Difference between revisions of "Invisible"

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'''Invisible''' creatures cannot normally be seen without some form of [[see invisible|enhanced eyesight]], making it much more difficult for those without enhanced vision to fight them effectively. Additionally, all invisible creatures are immune to [[Olgreb's Toxic Radiance]]. In ''Crawl'', being invisible is treated quite differently based on whether it is the player or the monster that is invisible.
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'''Invisible''' is a [[status effect]] which renders the target unseen except through [[see invisible]]. It functions differently depending on whether it affects a player or a monster.
  
==The invisible player==
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==Player Version==
 +
An invisible player gets the following bonuses and penalties, assuming your victim cannot see or sense invisible:
 +
*Anyone attacking you in melee incurs a 35% reduction to their [[to-hit]] number.
 +
*Any of your melee victims with [[shields]] have their blocking roll divided by three.
 +
*You occasionally make low-tier [[stabbing]] attacks, and sleeping or unaware monsters suffer a large penalty to detecting you through your [[stealth]].
 +
*Enemy ranged attacks have their to-hit number halved, and may target the wrong tile entirely.
 +
*Monsters are less likely to use certain spells or abilities against you.
 +
*There is a chance opponents who can't see invisible will break off their attack and resume wandering.
 +
 
 +
Sometimes monsters can guess the position of an invisible player:
 +
* Seeking monsters will randomly target a nearby tile when the player is within two tiles<ref>{{source ref|0.28.0|mon-behv.cc|38}}</ref>.
 +
* Monsters have a 33% chance to guess the player's tile if the player is right next to them<ref>{{source ref|0.28.0|mon-behv.cc|217}}</ref>.
 +
* [[Monster intelligence|Intelligent]] monsters have an extra 8% change to guess the player's position.
 +
* Additionally, [[Ashenzari]] penance improves the chance of guessing by 50%.
 +
 
 +
Invisibility has no effect if the player is in [[water]]<ref>{{source ref|0.28.0|player.cc|6996}}</ref> or [[glow]]ing.
 +
 
 +
===Sources===
 
You can become invisible by:  
 
You can become invisible by:  
*zapping yourself with a [[wand of invisibility]]
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*quaffing a [[potion of invisibility]].
*drinking a [[potion of invisibility]]  
+
*using the [[Evoke Invisibility]] ability granted by a [[scarf]] of invisibility or certain [[artefact]]s (attempting to use this ability, succeed or fail, will [[drain]] you).
*casting the level 6 [[Hexes]] spell [[Invisibility]] on yourself
+
*[[Dithmenos]]' [[Shadow Form]] turns you into a shadow, granting intrinsic invisibility.
*using the [[Evoke Invisibility|ability]] granted by a [[ring of invisibility]] or certain [[artifact]]s
+
 
*drawing [[Nemelex Xobeh]]'s [[Shadow card]]
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Regardless of source, player invisibility lasts for <code>15 + 1d([[spell power]])</code> turns (max: 100 turns)<ref>{{source ref|0.28.0|potion.cc|441}}</ref>.
*quaffing from a [[fountain of sparkling water]] (2.5% chance)
+
 
*zapping yourself a [[wand of random effects]] (5.5% chance)
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==Strategy==
The potion and wand are always successful, but the ability's success is based on your [[Evocations]] skill. The spell's success, of course, is dependent upon your [[Hexes]] and [[Spellcasting]] skills and intelligence.
+
Almost every character benefits tremendously from being invisible. Many difficult enemies can not see invisible, from most monsters in the [[Spider's Nest]], [[the Swamp]], or [[the Shoals]], to [[list of draconians|draconians]] and [[death cob]]s in [[Zot]]. [[Ghost moth]]s, themselves invisible, are a pertinent threat to all visible casters. [[Stealth]]y [[stab]]bers benefit most - it greatly enhances your effective stealth and your damage output in melee.
 +
 
