Dark Catalyst (719)

Dark Catalyst (719) Mnemonic [DARKCAT] Duration Instantaneous Type Attack (warding)

Converts the mana of the target into elemental energy, causing mana loss and massive critical damage. A successful cast can yield mana return between 1 and 14 to the caster (heavily weighted towards lower amounts). The spell's power can be increased by training in Elemental Lores, Elemental Mana Control, and Spiritual Mana Control.

Target Types

There are three types of targets when considering the efficiency of this spell.

• Magical

Targets with plenty of mana which are primarily spell casters (creatures and characters considered pures). These targets will suffer the most damage from the spell, including subsequent casts.

• Semi-magical

Targets with some mana which are not primarily spell casters (creatures and characters considered semis). Casts beyond the first are less effective and generally not worthwhile.

• Non-magical

Targets with little or no mana (creatures and characters considered squares). These targets will take very little damage from this spell, making poor targets.

Damage Delivery

If the target fails to ward off this spell, five individual strikes are unleashed upon the target. In order: essence (damage only, no crit), fire, ice, lightning, and impact. Training types of Elemental Lores will increase the damage and severity of the critical strike for the corresponding element. A minimum of three ranks of a particular element is required, and diminishing returns begin at ten. The amount of mana returned and the damage done is modified by training in Elemental Mana Control and Spiritual Mana Control.

• Be aware the killing power of this magic lies in its critical damage. It will routinely kill semi-magical and magical targets in a single cast.
• If the target dies before receiving all of the strikes, the spell will end immediately. This may also cut off having mana returned.
• Non-corporeal creatures do not crit thus making poor targets for this magic. However, you may phase them to increase their susceptibility.
• Creatures made of stone will receive up to 2 additional critical strikes shortly after the spell has resolved. This is due to stones weakness against the combination of heat and cold attacks.