Difference between revisions of "Distortion"

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{{flavour|It warps and distorts space around it, and may blink, banish, or inflict extra damage upon those it strikes. 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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'''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:<ref>{{source ref|0.30.1|attack.cc|486}}</ref>
 
 
'''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:
 
  
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
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! Effect
 
! Effect
 
|-
 
|-
| 33.3%
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| 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%
+
| 5%
| The target [[teleport]]s (effective 2-3 turns after being hit)
 
|-
 
| 9.9%
 
 
| The target is [[banish]]ed to [[the Abyss]]
 
| The target is [[banish]]ed to [[the Abyss]]
 
|-
 
|-
| 9.9%
+
| 15%
 
| 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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===Unwielding===
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Conversely, unwielding a weapon branded with distortion also causes '''dangerous unwielding effects''' to the player:
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* 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#Translocations|translocation miscast effects]]''', including severe damage or even banishment to the [[Abyss]] (25% chance). This is a very good reason for to avoid wield-IDing random magic and [[artifact]] weapons. Note that followers of [[Lugonu]] are protected from this effect.
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Distortion weapons are considered [[evil]], so the [[good god]]s forbid their use.
  
A weapon given the temporary distortion brand by the [[Warp Weapon]] spell does not suffer this limitation.  
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Followers of [[Lugonu]] are protected from these effects. Pious followers of Lugonu can have a weapon branded with distortion once per game, guaranteeing them access to the brand's effects.
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__TOC__
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==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 will prolong fights by blinking enemies away from you, disperse enemies over the whole floor and ultimately banish many stronger foes for decreased experience gains. That being said, if you intend to switch weapons occasionally as a non Lugonu worshipper, you almost certainly won't want to deal with a distortion weapon's guaranteed miscast effects.
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Distortion is a powerful brand. It deals more damage than [[electrocution]], even before considering the banish chance, and distortion can't be resisted. In practice, banishment equates to a 5% of a one-hit kill; it can even banish otherwise hex-immune foes like the [[Hell]] lords. Like electrocution, it works best on fast weapons (e.g. [[Short Blades]] and [[demon whip]]s), since faster weapons will activate more distortion effects.
 
 
*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''' will let you avoid this, but you may still move unintentionally if other monsters are within your [[line of sight]].
 
  
*Certain [[uniques]] often drop distortion weapons, notably [[Psyche]] and [[Sonja]]. They can also be found in the [[Hall of Blades]] branch, located on the second floor of the [[Elven Halls]].
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However, this brand isn't perfect; it might blink ranged enemies away, or banish foes with desired equipment. Note that blinking gives you no message when it occurs, which can suddenly leave you with empty space where that monster used to be. When auto-attacking, you may move into an unintended spot.  
  
*Pious followers of [[Lugonu]] can have her brand a weapon with distortion once per game, while the [[Warp Weapon]] spell can apply a temporary distortion brand.
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Note that distortion is quite rare to come by without Lugonu, and has very dangerous unwield effects.
  
*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.
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===Enemy Distortion===
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For monsters with distortion weapons (or with an inherent distortion-branded attack, like [[spatial vortex|spatial vortices]]), do your absolute best not to let them into melee range. For underleveled characters, getting sent into the [[Abyss]] can quickly lead to unwinnable situations. XL 27 characters can likely survive Abyss, at least before A:7.
 +
*[[Tukima's Dance]] is a great spell against distortion-wielding foes; not only does it permanently disarm their weapon, but it becomes a [[dancing weapon]] on your side.
 +
*Certain [[uniques]] are likely to possess distortion weapons: [[Psyche]], [[Sonja]], and [[The Enchantress]].
  
*Replacing the brand via [[the Shining One]] or [[Kikubaaqudgha]]'s final abilities will not incur a miscast effect.
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===Tips & Tricks===
 +
*Even if you never plan to use it, you may want to keep a weapon of distortion around. The unwield effects, while usually negative, can be used as a last-ditch escape tool:
 +
**If you're [[confuse]]d by [[Sigmund]] with 0 other options, you can try to activate the teleport effect. Banishment might end up helping you, as [[Lugonu]] altars frequently appear in the Abyss.
 +
**Getting sent to the Abyss is deadly for most stages of the game, but the Abyss can be safer than [[Zot:5]]'s Orb chamber, and is likely safer than [[Mega-Zig]] floors.
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**For turn count [[speedrun]]s, you can unwield distortion in order to get to Abyss faster. Getting "unintentionally" banished means you can end up on Abyss:3-4, without having to pass through the upper levels first.
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*Casters that like to keep enemies away from them may find a distortion branded polearm quite useful, since its blink effect creates space between you and monsters. It's wise to train at least a little skill so you can hit at a reasonable (1.0) delay.
 +
*Banish does ''not'' count as a kill, even though it gives full experience. Most gods won't reward you, and effects like [[Powered By Death]] won't activate.
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**Pay special attention to [[the Royal Jelly]]. If you banish TRJ, the walls won't open unless you dive to the Abyss to kill it.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Prior to [[0.15]] any rebranding a distortion weapon (e.g. by a [[Scroll of brand weapon]]) caused a distortion effect.  
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*Prior to [[0.31]], distortion wouldn't offend the [[good god]]s. Also, if a monster performed an [[attack of opportunity]], distortion could not inflict banish or blink.
 
