Difference between revisions of "Warlock's mirror"

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{{flavour|A handheld array of hexagonal mirrors, synthesized from a truly exotic substance and polished to a blinding sheen. A skilled user will find that it can reflect almost anything, even spells that pierce through lesser materials and hexes with no physical manifestation at all.}}
 
{{flavour|A handheld array of hexagonal mirrors, synthesized from a truly exotic substance and polished to a blinding sheen. A skilled user will find that it can reflect almost anything, even spells that pierce through lesser materials and hexes with no physical manifestation at all.}}
[[File:warlock.png]] '''''the +3 warlock's mirror {reflect}'''''
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[[File:warlock.png]] '''''the +3 warlock's mirror'''''
  
 
+3 [[buckler]]
 
+3 [[buckler]]
  
 
[[Reflection]] ego<br>
 
[[Reflection]] ego<br>
Can also reflect piercing attacks and enchantments
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Can also reflect [[piercing]] attacks, enchantments, and never-missing attacks
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__NOTOC__
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==Mechanics==
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For piercing attacks, such as [[javelin]]s and [[bolt spell]]s, the chance to block is determined by [[SH]], like any attack you can block normally.
  
Chance to reflect magical effects = 2*SH / (2*SH + 40)
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For enchantments and never-missing attacks, the chance to block is equal to <code>2*SH / (2*SH + 20)</code>.<ref>{{source ref|0.30.1|beam.cc|6853}}<br>Note that 'internal' SH is twice as high as your actual SH score.</ref> All sources of SH count. Unlike normal blocking, this reflection does not 'decay' after multiple blocks. This equates to 37.5% at 6 [[SH]], reaches 50% at 10 SH, 66% at 20 SH, and gradually increases further from there.
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It cannot block [[smite-targeted]] attacks, explosions like [[Fireball]], or other sorts of AOE effects.
  
 
==Desirability==
 
==Desirability==
The '''warlock's mirror'''<ref>{{source ref|0.24.1|art-data.txt|1338}}</ref> is a fairly useful shield. As a buckler, almost all characters can make use of it (only [[ogre]]s, [[troll]]s, and [[felid]]s are incapable of wearing it) and it requires relatively little [[Shields (skill)|Shields skill]] to negate its penalty. In addition to blocking and potentially reflecting mundane physical attacks, the warlock's mirror can also reflect piercing effects (such as [[bolt spells]] or [[list of dragons|breath weapons]]) and enchantments (such as [[Hexes]]).
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The '''warlock's mirror'''<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|art-data.txt|1520}}</ref> is a fairly useful shield, especially in places with many piercing attacks (such as [[javelin]]s in [[the Shoals]]) or enchantments. Even if the enemy is immune to their own attacks, the omnireflect is useful - it lets you block otherwise unblockable effects.
 
 
The ability to reflect harmful Hexes or bolts can be a truly useful one, especially in areas where such things are common. Even if an enemy happens to be immune to a reflected spell (such as an [[ancient lich]]'s [[Confuse]] or an [[orb of fire]]'s [[Bolt of Fire]]), you still avoided a potentially dangerous effect and, in the case of reflected bolts, the enemy standing behind the caster might not be so fortunate. However, the warlock's mirror is only a buckler, so a more skilled shield-user may prefer to use a larger shield and/or one with a useful [[resistance]] for greater protection (especially since a more mundane reflection ego is still quite good and easily obtained with an [[amulet of reflection]])
 
  
The chance to reflect a magical effect increases with your SH score, starting at around 24% at 6 [[SH]] (the amount most characters will have with 0 Shields skill) and gradually increasing to 50% at 20 SH. Higher chances of reflecting effects are possible as SH increases further, but attaining such high SH scores with a mere buckler grows more and more difficult.  
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However, this shield is still a buckler. Heavier characters or those with lots of Shields skill might prefer a [[tower shield]] or a highly enchanted [[kite shield]], which are more effective against attacks you can block normally. But for those who would use a buckler anyway, there are few better options.
  
You can increase your SH by:
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The mirror can block [[Malmutate]], so it can be a strong(er) choice in places where malmutation is common.
*increasing your Dexterity or Shields skill
 
*wearing an amulet of reflection (the mirror already has a reflection ego, but the extra SH from the amulet still applies)
 
*having the [[Large bone plates]] [[mutation]]
 
*worshiping [[Qazlal]]
 
*using [[The Shining One]]'s Divine Shield ability
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
*In [[0.25]], the warlock's mirror will also be able to reflect piercing physical projectiles like [[javelin]]s.
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*Prior to [[0.25]], the warlock's mirror only had a <code>2*SH / (2*SH + 40)</code> chance to reflect never-missing effects, and couldn't reflect piercing physical projectiles like [[javelin]]s.
 
*The warlock's mirror was introduced in [[0.18]].
 
*The warlock's mirror was introduced in [[0.18]].
  
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[[Category:Unrands]]
 
[[Category:Unrands]]
 
[[Category:Shields]]
 
[[Category:Shields]]
[[Category:Crystal Ball Articles]]
 

Latest revision as of 23:51, 19 November 2023

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
A handheld array of hexagonal mirrors, synthesized from a truly exotic substance and polished to a blinding sheen. A skilled user will find that it can reflect almost anything, even spells that pierce through lesser materials and hexes with no physical manifestation at all.

Warlock.png the +3 warlock's mirror

+3 buckler

Reflection ego
Can also reflect piercing attacks, enchantments, and never-missing attacks

Mechanics

For piercing attacks, such as javelins and bolt spells, the chance to block is determined by SH, like any attack you can block normally.

For enchantments and never-missing attacks, the chance to block is equal to 2*SH / (2*SH + 20).[1] All sources of SH count. Unlike normal blocking, this reflection does not 'decay' after multiple blocks. This equates to 37.5% at 6 SH, reaches 50% at 10 SH, 66% at 20 SH, and gradually increases further from there.

It cannot block smite-targeted attacks, explosions like Fireball, or other sorts of AOE effects.

Desirability

The warlock's mirror[2] is a fairly useful shield, especially in places with many piercing attacks (such as javelins in the Shoals) or enchantments. Even if the enemy is immune to their own attacks, the omnireflect is useful - it lets you block otherwise unblockable effects.

However, this shield is still a buckler. Heavier characters or those with lots of Shields skill might prefer a tower shield or a highly enchanted kite shield, which are more effective against attacks you can block normally. But for those who would use a buckler anyway, there are few better options.

The mirror can block Malmutate, so it can be a strong(er) choice in places where malmutation is common.

History

  • Prior to 0.25, the warlock's mirror only had a 2*SH / (2*SH + 40) chance to reflect never-missing effects, and couldn't reflect piercing physical projectiles like javelins.
  • The warlock's mirror was introduced in 0.18.

References

  1. beam.cc:6853 (0.30.1)
    Note that 'internal' SH is twice as high as your actual SH score.
  2. art-data.txt:1520 (0.30.0)