Difference between revisions of "Distortion"

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{{flavour|It warps and distorts space around it. Unwielding it can cause banishment or high damage.}}
 
{{flavour|It warps and distorts space around it. Unwielding it can cause banishment or high damage.}}
  
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! Effect
 
! Effect
 
|-
 
|-
| 33.3%
+
| 35%
 
| The target takes an additional 1-7 damage
 
| The target takes an additional 1-7 damage
 
|-
 
|-
| 22.2%
+
| 25%
 
| The target takes an additional 3-26 damage (14.5 on average, low variation)
 
| The target takes an additional 3-26 damage (14.5 on average, low variation)
 
|-
 
|-
| 14.8%
+
| 20%
 
| The target [[blink]]s
 
| The target [[blink]]s
 
|-
 
|-
| 9.9%
+
| 10%
| The target [[teleport]]s
 
|-
 
| 9.9%
 
 
| The target is [[banish]]ed to [[the Abyss]]
 
| The target is [[banish]]ed to [[the Abyss]]
 
|-
 
|-
| 9.9%
+
| 10%
 
| Nothing happens
 
| Nothing happens
 
|}
 
|}
  
The exception to this is the [[blink frog]] (including the unique blink frog [[Prince Ribbit]]), which likes distortion energy; it is immune to all distortion effects, and has a 20% chance of being healed by them instead.
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Conversely, unwielding a weapon branded with distortion or casting [[Excruciating Wounds]] on it also causes '''dangerous effects''' to the player:
 +
* 50% chance: [[teleport]] to random monsters on the floor
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* 25% chance: inflict significant [[magical contamination]]
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* 25% chance: [[banish]]ed to the [[Abyss]]
  
''Unwielding a weapon branded with distortion will cause severe [[miscast effect#translocation|translocation miscast effects]]'', including severe damage or even banishment (25% chance). This is a very good reason for you to avoid wield-IDing random magic and [[artifact]] weapons. A weapon given the temporary distortion brand by the [[Warp Weapon]] spell does not suffer this limitation.
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This is a very good reason to avoid wield-IDing random magic and [[artifact]] weapons -- while distortion is a very rare brand, wielding it on accident can easily result in the end of a promising run. Note that followers of [[Lugonu]] are protected from these effects.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
*Since the brand's effect is not dependent on the damage your weapon does, it works best on a fast, edged weapon with low base delay.
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*Since the brand's effect is not dependent on the damage your weapon does, it works best on a fast weapon with low base delay. But remember that the nature of the brand prolongs fights by blinking enemies away from you and may banish stronger foes for decreased experience gain. If you have multiple weapons you intend to switch between and don't plan on following [[Lugonu]], you almost certainly don't want to deal with a distortion weapon's guaranteed backlash effects.
 
+
*Pious followers of [[Lugonu]] can have a weapon branded with distortion once per game, guaranteeing them access to the brand's effects. Having a distortion weapon on hand can be useful for when you want to keep monsters at bay while dealing irresistible damage. It can even banish creatures that are immune to magical effects like the [[Hell]] lords -- just be aware that particularly powerful banished creatures are likely to be waiting for you should you later travel to the Abyss yourself.
*Note that quivering and firing a distortion weapon does not cause any miscast effects, but this may be less useful than it seems. Happy to throw that Spear of Distortion at nasty foes? You might not be, when your enemy picks it up and either throws it back at you or starts poking you with it. Enemies don't have to worry about un-wielding distortion weapons!
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*Be careful about the blinking effect. It gives you no message when it occurs, suddenly leaving you with empty space where that monster used to be. If you're attacking by attempting to move into the monster, your next swing will move you instead, and that can be bad when you move out of a choke-point or into unfavorable terrain. Attacking using '''Tab''' lets you avoid this, but you may still move unintentionally if other monsters are within your [[line of sight]].
 
+
*When facing another creature wielding a weapon of distortion (or one with a naturally distortion-branded attack, like [[spatial vortex|spatial vortices]]), do your best not to let them into melee range if you can at all help it.
*Should you not want to leave Distortion weapons lying around, there are several ways to safely dispose of them:
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**Certain [[uniques]] are particularly likely to possess distortion weapons, notably [[Psyche]], [[Sonja]], and [[The Enchantress]]. You may also find [[dancing weapon]]s of distortion in the [[Elven Halls]], particularly in the [[Hall of Blades]] on the second floor.
**Lug them to your [[stash]]
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*Unwielding a distortion weapon can serve as a last resort to teleport you while confused, but be aware that the consequences of this can be lethal (especially since the teleport will always land you next to other monsters).
**Throw the weapon into [[lava]]
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**It can also serve as a way to send yourself to the Abyss without having an entrance handy, which may be useful in particularly dangerous endgame locations like the [[Tomb]] or a [[Ziggurat]]. Just be aware that you'll return to the exact place you left (if you survive your jaunt to the Abyss at all).
**On levels without [[merfolk]], throw it into [[deep water]]
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*Replacing the brand via a [[scroll of brand weapon]] or [[the Shining One]] or [[Kikubaaqudgha]]'s final abilities lets you safely unwield a weapon of distortion, though it may not be worth the cost of such a valuable resource.
**Feed it to a [[jelly]]
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*Casters that like to keep enemies away from them (blaster casters, maybe also summoners) may find a distortion branded polearm quite useful, since its blink effect creates space between you and monsters. Just make sure you train enough weapon skill to have it on min delay, or at least not worse than 1.0 for a swing.
**Sacrifice it to [[Elyvilon]] or [[Nemelex]]
 
 
 
*Be very careful about equipping blunt weapons of distortion. This is a good way to kill yourself, because you cannot butcher corpses without suffering miscast effects (which can be quite lethal to low- to mid-level characters). A way to deal with this is by learning [[Animate Skeleton]], which allows for effective butchering without unwielding your weapon.
 
 
 
*Be careful about the blinking effect. It gives you no message when it occurs, suddenly leaving you with empty space where that monster used to be. If you're attacking by attempting to move into the monster, your next swing will move you instead, and that can be bad when you move out of a choke-point or into unfavorable terrain. Attack using '''Tab''' to avoid this.
 
 
 
*Certain [[uniques]] often drop Distortion weapons, notably [[Psyche]] and [[Sonja]]. They can also be found in the [[Hall of Blades]], but of course, there you need to fight ''against'' them first! Pious followers of [[Lugonu]] can have her brand a weapon with distortion, once per game. The [[Warp Weapon]] spell can apply a temporary distortion brand.
 
 
 
*Unwielding a distortion weapon can serve as a last resort to teleport you while confused, but be aware that the consequences of this can be lethal.
 
  
*If you absolutely need to avoid unwielding a wielded distortion weapon, [[Kikubaaqudgha]] and [[the Shining One]] offer gifts at max [[piety]] that replace the brand of your current weapon with a new one. This will not work on artifact distortion weapons, however, and generating divine wrath by abandoning god(s) to do this will often outweigh the benefits of avoiding a single miscast effect.
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==History==
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*In [[0.26]], the chance to banish will be reduced from 10% to 5%.
 +
*Prior to [[0.25]], distortion weapons had a chance of [[teleport]]ing monsters away from you when attacking. They also caused [[Translocations]] [[miscast effect]]s when unwielded.
 +
*Prior to [[0.19]], distortion weapons could sometimes heal [[blink frog]]s (including the unique blink frog [[Prince Ribbit]]), who were immune to all of the effects of the distortion brand. Additionally, the spell [[Warp Weapon]] existed, which could apply a temporary distortion brand to your weapon.
 +
*Prior to [[0.15]], rebranding a distortion weapon (e.g. by a [[Scroll of brand weapon]]) caused a distortion effect.
 +
*Prior to [[0.14]], followers of Lugonu were not protected from the effects of unwielding a distortion weapon.
 +
*Prior to [[0.12]], this brand was safer when found on sharp weapons, since blunt weapons didn't allow butchering corpses.
  
 
{{brands}}
 
{{brands}}
  
 +
[[Category:Crystal Ball Articles]]
 
[[Category:Brands]]
 
[[Category:Brands]]

Revision as of 20:34, 1 December 2020

Version 0.25: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
It warps and distorts space around it. Unwielding it can cause banishment or high damage.

