{ "schemaVersion": 20, "license": { "name": "CC BY 4.0", "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" }, "count": 58, "abilities": [ { "id": "anchor", "name": "Anchor", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "targeted", "area", "placed" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest" ], "definition": "The user stops a target from teleporting, blinking, warping, or escaping the encounter for a time, without necessarily stopping its ordinary movement, attacks, or casting", "aliases": [ "Dimensional Anchor", "Dimensional Lock", "Mean Look", "warp scrambler", "warp disruptor", "grounded", "leash", "teleport block" ], "media": [ "video", "tabletop-rpg" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "status-effects", "zone-of-control" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Pokémon Gold and Silver", "year": 1999, "year_approx": true, "medium": "video", "creator": "Game Freak (Nintendo)", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "Mean Look, 5 PP, leaves the opponent unable to escape while the user stays in battle, and Spider Web, 10 PP, also prevents substitutions in Trainer battles; the target still attacks. Bind and similar moves prevent escape while dealing damage for 2 to 5 turns. Wording from the 2000 Nintendo Power guide.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Dimensional Anchor, a 4th-level cleric and sorcerer/wizard spell, is a ray that needs a ranged touch attack and, with no saving throw, blocks bodily extradimensional travel for 1 minute per level, including blink, dimension door, plane shift, and teleport.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EVE Online", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "CCP Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A warp disruptor, a fitted module that draws capacitor each cycle, stops the target ship from warping out to 20 km while it keeps flying and firing; the shorter-ranged warp scrambler, with twice the strength, also disables its microwarpdrive and micro jump drive.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Cassiopeia's Miasma places clouds of poison that slow, ground, and lightly damage enemies passing through, and \"Grounded enemies cannot use Movement abilities\"; Poppy's Steadfast Presence stops enemy dashes around her and grounds those it stops.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Slark's Pounce, 75 mana on a 24- to 12-second cooldown, leaps forward and leashes the first enemy hero it reaches, which for 2.5 to 3.25 seconds can move only 400 units from Slark's landing point; debuff-immune units cannot be leashed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "ILCA (Nintendo, The Pokémon Company)", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "Mean Look, a 5 PP status move learned by Zubat, Gengar, and Umbreon among others, pins the target with a look so that it becomes unable to flee.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Pokémon Gold and Silver", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Provenance is scoped to a hold placed on a target; seals laid on a place are the area variation. Mean Look and Spider Web are the earliest cited form, from the game's Japanese release of 21 November 1999, before Dimensional Anchor in Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition (2000), the earliest cited targeted block on teleportation. Forbiddance in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 2nd edition Player's Handbook (1989) seals a consecrated area from teleportation, plane shifting, and ethereal penetration and counts as an antecedent of the area form. The binding moves of Pokémon Red and Green, other 1990s video games, and other tabletop spell lists remain unsurveyed." }, "established": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "low", "note": "Dimensional Anchor names the archetype and lists the movement it bars; the 3.5 revision keeps it and adds the area form Dimensional Lock, and the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game (2009) reprints the spell almost word for word under the Open Game License. No cited source ties the video forms (warp scrambling, grounding, leashes) to it." }, "sources": [ { "key": "pok-mon-gold-silver-player-s-guide-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Pokémon Gold & Silver Player's Guide", "author": "Nintendo Power", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower2000PokemonGoldSilver", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Move list: Bind, Mean Look, Spider Web; Ecruteak City Gym", "note": "The PP and effects of Mean Look, Spider Web, and Bind, the tip that they keep wild Pokémon from running away, and the gym trainers whose Mean Look stops the player switching." }, { "key": "", "canonical": false, "title": "ポケットモンスター金・銀", "author": "Nintendo", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/kingin/index.html", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "発売日", "note": "The Japanese release date of 21 November 1999." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-3-0-spells-d", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 3.0, Spells (D)", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20030605175237/http://www.wizards.com:80/d20/files/srdspellsd.rtf", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Spells (D), Dimensional Anchor", "note": "The ray, ranged touch attack, duration, absent saving throw, and the list of barred travel; Wayback snapshot of June 2003." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-3-5-spells-d-e-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 3.5, Spells D-E", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20050318155348/http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/Spells.zip", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "SpellsD-E.rtf, Dimensional Anchor; Dimensional Lock", "note": "The 20-foot emanation of Dimensional Lock, lasting a day per level, that bars travel into or out of the area; Wayback snapshot of the spells archive." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-2nd-edition-player-s-handbook-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 2nd edition, Player's Handbook", "author": "David \"Zeb\" Cook (TSR)", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/player-s-handbook-2nd-edition-2101", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Priest spells, sixth level, Forbiddance", "note": "The antecedent seal of a consecrated area from teleportation, plane shifting, and ethereal penetration." }, { "key": "pathfinder-roleplaying-game-reference-document-dimensional-anchor-2009", "canonical": false, "title": "Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document, Dimensional Anchor", "author": "Paizo Publishing", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20090925133545/http://paizo.com:80/pathfinderRPG/prd/spells/dimensionalAnchor.html", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Spell Index, Dimensional Anchor", "note": "The reprint of the 3.5 spell text, supporting the established form; Wayback snapshot of September 2009." }, { "key": "eve-online-the-second-genesis-prima-s-official-strategy-guide-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "EVE Online: The Second Genesis, Prima's Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Prima Games", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "Prima Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/eve-online-the-second-genesis-primas-official-strategy-guide-2003-pc", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Chapter 3, Crucifier, Griffin and Maulus; Chapter 5 fiction", "note": "Ship bonuses to jump scramblers (warp scramblers) at launch, and a story in which a scrambled warp drive keeps a ship from escaping." }, { "key": "new-tech-2-ships-for-trinity-2007", "canonical": false, "title": "New Tech 2 Ships for Trinity", "author": "CCP Fendahl (CCP Games)", "year": 2007, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/new-tech-2-ships-for-trinity", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Heavy Interdictors", "note": "The Warp Disruption Field Generator, which prevents all ships within its range, the user included, from warping or jumping." }, { "key": "warp-scrambler-i-warp-disruptor-i", "canonical": false, "title": "Warp Scrambler I; Warp Disruptor I", "author": "EVE Ref", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The in-game module descriptions, ranges, warp scramble strengths, and capacitor costs per cycle." }, { "key": "league-of-legends-data-dragon-16-21-1-cassiopeia", "canonical": false, "title": "League of Legends Data Dragon 16.21.1: Cassiopeia", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Cassiopeia.json", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "spells, Miasma", "note": "The grounding clouds and the rule that grounded enemies cannot use movement abilities, with cost and cooldown." }, { "key": "league-of-legends-data-dragon-16-21-1-poppy", "canonical": false, "title": "League of Legends Data Dragon 16.21.1: Poppy", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Poppy.json", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "spells, Steadfast Presence", "note": "The stopping of enemy dashes near Poppy and the grounding of the stopped enemy." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-slark-hero-93", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Slark (hero 93)", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=93", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "abilities, Pounce", "note": "The leash, its radius and duration, its mana cost and cooldown, and debuff immunity." }, { "key": "dota-2-item-data-blink-dagger-item-1", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 item data, Blink Dagger (item 1)", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/itemdata?language=english&item_id=1", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "abilities, Blink", "note": "The 3-second lockout of the item after damage from an enemy hero or Roshan." }, { "key": "mean-look", "canonical": false, "title": "Mean Look", "author": "Serebii.net", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The move's effect text and PP, and its learners in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl." } ], "n_examples": 6, "n_sources": 14, "word_count": 555, "updated": "2026-10-28", "url": "/abilities/anchor" }, { "id": "backstab", "name": "Backstab", "status": "verified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "melee" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "mana", "consumable" ], "definition": "An attack that deals greatly increased damage, or kills outright, when the attacker strikes from behind, from stealth, or against a target that is unaware, flanked or otherwise unable to defend itself.", "aliases": [ "back stabbing", "strike silently from behind", "Sneak Attack", "Ambush", "Garrote", "Shred", "Ravage", "Assassination", "stealth kill", "critical backstab" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "advantage-disadvantage", "combo-systems", "critical-hits", "line-of-sight", "stealth-detection" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "A thief who strikes silently from behind gains +4 to hit (20 percent) and does double damage, rising with level to three times at 5th to 8th level and four times at 9th to 12th. Nothing is spent; the referee decides whether the thief is behind the target unnoticed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Baldur's Gate", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "BioWare (Interplay)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Stealth mode, combining hide in shadows and move silently, makes the thief nigh-invisible, and the next successful attack is a backstab for two, three or four times damage by level. Attacking ends stealth, and the thief must be out of the enemy's direct line of sight to hide again.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "In the 3.5 revision text (2003), Sneak Attack adds 1d6 at 1st level and 1d6 more every two rogue levels when the target is denied its Dexterity bonus to AC or is flanked; ranged attacks qualify within 30 feet. The dice are not multiplied on a critical, and undead, constructs, oozes and creatures immune to criticals are immune.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Backstab costs 60 energy, needs a dagger in the main hand, deals 150 percent weapon damage plus a flat amount and awards a combo point, with the condition \"Must be behind the target\". Ambush, at 60 energy and 250 percent weapon damage, must also be used from Stealth. The Cold Blood talent can make either a guaranteed critical.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dark Souls", "year": 2011, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "FromSoftware", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "A light attack from directly behind a mostly humanoid target at close range triggers a locked backstab animation, during which the attacker is invincible, that counts as a critical attack scaled by the weapon's critical modifier, higher on daggers. It works against other players as well.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dishonored", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Arkane Studios (Bethesda Softworks)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Next to an enemy that has not spotted the player, one button press performs a lethal assassination, and dropping onto an enemy from height does the same. Holding the key directly behind an unaware enemy chokes it unconscious instead. The Shadow Kill power turns assassinated bodies to ash.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Riki's Backstab, an innate passive in 2026 data, adds bonus damage equal to 0.55 times his Agility to every attack that strikes an enemy from behind, with a backstab angle of 105 in the files, and costs nothing. Cloak and Dagger keeps him invisible until he attacks, so concealment and facing set up the hit together.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Arkham Horror: The Card Game", "year": 2016, "year_approx": true, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Fantasy Flight Games", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Sneak Attack is a Rogue event card costing 2 resources that reads \"Deal 2 damage to an exhausted enemy at your location\" and is discarded when played, so the defensive lapse is a state flag on the enemy card rather than a facing on a map.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Assassin's Creed Valhalla", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Ubisoft Montreal (Ubisoft)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "In the July 2020 preview build, hidden-blade stealth attacks usually killed in one hit, while stronger enemies shrugged off the blade and took extra damage instead if the player made a timed button press during the attack. A setting in the released game reportedly restores guaranteed one-hit assassinations.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Greyhawk's thief can \"strike silently from behind\" for +4 to hit and double damage that rises with level. The thief class is reported to have appeared first in the Great Plains Game Players Newsletter, issue 9, June 1974, after Gary Switzer described the idea to Gygax by telephone; a 2025 blog quotes a transcription of an original typewritten thief that gives \"two dice of damage for every four levels\" from behind with +4 to hit, but does not tie it to the newsletter, and no copy of the newsletter is cited. A June 1974 form in added dice is plausible and unconfirmed. The word does not appear in Greyhawk: the earliest use cited is \"back stabbing\" in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook (1978), and fanzine use between 1975 and 1978 remains unsurveyed. Chainmail's rear attacks (1972 text) are an antecedent: positional advantage without multiplied damage, and not an ability of a figure type." }, "established": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "low", "note": "The level-scaled multiplier from behind runs through the Dungeons & Dragons line: the 1978 Players Handbook names it back stabbing at two to five times damage, the licensed Baldur's Gate (1998) keeps two to four times by level, and the 3rd edition renames it Sneak Attack, which Wikipedia's rogue article glosses as backstab in earlier editions. That video games outside the licence, such as World of Warcraft or Dark Souls, took the form from this line is undocumented." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Character classes: Thieves, pp. 4-5", "note": "\"Strike silently from behind\" among the thief's abilities, with +4 to hit and double damage rising every four levels." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Character Classes: Thief, p. 27 (back stabbing); Assassin, p. 28 (assassination table)", "note": "The earliest use of the term cited, damage two to five times normal by level, and the assassin's roughly 50 percent chance to kill on surprise." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Flank Attack and Rear Attack, p. 13; Man-to-Man Combat, rear attacks, c. p. 21", "note": "Rear and flank attacks that add to the die roll and deny a counter-attack, an antecedent without multiplied damage." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-3-5-system-reference-document-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 System Reference Document", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dnd35srd/ClassesII.rtf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Classes II: Rogue, Sneak Attack", "note": "Sneak attack dice, the flanked or denied-Dexterity triggers, the 30-foot ranged limit, immunities, and no multiplication on a critical; the 3.5 revision, not the 2000 text." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Rogue: Level 1, Sneak Attack; Rogue Features table, pp. 61-62", "note": "The 2024 rule, once per turn with Advantage or an ally within 5 feet of the target, and Cunning Strike." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2005", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip", "year": 2005, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Rogue chapter: Combat (Backstab), Subtlety (Ambush, Garrote), talents (Cold Blood, Improved Ambush); Druid chapter: Shred and Ravage", "note": "Energy costs, facing, dagger and stealth requirements, and weapon-damage percentages." }, { "key": "baldur-s-gate-manual-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "Baldur's Gate manual", "author": "BioWare", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Interplay", "url": "https://archive.org/download/Baldurs_Gate/Baldurs_Gate_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Modes: Stealth, p. 16; Thieves: Stealth and Backstab, p. 95", "note": "The backstab from stealth mode for two to four times damage, and the line-of-sight condition for hiding again." }, { "key": "dishonored-pc-game-manual-2012", "canonical": false, "title": "Dishonored PC Game Manual", "author": "Arkane Studios", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Bethesda Softworks", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dishonored-gfw-manual-v15_202507/dishonored-gfw-manual-v15_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Stealth; Assassination; Powers: Shadow Kill", "note": "One-press assassination of unaware enemies, drop assassinations, the nonlethal choke, and Shadow Kill." }, { "key": "thief-the-dark-project-manual-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "Thief: The Dark Project manual", "author": "Looking Glass Studios", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/thief-the-dark-project-manual-pc/Thief_-_The_Dark_Project_-_Manual_-_PC_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Combat; The Blackjack, pp. 14-16", "note": "The blackjack knockout, usable only from right behind an enemy and not on alerted, armed foes." }, { "key": "over-five-hours-with-assassin-s-creed-valhalla-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Over Five Hours With Assassin's Creed Valhalla", "author": "Ben Reeves", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Game Informer", "url": "https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/07/12/over-five-hours-with-assassins-creed-valhalla", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "A pre-release preview; stealth attacks usually kill in one hit, and a timed press adds damage against stronger enemies." }, { "key": "musings-on-the-original-thief-class-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Musings on the original thief class", "author": "Smoldering Wizard", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://smolderingwizard.com/2025/05/26/musings-on-the-original-thief-class/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Quotes a transcription of the 1974 typewritten thief, two dice of damage per four levels from behind; the transcription's provenance is not stated." }, { "key": "scoundrel-guide-single-target-poison-build", "canonical": false, "title": "Scoundrel Guide: Single Target Poison Build", "author": "My Kind of Meeple", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://mykindofmeeple.com/scoundrel-guide-single-target-poison-build-strategy-gloomhaven/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Gloomhaven Scoundrel's Backstab card, a loss card at initiative 6, and its damage with an ally adjacent; the card wording is not quoted." }, { "key": "wikipedia", "canonical": true, "title": "Wikipedia", "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/", "accessed": null, "locator": "Rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)", "note": "The thief's reported first publication in the Great Plains Game Players Newsletter, June 1974, and Gary Switzer's telephone call to Gygax; sneak attack as the later name of the earlier editions' backstab." }, { "key": "dark-souls-wiki-combat", "canonical": false, "title": "Dark Souls Wiki, Combat", "author": "Fextralife", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Backstab conditions, critical scaling by weapon, and invincibility during the animation." }, { "key": "arkhamdb-sneak-attack-core-set-52", "canonical": false, "title": "ArkhamDB, Sneak Attack (Core Set 52)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The card text and resource cost." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-riki", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Riki", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=32", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Backstab; Cloak and Dagger", "note": "The innate Backstab, its Agility multiplier and backstab angle, and Cloak and Dagger's invisibility until Riki attacks, in current data." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 16, "word_count": 547, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/backstab" }, { "id": "barrier", "name": "Barrier", "status": "verified", "function": "protection", "delivery": [ "self", "targeted", "placed" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An activated protective layer, either a shield on a character that absorbs or blocks incoming damage until depleted or expired, or a wall placed in space that stops attacks, projectiles, or movement.", "aliases": [ "shield", "ward", "wall", "force field", "damage prevention", "Power Word: Shield", "Bone Armor", "Barrier Field", "Barrier Orb", "Jade Shield" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "board-card", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "damage-types", "hit-points", "interrupts-and-reactions", "line-of-sight", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Protection from Normal Missiles (3rd level) makes one recipient impervious to missiles from normal men and weapons for 12 turns at 3\" range. Wall of Fire and Wall of Ice (4th) and Wall of Stone and Wall of Iron (5th) place walls; the stone wall lasts until dispelled or battered through, and the opaque fire wall stops creatures under four hit dice.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Asteroids Deluxe", "year": 1981, "year_approx": true, "medium": "video", "creator": "Atari", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "A SHIELDS button raises an octagon around the ship as protection from all enemies. The shield draws on a single stock of about 10 seconds that depletes with use, its brightness shows the power left, and the stock is renewed with each new ship.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Damage-prevention spells and abilities, such as the Circle of Protection enchantments, are paid for with mana and used during damage resolution, and they target the damage itself rather than its source. Wall creatures cannot attack and serve only as blockers.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Necromancer's Bone Armor is a self-cast shield that absorbs physical damage only, 20 points at skill level 1 for 11 mana and more at higher levels, and is recast to refill. Bone Wall raises a barrier of bone with its own hit points that blocks monsters. The figures come from the expansion-era official skill page.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The priest's Power Word: Shield places an absorb pool on one target; at rank 1 in Classic-era tooltips it absorbs 48 damage for 30 seconds, costs 45 mana, and has a 4-second cooldown. It applies Weakened Soul, which bars the target from being shielded again for 15 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "cooldown", "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Steelskin and Molten Shell are instant Guard skills sharing one cooldown (3.7.0). Steelskin grants a damage barrier absorbing 70% of all damage taken up to a maximum that grows with gem level; Molten Shell absorbs 75% of damage taken up to 20% of total armour for 3 seconds, on a 4-second cooldown. Vaal Molten Shell spends 50 souls (3.3.0).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "note": "Shield is cast as a reaction when the caster is hit or targeted by magic missile, adding 5 to armour class against the triggering attack until the caster's next turn. Wall of Force places an invisible wall for up to 10 minutes of concentration at 120 feet that nothing can physically pass through and that is immune to all damage.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Overwatch", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown" ], "note": "Reinhardt holds a frontal energy barrier with its own health pool, which regenerates while the barrier is lowered; experimental patches tested 250 rather than 200 regeneration per second (2020) and 2000 rather than 1600 health (2021). Winston places a dome on a cooldown, and Zarya's Particle Barrier is a personal absorb bubble.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Fortnite", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Epic Games", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "The Shield Bubble (patch 10.20, 2019), a Rare item from floor loot, chests, supply drops and vending machines, raises a large dome for 30 seconds that projectiles and explosives cannot cross in either direction, though players can run through it; destroying its 400-health emitter ends it.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Genshin Impact", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "miHoYo", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Shields are absorb pools whose size scales from a character statistic. Zhongli's held Dominus Lapidis raises a Jade Shield scaled from his Max HP; changes in December 2020 set its absorption at 150% against Physical and Elemental damage, where it had been 250% against Geo damage only.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Men & Magic (1974) gives both forms among the magic-user spells: a personal ward, Protection from Normal Missiles, and placed walls of fire, ice, stone, and iron. Confidence is medium because a direct antecedent exists and because the walls are described as obstacles to movement, their blocking of missiles implied rather than stated. The 1972 second edition of Chainmail's Fantasy Supplement has Protection from Evil, a 12\" circle that keeps out evil fantastic creatures; whether the 1971 first edition carries it is unconfirmed. The Shield spell is absent from Men & Magic and appears in Supplement I, Greyhawk (1975). Wall of Force is absent from both and is often credited to the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook (1978), which is unconfirmed. The earliest video shield cited is Asteroids Deluxe (reportedly 1981); earlier video shields remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02002menmagic", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanation of Spells, Magic-Users, pp. 23-28; Spells & Levels, p. 19", "note": "Protection from Normal Missiles (p. 26), Wall of Fire and Wall of Ice (p. 26), Wall of Stone and Wall of Iron (p. 28), and the once-per-day rule for spells (p. 19); page numbers follow the scan's page markers." }, { "key": "supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Supplement I, Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells Table (Additions), p. 20; Shield, p. 21; Cube of Force", "note": "The Shield spell, a self-moving magical barrier resolved as armour class 2 against missiles and 4 against other attacks, and the Cube of Force, usable three times per day." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards and spell list, pp. 28-29", "note": "The antecedent Protection from Evil, a 12\" circle keeping out evil fantastic creatures." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Shield (p. 179), Wall of Force (pp. 189-190)", "note": "The reaction-cast Shield and the impassable Wall of Force in the 5th edition rules." }, { "key": "magic-the-gathering-fourth-edition-rulebook-1995", "canonical": false, "title": "Magic: The Gathering Fourth Edition rulebook", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://archive.org/details/MagicTheGathering-FourthEditionRulebook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Walls, p. 30; Glossary, Damage prevention, pp. 59-60", "note": "Damage prevention in the damage resolution step and Wall creatures as blockers." }, { "key": "asteroids-deluxe-operation-maintenance-and-service-manual", "canonical": false, "title": "Asteroids Deluxe Operation, Maintenance and Service Manual", "author": "Atari", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Atari", "url": "https://archive.org/details/arcademanual_AsteroidsDeluxe.man", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Section F, Game Play", "note": "The SHIELDS button and the depleting shield stock renewed with each ship." }, { "key": "necromancer-poison-and-bone-spells-2009", "canonical": false, "title": "Necromancer: Poison and Bone Spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20090325132141/http://classic.battle.net:80/diablo2exp/skills/necromancer-poison.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Bone Armor; Bone Wall", "note": "Absorb values and mana costs for Bone Armor and the Bone Wall barrier, as given in the expansion era (Wayback Machine capture of 2009)." }, { "key": "overwatch-experimental-patch-notes-25-february-2020-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch Experimental Patch Notes, 25 February 2020", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/patch-notes/experimental/2020/02", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Reinhardt; Winston; Zarya", "note": "Barrier regeneration, dome cooldown, and Particle Barrier health under test." }, { "key": "overwatch-experimental-patch-notes-30-november-2021-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch Experimental Patch Notes, 30 November 2021", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/patch-notes/experimental/2021/11", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Reinhardt", "note": "Barrier Field health raised from 1600 to 2000 under test." }, { "key": "genshin-impact-zhongli-changes-will-buff-his-dmg-and-shields-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Genshin Impact Zhongli Changes Will Buff His DMG and Shields", "author": "Jenni Lada", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Siliconera", "url": "https://www.siliconera.com/genshin-impact-zhongli-changes-will-buff-his-dmg-and-shields/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Jade Shield absorption scaling with Max HP and the change from 250% against Geo to 150% against all damage types." }, { "key": "power-word-shield", "canonical": false, "title": "Power Word: Shield", "author": "warcraft.wiki.gg", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Classic tooltip; Patch changes", "note": "Absorb, duration, mana cost, and cooldown at rank 1, Weakened Soul, and its removal in 2016, restoration in 2018, and replacement by a cooldown in 2022." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-incursion-content-update-3-3-0-patch-notes-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Incursion (Content Update 3.3.0) Patch Notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2150237", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Vaal Molten Shell's cost of 50 souls." }, { "key": "steelskin-and-the-guard-skills-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Steelskin and the Guard Skills", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2509916", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Steelskin and Molten Shell as damage barriers, and the Guard skills as instant skills sharing a cooldown." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-legion-patch-notes-3-7-0-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Legion Patch Notes (3.7.0)", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2513456", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Steelskin's absorption, and Molten Shell's absorption, armour cap, duration and cooldown." }, { "key": "fortnite-v10-20-patch-notes-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Fortnite v10.20 Patch Notes", "author": "Epic Games", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20190827225757/https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/patch-notes/v10-20-patch-notes", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Battle Royale, Weapons + Items", "note": "The Shield Bubble's rarity, loot sources, 30-second duration, a dome that blocks projectiles and explosives both ways but not players, and its 400-health emitter." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 15, "word_count": 573, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/barrier" }, { "id": "bless", "name": "Bless", "status": "verified", "function": "enhancement", "delivery": [ "targeted", "area", "self" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An activated ability that temporarily raises the user's or allies' accuracy, damage, saving throws, attributes, or morale, for a duration or within a radius, without restoring hit points, absorbing damage, or adding speed.", "aliases": [ "Blessing", "buff", "boon", "Chant", "TMPR", "Giant Growth", "Might", "Power Word: Fortitude", "Blessing of Might", "Strengthen", "Golden Vow" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "advantage-disadvantage", "morale-and-rout", "saving-throws", "status-effects", "team-play" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Bless, a clerical 2nd-level spell that a cleric gains at 4th level (Vicar), adds 1 to attack dice and 1 to morale for six turns, and can be given only during a turn in which the recipients are not in combat. Greyhawk (1975) adds Strength, a magic-user spell that gives a fighter 2 to 8 points of strength for 8 game hours.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "TMPR, a level-2 black magic spell cast in battle on one ally, raises weapon strength by 14 points. SABR, at level 7, is caster-only, and its hit rate \"increases by 40% and damages increase by 15%\". Both draw on per-level spell charges restored at inns. Wording cited from the 1990 North American manual.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Giant Growth, an instant for one green mana, gives a creature +3/+3 only until the end of the turn and can be cast during an attack. Holy Strength, an enchantment for one white mana, gives +1/+2 for as long as it stays attached. Wording cited from the 1994 Revised rulebook.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Paladin auras are toggled fields that benefit every allied character within a radius, and a paladin can run only one at a time. Might raises damage by 40% in a 7.3-yard radius at skill level 1, up to 230% in 32.6 yards at level 20, and Blessed Aim raises attack rating. The expansion-era skill page lists no mana cost for Might.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "The priest's Power Word: Fortitude at rank 1 gives one target 3 Stamina for 30 minutes for 60 mana at 30 yards. Paladin Blessings such as Might allow one per target per paladin, and Greater Blessings cover every raid member of the target's class for 15 minutes at twice the mana plus a reagent, per 2006 class pages.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "note": "Bless, a 1st-level enchantment cast as an action at 30 feet, lets up to three creatures add a d4 to attack rolls and saving throws while the caster concentrates, up to 1 minute; each slot level above 1st adds one target. Bane is its mirror, resisted with a Charisma save.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost", "per-rest", "consumable" ], "note": "A BLESS action shuffles a BLESS card into the target's attack modifier deck, and the card is removed once drawn. STRENGTHEN gives Advantage on all attacks until the end of the target's next turn. Both sit on ability cards discarded and recovered by resting, or lost, and a 10-gold temple donation adds two BLESS cards.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Elden Ring", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "FromSoftware (Bandai Namco)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Golden Vow, an Erdtree incantation needing 25 Faith and costing 47 FP, blesses the caster and nearby allies, raising attack power by 15% and damage negation by 10% for 80 seconds.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "high", "note": "Men & Magic (1974) gives the clerical 2nd-level spell Bless: \"During any turn the prospective recipients of a Bless spell are not in combat the Cleric may give them this benison. A blessing raises morale by +1 and also adds +1 to attack dice. The spell lasts six turns.\" Its antecedent is the Hero of Chainmail's Fantasy Supplement, who adds 1 to the dice of his unit, beside Super Heroes and Wizards who affect morale; that bonus is always on, not activated. It is cited from the 1972 second edition, and whether the 1971 first edition carries it is unconfirmed. Earlier forms in the Blackmoor and Greyhawk home campaigns remain unsurveyed. Whether Bless was reversible in 1974 is unconfirmed; the 1978 Players Handbook makes it reversible to a curse. Wizardry's KALKI (1981), translated \"BLESSINGS\", lowers armour class and so belongs to barrier; the earliest video accuracy or damage buffs cited are Final Fantasy's TMPR and SABR (1987), and earlier role-playing video games remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1: Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02002menmagic", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells Table, Clerics, p. 21; Cleric advancement table, p. 18; Explanation of Spells, Clerics, 2nd Level, Bless (c. p. 32)", "note": "The Bless text (+1 morale, +1 to attack dice, six turns, recipients not in combat), its level, and Vicar as the first cleric rank with a 2nd-level spell; page numbers follow the scan's page markers." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Explanation of Spells, Strength (magic-user 2nd level)", "note": "Strength, a long-duration attribute buff for a fighter." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric Spells (1st Level), Bless (c. p. 43); Cleric Spells (2nd Level), Chant (c. p. 44)", "note": "Bless at 1st level, limited to those not already engaged in melee and reversible to a curse; Chant as a two-sided field." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Bless (p. 122), Bane (p. 120)", "note": "The 5th edition Bless (a d4 to attacks and saves, concentration, three targets) and its Bane mirror." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo", "url": "https://archive.org/details/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic section, Black Magic Level 2 (TMPR) and Level 7 (SABR)", "note": "The ally weapon-strength buff and the caster-only accuracy and damage buff." }, { "key": "magic-the-gathering-revised-edition-rulebook-1994", "canonical": false, "title": "Magic: The Gathering Revised Edition Rulebook", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 1994, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/revised-rulebook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Sample game, pp. 7-9 (Holy Strength, Giant Growth)", "note": "The until-end-of-turn instant and the attached enchantment." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-ii-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Passive and Magic Skills, Auras and Curses (c. p. 43); Paladin skills, Might", "note": "Auras as radius fields that benefit allies, and curses as their inverse." }, { "key": "the-arreat-summit-paladin-offensive-auras-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "The Arreat Summit: Paladin Offensive Auras", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20010610164306/http://www.battle.net:80/diablo2exp/skills/paladin-offense.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Might; Blessed Aim; Fanaticism; Conviction", "note": "Might's damage bonus and radius by skill level, and the one-aura limit, in expansion-era values." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Priest chapter, spell tables, Power Word: Fortitude", "note": "Rank 1 and rank 2 values of Power Word Fortitude." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-paladin-spells-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Paladin spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20060705032440/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/paladin-spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Auras; Blessings; Greater Blessings", "note": "One Blessing per person per paladin, and Greater Blessings for 15 minutes at twice the mana plus a reagent." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Cephalofair Games", "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Conditions, Strengthen and Bless (p. 23); Sanctuary of the Great Oak donation", "note": "BLESS card seeding, STRENGTHEN as Advantage, and the paired CURSE card." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Heroes; Super Heroes; Wizards (c. p. 27)", "note": "The antecedent always-on Hero bonus to his unit's dice, and the morale effects of Super Heroes and Wizards." }, { "key": "elden-ring-where-to-find-golden-vow-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "Elden Ring: Where To Find Golden Vow", "author": "Ethan Webb (ScreenRant)", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://screenrant.com/elden-ring-golden-vow-location-guide/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Golden Vow's attack and negation bonuses, 80-second duration, Faith and FP costs, and its effect on nearby allies." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 13, "word_count": 550, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/bless" }, { "id": "blind", "name": "Blind", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "targeted", "projectile", "area", "melee" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "consumable" ], "definition": "An ability that impairs a chosen target's sight for a time, so that its attacks miss or lose accuracy, it cannot pick targets, or its view shrinks; the effect stays on the blinded figure rather than filling an area", "aliases": [ "blindness", "Blinded", "Cause Blindness", "Power Word—Blind", "Power Word, Blind", "Color Spray", "Gem of Brightness", "DARK", "BLND", "Sand-Attack", "Smokescreen", "Kinesis", "flashbang", "flash-bang", "distraction device", "stun grenade", "Blinding Powder", "Blinding Dart", "Paranoia", "Curveball" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "advantage-disadvantage", "aim-and-recoil", "fog-of-war", "line-of-sight", "saving-throws", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "at-will" ], "note": "Power Word—Blind (Magic-User 8th level) works \"like the Stun\", fully affecting creatures of up to 40 hit points and none over 80, for 2-8 or 1-4 days; the text does not say what blindness does. The Gem of Brightness, aimed as a 1\" beam with no stated charges, cuts the looker's hit probability by 20% until a Cure Serious Wound removes it.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Illusionist Blindness (2nd level, range 3\", one creature, save negates) leaves the target \"able to see only a grayness\" until dispel magic or the caster ends it; cure spells fail. Cleric Cause Blindness, the reverse of Cure Blindness, needs a touch and a failed save. Continual Light blinds a creature if cast upon its visual organs.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "DARK, a level-2 black magic spell, blinds all enemies \"by darkness\"; BLND (level 7) hits one enemy, which \"is blinded and cannot see well enough to effectively attack.\" The level-2 white magic LAMP, cast on one ally, removes the enemies' DARK spells. Each cast spends a per-level charge restored at inns.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Pokémon Red and Green", "year": 1996, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Game Freak", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "Sand-Attack (15 PP), Smokescreen (20 PP), Kinesis (80% accuracy, 15 PP) and Flash (70%, 20 PP) share one effect that lowers a single target's accuracy by one stage; PP are restored at a Pokémon Center. Smokescreen, despite its name, is a single-target accuracy drop.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Red Storm Entertainment", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "Kits carry flashbang grenades \"used to stun opponents with a bright flash and bang\", and a breacher can trade a door charge for more. Observing a flashbang causes \"a large increase in reticle size\", a pulsed accuracy penalty; planners can order \"Flashbang Room\" at a waypoint by a door or window.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "The rogue's Blind leaves the target wandering, confused, at reduced speed for up to 10 seconds, and damage breaks it. In the Classic re-creation it costs 30 energy, reaches 10 yards, has a 5-minute cooldown, and consumes Blinding Powder, which the rogue crafts; the Elusiveness talent shortens the cooldown.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Teemo's Blinding Dart, at range 680, deals magic damage and \"causes the target to miss all of their attacks\" for 1.5 to 2.5 seconds by rank. Early Data Dragon data give 70 to 110 mana and an 8-second cooldown, current data 70 to 90 mana and 7 seconds. Abilities still land, so only basic attacks are denied.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Counter-Strike 2", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "A bought flashbang blinds anyone with a direct line of sight to the explosion, turning the screen white for a few seconds and muffling sound to a ringing. Strength depends on the distance and on the angle to the player's crosshair, and teammates are blinded too. Competitive modes allow two flashbangs within a four-grenade limit.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Greyhawk has the earliest cited targeted blinds: Power Word—Blind, a Magic-User spell that works \"like the Stun\" but never says what blindness does in play, and the Gem of Brightness, a magic item whose beam cuts a looker's hit probability by 20 percent; a Prismatic Wall also blinds low-level creatures that look at it, as a side effect of a barrier. Men & Magic (1974) has no blinding effect: its Light and Continual Light only illuminate a circle, and the word \"blind\" does not occur in the scanned text of it or of Monsters & Treasure. Whether the 1974 Anti-Cleric could reverse Light into darkness is unconfirmed, and such a darkness would fill an area. Chainmail's Darkness (1972) brings gloom over the entire playing area for both sides, an antecedent of the smoke screen rather than of the blind. Confidence is medium because the 1975 spell is undefined, the gem is an item rather than a cast ability, and Blackmoor and other 1975 to 1977 material remain unsurveyed. The Players Handbook (1978) is the earliest cited text to define the effect. The earliest cited video instance is Final Fantasy (1987), from its 1990 NES manual; an earlier accuracy-loss spell in Dragon Quest II is unconfirmed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, 8th level, Power Word—Blind, p. 26; Magic-User spells, 9th level, Prismatic Wall, p. 29; Miscellaneous Magic, Gem of Brightness, p. 54", "note": "The earliest cited targeted blinding effects and the accuracy-loss payload; page numbers from the scan's page markers." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric spells, 3rd level, Continual Light and Cure Blindness, p. 47; Illusionist spells, 1st and 2nd level, Color Spray and Blindness, p. 95; Magic-User spells, 8th level, Power Word, Blind; Druid spells, 3rd level, Pyrotechnics", "note": "The grayness of Blindness, Cause Blindness, the visual-organs wording of Continual Light, and the split of Pyrotechnics into a blinding flash and an obscuring smoke." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://archive.org/download/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans/Final%20Fantasy%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "White Magic, level 2, LAMP, p. 76; Black Magic, level 2, DARK, p. 78; Black Magic, level 7, BLND, p. 79", "note": "The DARK and BLND wording and the LAMP cure." }, { "key": "tom-clancy-s-rainbow-six-manual-pc-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six manual (PC)", "author": "Red Storm Entertainment", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/rainbowsixmanualpc/manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Pulsed Reticle Modifiers (Distraction Devices); Kits (Flashbang grenades); Orders, special actions", "note": "The flashbang as an accuracy penalty and a planned order." }, { "key": "counter-strike-prima-s-official-strategy-guide-xbox-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "Counter-Strike: Prima's Official Strategy Guide (Xbox)", "author": "Prima Games", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/counter-strike-primas-official-xbox-strategy-guide-2004/Counter%20Strike%20%28Prima%27s%20Official%20Xbox%20Strategy%20Guide%20-%202004%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Weapons & Equipment, Flashbang Grenade", "note": "The flashbang's price, the carry limit of two, and the line-of-sight and distance rules in the Xbox port." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "BradyGames", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Rogue chapter, Subtlety abilities (Blind); Blinding Powder; Elusiveness talent", "note": "The Blind effect, its reagent, and the cooldown talent; the scanned row is partly garbled." }, { "key": "wowhead-classic-database-blind-spell-2094", "canonical": false, "title": "Wowhead Classic database, Blind (spell 2094)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Energy cost, range, cooldown, and reagent in the 2019 Classic re-creation." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Blindness/Deafness, p. 113; Color Spray, p. 116; Darkness, p. 122; Rules Glossary, Blinded, p. 177", "note": "The 2024 Blinded condition, the repeated save of Blindness/Deafness, and the area Darkness on the other side of the boundary." }, { "key": "data-dragon-champion-data-teemo-version-0-151-101", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon champion data, Teemo (version 0.151.101)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/0.151.101/data/en_US/champion/Teemo.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Early Blinding Dart wording, range, duration, mana, and cooldown." }, { "key": "data-dragon-champion-data-teemo-version-16-21-1", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon champion data, Teemo (version 16.21.1)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Teemo.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Current Blinding Dart mana and cooldown." }, { "key": "data-dragon-champion-data-nocturne-and-graves", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon champion data, Nocturne and Graves", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Paranoia's loss of sight radius for enemy champions, and Graves' Smoke Screen as an area that reduces sight range." }, { "key": "pokered-disassembly-data-moves-moves-asm", "canonical": false, "title": "pokered disassembly, data/moves/moves.asm", "author": "pret", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/pret/pokered/master/data/moves/moves.asm", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The shared accuracy-down effect and the accuracy and PP of Sand-Attack, Smokescreen, Kinesis, and Flash." }, { "key": "cs2-flashbang-guide-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "CS2 Flashbang Guide", "author": "Foo Zen-Wen (Strafe)", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.strafe.com/articles/read/cs2-flashbang-guide/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Counter-Strike 2 flashbang's line-of-sight rule, white screen, angle and distance dependence, friendly blinding, and carry limit." }, { "key": "phoenix-agent-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Phoenix agent page", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://playvalorant.com/en-us/agents/phoenix/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Curveball, an orb that blinds any player who sees it." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizard spells, Darkness and Wizard Light", "note": "The field-wide Darkness, an antecedent on the smoke-screen side of the boundary." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, 1st level, Light, p. 23; 3rd level, Continual Light", "note": "The 1974 Light spells, which illuminate without blinding." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 16, "word_count": 543, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/blind" }, { "id": "blink", "name": "Blink", "status": "verified", "function": "mobility", "delivery": [ "self" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "charges", "action-cost" ], "definition": "The user vanishes and reappears at a point within a short, bounded range, chosen or set by the game, without crossing the space between, so it can escape attacks or restraints or reach a ledge.", "aliases": [ "Dimension Door", "Misty Step", "Blink Dagger", "Shrouded Step", "Teleport", "Flash" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "line-of-sight", "status-effects", "stealth-detection" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Dimension Door, a 4th-level magic-user spell described as \"a limited Teleport\", moves its subject up to 36 inches of table scale in any direction, including up or down; the caster dictates the displacement (12 upwards, 32 east) and arrival is exact, with no chance of misjudging.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Sorceress's Teleport, a Lightning skill, instantly moves her between two points within her immediate vicinity; Blizzard's expansion-era page gives a mana cost of 24 at skill level 1, falling by 1 per level, with no cooldown, so it serves both as an escape from melee and as a way past obstacles.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The Warden hero's Blink teleports her a short distance so she can move in and out of combat; Blizzard's hero page calls it a line-of-sight teleport and its strategy text pairs a mana cost with a 10-second cooldown.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EVE Online", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "CCP Games", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The Micro Jump Drive, a battleship module added in the Retribution release (2012), spools up for 12 seconds and then jumps the ship 100 km, with a 3-minute cooldown; it draws capacitor, and warp scramblers affect it.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The mage's Blink, a launch spell, \"Teleports the caster to the targeted location, breaking free of any bonds that hold the Mage\", per Blizzard's 2006 class page, and the strategy guide advises it when stopped \"by nets, rooting, etc.\" to \"hop out of harm's way\". It costs mana, which the Improved Blink talent cuts by 25 or 50% from patch 3.0.2 (2008).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dishonored", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Arkane Studios (Bethesda Softworks)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Holding the Blink button shows a targeting marker; releasing it moves the player to the marked nearby point, which can be a ledge or a higher place, and the move can be chained with a jump. The second level extends the range, and each use draws on a mana bar refilled by elixirs.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Blink Dagger, an item bought for 2250 gold, teleports its carrier to a targeted point up to 1200 units away (a target beyond the limit gives a shorter 960-unit blink) on a 15-second cooldown, and cannot be used for 3 seconds after taking damage from an enemy hero; 2021 values.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "note": "Misty Step, a 2nd-level conjuration with a verbal component only, teleports the caster up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space the caster can see, as a bonus action. Dimension Door stays at 4th level as a full action with a 500-foot range.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Valorant", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "Omen's Shrouded Step shows a range indicator; firing starts a brief channel, after which he teleports to the marked location. Uses are bought with round credits, and patch 4.04 (2022) cut the price from 150 to 100 and the pre-teleport delay from 1 second to 0.7.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Dimension Door in Men & Magic (p. 27) is the earliest documented short, range-bounded self-teleport: \"a limited Teleport spell\" of up to 36 inches with exact arrival. Spacewar! (1962) hyperspace is an earlier instant escape jump, three per player, but the ship reappears anywhere on the screen, so under the bounded-range definition it is an antecedent. Earlier tabletop rules, including Chainmail (1971) and Blackmoor play, remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 27, Dimension Door (4th-level Magic-User spell; spell table p. 21)", "note": "Dimension Door as \"a limited Teleport spell\", 36-inch range in any direction, exact arrival; Teleport on p. 28 works regardless of distance." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 72, Blink (3rd level); pp. 75-76, Dimension Door (4th level)", "note": "The random-direction Blink spell, 2 feet each round, attackable only by opponents able to strike both locations; Dimension Door at 3 inches per level with 7 segments of recovery." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Rob Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 38, Blink Dogs", "note": "Blink dogs teleport around opponents at random, and the text names the effect \"blinking\"." }, { "key": "spacewar-real-time-capability-of-the-pdp-1-1962", "canonical": false, "title": "Spacewar! Real-Time Capability of the PDP-1", "author": "J. M. Graetz", "year": 1962, "year_approx": false, "type": "paper", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.masswerk.at/spacewar/decus1962", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "DECUS Proceedings 1962, pp. 37-39, hyperspace paragraph", "note": "Hyperspace as an escape from torpedoes; the ship reappears somewhere else on the scope, three jumps per player. Transcription by Norbert Landsteiner." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-the-frozen-throne-manual-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warcraft-iii-frozen-throne-pc-manual/warcraft-iii-frozen-throne-pc-manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Night Elf section, New Night Elf Hero: Warden, Blink", "note": "Blink teleports the Warden a short distance, allowing her to move in and out of combat; dates the ability to the 2003 expansion." }, { "key": "warden-night-elf-hero-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "Warden (Night Elf hero)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20041230232100/http://www.battle.net:80/war3/nightelf/units/warden.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Calls Blink a line-of-sight teleport; strategy text on its mana cost and 10-second cooldown. Wayback snapshot of 30 December 2004." }, { "key": "sorceress-lightning-skills-diablo-ii-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "Sorceress Lightning Skills (Diablo II)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20010618105921/http://www.battle.net:80/diablo2exp/skills/sorceress-lightning.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Teleport", "note": "Teleport moves the Sorceress within her immediate vicinity for mana, 24 at skill level 1. Expansion-era page; 2000 launch values are unconfirmed." }, { "key": "mage-spells-world-of-warcraft-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "Mage Spells (World of Warcraft)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20061102230758/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/mage/spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Blink", "note": "Blink teleports the caster to the targeted location, breaking free of any bonds that hold the mage." }, { "key": "dishonored-pc-game-manual-2012", "canonical": false, "title": "Dishonored PC Game Manual", "author": "Arkane Studios (Bethesda Softworks)", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dishonored-gfw-manual-v15/dishonored-gfw-manual-v15_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Powers section, Blink", "note": "Aim-and-release targeting, ledges and higher places, increased range at level two, and teleporting from cover to cover." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spell Descriptions, Misty Step (p. 165), Dimension Door (p. 135)", "note": "Misty Step as a bonus-action, 30-foot teleport to a visible unoccupied space; the rules date from the 2014 edition." }, { "key": "dota-2-item-guide-blink-dagger-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 Item Guide: Blink Dagger", "author": "EarlyGame (Sport1)", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.sport1.de/esports/dota2/2021/04/dota-2-item-guide-das-muesst-ihr-zum-blink-dagger-wissen", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Price, 1200-unit range, 960-unit penalty blink, 15-second cooldown, and 3-second damage lockout as of April 2021. In German." }, { "key": "omen-agent-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Omen (agent page)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://playvalorant.com/en-us/agents/omen/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Shrouded Step", "note": "Shrouded Step as a brief channel followed by a teleport to the marked location." }, { "key": "valorant-update-4-04-patch-notes-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "Valorant update 4.04 patch notes", "author": "Shacknews", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.shacknews.com/article/129077/valorant-update-404-patch-notes-introduce-episode-4-act-2", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Shrouded Step price cut from 150 to 100 credits and pre-teleport delay from 1 second to 0.7." }, { "key": "tracer-hero-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Tracer (hero page)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/tracer/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Blink described as a teleport in the direction the hero is moving, held as charges." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mage chapter, Arcane advice (Blink)", "note": "Blink as an escape from nets and roots." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-patch-notes-3-0-2-and-3-0-3-2008", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft patch notes (3.0.2 and 3.0.3)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20081108212433/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/patchnotes/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mage, Improved Blink", "note": "Improved Blink also reducing the mana cost of Blink by 25 or 50%." }, { "key": "patch-notes-for-retribution-2012", "canonical": false, "title": "Patch Notes for Retribution", "author": "CCP Games", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/patch-notes-for-retribution-1", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Micro Jump Drive", "note": "The Micro Jump Drive: spool-up 12 seconds, a 100 km jump, a 3-minute cooldown, battleships only, affected by warp scramblers, and no capacitor use while scrambled." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 17, "word_count": 541, "updated": "2026-10-28", "url": "/abilities/blink" }, { "id": "chain-lightning", "name": "Chain Lightning", "status": "verified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "targeted" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots" ], "definition": "A damaging bolt that strikes one chosen target and then leaps from target to nearby target in sequence, up to a cap on jumps, usually losing damage at each jump; the path follows proximity rather than a line or an area.", "aliases": [], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "damage-types", "hit-points", "procs", "saving-throws", "skill-trees" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Unearthed Arcana", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "A 6th-level magic-user spell. A stroke strikes a primary target, then arcs to the nearest object, animal, vegetable, or mineral, losing one d6 per link, for as many links as the caster has levels. Secondary targets save to avoid the arc and again for half; the chain can oscillate between two objects, strike the caster, or be grounded by a tree or metal.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Succession Wars", "year": 1996, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "New World Computing", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A combat spell costing 15 spell points. It deals 40 times the hero's Power in electricity damage to one creature, then half that to the nearest creature, and so on until four creatures have been hit; the nearest creature may be friendly, so the official guide warns that it can backfire.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Sorceress skill requiring character level 18 and points in Charged Bolt and Lightning. The bolt jumps through multiple targets; Blizzard's skill table lists 9 mana and 5 targets at skill level 1, rising to 28 mana and 9 targets at level 20.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "A Far Seer hero ability that hurls lightning at a target enemy and jumps to nearby enemies, each jump dealing less damage. Blizzard's unit page lists 120 mana, a 9-second cooldown, and 85, 125, or 180 damage with 4, 6, or 8 jumps across its three levels.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "A Shaman spell trained at level 32. Rank 1 costs 280 mana, reaches 30 yards, and takes 2.5 seconds to cast; it deals 191 to 217 nature damage, then jumps to nearby enemies for 3 targets in all, each jump reducing the damage by 30%. The launch-era guide shows a 6-second cooldown on rank 2.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Player's Handbook, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "A 6th-level evocation cast as an action at 150 feet. One bolt strikes the target, then three bolts leap to up to three other targets within 30 feet of it, each struck once; every target makes a Dexterity save for 10d8 damage or half, with no falloff. Each slot level above 6th adds one bolt.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo IV", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Sorcerer Core skill paid with mana. The bolt chains between nearby enemies, prioritising bosses, and can bounce off the player, so against a lone enemy it oscillates between the two; at launch an upgrade added 10% damage per bounce and a Legendary Aspect returned mana per bounce off the player.", "latest": true }, { "title": "Path of Exile 2", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Arc is a lightning spell beam that chains from its first target to further targets. Patch 0.2.0 made it chain 6 to 8 times at gem levels 5 to 20, up from 2 to 5, and removed the extra damage it dealt for each remaining chain.", "latest": false } ], "provenance": { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Unearthed Arcana", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Gary Gygax's Unearthed Arcana (TSR, 1985) prints Chain Lightning as a 6th-level magic-user evocation on p. 60 and sets it apart from Lightning Bolt because it \"has a primary target as opposed to an area effect\". The spell is absent from the 1978 Players Handbook, whose 6th-level magic-user list is cited in full, and from Men & Magic (1974), Greyhawk (1975), Eldritch Wizardry (1976), and The Arduin Grimoire volumes I to III. Dragon magazine previews of 1982 to 1984 and other early role-playing games remain unsurveyed, which keeps confidence at medium. A Black Gate article also credits Unearthed Arcana. The straight-line lightning bolt of Chainmail and Dungeons & Dragons is an antecedent, not an instance. The earliest video use cited is Heroes of Might and Magic II (1996)." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-unearthed-arcana-1985", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Unearthed Arcana", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/ad-d-1st-edition-unearthed-arcana", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User Spells (6th Level), Chain Lightning (Evocation), p. 60", "note": "The earliest documented chain-lightning spell; primary target, arcs to the nearest object, one less d6 per link, links capped by caster level." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spell tables (Magic-Users), 6th level; Lightning Bolt, p. 75", "note": "The 6th-level list without Chain Lightning, and the straight or forking Lightning Bolt antecedent." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02002menmagic", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanation of Spells, Magic-Users, 3rd level, Lightning Bolt", "note": "A straight-line bolt that doubles back in a short space and can strike its caster." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail (2nd edition)", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, p. 28", "note": "The wizard's lightning-bolt missile, a straight line extending back toward the wizard; the 1971 first edition is assumed to match, and no copy of it is cited." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-2nd-edition-player-s-handbook-ad-d-core-rules-2-0-expansion-cd-rom-text", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Player's Handbook (AD&D Core Rules 2.0 Expansion CD-ROM text)", "author": "TSR", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://discmaster.textfiles.com/file/30444/AD&D%20Core%20Rules%202.0%20Expansion.iso/webhelp/phb/dd02016.htm?html=true", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Wizard spells, 6th level, Chain Lightning", "note": "Each creature or object is struck only once, with damage still falling 1d6 per jump." }, { "key": "heroes-of-might-and-magic-ii-the-official-strategy-guide-1996", "canonical": false, "title": "Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Joe Grant Bell (Prima Publishing)", "year": 1996, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/homm-2-guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Chapter 8, Spells and Spellcasting, Chain Lightning", "note": "Spell-point cost, halving damage, four creatures, and the risk of striking friendly units." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard North", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-ii-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Sorceress skills, Lightning Spells, Chain Lightning; Amazon Javelin and Spear skills, Lightning Strike", "note": "A lightning bolt that jumps through multiple targets, and the javelin attack that releases chain lightning from its target." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-sorceress-lightning-spells", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II: Sorceress Lightning Spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/sorceress-lightning.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Chain Lightning table", "note": "Mana cost, target count, required level, and prerequisite skills; the page is undated and may reflect a later patch." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-far-seer", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Far Seer", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://classic.battle.net/war3/orc/units/farseer.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Chain Lightning", "note": "Ability text, mana cost, cooldown, and damage and jumps by level; the patch state is unknown." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Shaman, Elemental Combat, Chain Lightning; Restoration, Chain Heal", "note": "Launch-era values for Chain Lightning (30% falloff, 3 targets) and Chain Heal (50% falloff, 3 targets)." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Chain Lightning, p. 124", "note": "The fifth-edition form, three leaping bolts within 30 feet, equal damage, extra bolts from higher slots." }, { "key": "the-worst-ad-d-spell-of-all-time", "canonical": false, "title": "The Worst AD&D Spell Of All Time", "author": "Black Gate", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.blackgate.com/?p=110273", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Secondary attribution of the spell's first appearance to Unearthed Arcana (1985), credited to Gygax." }, { "key": "does-chain-lightning-need-a-rework-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Does Chain Lightning need a rework?", "author": "Blizzard Diablo IV forums", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/does-chain-lightning-need-a-rework/39114", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Player posts of June 2023 describing the launch-era bounce between the player and a single target; not an official source." }, { "key": "risk-of-rain-2-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Risk of Rain 2 Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Ukulele", "note": "Item text, proc coefficient, and stacking of the chain-lightning item." }, { "key": "scryfall", "canonical": false, "title": "Scryfall", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Chain Lightning (Legends); Arc Lightning", "note": "Oracle text of the 1994 card whose chain passes copies of the spell, and of a card that divides damage among targets." }, { "key": "content-update-0-2-0-path-of-exile-2-dawn-of-the-hunt-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 0.2.0 -- Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3740562", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Arc's chain count by gem level, raised from 2 to 5, and the removal of its extra damage per remaining chain." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 16, "word_count": 542, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/chain-lightning" }, { "id": "charge", "name": "Charge", "status": "unverified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "melee" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana" ], "definition": "An attack that carries the user in a rapid rush along the ground to a chosen target and strikes or disables it on arrival, often with a bonus from the run-up, speed, or distance covered; rush and blow resolve as one action", "aliases": [ "Cavalry Charging", "Intercept", "Feral Charge", "Devastating Charge", "couched lance", "couch lance" ], "media": [ "board-card", "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "initiative-order", "interrupts-and-reactions", "morale-and-rout", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Kriegsspiel", "year": 1824, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Georg von Reisswitz", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The movement scale gives the cavalry charge its own rate, 800 paces a move for heavy cavalry and 900 for light, against 600 at the trot. A charging line pushes its blocks against the enemy front and a die decides the outcome; a line that has charged successfully stands for one move before it may pursue.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Little Wars", "year": 1913, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "H. G. Wells", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "In the appendix's sketch rules for a Kriegspiel, no body of fewer than eight cavalry may charge, and only in proper formation. One charging sabre kills five stationary sabres and puts fifteen more three feet to the rear; downhill charges are multiplied by two to four with the contours crossed, and losses against infantry depend on the starting distance.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Each horse type has a charge move longer than its normal move (Heavy Horse 12 to 18 inches), allowed only when melee contact is expected and in a near-straight line. The Impetus Bonus adds a die on smooth or downhill ground, a charge forces a morale check on the defender, and the charger moves at normal speed the next turn.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeon Masters Guide", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "A charge brings the attacker into melee the same round, at a third more speed for bipeds or half again for quadrupeds outdoors. The charger loses its Dexterity bonus, is 1 worse in armour class, and gains +2 to hit; the longer weapon strikes first. One charge per 10-round turn is allowed, and weapons set against a charge deal double damage.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Paladin combat skill from level 12, after Smite, costing 9 mana. The Paladin rushes at a monster not already in melee range and delivers a bash on contact, with damage +100% at level 1 rising to +575% at level 20 and attack rating +50% to +335%.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The Warrior's Battle Stance Charge dashes to the targeted monster and generates Rage, usable only out of combat and beyond a minimum range; advanced ranks add a chance to stun. Intercept, in Berserker Stance, charges in combat with damage and a stun. The cooldown is reportedly about 15 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Hecarim's Devastating Charge (the champion was reportedly added in 2012) gives him rising movement speed and lets him pass through units for a short time; his next attack knocks the target back and deals extra physical damage scaled by the distance travelled since activation. It reportedly runs on a cooldown.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Spirit Breaker's Charge of Darkness fixes on an enemy unit and charges through trees, cliffs, and units, building to 275 to 425 bonus speed over 1.5 seconds; the target and every enemy passed through take a Greater Bash stun, and if the target dies the charge turns to the nearest enemy. 