 +
Despite the benefits, there are still significant downsides to invisibility:
 +
*The list of monsters capable of seeing invisible is unfortunately rather large (see [[:Category:See invisible]]), making the status effect completely useless against them. By the time you get a reliable means of invisibility, more and more monsters won't care.
 +
*Every method of turning invisible has its own quirks:
 +
**Having an item with [[Invisibility (ego)|evocable invisibility]] is the most convenient way to gain unlimited access early on, but finding such equipment is by no means guaranteed. Additionally, over-reliance on this ability, especially without significant training in [[Evocations]], will leave you with greatly reduced HP.
 +
**Potions are reliable, but are rare and come in limited quantity.
 +
**Shadow Form requires significant [[Invocations]] training to be reliable, carries a significant MP and [[piety]] cost, drains you when activated, further drains you when you take damage, all the while reducing your damage output and spellpower.
  
An invisible player gets the following bonuses and penalties:
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As an alternative, consider learning the [[Dazzling Flash]] spell. This level 3 spell [[blind]]s opponents, duplicating many of the advantages of invisibility without some of its limitations and affecting many opponents that possess see invisible.
*-5 to their melee to-hit number if you yourself cannot see invisible. (Official justification: you can't see your weapon.)
 
*Anyone attacking you in melee incurs a 35% reduction in their to-hit number.
 
*Any of your melee victims who have shields have their blocking roll divided by three.
 
*You are more likely to be able to [[stab]] your opponents.
 
*Ranged attacks by opponents who can't see invisible have their to-hit number halved.
 
*You have a 60% chance of gaining a point of [[magic contamination]] when handle_time() is called.
 
*You can only dissipate magic contamination via "violent discharge" or the wrath of Sif Muna.
 
*Greatly [[hunger#hunger|increased metabolism]] (+5 to hunger rate).
 
  
==Invisible monsters==
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==Monster Version==
 
Invisible monsters are very dangerous to a player who cannot see invisible. If you cannot see invisible, then in melee with invisible monsters:
 
Invisible monsters are very dangerous to a player who cannot see invisible. If you cannot see invisible, then in melee with invisible monsters:
*Your [[shield]] block rolls are divided by three.
+
*Your [[shields|block]] rolls are divided by three.
 
*You suffer a -10 penalty to your [[EV]] against their melee attacks
 
*You suffer a -10 penalty to your [[EV]] against their melee attacks
 
*You suffer a -6 penalty to your melee to-hit number against invisible monsters.
 
*You suffer a -6 penalty to your melee to-hit number against invisible monsters.
  
===Permanently invisible===
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On top of that, invisible monsters cannot be seen either within your [[line of sight]] or on the map, and if you actually manage to guess which tile they're in and attack them, you receive significantly less information than normal (the monster is referred to as "something" rather than by its actual name).
 +
 
 +
===Sources===
 +
====Permanently invisible====
 
These monsters are permanently, inherently invisible:
 
These monsters are permanently, inherently invisible:
 
*{{monsterlink|Unseen horror}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Unseen horror}}
*{{monsterlink|Vapour}}
 
 
*{{monsterlink|Ghost moth}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Ghost moth}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Shadow wraith}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Shadow wraith}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Lorocyproca}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Lorocyproca}}
===Casters of invisibility===
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 +
====Casters of invisibility====
 
Some spellcasting monsters can make themselves invisible:
 
Some spellcasting monsters can make themselves invisible:
*{{monsterlink|Orc wizard}}
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*{{monsterlink|Orc wizard}} (66% chance)
*{{monsterlink|Ogre mage}}
 
 
*{{LightCyan|I}} [[File:Sky beast.png]] '''[[Sky beast]]''' (by inherent ability, not a spell)
 
*{{LightCyan|I}} [[File:Sky beast.png]] '''[[Sky beast]]''' (by inherent ability, not a spell)
 +
*{{Magenta|p}} [[File:Shadow.png]] '''[[Shadow]]''' (by inherent ability, not a spell)
 
