Difference between revisions of "Slaying"

From CrawlWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Update, and add connection to weapon enchantment)
(6 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Slaying''' is a term used to describe a property that increases a character's [[accuracy]] and/or [[damage]] in melee and ranged combat.  It is often given in the form of a ''+x, +y slaying bonus'', where ''x'' will be the accuracy bonus, and ''y'' will be the damage bonus.
+
{{version021}}
 
+
'''Slaying''' is a term used to describe a property that increases a character's [[accuracy]] and [[damage]] in melee and ranged combat.  Slaying does not affect [[spellcasting]], [[wand]] use, or anything else that isn't melee or ranged combat. It is functionally identical to weapon [[enchantment]], but affects unarmed attacks as well.
Players may sometimes refer to a character or an item as having ''x slaying'': in that case, they mean the damage bonus, which is virtually always the more important of the two.
 
  
 
==Mechanics==
 
==Mechanics==
 
===Accuracy===
 
===Accuracy===
The total of all of a character's accuracy bonuses are added to the player's [[to-hit]] number.  A random number from 1 to the player's total to-hit is checked against a monster's [[EV]] to determine if the player lands a blow; thus, it is not a flat accuracy increase that is provided, but an increase in accuracy on average.
+
The total of all of a character's slaying bonuses are added to the player's [[to-hit]] number, in the same way as weapon enchantment.  A random number from 1 to the player's total to-hit is checked against a monster's [[EV]] to determine if the player lands a blow; thus, it is not a flat accuracy increase that is provided, but an increase in accuracy on average.
  
 
===Damage===
 
===Damage===
The character's total slaying bonus is added to the "effective enchantment" of the player's weapon (and applies to [[unarmed]] combat as well).  In combat, the player gets a damage bonus of ''1d(effective enchantment)''.  Unlike base damage, this bonus is not affected by the player's skill.  The total damage done is then adjusted appropriately by the monster's [[AC]], meaning that slaying can be very useful in helping to get past a monster's armour.
+
The character's total slaying bonus is added to the enchantment of the player's weapon (and applies to [[unarmed combat]] as well).  In combat, the player gets a damage bonus of 1d(enchantment+slaying).  Unlike base damage, this bonus is not affected by the player's skill.  The total damage done is then adjusted appropriately by the monster's [[AC]], meaning that slaying can be very useful in helping to get past a monster's armour.
  
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==
 
There are a number of sources of slaying bonuses:
 
There are a number of sources of slaying bonuses:
  
* A ''+x, +y'' [[ring of slaying]] provides a bonus of ''x'' to accuracy and ''y'' to damage.
+
* A [[ring of slaying]].
* [[Artefact]]s with the "It increases your accuracy" or "It increases your damage-dealing abilities" give slaying bonuses.
+
* [[Artefact]]s may provide a bonus or penalty, in which case the description says "It affects your accuracy and damage with ranged weapons and melee attacks."
 
* The spell [[Song of Slaying]] provides a variable amount of slaying, depending on the toughest monster you've killed while the spell is active.
 
* The spell [[Song of Slaying]] provides a variable amount of slaying, depending on the toughest monster you've killed while the spell is active.
* [[Bracers of archery]] are a special case, in that they provide different slaying bonuses to melee and ranged combat: they give +5, +3 to ranged, but -1, -1 to melee.
+
* [[Gloves]] with [[archery]] ego are a special case, in that they provide a +4 slaying bonus but only affect ranged combat.
  
 
There are also a number of slaying-like effects:
 
There are also a number of slaying-like effects:
  
* The effect [[Might]] (which is also a part of [[Berserk]]) gives a flat +1d10 bonus to melee damage.  This is somewhat different from normal slaying in that it is not added to the character's effective enchantment, but just added straight on to his or her total damage.  Effectively, this means that Might gives a more consistent damage bonus than 10 slaying would, even if the average increase in damage is the same.
+
* The effect [[Might]] (which is also a part of [[Berserk]]) gives a flat +1d10 bonus to melee damage.  This is somewhat different from normal slaying in that it is not added to the character's effective enchantment, but just added straight on to his or her total damage.  Effectively, this means that Might gives a more consistent damage bonus than 10 slaying would, even if the average increase in damage is roughly the same.
 
* The spell [[Infusion]] gives a damage bonus of 2-4.  However, monster AC applies to this damage bonus separately from the character's main attack, making it more akin to an extra attack with an unenchanted dagger than a slaying bonus.
 
* The spell [[Infusion]] gives a damage bonus of 2-4.  However, monster AC applies to this damage bonus separately from the character's main attack, making it more akin to an extra attack with an unenchanted dagger than a slaying bonus.
 
* The spell [[Corona]] gives an increase in accuracy, but only against one monster.  Also, the bonus (+2 to +9) is applied after the to-hit number is rolled.
 
* The spell [[Corona]] gives an increase in accuracy, but only against one monster.  Also, the bonus (+2 to +9) is applied after the to-hit number is rolled.
 
* [[The Shining One]]'s halo gives an accuracy bonus against creatures inside the halo.
 
* [[The Shining One]]'s halo gives an accuracy bonus against creatures inside the halo.
 +
* An [[amulet of inaccuracy]] functions somewhat like a -5 accuracy bonus, except that it affects magic as well as melee and ranged combat.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
  
Most characters will want as much to-damage slaying as they can get.  To-hit slaying is considerably less valuable - it is rarely worth using a piece of equipment solely for such a bonus.
+
Most characters will want as much slaying as they can get.
  
 
As slaying does not increase spell damage, it is generally a secondary priority for spellcasters, with properties such as [[wizardry]] or [[intelligence]] bonuses usually being preferable.
 
As slaying does not increase spell damage, it is generally a secondary priority for spellcasters, with properties such as [[wizardry]] or [[intelligence]] bonuses usually being preferable.
  
Melee characters should highly prioritize slaying, but be rational about it: a +2 damage bonus does not make a -1 randart [[scale mail]] a worthwhile proposition on your MiBe.
+
Melee characters should highly prioritize slaying, but be rational about it: a +2 slaying bonus does not make a -1 randart [[scale mail]] a worthwhile proposition on your MiBe.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 +
Prior to [[0.15]], there were separate slaying bonuses for accuracy and damage. Bonuses were shown in the form ''+x, +y'', where ''x'' was the accuracy bonus, and ''y'' was the damage bonus
 +
 
Prior to [[0.10]], slaying bonuses for damage were added to the weapon's base damage, meaning that they would be increased by having high weapon/[[Fighting]] skill.  When this was changed, slaying bonuses were generally increased to compensate.
 
Prior to [[0.10]], slaying bonuses for damage were added to the weapon's base damage, meaning that they would be increased by having high weapon/[[Fighting]] skill.  When this was changed, slaying bonuses were generally increased to compensate.
  
 
[[Category:Game mechanics]]
 
[[Category:Game mechanics]]

Revision as of 22:00, 10 February 2018

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

Slaying is a term used to describe a property that increases a character's accuracy and damage in melee and ranged combat. Slaying does not affect spellcasting, wand use, or anything else that isn't melee or ranged combat. It is functionally identical to weapon enchantment, but affects unarmed attacks as well.

Mechanics

Accuracy

The total of all of a character's slaying bonuses are added to the player's to-hit number, in the same way as weapon enchantment. A random number from 1 to the player's total to-hit is checked against a monster's EV to determine if the player lands a blow; thus, it is not a flat accuracy increase that is provided, but an increase in accuracy on average.

Damage

The character's total slaying bonus is added to the enchantment of the player's weapon (and applies to unarmed combat as well). In combat, the player gets a damage bonus of 1d(enchantment+slaying). Unlike base damage, this bonus is not affected by the player's skill. The total damage done is then adjusted appropriately by the monster's AC, meaning that slaying can be very useful in helping to get past a monster's armour.

Sources

There are a number of sources of slaying bonuses:

  • A ring of slaying.
  • Artefacts may provide a bonus or penalty, in which case the description says "It affects your accuracy and damage with ranged weapons and melee attacks."
  • The spell Song of Slaying provides a variable amount of slaying, depending on the toughest monster you've killed while the spell is active.
  • Gloves with archery ego are a special case, in that they provide a +4 slaying bonus but only affect ranged combat.

There are also a number of slaying-like effects:

  • The effect Might (which is also a part of Berserk) gives a flat +1d10 bonus to melee damage. This is somewhat different from normal slaying in that it is not added to the character's effective enchantment, but just added straight on to his or her total damage. Effectively, this means that Might gives a more consistent damage bonus than 10 slaying would, even if the average increase in damage is roughly the same.
  • The spell Infusion gives a damage bonus of 2-4. However, monster AC applies to this damage bonus separately from the character's main attack, making it more akin to an extra attack with an unenchanted dagger than a slaying bonus.
  • The spell Corona gives an increase in accuracy, but only against one monster. Also, the bonus (+2 to +9) is applied after the to-hit number is rolled.
  • The Shining One's halo gives an accuracy bonus against creatures inside the halo.
  • An amulet of inaccuracy functions somewhat like a -5 accuracy bonus, except that it affects magic as well as melee and ranged combat.

Strategy

Most characters will want as much slaying as they can get.

As slaying does not increase spell damage, it is generally a secondary priority for spellcasters, with properties such as wizardry or intelligence bonuses usually being preferable.

Melee characters should highly prioritize slaying, but be rational about it: a +2 slaying bonus does not make a -1 randart scale mail a worthwhile proposition on your MiBe.

History

Prior to 0.15, there were separate slaying bonuses for accuracy and damage. Bonuses were shown in the form +x, +y, where x was the accuracy bonus, and y was the damage bonus

Prior to 0.10, slaying bonuses for damage were added to the weapon's base damage, meaning that they would be increased by having high weapon/Fighting skill. When this was changed, slaying bonuses were generally increased to compensate.