Difference between revisions of "Shadow dragon"

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{{version021}}
 
{{list of | dragons}}
 
{{list of | dragons}}
 
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{{monster info}}
{{monster
 
|name=shadow dragon
 
|glyph={{Magenta|D}}
 
|flags={{Spellcaster flag}}<br>{{Flying flag}}<br>{{See invisible flag}}<br>{{Evil flag}}<br>{{Cold blood flag}}
 
|resistances={{Cold resistance}}, {{Poison resistance}}
 
|vulnerabilities={{Dragon slaying vulnerability}}, {{Holy vulnerability}}
 
|max_chunks=13
 
|meat={{Rot-inducing corpse}}
 
|xp=4674
 
|holiness={{Natural}}
 
|magic_resistance=113
 
|hp_range=85 - 170
 
|avg_hp=127
 
|armour_class=15
 
|evasion=10
 
|habitat=land
 
|speed=10
 
|size={{Huge}}
 
|item_use={{Uses nothing}}
 
|attack1=20 ({{Bite type}}: {{Drain experience flavour}})
 
|attack2=15 ({{Claw type}}: {{Plain flavour}})
 
|attack3=15 ({{Claw type}}: {{Plain flavour}})
 
|attack4=
 
|hit_dice=17
 
|base_hp=5
 
|extra_hp=5
 
|fixed_hp=0
 
|intelligence={{Animal intelligence}}
 
|genus=dragon
 
|species=shadow dragon
 
}}
 
{{Flavour|A great shadowy shape, radiating evil and death.}}
 
  
 
==Useful Info==
 
==Useful Info==
'''Shadow dragons''' are powerful dragonkind whose breath and bite attacks inflict [[draining]]. Unprepared characters who survive encounters with them often end up less experienced, in spite of their excellent XP value, and survival is not guaranteed. They are uncommon, usually only found on [[Vaults]]:8 or in certain late-game [[vault]]s, but naturally occurring shadow dragons can be found in the deepest [[Dungeon]]s and [[the Realm of Zot]].
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'''Shadow dragons''' are terrifying [[list of dragons|dragonkind]] whose breath and bite attacks inflict [[draining]]. Characters that lack resistance to [[negative energy]] may find themselves severely handicapped after combat with one if they allow the fight to go on too long. They are uncommon, usually only appearing in [[the Depths]], [[the Realm of Zot]], and the lowest floor of [[the Vaults]].
  
Unlike some dragons, butchering it produces no special hide; doing so only produces rot-inducing [[chunk]]s which most characters will want to avoid touching.
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{{monster spells}}
  
 
==Tips & Tricks==
 
==Tips & Tricks==
*Each rank of [[life protection]] you have will reduce the effect of their draining by a third, providing complete immunity with three ranks. If you have good reason to suspect a shadow dragon is coming (Vaults:8 is almost a guarantee), it's not a bad idea to come packing [[rings of life protection]], an [[amulet of warding]], or other rN+ sources. Undead characters need not worry.
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*[[Negative energy]] resistance will significantly reduce the effect of their draining, providing complete immunity with three ranks. If you have good reason to suspect a shadow dragon is coming (Vaults:5 is almost a guarantee), it's not a bad idea to come packing a [[ring of positive energy]] or other rN+ sources. [[Ghoul]]s and [[mummies]] need not worry, as they come with innate rN+++ and a shadow dragon's physical damage output is far less terrifying than its withering breath.
**Failing that, high [[ev]]asion, [[Repel Missiles]], or [[Deflect Missiles]] will allow you to dodge many of their breath attacks, although not infallibly. In any case, kill them as quickly as possible to limit their opportunities to drain you.
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**If you don't have a ring available, you can gain complete immunity to negative energies by drinking a [[potion of lignification]] and entering [[Tree Form]]. This does prevent you from escaping, however, so this strategy is best used in situations where you know you won't have to fight dangerous after you've dealt with the shadow dragon.
*Although they aren't undead, they have the standard undead [[cold resistance]] and immunity to negative energy. Fortunately, they are also [[evil]] and thus vulnerable to [[Cleansing Flame]] (but not weapons of [[holy wrath]]).
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**If negative energy resistance is not an option, high [[ev]]asion, [[Repel Missiles]], or [[Deflect Missiles]] will allow you to dodge many of their breath attacks, although not infallibly. In any case, kill them as quickly as possible to limit their opportunities to drain you.
*Shadow dragons flee with surprisingly high remaining HP. If you want to avoid having to face them repeatedly, bring some means of dealing heavy damage at range. Powerful ranged weapons or high level [[Conjurations]] can get the job done, as can the lower level spell [[Airstrike]] which takes advantage of the fact that they [[fly]]. Alternatively you can try to corner them, but that often requires turns spent maneuvering around the beast during which you'll be taking breath attacks.
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*Although shadow dragons aren't undead, they have the standard undead [[cold]] resistance, [[poison]] resistance, and immunity to negative energy. Being neither demonic nor undead, however, they are not susceptible to weapons of [[holy wrath]]. [[The Shining One]]'s Cleansing Flame is quite effective against them, however, as they are still considered [[evil]].
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*Killing a shadow dragon may provide [[shadow dragon scales]], a body armour that provides very solid physical protection and better [[stealth]] capabilities than even a [[robe]], but with significant penalties to [[ev]]asion and [[spell success]] rates.
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==History==
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*Prior to [[0.19]], shadow dragons occasionally dropped hides when butchered that could be make into [[shadow dragon armour]] with a [[scroll of enchant armour]].
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*Prior to [[0.16]], shadow dragons produced no hides.
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*Prior to [[0.14]], shadow dragons were even more obnoxious. They were special-cased to flee from combat when moderately injured, only returning to drain you further after getting several spaces away from you while you fight other foes.

