Difference between revisions of "Skin of Zhor"

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{{flavour|The smelly skin of some strange animal, native to cold and distant lands. It radiates the chill of its native habitat, slowing creatures from warmer climes.}}
 
{{flavour|The smelly skin of some strange animal, native to cold and distant lands. It radiates the chill of its native habitat, slowing creatures from warmer climes.}}
 
[[File:Skin_of_zhor.png]] '''''the +4 skin of Zhor'''''
 
[[File:Skin_of_zhor.png]] '''''the +4 skin of Zhor'''''
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rC+++<br>
 
rC+++<br>
 
[[See invisible]]
 
[[See invisible]]
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__NOTOC__
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==Mechanics==
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When one or more hostile monsters are in [[LOS]], there's a 1/7 chance per 1.0 [[decaAut]] that Metabolic Englaciation will be cast, with a [[spell power|power]] of 30.<ref>{{source ref|0.30.1|art-func.h|1403}}</ref> This requires no action from the player, no MP, no skills to be trained, and will not cause monsters to notice you. However, due to the low power, it can be resisted by high [[HD]] monsters.
  
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===Englaciation mechanics===
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With a power of 30, Metabolic Englaciation slows for <code>(3d31)/6 - HD/2 - 0.5</code> turns. It fails to slow if turns ≤ 0, otherwise there's a minimum of 2-5 turns (randomized per cast). Therefore, the chance to slow is given below:
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When monsters are nearby, there is a 1 in 7 chance every turn that Metabolic Englaciation will be cast with a spell power of 30<ref>{{source ref|0.25.0|art-func.h|1474}}</ref>. This requires no action from the player, no skills to be trained, and will not hamper [[stealth]]. However, because of the low spell power, it can be resisted by high-[[HD]] monsters.
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{| class="prettytable" style="text-align: center" border=1
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|-
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![[HD]] !! Chance to Slow
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|-
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|5 || 97.7%
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|-
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|10 || 78.1%
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|-
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|15 || 51.2%
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|-
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|20 || 13.6%
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|}
  
 
==Desirability==
 
==Desirability==
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The '''skin of Zhor'''<ref>{{source ref|0.25.0|art-data.txt|805}}</ref> provides an advantage to the player in many situations. Being almost immune to cold is a game changer in frost-themed branches or when facing monsters with powerful cold attacks; it's an excellent choice if you find it in time to explore an [[Ice Cave]].
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The '''skin of Zhor'''<ref>{{source ref|0.30.1|art-data.txt|906}}</ref> passively [[slow]]s down enemies. This enables [[kiting]] tactics: against melee enemies, walk away, and you'll get free chances to englaciate. As slow also reduces monsters' attack speed, it helps against any vulnerable enemy. The cold resistance is also nice to have (especially for [[Ice cave]]s).
  
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Furthermore, any enemy that doesn't resist cold will periodically be slowed by the chilling effect. Any character wearing the skin of Zhor will have an easier time in battle without having to spend time or experience on learning Metabolic Englaciation on their own; this is especially effective against [[cold-blooded]] enemies like [[list of reptiles and amphibians|reptiles]]. See invisible is also nice to have, making the skin of Zhor a respectable choice for characters that rely on [[ev]]asion to defend themselves.
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However, this artefact isn't perfect.  
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*As a +4 animal skin, it offers minimal [[AC]]. Heavy melee brutes should stay away; even casters may prefer a more reliable armour, like [[troll leather armour]] or [[swamp dragon scales]], instead. The slow definitely helps to reduce damage - but it isn't consistent. With a 1/7 chance to englaciate, it can take a while to kick in after you've been [[shaft]]ed or [[teleport trap|teleported]].
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*It does not affect all monsters. Creatures with any sort of [[cold resistance|rC+]] are fully immune to Metabolic Englaciation, while those with high [[HD]] have a good chance to resist. In the late-game, few enemies will be slowed, severely limiting this armour's usefulness.
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*It also affects your [[allies]] without cold resistance, which makes this armour less useful to [[Summoner]]s.
  
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However, players that rely on their [[AC]] won't benefit much from this armour outside of a few niche situations like the aforementioned Ice Cave. Lightly armoured characters that have already found sources of cold resistance or see invisible may also want to look for a piece of armour that provides different intrinsics. Finally, the free Metabolic Englaciation will be less effective in the late game as monster HD rises and more cold-resistant foes appear.
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That being said, the slow effect is powerful and costs no time. Casters and EV-based fighters can make good use out of this armour. It is particularly strong in [[the Lair]], as it is filled with [[cold-blooded]] creatures, who are slowed for longer. It's also nice in places with swarms of low-HD enemies, namely the [[Spider's Nest]].
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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*The skin of Zhor gained SInv and a passive Metabolic Englaciation effect in [[0.23]].
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*Prior to [[0.23]], the skin of Zhor did not provide passive Metabolic Englaciation. It also lacked SInv.
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*Prior to [[0.14]], the Skin of Zhor only provided rC++.
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*Prior to [[0.14]], the skin of Zhor only provided rC++.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 12:36, 4 October 2023

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
The smelly skin of some strange animal, native to cold and distant lands. It radiates the chill of its native habitat, slowing creatures from warmer climes.

Skin of zhor.png the +4 skin of Zhor

+4 animal skin

Passive Metabolic Englaciation
rC+++
See invisible

Mechanics

When one or more hostile monsters are in LOS, there's a 1/7 chance per 1.0 decaAut that Metabolic Englaciation will be cast, with a power of 30.[1] This requires no action from the player, no MP, no skills to be trained, and will not cause monsters to notice you. However, due to the low power, it can be resisted by high HD monsters.

With a power of 30, Metabolic Englaciation slows for (3d31)/6 - HD/2 - 0.5 turns. It fails to slow if turns ≤ 0, otherwise there's a minimum of 2-5 turns (randomized per cast). Therefore, the chance to slow is given below:

HD Chance to Slow
5 97.7%
10 78.1%
15 51.2%
20 13.6%

Desirability

The skin of Zhor[2] passively slows down enemies. This enables kiting tactics: against melee enemies, walk away, and you'll get free chances to englaciate. As slow also reduces monsters' attack speed, it helps against any vulnerable enemy. The cold resistance is also nice to have (especially for Ice caves).

However, this artefact isn't perfect.

  • As a +4 animal skin, it offers minimal AC. Heavy melee brutes should stay away; even casters may prefer a more reliable armour, like troll leather armour or swamp dragon scales, instead. The slow definitely helps to reduce damage - but it isn't consistent. With a 1/7 chance to englaciate, it can take a while to kick in after you've been shafted or teleported.
  • It does not affect all monsters. Creatures with any sort of rC+ are fully immune to Metabolic Englaciation, while those with high HD have a good chance to resist. In the late-game, few enemies will be slowed, severely limiting this armour's usefulness.
  • It also affects your allies without cold resistance, which makes this armour less useful to Summoners.

That being said, the slow effect is powerful and costs no time. Casters and EV-based fighters can make good use out of this armour. It is particularly strong in the Lair, as it is filled with cold-blooded creatures, who are slowed for longer. It's also nice in places with swarms of low-HD enemies, namely the Spider's Nest.

History

  • Prior to 0.23, the skin of Zhor did not provide passive Metabolic Englaciation. It also lacked SInv.
  • Prior to 0.14, the skin of Zhor only provided rC++.

References

  1. ↑ art-func.h:1403 (0.30.1)
  2. ↑ art-data.txt:906 (0.30.1)
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