<!--Formatted this way to keep the text in the same line-->
 
<!--Formatted this way to keep the text in the same line-->
*{{monsterlink|Deep elf soldier}}
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*{{monsterlink|Ogre mage}} (33% chance)
*{{monsterlink|Deep elf fighter}}
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*{{monsterlink|Deep elf knight}} (50% chance)
*{{monsterlink|Deep elf knight}}
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*{{Red|V}} [[File:Vampire (monster).png]] '''[[Vampire (monster)|Vampire]]'''
*{{monsterlink|Deep elf mage}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Deep elf conjurer}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Lich}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Ancient lich}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Vampire (monster)}}
 
 
*{{monsterlink|Vampire knight}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Vampire knight}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Vampire mage}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Vampire mage}}
*{{monsterlink|Rakshasa}}
 
 
*{{monsterlink|Boggart}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Boggart}}
*{{monsterlink|Necromancer (monster)}}
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*{{White|p}} [[File:Necromancer (monster).png]] '''[[Necromancer (monster)|Necromancer]]'''
*{{monsterlink|Wizard (monster)}}
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*{{Magenta|p}} [[File:Wizard (monster).png]] '''[[Wizard (monster)|Wizard]]''' (33% chance)
 +
*{{monsterlink|Draconian knight}}
 +
*{{monsterlink|Lich}} (40% chance)
 +
*{{monsterlink|Ancient lich}} (40% chance)
 
*{{monsterlink|Sigmund}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Sigmund}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Blork the orc}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Blork the orc}}
*{{monsterlink|Erolcha}}
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*{{monsterlink|Psyche}}
*{{monsterlink|Ilsuiw}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Kirke}}
 
 
*{{monsterlink|Erica}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Erica}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Maurice}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Maurice}}
 +
*{{monsterlink|Erolcha}} (33% chance)
 +
*{{monsterlink|Kirke}}
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*{{monsterlink|Ilsuiw}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Boris}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Boris}}
*{{monsterlink|Norris}}
 
*{{monsterlink|Frederick}}
 
 
*{{monsterlink|The Enchantress}}
 
*{{monsterlink|The Enchantress}}
*{{monsterlink|Gloorx Vloq}}
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*{{monsterlink|Pandemonium lord}} (7.5% chance)
 
This effect has a finite duration, but the monster can always recast it after it has run out.
 
This effect has a finite duration, but the monster can always recast it after it has run out.
  
===Potion or wand users===
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====Potion users====
Monsters who know how to use magic items may use [[potion of invisibility|potions]] or [[wand of invisibility|wands of invisibility]] to make themselves invisible. This effect has a finite duration, but the monster can always reattempt it after it has run out.
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Monsters who know how to use potions may use [[potions of invisibility]] to make themselves invisible. This effect has a finite duration, but the monster may be able to reapply the effect by quaffing another potion (if it has one).
 
 
===Submerged monsters===
 
Certain monsters can have the inherent ability to render themselves ''effectively'' invisible by [[submerge|submerging]]. However, this is a defensive maneuver only: they are always revealed if they become adjacent to, or if they attempt to attack, the player. None of the conventional methods described below for detecting inherently invisible monsters work on submerged monsters:
 
*In deep water: [[crocodile]]s, [[baby alligator]]s, [[alligator]]s, [[swamp worm]]s, [[sea snake]]s, [[big fish]], [[giant goldfish]], [[jellyfish]], [[shark]]s, [[electric eel]]s
 
*In lava: [[lava worm]]s, [[lava fish]], [[lava snake]]s, [[salamander]]s
 
*In clear tiles: [[trapdoor spider]]s, [[air elemental]]s
 
  
 
==Detecting invisible monsters==
 
==Detecting invisible monsters==
===By item, spell, mutation===
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===See invisible===
*A [[ring]], [[armour#headgear|headgear]], or [[artefact]] with the [[see invisible]] [[ego]]
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If you have the [[see invisible]] [[intrinsic]], invisible monsters gain no benefits against you. You can acquire this in the following ways:
*The [[Good mutations#Acute Vision|Acute Vision]] [[mutation]] (held inherently by all [[spriggan]], [[vampire]], [[naga]], and [[felid]] players).
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*Having the [[Acute Vision]] [[mutation]]. [[Spriggan]]s, [[vampire]]s, [[naga]]s, [[felid]]s, and [[palentonga]]s all have this mutation naturally.
*Rank 3 of the [[Antennae]] mutation or rank 3 of [[Jiyva]]'s [[Jiyva mutations#Eyeballs|Eyeballs]] mutation also grant [[see invisible]]
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*Having rank 3 of the [[Antennae]] mutation. [[Formicid]]s start with this, and [[demonspawn]] may develop it as they grow.
 +
*Wearing a [[ring]], [[Armour#headgear|headgear]], or [[artefact]] with the see invisible [[ego]]
 +
*Having rank 3 of [[Jiyva]]'s [[Eyeballs]] mutation.
  
 
===Backlighting===
 
===Backlighting===
Under some circumstances, a target may become ''backlit''. This renders its invisibility ineffective. Backlighting occurs as a result of the level 1 [[Hexes]] spell [[Corona]], having a [[aura#halo|halo]] (say, from wielding the [[list of unrands#+5, +5 Mace of Brilliance|Mace of Brilliance]] artifact), being in the halo of a devout worshipper of [[The Shining One]], or as the result of mutagenic [[glow]]. Using [[Sticky Flame]] on a [[insubstantial|substantial]] creature that's not on a water tile is also effective; this method is best attempted in narrow hallways.
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Under some circumstances, a target may become backlit (also known as [[glow]]ing). This renders its invisibility ineffective, and actually makes it easier to hit than normal. Backlighting occurs whenever:
 +
*An invisible target is affected by the [[Corona]] status (must overcome [[willpower]]).
 +
*An invisible, corporeal target (i.e. one that is not [[insubstantial]]) is covered with [[Sticky Flame]]s, unless it's standing in water (which immediately extinguishes the flames).
 +
*An invisible creature enters a [[halo]].
 +
*The player suffers from significant amounts of [[magical contamination]] (yellow or worse).
  
 
===Invisible monsters revealed as a disturbance===
 
===Invisible monsters revealed as a disturbance===
Certain less stealthy monsters, like [[orc wizard]]s and [[sky beast]]s, will occasionally leave ''disturbances'' while invisible, represented in the console game by the {{White|{}} glyph. Additionally, ''all'' [[insubstantial|substantial]] invisible monsters, when passing through a cloud, are temporarily rendered visible, as the disturbance glyph.  Should you examine the disturbance (with the '''x''' key), you will find the creature's identity. Thus anything the player can do to create clouds when an invisible creature is near will aid him in fixing that creature's location:
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All invisible monsters will occasionally leave disturbances while invisible, represented by a white humanoid outline if playing in tiles or by the {{White|{}} glyph if playing in console. If you attack a square and the monster does not move from that square, the monster will be revealed as a disturbance until it moves (the only invisible monsters likely to shift position without you moving first are [[unseen horror]]s).
*[[Scrolls of fog]]
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*Using Ice Magic in and over lava, creating [[steam]] clouds
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All corporeal invisible monsters create disturbances when passing through an opaque [[cloud]] (e.g. fog, steam), revealing their position (but not any further information). Do note that this only applies to monsters -- invisible players are not revealed in clouds. Anything the player can do to create clouds when an invisible creature is near will aid him in determining that creature's location:
*Using Fire Magic in and over water, creating steam clouds
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*Reading a [[scroll of fog]] or bleeding smoke (granted to followers of [[Dithmenos]] or characters wearing the [[cloak of the Thief]]).
*Using any persistent cloud-based magic: [[Poisonous Cloud]], [[Mephitic Cloud]], etc.
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*Using [[Fire Magic]] in and over water, creating [[steam]] clouds.
*Casting [[Ring of Flames]]
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*Using Ice Magic in and over lava, creating steam clouds.
*[[Fedhas Madash]]'s [[Fedhas Madash#Given abilities|Rain]] and [[Fedhas Madash#Given abilities|Sunlight]] abilities
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*Invoking [[Wu Jian]]'s Heavenly Storm ability.
Also, any (non-[[fly]]ing) invisible monster in [[shallow water]] is always rendered as a disturbance. So, any way you can move the battle to shallow water will aid your locating the unseen monster.
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 +
Additionally, any invisible creature, including the player, standing or swimming (e.g. not [[fly]]ing) in liquid ([[shallow water]], [[deep water]], and [[lava]]) is always visible as a disturbance.
  
==Commentary==
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==History==
The usefulness of Invisibility for the player is surprisingly limited:
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*Prior to [[0.28]], [[Invisibility]] was a spell available to players, which was one of the main ways of getting this status. The status would also give [[magic contamination]] over time, and many more late-game monsters had access to SInv.
*The [[Invisibility]] spell is a level 6 spell that causes [[magic contamination]] whenever you cast it on yourself. This means it is as costly and dangerous as [[Haste]], despite it being ''completely'' useless in a significant number of situations and only marginally helpful in many others.
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*Prior to [[0.27]], the [[wand of random effects]] could turn you or monsters invisible. Replaced with a [[piece from Xom's chessboard]], which only targets monsters.
*You can't safely get rid of magic contamination while you're invisible.
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*Prior to [[0.26]], the [[invisibility (ego)|invisibility ego]] did not drain its user when used.
*If you don't have [[see invisible]], being invisible makes it ''harder'' for you to hit your opponents in melee.
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*Prior to [[0.22]], the [[submerging]] mechanic existed. [[:Category:Submerges|Certain monsters]] had an ability to render themselves ''effectively'' invisible by hiding in [[deep water]], [[lava]], or even [[Trapdoor spider|under the floor]].
*Most of the monsters you'd most like to not be seen by can see or [[sense invisible]].
+
*Prior to [[0.20]], invisibility increased the player's [[hunger]] rate by 5.
 +
*Prior to [[0.18]], invisibility reduced the combat accuracy by 5 for the player and monsters if they couldn't see invisible themselves.
 +
*Prior to [[0.16]], the [[sense invisible]] intrinsic existed, which was an upgrade to [[see invisible]].
 +
*Prior to [[0.13]], invisible monsters were immune to the effects of [[Olgreb's Toxic Radiance]].
  
Invisibility is, however, very useful for stabbers. It's possible to wipe out whole colonies of sleeping enemies without waking anyone up thanks to the large stealth bonus.
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==References==
 +
<references />
  
 
[[Category:Game mechanics]]
 
[[Category:Game mechanics]]
 
[[Category:Invisible monsters|*]]
 
[[Category:Invisible monsters|*]]
 
[[Category:Status effects]]
 
[[Category:Status effects]]

Revision as of 16:20, 6 April 2022

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

Invisible is a status effect which renders the target unseen except through see invisible. It functions differently depending on whether it affects a player or a monster.

Player Version

An invisible player gets the following bonuses and penalties, assuming your victim cannot see or sense invisible:

  • Anyone attacking you in melee incurs a 35% reduction to their to-hit number.
  • Any of your melee victims with shields have their blocking roll divided by three.
  • You occasionally make low-tier stabbing attacks, and sleeping or unaware monsters suffer a large penalty to detecting you through your stealth.
  • Enemy ranged attacks have their to-hit number halved, and may target the wrong tile entirely.
  • Monsters are less likely to use certain spells or abilities against you.
  • There is a chance opponents who can't see invisible will break off their attack and resume wandering.

Sometimes monsters can guess the position of an invisible player:

  • Seeking monsters will randomly target a nearby tile when the player is within two tiles[1].
  • Monsters have a 33% chance to guess the player's tile if the player is right next to them[2].
  • Intelligent monsters have an extra 8% change to guess the player's position.
  • Additionally, Ashenzari penance improves the chance of guessing by 50%.