Revision as of 06:20, 30 July 2018

Version 0.21: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

For a list of all dragons, see list of dragons.

shadow dragon DShadow dragon.png
HP 84-170
HD 17
XP 2070
Speed 10
AC 15
EV 10
Will 120
Attack1 20 (bite: drain experience)
Attack2 15 (claw: plain)
Attack3 15 (claw: plain)
Resistances rC++
rPois+
rDrown
rN+++
Vulnerabilities None
Habitat Land
Intelligence Animal
Uses Uses nothing
Holiness Natural
Size Giant
Type dragon, shadow dragon
Flags Evil
Cold-blooded
See invisible
Flying
A great umbral dragon, radiating evil and death. Its breath reeks of the grave.

“Crux sacra sit mihi lux / Non draco sit mihi dux
Vade retro satana / Numquam suade mihi vana
Sunt mala quae libas / Ipse venena bibas”
“Let the Holy Cross be my light / Let not the dragon be my guide
Step back Satan / Never tempt me with vain things
What you offer me is evil / You drink the poison yourself.”
-full text of initials on the Saint Benedict Medal, worn to ward off evil spririts. Inscription from 11-15th century, formally approved by pope Benedict XIV in 18th century

“On the other hand, Confucius is made to say to his disciples, ‘I know how birds can fly, how fishes can swim, and how animals can run. But the runner may be snared, the swimmer may be hooked, and the flyer may be shot by the arrow. But there is the dragon. I cannot tell how he mounts on the wind through the clouds, and rises to heaven. Today I have seen Lao-tsze, and can only compare him to the dragon.’”
-Life of Confucius

“This Dragon had Two furious Wings
Each one upon each Shoulder;
With a Sting in his Tail as long as a Flail,
Which made him bolder and bolder.
He had long Claws, and in his Jaws
Four and forty Teeth of Iron;
With a Hide as tough, as any Buff,
Which did him round environ.”

-“An Excellent Ballad of a most dreadful Combat, fought between Moore of Moore-Hall, and the Dragon of Wantley”, retold by Ambrose Philips, _A Collection of Old Ballads. Corrected from the Best and Most Ancient Copies Extant. With Introductions Historical, Critical, Or Humorous_. 1723.

Useful Info

Shadow dragons are terrifying dragonkind whose breath and bite attacks inflict draining. Characters that lack resistance to negative energy may find themselves severely handicapped after combat with one if they allow the fight to go on too long. They are uncommon, usually only appearing in the Depths, the Realm of Zot, and the lowest floor of the Vaults.

Spells

Spell set I
Slot1 Bolt of Draining (3d24) Natural flag,
Breath flag

Tips & Tricks

  • Negative energy resistance will significantly reduce the effect of their draining, providing complete immunity with three ranks. If you have good reason to suspect a shadow dragon is coming (Vaults:5 is almost a guarantee), it's not a bad idea to come packing a ring of positive energy or other rN+ sources. Ghouls and mummies need not worry, as they come with innate rN+++ and a shadow dragon's physical damage output is far less terrifying than its withering breath.
    • If you don't have a ring available, you can gain complete immunity to negative energies by drinking a potion of lignification and entering Tree Form. This does prevent you from escaping, however, so this strategy is best used in situations where you know you won't have to fight dangerous after you've dealt with the shadow dragon.
    • If negative energy resistance is not an option, high evasion, Repel Missiles, or Deflect Missiles will allow you to dodge many of their breath attacks, although not infallibly. In any case, kill them as quickly as possible to limit their opportunities to drain you.
  • Although shadow dragons aren't undead, they have the standard undead cold resistance, poison resistance, and immunity to negative energy. Being neither demonic nor undead, however, they are not susceptible to weapons of holy wrath. The Shining One's Cleansing Flame is quite effective against them, however, as they are still considered evil.
  • Killing a shadow dragon may provide shadow dragon scales, a body armour that provides very solid physical protection and better stealth capabilities than even a robe, but with significant penalties to evasion and spell success rates.

History

  • Prior to 0.19, shadow dragons occasionally dropped hides when butchered that could be make into shadow dragon armour with a scroll of enchant armour.
  • Prior to 0.16, shadow dragons produced no hides.
  • Prior to 0.14, shadow dragons were even more obnoxious. They were special-cased to flee from combat when moderately injured, only returning to drain you further after getting several spaces away from you while you fight other foes.