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{{Spell
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{{spell info}}
|name=Mephitic Cloud
 
|level=3
 
|school1={{Conjurations}}
 
|school2={{Poison Magic}}
 
|school3={{Air Magic}}
 
|spellnoise=15
 
|castingnoise=3
 
|sources=<div>
 
*[[Book of Clouds]]
 
*[[Book of Minor Magic]]
 
*[[Young Poisoner's Handbook]]
 
</div>
 
}}
 
  
{{Flavour|This spell conjures up a large but short-lived cloud of vile fumes.}}
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'''Mephitic Cloud''' is a Level 3 [[Conjurations]]/[[Alchemy]]/[[Air Magic]] spell that creates up to a 3x3 [[cloud]] of noxious fumes, which will linger for several turns.  
  
'''Mephitic Cloud''' is a Level 3 [[Conjurations]]-[[Poison Magic|Poison]]-[[Air Magic]] spell that creates up to a 3x3 cloud of noxious fumes which will linger for several turns. It does not affect [[unbreathing]] creatures ([[undead]], [[nonliving]], and [[plants]]), nor those that are [[poison resistance|poison resistant]].
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[[Alchemist]]s and [[Hedge Wizard]]s start with this spell.
  
Any other creature caught in it will take a bit of poison-based damage, with a ''(21 - [[hit dice]]) in 21'' chance per turn to become [[confusion|confused]], unless the creature has [[clarity]]. Monsters with 22 hit dice or more have a flat 98% chance of not being affected.
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==Useful Info==
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Creates a bank of [[Cloud#Noxious fumes|noxious fumes]], affecting random tiles within a 3x3 radius from its release point. Higher [[spell power]] increases the amount of tiles affected. The clouds stay for a duration of <code>1d(power / 50)</code> turns.  
  
The clouds stay a duration of 1d ([[Spell power]] / 50) turns.
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Anything standing in noxious fumes has a <code>(21 - [[hit dice]]) / 21</code> chance per turn to become [[confused]]. Monsters with 21 or more hit dice have a flat 2% chance to be affected. Creatures that are resistant or immune to [[poison]] are immune to noxious fumes, anything with [[clarity]] is also immune.
  
This spell makes a very loud noise.
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Mephitic Cloud is very loud, making as much noise as [[Fireball]]. Since it can be targeted at an empty square, this increases the effective range by one.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
This spell is found in multiple spell books, including several starter spellbooks. Despite how it can be blocked by two different resistances, it is very useful, even with minimal skill in the relevant magic schools. It is highly effective against most of the most dangerous monsters in the early to mid game, such as [[centaur]]s, spellcasting [[orc]]s, and [[yak]]s.
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[[Confusion]] is a powerful effect: it prevents enemy [[spell]]casting, gives a ~60% chance for melee attacks to target a wrong tile, and allows [[stab]]bing. Clouds last for multiple turns, so each cast can give multiple chances to confuse. And because it's a level 3 spell, it doesn't take that much investment to cast. Overall, despite Mephitic Cloud checking two properties (rPois and HD), it is a strong spell. Many of the most dangerous enemies in the early game, such as [[orc priest]]s, [[centaur (monster)|centaurs]], and all sorts of early [[unique]]s, are vulnerable.  
  
The [[confusion]] effect essentially disables creatures and allows you/your minions/your spells to kill them much more easily.  The longer they spend in the cloud, the longer the victims will be confused.  Alas, it will not affect undead or other poison-resistant enemies, but those can sometimes be distracted by attacks by their confused neighbors.
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In the late-game, this spell is less effective: more and more monsters have poison resistance, and the rest have high [[HD]]. But, by then, a level 3 spell will have done its work.
 
 
If you are poison resistant or are have the [[clarity]] intrisic, you can use it anywhere without fear of affecting yourself.  If surrounded, you can even target yourself.
 
 
 
Even if you're not poison resistant, Mephitic Cloud can be used against an adjacent enemy in most cases (aim at the *):
 
  
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===Aiming===
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If you are adjacent to a target, you can aim ''diagonally behind'' the target in order to not hit yourself (i.e. aim at the *):
 
  .........  .........
 
  .........  .........
 
  ...###...  ....###..
 
  ...###...  ....###..
Line 41: Line 27:
 
  .........  .........
 
  .........  .........
  
By targeting diagonally beyond the yak, you can catch it in the cloud radius without catching yourself.
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By targeting diagonally behind the yak, you can catch it in the cloud radius without catching yourself.
  
Also note that risking self-[[confusion]] is sometimes worth it. If worse comes to worst, you can always drink a [[potion of curing]] (which you might have been wanting to do anyway), and most enemies can't.
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If you have poison resistance, [[clarity]], or are worshipping [[Qazlal]], you are immune to clouds, so don't be afraid to blast yourself. Even if you aren't immune, risking self-confusion can be worth it. You can drink a [[potion of curing]] to end it; most enemies can't.
  
Since Mephitic Cloud can be targeted at an empty square, this increases its effective range by one, allowing you to catch an enemy just beyond its normal range.  When facing distant enemies with dangerous ranged attacks (such as [[centaur]]s), a good strategy is to drop a cloud between you and them, then back away until they blunder into it.
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===Tips & Tricks===
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*If you come across [[Ignite Poison]], you can use Mephitic Cloud to create clouds of flame. You can confuse your enemies, then ignite them to inflict extra damage.
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*Clouds cannot be placed on tiles that already have a cloud. So if you're immune to noxious fumes, you can cast Mephitic Cloud to prevent [[Petrifying Cloud]] or [[Chaos Breath]] clouds from affecting you.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
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*Prior to [[0.28]], noxious fumes would deal minor (0-2) [[poison]]-based damage while in them.
In [[0.10]] Mephitic Cloud was changed to no longer guarantee a 3x3 cloud.
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*Prior to [[0.27]], [[unbreathing]] creatures were immune to noxious fumes.
 
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*Prior to [[0.10]], Mephitic Cloud guaranteed a 3x3 cloud.
[[Category:Conjurations]]
 
[[Category:Poison Magic]]
 
[[Category:Air Magic]]
 
[[Category:Level 3 Spells]]
 

Latest revision as of 14:05, 15 January 2024

Version 0.31: This article is up to date for the latest stable release of Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.
Mephitic cloud.png Mephitic Cloud
Level 3
School1 Air
School2 Alchemy
School3 Conjuration
Source(s) Book of the Senses
Book of Vapours
Casting noise 3
Spell noise 15
Power Cap 100
Range 4
Flags Area, Cloud, Dir or target, Needs tracer
Conjures up a short-lived cloud of noxious fumes, which may cause confusion in any creature not resistant to poison. Tougher, more experienced creatures are less likely to be affected.

“Seit mehreren Jahren schon hatte die indische Cholera eine verstärkte
Neigung zur Ausbreitung und Wanderung an den Tag gelegt. Erzeugt aus
den warmen Moraesten des Ganges-Deltas, aufgestiegen mit dem
mephitischen Odem jener üppig-untauglichen, von Menschen gemiedenen
Urwelt- und Inselwildnis, in deren Bambusdickichten der Tiger kauert,
hatte die Seuche in ganz Hindustan andauernd und ungewöhnlich heftig
gewütet, hatte östlich nach China, westlich nach Afghanistan und
Persien übergegriffen und, den Hauptstraßen des Karawanenverkehrs
folgend, ihre Schrecken bis Astrachan, ja selbst bis Moskau getragen.”
-Thomas Mann, _Der Tod in Venedig_, 1911.

Mephitic Cloud is a Level 3 Conjurations/Alchemy/Air Magic spell that creates up to a 3x3 cloud of noxious fumes, which will linger for several turns.

Alchemists and Hedge Wizards start with this spell.

Useful Info

Creates a bank of noxious fumes, affecting random tiles within a 3x3 radius from its release point. Higher spell power increases the amount of tiles affected. The clouds stay for a duration of 1d(power / 50) turns.

Anything standing in noxious fumes has a (21 - hit dice) / 21 chance per turn to become confused. Monsters with 21 or more hit dice have a flat 2% chance to be affected. Creatures that are resistant or immune to poison are immune to noxious fumes, anything with clarity is also immune.

Mephitic Cloud is very loud, making as much noise as Fireball. Since it can be targeted at an empty square, this increases the effective range by one.

Strategy

Confusion is a powerful effect: it prevents enemy spellcasting, gives a ~60% chance for melee attacks to target a wrong tile, and allows stabbing. Clouds last for multiple turns, so each cast can give multiple chances to confuse. And because it's a level 3 spell, it doesn't take that much investment to cast. Overall, despite Mephitic Cloud checking two properties (rPois and HD), it is a strong spell. Many of the most dangerous enemies in the early game, such as orc priests, centaurs, and all sorts of early uniques, are vulnerable.

In the late-game, this spell is less effective: more and more monsters have poison resistance, and the rest have high HD. But, by then, a level 3 spell will have done its work.

Aiming

If you are adjacent to a target, you can aim diagonally behind the target in order to not hit yourself (i.e. aim at the *):

.........  .........
...###...  ....###..
...#*#...  ....#*#..
...##Y...  ....Y##..
....@....  ....@....
.........  .........

By targeting diagonally behind the yak, you can catch it in the cloud radius without catching yourself.

If you have poison resistance, clarity, or are worshipping Qazlal, you are immune to clouds, so don't be afraid to blast yourself. Even if you aren't immune, risking self-confusion can be worth it. You can drink a potion of curing to end it; most enemies can't.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you come across Ignite Poison, you can use Mephitic Cloud to create clouds of flame. You can confuse your enemies, then ignite them to inflict extra damage.
  • Clouds cannot be placed on tiles that already have a cloud. So if you're immune to noxious fumes, you can cast Mephitic Cloud to prevent Petrifying Cloud or Chaos Breath clouds from affecting you.

History

  • Prior to 0.28, noxious fumes would deal minor (0-2) poison-based damage while in them.
  • Prior to 0.27, unbreathing creatures were immune to noxious fumes.
  • Prior to 0.10, Mephitic Cloud guaranteed a 3x3 cloud.