Difference between revisions of "Instadeath"

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The term '''instadeath''' can have several definitions, either in ''Crawl'' or in roguelikes in general.  Of course, many people use it to describe a death which occurs instantly or very quickly, e.g. an early [[ogre (monster)|ogre]] killing a low-level [[spriggan]] in one shot. However, the term is often more formally used to describe deaths which occur regardless of a character's current [[HP]], even if the death itself is not instant (so-called 'delayed instadeaths'). Such instadeaths are extremely rare in Crawl.  
 
The term '''instadeath''' can have several definitions, either in ''Crawl'' or in roguelikes in general.  Of course, many people use it to describe a death which occurs instantly or very quickly, e.g. an early [[ogre (monster)|ogre]] killing a low-level [[spriggan]] in one shot. However, the term is often more formally used to describe deaths which occur regardless of a character's current [[HP]], even if the death itself is not instant (so-called 'delayed instadeaths'). Such instadeaths are extremely rare in Crawl.  
  
There is only one way for the player to be killed instantly: the [[Zot clock]]. The player receives a significant amount of warning before this can occur.
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==Player Instadeath==
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There is only one way for the player to be killed instantly: the [[Zot clock]]. The player receives a significant amount of warning (at least 1000 turns) before this can occur.
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Of course, this does not include 1-turn KOs from a bunch of nasty monsters hitting you at once.
  
 
==Dealing instadeath to monsters==
 
==Dealing instadeath to monsters==
 
There are only a few ways to kill monsters irrespective of their hit points. They all require specific setups to work:
 
There are only a few ways to kill monsters irrespective of their hit points. They all require specific setups to work:
*Monsters die if they fall in deep water or lava, assuming it's inhospitable for them. Usually, this requires [[confusion|confusing]] them near such terrain.
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*Monsters die if they fall in deep water or lava, assuming the terrain is inhospitable for them. Usually, this requires [[confusion|confusing]] them near such terrain.
 
*[[Banishment]] (through [[Lugonu]]'s *** ability or a weapon of [[distortion]]) works regardless of a monster's current HP, although said monster may again be encountered in [[the Abyss]].
 
*[[Banishment]] (through [[Lugonu]]'s *** ability or a weapon of [[distortion]]) works regardless of a monster's current HP, although said monster may again be encountered in [[the Abyss]].
 
*[[Uskayaw]]'s Grand Finale ***** ability can instantly kill any monster.
 
*[[Uskayaw]]'s Grand Finale ***** ability can instantly kill any monster.
*The spell [[Maxwell's Capacitive Coupling]] instantly kills the closest monster, after a short delay.
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*The spell [[Maxwell's Capacitive Coupling]] "instantly" kills the closest monster, after a short delay.
 
*[[Yara's Violent Unravelling]] will instantly and explosively dismiss any [[summon]]ed monsters.
 
*[[Yara's Violent Unravelling]] will instantly and explosively dismiss any [[summon]]ed monsters.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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*In [[0.29]], the Zot clock will only instant-kill if you are [[drain]]ed to less than 10% maximum HP (else it drains you).
 
*Prior to [[0.26]], players could face [[starvation]] and die, as opposed to the Zot clock.
 
*Prior to [[0.26]], players could face [[starvation]] and die, as opposed to the Zot clock.
 
*Prior to [[0.19]], players falling into deep water or lava (through flight expiring) would be subject to instadeath, instead of [[drain]]ing every turn.
 
*Prior to [[0.19]], players falling into deep water or lava (through flight expiring) would be subject to instadeath, instead of [[drain]]ing every turn.
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*Prior to [[0.14]], [[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]] could instantly kill brittle monsters.
 
*Prior to [[0.14]], [[Lee's Rapid Deconstruction]] could instantly kill brittle monsters.
  
[[Category:Game mechanics]]
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[[Category:Game mechanics]] [[Category:Crystal Ball Articles]]

Revision as of 22:04, 1 August 2022

Version 0.28: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

The term instadeath can have several definitions, either in Crawl or in roguelikes in general. Of course, many people use it to describe a death which occurs instantly or very quickly, e.g. an early ogre killing a low-level spriggan in one shot. However, the term is often more formally used to describe deaths which occur regardless of a character's current HP, even if the death itself is not instant (so-called 'delayed instadeaths'). Such instadeaths are extremely rare in Crawl.

Player Instadeath

There is only one way for the player to be killed instantly: the Zot clock. The player receives a significant amount of warning (at least 1000 turns) before this can occur.

Of course, this does not include 1-turn KOs from a bunch of nasty monsters hitting you at once.

Dealing instadeath to monsters

There are only a few ways to kill monsters irrespective of their hit points. They all require specific setups to work:

  • Monsters die if they fall in deep water or lava, assuming the terrain is inhospitable for them. Usually, this requires confusing them near such terrain.
  • Banishment (through Lugonu's *** ability or a weapon of distortion) works regardless of a monster's current HP, although said monster may again be encountered in the Abyss.
  • Uskayaw's Grand Finale ***** ability can instantly kill any monster.
  • The spell Maxwell's Capacitive Coupling "instantly" kills the closest monster, after a short delay.
  • Yara's Violent Unravelling will instantly and explosively dismiss any summoned monsters.

History

  • In 0.29, the Zot clock will only instant-kill if you are drained to less than 10% maximum HP (else it drains you).
  • Prior to 0.26, players could face starvation and die, as opposed to the Zot clock.
  • Prior to 0.19, players falling into deep water or lava (through flight expiring) would be subject to instadeath, instead of draining every turn.
  • Prior to 0.17, it was possible for confused players to accidentally walk into deep water or lava. Intelligent monsters used to be immune to this type of death, but no longer are.
  • Prior to 0.15, it was possible to sometimes scramble out of deep water or lava.
  • Prior to 0.13, one could suffer statdeath: after a few dozen turns of a stat being at zero, the character would die. Presently, being at 0 in a stat will just apply some penalties. In addition, one could die by being level-drained to level 0 - that is, being hit by a draining attack at XL1 (removed due to the removal of XP draining)
  • Prior to 0.8, statdeath killed the player as soon as the stat hit zero, as opposed to being a delayed instadeath.

Instantkills on monsters has its own history: