Lightning scales

Version 0.31: This article is up to date for the latest stable release of Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.

A set of armoured plates assembled to protect a creature with a long, scaly lower body. Faintly crackling with electricity, they supercharge their wearer's ability to cover distance.

the +6 lightning scales

+6 barding

Running ego (-10% movement delay)
rElec

Desirability

The lightning scales provide excellent defense (better than all mundane bardings), an uncommon resistance, and the only source of unconditional increased movement speed in the game. However, as it is a barding, only Nagas and Armataurs can wear it.

Nagas with these scales will move below average speed (1.2 move delay), but that's still a significant improvement. It allows you to reposition without as many attacks, and lets you retreat a few more tiles before being attacked. The addition of Swiftness will allow them to finally move faster than average.

Armataurs, meanwhile, get to permanently move at above-average speed. This is a large benefit - fast speed means you can kite enemies, avoid attacks of opportunity, and retreat easier.

Followers of Cheibriados should avoid this item, as that god forbids hasty items like this.

History

• Prior to 0.26, only nagas could wear the lightning scales.
• Prior to 0.13, this artefact always reduced movement delay by 2, but only had a +3 enchantment bonus to AC.
• The lightning scales were added in 0.10.