Draft:Scroll of deflection
| ? | |
| Type | Scroll |
|---|---|
| Base value (Au) | 250 |
| Item level | 3 |
| Weight | 5 |
| Unidentified appearance | Random inscription |
| Cursed name | Scroll of vulnerability |
A scroll of deflection protects the reader against magical bolts that reach their square. It is particularly useful against bolt users, but does not stop the area damage of magical balls or mana storms.
Generation
The scroll is an item-level-3 random design. It can also appear at the pawn shop or be chosen with blessed acquirement.
Description
Noncursed reading sets deflection to blessing strength plus a random integer from 0 through 5. Thus an uncursed reading can give no active protection, while positive blessing guarantees a positive duration. The counter normally decreases at ten-minute status updates, as explained under scroll durations.
The new value replaces existing deflection. It can shorten a longer effect, so repeated reading is not a simple way to accumulate protection. In the common bolt routine, an active effect makes fire, lightning, cold and normal magical missile bolts miss the player. The separate ball routine has no such deflection check.
Cursed reading adds vulnerability for a random 0–5 units minus the scroll's negative blessing strength. It does not identify the scroll automatically; noncursed use does. The name scroll of vulnerability is also used by cursed displacement.
Strategy
Use a positively blessed copy before entering a fight where bolts are the main threat. Keep other defenses for melee, explosions and status effects: a deflected firebolt does not imply protection from a fireball.
A shield of deflection can provide equipment-based protection when available, whereas a scroll leaves the shield slot free for another choice. Do not read a scroll merely to refresh an already long equipment effect, because replacement can reduce its duration. Displacement complements deflection against a different part of the attack system.