level 1.
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*'''Experience level modifier''': The third factor means that your damage increases linearly with your [[experience level]]. A level 27 character will do thrice as much damage as one at level 1.
* '''AC reduction''': Unlike most melee attacks, constriction is not reduced by a random number between 0 and [[AC]]; the damage reduction is a random number between 0 and 1+AC/2. This means that constriction bypasses half of the AC.
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* '''Time scale''': The previous formula calculates how much damage you do every 10 [[aut]]s. That amount needs to be scaled depending on how many auts you have spent in this turn. For example: if you are attacking with a [[quick blade]] at minimum delay (3 auts), the previous amount will be multiplied by 3/10 (after AC reduction).
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This damage is then modified as follows:
 +
 
 +
*'''AC reduction''': Unlike most melee attacks, constriction is not reduced by a random number between 0 and [[AC]]; the damage reduction is a random number between 0 and <code>1 + AC/2</code>. This means that constriction bypasses half of the AC.
 +
*'''Time scale''': The previous formula calculates how much damage you do every 10 [[aut]]s. That amount needs to be scaled depending on how many auts you have spent in this turn. For example: if you are attacking with a [[dagger]] at minimum delay (5 aut), the previous amount will be multiplied by <code>5/10</code> (after AC reduction).
  
 
==Escaping Constriction==
 
==Escaping Constriction==
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*Killing the constrictor
 
*Killing the constrictor
 
*If the constrictor moves from its current tile, constriction ends (even if the destination is still adjacent to the constricted target)
 
*If the constrictor moves from its current tile, constriction ends (even if the destination is still adjacent to the constricted target)
*Fear (through either a [[scroll of fear]] or [[Cause Fear]]) does the same thing
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**The [[dispersal (brand)|dispersal]] and [[distortion]] brands can force the constrictor to blink away (or be banished to [[the Abyss]])
*[[Confusion]], [[Paralyze|paralysis]], [[Petrify|petrification]], [[enslavement]], [[polymorph]]ing, or [[Sleep|unconsciousness]] of the constrictor immediately breaks constriction
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**Casting [[Teleport Other]], [[Dispersal]] or [[Disjunction]] has a similar effect
*Any source of [[blink]]ing can get you free. It counts as two escape attempts.
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**Forcing the constrictor back with [[Iskenderun's Mystic Blast]] may also work but may not be as effective against larger monsters
*[[Teleportation]] will get you free after a delay.
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**Casting [[Polar Vortex]] will force the enemy away from you much more aggressively
*The [[dispersal (brand)|dispersal]] and [[distortion]] brands can instead force the constrictor to blink away (or be banished to [[the Abyss]])
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*Disabling the constrictor with [[confusion]], [[Paralyze|paralysis]], [[Petrify|petrification]], [[fear]], or [[Sleep|unconsciousness]] immediately breaks constriction
*Casting [[Teleport Other]] or [[Dispersal]] has a similar effect
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**[[wand of charming|Charming]] or [[polymorph]]ing the constrictor also breaks constriction (and likely prevents them from making future attempts)
*Casting [[Tornado]] will force the enemy away from you much more aggressively
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**[[Elyvilon]]'s healing abilities may allow you to pacify the constrictor
*Casting [[Dragon Form]] will greatly increase your size, making constriction much more difficult
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*Becoming immune to constriction will immediately end the status.
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**[[Storm Form]] is immune to constriction.
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**[[Dragon Form]] is giant size, so it can only be constricted by tentacled monstrosities.
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*Any source of [[blink]]ing can get you free. It has improved odds as if you had already made an extra attempt.
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**[[Barachi]]m can hop away, while [[Dithmenos]] gives Shadow Step. Both also have improved escape odds, like with blink.
 +
*[[Teleportation]] will always let you escape constriction
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*[[Formicid]]'s shaft ability will always escape constriction
 
*[[Zin]]'s Sanctuary ability breaks constriction
 
*[[Zin]]'s Sanctuary ability breaks constriction
*[[Elyvilon]]'s healing abilities may allow you to pacify the constrictor
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*[[Ru]]'s Draw Out Power and Power Leap will always escape construction
 +
 
 +
==History==
 +
{{CBA|0.32|constriction will be reworked:}}
 +
**The duration modifier to damage will be removed.
 +
**Escape chance will be simplified for players. The odds will be 40/75/100% for 1/2/3 attempts. Blinking and related effects will always escape constriction.
 +
**Escape chance for monsters will be modified to include HD in the formula. The new formula is intended to make the [[wand of roots]] stronger in the early game while requiring more investment in [[Evocations]] in the late game.
 +
**Constriction will apply -10 EV to both players and monsters. This replaces the previous EV penalty.
 +
**Constriction damage and duration will be rebalanced for most sources:
 +
***Monster melee constriction will be randomized and higher, while having only a 66% chance to apply.
 +
***Grasping Roots will have a higher minimum and lower maximum duration. Its damage will also be reduced.
 +
***Player melee constriction will no longer care about [[Strength|Str]].
 +
***All player sources will deal more damage.
 +
*Since [[0.18]], to-hit only depends on [[Dexterity]].
 +
*Prior to [[0.12]], the duration modifier to damage was applied to players.
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
[[Category:Status effects]]

Latest revision as of 00:09, 27 February 2024

Version 0.31: This article is up to date for the latest stable release of Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.

Constriction is the act of grabbing a target, preventing it from moving away, and crushing it to death over several turns. This lowers the evasion of the target, and prevents them from moving or blinking away.