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*Prior to [[0.27]], distortion was an extremely punishing brand for those who wield-[[Identification|ID]]'d items. Weapons were not identified until you wielded them, and any glowing weapon could have been distortion-branded.
Prior to [[0.14]], followers of Lugonu were not protected from the effects of unwielding a distortion weapon.  
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*Prior to [[0.26]], distortion had a 10% chance to banish on attack, but banishment gave half experience.
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*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.
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*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.
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*Prior to [[0.6]], using a weapon of distortion would offend the good gods.
  
Prior to [[0.12]], this brand was safer when found on sharp weapons, since blunt weapons didn't allow to butcher corpses.
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==References==
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<references />
  
 
{{brands}}
 
{{brands}}
  
 
[[Category:Brands]]
 
[[Category:Brands]]

Latest revision as of 15:30, 15 January 2024

Version 0.31: This article is up to date for the latest stable release of Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.
It warps and distorts space around it, and may blink, banish, or inflict extra damage upon those it strikes. 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:[1]

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
5% The target is banished to the Abyss
15% Nothing happens

Unwielding

Conversely, unwielding a weapon branded with distortion also causes dangerous unwielding effects to the player:

Distortion weapons are considered evil, so the good gods forbid their use.

Followers of Lugonu are protected from these effects. Pious followers of Lugonu can have a weapon branded with distortion once per game, guaranteeing them access to the brand's effects.

Strategy

Distortion is a powerful brand. It deals more damage than electrocution, even before considering the banish chance, and distortion can't be resisted. In practice, banishment equates to a 5% of a one-hit kill; it can even banish otherwise hex-immune foes like the Hell lords. Like electrocution, it works best on fast weapons (e.g. Short Blades and demon whips), since faster weapons will activate more distortion effects.

However, this brand isn't perfect; it might blink ranged enemies away, or banish foes with desired equipment. Note that blinking gives you no message when it occurs, which can suddenly leave you with empty space where that monster used to be. When auto-attacking, you may move into an unintended spot.

Note that distortion is quite rare to come by without Lugonu, and has very dangerous unwield effects.

Enemy Distortion

For monsters with distortion weapons (or with an inherent distortion-branded attack, like spatial vortices), do your absolute best not to let them into melee range. For underleveled characters, getting sent into the Abyss can quickly lead to unwinnable situations. XL 27 characters can likely survive Abyss, at least before A:7.

Tips & Tricks

  • Even if you never plan to use it, you may want to keep a weapon of distortion around. The unwield effects, while usually negative, can be used as a last-ditch escape tool:
    • If you're confused by Sigmund with 0 other options, you can try to activate the teleport effect. Banishment might end up helping you, as Lugonu altars frequently appear in the Abyss.
    • Getting sent to the Abyss is deadly for most stages of the game, but the Abyss can be safer than Zot:5's Orb chamber, and is likely safer than Mega-Zig floors.
    • For turn count speedruns, you can unwield distortion in order to get to Abyss faster. Getting "unintentionally" banished means you can end up on Abyss:3-4, without having to pass through the upper levels first.
  • Casters that like to keep enemies away from them may find a distortion branded polearm quite useful, since its blink effect creates space between you and monsters. It's wise to train at least a little skill so you can hit at a reasonable (1.0) delay.
  • Banish does not count as a kill, even though it gives full experience. Most gods won't reward you, and effects like Powered By Death won't activate.
    • Pay special attention to the Royal Jelly. If you banish TRJ, the walls won't open unless you dive to the Abyss to kill it.

History

  • Prior to 0.31, distortion wouldn't offend the good gods. Also, if a monster performed an attack of opportunity, distortion could not inflict banish or blink.
  • Prior to 0.27, distortion was an extremely punishing brand for those who wield-ID'd items. Weapons were not identified until you wielded them, and any glowing weapon could have been distortion-branded.
  • Prior to 0.26, distortion had a 10% chance to banish on attack, but banishment gave half experience.
  • 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.
  • Prior to 0.6, using a weapon of distortion would offend the good gods.

References

  1. attack.cc:486 (0.30.1)
Brands
Melee weapons AntimagicChaosDistortionDrainingElectrocutionFlamingFreezingHeavyHoly wrathPainProtectionReachingSpectralSpeedVampiricVenom
DisruptionDragon slayingReapingSilver
Launchers AntimagicDrainingElectrocutionFlamingFreezingHeavyPenetrationSpeed
Throwing weapons AtropaCurareDaturaDispersalPoisonedSilver