Invisibility has no effect if the player is in water[3] or glowing.

Sources

You can become invisible by:

Regardless of source, player invisibility lasts for 15 + 1d(spell power) turns (max: 100 turns)[4].

Strategy

Almost every character benefits tremendously from being invisible. Many difficult enemies can not see invisible, from most monsters in the Spider's Nest, the Swamp, or the Shoals, to draconians and death cobs in Zot. Ghost moths, themselves invisible, are a pertinent threat to all visible casters. Stealthy stabbers benefit most - it greatly enhances your effective stealth and your damage output in melee.

Despite the benefits, there are still significant downsides to invisibility:

  • The list of monsters capable of seeing invisible is unfortunately rather large (see Category:See invisible), making the status effect completely useless against them. By the time you get a reliable means of invisibility, more and more monsters won't care.
  • Every method of turning invisible has its own quirks:
    • Having an item with evocable invisibility is the most convenient way to gain unlimited access early on, but finding such equipment is by no means guaranteed. Additionally, over-reliance on this ability, especially without significant training in Evocations, will leave you with greatly reduced HP.
    • Potions are reliable, but are rare and come in limited quantity.
    • Shadow Form requires significant Invocations training to be reliable, carries a significant MP and piety cost, drains you when activated, further drains you when you take damage, all the while reducing your damage output and spellpower.

As an alternative, consider learning the Dazzling Flash spell. This level 3 spell blinds opponents, duplicating many of the advantages of invisibility without some of its limitations and affecting many opponents that possess see invisible.

Monster Version

Invisible monsters are very dangerous to a player who cannot see invisible. If you cannot see invisible, then in melee with invisible monsters:

  • Your block rolls are divided by three.
  • You suffer a -10 penalty to your EV against their melee attacks
  • You suffer a -6 penalty to your melee to-hit number against invisible monsters.

On top of that, invisible monsters cannot be seen either within your line of sight or on the map, and if you actually manage to guess which tile they're in and attack them, you receive significantly less information than normal (the monster is referred to as "something" rather than by its actual name).

Sources

Permanently invisible

These monsters are permanently, inherently invisible:

Casters of invisibility

Some spellcasting monsters can make themselves invisible:

This effect has a finite duration, but the monster can always recast it after it has run out.

Potion users

Monsters who know how to use potions may use potions of invisibility to make themselves invisible. This effect has a finite duration, but the monster may be able to reapply the effect by quaffing another potion (if it has one).

Detecting invisible monsters

See invisible

If you have the see invisible intrinsic, invisible monsters gain no benefits against you. You can acquire this in the following ways:

Backlighting

Under some circumstances, a target may become backlit (also known as glowing). This renders its invisibility ineffective, and actually makes it easier to hit than normal. Backlighting occurs whenever:

  • An invisible target is affected by the Corona status (must overcome willpower).
  • An invisible, corporeal target (i.e. one that is not insubstantial) is covered with Sticky Flames, unless it's standing in water (which immediately extinguishes the flames).
  • An invisible creature enters a halo.
  • The player suffers from significant amounts of magical contamination (yellow or worse).

Invisible monsters revealed as a disturbance

All invisible monsters will occasionally leave disturbances while invisible, represented by a white humanoid outline if playing in tiles or by the { glyph if playing in console. If you attack a square and the monster does not move from that square, the monster will be revealed as a disturbance until it moves (the only invisible monsters likely to shift position without you moving first are unseen horrors).

All corporeal invisible monsters create disturbances when passing through an opaque cloud (e.g. fog, steam), revealing their position (but not any further information). Do note that this only applies to monsters -- invisible players are not revealed in clouds. Anything the player can do to create clouds when an invisible creature is near will aid him in determining that creature's location:

Additionally, any invisible creature, including the player, standing or swimming (e.g. not flying) in liquid (shallow water, deep water, and lava) is always visible as a disturbance.

History

References