Distortion is a brand that any melee weapon may have. Distortion weapons bend and tear the fabric of space-time, and generate a variety of effects when they hit:

Chance Effect
35% The target takes an additional 1-7 damage
25% The target takes an additional 3-26 damage (14.5 on average, low variation)
20% The target blinks
10% The target is banished to the Abyss
10% Nothing happens

Conversely, unwielding a weapon branded with distortion or casting Excruciating Wounds on it also causes dangerous effects to the player:

This is a very good reason to avoid wield-IDing random magic and artifact weapons -- while distortion is a very rare brand, wielding it on accident can easily result in the end of a promising run. Note that followers of Lugonu are protected from these effects.

Strategy

  • Since the brand's effect is not dependent on the damage your weapon does, it works best on a fast weapon with low base delay. But remember that the nature of the brand prolongs fights by blinking enemies away from you and may banish stronger foes for decreased experience gain. If you have multiple weapons you intend to switch between and don't plan on following Lugonu, you almost certainly don't want to deal with a distortion weapon's guaranteed backlash effects.
  • Pious followers of Lugonu can have a weapon branded with distortion once per game, guaranteeing them access to the brand's effects. Having a distortion weapon on hand can be useful for when you want to keep monsters at bay while dealing irresistible damage. It can even banish creatures that are immune to magical effects like the Hell lords -- just be aware that particularly powerful banished creatures are likely to be waiting for you should you later travel to the Abyss yourself.
  • Be careful about the blinking effect. It gives you no message when it occurs, suddenly leaving you with empty space where that monster used to be. If you're attacking by attempting to move into the monster, your next swing will move you instead, and that can be bad when you move out of a choke-point or into unfavorable terrain. Attacking using Tab lets you avoid this, but you may still move unintentionally if other monsters are within your line of sight.
  • When facing another creature wielding a weapon of distortion (or one with a naturally distortion-branded attack, like spatial vortices), do your best not to let them into melee range if you can at all help it.
  • Unwielding a distortion weapon can serve as a last resort to teleport you while confused, but be aware that the consequences of this can be lethal (especially since the teleport will always land you next to other monsters).
    • It can also serve as a way to send yourself to the Abyss without having an entrance handy, which may be useful in particularly dangerous endgame locations like the Tomb or a Ziggurat. Just be aware that you'll return to the exact place you left (if you survive your jaunt to the Abyss at all).
  • Replacing the brand via a scroll of brand weapon or the Shining One or Kikubaaqudgha's final abilities lets you safely unwield a weapon of distortion, though it may not be worth the cost of such a valuable resource.
  • Casters that like to keep enemies away from them (blaster casters, maybe also summoners) may find a distortion branded polearm quite useful, since its blink effect creates space between you and monsters. Just make sure you train enough weapon skill to have it on min delay, or at least not worse than 1.0 for a swing.

History

  • In 0.26, the chance to banish will be reduced from 10% to 5%.
  • Prior to 0.25, distortion weapons had a chance of teleporting monsters away from you when attacking. They also caused Translocations miscast effects when unwielded.
  • Prior to 0.19, distortion weapons could sometimes heal blink frogs (including the unique blink frog Prince Ribbit), who were immune to all of the effects of the distortion brand. Additionally, the spell Warp Weapon existed, which could apply a temporary distortion brand to your weapon.
  • Prior to 0.15, rebranding a distortion weapon (e.g. by a Scroll of brand weapon) caused a distortion effect.
  • Prior to 0.14, followers of Lugonu were not protected from the effects of unwielding a distortion weapon.
  • Prior to 0.12, this brand was safer when found on sharp weapons, since blunt weapons didn't allow butchering corpses.
Brands
Melee weapons AntimagicChaosDistortionDrainingElectrocutionFlamingFreezingHeavyHoly wrathPainProtectionReachingSpectralSpeedVampiricVenom
DisruptionDragon slayingReapingSilver
Launchers AntimagicDrainingElectrocutionFlamingFreezingHeavyPenetrationSpeed
Throwing weapons AtropaCurareDaturaDispersalPoisonedSilver