80 to 110 mana, 22 to 13 s cooldown in 2026 data.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Shield Charge is a Travel skill that rushes the user to a target and deals damage on impact. Since 3.7.0 the impact hits a cone in front of the user, its damage depends on the equipped shield rather than the weapon, and it costs 10 mana (from 8) at all gem levels.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "TaleWorlds Entertainment", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Mounted with a polearm that can be couched, the rider presses X once the horse has gained speed and an icon lights. The lance then lands by steering, with no swing, for damage far greater than a standard swing, and only while the horse keeps its speed.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Kriegsspiel", "year": 1824, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "low", "note": "Reisswitz's Anleitung (1824) gives heavy and light cavalry a charge rate of their own on the movement scale, resolves a charge into contact by die, and halts a line for one move after a successful charge. The text is cited from an OCR of the Fraktur original, so the wording and section numbers are approximate, and no bonus for charging is cited from it. Earlier war games, such as Hellwig's and Venturini's, remain unsurveyed. Little Wars (1913) is the earliest source cited with an explicit charging bonus and a slope multiplier, in its Kriegspiel appendix; the main game's melee has no cavalry bonus. Chainmail carried the charge move and Impetus Bonus into the rules from which role-playing grew." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "anleitung-zur-darstellung-militairischer-man-ver-mit-dem-apparat-des-kriegs-spieles-1824", "canonical": false, "title": "Anleitung zur Darstellung militairischer Manöver mit dem Apparat des Kriegs-Spieles", "author": "Georg von Reisswitz", "year": 1824, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/reisswitz-1824", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "§. 3, movement scale (Charge der schweren and leichten Cavallerie); c. §. 53, charge into contact; c. §. 58, halt after a successful charge", "note": "The charge rates, the charge resolved by die, and the halt afterwards; section numbers read from an OCR of the Fraktur text." }, { "key": "little-wars-1913", "canonical": false, "title": "Little Wars", "author": "H. G. Wells", "year": 1913, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/3691/pg3691.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Appendix, Little Wars and Kriegspiel: Rules as to Cavalry Charging", "note": "The minimum body and formation, the charging-sabre ratio, the downhill multiplier, and the start-distance rule; also that the main rules have no cavalry charge bonus." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Charge, c. p. 12; Impetus Bonus, c. p. 15; Cavalry Charge and Knights, c. p. 16; Man-to-Man, first blow on a charge, c. p. 23", "note": "The charge move, the straight-line rule, the Impetus Bonus die, the morale check, and the compulsory charge of Knights; page numbers inferred from OCR markers." }, { "key": "chainmail-3rd-edition-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 3rd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02008chainmail3rdeditionblackwhitereprint/tsr02008%20-%20Chainmail%2C%203rd%20Edition%20%28black%20%26%20white%20reprint%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Movement table, c. p. 10; Charge, c. p. 15; Impetus Bonus, c. p. 17", "note": "The normal and charge move distances by horse type." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-dungeon-masters-guide-1979", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeon Masters Guide", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dungeon-masters-guide-efreet-cover/Dungeon%20Masters%20Guide%20%28Efreet%20Cover%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Combat, Further Actions: Charge; Set Weapons Against Possible Opponent Charge, c. p. 66", "note": "The role-playing charge, its speed increase, armour-class cost, +2 to hit, the one-charge-per-turn limit, and set weapons." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Weapons table, footnotes, c. p. 37", "note": "The heavy horse lance doing twice indicated damage from a charging mount." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment (Blizzard North)", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/diablo-ii-manual/Diablo%20II%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Paladin Skills, Combat Skills: Charge, p. 61", "note": "The Charge description, a bash delivered on contact after closing the distance." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-lord-of-destruction-paladin-combat-skills", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II: Lord of Destruction, Paladin Combat Skills", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/paladin-combat.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Charge", "note": "The mana cost, required level, prerequisite, damage and attack-rating progression, and the melee-range restriction." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-warrior-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Warrior", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20041105020949/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/warrior.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Battle Stance Abilities: Charge", "note": "The out-of-combat restriction, Rage generation, and the chance to stun at advanced ranks at launch." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-warrior-spells-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Warrior spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20060719021822/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/warrior-spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Charge; Intercept", "note": "Intercept as the in-combat charge with damage and a stun." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Warrior chapter, Arms talents: Improved Charge; Druid talents: Feral Charge", "note": "Improved Charge adding Rage, and Feral Charge stunning and interrupting spells." }, { "key": "league-of-legends-hecarim", "canonical": false, "title": "League of Legends: Hecarim", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/champions/hecarim/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Abilities", "note": "The Devastating Charge text, with speed, passage through units, knockback, and distance-scaled damage." }, { "key": "league-of-legends-wiki-hecarim", "canonical": false, "title": "League of Legends Wiki, Hecarim", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The champion's release year and cooldown values, reported only." }, { "key": "mount-and-blade-2-bannerlord-couched-lance-how-does-it-work-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Mount and Blade 2 Bannerlord couched lance: how does it work", "author": "Bogdan Robert Mateș (GameWatcher)", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.gamewatcher.com/mount-and-blade-2-bannerlord-couched-lance-how-does-it-work", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The couch key, the speed requirement, and the damage of a couched hit." }, { "key": "mount-blade-upgrades-to-0-621-2005", "canonical": false, "title": "Mount & Blade Upgrades to 0.621", "author": "RPG Codex", "year": 2005, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://rpgcodex.net/article.php?id=3623", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Couching in the beta, where the \"lance is couched at lower speed\"." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-legion-patch-notes-3-7-0-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Legion Patch Notes (3.7.0)", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2513456", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Shield Charge as a Travel skill, its impact damage in a cone, damage from the equipped shield, and its mana cost." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-spirit-breaker", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Spirit Breaker", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=71", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Charge of Darkness", "note": "Current charge speed, wind-up, Greater Bash on the target and on enemies passed through, retargeting, passage through trees and cliffs, mana, and cooldown." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 17, "word_count": 553, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/charge" }, { "id": "charm", "name": "Charm", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "targeted", "area" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An ability that turns an existing enemy into an ally or puppet of the user, acting for the user's side for a set time, until a save or dispel breaks it, or permanently; often resisted by a save or barred for strong or unique targets.", "aliases": [ "Charm Person", "Charm Monster", "Mass Charm", "Dominate Person", "Dominate Monster", "mind control", "domination", "conversion", "Control Magic", "Threaten", "Holy Persuasion", "Imperio", "scroll of taming" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "action-points", "cooldowns", "saving-throws", "status-effects", "take-that" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Charm Person, a first-level magic-user spell with a range of 12 inches, brings a two-legged, roughly man-sized figure \"completely under the influence of the Magic-User\" until dispelled; undead are excluded. Charm Monster, at fourth level, works on all creatures, 3d6 of them when they have three hit dice or fewer. The spell text names no saving throw.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hack", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Andries Brouwer", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "A scroll of taming, used up on reading, makes every monster adjacent to the player a pet, or every monster within five squares if the player is confused. Shopkeepers, guards, long worms, and monsters already tame are excluded, and on a full-moon night the taming fails five times in six. Behaviour cited from the 1.0.2 source code.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Control Magic, an aura costing {2}{U}{U}, reads 'You control enchanted creature' in current Oracle wording, so the creature moves to its new controller's side for as long as the aura stays attached. Summoning sickness keeps it from attacking until it has started a turn under that controller. Threaten (Onslaught, 2002) is a temporary form that gains control until end of turn and grants haste.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Age of Empires", "year": 1997, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": null, "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "A Priest ordered onto an enemy villager, military unit, or boat converts it to the player's civilization, and the Monotheism technology extends conversion to buildings and enemy Priests. After each attempt the Priest must rejuvenate its strength, shown as a percentage. Boats resist conversion twice as strongly, and Town Centers and Wonders cannot be converted.", "latest": false }, { "title": "StarCraft: Brood War", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Dark Archon's Mind Control costs 150 energy at range 8 and takes permanent control of any unit, which keeps \"its powers and knowledge\". Casting it drains all of the Dark Archon's own shields.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Banshee's Possession, researched at the Temple of the Damned, costs 250 mana at range 35. It stuns the target and the Banshee for 4 seconds, the Banshee taking 166% damage meanwhile, then gives \"permanent control\" of the target and destroys the Banshee. Flying units, Heroes, and creeps above level 5 cannot be taken. Values from a later patch.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The priest's Mind Control at rank 1 (level 30) costs 350 mana at 20 yards and \"Controls a humanoid mind up to level 32, but slows its attack speed by 20%. Lasts 1 min\", with a chance to break free every 5 seconds; ranks 2 and 3 raise the cap to levels 47 and 62. The guide warns that the freed enemy attacks the priest first. Patch 3.0.2 (2008) cut it to one rank costing 12% of base mana.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "note": "Charm Person (first level, one action, 30 feet, one hour) makes a humanoid that fails a Wisdom save regard the caster as a \"friendly acquaintance\". Dominate Person (fifth level, concentration up to one minute) adds telepathic commands; spending the caster's action buys \"total and precise control\" until its next turn, and each time the target takes damage it saves again.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Age of Empires IV", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Relic Entertainment (Xbox Game Studios)", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Religious units, available from the Castle Age (Age III), pick up relics and use a conversion ability \"to steal enemy troops\". Fan-compiled data reportedly give conversion while carrying a relic an area effect, a 6-second countdown, and a 120-second cooldown.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "high", "note": "Men & Magic (1974) gives Charm Person and Charm Monster, which put the target \"completely under the influence of the Magic-User\" until dispelled, and its recruitment rules let monsters be charmed \"and thus ordered to serve\". The spell text names no saving throw; a save is implied only by cross-references in Hold Person, the vampire's gaze, and the Human Control potion (\"Saving throws are applicable\"). The periodic break check timed by Intelligence comes from Greyhawk (1975), and the save on casting from the Players Handbook (1978). Chainmail's Confusion spell, in which the caster reverses an enemy unit's move, is an antecedent cited only from the 1975 third edition; the 1971 first printing carried six spells, and whether Confusion was among them is unconfirmed. Chainmail has no charm spell, and its mercenaries who change sides are a morale rule. In video games, Hack's scroll of taming (1.0.2 source, 1985) is the earliest example cited; Hack 1.0 was reportedly announced in December 1984, and Jay Fenlason's earlier Hack and the PLATO games remain unsurveyed. Mind Control belongs to StarCraft: Brood War (1998), not to StarCraft." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1: Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanation of Spells: Charm Person (p. 23), Confusion (pp. 26-27), Charm Monster (p. 27); Non-Player Characters (p. 12)", "note": "Charm Person and Charm Monster wording, with no save or re-save in the text; confusion by die roll; charming monsters into service." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2: Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr/MonstersTreasureVol2TSR_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Vampires (c. pp. 8-9); Potions, Human, Giant, and Dragon Control (c. p. 31)", "note": "Cross-references that imply a saving throw against Charm Person in 1974; single-use control potions." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanation of Spells (Corrections and Additions): Charm Person (p. 21), Charm Monster (p. 23), Mass Charm (p. 26)", "note": "The break check timed by Intelligence, from monthly to daily; weekly checks for Charm Monster; Mass Charm." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Druid spells, 2nd level, Charm Person or Mammal (c. p. 56); Magic-User spells, 1st level, Charm Person (p. 65)", "note": "Save on casting, an Intelligence table for breaking free, and charm as trusted friendship rather than control \"as if it were an automaton\"." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-third-edition-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures (third edition)", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02008chainmail3rdeditionblackwhitereprint/tsr02008%20-%20Chainmail%2C%203rd%20Edition%20%28black%20%26%20white%20reprint%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Spells, item 13, Confusion (p. 32); Mercenary Troops", "note": "Confusion reverses an enemy unit's move for one turn; no charm spell; mercenaries who change sides by die roll." }, { "key": "the-acaeum-chainmail", "canonical": false, "title": "The Acaeum: Chainmail", "author": "The Acaeum", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/setpages/chainmail.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Printing Information, 1st Edition", "note": "The 1971 first printing carried six spells, later expanded to twenty." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells: Charm Person (p. 124), Dominate Monster (p. 137), Dominate Person (p. 138); Appendix PH-A, Conditions, Charmed (p. 358)", "note": "Fifth-edition charm and domination, concentration, damage re-saves, and the Charmed condition." }, { "key": "hack-1-0-2-usenet-posting-parts-1-3-and-7-1985", "canonical": false, "title": "Hack 1.0.2 (Usenet posting, parts 1, 3, and 7)", "author": "Andries Brouwer", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://homepages.cwi.nl/~aeb/games/hack/1.0.2-part7", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "hack.read.c, case SCR_TAMING; tamedog() in part 3; scroll table in part 1", "note": "The scroll of taming, its radius, its exclusions, and the full-moon failure chance." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Nintendo and Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans/Final%20Fantasy%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Black Magic, Level 4, CONF (p. 78)", "note": "Confusion that makes enemies \"attack themselves\"." }, { "key": "age-of-empires-manual-1997", "canonical": false, "title": "Age of Empires manual", "author": "Microsoft", "year": 1997, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/manual_Age_of_Empires/Age_of_Empires_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Chapter 5, Converting enemy units (p. 45)", "note": "Priest conversion, rejuvenation after each attempt, boat resistance, and units that cannot be converted." }, { "key": "starcraft-brood-war-manual-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "StarCraft: Brood War manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/star-craft-brood-war-expansion-game-manual-pc-1998/StarCraft%20Brood%20War%20expansion%20game%20manual%20PC%201998_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Protoss, Dark Archon, Mind Control", "note": "The Dark Archon's Mind Control as an expansion ability; descriptive text without numbers." }, { "key": "starcraft-compendium-protoss-special-abilities", "canonical": false, "title": "StarCraft Compendium: Protoss Special Abilities", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/scc/protoss/special.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mind Control", "note": "Energy cost, range, any unit as target, and the drain of the caster's shields." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-reign-of-chaos-manual-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warcraft-iii-manual_202205/Warcraft%20III%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Undead units, Banshee, Possession", "note": "Possession gives permanent control and the Banshee's body dissipates." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-banshee", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Banshee", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/war3/undead/units/banshee.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Possession", "note": "Mana cost, stun, damage taken, and excluded targets, in later-patch values." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-dark-ranger", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Dark Ranger", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/war3/neutral/darkranger.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Charm (Ultimate)", "note": "A permanent charm on a 45-second cooldown with no cost to the caster's body." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-chen", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Chen", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=66", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Holy Persuasion", "note": "Mana, cooldown, creep-level cap, and cap on units held, in current-patch values." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-enchantress", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Enchantress", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=58", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Enchant", "note": "Timed control of one creep; against heroes the ability only slows and dispels." }, { "key": "magic-the-gathering-revised-edition-rulebook-1994", "canonical": false, "title": "Magic: The Gathering Revised Edition Rulebook", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 1994, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/revised-rulebook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Permanents, Controller (pp. 17-19); Summoning Sickness", "note": "A card controlled by someone other than its caster moves to its new controller's territory. The 1993 rulebook is not the text cited." }, { "key": "control-magic-threaten", "canonical": false, "title": "Control Magic; Threaten", "author": "Scryfall", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Mana cost and current Oracle text of Control Magic; Threaten's first printing in Onslaught (2002)." }, { "key": "hogwarts-legacy-imperio-how-to-get-the-imperius-curse-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Hogwarts Legacy Imperio: How to get the Imperius Curse", "author": "Jordan Middler (Video Games Chronicle)", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://videogameschronicle.com/guide/hogwarts-legacy-imperio-how-to-get-the-imperius-curse", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Imperio makes one enemy loyal for a brief period, with a talent upgrade for several." }, { "key": "age-of-empires-4-relics-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "Age of Empires 4 relics", "author": "Joe Robinson (PCGamesN)", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-4/relics", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Religious units use conversion \"to steal enemy troops\" and are tied to relics and the Castle Age." }, { "key": "league-of-legends-ahri", "canonical": false, "title": "League of Legends: Ahri", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/champions/ahri/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Ahri's Charm makes an enemy walk harmlessly toward her, forced movement rather than a change of side." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Priest chapter, Shadow spells (Mind Control) and Shadow advice", "note": "Mind Control ranks, levels, cost, range, duration, and the chance to break free." }, { "key": "priest-spells-world-of-warcraft-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "Priest Spells (World of Warcraft)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20060703101717/http://worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/priest-spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mind Control", "note": "Mind Control on the official class page." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-patch-notes-3-0-2-and-3-0-3-2008", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft patch notes (3.0.2 and 3.0.3)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20081108212433/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/patchnotes/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Priest, Mind Control", "note": "Mind Control reduced to a single rank costing a share of base mana." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 25, "word_count": 578, "updated": "2026-10-30", "url": "/abilities/charm" }, { "id": "cleave", "name": "Cleave", "status": "verified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "melee" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "mana", "per-rest", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A melee blow against one chosen target that also strikes foes beside or behind it, as a spill of reduced damage or as an extra attack the first blow triggers, rather than hitting all around the user or hopping in sequence", "aliases": [ "Great Cleave", "Cleaving Attack" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "equipment-loadouts", "grid-movement", "hit-points", "skill-trees" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Cleave feat (Str 13, Power Attack) grants an immediate extra melee attack against another creature in the immediate vicinity when an attack drops a creature, with the same weapon and bonus and no 5-foot step, once per round; Great Cleave removes the limit.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Pit Lord's passive Cleaving Attack damages multiple enemies with each of his attacks, splashing 30%, 55%, or 80% of the damage by skill level, with no mana cost or cooldown.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Warrior ability from level 20, usable in all stances, that costs 20 rage and replaces the next melee swing with a sweeping attack dealing weapon damage plus a bonus to the target and its nearest ally; the Fury talent Improved Cleave raises the bonus.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Sven's passive Great Cleave deals 60% to 90% of each attack's damage to enemies in a cone that widens past the target; the Battle Fury item gives melee heroes a weaker cleave in the same shape, reduced further against creeps.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Baldur's Gate 3", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Larian Studios", "gating": [ "per-rest", "action-cost" ], "note": "Cleave is a weapon action of heavy slashing weapons such as the greatsword, open to a proficient wielder; it takes an action and sweeps an arc that strikes up to 3 enemies, each for half the weapon's usual damage, and recharges on a short rest.", "latest": true }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 2024 edition", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Cleave is the mastery property of the greataxe and halberd, usable with a feature such as Weapon Mastery; a melee hit allows an attack on a second creature within 5 feet of the first and within reach, dealing weapon damage without the ability modifier, once per turn.", "latest": false } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The Cleave and Great Cleave feats are the earliest cited form of an extra attack on a neighbouring foe triggered by the first blow; the text is cited from the 3.0 System Reference Document. The fighter's one attack per level against creatures of less than one hit die in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1978) is a set of separate attacks and counts as an antecedent. Earlier tabletop systems remain unsurveyed. The earliest video form cited is the Pit Lord's Cleaving Attack in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (2003)." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "system-reference-document-3-0-feats", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 3.0, Feats", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20040228063113/http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/srdfeats.rtf", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Feats, Cleave [General]; Great Cleave [General]", "note": "The trigger on dropping a creature, the extra attack against another creature in the immediate vicinity, the once-per-round limit, and its removal by Great Cleave; Wayback snapshot of 2004." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "p. 25, note to the Fighters', Paladins' & Rangers' Attacks per Melee Round table", "note": "The antecedent of one attack per level against creatures of less than one hit die." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-pit-lord", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Pit Lord", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/war3/neutral/pitlord.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Cleaving Attack (Passive)", "note": "The passive Cleaving Attack and its splash percentages by level." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-warrior-spells-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Warrior spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20061230082250/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/warrior/spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Cleave", "note": "The sweeping attack on the target and a nearby ally, and the warning that it wakes a slept second monster." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-master-guide-2nd-edition-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Master Guide, 2nd edition", "author": "BradyGames", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/details/WoWMasterGuide", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Warrior chapter, Berserker abilities, Cleave; Fury talents, Improved Cleave; Warlock chapter, Succubus", "note": "The level, stance, rage cost, next-swing timing, and rank table of Cleave, the Improved Cleave talent, Sweeping Strikes and its 30-second cooldown, and the advice to keep a pet at the enemy's back to avoid cleaves." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-sven-hero-18", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Sven (hero 18)", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=18", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "abilities, Great Cleave", "note": "The passive Great Cleave, its damage share by level, and the cone's radii and distance." }, { "key": "dota-2-item-data-battle-fury-item-145", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 item data, Battle Fury (item 145)", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/itemdata?language=english&item_id=145", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "abilities, Cleave", "note": "The item's melee-only cleave in a cone around the target and its reduced share against creeps." }, { "key": "baldur-s-gate-3-greatsword-1", "canonical": false, "title": "Baldur's Gate 3: Greatsword +1", "author": "Gamer Guides", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gamerguides.com/baldurs-gate-3/database/weapons/greatsword/greatsword-1", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "The Cleave weapon action, a sweeping arc striking up to 3 enemies for half the weapon's usual damage each." }, { "key": "baldur-s-gate-3-weapons-guide", "canonical": false, "title": "Baldur's Gate 3: Weapons guide", "author": "Gamer Guides", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gamerguides.com/baldurs-gate-3/guide/equipment/weapons", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Weapon actions as usable by proficient wielders, mostly costing an action and recharging on a short rest." }, { "key": "cleave-weapon-action", "canonical": false, "title": "Cleave (Weapon Action)", "author": "bg3.wiki", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The weapons that grant Cleave, its cone and three closest targets, and its short-rest recharge." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Equipment, Mastery Properties, Cleave, p. 90; Weapons table, p. 91", "note": "The 2024 Cleave mastery property, its unlocking feature, and the weapons that carry it." } ], "n_examples": 6, "n_sources": 11, "word_count": 554, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/cleave" }, { "id": "corpse-explosion", "name": "Corpse Explosion", "status": "verified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "targeted", "area" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "The user picks a corpse on the battlefield and makes it burst, damaging every enemy within a radius, often for a share of the dead creature's life, so that each kill supplies the next blast", "aliases": [ "Detonate Dead" ], "media": [ "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "damage-types", "hit-points", "skill-trees" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Necromancer Poison and Bone spell; \"The targeted corpse explodes, damaging all nearby enemies.\" Expansion-era tables give required level 6 after Teeth, 15 to 34 mana, and 70% to 120% of the corpse's hit points, half physical and half fire, in a radius of 2.6 to 9 yards.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "An Unholy Death Knight talent from patch 3.0.2 (2008) to its removal in 4.0.1 (2010) that explodes a corpse within 30 yards for Shadow damage to all enemies within 20 yards, for 40 runic power on a 5-second cooldown from 3.0.8. Cast on the user's living ghoul, the blast came two seconds later and hit harder.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo III", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Necromancer's Corpse Explosion, unlocked at level 4, targets an area and explodes up to 5 corpses within 11 yards for 1050% weapon damage as Physical to enemies within 20 yards, with no cost beyond the corpses; runes change its element, radius, or shape.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Detonate Dead targets a corpse, deals fire spell damage to enemies around it, and makes the corpse explode for fire damage equal to 6% to 7.9% of its maximum life; current values give 5 to 20 mana and a 0.6-second cast, and quality adds a chance to detonate an additional corpse.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hearthstone", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Corpse Explosion, a 5-mana Death Knight spell, reads \"Detonate a Corpse to deal 1 damage to all minions. If any are still alive, repeat this.\" The Corpse is a Death Knight keyword rather than a body on the board.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Divinity: Original Sin 2", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Larian Studios", "gating": [ "action-cost", "cooldown" ], "note": "A skill needing Pyrokinetic 1 and Necromancer 1 and one memory slot that explodes a target corpse within 13 m for 250% physical damage in an area, scaling with Intelligence and Warfare; the blast strikes allies as well as enemies.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo Immortal", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "A Necromancer skill available from level 3 that detonates corpses already on the field, such as the one Grim Scythe raises for each enemy slain, damaging nearby enemies on a 1-second cooldown.", "latest": true }, { "title": "Diablo IV", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Corpse Explosion detonates a Corpse, the remains of an enemy that died near the Necromancer and the class's second resource beside Essence, damaging surrounding enemies by a skill percentage that has changed between patches; effects such as Decompose also create corpses.", "latest": false } ], "provenance": { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The Diablo II manual (2000) gives the earliest cited description of a corpse made to explode against the enemies around it, under the name Corpse Explosion. Earlier video and tabletop forms remain unsurveyed. Magic: The Gathering cards that sacrifice a creature for damage spend a living creature rather than a corpse and are not counted. The damage tables cited come from the expansion-era Arreat Summit and may differ from the 2000 release." }, "established": { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "low", "note": "Diablo II's Necromancer set the targeted corpse blast scaled to the dead monster's health. When Blizzard brought the class back for Diablo III, designer Travis Day wrote that the returning Necromancer \"has to explode corpses\" and recalled that Diablo II's Corpse Explosion dealt damage as a percentage of the slain monster's health. Confidence is low because that lineage stays within one series, and no source cited traces the form from Diablo II to games outside it, such as Path of Exile's Detonate Dead." }, "sources": [ { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard North", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/diablo-ii-manual/Diablo%20II%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Necromancer Skills, Poison and Bone Spells, Corpse Explosion, c. p. 56", "note": "The spell's description and its effect, \"The targeted corpse explodes, damaging all nearby enemies.\"" }, { "key": "the-arreat-summit-necromancer-poison-and-bone-skills", "canonical": false, "title": "The Arreat Summit: Necromancer Poison and Bone Skills", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/necromancer-poison.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Corpse Explosion table", "note": "Required level and prerequisite, mana cost and radius by level, damage of 70-120% of corpse hit points split between physical and fire, and the advice to explode each new corpse in turn; expansion-era values." }, { "key": "corpse-explosion-wrath-classic", "canonical": false, "title": "Corpse Explosion (Wrath Classic)", "author": "Warcraft Wiki", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Unholy talent's tooltip, range, radius, runic power cost and cooldown, its use on the living ghoul, and its patch history from 3.0.2 to removal in 4.0.1." }, { "key": "diablo-iii-game-guide-corpse-explosion", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo III Game Guide: Corpse Explosion", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://us.diablo3.blizzard.com/en-us/class/necromancer/active/corpse-explosion", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Corpse Explosion; Skill Runes", "note": "The unlock level, the five-corpse area explosion and its radii and damage at level 70, and the runes Bloody Mess, Close Quarters, Shrapnel, Dead Cold, and Final Embrace." }, { "key": "detonate-dead-poedb", "canonical": false, "title": "Detonate Dead (PoEDB)", "author": "PoEDB", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The gem text, mana cost, cast time, corpse maximum-life percentage, quality effect, and version history, including the 3.1.0 addition of gem-level spell damage." }, { "key": "hearthstonejson-card-data-corpse-explosion", "canonical": false, "title": "HearthstoneJSON card data, Corpse Explosion", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The 5-mana Death Knight spell and its text." }, { "key": "divinity-original-sin-2-corpse-explosion", "canonical": false, "title": "Divinity: Original Sin 2: Corpse Explosion", "author": "Fextralife", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The skill text, Pyrokinetic and Necromancer requirements, memory cost, range, damage scaling, and the warning that it damages allies." }, { "key": "list-of-necromancer-skills-in-diablo-immortal-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "List of Necromancer Skills in Diablo Immortal", "author": "Nathan Garvin and Shane Williams (Gamer Guides)", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gamerguides.com/diablo-immortal/guide/gameplay/skills/list-of-necromancer-skills-in-diablo-immortal", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Corpse Explosion; Grim Scythe", "note": "The level-3 skill that detonates summoned corpses on a 1-second cooldown, and Grim Scythe summoning a corpse for each enemy slain." }, { "key": "diablo-iv-quarterly-update-june-2022-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo IV Quarterly Update: June 2022", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/23816542/diablo-iv-quarterly-updatejune-2022", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Class features, Essence and Corpses", "note": "Essence and Corpses as the Necromancer's two resources, corpses as the remains of enemies dying nearby that power Corpse Explosion, and Decompose summoning corpses." }, { "key": "creating-corpses-making-bodies-matter-in-diablo-3-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Creating corpses: Making bodies matter in Diablo 3", "author": "Travis Day", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "GamesBeat", "url": "https://gamesbeat.com/?p=146656", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "A Diablo III designer's account of rebuilding the Necromancer, that the class \"has to explode corpses\", and Diablo II's Corpse Explosion dealing damage as a percentage of the slain monster's health." }, { "key": "diablo-4-necromancer-corpse-skills", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo 4: Necromancer Corpse Skills", "author": "PureDiablo", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Corpse Explosion text, its physical damage, and a percentage that differs from other guides' figures." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 11, "word_count": 550, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/corpse-explosion" }, { "id": "counterspell", "name": "Counterspell", "status": "unverified", "function": "negation", "delivery": [ "targeted" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An ability used in response to an opponent's spell or ability while it is being cast or played, which stops it from taking effect; some forms also lock the caster out of that spell or its school for a short time.", "aliases": [ "Counter-spell", "Counter", "Deny", "Interrupt", "Kick" ], "media": [ "board-card", "video", "tabletop-rpg" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "hand-management", "interrupts-and-reactions", "opposed-rolls", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost" ], "note": "An antecedent. Between opposing wizards the stronger casts a counter-spell on 7 or better on two dice and a weaker one on 8, 9, or 10 by relative strength, and the counter-spell \"fully occupies a magician's powers\". The 1972 text states no timing, and Darkness can be \"ended or countered\", which reads as cancelling a spell in place.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warhammer Fantasy Battle, 4th edition", "year": 1992, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Games Workshop", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "In Warhammer Battle Magic, when an enemy wizard casts a spell the opponent may play a Dispel card from the shared magic deck to stop it working, on 4 or more on a D6, adjusted by one for a lower- or higher-level caster. The same card can instead cancel a spell already in play, one attempt per magic phase.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Counterspell costs two blue mana and reads \"Counter target spell.\" It is an interrupt, cast as the opponent plays a spell and resolved before it unless itself interrupted. Alpha also printed conditional counters: Power Sink unless X is paid, Spell Blast by cost, Blue Elemental Blast against red spells only.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Master of Magic", "year": 1994, "year_approx": true, "medium": "video", "creator": "SimTex (MicroProse)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Counter Magic, a combat spell, sets a standing field that tests each enemy spell cast in the battle against its strength; a spell that fails fizzles, and each test weakens the field. The counter is committed before the enemy casts rather than timed against a cast.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The mage's Counterspell, at 30 yards on a 30-second cooldown, interrupts a cast and bars the target from that spell for 15 seconds in the 2004 guide; by 2006 it bars the whole school for 10 seconds. The rogue's Kick, 25 energy on a 10-second cooldown, strikes in melee and interrupts the spell being cast for 5 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hearthstone", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "The mage's Counterspell, 3 mana, is a Secret: \"When your opponent casts a spell, Counter it.\" It is played on the owner's turn and triggers on the opponent's next spell, so the response is committed in advance. Later cards such as Blademaster Okani counter the next minion or spell.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "note": "Counterspell is a 3rd-level reaction taken on seeing a creature within 60 feet casting a spell. A spell of 3rd level or lower fails and has no effect; a higher one needs an ability check against DC 10 plus its level, and a higher slot raises the level countered automatically. It spends the round's single reaction.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Legends of Runeterra", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Deny, an Ionian Fast spell costing 4 mana, reads \"Stop a Fast spell, Slow spell, or Skill.\" It is cast while the opponent's spell or a unit's skill waits to resolve and removes it; the card names no Burst spells, so a spell's speed decides whether it can be stopped.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "low", "note": "The earliest documented rule that answers a spell as it is cast is the interrupt of Magic: The Gathering (1993), documented by the publisher's transcription of the original rulebook: interrupts are cast \"just as\" an opponent plays a spell and \"commonly counter the spell being cast\", and the first set's Counterspell carries the name. The Dispel card of Warhammer Battle Magic (1992), the 4th-edition magic supplement, is a reported antecedent: it is played when an enemy wizard casts a spell, but it is cited from a rules-reference transcription rather than the printed book, and its year from a retailer's listing. The definition requires a response during the cast. Chainmail's counter-spell (cited from the 1972 second edition, whose colophon dates the first to 1971) is a named act of negating an opponent's magic but states no timing, and its Darkness can be countered after it is in place, so it is an antecedent, not the earliest use. Bartle's Waving Hands, designed around 1977, has a Counter-spell cast on a subject in the same simultaneous turn, a ward rather than a response. Dungeons & Dragons (1974) has only Dispell Magic, which removes enchantments in place. Confidence is low because the printed Warhammer rule of 1992 is unconfirmed and the dispel rules of its 1983, 1984, and 1987 editions remain unsurveyed. Computer games before Master of Magic remain unsurveyed." }, "established": { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "low", "note": "Magic's Counterspell is an interrupt cast as an opponent plays a spell, the response form the definition describes, and Hearthstone and 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons give the same name to their own counters. David Hartlage (2020) traces the reactions of later Dungeons & Dragons editions, through which the 5th edition Counterspell is cast, to Magic's instants and interrupts by way of the D&D miniatures rules. No source ties World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, or Legends of Runeterra to Magic directly, so the lineage is thin." }, "sources": [ { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, Spells", "note": "The counter-spell on two dice by relative strength, which fully occupies a magician's powers, and Darkness ended or countered; the passage lies between the scan's page markers 27 and 28, and the colophon dates the first edition to 1971." }, { "key": "the-original-magic-rulebook-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "The Original Magic Rulebook", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/original-magic-rulebook-2004-12-25", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spell Types, Interrupts; Timing", "note": "A transcription of the 1993 rules; interrupts are cast as an opponent plays a spell, resolve first unless interrupted, and commonly counter the spell being cast." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Counterspell (p. 131); Dispel Magic (p. 136)", "note": "The reaction counter with its range, level threshold, and ability check, and Dispel Magic, which ends spells already on a target." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spell Explanations, Dispell Magic", "note": "Dispell Magic removes enchantments by the ratio of dispeller to caster level; no rule counters a spell being cast. The passage lies between the scan's page markers 24 and 25." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mage spell table, Counterspell; Rogue ability table, Kick; Improved Counterspell and Improved Kick talents", "note": "Counterspell's range, cooldown, and 15-second lockout of the interrupted spell, and Kick's energy cost, cooldown, and 5-second interrupt." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-mage-spells-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Mage spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20060703100426/http://worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/mage-spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Counterspell; Improved Counterspell", "note": "The lockout extended to any spell of the interrupted school for 10 seconds, and the talent's 4-second silence (Wayback Machine capture of July 2006)." }, { "key": "master-of-magic-the-official-strategy-guide-1995", "canonical": false, "title": "Master of Magic: The Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Alan Emrich, Petra Schlunk, and Tom E. Hughes, Jr.", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "Prima Publishing", "url": "https://archive.org/details/master-of-magic-official-strategy-guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Chapter Twelve, The Blues, Counter Magic; combat spell table", "note": "Counter Magic as a standing field that fizzles enemy spells and weakens with each test." }, { "key": "legends-of-runeterra-data-dragon-set-1", "canonical": false, "title": "Legends of Runeterra Data Dragon, set 1", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://dd.b.pvp.net/latest/set1-lite-en_us.zip", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Card 01IO049, Deny", "note": "Deny's region, cost, speed, and text." }, { "key": "warhammer-battle-magic", "canonical": false, "title": "Warhammer Battle Magic", "author": "Noble Knight Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147388579/Warhammer-Battle-Magic", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Product listing dating the supplement to 1992, the first magic supplement for the 4th edition, with 36 magic cards." }, { "key": "warhammer-fantasy-4th-edition-rules-reference", "canonical": false, "title": "Warhammer Fantasy 4th Edition rules reference", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Dispel (Warhammer Battle Magic, p. 26)", "note": "The Dispel card played when an enemy wizard casts a spell, the D6 roll and its modifiers, and its use against a spell already in play." }, { "key": "waving-hands-spellcaster-rules", "canonical": false, "title": "Waving Hands (Spellcaster) rules", "author": "Richard Bartle", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/gc00/reviews/spellcaster.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Counter-spell; Dispel Magic; Magic Mirror", "note": "An undated transcription from Duel Purpose; Counter-spell voids other spells cast on its subject in the same turn, separate from Magic Mirror's reflection." }, { "key": "spellbinder", "canonical": false, "title": "Spellbinder", "author": "Richard Bartle", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://mud.co.uk/richard/spellbnd.htm", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The designer's account dating the game to around 1977 and its printing in his postal magazine Sauce of the Nile." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-anti-mage", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Anti-Mage", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=1", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Counterspell", "note": "Anti-Mage's Counterspell blocks and reflects targeted spells, a reflect rather than the archetype." }, { "key": "scryfall-card-database", "canonical": false, "title": "Scryfall card database", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Counterspell; Power Sink; Spell Blast; Blue Elemental Blast", "note": "Card texts in modern Oracle wording, with the Limited Edition Alpha release date of 5 August 1993." }, { "key": "hearthstonejson-card-data", "canonical": false, "title": "HearthstoneJSON card data", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Counterspell; Blademaster Okani", "note": "Counterspell's cost and Secret text in the Classic set, and Okani's counter of the next minion or spell." }, { "key": "d20srd-org", "canonical": false, "title": "d20srd.org", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Casting Spells, Counterspells", "note": "The 3.5 rules text of the readied counterspell, identification by Spellcraft, the same-spell rule, and Dispel Magic used as a counterspell." }, { "key": "5-ways-magic-the-gathering-changed-the-rules-of-d-d-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "5 Ways Magic the Gathering Changed the Rules of D&D", "author": "David Hartlage", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "DMDavid", "url": "https://dmdavid.com/tag/5-ways-magic-the-gathering-changed-the-rules-of-dd/", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "Reactions in Dungeons & Dragons traced to Magic's instants and interrupts by way of the D&D miniatures rules, and third-edition counterspells resolved through the readied action." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 17, "word_count": 576, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/counterspell" }, { "id": "curse", "name": "Curse", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "targeted", "area", "melee" ], "gating": [ "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An ability that lays a lasting debuff on enemies, lowering their damage, accuracy, defences, resistances or saving throws, or raising the damage they take, without stopping, slowing, silencing or blinding them", "aliases": [ "debuff", "weaken", "weakness", "enfeeble", "Bane", "Vulnerability", "Amplify Damage", "Lower Resist", "Despair", "Curse of Weakness", "Curse of the Elements", "Bestow Curse", "Ray of Enfeeblement", "LOCK", "LOK2", "DILTO", "MUDDLE", "Defenceless", "Powerless" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "advantage-disadvantage", "damage-types", "saving-throws", "status-effects", "team-play" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Prayer, a new 3rd-level cleric spell with range 3\", lowers the saving throws of opponents in a 2\" square by 5% (1 point), plus 5% for every ten levels the cleric has gained, for the turn of melee after casting. Bless is printed in italics as reversible by chaotic clerics, with the reverse undescribed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Reversed Bless is \"a curse upon enemies\" lowering morale and to-hit by 1 in a 5\" square at up to 6\". Bestow curse, the reverse of Remove Curse, works by touch, is negated by a save, and for 1 turn per level lowers one ability to 3, gives -4 to hit and saves, or makes the victim drop what it holds. Ray of Enfeeblement cuts strength-based attacks by 25% or more.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "LOCK, a level-1 black magic spell cast on one enemy, \"'Locks-in' the enemy for attack\", raising the success rate of inflicting damage by 10%. LOK2, at level 3, works on the whole enemy party, making them easier to hit. Both draw on per-level spell charges. Wording cited from the 1990 North American manual.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Necromancer curses mark victims with a haze above their heads. Amplify Damage, for 4 mana, makes enemies in a 2-yard radius take 100% more physical damage for 8 seconds at skill level 1; Weaken cuts their damage by 33%, and Lower Resist lowers their elemental resistances by 31% at level 1. Generally only one curse affects a monster at a time. Expansion-era figures.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The warlock's Curse of Weakness at rank 1 (level 4, 35 mana, 30 yards) reduces the target's damage by 3 for 2 minutes, and Curse of the Elements at rank 1 (level 32, 100 mana) lowers its Fire and Frost resistances by 45. Only one curse per warlock can be active on any one target.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Curse skills lay a debuff on enemies in an area. Enfeeble lowers their damage, Vulnerability raises the damage they take, and Elemental Weakness lowers their resistances. An enemy holds one curse by default, more with the Whispers of Doom passive or items. Since 3.12.0 (2020) area Hexes are distinct from single-target Marks.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost", "per-rest" ], "note": "An ability with CURSE shuffles a CURSE card into the target's attack modifier deck. The card is a Null result, so the attack it is drawn for deals no damage, and it is removed once drawn; a deck holds at most 10. MUDDLE gives Disadvantage on the target's attacks until the end of its next turn. Both sit on ability cards recovered by resting.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile 2", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Curse skills apply their curse after a 1.5-second delay (0.2.0). Enfeeble makes targets deal 21-29% less damage at gem levels 3-20, Despair lowers Chaos Resistance, and Elemental Weakness merges three single-element curses (0.3.0). Curses have 15%, 30% and 50% less effect on magic, rare and unique monsters.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Greyhawk (1975) adds the cleric spell Prayer, whose whole stated effect is a timed penalty on opponents: \"the Cleric lowers the saving throw of his opponents\" within a 2\" square for the turn of melee after casting. It is the earliest documented curse cited. Confidence is medium for three reasons. Men & Magic (1974) underlines Bless among the clerical spells \"reversed by evil Clerics\", and Greyhawk prints it in italics as reversed for chaotic clerics, but neither says what the reverse does; the effect is first stated in the 1978 Players Handbook, \"a curse upon enemies which lowers morale and 'to hit' by -1\", which also adds bestow curse and Ray of Enfeeblement. Whether the scanned Men & Magic matches the 1974 first printing is unconfirmed. Play in the Blackmoor and Greyhawk home campaigns before 1975 remains unsurveyed. Antecedents are passive or narrative: Chainmail (1972) has no weakening spell, only always-on penalties such as goblins in daylight subtracting 1 from their dice; Men & Magic's Quest lets a cleric curse a failed quester with an effect the referee decides; and Protection from Evil penalises only attackers of the warded caster. The earliest video curse cited is Wizardry (1981), whose DILTO reduces a monster group's ability to defend; earlier computer role-playing games remain unsurveyed." }, "established": { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "low", "note": "Diablo II gathered penalties to damage and resistances and a rise in damage taken under the name curse, as a cheap area debuff limited to one curse per monster. Diablo III's senior game designer Travis Day says the team \"went back and looked at the old Diablo II curses\" when designing its necromancer's curses, and Path of Exile keeps the one-curse limit by default. Confidence is low because no source traces the form from Diablo II to games outside the series; Wizardry's DILTO and Final Fantasy's LOCK are earlier video debuffs." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells Table (Additions), Clerics, p. 21; Explanation of Spells, Clerics, 3rd Level, Prayer (c. p. 30); note on italic reversed spells (c. p. 32)", "note": "Prayer lowering opponents' saving throws, its area, range and duration, and Bless marked as reversible for chaotic clerics; page numbers follow the scan's page markers." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1: Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/dndbook1", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells Table, Clerics, p. 22; Protection from Evil, p. 23; Quest (c. p. 33)", "note": "Bless underlined as reversible by evil clerics with no stated reverse effect, the Protection from Evil penalty on attackers, and Quest's referee-decided curse." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric Spells, Bless (c. p. 43), Chant (c. p. 44), Prayer and Remove Curse (c. p. 48); Magic-User Spells, Ray of Enfeeblement (c. p. 72), Remove Curse (c. p. 79)", "note": "Reversed Bless as a curse upon enemies, bestow curse with its three penalties, Ray of Enfeeblement, and the two-sided Chant and Prayer." }, { "key": "wizardry-proving-grounds-of-the-mad-overlord-manual-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord manual", "author": "Andrew Greenberg and Robert Woodhead (Sir-Tech)", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/adoc_wizardry", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Mage Level 2, DILTO (c. p. 42); Level 4, MORLIS, and Level 5, MAMORLIS (c. p. 44)", "note": "DILTO reducing a monster group's ability to defend, MORLIS as a double-strength DILTO, and MAMORLIS on all groups." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo", "url": "https://archive.org/details/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic, White Magic Level 8, XFER (p. 77); Black Magic Levels 1 and 3, LOCK and LOK2 (p. 78)", "note": "LOCK and LOK2 as spells that make enemies easier to hit, and XFER as a purge of enemy defences." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard North", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-ii-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Passive and Magic Skills, Curses (c. p. 43); Necromancer Skills, Curses (c. pp. 53-56)", "note": "Curses as radius debuffs shown by a haze over the victim, and the effect lines for Amplify Damage, Weaken, Lower Resist and Decrepify." }, { "key": "the-arreat-summit-necromancer-curses", "canonical": false, "title": "The Arreat Summit: Necromancer Curses", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20020210165023/http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/necromancer-curses.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Curses introduction; Amplify Damage; Weaken; Decrepify; Lower Resist", "note": "One curse per monster, and mana, radius, duration and percentage values; expansion-era figures from a 2002 snapshot." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Warlock chapter, spell tables, Curse of Weakness, Curse of the Elements, Curse of Recklessness", "note": "Rank values, mana costs and ranges of the warlock curses, and only one curse per warlock on any one target." }, { "key": "can-you-have-only-1-curse-active-at-a-time-2013", "canonical": false, "title": "Can you have only 1 curse active at a time?", "author": "Path of Exile forum users", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/440158", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Player answers stating the default limit of one curse per enemy and the Whispers of Doom passive; not a developer post." }, { "key": "content-update-3-12-0-path-of-exile-heist-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 3.12.0 -- Path of Exile: Heist", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2935777", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Hexes as curses applied in an area, Marks limited to one enemy at a time, and curse-limit additions shared by both." }, { "key": "curse-skills-in-path-of-exile-heist-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Curse Skills in Path of Exile: Heist", "author": "Bex_GGG (Grinding Gear Games)", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2934146", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The split of curses into Hexes and Marks, and Doom growing the effect of a hex." }, { "key": "3-20-balance-manifesto-curses-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "3.20 Balance Manifesto: Curses", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3323432", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Hidden hex penalties of 33% against uniques and 66% against pinnacle bosses, the removal of Doom, and hex-on-hit modifiers applying the level-1 hex." }, { "key": "content-update-0-2-0-path-of-exile-2-dawn-of-the-hunt-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 0.2.0 -- Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3740562", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The 1.5-second delay before curses apply, and Despair's Chaos Resistance penalty." }, { "key": "content-update-0-3-0-path-of-exile-2-the-third-edict-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 0.3.0 -- Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3826682", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Enfeeble's damage reduction by gem level, the merged Elemental Weakness, and curse effect reduced by monster rarity." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Conditions, Muddle and Curse (pp. 22-23); Enhancement costs (p. 47); Game Variant: Reduced Randomness (p. 49)", "note": "CURSE card seeding, the 10-card cap, CURSE as a Null card, MUDDLE as Disadvantage, and the CURSE enhancement." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Goblins; Wizards, spells; Magic Armor", "note": "Wizard spells with no weakening effect, and the always-on penalties of goblins in daylight and of magic armour." }, { "key": "diablo-iii-rise-of-the-necromancer-q-a-may-3-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo III: Rise of the Necromancer Q&A (May 3)", "author": "Blizzplanet", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "interview", "publisher": null, "url": "https://blizzplanet.substack.com/p/diablo-iii-rise-necromancer-qa-may-3", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "Travis Day, senior game designer, on going back to the Diablo II curses, whose running theme was raising damage, when designing the Diablo III necromancer's curses." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 17, "word_count": 572, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/curse" }, { "id": "dash", "name": "Dash", "status": "unverified", "function": "mobility", "delivery": [ "self" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "charges", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A short burst of movement, faster than ordinary locomotion, that carries the user a bounded distance in a chosen or facing direction through the space between, often past hazards, gaps or attacks", "aliases": [ "air dash", "backdash", "chain dash", "slide", "barrel roll" ], "media": [ "video", "board-card", "tabletop-rpg" ], "mechanics": [ "action-points", "cooldowns", "hitboxes-and-hurtboxes", "parry-and-dodge", "platforming" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Mega Man 3", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Capcom", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Down plus left or right, then the A button, starts a low slide along the ground in that direction, reportedly of fixed length, that carries Mega Man under low gaps. Ground-only and limited to two directions; available from the start at no cost.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Mega Man X", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Capcom", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The A button or a double tap forward starts a short horizontal burst, and a dash jump carries X more than twice as far as normal. The dash is unavailable until X finds the optional Emergency Acceleration System, then free to use.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "charges" ], "note": "Fel Rush, a demon hunter ability of Legion (2016; patch 7.0.3 per Warcraft Wiki), was previewed in August 2015 as an instant attack that thrusts the demon hunter forward and deals damage. Warcraft Wiki has it \"Rush forward, incinerating anything in your path\" for about 15 to 20 yards on a 10-second cooldown, with a second charge from patch 9.0.1.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Fantasy Flight Games", "gating": [ "action-cost" ], "note": "The Barrel Roll action sets the 1-straight template against the left or right side of the base and moves the ship to its far end, still facing the same way; it is illegal if the ship would overlap another ship or an obstacle, and uses the ship's one action for the round.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "action-cost", "mana", "spell-slots" ], "note": "The Dash action grants extra movement equal to the character's speed for the turn. The rogue's Cunning Action makes it a bonus action, the monk's Step of the Wind does so for 1 ki point, and the spell Expeditious Retreat allows it as a bonus action each turn while concentration lasts.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hyper Light Drifter", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Heart Machine", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "A quick dash in the input direction; presses timed to the previous dash chain into further dashes, an upgrade extends the chain, and a dash shop counts consecutive chain dashes toward an upgrade point. Chain length is reportedly limited by stamina.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Celeste", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Maddy Makes Games", "gating": [ "charges", "cooldown" ], "note": "A ground or air dash along the aimed direction at 240 px/s for 0.15 s, easing to 160 px/s, with a 0.2 s cooldown. Each dash spends one of a stock of usually one (Assist Mode can give two or unlimited), refilled on standing on solid ground other than spikes and while swimming.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hades", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Supergiant Games", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "A dash with invincibility frames that Zagreus relies on to avoid attacks, reportedly short and in the movement direction; guides describe the Mirror talent Greater Reflex and a Hermes boon adding consecutive dashes, and other boons attaching effects to the dash and the dash-strike.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Mega Man 3", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "low", "note": "The Mega Man 3 slide is the earliest instance cited that meets the definition with documentary support: the US manual lists \"Slide left or right\" among the controls. It is a ground-only, two-direction form. Confidence is low because earlier fits are plausible. Strider (Capcom, 1989) reportedly has a slide that passes under obstacles and enemies, and pre-1990 arcade games remain unsurveyed. Dragon Buster (Namco, 1984) is described as including \"the ability to dash\", the earliest use of the word among the games cited, but its dash is reportedly a run at twice walking speed rather than a bounded burst, so it is an antecedent of the name. The Pegasus Shoes run of A Link to the Past (1991) and the Super Dash Attack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) are charged rushes, also antecedents. The Mega Man X manual (1993) names the bounded form a dash and documents the double-tap input." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "mega-man-3-instruction-manual-nes-us-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Mega Man 3 instruction manual (NES, US)", "author": "Capcom", "year": 1990, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Capcom U.S.A.", "url": "https://archive.org/details/mega-man-3-nes-manial", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Controls page, \"Slide left or right\"", "note": "The slide input and its use to dodge and get away from attackers." }, { "key": "mega-man-x-instruction-booklet-sns-rx-usa-1993", "canonical": false, "title": "Mega Man X instruction booklet (SNS-RX-USA)", "author": "Capcom", "year": 1993, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Capcom U.S.A.", "url": "https://archive.org/details/mega-man-x-snes-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 11, Basic Control Functions; p. 16, Dr. Light's Design Notes", "note": "The named dash, the double-tap input, the Emergency Acceleration System gate, and the extended dash jump." }, { "key": "the-legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past-instruction-manual-snes-us-1992", "canonical": false, "title": "The Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past instruction manual (SNES, US)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1992, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://archive.org/details/the-legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past-snes-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Running and Hitting Objects; Dashing Attack; Pegasus Shoes", "note": "The charged, item-gated run that continues until it hits something." }, { "key": "sonic-the-hedgehog-2-instruction-manual-us-1992", "canonical": false, "title": "Sonic the Hedgehog 2 instruction manual (US)", "author": "Sega", "year": 1992, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Sega", "url": "https://archive.org/details/sonic-the-hedgehog-2-sega-genesis-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Super Stunts: Super Dash Attack!", "note": "The charged-launch variant." }, { "key": "star-wars-x-wing-miniatures-game-rulebook-2012", "canonical": false, "title": "Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game rulebook", "author": "Fantasy Flight Games", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Fantasy Flight Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/ffg-star-wars-x-wing-miniatures-rulebook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Actions, \"Barrel Roll\" and \"Barrel Roll Example\"", "note": "The lateral template move and its one-action cost." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 93, Actions in Combat: Dash; p. 40, Cunning Action; p. 27, Step of the Wind; p. 141, Expeditious Retreat", "note": "The 5th edition Dash action and its bonus-action, ki, and spell-slot variants." }, { "key": "celeste-source-player-player-cs-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Celeste, Source/Player/Player.cs", "author": "Maddy Thorson and Noel Berry (Maddy Makes Games)", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": "GitHub", "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NoelFB/Celeste/master/Source/Player/Player.cs", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Lines 75-80, 722-739, 1991-2011", "note": "Dash speed, duration and cooldown; the dash stock and its refill conditions." }, { "key": "seven-hyper-light-drifter-tips-from-its-creators-and-four-from-us-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "Seven Hyper Light Drifter Tips From Its Creators And Four From Us", "author": "Kyle Hilliard (Game Informer)", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/07/26/seven-hyper-light-drifter-tips-from-its-creators-and-four-from-us", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Grab the chain dash upgrade first", "note": "The chain dash upgrade and the dash shop counter." }, { "key": "it-s-new-to-me-dragon-buster", "canonical": false, "title": "It's new to me: Dragon Buster", "author": "RetroXP", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://retroxp.substack.com/p/its-new-to-me-dragon-buster", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "That Dragon Buster (Namco, 1984) included the ability to dash; no mechanism detail." }, { "key": "hades-review-supergiant-s-best-game-yet-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Hades Review | 'Supergiant's best game yet'", "author": "Mack Ashworth (GameRevolution)", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "GameRevolution", "url": "https://gamerevolution.com/review/660952-hades-review-pc-ps4-xbox-one-nintendo-switch", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Zagreus depends on dashing about the screen to avoid attacks, with invincibility frames." }, { "key": "hades-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Hades Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Greater Reflex; Greatest Reflex", "note": "Consecutive dashes and dash invulnerability in Hades." }, { "key": "conoce-la-nueva-clase-de-world-of-warcraft-legion-2015", "canonical": false, "title": "Conoce la nueva clase de World of Warcraft: Legion", "author": "Luis Sánchez", "year": 2015, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "LevelUp", "url": "https://www.levelup.com/noticias/conoce-la-nueva-clase-de-world-of-warcraft-legion/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Fel Rush described as an instant attack that thrusts the demon hunter forward and deals damage." }, { "key": "warcraft-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Fel Rush", "note": "The tooltip, distance, cooldown, patch date, and the second charge." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 13, "word_count": 549, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/dash" }, { "id": "disarm", "name": "Disarm", "status": "unverified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "targeted", "melee" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "consumable", "action-cost", "proc-chance" ], "definition": "An ability that knocks away, seizes, or locks out a target's weapon for a time, so it can still move and act but cannot make weapon attacks until the effect ends or it recovers the weapon; often resisted by a roll or save", "aliases": [ "Drop Weapon", "Disarming", "disarmed", "DISARM", "Improved Disarm", "Heaven's Halberd", "Disarming Strike" ], "media": [ "board-card", "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "equipment-loadouts", "opposed-rolls", "procs", "saving-throws", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "The Fantasy Trip: Wizard", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Steve Jackson (Metagaming)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "DROP WEAPON, an IQ 8 thrown spell, makes the victim drop whatever is in one hand, weapon or shield, though not a ring or amulet; it costs 1 ST, or 2 ST against a victim of basic ST 20 or more. The victim recovers the weapon with the pick-up option and can use it the next turn. ST is the pool every spell draws on.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "proc-chance" ], "note": "Fumble, a 4th-level magic-user spell at 1 inch per level for 1 round per level after a 4-segment cast, makes a creature employing weapons \"awkwardly drop them\"; recovery typically takes the whole next round, and a save halves efficiency instead. The weapons table marks weapons \"capable of disarming opponent on a score required to hit AC 8\".", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Unearthed Arcana", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Disarming, a non-lethal attack for fighters and cavaliers with a proficient one-handed weapon from knife to long sword, works only against a weapon of the same length or shorter. A hit deals no damage; the defender saves versus petrification or loses the weapon, which falls at its feet or 1 to 10 feet away, and recovering it takes a round.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Disarm replaces a melee attack, provokes an attack of opportunity, then uses opposed attack rolls (+4 two-handed, -4 light, +4 per size step). Success drops the weapon in the defender's square, or puts it in the hand of an unarmed disarmer; failure lets the defender try back. Improved Disarm removes the provocation. Values are from the 3.5 revision (2003).", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana" ], "note": "The warrior's Disarm, used in Defensive Stance, costs 20 rage at 5 yards, lasts 10 seconds, and has a 1-minute cooldown in the Classic recreation; the talent Improved Disarm adds 2 seconds per rank. The rogue talent Riposte, usable after a parry, deals 150% weapon damage and disarms the enemy for six seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Heaven's Halberd, a purchasable item, prevents one target from attacking for 3.5 seconds at 750 range, for 25 mana on a 15-second cooldown in the current patch; the target can still move and cast.