Difference between revisions of "Curse skull"

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==Useful Info==
 
==Useful Info==
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[[Curse skull]]s are undead immobile monsters found in [[the Crypt]]. They have an almost complete set of resistances and cast powerful necromantic spells. Be prepared to fight the [[undead]] and endure [[torment]].
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'''Curse skulls''' are powerful [[undead]] monsters which resist almost everything, summon swarms of undead allies, and [[torment]] you repeatedly. They never move while you're within [[line of sight]], but will quickly position themselves in irritatingly out-of-reach places whenever you flee. They can be found in [[the Crypt]].
  
 
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==Tips & Tricks==
 
==Tips & Tricks==
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*They fall very quickly to [[Dispel Undead]], although since that spell requires a clear line of sight to hit, they can often shield themselves by summoning undead.
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*Their high AC, elemental resistances, and evasive behavior make them more difficult to kill than you might expect.
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*Conjurers will want to switch to [[Earth]] spells or pure conjurations such as [[Orb of Destruction]], if they lack Dispel Undead. If you have it, [[Fire Storm]] is quite efficient at taking out curse skulls, since it is smite targeted; [[Ice Storm]] less so, as it requires a clear line of sight.
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**Casters with [[Dispel Undead]] can destroy them in a couple shots once they get within range, though their tendency to summon allies coupled with their habit of appearing at the very edge of your line of sight makes reaching them difficult. Several [[Earth Magic]] and pure [[Conjurations]] spells also work fairly well, though the undead allies often get in the way of [[Orb of Destruction]]. If you have to rely on elemental magic, [[Fire Storm]] will take them down very rapidly, but [[Ice Storm]] may have difficulty targeting them once they get their undead allies in place. [[Air elementalist]]s are mostly out of luck; they ignore [[electricity]] damage, and even though they fly, their AC makes [[Airstrike]] much less effective than you might hope.
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*While their tendency to surround themselves with summons might make a smite-targeted spell such as [[Airstrike]] or [[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]] seem attractive, their absurdly high AC generally renders both spells ineffective.
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**Melee fighters with [[holy wrath]] weapons can take them down quickly, and [[vorpal]] weapons are your best bet when that's not an option. Due to the way AC damage reduction works, killing them in melee will take somewhat longer for [[short blades]] specialists than for heavy two-handed weapon-wielders. Also, unless torment's not an issue, consider using a [[scroll of blinking]] to immediately get into melee range with them.
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*Unfortunately, [[Silence]] doesn't affect them.
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**They've only got 3 [[EV]]. If it's an option, [[Bolt of Inaccuracy]] is extremely effective against them, hitting at very long range and cutting right through any allies.
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*For melee fighters, it's important to get into melee range ASAP. Use a [[scroll of blinking]], or just try to enter their [[LOS]] as close as possible.
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*Although it may seem like an excellent way to disable them, they are immune to [[Silence]].
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*They have absurdly high [[AC]] but fairly low [[HP]].  For [[short blades]] wielders, this generally means melee is out as an option, unless they have high amounts of [[ring of slaying|slaying]].  Even those wielding heavier weapons will find that the amount of time required to destroy a curse skull is highly variable, owing to the way AC damage reduction works.
 
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*Their [[EV]] is 3. If you've got it, [[Bolt of Inaccuracy]] is highly effective against them, especially since it'll pierce through their summons.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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In [[0.13]] curse skulls will be able to move while the player cannot see them (like [[wandering mushroom]]s), and their hp and ac will be lowered.
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Prior to [[0.13]], curse skulls had significantly higher HP and AC, but they were also completely stationary.
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[[Category:Crystal Ball Articles]]
 

Revision as of 17:22, 29 October 2013

Version 0.13: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
curse skull z Curse skull.png
HP 55
HD 13
XP 1631
Speed 15 (act: 150%)
AC 25
EV 3
Will Immune



Resistances damnation, rC++,
rElec++, rPois+++,
rN+++, rTorm,
rRot+++, rDrown
Vulnerabilities Holy, Holy wrath
Habitat Land
Intelligence High
Uses Uses nothing
Holiness Undead
Size Tiny
Type curse skull, curse skull
Flags Evil
Levitate
Maintain range
Template:Noisy spells flag
See invisible
Speaks

Vigilant
Silence immune

A charred skull floating in the air and rotating slowly. Mystic symbols carved into its blackened surface indicate its resistance to almost any form of attack.


Useful Info

Curse skulls are powerful undead monsters which resist almost everything, summon swarms of undead allies, and torment you repeatedly. They never move while you're within line of sight, but will quickly position themselves in irritatingly out-of-reach places whenever you flee. They can be found in the Crypt.

Spells

Spell set
Slot1 Summon Undead
Slot2 Summon Undead
Slot3 none
Slot4 Symbol of Torment
Slot5 Summon Undead
Slot6 none

Tips & Tricks

  • Their high AC, elemental resistances, and evasive behavior make them more difficult to kill than you might expect.
    • Casters with Dispel Undead can destroy them in a couple shots once they get within range, though their tendency to summon allies coupled with their habit of appearing at the very edge of your line of sight makes reaching them difficult. Several Earth Magic and pure Conjurations spells also work fairly well, though the undead allies often get in the way of Orb of Destruction. If you have to rely on elemental magic, Fire Storm will take them down very rapidly, but Ice Storm may have difficulty targeting them once they get their undead allies in place. Air elementalists are mostly out of luck; they ignore electricity damage, and even though they fly, their AC makes Airstrike much less effective than you might hope.
    • Melee fighters with holy wrath weapons can take them down quickly, and vorpal weapons are your best bet when that's not an option. Due to the way AC damage reduction works, killing them in melee will take somewhat longer for short blades specialists than for heavy two-handed weapon-wielders. Also, unless torment's not an issue, consider using a scroll of blinking to immediately get into melee range with them.
    • They've only got 3 EV. If it's an option, Bolt of Inaccuracy is extremely effective against them, hitting at very long range and cutting right through any allies.
  • Although it may seem like an excellent way to disable them, they are immune to Silence.

History

Prior to 0.13, curse skulls had significantly higher HP and AC, but they were also completely stationary.

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