Dark Catalyst (719)
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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 offensive impact is determined by the target's current amount of magical power, the amount by which their spiritual warding fails, as well as one's training in the Elemental Lores. The amount of mana returned is modified by training in 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 (Hitpoint 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.
| Elemental Lore, Air | Electricity |
| Elemental Lore, Earth | Impact |
| Elemental Lore, Fire | Heat |
| Elemental Lore, Water | Cold |
- 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.
- Regardless of the target type in terms of its magical categorization, the fact that a successful cast of Dark Catalyst subjects the target to a variety of elemental criticals is important in its own right. For instance, most trolls take double damage from fire and are unable to regenerate for a period of time. While sorcerers have access to Fire Spirit (111), a warding spell may be preferred depending on the situation. A sorcerer is advised to always remember the types of elemental damage inflicted by Dark Catalyst when facing opponents with both strengths against and weaknesses to particular elements.
External Links
- Sorcerer Base Spell Circle: Dark Catalyst, on Play.net