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost", "per-rest", "consumable", "proc-chance" ], "note": "DISARM is a condition applied by ability cards and monster abilities; a disarmed figure \"cannot perform any attack abilities on its turn\", and the token is removed at the end of its next turn. A perk adds a DISARM card to a character's attack modifier deck, where it applies on a draw.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Kingdom Come: Deliverance II", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Warhorse Studios", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Hand-to-hand combat, with locks, grips, and throws, gives a character who enters a fight unarmed the chance to \"deftly disarm\" an armed opponent, leaving that opponent exposed to bare hands or a drawn sword. The source is a pre-release publisher description that gives no timing or odds.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "The Fantasy Trip: Wizard", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "low", "note": "Wizard (1978) is the earliest cited text in which an ability's sole effect is the disarm: the DROP WEAPON spell makes the victim drop what is in one hand, and recovering it takes a turn. Wizard is coded as a board game because it is a two-player hex-and-counter MicroGame that its rules call one segment of The Fantasy Trip; tabletop-rpg is the losing value. The Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook of the same year has the Fumble spell, which also makes weapon users drop their weapons among other effects, and a weapons-table footnote on weapons capable of disarming; which of the two books came first in 1978 is unconfirmed. Melee (1977) is an antecedent, with dropped-weapon counters, a pick-up option, a fumble roll that drops the attacker's own weapon, and a hand-to-hand attack that can make the defender drop his, but no ability whose aim is to disarm. Chainmail (1972) has no disarm, and Men & Magic (1974), Greyhawk (1975), and the Dungeon Masters Guide (1979) print no disarm rule. RuneQuest (1978) and Chivalry & Sorcery (1977) remain unsurveyed and could hold an earlier rule, hence low confidence. The earliest cited video instance is World of Warcraft (2004)." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "the-fantasy-trip-wizard-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "The Fantasy Trip: Wizard", "author": "Steve Jackson (Metagaming)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/metagaming_concepts/Metagaming/The%20Fantasy%20Trip/MG6%20-%20Wizard%20%281st%20ed%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Reference Pages, Spell Table, IQ 8 spells, Drop Weapon; Dropped or Broken Weapons; Bare Hands Attacks", "note": "The Drop Weapon spell, its ST cost, and recovery next turn; staffs affected by Drop Weapon and Break Weapon." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Weapon Types, General Data, and 'To Hit' Adjustments, footnote, p. 38; Magic-User Spells (4th Level), Fumble, p. 77", "note": "The disarming-weapon footnote and the Fumble spell's dropped weapons and one-round recovery." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-unearthed-arcana-1985", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Unearthed Arcana", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/ad-d-1st-edition-unearthed-arcana/AD%26D%201st%20Edition%20-%20Unearthed%20Arcana_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Appendix R: Non-Lethal Combat, Disarming, pp. 109-110; Appendix T: Pole Arms, Ranseur", "note": "The full AD&D disarm procedure (class, weapon list by length, save versus petrification, landing distance, a round to recover)." }, { "key": "melee-1977", "canonical": false, "title": "Melee", "author": "Steve Jackson (Metagaming)", "year": 1977, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/metagaming_concepts/Metagaming/The%20Fantasy%20Trip/MG3%20-%20Melee%20%281st%20ed%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Rolling for a Hit (roll of 17); Hand-to-Hand Combat; Dropped Weapons, p. 18 per the contents", "note": "Antecedent; dropped-weapon counters, the pick-up option, fumble drops, and the grapple drop, without a disarm ability." }, { "key": "the-complete-fighter-s-handbook-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "The Complete Fighter's Handbook", "author": "Aaron Allston (TSR)", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dnd-second-edition-all-26-books/DnD%20Second%20edition%2C%20all%2026%20books_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Melee Maneuvers, Disarm (Disarm vs. Single-Handed Weapons; vs. Two-Handed Weapons)", "note": "Disarm as a called shot, the 2d6-feet and d6-direction flight, and the partial disarm of two-handed weapons; the scan is a 1994 printing in a compilation file." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-rules-cyclopedia-1991", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia", "author": "TSR", "year": 1991, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr-01071-the-d-d-rules-cyclopedia/tsr01071%20-%20The%20D%26D%20Rules%20Cyclopedia_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fighter Combat Options, Disarm, p. 104; Weapon Mastery special effects, Disarm", "note": "Disarm as a fighter combat option first available at 9th level, and the weapon-mastery disarm effect." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-3-5-system-reference-document-combat-ii-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 System Reference Document, Combat II", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dnd35srd/CombatII.rtf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Combat II: Disarm; Grabbing Items", "note": "The opposed-roll disarm, the attack of opportunity, and the counter-disarm, in the 3.5 revision rather than the 2000 text." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-3-5-system-reference-document-feats-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 System Reference Document, Feats", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dnd35srd/Feats.rtf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Feats: Improved Disarm", "note": "The feat that removes the attack of opportunity and adds a bonus." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Warrior talents (Protection, Improved Disarm); Rogue talents (Combat, Riposte); weapon tables (on-attack chance to disarm)", "note": "Improved Disarm's added seconds per rank, Riposte's six-second disarm, and weapons that disarm on a chance." }, { "key": "wowhead-classic-database-disarm-spell-676", "canonical": false, "title": "Wowhead Classic database, Disarm (spell 676)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Rage cost, range, duration, cooldown, and stance in the Classic recreation of patch 1.12." }, { "key": "heaven-s-halberd-item-data", "canonical": false, "title": "Heaven's Halberd item data", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/itemdata?language=english&item_id=210", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The attack lockout, its duration, range, mana cost, and cooldown in the current patch, not those of 2013." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Conditions, DISARM and STUN, p. 22; character sheet perks", "note": "The DISARM condition wording and its expiry beside STUN; the attack-modifier route." }, { "key": "kingdom-come-deliverance-ii-weapons-and-combat-mechanics-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Kingdom Come Deliverance II, weapons and combat mechanics", "author": "Warhorse Studios and PLAION", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://steamstore-a.akamaihd.net/news/externalpost/steam_community_announcements/6212244583179795938", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The unarmed disarm within the hand-to-hand system, in a pre-release post of 18 October 2024." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Jousting matrix; Man-to-man combat, parry and weapon breaking", "note": "Negative check; jousting results break lances and unhorse riders, and no result disarms." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 14, "word_count": 571, "updated": "2026-10-26", "url": "/abilities/disarm" }, { "id": "disguise", "name": "Disguise", "status": "verified", "function": "concealment", "delivery": [ "self", "area" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A spell, skill or worn item makes the user or a group appear to opponents as someone or something else, without that form's capabilities, so they stay seen but unrecognised until an observer detects them or their own act exposes them.", "aliases": [ "Massmorph", "Change Self", "Disguise Self", "Hat of Disguise", "Robe of Blending", "Uniform", "Change clothes", "Disguise Kit", "Cardboard Box", "prop", "Holo Mimic" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "stealth-detection", "target-numbers", "team-play" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Massmorph, a 4th-level magic-user spell with a range of 24 inches, conceals up to 100 men or near man-sized creatures as a woods or orchard, which may be moved through without being detected as anything other than trees. It lasts until the caster ends it or Dispell Magic negates it, and the figures gain no capabilities.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement II: Blackmoor", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The assassin assumes the dress and manners of other classes or poses as the opposite sex, with a 5% chance of being recognised (10% across sex), checked daily and shifted by the victim's combined intelligence and wisdom. The skill costs nothing and serves to get close enough to poison or kill.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "at-will" ], "note": "Change Self, an illusionist 1st-level spell with range 0 and a casting time of 1 segment, alters the caster's form, clothing and equipment to any man-shaped biped up to 1 foot shorter or taller, for 2d6 rounds plus 2 per level. The assassin's Disguise lasts days: a 2% daily chance of being spotted, plus 2% per class, race or sex difference.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Castle Wolfenstein", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Muse Software (Silas Warner)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "A German uniform found in a chest stops ordinary guards from identifying the escaping prisoner, who without it is identified, pursued and perhaps destroyed at once. SS guards occasionally see through the uniform and follow him. The limit is finding the item; the contemporary description gives no time limit.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hitman: Codename 47", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "IO Interactive (Eidos Interactive)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "After killing an enemy the player can take his clothes, or pick up clothes lying around, and impersonate him to enter restricted areas unnoticed. Alarmed guards recognise the player only if he walks up close and stays there a while, and the information display warns when the cover has been blown.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The Orb of Deception, an item listed in the strategy guide for level 54 with \"Use: Shift into Form from Enemy Faction\", transforms its user \"to look like a member of the opposing faction for 5 min\" on a 30-minute cooldown, per Warcraft Wiki, which calls it a rare world drop and says patch 6.0.2 made it a toy.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Team Fortress 2", "year": 2007, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Spy can disguise himself as any class on the opposing team. A backstab kill costs him the disguise; with friendly fire off, shooting him shows blood without removing it.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost", "at-will" ], "note": "Disguise Self, a 1st-level illusion cast as an action on the self for 1 hour, changes the appearance of the caster's clothing, armour and belongings within 1 foot of height and the same limb arrangement. It fails physical inspection, and an observer can spend its action on an Intelligence (Investigation) check against the spell save DC. The Hat of Disguise casts the spell at will.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hitman 3", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "IO Interactive", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Disguises are taken from knocked-out characters or found in the level and open restricted areas. Some characters see through a given disguise, and a white marker warns of them while a yellow signal shows suspicion; a victim left to be found relays the outfit's description, so the disguise is compromised.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The definition admits a group made to appear as an object, so the earliest documented use is Massmorph in Men & Magic (1974), which conceals up to 100 men as trees that enemies can move through without recognising them. Confidence is medium because Massmorph is cast on others and takes the object form. If the definition is read narrowly, as the user passing for another person, the earliest use cited is the assassin's Disguise in Blackmoor (1975), the earliest rule cited under that name, with a daily recognition chance. Change Self (Players Handbook, 1978) is the earliest personal disguise spell cited; the illusionist class reportedly first appeared in The Strategic Review in 1975, and whether its spell list held Change Self remains unsurveyed. Phantasmal Forces (Chainmail, 1972; Men & Magic, 1974) projects an illusion elsewhere and is an antecedent of mirror image rather than of disguise. The Disguise card of Escape from Colditz (1973) is one of four escape-kit cards collected before a break, with no rule cited on how guards treat a disguised piece, so it is an antecedent at most. Castle Wolfenstein (1981) is the earliest video example cited." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dd-white-box-rules-set/TSR%202002%20-%20V1%20-%20Men%20%26%20Magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, 4th level list, p. 21; Explanation of Spells, Massmorph, c. p. 27; Polymorph Self, p. 26", "note": "Massmorph conceals up to 100 men as a woods or orchard until negated; Polymorph Self marks the shapeshift boundary." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-ii-blackmoor-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement II: Blackmoor", "author": "Dave Arneson", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02004supplement2blackmoor/tsr02004%20-%20Supplement%202%20-%20Blackmoor_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Assassins, Disguise, c. p. 3", "note": "The assassin's Disguise, with daily recognition chances scaled by the victim's intelligence and wisdom." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Assassins, Disguise, p. 29; Illusionist Spells (1st Level), Change Self, p. 94", "note": "Change Self's range, casting time and duration, and the assassin's percentage chance of being spotted." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-dungeon-masters-guide-1979", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeon Masters Guide", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dungeon-masters-guide-efreet-cover/Dungeon%20Masters%20Guide%20%28Efreet%20Cover%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Miscellaneous Magic, Robe of Blending, p. 153", "note": "The Robe of Blending, whose wearer appears to be part of a rock wall, a plant or another creature, with detection by intelligence and level within 3 inches." }, { "key": "inside-gaming-castle-wolfenstein-profile-1982", "canonical": false, "title": "Inside Gaming (Castle Wolfenstein profile)", "author": "Krist Boardman", "year": 1982, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/Electronic_Games_Volume_01_Number_04_1982-06_Reese_Communications_US/Electronic_Games_Volume_01_Number_04_1982-06_Reese_Communications_US_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Electronic Games Vol. 1 No. 4 (June 1982), p. 22", "note": "The uniform in chests, guards who identify an undisguised prisoner, and SS guards who see through the disguise." }, { "key": "hitman-codename-47-manual-pc-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Hitman: Codename 47 manual (PC)", "author": "IO Interactive", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Eidos Interactive", "url": "https://archive.org/details/hitman-codename-47-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Controls, Changing Clothes; Mouse menu choices, Change clothes; Information display", "note": "Taking a victim's clothes, recognition only at close range over time, and the cover-blown warning." }, { "key": "metal-gear-solid-manual-playstation-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "Metal Gear Solid manual (PlayStation)", "author": "Konami", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Konami", "url": "https://archive.org/details/ps-1-mgs-manual-print", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Items, Cardboard Box", "note": "The cardboard box that may fool the enemy soldiers." }, { "key": "team-fortress-2-beta-impressions-2007", "canonical": false, "title": "Team Fortress 2 Beta Impressions", "author": "Hugo Jobling", "year": 2007, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "bit-tech.net", "url": "https://bit-tech.net/reviews/gaming/pc/team_fortress_2_beta_impressions/3/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "I Spy, with my little eye... (p. 3)", "note": "The Spy disguises as any enemy class; a backstab ends the disguise; with friendly fire off, shots show blood without removing it." }, { "key": "from-modders-to-mimics-a-people-s-history-of-the-prop-hunt-genre-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "From modders to mimics: a people's history of the \"prop hunt\" genre", "author": "Robert Yang", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Radiator Blog", "url": "https://www.blog.radiator.debacle.us/2017/05/from-modders-to-mimics-peoples-history.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Team Fortress 2 Prop Hunt server mod by Luke Foreman, released on 22 October 2009, with its teams, timer and the Pyro's health penalty." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Disguise Self, p. 135; Magic Items A-Z, Hat of Disguise, p. 225", "note": "Disguise Self's action, duration and Investigation check against the save DC, and the at-will hat." }, { "key": "game-review-hitman-3-pc-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "Game review: Hitman 3 (PC)", "author": "Darren Price", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "FutureFive", "url": "https://futurefive.co.nz/story/game-review-hitman-3-pc", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Disguises taken by knocking out characters, restricted areas, characters who see through disguises, and a disguise compromised when a victim is found." }, { "key": "hitman-3-pc-review-perhaps-the-vr-version-will-be-better-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "Hitman 3 PC review: Perhaps the VR version will be better", "author": "Kimberly Gedeon", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Laptop Mag", "url": "https://www.laptopmag.com/Hitman-3-PC-review", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The enforcer marker and the suspicion signal." }, { "key": "deceive-inc-official-website-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Deceive Inc. official website", "author": "Sweet Bandits Studios", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": "Tripwire Presents", "url": "https://www.deceiveinc.com/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Gadgets that transform the player into any scannable inanimate object and change the player's appearance." }, { "key": "escape-from-colditz-the-1973-board-game-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Escape from Colditz (the 1973 board game)", "author": "Jason Dyer", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Renga in Blue", "url": "https://bluerenga.blog/2020/04/27/escape-from-colditz-the-1973-board-game/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Disguise card as one of four escape-kit cards collected before a final break." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Item tables (Orb of Deception)", "note": "The level-54 item and its use text." }, { "key": "warcraft-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Orb of Deception", "note": "The tooltip, duration, cooldown, drop source, and the change to a toy." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 16, "word_count": 529, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/disguise" }, { "id": "dispel", "name": "Dispel", "status": "verified", "function": "negation", "delivery": [ "targeted", "area" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "definition": "An ability that ends a magical or temporary effect already in place on a creature, object, or area: a harmful one on the user's side (cleanse, cure, remove curse) or a helpful one on an enemy (purge).", "aliases": [ "Dispel Magic", "Dispell Magic", "cleanse", "purge", "purify", "Remove Curse", "Cure Disease", "Neutralize Poison", "buff strip", "remove debuff" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "experience-levels", "status-effects", "target-numbers" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Dispell Magic, a 3rd-level magic-user spell (range 12\", duration 1 turn), ends enchantments of most kinds but not those on magic items; success is the ratio of the dispeller's level to the original caster's, so a 5th-level dispeller has 50% against a 10th. Clerics have Remove Curse and Cure Disease (3rd), Neutralize Poison (4th), and Dispell Evil (5th, 3\" radius).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Sir-Tech", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "DIALKO, a level 3 priest spell glossed \"softness\", cures paralysis and frees a party member from the sleep and hold spells KATINO and MANIFO; LATUMOFIS (level 4, \"cleanse\") removes poison. Each affects one person, can be cast at any time, and spends a spell point of its level, refilled at the inn. Poisoned characters are also cured on returning to the Castle.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "note": "White Magic LAMP (level 2) removes DARK, PURE and AMUT (level 4) cure poison and the MUTE spell, and SOFT (level 6) releases an ally from STONE; each targets one ally. XFER (level 8) \"Deprives strong enemies of their special defense\". PURE and SOFT potions are item forms, and the SOFT potion cannot be used in battle.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Disenchant reportedly costs one white and one generic mana and destroys one target artifact or enchantment, so an enchantment's lasting effect ends when its card leaves play. In the 1994 rulebook, gaining protection from a colour also dispels enchantments of that colour already on the creature.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The human Priest's Dispel Magic \"allows priests to counter the spells\" of enemy wizards. The orc Shaman's Purge removes \"any magical spells or enchantments from their comrades or enemies\" but slows the recipient, and the night elf Dryad's Abolish Magic removes harmful magic.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Priest Dispel Magic removes one harmful spell from a friend or one beneficial spell from an enemy, two at rank 2. Paladin Purify removes a disease and a poison, and Cleanse adds a magic effect, at 30 yards. Shaman Purge strips enemy buffs, and Poison Cleansing Totem removes a poison from party members within 20 yards every 5 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Tooltips grade dispels Basic or Strong, and some effects cannot be dispelled. Oracle's Fortune's End removes buffs from an enemy but only debuffs from an ally. The Disperser item's Suppress dispels the wearer and a target and slows enemies (75 mana, 15-second cooldown, 600 range). The values are those of the current game, not of 2013.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Honkai: Star Rail", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "miHoYo", "gating": [ "mana", "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Pela's Skill, Frostbite, removes 1 buff from one enemy and deals Ice damage; Bronya's Skill dispels 1 debuff from an ally and lets them act at once. Lynx's Ultimate dispels 1 debuff from all allies and heals them, and Luocha's removes 1 buff from all enemies. Skills reportedly spend a team-wide pool of Skill Points, and Ultimates spend Energy.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Dispell Magic, a 3rd-level magic-user spell in Volume 1, Men & Magic, is the earliest named, general-purpose dispel cited; the same book gives clerics Remove Curse, Cure Disease, Neutralize Poison, and Dispell Evil, and Volume 2 adds a Wand of Negation that nullifies other wands and staves. Confidence is medium because the second edition of Chainmail (1972) already lets a magician end a magical effect in place: a counter-spell decided by relative strength on two dice, Darkness that reverses \"when ended or countered\", and elementals that \"must be dispelled by a Wizard\". It names no dispel spell and is treated as an antecedent; whether these clauses are in the 1971 first printing is unconfirmed. Among video games, Wizardry (1981) has early documented typed cures and Final Fantasy (1987) an early enemy purge, XFER; earlier computer role-playing games remain unsurveyed." }, "established": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "low", "note": "Dispell Magic, which ends an enchantment whichever side it serves, recurs as Dispel Magic in the 1978 Players Handbook and, beside Remove Curse, in the 2024 rules, and the priests of Warcraft III and World of Warcraft cast a Dispel Magic under the same name. The documented line is of the spell within one rules family and of its name beyond it; no source credits the class-typed cleanses and purges of the video forms to it." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/dndbook1", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 21 (Spells Table); Explanation of Spells, Magic-Users, 3rd Level (Dispell Magic, about p. 25) and 4th Level (Remove Curse, about p. 26); Clerics, 3rd to 5th Level (Cure Disease, Neutralize Poison, Dispell Evil, pp. 32-33)", "note": "The Dispell Magic wording and level-ratio rule, the cleric's typed cures, and effects that last until dispelled." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr/MonstersTreasureVol2TSR_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Nixies (about p. 15); Rings, Weakness (about p. 33); Wands, Negation (about p. 34); Helm of Chaos (Law)", "note": "Dispel and remove-curse uses against monsters and items, and the Wand of Negation as an item form." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Spells, p. 28 (counter-spell; Darkness; Wizard Light; Conjuration of an Elemental)", "note": "Antecedent rules for ending a magical effect already in place, decided by the magicians' relative strength." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric Spells, Third Level, Dispel Magic (about p. 47)", "note": "The 50% base chance adjusted by level difference, and a Dispel Magic that also counters spells being cast." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells: Dispel Magic (p. 124), Lesser Restoration (p. 144), Remove Curse (p. 158)", "note": "The 2024 rules form, with an ability check against DC 10 plus the spell's level, and Counterspell as a separate spell." }, { "key": "wizardry-proving-grounds-of-the-mad-overlord-player-s-guide-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, Player's Guide", "author": "Sir-Tech", "year": 1981, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/sir-tech-wizardry-1-a2-v2.1-black-manual-ph/components/wizardry%20players%20guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Level 3 and 4 Priest Spells (DIALKO, LATUMOFIS), pp. 69-70; Level 6 Mage Spells (ZILWAN), p. 66; Castle", "note": "DIALKO and LATUMOFIS as typed cures, per-level spell points, and the cure of poison on return to the Castle." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans/Final%20Fantasy%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "The Items (PURE, SOFT), p. 15; White Magic, Levels 1-8, pp. 76-77", "note": "The LAMP, PURE, AMUT, SOFT, and XFER wording and the potion forms." }, { "key": "magic-the-gathering-revised-edition-rulebook-1994", "canonical": false, "title": "Magic: The Gathering Revised Edition Rulebook", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 1994, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/revised-rulebook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Enchantments (about p. 21); Protection (p. 33)", "note": "Enchantments as lasting effects and protection that dispels enchantments of a colour." }, { "key": "disenchant", "canonical": false, "title": "Disenchant", "author": "Card databases (Scryfall, mtg.wtf)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Disenchant card text and mana cost." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-reign-of-chaos-manual-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warcraft-iii-manual_202205/Warcraft%20III%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Human units, Priest (Dispel Magic); Orc units, Shaman (Purge); Night Elf units, Dryad (Abolish Magic)", "note": "The two-way Purge with a slowing cost, and the Priest's and Dryad's removals." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Glossary (Dispel); Priest (Dispel Magic); Paladin (Purify, Cleanse); Shaman (Purge, Cure Poison, Poison Cleansing Totem)", "note": "Two-way dispel and removal typed by class at launch." }, { "key": "dota-2-game-files-localisation-and-item-data-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 game files (localisation and item data)", "author": "Valve, via the SteamTracking GameTracking-Dota2 repository", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SteamTracking/GameTracking-Dota2/master/game/dota/pak01_dir/resource/localization/abilities_english.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_item_disperser_Description; DOTA_Tooltip_ability_oracle_fortunes_end_Description", "note": "Basic and Strong dispel labels and the Disperser, Fortune's End, and Enrage texts in the current game." }, { "key": "dota-2-item-data-items-txt-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 item data (items.txt)", "author": "Valve, via the SteamTracking GameTracking-Dota2 repository", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SteamTracking/GameTracking-Dota2/master/game/dota/pak01_dir/scripts/npc/items.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "item_disperser (AbilityCooldown, AbilityManaCost)", "note": "Current mana cost, cooldown, and range of Disperser's Suppress." }, { "key": "dispel", "canonical": false, "title": "Dispel", "author": "Liquipedia Dota 2", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Basic and Strong dispel categories and the rule that a dispel removes debuffs from allies and buffs from enemies." }, { "key": "honkai-star-rail-pela-skills-materials-traces-and-more-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Honkai: Star Rail – Pela Skills, Materials, Traces, and more", "author": "Jesseyriche Cortez (ClutchPoints)", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://clutchpoints.com/gaming/honkai-star-rail-pela", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Frostbite removes one enemy buff and deals Ice damage." }, { "key": "starrailres-character-skill-data", "canonical": false, "title": "StarRailRes character skill data", "author": "Mar-7th (community data-mine of Honkai Star Rail)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Mar-7th/StarRailRes/master/index_new/en/character_skills.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "skills 110602 (Frostbite), 110102 (Combat Redeployment), 111003 (Snowfield First Aid), 120303 (Death Wish)", "note": "In-game skill text for the ally and enemy dispels of Pela, Bronya, Lynx, and Luocha." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 16, "word_count": 546, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/dispel" }, { "id": "execute", "name": "Execute", "status": "verified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "targeted", "melee" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "definition": "An attack or effect that kills outright, or deals sharply increased damage to, a target whose remaining health is below a threshold or already reduced, so it finishes foes that other damage has worn down", "aliases": [ "Power Word Kill", "Power Word, Kill", "Culling Blade", "Takedown", "Fatal Blow", "Death From Below", "Demacian Justice", "Noxian Guillotine", "finishing blow", "finisher", "execute range", "execute phase" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "boss-encounters", "cooldowns", "critical-hits", "damage-types", "hit-points" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Power Word—Kill, a 9th-level magic-user spell, works like Power Word—Blind except that it kills instantaneously any creature of up to 50 hit points. No saving throw is mentioned. Its siblings Stun and Blind grade their effect by bands of hit points; Kill has a single cap and does nothing above it.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Fatal Blow (Weatherlight, 1997), a black instant costing one mana, reads \"Destroy target creature that was dealt damage this turn. It can't be regenerated.\" Damage wears off at end of turn, so the card pairs with combat or a burn spell in the same turn. You Are Already Dead (2022) keeps the text and adds a card draw.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "In WoW Classic (2019) values, the warrior's Execute is usable only on an enemy below 20 percent health, costs 15 rage, and converts up to 15 more rage into extra damage; the Improved Execute talent cuts the cost by up to 5. The values of the 2004 release are unconfirmed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana" ], "note": "Pyke's ultimate, Death From Below, strikes enemy champions in an X-shaped area, blinking to and executing those below a health threshold and dealing reduced damage to the rest; a champion dying in the area allows a free recast. Cooldown 100/85/70 seconds, cost 100. Garen's Demacian Justice instead adds a percentage of missing health as true damage, at no cost.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana" ], "note": "Axe's Culling Blade, a melee-range ultimate, killed enemies below a kill threshold until patch 7.31 (February 2022) made it pure damage. The current form deals 275/375/475 pure damage at 175 range for 100/125/150 mana on an 80/75/70-second cooldown, resets the cooldown and buffs allies on a hero kill, and its kill cannot be prevented by Shallow Grave.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Culling Strike kills an enemy whose life a hit leaves below a threshold, reportedly 10% for normal enemies. It has no cost of its own and rides on the mana cost of the skill that carries it; passive notables grant it against Marked enemies (3.12.0) and to Critical Strikes (3.27.0).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hearthstone", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Execute, a 1-mana Warrior spell, reads \"Destroy a damaged enemy minion.\" Any damage qualifies, so the threshold is being below maximum health, and another card usually supplies the first point of damage. Later Warrior cards such as Plague of Wrath destroy all damaged minions.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 2024 edition", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Power Word Kill, a 9th-level enchantment cast as an action at 60 feet with a verbal component only, kills a target with 100 hit points or fewer and otherwise deals 12d12 psychic damage. No saving throw is allowed. It is on the bard, sorcerer, warlock, and wizard lists.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Star Wars: Unlimited", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Fantasy Flight Games", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Takedown, a 4-cost Vigilance event from Spark of Rebellion, reads \"Defeat a unit with 5 or less remaining HP.\" The cost is paid from the player's resources and the card is discarded on play; above the threshold it has no effect.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Greyhawk's Power Word—Kill, listed among the all-new 9th-level magic-user spells, kills instantaneously any creature of up to 50 hit points. Confidence is medium because the text does not say whether current or maximum hit points are meant; read as maximum, the spell is a cap on the target's strength, like the hit-dice limits of Sleep, and falls outside the definition. The 1978 Players Handbook keeps the ambiguity at 60 hit points, and the 2024 rules settle it as current hit points. The reading as current health matches that of Power Word—Stun in the same book. Greyhawk's Sword of Sharpness and Vorpal Blade, which sever on a high attack roll, are critical hits and an antecedent only in their kill-outright outcome. World of Warcraft (2004) is the earliest video form cited, at low confidence: its 2004 tooltip is unconfirmed, and earlier video forms, such as EverQuest's Finishing Blow, remain unsurveyed." }, "established": { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "low", "note": "The warrior's Execute, usable only on an enemy below 20 percent health, is the best candidate the evidence supports: the Hearthstone Wiki's lore section describes Hearthstone's Execute card as the World of Warcraft warrior attack, \"perfect for finishing off weakened opponents\". The documented lineage is of the name; that the MOBA thresholds of League of Legends and Dota 2 follow World of Warcraft is undocumented, and the card's damaged flag matches Fatal Blow (1997)." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, 9th level, Power Word — Kill, p. 28; Power Word-Stun, p. 25; Power Word-Blind, p. 26; Magic Swords, Sword of Sharpness and Vorpal Blade, p. 47", "note": "The 50-hit-point kill, its hit-point-banded siblings, and the sever weapons keyed to the attack roll." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User Spells (9th Level), Power Word, Kill, p. 93", "note": "Sixty hit points for one creature, or creatures of 10 or fewer hit points up to 120 in total, with no saving throw." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells: Power Word Kill, p. 154", "note": "The 2024 text, death at 100 hit points or fewer and 12d12 psychic damage otherwise." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-3-5-system-reference-document-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 System Reference Document", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dnd35srd/CombatII.rtf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Combat II: Coup de Grace", "note": "The coup de grace keyed to a helpless opponent, an automatic critical and a Fortitude save or death, with no reference to remaining hit points." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-axe", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Axe", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=2", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Culling Blade", "note": "Current damage, range, cooldown, mana cost, the reset on a hero kill, and the death that cannot be prevented." }, { "key": "dota-2-patch-notes-7-31-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 patch notes 7.31", "author": "Valve", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/patchnotes?version=7.31&language=english", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Axe, Culling Blade", "note": "The change to pure damage and the rescaled damage, cost, and cooldown, with the threshold talent replaced." }, { "key": "data-dragon-16-21-1-pyke", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon 16.21.1, Pyke", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Pyke.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Death From Below, its execute below a health threshold, reduced damage above it, free recast, cooldown, and cost." }, { "key": "data-dragon-16-21-1-garen", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon 16.21.1, Garen", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Garen.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Demacian Justice, true damage scaled by missing health, its cooldown, and no cost." }, { "key": "star-wars-unlimited-card-database-takedown-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Star Wars Unlimited card database, Takedown", "author": "Fantasy Flight Games", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://admin.starwarsunlimited.com/api/cards?locale=en&filters[title][$containsi]=Takedown", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spark of Rebellion, card 077", "note": "The cost, the Vigilance aspect, the event type, and the text \"Defeat a unit with 5 or less remaining HP.\"" }, { "key": "wow-classic-warrior-rage-guide", "canonical": false, "title": "WoW Classic Warrior Rage Guide", "author": "noobtoboss", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://noobtoboss.com/wow-classic-warrior-rage-guide/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Execute's 20 percent window, 15 rage plus up to 15 more, and Improved Execute; Classic-era values, not the 2004 tooltip." }, { "key": "scryfall-fatal-blow", "canonical": false, "title": "Scryfall, Fatal Blow", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Weatherlight (1997) release, the one-mana instant, and the card text." }, { "key": "hearthstonejson-card-data-execute", "canonical": false, "title": "HearthstoneJSON card data, Execute", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The 1-mana Warrior spell and its text." }, { "key": "hearthstone-wiki-execute", "canonical": false, "title": "Hearthstone Wiki, Execute", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Lore; Trivia", "note": "The card described as a warrior melee attack from World of Warcraft, with artwork from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game." }, { "key": "wikipedia", "canonical": true, "title": "Wikipedia", "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/", "accessed": null, "locator": "Fatality (Mortal Kombat)", "note": "The Fatality follows \"Finish Him\" and ends a match already won." }, { "key": "wikipedia", "canonical": true, "title": "Wikipedia", "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/", "accessed": null, "locator": "Doom (2016 video game)", "note": "Sufficiently damaged enemies enter a stunned state, a melee glory kill finishes them, and the player recovers health." }, { "key": "content-update-3-12-0-path-of-exile-heist-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 3.12.0 -- Path of Exile: Heist", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2935777", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "A cluster jewel notable granting Culling Strike against Marked enemies." }, { "key": "content-update-3-27-0-path-of-exile-keepers-of-the-flame-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 3.27.0 -- Path of Exile: Keepers of the Flame", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3869068", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Assassin notables granting Culling Strike with Critical Strikes." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Culling Strike", "note": "Culling Strike's threshold of 10% of life for normal enemies." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 18, "word_count": 574, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/execute" }, { "id": "fear", "name": "Fear", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "targeted", "area" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "charges" ], "definition": "An ability that makes its targets run from the user or cower for a short fixed or rolled duration, overriding their own movement and attacks; often resisted by a save, ended early by damage, or limited by diminishing returns.", "aliases": [ "Cause Fear", "Scare", "Terror", "Terrify", "Howl", "Howl of Terror", "Psychic Scream", "Intimidating Shout", "Scare Beast", "Cause Panic", "Cause Cowardly Flight", "Panic Animal", "Spook the Dead", "Drums of Panic", "Wand of Fear", "Symbol of Fear", "Frightened", "feared", "soft crowd control" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "board-card", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "line-of-sight", "morale-and-rout", "saving-throws", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "The Wand of Fear affects a cone 6 inches long and 3 inches wide at its base; all within it save as against magic or are \"panicked and flee\", with no duration stated, and wands are assumed to hold 100 charges. The Drums of Panic make those who fail a morale throw flee in rout. The game has no Fear spell; Greyhawk (1975) adds one lasting 6 turns.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warhammer Fantasy Battle, 2nd edition", "year": 1984, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Games Workshop", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Battle Magic spells aimed at one unit within 24 inches. Cause Panic (level 2, 3 energy) forces a magical save and then a panic test; Cause Cowardly Flight (level 3, 6 energy) routs the unit as if beaten in combat after a save and a rout test; Cause Fear (level 3, 5 energy) makes the unit fear all opponents. Undead and other troops immune to psychology are unaffected.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EverQuest", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Verant Interactive", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Fear (Cleric 9, Enchanter 4, Necromancer 4, Shadow Knight 15) costs 40 mana, casts in 3.5 seconds with a 9.25-second recast delay, reaches 200 feet, and lasts 18 seconds; magic resistance resists it and targets above level 51 are immune. Fear kiting damages a monster that will not fight while it can run. Panic Animal and Spook the Dead fear only animals or undead.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Barbarian Howl, a level 1 war cry for 4 mana, frightens monsters into retreating, 16 yards for 3 seconds at skill level 1 and about 79 yards for 22 seconds at level 20. Necromancer Terror, a level 12 curse for 7 mana, makes cursed monsters run away from the cast point for 8 seconds plus 1 per level. Neither affects players, and Terror fails on bosses and super uniques.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Warlock Fear, a 1.5-second cast at 20 yards, makes one target run in fear for up to 10, 15, or 20 seconds by rank, and only one target can be feared at a time. Priest Psychic Scream (100 mana, 30-second cooldown) makes 2 to 5 nearby enemies flee for 8 seconds. Against players a repeat fear within 15 seconds lasts half as long, then less, then not at all.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Fiddlesticks' Terrify, in the 2010 official text, strikes one enemy unit so that it flees in terror for 1 to 3 seconds by rank, at 65 to 145 mana and range 525. In the current patch the fear reportedly lasts 1.2 to 2 seconds, and a recently feared target takes double damage instead of being feared again.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 2024 edition", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "charges" ], "note": "Fear, a level 3 spell cast as an action with concentration up to 1 minute, makes each creature in a 30-foot cone that fails a Wisdom save drop what it holds and become Frightened. It must Dash away each turn and saves again only after ending a turn out of the caster's sight. The Wand of Fear (7 charges) casts it in a 60-foot cone.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Monsters & Treasure (1974) has two activated effects that make targets flee: the Wand of Fear, a cone whose victims save against magic or \"be panicked and flee\", and the Drums of Panic, which rout those who fail a morale throw. Men & Magic has no Fear spell, and its turning of undead sends them \"turned away\" rather than fleeing. Confidence is medium for three reasons: the 1974 form is an item rather than a character's power, the wand has no stated duration, and the earliest cited Fear spell with a duration is in Greyhawk (1975), 6 turns at 24 inches. Chainmail is an antecedent: in its Fantasy Supplement dragons, super heroes, wizards, and wraiths force enemy morale checks as a passive trait, and its wizard has no fear spell. Those passages are cited from the 1972 second edition; their presence in the 1971 printing is unconfirmed. The earliest cited video instance is EverQuest (1999); earlier computer forms remain unsurveyed, and Rogue's scroll of scare monster is a ward rather than a fear." }, "established": { "title": "EverQuest", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "low", "note": "EverQuest's Fear is the earliest cited video form of the timed flight. A World of Warcraft class designer, Mike Heiberg, recalls in a secondhand account that the team's \"bar-to-beat was original Everquest\", that it threw in other EverQuest spells, and that it brought in the Fear spell for the warlock, later adding damage limits and diminishing returns against players. Confidence is low because the account is a recollection and no source traces the form from either game to later ones such as League of Legends." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr/MonstersTreasureVol2TSR_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Wands and Staves, Fear, about p. 34; Miscellaneous Magic, Drums of Panic, p. 37", "note": "The Wand of Fear cone and save, the 100-charge rule for wands, and the Drums of Panic morale throw." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Clerics versus Undead Monsters, p. 22; Magic-User and Cleric spell lists", "note": "Turning undead, and spell lists with no Fear spell." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, 4th level, Fear, about p. 23; Symbol; Liches", "note": "The Fear spell, its 6-turn duration, 24-inch range, and chance to drop weapons; the scan is a later printing." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric Spells (First Level), Remove Fear; Magic-User Spells, Scare (2nd level), Fear (4th level)", "note": "Cause fear as the reverse of remove fear, the trembling Scare, and durations in rounds per caster level." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement: Super Heroes, Wizards (spell list), Wraiths, Dragons", "note": "Fear as a passive trait that forces enemy morale checks, and a wizard spell list without a fear spell." }, { "key": "warhammer-fantasy-battle-2nd-edition-battle-magic-1984", "canonical": false, "title": "Warhammer Fantasy Battle, 2nd edition: Battle Magic", "author": "Games Workshop", "year": 1984, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warhammer-fantasy-battles-2nd-edition-battle-magic/Warhammer%20Fantasy%20Battles%202nd%20Edition%20Battle%20Magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Level 2 spells, Cause Panic; Level 3 spells, Cause Cowardly Flight, Cause Fear", "note": "Energy costs, the 24-inch range, and effects that work through the panic and rout rules." }, { "key": "everquest-players-guide-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "EverQuest Players Guide", "author": "Juanita Jones, Russell Phoenix, Jimmy Monkerface, and Damien Waples (Prima Games)", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/everquest-players-guide/Everquest%20%20Players%20Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric, Enchanter, and Necromancer spell lists (Fear, Panic Animal, Spook the Dead); Kiting; spell reference, Fear", "note": "Fear's mana, cast time, recast delay, duration, range, and level cap, and the fear-kiting tactic." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-ii-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Barbarian War Cries, Howl; Necromancer Curses, Terror", "note": "The wording of Howl and Terror." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-barbarian-warcries", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II, Barbarian Warcries", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/barbarian-warcries.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Howl's mana cost and its run distance and duration by skill level, in the Lord of Destruction era." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-necromancer-curses", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II, Necromancer Curses", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/necromancer-curses.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Terror's mana cost, duration, and immunities, in the Lord of Destruction era." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Priest, Psychic Scream; Warlock, Fear, Howl of Terror; Warrior, Intimidating Shout; Hunter, Scare Beast; PvP, diminishing returns", "note": "Launch-era ranks, durations, and cooldowns, the one-target limit, and the diminishing-returns wording." }, { "key": "fiddlesticks-the-harbinger-of-doom-champion-page-2010", "canonical": false, "title": "Fiddlesticks, the Harbinger of Doom (champion page)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2010, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20100812224820/http://www.leagueoflegends.com:80/champions/9/fiddlesticks_the_harbinger_of_doom", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Terrify's 1 to 3 second fear, mana costs, and range in 2010." }, { "key": "league-of-legends-wiki-fiddlesticks-fiddlesticks-patch-history", "canonical": false, "title": "League of Legends Wiki, Fiddlesticks; Fiddlesticks/Patch history", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The current Terrify duration and the rule against repeat fears." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Fear, PDF p. 130; Rules Glossary, Frightened [Condition], PDF p. 182; Magic Items, Wand of Fear, PDF p. 250", "note": "The 2024 Fear spell, the Frightened condition, and the Wand of Fear with its Command option." }, { "key": "rogue-5-4-source-chase-c-scrolls-c", "canonical": false, "title": "Rogue 5.4 source (chase.c, scrolls.c)", "author": "Michael Toy, Ken Arnold, and Glenn Wichman", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://github.com/Davidslv/rogue/blob/master/chase.c", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The scroll of scare monster as a square that monsters will not enter." }, { "key": "back-to-wow-alpha-classic-how-unnecessary-skills-hindered-the-warlock-class", "canonical": false, "title": "Back to WoW Alpha & Classic: How Unnecessary Skills Hindered the Warlock Class", "author": "Alexander Brazie (Game Design Skills)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gamedesignskills.com/game-design/post-mortem/class-design-warlock-mop-overhaul-retrospective-alpha-classic-warlocks/", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "Mike Heiberg's recollection that original EverQuest was the team's benchmark, that EverQuest spells were brought into the warlock with Fear, and that damage limits and diminishing returns were added later; undated, with comments from 2016." } ], "n_examples": 7, "n_sources": 16, "word_count": 569, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/fear" }, { "id": "feign-death", "name": "Feign Death", "status": "verified", "function": "concealment", "delivery": [ "self", "targeted" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "consumable" ], "definition": "The user, or an ally, drops into a convincing imitation of death, so that opponents stop attacking or targeting it and, where hostiles keep threat lists, drop it from them; acting again or the effect's end revives it.", "aliases": [ "Simulate Death", "Death Peace", "Play Dead", "Fake Death Pill" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "saving-throws", "status-effects", "stealth-detection", "threat-aggro" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement II: Blackmoor", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Monks from 5th level \"perfectly simulate death\", to the stopping of the heart and lowering of body temperature, for 1d6 times their level in full turns. No limit on uses is stated; class level is the only gate. The wording is that of the 1979 ninth printing.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "at-will" ], "note": "A spell for clerics (3rd level), druids (2nd) and magic-users (3rd) puts a willing target into a cataleptic state \"impossible to distinguish from actual death\"; it takes half damage, ignores paralysis, poison and energy drain, and needs 1 round to wake. Monks from 6th level hold a self-induced catalepsy for twice their level in turns.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EverQuest", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Verant Interactive", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A monk skill at level 17 and a mana-costed spell for necromancers (level 16) and shadow knights. A large foe leaves the feigning character alone and, \"if your foe thinks you are dead, he will redirect his attention to the taunter\"; the monk's success rests on practised skill. Values are from a 2001 guide, which cites no reuse timer for the skill.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EverQuest Role-Playing Game: Player's Handbook", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Sword and Sorcery Studio (White Wolf)", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "A monk feature at 7th level, taken as a standard action, leaves the monk prone, comatose and helpless at half damage. Each onlooker makes a Will save (DC 10 + Wisdom modifier + half level, +10 if it saw the trick before) or forgets the monk. It lasts 10 minutes per level, with uses per day equal to twice the Wisdom modifier.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana" ], "note": "A hunter ability that, in the 2004 guide, \"may trick enemies into ignoring you\" for up to 5 minutes, with resurrection penalties on waking. Later sources give a 30-second cooldown and a threat clear, which Blizzard described in 2019 as Leave-Combat on the hunter and Drop-Target on opponents. It cost mana until 2010, and opponents could resist it by level.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Konami (Hideo Kojima)", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "The Fake Death Pill, \"a drug that produces a temporary state of fake death\", is taken from the Item Window, and only the Revival Pill in Snake's back tooth, usable any number of times, ends it. Guards reportedly take Snake for dead and walk away, and waiting too long reportedly makes the death real.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Konami", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "The remake keeps the pill pair. In the prison \"Snake will collapse, convincing the guard that he's dead\", and the Revival Pill follows once the door opens. The pill also evades guards and can fool bosses, \"though it's not guaranteed to work against everyone\", and it ends the fight with The Sorrow.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement II: Blackmoor", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The monk's 5th-level ability to \"perfectly simulate death\" is cited from a scan of the ninth printing (November 1979) of the 1975 supplement; no copy of the first printing is cited, so whether the 1975 text reads the same is unconfirmed. The rule states no purpose, which \"perfectly simulate death\" implies. Men & Magic (1974), Greyhawk (1975) and the second edition of Chainmail (1972) carry no such rule, and unpublished Blackmoor campaign play remains unsurveyed. The name Feign Death is cited first from the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook (1978), as a spell on three lists. The earliest video form cited is EverQuest (1999), discussed on Usenet during its beta in February 1999." }, "established": { "title": "EverQuest", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "low", "note": "EverQuest tied the feigned death to hostiles' threat, so that a foe turns to the next target or forgets the feigner, the form the definition describes for games with threat lists. The licensed EverQuest Role-Playing Game (2002) adapted the monk's Feign Death, and World of Warcraft (2004), whose producer J. Allen Brack called EverQuest \"the big foundation\" of the game, gave the hunter a Feign Death that clears threat. No source says World of Warcraft took the ability from EverQuest, and the name and the protective catalepsy come from the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook (1978)." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-ii-blackmoor-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement II: Blackmoor", "author": "Dave Arneson", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02004supplement2blackmoor/tsr02004%20-%20Supplement%202%20-%20Blackmoor_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Monks, Other Abilities, p. 2", "note": "The monk's 5th-level ability to \"perfectly simulate death\" for 1d6 times level turns; the scan is the 1979 ninth printing." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Monk special ability D, p. 31; Feign Death: cleric 3rd level, p. 47; druid 2nd level, p. 56; magic-user 3rd level, p. 73", "note": "The Feign Death spell on three lists, with its half damage, immunities and willing-target rule, and the monk's self-induced catalepsy." }, { "key": "everquest-players-guide-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "EverQuest Players Guide", "author": "Juanita Jones, Russell Phoenix, Jimmy Monkerface, and Damien Waples (Prima Games)", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/everquest-players-guide/Everquest%20%20Players%20Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Monk chapter, Group and Tips (Feign Death, level 17); Necromancer and Shadow Knight tips", "note": "Foes leave a feigning monk alone and turn to the taunter; the risk of failure; the feign pull." }, { "key": "alt-games-everquest-search-listing-for-feign-death-1999", "canonical": false, "title": "alt.games.everquest search listing for \"feign death\"", "author": "Usenet (Google Groups)", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://groups.google.com/g/alt.games.everquest/search?q=%22feign%20death%22%20before%3A1999-04-15", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Monk and necromancer Feign Death discussed from February to March 1999, before and at launch (snippets only)." }, { "key": "everquest-role-playing-game-player-s-handbook-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "EverQuest Role-Playing Game: Player's Handbook", "author": "Sword and Sorcery Studio (White Wolf Publishing)", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Sony Computer Entertainment America", "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Chapter 3: Classes, Monk, Feign Death (7th level)", "note": "The tabletop form with a Will save per onlooker and uses per day." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "BradyGames", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Hunter chapter, Survival ability table (Feign Death); Timed Abilities", "note": "The 2004 description, \"may trick enemies into ignoring you\", up to 5 minutes with resurrection penalties." }, { "key": "fixes-on-feign-death-hunter-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Fixes on \"Feign Death\", Hunter", "author": "Nicou", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "WoWisClassic", "url": "http://www.wowisclassic.com/en/news/fixes-feign-death-hunter", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Blizzard post of 25 September 2019", "note": "Blizzard's description of Leave-Combat on the hunter and Drop-Target on opponents, which removes the hunter from the threat list." }, { "key": "j-allen-brack-everquest-is-the-big-foundation-of-world-of-warcraft-2008", "canonical": false, "title": "J. Allen Brack: EverQuest is \"the big foundation\" of World of Warcraft", "author": "Mike Schramm", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Engadget (WoW Insider)", "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-09-j-allen-brack-everquest-is-the-big-foundation-of-world-of-war.html", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "Blizzard's producer citing EverQuest as a huge influence on World of Warcraft; general, with no mention of Feign Death." }, { "key": "feign-death", "canonical": false, "title": "Feign Death", "author": "Warcraft Wiki", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The 30-second cooldown, the threat clear, and the patch history (resist against players removed in 1.7.0, mana cost removed in 4.0.1)." }, { "key": "metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater-instruction-manual-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater instruction manual", "author": "Konami", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/ps2_Metal_Gear_Solid_3-_Snake_Eater_USA/Metal_Gear_Solid_3-_Snake_Eater_USA_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Items: Fake Death Pill, Revival Pill", "note": "The consumable form and its unlimited antidote." }, { "key": "fake-death-pill", "canonical": false, "title": "Fake Death Pill", "author": "Metal Gear Wiki", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Guards' reaction to the feigned death and the rule that waiting too long makes it real." }, { "key": "metal-gear-solid-delta-snake-eater-15-must-do-experiences-we-re-dying-to-try-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater – 15 Must Do Experiences We're Dying to Try", "author": "Ravi Sinha", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "GamingBolt", "url": "https://gamingbolt.com/metal-gear-solid-delta-snake-eater-15-must-do-experiences-were-dying-to-try", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fun With Death and Revival Pills", "note": "The pill evades guards and fools some bosses in the 2025 remake." }, { "key": "escaping-the-prison-in-metal-gear-solid-delta-snake-eater-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Escaping the Prison in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater", "author": "Ambreen", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Patchcrazy", "url": "https://patchcrazy.co.uk/escaping-the-prison-in-metal-gear-solid-delta-snake-eater/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Snake collapses and convinces the guard that he is dead, and the Revival Pill follows." }, { "key": "play-dead", "canonical": false, "title": "Play Dead", "author": "iRO Wiki", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Ragnarok Online Novice skill, 1 SP, toggled, undetected even by bosses." }, { "key": "play-dead", "canonical": false, "title": "Play Dead", "author": "Fextralife Divinity Original Sin 2 Wiki", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Undead racial skill, which ends a fight for a lone combatant and does not break Invisibility." }, { "key": "feign-death", "canonical": false, "title": "Feign Death", "author": "bg3.wiki", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Baldur's Gate 3 spell, under which enemies in combat typically keep attacking." } ], "n_examples": 7, "n_sources": 16, "word_count": 527, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/feign-death" }, { "id": "fireball", "name": "Fireball", "status": "verified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "projectile", "area" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A ranged attack that launches a ball of fire to a chosen point or target, where it bursts and damages every figure within a fixed radius, often allowing a save or resistance that reduces the effect", "aliases": [ "Fire Ball" ], "media": [ "board-card", "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "damage-types", "hit-points", "saving-throws" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "A Wizard chooses the fire ball or the lightning bolt as his missile before play and throws it up to 24 inches, direct or indirect, calling the range before placing a circular hit area equal to the large catapult's. Figures under it are destroyed, except heroes, wraiths, and Balrogs, which save on two dice, and dragons, which are driven back.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable" ], "note": "A third-level Magic-User spell. The missile springs from the caster's finger to a range of 24 inches and explodes with a 2-inch burst radius, conforming to a confined space, and rolls one damage die per caster level. Wands and staves throw fire balls of fixed dice (staves 8), and scrolls carry the spell.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo", "year": 1996, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana", "charges", "consumable" ], "note": "A learned spell, raised in level by reading books, that spends mana; fan documentation gives a cost falling from 16 toward 10 as spell level rises and splash damage equal to the main hit on the squares adjacent to the target. Staves and scrolls cast spells without drawing on mana.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana", "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "A fire spell projectile that deals area damage at its target; in patch 3.29.0 its base radius is 1 to 1.8 metres at gem levels 1 to 20, and at level 20 it deals 1883 to 2825 fire damage. Vaal Fireball spends 30 souls per use (3.3.0), gathered by killing enemies and damaging rare and unique ones.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost", "charges", "consumable" ], "note": "A 3rd-level evocation cast as an action at a point within 150 feet, where it explodes in a 20-foot-radius sphere that spreads around corners; each creature makes a Dexterity save, taking 8d6 fire damage or half on a success, plus 1d6 per slot level above 3rd. The Wand of Fireballs holds 7 charges, and the Necklace of Fireballs spends a bead per blast.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo IV", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Sorcerer Core skill that spends mana to hurl a ball of fire which explodes on contact and damages nearby enemies. Upgrade choices alter the projectile, one making it bounce and explode at each ground impact; mana costs have changed across seasonal patches.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Leonard Patt's fantasy wargame rules", "year": 1970, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Leonard Patt's \"Rules for Middle Earth\", a two-page addendum to the New England Wargamers Association's ancient rules in its magazine The Courier (Vol. II No. 7, pp. 12-13), let a wizard cast a fire ball once every other turn at 24 inches, placed with a 6-inch grid and a 2½-inch burst circle; figures under it are killed, heroes and anti-heroes save on a 5 or 6, and a dragon hit is driven away for one turn. A facsimile of the two pages accompanies Jon Peterson's 2016 account. The issue's editorial note ties the rules to the association's game that took best of show at the Philadelphia convention \"this past Oct.\", and the MFCA's report of the 1970 Wargame Convention names that Lord of the Rings game, so the rules were in play by October 1970. Confidence is medium because the issue's own month is unconfirmed and other fanzine rules of 1970 remain unsurveyed. Chainmail (1971) is the earliest commercially published form cited, with a burst an inch larger than Patt's by Peterson's comparison; the Chainmail wording cited is from the 1972 second edition. The artillery hit template of miniatures wargames is an antecedent: Chainmail sizes the fire ball by the large catapult's hit disc and places it by the same called-range procedure." }, "established": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "high", "note": "Dungeons & Dragons turned Chainmail's catapult-sized fire ball into a spell that bursts at range with damage dice scaled to the caster. A 2016 Game Developer history traces the spell's spread from it to the many imitations and revisions of the game and to SSI's computer games, including the licensed Pool of Radiance (1988); the fifth edition keeps the burst at a chosen point." }, "sources": [ { "key": "a-precursor-to-the-chainmail-fantasy-supplement-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "A Precursor to the Chainmail Fantasy Supplement", "author": "Jon Peterson", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Playing at the World (blog)", "url": "https://playingattheworld.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-precursor-to-chainmail-fantasy.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Patt's wizard rules", "note": "Patt's 1970 fire ball (24-inch burst, hero saves, dragons driven off), its publication in The Courier Vol. II No. 7, and the burst-size comparison with Chainmail." }, { "key": "rules-for-middle-earth-1970", "canonical": false, "title": "Rules for Middle Earth", "author": "Leonard Patt", "year": 1970, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "The Courier (New England Wargamers Association)", "url": "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ-LzKSOzBsyWwvZpp2DNY7DPanp06Wqizwk9yvEL07hoGxI4m7NJtJ2PdfQDlB9sIx2iSLnGESYnOQ8TaY5sPpcfbLJIurQ6l4G0gwWPebSU1_H7w3lbtqPGhzdrSBnObswW9GRgn8U/s1600/patt-tolkien-rules.jpg", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": "Vol. II No. 7, pp. 12-13, Wizards; editor's note", "note": "Facsimile of the printed pages, reproduced with the Courier's permission in Peterson's post. The fire ball once every other turn at 24 inches with a 2½-inch burst circle, hero and anti-hero saves on 5 or 6, and the dragon driven away; the editor's note places the game at the Philadelphia convention of \"this past Oct.\"" }, { "key": "wargame-convention-1970-1970", "canonical": false, "title": "Wargame Convention 1970", "author": "Milton E. Miller, Jr.", "year": 1970, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "MFCA Guidon (Miniature Figure Collectors of America)", "url": "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1eD0jc481ftpleH9vRWs4Do-PV3wOaWVYANn-LLgeZ-xaK4_SDZbmXNW3XY36eCmo5f86bWGrZF4qfnkkjNAG2Q16freW4-M-o887E4O-6wSkR1AXF9j8F1k-bGghV2jXy1VK2znKeA/s1600/mfcag-v28n4-1970-newa-tolkien.jpg", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "Contemporary convention report, reproduced in Peterson's post; the New England Wargamers' best-of-show demonstration was a Lord of the Rings game with fire-breathing dragons and walking trees." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, Missiles, p. 28; Catapult Fire, p. 9", "note": "The fire ball as a 24-inch called-range missile with the large catapult's hit area, and the save exceptions. The first edition (1971) wording is not quoted." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1: Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/dd-white-box-rules-set", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fire Ball, p. 25; Spells & Levels table, p. 19", "note": "The 2-inch burst, 24-inch range, dice by caster level, the comparison with Chainmail, wand and staff versions, and the per-level spell allotment." }, { "key": "a-brief-history-of-the-fireball-in-fantasy-games-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "A brief history of the fireball in fantasy games", "author": "Game Developer staff", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Game Developer", "url": "https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/a-brief-history-of-the-fireball-in-fantasy-games", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "The lineage from Patt and Chainmail through Dungeons & Dragons to computer games, the spell's spread to imitations of Dungeons & Dragons and to SSI's games including Pool of Radiance, the wargame-artillery antecedent, and the absence of a specific literary source." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fireball, p. 144; Fire Bolt, p. 144; Delayed Blast Fireball, p. 133; Wand of Fireballs, p. 248", "note": "The 5th-edition spell, its single-target neighbour, the delayed variant, and item gating." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fireball, p. 131", "note": "The 2024-edition text, with the same numbers and without the line on spreading around corners." }, { "key": "diablo-manual-1996", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 1996, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-manual-e", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mana; Books; spell descriptions (Firebolt)", "note": "Mana as the spell resource, books, staves and scrolls casting without mana, and the single-target Firebolt." }, { "key": "planetdiablo-diablo-spells-level-3", "canonical": false, "title": "PlanetDiablo, Diablo spells (level 3)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Fan guide giving the Fireball mana cost by spell level and its splash damage in Diablo (1996)." }, { "key": "diablo-iv-sorceress-skills-and-abilities-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo IV Sorceress Skills And Abilities", "author": "Ben Reeves", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Game Informer", "url": "https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/11/02/diablo-iv-sorceress-skills-and-abilities", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Pre-release description of Fireball exploding on contact and damaging nearby enemies." }, { "key": "purediablo-diablo-4-wiki-fireball", "canonical": false, "title": "PureDiablo Diablo 4 wiki, Fireball", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Mana cost and upgrade choices for the Diablo IV skill, including the bouncing upgrade." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-master-guide-2nd-edition-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Master Guide, 2nd edition", "author": "BradyGames", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/details/WoWMasterGuide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mage chapter, Fire spell table", "note": "The single-target Fireball, its mana cost, cast time, and absence of a cooldown." }, { "key": "super-mario-bros-instruction-booklet-1985", "canonical": false, "title": "Super Mario Bros. instruction booklet", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/Super-Mario-Bros-Manual-NES-1985", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Controls (B button); power-ups; enemies", "note": "Fire Flower gating, loss of the ability on a hit, and enemies immune to fireballs." }, { "key": "scryfall-fireball-limited-edition-alpha", "canonical": false, "title": "Scryfall, Fireball (Limited Edition Alpha)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The card's mana cost, sorcery type, and current Oracle text dividing X damage among targets." }, { "key": "street-fighter-ii-instruction-manual-game-boy-1995", "canonical": false, "title": "Street Fighter II instruction manual (Game Boy)", "author": "Nintendo and Capcom", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/streetfighteriimanualgameboydmgasfeusa", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Special moves; Quick Reference Chart", "note": "\"Fire Ball\" and \"Fireball (Kikoken)\" as official English names for projectile special moves." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-incursion-content-update-3-3-0-patch-notes-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Incursion (Content Update 3.3.0) Patch Notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2150237", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Vaal skills' soul costs, among them Vaal Fireball's 30 souls, and souls gained from kills and from damaging rare and unique enemies." }, { "key": "content-update-3-29-0-path-of-exile-curse-of-the-allflame-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 3.29.0 -- Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3985332", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Fireball's base radius by gem level and its fire damage at gem level 20." } ], "n_examples": 6, "n_sources": 18, "word_count": 596, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/fireball" }, { "id": "flight", "name": "Flight", "status": "verified", "function": "mobility", "delivery": [ "self" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "definition": "A user who normally walks gains sustained, freely steered movement through the air, horizontal as well as vertical, from a spell, power-up, or item, for a duration or while a resource lasts", "aliases": [ "Fly", "Flying", "Levitate", "Broom of Flying", "Flying Carpet", "FAIRY", "Raccoon Mario", "armor jets", "broom flight" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "equipment-loadouts", "platforming", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Fly, a 3rd-level magic-user spell, lets the caster fly at up to 12 inches of table scale per turn for turns equal to the caster's level plus a six-sided die the referee rolls in secret, so the player does not know when it ends. Potions of Flying, a Broom of Flying and a Flying Carpet give item forms in the same set.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Superman", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Atari", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "After Clark Kent changes in the phone booth, Superman flies freely. A hit from a Kryptonite satellite takes away the ability to fly until he touches Lois Lane; while zapped, or as Clark Kent, he can only walk left or right.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The FAIRY spell, learned in a town, turns Link into a fairy that can fly, which the manual advises for dangerous terrain such as cliffs. It spends MAGIC points from the shared meter, and the effect wears off when the display changes to another screen. The JUMP spell beside it raises the jump and is not flight.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Super Mario Bros. 3", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "With the Super Leaf or Tanooki Suit, running fills the Power Meter, and at full, repeated presses of A keep Mario aloft, though he \"can only fly for a short time\". Without a full meter the tail only slows his descent. The Magic Wing item lets him fly through an action scene until he runs into an enemy.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Flying is an evasion ability, and a flying creature can be blocked only by other flying creatures. The rulebook's combat example casts Jump, an instant that gives a creature flying ability, during combat; the instant is paid for with mana and discarded, so flight is a one-card grant reduced to a blocking rule.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Starsiege: Tribes", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Dynamix (Sierra On-Line)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Every armor has jets, held on the second mouse button, that let it fly for short distances. They feed off the armor's energy cell, which also powers energy weapons and packs, until the cell empties and must recharge. Heavy armor's jets lift it only a few meters off the ground.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "at-will", "mana" ], "note": "Flight arrived with The Burning Crusade (2007), whose FAQ already listed flying mounts as a planned feature. Warcraft Wiki dates the druid's Flight Form, cast for a share of base mana, to patch 2.0.3 (January 2007); it raises movement speed by 60% \"and allowing you to fly\", cannot be used in combat, and works only in Outland. Patch 3.0.2 (2008) added Swift Flight Form at level 71.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "consumable", "cooldown" ], "note": "Fly, a 3rd-level transmutation cast with an action by touch, gives the target a flying speed of 60 feet for up to 10 minutes of concentration, and the target falls if still aloft when it ends; each higher slot adds a target. A Potion of Flying lasts 1 hour, and Wings of Flying give 1 hour and then cannot be used for 1d12 hours.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hogwarts Legacy", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Avalanche Software (Warner Bros. Games)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Broom flight opens through the main-quest Flying Class. The player buys a broom (600 gold at Spintwitches in Hogsmeade), equips it in the gear menu and mounts it with a button combination, then flies freely in most areas, though not in the castle or around Hogsmeade. A boost and broom upgrades are reportedly available.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "high", "note": "Fly in Men & Magic (Explanation of Spells, 3rd level, p. 25) lets the user \"fly at a speed of up to 12\"/turn\" for the caster's level plus a secret die roll in turns; Levitate (p. 24) and item forms in Monsters & Treasure (potions, Boots of Levitation, Broom of Flying, Flying Carpet) appear in the same set. Chainmail (1971; 2nd edition 1972) gives flight only as an innate trait of creatures such as Sprites, Wraiths, dragons, and Air Elementals, and its wizard spells include no flight spell. Pre-publication Blackmoor and Greyhawk campaign play remains unsurveyed. Superman (Atari, 1979) is the earliest video instance cited." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells Table, Magic-Users, p. 21; Explanation of Spells, Levitate (2nd level), p. 24, and Fly (3rd level), p. 25", "note": "The Fly spell's speed and duration with the hidden die; Levitate as vertical-only motion; Polymorph Self granting flight." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/dd-white-box-rules-set", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Potions table; Potions, p. 31; Boots of Levitation, Broom of Flying, Flying Carpet, c. p. 36", "note": "Potions of Levitation and Flying, Boots of Levitation with no time limit, and the broom and carpet with their speeds and passenger limits." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells: Fly, p. 146; Levitate, p. 158; Magic Items: Potion of Flying, p. 234; Winged Boots and Wings of Flying, p. 251", "note": "The 5th edition Fly, Levitate, and item forms; the rules date from the 2014 edition." }, { "key": "superman-atari-vcs-game-manual-1979", "canonical": false, "title": "Superman (Atari VCS) game manual", "author": "Atari", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Atari", "url": "https://archive.org/details/Superman_1978_Atari", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Story; Using the Controller", "note": "Flight after the phone-booth change, its loss to Kryptonite satellites, and its return on touching Lois Lane. The scan's title gives 1978; the manual prints 1979." }, { "key": "zelda-ii-the-adventure-of-link-instruction-booklet-nes-us-1988", "canonical": false, "title": "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link instruction booklet (NES, US)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo", "url": "https://archive.org/details/Zelda-II-The-Adventure-of-Link-Manual-NES-US-1988", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Game Data, magic list (FAIRY), pp. 41-43", "note": "The FAIRY spell, MAGIC points, and magic wearing off when the display changes." }, { "key": "super-mario-bros-3-instruction-booklet-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Super Mario Bros. 3 instruction booklet (NES)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo", "url": "https://archive.org/details/super-mario-bros-3-nes-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Controls: Fly/Float; B Button, Accelerate (Power Meter); items list, Super Leaf and Magic Wing", "note": "Power-up flight after a full Power Meter, its short duration, the float, and the Magic Wing. US release of the 1988 game." }, { "key": "magic-the-gathering-revised-edition-rulebook-1994", "canonical": false, "title": "Magic: The Gathering Revised Edition Rulebook", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 1994, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://archive.org/details/revised-rulebook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Evasion Abilities, p. 31; combat example (Jump), p. 39", "note": "Flying as an evasion ability and Jump as an instant that grants it." }, { "key": "starsiege-tribes-manual-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "Starsiege: Tribes manual", "author": "Dynamix", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Sierra On-Line", "url": "https://archive.org/details/StarsiegeTribesManual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Armor Jets; Light, Medium and Heavy Armor, c. pp. 34-37", "note": "Jets fed by the armor's energy cell, shared with energy weapons and packs, and the heavy armor's limited lift." }, { "key": "anthem-review-flying-high-until-the-javelin-overheats-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Anthem Review – Flying High Until the Javelin Overheats", "author": "Alessio Palumbo (Wccftech)", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://wccftech.com/review/anthem-flying-high-it-doesnt-last/amp/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The heat meter that limits javelin flight, cooled by flying over water and reset by entering water or a waterfall." }, { "key": "how-to-get-a-broom-and-unlock-flying-in-hogwarts-legacy-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "How to get a broom and unlock flying in Hogwarts Legacy", "author": "Alan Gadbois (Gfinity Esports)", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.gfinityesports.com/guides/hogwarts-legacy-broom-flying/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Flying Class unlock, the broom purchase, mounting, and the areas where flight is not allowed." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement: Wizards, Spells, p. 28; Sprites; Wraiths", "note": "Flight as an innate creature trait (Sprites, Wraiths, Air Elementals) and a wizard spell list without a flight spell." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-ii-us-snes-instruction-manual-1991", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy II (US SNES) instruction manual", "author": "Square", "year": 1991, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Square Soft", "url": "https://archive.org/details/final-fantasy-ii-us-snes-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "White Magic table, Float", "note": "Float as a party-wide status to \"avoid quake attack\", with no movement; the US release of Final Fantasy IV." }, { "key": "the-burning-crusade-faq-2005", "canonical": false, "title": "The Burning Crusade FAQ", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2005, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20051202024412/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/burningcrusade/faq.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Features", "note": "Flying mounts listed as a planned expansion feature." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-patch-notes-3-0-2-and-3-0-3-2008", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft patch notes (3.0.2 and 3.0.3)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20081108212433/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/patchnotes/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Druid, Swift Flight Form", "note": "Swift Flight Form on the trainer at level 71, requiring 300 riding skill and Flight Form." }, { "key": "warcraft-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Flight Form", "note": "The 2.0.3 date, cost, level, speed, and the combat and Outland limits." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 15, "word_count": 557, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/flight" }, { "id": "grappling-hook", "name": "Grappling Hook", "status": "verified", "function": "mobility", "delivery": [ "projectile", "self" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "charges", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A fired or thrown line anchors to a surface, object, or creature and then moves the user along it by reeling in, swinging, or climbing; some forms also drag the anchored target toward the user.", "aliases": [ "web line", "rope", "Bionic Arm", "Hookshot", "Hook Shot", "Ninja Rope", "grapple", "Grappleshot", "Clawline" ], "media": [ "video", "tabletop-rpg" ], "mechanics": [ "action-points", "cooldowns", "equipment-loadouts", "lock-and-key", "platforming" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Spider-Man (Atari 2600)", "year": 1982, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Parker Brothers", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The fire button and a joystick direction shoot a web line straight up or diagonally. A vertical line is climbed; a diagonal one swings until the player pushes up. A line that lands on a window or the sky drops him. Web fluid drains with time and refills when he captures criminals and bombs; when it runs out he falls.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Bionic Commando", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Capcom", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "A button extends the bionic arm, which anchors overhead to pull the commando up or swing him, and also grabs items and scatters enemies. The arm stands in for a jump. The NES version (1988) maps it to Button B.", "latest": false }, { "title": "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past", "year": 1991, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "A dungeon item, a chain with a hook flung into a tree, pot, or chest, after which Link reels himself to the hook to cross holes. It also works as a weapon, and Link cannot be hurt while the chain is extended.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Worms", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Team17", "gating": [ "action-cost" ], "note": "The Ninja Rope is a utility weapon that is aimed, fired, swung with the cursor keys, and released to jump, and it can reach distant crates. Using it costs five seconds of the turn's move time, after which time on the rope is unlimited.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The outlaw rogue's Grappling Hook arrived with Legion (2016; patch 7.0.3 per Warcraft Wiki) as a talent and became baseline in patch 10.2.0. Its tooltip reads \"Launch a grappling hook and pull yourself to the target location\", 40 yards, now on a 45-second cooldown per Warcraft Wiki; the patch 7.2.5 notes (2017) list it among the cooldowns that Outlaw finishing moves reduce.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Titanfall 2", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Respawn Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "charges" ], "note": "A Pilot tactical chosen in the loadout that latches onto surfaces or enemies, including a Titan to rodeo. It holds two charges that recharge; update 1.14 (2017) tried a single charge and reverted to two.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Fortnite", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Epic Games", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "The Grappler, added to Battle Royale in patch 5.40 (2018), is an item found in floor loot, chests, supply drops and vending machines. Fired at a nearby object, it pulls the user towards it, and shots can be chained to travel far; it holds 15 charges and is discarded when they run out.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "FromSoftware", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Built into the Shinobi Prosthetic and, unlike the swappable prosthetic tools, always available. It zips the user to grapple points, reportedly only marked ones, which opens vertical and stealth approaches.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Halo Infinite", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "343 Industries", "gating": [ "charges", "cooldown" ], "note": "The Grappleshot pulls the user to the surface hit, detaches on cancel, swings round corners, pulls weapons and equipment to the user, and reels the user to an enemy for an automatic melee. In multiplayer it is a map pickup with a handful of uses; the campaign version reportedly has no use limit and a short cooldown.", "latest": true }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 2024 edition", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "action-cost" ], "note": "Adventuring gear costing 2 GP. As a Utilize action the hook is thrown at a railing, ledge, or other catch within 50 feet and catches on a DC 13 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check; with a rope tied to it, the user can then climb.", "latest": false } ], "provenance": { "title": "Spider-Man (Atari 2600)", "year": 1982, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The Parker Brothers rules describe a web line fired up or diagonally that must land on the building, is climbed when vertical, and is swung on when diagonal, which meets every part of the definition. Confidence is medium for three reasons. The scanned rules carry a 1983 rules copyright beside Marvel's 1982 notice, so the copy may be a later printing, and the November 1982 release date is reported rather than documented. Earlier action games with a fired line remain unsurveyed. The usual citation points elsewhere: Guinness World Records credits Bionic Commando (1987) as the first video game to feature the grappling hook as a main gameplay mechanic, a qualified claim that leaves room for the earlier game. Roc'n Rope (Konami, 1983) has a fired rope that is climbed. No tabletop rule for throwing and anchoring a hook earlier than the 2024 Dungeons & Dragons text is cited." }, "established": { "title": "Bionic Commando", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Guinness World Records credits Bionic Commando with the grappling hook as a main gameplay mechanic, and The A.V. Club's 2018 retrospective calls the home version's design, in which the hook stands in for a jump and can be fired in mid-air to chain swings, the stroke \"from which all great grappling-hook games have descended\", naming Just Cause 2 and Spider-Man 2 among its heirs. The year is that of the NES version. Confidence is medium because the retrospective asserts the descent without tracing it, and Spider-Man (1982) swung on a fired line earlier." }, "sources": [ { "key": "spider-man-game-rules-1983", "canonical": false, "title": "Spider-Man (game rules)", "author": "Parker Brothers", "year": 1983, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Parker Brothers", "url": "https://archive.org/details/Spider-Man_1982_Parker_Bros", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "The Joystick Controllers; Web Fluid", "note": "The fired web line, climbing and swinging, the anchor rule, and the draining web-fluid supply. The rules sheet is marked 1983 beside a 1982 Marvel notice." }, { "key": "the-legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past-instruction-booklet-sns-zl-usa-1-1992", "canonical": false, "title": "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, instruction booklet (SNS-ZL-USA-1)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1992, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://archive.org/details/clvpsaaee", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Item descriptions, Hook Shot", "note": "The hook flung into a target and the chain reeled in to pull Link across, and its use as a weapon." }, { "key": "nintendo-player-s-guide-the-legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past-1992", "canonical": false, "title": "Nintendo Player's Guide: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1992, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Players_Guide_SNES_The_Legend_of_Zelda_A_Link_to_the_Past_1992", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 128", "note": "Link cannot be hurt while the Hookshot is extended." }, { "key": "worms-game-manual-pc-us-1995", "canonical": false, "title": "Worms Game Manual (PC, US)", "author": "Team17", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Team17 / Ocean", "url": "https://archive.org/details/wormsgamemanual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Utility weapons: Bungee, Ninja Rope; weapon setup table", "note": "The aimed and swung rope, the five-second move-time cost, and its default availability." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 97, Equipment, Adventuring Gear, Grappling Hook (2 GP)", "note": "The 2024 rule for the tabletop hook, with the Utilize action, 50-foot range, DC 13 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, and climbing." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Equipment, Adventuring Gear table", "note": "The 2014 rules list a grappling hook as gear with no rule for its use." }, { "key": "bionic-commando-instruction-manual-nes-1988", "canonical": false, "title": "Bionic Commando instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Capcom", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Capcom U.S.A.", "url": "https://archive.org/details/BionicCommandoNESHiResScans", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 5, controller instructions", "note": "The bionic arm extended with Button B." }, { "key": "bionic-commando-arcade-flyer-1987", "canonical": false, "title": "Bionic Commando arcade flyer", "author": "Capcom", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": "Capcom", "url": "https://archive.org/details/arcadeflyer_bionic-commando_alt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Feature list", "note": "The arm used to move up and down, grab things, and scatter enemies." }, { "key": "roc-n-rope-colecovision-cartridge-instructions-1984", "canonical": false, "title": "Roc 'n Rope, ColecoVision cartridge instructions", "author": "CBS Electronics", "year": 1984, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "CBS Electronics", "url": "https://archive.org/details/Roc_n_Rope_1984_Coleco_M5", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Using your controls; The end of your rope", "note": "The rope shot to a higher ledge and climbed, in a game marked 1983 Konami." }, { "key": "first-videogame-to-feature-the-grappling-hook", "canonical": false, "title": "First videogame to feature the grappling hook", "author": "Guinness World Records", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/504512-first-videogame-to-feature-the-grappling-hook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The usual attribution to Bionic Commando (1987) as the first game with the grappling hook as a main gameplay mechanic." }, { "key": "30-years-ago-bionic-commando-proved-video-game-grappling-hooks-are-awesome-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "30 years ago, Bionic Commando proved video game grappling hooks are awesome", "author": "Matt Gerardi", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "The A.V. Club", "url": "https://www.avclub.com/30-years-ago-bionic-commando-proved-video-game-grappli-1827755958", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "The hero's inability to jump, chained swings from mid-air shots in the NES version, Spider-Man's web read as a grappling hook, and the claim that all great grappling-hook games descend from the design, with Just Cause 2 and Spider-Man 2 named." }, { "key": "read-the-titanfall-2-update-1-14-patch-notes-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Read the Titanfall 2 Update 1.14 Patch Notes", "author": "Tyler Treese", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "PlayStation LifeStyle", "url": "https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/12/19/read-the-titanfall-2-update-1-14-patch-notes/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The grapple's two charges, the reverted single-charge change, and its standing as the most commonly picked tactical." }, { "key": "overwatch-ptr-patch-includes-widowmaker-hanzo-mobility-nerfs-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch PTR patch includes Widowmaker, Hanzo mobility nerfs", "author": "Ravi Sinha", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "GamingBolt", "url": "https://gamingbolt.com/overwatch-ptr-patch-includes-widowmaker-hanzo-mobility-nerfs", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Widowmaker's Grappling Hook cooldown raised from 8 to 10 seconds." }, { "key": "sekiro-review-perfection-perfected-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Sekiro review: Perfection perfected", "author": "Nino de Vries", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "The Next Web", "url": "https://thenextweb.com/news/sekiro-review-perfection-perfected", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The grappling hook always available, unlike the other prosthetic tools." }, { "key": "all-grappleshot-spawn-locations-halo-infinite-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "All Grappleshot spawn locations - Halo Infinite", "author": "Sam Chandler", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Shacknews", "url": "https://www.shacknews.com/article/128229/all-grappleshot-spawn-locations-halo-infinite", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The limited uses of the multiplayer pickup, the pull to surfaces, items, and enemies, and the melee on arrival." }, { "key": "grappleshot", "canonical": false, "title": "Grappleshot", "author": "Halopedia", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The campaign version's cooldown and upgrades." }, { "key": "just-cause-2-review-2010", "canonical": false, "title": "Just Cause 2 review", "author": "Tom Orry", "year": 2010, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "VideoGamer", "url": "https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/just-cause-2-review/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The tether used for traversal with the parachute, to pull enemies from a perch, and to join a vehicle to the road." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-7-2-5-patch-notes-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft 7.2.5 Patch Notes", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20812012", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Rogue, Outlaw", "note": "Grappling Hook among the cooldowns that Outlaw finishing moves reduce." }, { "key": "warcraft-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Grappling Hook", "note": "The tooltip, range, cooldown, patch date, and the change to baseline." }, { "key": "fortnite-v5-40-patch-notes-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Fortnite v5.40 Patch Notes", "author": "Epic Games", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20180906162252/https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/patch-notes/v5-40", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Battle Royale, Weapons + Items", "note": "The Grappler pulling the user towards the object hit, its loot sources, chained shots, and 15 charges after which it is discarded." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 20, "word_count": 569, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/grappling-hook" }, { "id": "haste", "name": "Haste", "status": "verified", "function": "enhancement", "delivery": [ "targeted", "area", "self" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "charges", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A timed state on the user or allies that makes them act faster than normal for its duration, with more movement, more attacks or actions per turn or second, or earlier and more frequent turns, after which normal speed returns", "aliases": [ "Haste Spell", "potion of haste", "potion of haste self", "FAST", "Fast", "Bloodlust", "Heroism", "Rapid Fire", "Tailwind", "Rush" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "action-points", "cooldowns", "initiative-order", "real-time", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Haste Spell, a 3rd-level Magic-User spell first castable at fifth level (Thaumaturgist), is \"exactly the opposite of a Slow Spell in effect, but otherwise like it\", so it shares Slow's area of up to 24 creatures in 6 by 12 inches, 3 turns, and 24-inch range; each counters the other. The text states no rate.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Rogue", "year": 1980, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Michael Toy, Glenn Wichman, and Ken Arnold", "gating": [ "consumable", "charges" ], "note": "The potion of haste self gives the player an extra move each turn for rnd(4)+4 turns; quaffing another while hasted makes the player \"faint from exhaustion\" for a random number of turns. A charged wand of haste monster hastes a monster or cancels its slow. Behaviour cited from the 5.4 source; its presence in the 1980 release is unconfirmed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "FAST, a level 4 Black Magic spell on one ally, \"Raises agility, nullifies SLOW, and increases fire rate of weapon 2 times\", doubling the hits of each attack. Magic power is restored by staying at an inn. Wording from the 1990 NES manual.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy IV", "year": 1991, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square (Hiroyuki Ito)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Fast, a White Magic spell costing 25 MP, \"speeds time\" for its target, and Slow, at 14 MP, \"slows time\". Under the Active Time Battle system it reportedly fills the target's gauge faster, so the hasted character takes more turns in the same time. Wording from the US manual, where the game is titled Final Fantasy II.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Orc Shaman's Bloodlust \"Increases a friendly unit's attack rate by 40% and movement speed by 25%\" for 60 seconds on a single friendly organic unit or the Shaman. It costs 50 mana, has no cooldown, can be set to autocast, and needs Shaman Master Training. The Human Sorceress's Slow reduces attack and movement speeds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The hunter's Rapid Fire \"increases ranged attack speed by 40% for 15 seconds\" on a five-minute timer (2006 guide). The shaman's Bloodlust and Heroism, reportedly added in patch 2.0.1 (December 2006), speed melee, ranged, and spell casting by 30% for 40 seconds on the party, after which recipients cannot benefit again for 10 minutes.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Ogre Magi's Bloodlust gives a friendly unit, towers included, 6 to 12% movement speed and 35 to 80 attack speed for 30 seconds, with more attack speed when cast on himself; 40 to 70 mana, 20 to 14 s cooldown in 2026 data. The Haste rune, a pickup, instead raises movement speed to maximum, a movement-only form.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana", "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Haste is an aura raising attack, cast and movement speed that reserves a share of maximum mana while active rather than spending it, 60% under the 1.0.0 notes. Vaal Haste spends 50 souls (3.3.0) on a burst lasting 4 seconds since 2.6.0, giving 31% attack and cast speed and 13% movement speed at gem level 20.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "note": "Haste (3rd level, one action, 30 feet, concentration up to 1 minute) on one willing creature doubles its speed, gives +2 AC and advantage on Dexterity saves, and grants one extra action each turn, limited to Attack (one weapon attack), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object. When it ends, the target cannot move or act until after its next turn.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Game Freak (Nintendo, The Pokémon Company)", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "Tailwind, a Flying-type status move, doubles the speed of every active member of the user's team for four turns, counting the turn it is used, so they act earlier. It stacks with stat boosts and is countered by an opposing Tailwind or by Trick Room, which reverses turn order. Uses are reportedly limited by PP, restored at a Pokémon Center.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Men & Magic (1974) lists Haste Spell and Slow Spell among the 3rd-level Magic-User spells and defines Haste as \"exactly the opposite of a Slow Spell in effect\", adding that \"it will counter its opposite and vice-versa\". Neither text states a rate, hence medium confidence. Greyhawk (1975) repeats both without defining them. The doubled rate is first stated in the cited texts in Holmes Basic (1977), whose potion of haste lets the user move \"at twice normal speed\" and deliver \"twice the usual number of blows\", and in the Players Handbook (1978), whose spell doubles movement and attack rates and ages the recipients. An antecedent is the Potion of Speed of Monsters & Treasure (1974), which doubles movement only. Chainmail's second edition (1972) lists no haste among its wizard spells. The earliest cited video instance is Rogue's potion of haste self, in the 5.4 source; its presence in the 1980 release is unconfirmed. The Wizardry (1981) manual lists no haste spell." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02002menmagic", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 21, Spells Table, Magic-Users, 3rd level; p. 26, Slow Spell and Haste Spell", "note": "Haste defined as the opposite of Slow, the mutual counter, and the 3rd-level placement; no rate stated." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-basic-set-rulebook-holmes-edition-1977", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons (Basic Set rulebook, Holmes edition)", "author": "J. Eric Holmes, from Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "year": 1977, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/holmes_basic", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 36, Explanation of Magical Items, potions: Haste", "note": "Twice normal speed and twice the usual number of blows for the potion's duration." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 73, Haste (Magic-User, 3rd level); pp. 74-75, Slow", "note": "Double movement and attack rates, casting not faster, negation of slow, and ageing of the recipients." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/dd-white-box-rules-set", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Potions, Speed; Miscellaneous Magic, Boots of Speed", "note": "The movement-only Potion of Speed." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, spell list", "note": "The wizard spell list, which has no haste or slow." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 153, Haste; p. 180, Slow", "note": "Doubled speed, +2 AC, the restricted extra action, and lethargy when the spell ends." }, { "key": "rogue-5-4-source-potions-c-misc-c-sticks-c", "canonical": false, "title": "Rogue 5.4 source (potions.c, misc.c, sticks.c)", "author": "Michael Toy, Ken Arnold, and Glenn Wichman", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://github.com/Davidslv/rogue/blob/master/potions.c", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "potions.c, case P_HASTE; misc.c, add_haste(); sticks.c, WS_HASTE_M and WS_SLOW_M", "note": "The rnd(4)+4 turn haste, fainting on a second dose, and the cancelling haste and slow wands." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://archive.org/download/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans/Final%20Fantasy%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 78, Black Magic levels 2 and 4 (SLOW, FAST); The Inns", "note": "FAST doubles hits and nullifies SLOW; magic restored at inns." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-ii-instruction-manual-snes-us-1991", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy II instruction manual (SNES, US)", "author": "Square", "year": 1991, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Square Soft", "url": "https://archive.org/details/final-fantasy-ii-us-snes-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "White Magic table: Fast, Slow", "note": "Fast at 25 MP \"speeds time\"; Slow at 14 MP \"slows time\"." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-orc-shaman-unit-page-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Orc Shaman unit page", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": "Blizzard Entertainment (battle.net)", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20021229101304/http://www.battle.net:80/war3/orc/units/Shaman.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Bloodlust (Autocast) table", "note": "Plus 40% attack rate and 25% movement for 60 seconds, 50 mana, no cooldown." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-master-guide-2nd-edition-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Master Guide, 2nd edition", "author": "BradyGames", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/WoWMasterGuide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Hunter chapter, Rapid Fire; Rogue chapter, Slice and Dice; Shaman chapter", "note": "Pre-expansion self-hastes on cooldowns; no Bloodlust in the shaman list." }, { "key": "buffs-and-cooldowns-in-raids-adjusted-for-wotlk-classic-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "Buffs And Cooldowns In Raids Adjusted For WotLK Classic", "author": "Passion (Warcraft Tavern)", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.warcrafttavern.com/wotlk/news/buffs-and-cooldowns-in-raids-adjusted-for-wotlk-classic", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Exhaustion and Sated clear at encounter end in the Classic re-release, to stop players dying to remove them." }, { "key": "heroism-bloodlust-will-reset-for-bosses-in-tbc-classic-anniversary-edition-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Heroism & Bloodlust Will Reset for Bosses in TBC Classic Anniversary Edition", "author": "Luxrah (Warcraft Tavern)", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.warcrafttavern.com/tbc/news/heroism-bloodlust-will-reset-for-bosses-in-tbc-classic-anniversary-edition/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The debuff prevents benefiting from Heroism or Bloodlust again for 10 minutes." }, { "key": "bloodlust", "canonical": false, "title": "Bloodlust", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": "Warcraft Wiki", "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Bloodlust added in patch 2.0.1 (December 2006); the 30% haste for 40 seconds." }, { "key": "pokemon-vgc-tailwind-how-to-use-tips-and-counters-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Pokemon VGC Tailwind: How to use, tips, and counters", "author": "Lukus Herblet (Sportskeeda)", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.sportskeeda.com/pokemon/pokemon-vgc-tailwind-how-use-tips-counters", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Doubled team speed for four turns, counting the turn used, in Scarlet and Violet; Trick Room as a counter." }, { "key": "all-status-effects-buffs-and-debuffs-in-clair-obscur-expedition-33-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "All Status Effects, Buffs, and Debuffs in Clair Obscur Expedition 33", "author": "Abhishek Mallick (Backdash)", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://thebackdash.com/gaming/all-status-effects-buffs-and-debuffs-in-clair-obscur-expedition-33/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Rush raises speed by 33% for more turns; Slow is its opposite." }, { "key": "magic-the-gathering-comprehensive-rules-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2026/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020260925.