List of constrictors

Monsters

Playable species

Forms

Other Constriction Effects

Initiating Constriction

Melee Constriction

Constriction can occur whenever a constriction-capable character or monster makes a melee attack (not necessarily Unarmed Combat). All the following conditions apply:[1]

  • The attacker is not constricting another creature, unless the attacker is an Octopode. Octopodes are capable of maintaining up to eight at once (it doesn't matter if you wield weapons or shields).
  • The defender is not constricted or engulfed by another creature.
  • The attacker must be able to see the victim.
  • The attacker is not confused.
  • The size of the attacker is greater than or equal to the size of the defender.
  • The defender is not immune to constriction attacks (see below).
  • The defender must be next to the attacker (weapons of reaching don't allow you to constrict non-adjacent targets).

If all the previous requisites are met, the game rolls the to_hit of the attacker and the evasion/SH of the defender. For the player this is the standard auxiliary attack to_hit. Its calculated as follows:

to_hit = 13 + DEX*0.75 + Fighting*0.3 + Slaying bonus + Other bonuses[2]

For the monsters, it is basically:

to_hit = 18 + HD*1.5 + Other bonuses (replace 1.5 with 2.5 if the monster is a fighter i.e. naga warriors)

If the attack hits, the constriction starts.

Spell Constriction

For Borgnjor's Vile Clutch, wand of roots, or Grasping Roots, the following apply:

  • The defender is not constricted or engulfed by another creature.
  • The attacker must be able to see the victim.
  • The defender is not immune to constriction attacks.
  • The defender is not over deep water or lava.

These forms of constriction always hit.

Constriction Immunity

The following monsters are immune:[3]

Player sources:[4]

Maintaining Constriction

While the target is constricted, it will take an increasing amount of damage each turn, will be unable to move in any direction, and will suffer an evasion penalty (-3 EV for the player; for monsters EV is divided by 2 + body size). Attempting to move away will constitute an escape attempt, using all of the above variables along with the number of escape attempts thus far (successive attempts have better success rates) to determine whether or not the escape succeeds.

Damage Calculations

The amount of damage inflicted every 10 auts is:

 (Base damage) * (1 + log2(1 + Duration/5)) * (0.33 + 0.67 * (XL/27))
  • Base damage: For players constricting in melee, this is equal to 2d(Strength/5). A character with 20 strength does twice the damage as a character with 10. When using Borgnjor's Vile Clutch or a wand of roots, it depends of the power of the cast. For monsters, it is the base damage of that particular attack.
  • Duration modifier: The second factor means that the more time you have been constricting a monster the more damage you do. The damage is increased by approximately 20% each turn, so after 5 turns you will do twice as much damage as you did in the first turn. After the fifth turn the rate is a bit lower than 20%. Due to a bug, this modifier is not applied to players.
  • Experience level modifier: The third factor means that your damage increases linearly with your experience level. A level 27 character will do thrice as much damage as one at level 1.

This damage is then modified as follows:

  • AC reduction: Unlike most melee attacks, constriction is not reduced by a random number between 0 and AC; the damage reduction is a random number between 0 and 1 + AC/2. This means that constriction bypasses half of the AC.
  • Time scale: The previous formula calculates how much damage you do every 10 auts. That amount needs to be scaled depending on how many auts you have spent in this turn. For example: if you are attacking with a dagger at minimum delay (5 aut), the previous amount will be multiplied by 5/10 (after AC reduction).

Escaping Constriction

Along with simply succeeding at an escape attempt, there are a number of other methods for breaking free:

  • Killing the constrictor
  • If the constrictor moves from its current tile, constriction ends (even if the destination is still adjacent to the constricted target)
  • Disabling the constrictor with confusion, paralysis, petrification, fear, or unconsciousness immediately breaks constriction
    • Charming or polymorphing the constrictor also breaks constriction (and likely prevents them from making future attempts)
    • Elyvilon's healing abilities may allow you to pacify the constrictor
  • Becoming immune to constriction will immediately end the status.
    • Storm Form is immune to constriction.
    • Dragon Form is giant size, so it can only be constricted by tentacled monstrosities.
  • Any source of blinking can get you free. It has improved odds as if you had already made an extra attempt.
    • Barachim can hop away, while Dithmenos gives Shadow Step. Both also have improved escape odds, like with blink.
  • Teleportation will always let you escape constriction
  • Formicid's shaft ability will always escape constriction
  • Zin's Sanctuary ability breaks constriction
  • Ru's Draw Out Power and Power Leap will always escape construction

History

  • In 0.32, constriction will be reworked:
    • The duration modifier to damage will be removed.
    • Escape chance will be simplified for players. The odds will be 40/75/100% for 1/2/3 attempts. Blinking and related effects will always escape constriction.
    • Escape chance for monsters will be modified to include HD in the formula. The new formula is intended to make the wand of roots stronger in the early game while requiring more investment in Evocations in the late game.
    • Constriction will apply -10 EV to both players and monsters. This replaces the previous EV penalty.
    • Constriction damage and duration will be rebalanced for most sources:
      • Monster melee constriction will be randomized and higher, while having only a 66% chance to apply.
      • Grasping Roots will have a higher minimum and lower maximum duration. Its damage will also be reduced.
      • Player melee constriction will no longer care about Str.
      • All player sources will deal more damage.
  • Since 0.18, to-hit only depends on Dexterity.
  • Prior to 0.12, the duration modifier to damage was applied to players.

References

  1. actor.cc:687 (0.30.0)
  2. fight.cc:71 (0.30.0)
  3. monster.cc:3834 (0.30.0)
  4. player.cc:6438 (0.30.0)