Difference between revisions of "Silent spectre"

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{{monster info}}
  
 
==Useful Info==
 
==Useful Info==
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'''Silent spectres''' are weak, insubstantial [[undead]] that would be no real threat except for the permanent 12-tile [[aura]] of [[Silence]] they radiate. A character with even moderate weapon skills should be able to defeat them easily, but pure casters will find themselves suddenly incapable of casting spells, reading [[scroll]]s, or [[shout]]ing. They can be randomly found in [[the Crypt]], [[the Abyss]], [[Tartarus]], and [[Ziggurat]]s, and elsewhere as part of predefined [[vault]]s. Silent spectres cannot use stairs.
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'''Silent spectres''' are weak, insubstantial [[undead]] that permanently radiate a 12-tile [[aura]] of [[Silence]]. This prevents use of [[spell]]s, [[god]] abilities, and [[scroll]]s. They can be found in [[Tartarus]], rarely inside [[the Abyss]], in Tartarus-themed [[Ziggurat]] floors, and in various themed [[vault]]s.
  
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==Strategy==
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Silent spectres cannot use stairs.
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Keep in mind that their aura disables spellcasting, [[invocations]], and [[scroll]]s, but not [[wand]]s, [[potion]]s, [[abilities]], or [[evocable items]].
 
  
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Their presence is never a surprise, as their large, wall-penetrating aura can be seen long before they enter your [[line of sight]]. However, for the same reason, magic users can never use attack spells on them and would do well to buff themselves and have tactics organized before entering the aura: e.g., [[Shroud of Golubria]], [[Aura of Abjuration]], [[Ring of Flames]]...
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==Tips & Tricks==
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*Silent spectres aren't a threat by themselves, but they make other monsters a lot more threatening. Most [[demon]]s are unaffected by silence, and are free to [[torment]] or cast other spells. Even if you aren't a caster, you'll lose access to many emergency tools, which makes everything more dangerous.
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Most troubling is not the spectre itself, but the possible horde that might be interposed between you and the spectre. If the horde is mighty, pick away at it, with a ready avenue of escape. Keep in mind that once you do so, the spectre itself may move closer and previously "safe," non-silenced tiles near your escape route will now be affected by silence.
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*Remember that silence doesn't prevent use of weapons, [[evocable]]s, [[potion]]s, or natural [[abilities]].  
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*Their presence is never a surprise - their aura extends well past your [[LOS]]. At the same time, this makes it nearly impossible to kill using spells. You'll need a 'lasting' effect (e.g. [[Summoning]] spells) or some other means of dealing damage to kill a spectre.
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Having a [[penetration|penetrating]] weapon can be useful to attempt to pick off the spectre from afar. A [[lightning rod]] can be quite useful too, albeit having a much shorter range.
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**If you're a caster heading into [[extended]], [[Throwing]] and/or [[Evocations]] can be good investments. [[Penetrating]] attacks ([[javelin]]s, [[lightning rod]]) or AOE attacks ([[tin of tremorstones]]) are great at sniping spectres through other enemies.  
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*The silence can be used to your advantage - proper spellcasters, including all [[lich]]es, ''are'' affected by silence.
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A silent spectre can be a boon for competent melee fighters if there are dangerous spellcasters like [[lich]]es around; that permanent aura of silence affects ''everything'' in its range, not just you.
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*For [[Mega-Zig]] characters, Tartarus floors are one of the most deadly, almost entirely due to silent spectres. You'll often be silenced on entry, putting you on a time limit before [[Necromutation]] runs out. It's important to buff yourself before entering each floor. Depending on the situation, you can use javelins, evocables, [[Tree Form]], unwield [[distortion]] to win the floor.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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Silent spectres were added to the game in [[0.8]].
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*Silent spectres were introduced in [[0.8]].

Revision as of 02:28, 5 September 2023

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
silent spectre W Silent spectre.png
HP 29-59
HD 8
XP 314
Speed 10
AC 5
EV 15
Will 40
Attack1 15 (hit: plain)


Resistances rC+++
rPois+++
rDrown
rMiasma
rN+++
rTorm
rSticky
Vulnerabilities Holy
Habitat Land
Intelligence Human
Uses Open doors
Holiness Undead
Size Medium
Type wraith, silent spectre
Flags Evil
See invisible
Flying
Unbreathing
Speaks
Insubstantial
No stairs
The bane of wizards, these terrible spirits bring an unearthly silence to the area around them, making it impossible to recite the magical incantations involved with casting spells or reading scrolls.

“There is a silence where hath been no sound,
There is a silence where no sound may be,—
In the cold grave, under the deep, deep sea,
Or in the wide desert where no life is found.”
-Thomas Hood, “Silence”. Early 19th cent.

Useful Info

Silent spectres are weak, insubstantial undead that permanently radiate a 12-tile aura of Silence. This prevents use of spells, god abilities, and scrolls. They can be found in Tartarus, rarely inside the Abyss, in Tartarus-themed Ziggurat floors, and in various themed vaults.

Silent spectres cannot use stairs.

Tips & Tricks

  • Silent spectres aren't a threat by themselves, but they make other monsters a lot more threatening. Most demons are unaffected by silence, and are free to torment or cast other spells. Even if you aren't a caster, you'll lose access to many emergency tools, which makes everything more dangerous.
  • Remember that silence doesn't prevent use of weapons, evocables, potions, or natural abilities.
  • Their presence is never a surprise - their aura extends well past your LOS. At the same time, this makes it nearly impossible to kill using spells. You'll need a 'lasting' effect (e.g. Summoning spells) or some other means of dealing damage to kill a spectre.
  • The silence can be used to your advantage - proper spellcasters, including all liches, are affected by silence.
  • For Mega-Zig characters, Tartarus floors are one of the most deadly, almost entirely due to silent spectres. You'll often be silenced on entry, putting you on a time limit before Necromutation runs out. It's important to buff yourself before entering each floor. Depending on the situation, you can use javelins, evocables, Tree Form, unwield distortion to win the floor.

History

  • Silent spectres were introduced in 0.8.
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