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "702.10, Haste", "note": "The haste keyword, which removes the delay on a newly controlled creature and adds no speed." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-1-0-0-release-patch-notes-2013", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile 1.0.0 Release Patch Notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/545523", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Haste raising attack, cast and movement speed, and most auras, Haste among them, set to 60% mana reservation." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-content-update-2-6-0-patch-notes-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile Content Update 2.6.0 Patch Notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/1839765", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Vaal Haste's speed bonuses by gem level and its duration cut from 6 to 4 seconds." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-incursion-content-update-3-3-0-patch-notes-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Incursion (Content Update 3.3.0) Patch Notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2150237", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Vaal Haste's cost of 50 souls." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-ogre-magi", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Ogre Magi", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=84", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Bloodlust", "note": "Current movement and attack speed bonuses, duration, the self-cast bonus, casting on towers, mana, and cooldown." }, { "key": "dota-2-localisation-abilities-english-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 localisation (abilities_english)", "author": "Valve, via SteamTracking GameTracking-Dota2", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SteamTracking/GameTracking-Dota2/master/game/dota/pak01_dir/resource/localization/abilities_english.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "DOTA_Tooltip_rune_haste_description", "note": "The Haste rune's tooltip, movement speed increased to maximum." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 22, "word_count": 546, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/haste" }, { "id": "heal", "name": "Heal", "status": "verified", "function": "restoration", "delivery": [ "targeted", "self" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A deliberate act by which a character returns lost hit points, or the game's equivalent health measure, to itself or an ally, up to that measure's maximum, as opposed to passive regeneration or rest.", "aliases": [ "Cure Light Wounds", "Cure", "DIOS", "Lesser Heal", "Healing Wave", "Heal X", "restore HP", "mend" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "downtime-phases", "hit-points", "line-of-sight", "status-effects", "threat-aggro" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "note": "Cure Light Wounds, a cleric 1st-level spell, removes 1d6+1 (2 to 7) points of damage from one wounded character over one full turn; Cure Serious Wounds (4th level) removes 4 to 14. Each memorised spell is used once a day, and a cleric has a 1st-level spell only from 2nd level. A Potion of Healing restores the same 2 to 7 points.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Sir-Tech", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "note": "DIOS, a level 1 priest spell glossed \"heal\", restores one to eight lost hit points to one party member and can be cast at any time; DIAL restores 2 to 16 and MADI restores all. Each cast spends a spell point of that spell level, refilled at the inn, and DIOS potions heal without one.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dragon Quest", "year": 1986, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Chunsoft (Yuji Horii)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "HEAL, learned by level and usable in battle or while exploring, costs 4 MP and restores 10 to 15 HP by the 1989 North American manual (about 10 to 20 by its Explorer's Handbook); in battle it takes the turn's attack. HEALMORE restores 75 to 100, and Herbs give a purchased item alternative.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "note": "White Magic CURE (level 1) recovers a little HP for one ally, CUR2 (level 3) 32 to 64, CUR3 64 or more, and CUR4 all. Spells are bought in shops, up to three per level, and each level has its own count of uses, restored at an inn. HEAL potions are the item form.", "latest": false }, { "title": "HeroQuest", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Stephen Baker (Milton Bradley and Games Workshop)", "gating": [ "per-rest", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "note": "The Wizard or Elf casts a healing spell instead of attacking, on a visible target or on themselves; each spell is cast once per quest and its card is then discarded. Healing spells and potion treasure cards restore lost Body points but never above the starting level.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EVE Online", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "CCP Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Fitted modules repair damage to separate hit-point layers, each drawing capacitor when activated. Armour repairers and shield boosters work on the user's own ship, and remote repair systems and shield transporters repair another ship's armour or shields.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The priest's Lesser Heal at rank 1 costs 35 mana, has a 40-yard range and a 1.5-second cast; higher ranks cost more mana and take longer to cast. Renew heals over 15 seconds for 30 mana. Healing adds threat, and a Minor Healing Potion restores 70 to 90 health.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "per-rest", "consumable" ], "note": "Heal X returns X hit points to the user or one ally within range, or to the user only when marked Self. On a poisoned figure it removes Poison instead; on a wounded figure it removes Wound and then heals. Heals reportedly sit on ability cards that are discarded and recovered by resting, or lost; a long rest includes Heal 2, Self.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Fortnite", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Epic Games", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "Healing comes only from items. A Bandage takes 4 seconds and restores 15 health but cannot raise it above 75 of 100, a Med Kit takes 10 seconds and restores all health, and the placed Cozy Campfire heals 2 health a second for 25 seconds to anyone near it, enemies included.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Overwatch 2", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Mercy's Caduceus Staff heals an ally with a beam held on it at no resource cost, 45 health per second since February 2023 (55 before) and 50 percent more on allies below half health. Ana's Biotic Grenade, on a cooldown, heals allies in an area and raises the healing they receive; Mercy's ultimate, Valkyrie, enhances her abilities.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "high", "note": "Cure Light Wounds, a cleric 1st-level spell in Volume 1, Men & Magic, removes 2 to 7 points of damage from a wounded character; the same box holds a Potion of Healing defined as \"just like a Light Wound spell\" and a Staff of Healing usable once a day per recipient. Chainmail (second edition, 1972) has no healing rule; its only restoration is the recovery of fatigued troops after a turn without movement. The cleric class is often credited to Dave Arneson's Blackmoor campaign (about 1971 to 1973), an unpublished antecedent of which no copy is cited. Among video games, Wizardry (1981) is an early documented heal spell; healing in PLATO dnd (1975) and potions of healing in Rogue (1980) are unconfirmed." }, "established": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "low", "note": "Cure Light Wounds and Cure Serious Wounds set the deliberate heal in graded tiers, with a potion as its item form. The documented chain runs through Wizardry, which a 1981 Softalk review called the truest of computer programs to Dungeons & Dragons and whose DIOS, DIAL, and MADI repeat the grading, to Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, whose creators drew on Wizardry. No source cited traces the heal itself along that chain." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/dndbook1", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 18 (Cleric advancement table, spells and levels); p. 21 (Spells Table, Clerics); Explanation of Spells, Clerics, 1st Level (Cure Light Wounds)", "note": "The Cure Light Wounds and Cure Serious Wounds wording, the once-a-day spell allotment, and the cleric's access to 1st-level spells at 2nd level." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr/MonstersTreasureVol2TSR_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 31 (Potions, Healing); Staves (Staff of Healing)", "note": "The same-year potion defined by reference to the spell, and the staff limited per recipient." }, { "key": "wizardry-proving-grounds-of-the-mad-overlord-player-s-guide-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, Player's Guide", "author": "Sir-Tech", "year": 1981, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/sir-tech-wizardry-1-a2-v2.1-black-manual-ph/components/wizardry%20players%20guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells (spell points); Camp; Level 1 Priest spells, DIOS, pp. 67-68", "note": "DIOS, DIAL, and MADI values, per-level spell points restored at the inn, and DIOS potions." }, { "key": "dragon-warrior-instruction-manual-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Warrior instruction manual", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/DragonWarriorNESHiResScans/Dragon%20Warrior%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells (Heal, Healmore)", "note": "The North American localisation of Dragon Quest; HEAL at 4 MP for 10 to 15 HP, and HEALMORE." }, { "key": "dragon-warrior-explorer-s-handbook-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Warrior Explorer's Handbook", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/DragonWarriorNESHiResScans/Dragon%20Warrior%20-%20Explorer%27s%20Handbook%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Restoring HP & MP; Using the Heal Spell", "note": "Heal at about 10 to 20 HP, compared with Herbs and inns." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans/Final%20Fantasy%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Buy Magic; Menu Screen; White Magic, Levels 1-4", "note": "CURE through CUR4 and the per-level spell counts restored at inns." }, { "key": "heroquest-rulebook-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "HeroQuest rulebook", "author": "Stephen Baker (Milton Bradley and Games Workshop)", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/000-hero-quest-main-rulebook-european-1989-first-edition/000%20HeroQuest%20-%20Main%20Rulebook%20%28European%29%201989%20First%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Body points; Casting Spells; Treasure (potions)", "note": "Spells cast instead of attacking, once per quest, and healing capped at the starting Body points." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Priest chapter, spell tables (Lesser Heal, Renew); consumables table (Minor Healing Potion)", "note": "Mana costs, range, cast times, and heal-over-time values at launch." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Heal; Conditions (Poison, Wound); Resting (long rest)", "note": "The Heal X, range, and Self wording and its interaction with Poison and Wound." }, { "key": "mercy-hero-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Mercy hero page", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/mercy/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Caduceus Staff (\"Hold to heal an ally\") and Valkyrie in the current live game." }, { "key": "ana-hero-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Ana hero page", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/ana/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Biotic Rifle and Biotic Grenade healing in the current live game." }, { "key": "overwatch-2-latest-update-makes-playing-mercy-more-difficult-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "'Overwatch 2': Latest update makes playing Mercy more difficult", "author": "NME", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.nme.com/news/overwatch-2-latest-update-makes-playing-mercy-more-difficult-3393774", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The February 2023 change to Caduceus Staff healing, 55 to 45 per second, with 50 percent more on allies below half health." }, { "key": "fortnite-healing-shields-everything-you-need-to-know-about-med-kits-shield-potions-bandages-camp-fires-chug-jugs-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Fortnite Healing & Shields: Everything You Need to Know About Med Kits, Shield Potions, Bandages, Camp Fires, Chug Jugs!", "author": "Shaun Savage", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Pro Game Guides", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20201028224536/https://progameguides.com/fortnite/fortnite-guides/fortnite-healing-shields-everything-you-need-to-know-about-med-kits-shield-potions-bandages-camp-fires-chug-jugs/", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Fortnite Healing & Shields Basics", "note": "Bandages at 15 health each, 4 seconds and a 75-health cap; the Med Kit at 10 seconds for full health; the Cozy Campfire at 2 health a second for 25 seconds to anyone near it." }, { "key": "the-making-of-wizardry-the-landmark-rpg-that-inspired-dragon-quest-final-fantasy-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "The Making Of: Wizardry, The Landmark RPG That Inspired Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy", "author": "Jack Yarwood", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Time Extension", "url": "https://www.timeextension.com/features/the-making-of-wizardry-the-landmark-rpg-that-inspired-dragon-quest-and-final-fantasy", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "Softalk's 1981 review calling Wizardry the truest of programs to Dungeons & Dragons, and Yuji Horii and Hironobu Sakaguchi drawing on Wizardry for Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy; the article does not discuss spells." }, { "key": "eve-online-player-guide-the-market-categories-wayback-capture-2007", "canonical": false, "title": "EVE Online Player Guide: The Market Categories (Wayback capture)", "author": "CCP Games", "year": 2007, "year_approx": true, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20071208004821/http://www.eve-online.com:80/guide/en/g68_2.asp", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Ship Equipment: Hull & Armor; Shield", "note": "Armour repair systems, remote repair systems for another ship's armour, hull repair systems, shield boosters that heal shields for capacitor, and shield transporters for another ship's shields." }, { "key": "eve-online-player-guide-ship-fitting-wayback-capture-2005", "canonical": false, "title": "EVE Online Player Guide: Ship Fitting (Wayback capture)", "author": "CCP Games", "year": 2005, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20050306000013/http://www.eve-online.com:80/guide/en/g08.asp", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "8: Ship Fitting, Mid-Slots and Lo-Slots", "note": "Capacitor used only when a fitted module is activated." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 16, "word_count": 588, "updated": "2026-10-28", "url": "/abilities/heal" }, { "id": "invisibility", "name": "Invisibility", "status": "verified", "function": "concealment", "delivery": [ "self", "targeted" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "definition": "An activated effect makes the user or an ally unseen by opponents for a time, so that they cannot target or attack it; it usually ends when the concealed figure attacks, and specific detectors can reveal it.", "aliases": [ "Cloaking Field", "Personal Cloaking", "Active Camouflage", "Cloak mode", "Vanish" ], "media": [ "board-card", "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "advantage-disadvantage", "cooldowns", "line-of-sight", "status-effects", "stealth-detection" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "In the 1972 second-edition text, Wizards can become invisible and remain so until they attack; invisible Elves can neither attack nor be attacked unless located by an enemy able to detect hidden or invisible troops, but may become visible and attack in the same turn. Dragons detect invisible enemies within 15 inches; Rocs cannot.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "note": "A 2nd-level magic-user spell with a range of 24 inches on the table scale that lasts until broken by the user or an outside force, though a character cannot remain invisible and attack; a 3rd-level version covers a 10-foot radius. A Ring of Invisibility has no duration limit, and a potion lasts 6 turns plus 1d6.", "latest": false }, { "title": "StarCraft", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Wraith's Cloaking Field runs off the fighter's main power supply, and the Apollo Reactor lets it stay cloaked for longer; Ghosts research Personal Cloaking at the Covert Ops. Detectors such as the Missile Turret, Comsat scanner sweep, Overlord, Spore Colony and Observer reveal cloaked units, and the Protoss Arbiter conceals friendly units near it.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Halo: Combat Evolved", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Bungie", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "Active camouflage is a power-up placed on the map that takes effect on pickup and reportedly lasts 45 seconds, leaving the player visible as a faint distortion rather than wholly unseen.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EVE Online", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "CCP Games", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "A fitted cloaking device hides the ship from the overview, the scanner and sight in space, and only the covert ops cloak, which particular ships can fit, lets it warp while hidden. From 2021 a deployable Mobile Observatory pings the solar system every 10 minutes with a 40% chance to decloak each cloaked ship.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "consumable" ], "note": "Rogue Stealth is a toggle that lasts until cancelled, slows movement and has a 10-second cooldown; Vanish returns the rogue to stealth on a 5-minute cooldown. Detection range depends on level difference, talents and facing, and Faerie Fire and Flare reveal stealthed units. An Invisibility Potion lasts 15 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Crysis", "year": 2007, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Crytek (Electronic Arts)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The nanosuit's Cloak mode renders the player virtually invisible and drains suit energy, faster while moving, from the pool shared with the Speed, Strength and Armor modes; firing a weapon empties suit energy and makes the player instantly visible.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Shadow Blade's Shadow Walk makes its carrier invisible for 17 seconds, after a 0.3-second fade, or until it attacks or casts a spell; the carrier moves 20% faster and through units, and an attack that ends it deals 175 bonus physical damage. 75 mana, 25 s cooldown in 2026 data.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dead by Daylight", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Behaviour Interactive", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "One of the killers at release rings a bell to become invisible, so in this one-against-four game the hunter rather than the hunted carries the concealment.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Fortnite", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Epic Games", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "Shadow Stones (patch 6.00, 2018), found around the corrupted areas of the map, apply Shadow Form for up to 45 seconds. The player is invisible to enemies while stationary but more visible, leaving a Shadow Trail, when moving, cannot use weapons, and gains speed, higher jumps and a Phase dash through objects.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Overwatch 2", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Sombra's Translocator throws a beacon that she teleports to, and she becomes stealthed for a short duration after teleporting, so the concealment rides on a cooldown-gated movement ability rather than standing as an ability of its own.", "latest": true }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 2024 edition", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "The Invisibility spell, held by concentration for up to an hour, gives the target the Invisible condition and ends immediately after it makes an attack roll, deals damage or casts a spell; the condition grants Advantage on its attack rolls and imposes Disadvantage on attacks against it.", "latest": false } ], "provenance": { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The wording cited is that of the 1972 second edition, whose Fantasy Supplement lets Wizards become invisible until they attack and gives invisibility to Elves, Fairies and Sprites, with detection by named creatures and a Detection spell; its colophon dates the first edition to 1971. No copy of the 1971 first edition is cited, so whether these rules were already in the first printing is unconfirmed, though it is widely stated. Gygax's fantasy material in club newsletters before 1971 is a plausible earlier venue and remains unsurveyed. Dungeons & Dragons (1974) gives the earliest spell form cited and refers its attack rule back to Chainmail. Literary invisibility, including the ring in Tolkien, whom the Chainmail fantasy rules cite throughout, is an antecedent rather than an instance." }, "established": { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Chainmail's second edition (1972) holds the form the definition describes: invisibility that lasts until the concealed figure attacks, answered by named detectors. Men & Magic (1974) takes the attack rule from it in so many words (\"as in CHAINMAIL, a character cannot remain invisible and attack\"), and a 2014 comparison of the spell across Dungeons & Dragons editions finds the end on attack kept in the Basic rules (1981), the 3.5 rules and the D&D Next playtest, as it is in the 2024 rules. The year is that of the wording cited, since the 1971 printing is unconfirmed. The video forms (StarCraft, World of Warcraft) are not documented as taken from this line." }, "sources": [ { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement: Fantastic Characteristics, p. 26 (Sprites, Elves); Wizards, pp. 28-29; Dragons, p. 31; Rocs, p. 32", "note": "Wizards \"can become invisible and remain so until they attack\"; invisible Elves and Sprites; detection of invisible troops by specific creatures; colophon dating the first edition to 1971." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dd-white-box-rules-set/TSR%202002%20-%20V1%20-%20Men%20%26%20Magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanation of Spells, Magic-User 2nd level (Invisibility) and 3rd level (Invisibility, 10' Radius), pp. 23-24", "note": "The spell form, range 24 inches, lasting until broken; \"as in CHAINMAIL, a character cannot remain invisible and attack\"." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dd-white-box-rules-set/TSR%202002%20-%20V2%20-%20Monsters%20%26%20Treasure_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanations of Magic Items: Potions, p. 31; Rings, p. 33", "note": "The ring and potion forms; potions last 6 turns plus 1d6." }, { "key": "starcraft-manual-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "StarCraft manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/starcraft_202306/StarCraft_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Terran units: Ghost, p. 37; Wraith, p. 41; Control Tower, p. 45; Covert Ops and Missile Turret, p. 47; Protoss: Arbiter, p. 84; Observer, p. 85", "note": "Energy-powered cloaking, the Arbiter's area cloak, and detector counters. The scan may be a later printing." }, { "key": "crysis-pc-manual-english-2007", "canonical": false, "title": "Crysis PC manual (English)", "author": "Crytek", "year": 2007, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Electronic Arts", "url": "https://archive.org/download/crysis-pc-english-manual/Crysis%20PC%20-%20English%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Nanosuit: Cloak, p. 4", "note": "Cloak drains suit energy, faster while moving; firing empties suit energy and reveals the player." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2005", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip", "year": 2005, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Rogue chapter: Stealth and Vanish; What Controls Stealth Detection Ranges?", "note": "Rogue Stealth and Vanish cooldowns, detection ranges and reveal abilities, Shadowmeld, and the Invisibility Potion." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells: Invisibility, p. 143; Greater Invisibility, p. 137; Rules Glossary: Invisible [Condition], p. 184", "note": "The 2024 rules text; Invisibility ends on an attack roll, damage or a spell, and Greater Invisibility has no such clause." }, { "key": "sombra-overwatch-s-newest-hero-all-of-her-abilities-cosmetics-and-some-tips-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "Sombra, Overwatch's newest hero - all of her abilities, cosmetics and some tips", "author": "Ben Barrett", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "PCGamesN", "url": "https://www.pcgamesn.com/overwatch/overwatch-sombra", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The 2016 Stealth ability, 6 seconds long with a 6-second cooldown after becoming visible, ended by damage or any action other than movement." }, { "key": "sombra-hero-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Sombra hero page", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/sombra/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The current Translocator, with stealth for a short duration after teleporting." }, { "key": "active-camouflage", "canonical": false, "title": "Active camouflage", "author": "Halopedia", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Halo power-up and its reported duration in Combat Evolved." }, { "key": "dota-2-item-data-shadow-blade", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 item data, Shadow Blade", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/itemdata?language=english&item_id=152", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Active: Shadow Walk", "note": "Current duration, fade time, speed bonus, bonus damage on the breaking attack, mana, and cooldown, and the end of invisibility on attacking or casting." }, { "key": "case-invisibility-2014", "canonical": false, "title": "Case: Invisibility", "author": "Uplaidos Oscea", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Limun Ropellukset", "url": "https://iimu.kapsi.fi/limunropellukset/archives/2405", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "In Finnish. Compares the Invisibility spell in OD&D, AD&D, Moldvay and Mentzer Basic, 3.5, D&D Next and clones; quotes the OD&D reference to Chainmail and the end on attack in most later versions." }, { "key": "fortnite-v6-00-patch-notes-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Fortnite v6.00 Patch Notes", "author": "Epic Games", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20180927120801/https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/patch-notes/v6-00", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Battle Royale, Weapons + Items", "note": "Shadow Stones around corrupted areas, Shadow Form's invisibility while stationary, the Shadow Trail when moving, no weapons, Phase, and the 45-second duration." }, { "key": "eve-online-player-guide-the-market-categories-wayback-capture-2007", "canonical": false, "title": "EVE Online Player Guide: The Market Categories (Wayback capture)", "author": "CCP Games", "year": 2007, "year_approx": true, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20071208004821/http://www.eve-online.com:80/guide/en/g68_2.asp", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Ship Equipment: Electronics and Sensor Upgrades; Ships: Frigate sized", "note": "Cloaking devices that keep a ship off the overview, the scanner and sight in space, and covert ops ships that can fit the covert ops cloak and warp while cloaked." }, { "key": "mobile-observatories-available-now-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "Mobile Observatories – Available Now!", "author": "CCP Games", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/mobile-observatories-available-now", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": null, "note": "A deployable that pings the system every 10 minutes for 2 hours, each ping with a 40% chance to decloak each cloaked ship, and a Hardened Cloak buff that resists the pings for 15 minutes after cloaking." }, { "key": "review-dead-by-daylight-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "Review: Dead by Daylight", "author": "Mike Futter (Game Informer)", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gameinformer.com/games/dead_by_daylight/b/pc/archive/2016/07/06/review-dead-by-daylight.aspx", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": null, "note": "Killers with special abilities at release, such as ringing a bell to become invisible." } ], "n_examples": 12, "n_sources": 16, "word_count": 526, "updated": "2026-10-30", "url": "/abilities/invisibility" }, { "id": "invulnerability", "name": "Invulnerability", "status": "verified", "function": "protection", "delivery": [ "self", "targeted" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "per-rest", "consumable" ], "definition": "An activated state in which the user or an ally ignores all or nearly all damage, whatever its size, for a short fixed time; it is often paid for by being unable to move, attack, or act until it ends", "aliases": [ "invincibility", "damage immunity", "Divine Shield", "Divine Protection", "Divine Aura", "Ice Block", "Intervention", "Starman", "Super Star", "Zhonya's Hourglass" ], "media": [ "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "damage-types", "hit-points", "interrupts-and-reactions", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Super Mario Bros.", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo (Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka)", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "Touching a Starman placed in the level turns Mario into \"Invincible Mario\" for a short time, and enemies he touches are defeated. The booklet gives no duration. The flicker after Mario shrinks, during which \"he can not be killed by bad guys\", is a separate system rule.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EverQuest", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Verant Interactive", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Divine Aura, a cleric spell at level 1 (paladin 55) cast on the caster only, costs 10 mana and a 1-second cast and gives 18 seconds of invulnerability on a 15-minute recast; the cleric \"cannot cast or attack\" meanwhile. Values are from a 2001 guide.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Pokémon Gold and Silver", "year": 1999, "year_approx": true, "medium": "video", "creator": "Game Freak (Nintendo)", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "Protect, 10 PP, wards off the opponent's attack for one turn, and its success rate falls if it is used on consecutive turns; Detect does the same at 5 PP. Endure instead leaves the user with one hit point however hard it is hit. Wording from the 2000 Nintendo Power guide.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The paladin's Divine Shield voids \"all damage and spells\" for 10 seconds (12 at rank 2) at the cost of half attack speed; Divine Protection lasts 6 to 8 seconds, forbids attacking, and has a 5-minute cooldown. The mage's Ice Block, a 20-point Frost talent, protects from spells and melee for 10 seconds during which the mage cannot move, attack, or cast.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Kayle's ultimate, Intervention, is cast on herself or an ally at 1,300 range and gives immunity to all damage for 3, 4, or 5 seconds for 100 to 50 mana on a 90 to 60 second cooldown (2010 values). Zhonya's Hourglass, a bought item, gives 2.5 seconds as Invulnerable and Untargetable with no other actions, on a 120-second cooldown in current data.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Omniknight's Guardian Angel makes nearby allies immune to physical damage for 4 to 5.5 seconds in a 700 radius, for 125 to 225 mana on a 100 to 80 second cooldown. Dazzle's Shallow Grave lets damage land but keeps an ally from dying for its duration. Values are current, not those of 2013.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square Enix", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Hallowed Ground, a paladin job action learned at level 50, is used instantly and renders the user impervious to most attacks for 10 seconds on a 420-second recast; the paladin job is open only to a character of the gladiator class. Values are current.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Super Mario Bros. Wonder", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo EPD", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "Picking up a Super Star makes the player invulnerable for a short time, able to run through enemies and slightly faster. It does not prevent death from a fall into a gap, so the immunity covers nearly all damage rather than all of it.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Super Mario Bros.", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The instruction booklet pairs the Starman with \"Invincible Mario\", a timed immunity to enemies that is picked up and spent. Confidence is medium because earlier arcade power-ups remain unsurveyed. Phoenix (1980) has a Force Field button, also called a barrier button, that protects the ship for a few seconds and then cannot be used for about five; it is an antecedent on the barrier border, beside the shield buttons filed as held barriers. The name is older than the behaviour: the potion of invulnerability in Monsters & Treasure (1974) adds +2 to defence and saving throws, and the Globes of Invulnerability of the 1978 Players Handbook keep out spells, a selective ward. The same book's Sanctuary is an attack ward broken by a saving throw that bars the cleric from attacking. Pac-Man's power pellet, which reportedly turns the ghosts edible rather than making the player immune, is a role reversal outside the definition. EverQuest's Divine Aura, the spell form, is cited from a 2001 guide; its presence at the 1999 launch is unconfirmed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "super-mario-bros-instruction-booklet-1985", "canonical": false, "title": "Super Mario Bros. instruction booklet", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/Super-Mario-Bros-Manual-NES-1985", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mario, Super Mario, Invincible Mario, etc.", "note": "The Starman as the item that makes Invincible Mario, and the separate post-hit flicker during which Mario cannot be killed." }, { "key": "everquest-players-guide-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "EverQuest Players Guide", "author": "Juanita Jones, Russell Phoenix, Jimmy Monkerface, and Damien Waples (Prima Games)", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/everquest-players-guide/Everquest%20%20Players%20Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric chapter, level 1 spells; spell reference, Divine Aura", "note": "Divine Aura's mana, cast time, 18-second duration, 15-minute recast, and the cleric's inability to cast or attack while it lasts." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mage chapter, Frost talents (Ice Block); Paladin chapter, spell tables (Divine Protection, Divine Shield)", "note": "Durations, the attack-speed price of Divine Shield, and Ice Block's wording that the mage cannot move, attack, or cast." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-paladin-spells-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Paladin spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20060705032440/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/paladin-spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Divine Shield; Divine Intervention; Other Information (Forbearance)", "note": "Forbearance's one-minute lockout, Divine Shield as the replacement for Divine Protection that allows attacking, and Divine Intervention." }, { "key": "kayle-the-judicator-2010", "canonical": false, "title": "Kayle, the Judicator", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2010, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20100610022608/http://www.leagueoflegends.com:80/champions/10/kayle_the_judicator", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Abilities, Intervention", "note": "Intervention's 3, 4, and 5 seconds of immunity to all damage, its mana cost, cooldown, and range (Wayback Machine capture of June 2010)." }, { "key": "data-dragon-16-21-1-item-data-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon 16.21.1, item data", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/item.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Zhonya's Hourglass (items 3157, 223157, 773157)", "note": "The Stasis active, 2.5 seconds Invulnerable and Untargetable with no other actions, on a 120-second cooldown." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-omniknight", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Omniknight", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=57", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Guardian Angel", "note": "Physical damage immunity for allies in a radius, with duration, mana, and cooldown in current-patch values." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-dazzle", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Dazzle", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=50", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Shallow Grave", "note": "An ally kept from dying for the duration." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-xiv-job-guide-paladin", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy XIV Job Guide: Paladin", "author": "Square Enix", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/jobguide/paladin/", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": "Job Actions, Hallowed Ground", "note": "Hallowed Ground learned at level 50, instant, a 420-second recast and 10 seconds impervious to most attacks, and gladiator as the paladin's prerequisite class; current values." }, { "key": "pok-mon-gold-silver-player-s-guide-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Pokémon Gold & Silver Player's Guide", "author": "Nintendo Power", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower2000PokemonGoldSilver", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Move list: Protect, Detect, Endure", "note": "The wording and PP of Protect, Detect, and Endure." }, { "key": "phoenix-service-manual", "canonical": false, "title": "Phoenix Service Manual", "author": "Centuri, Inc.", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Centuri, Inc.", "url": "https://archive.org/details/arcademanual_phoenix", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Game Summary, pp. 3-4; Game Instructions", "note": "The Force Field button, its few seconds of protection, the lock-out of about five seconds, and birds destroyed on contact; the manual is undated." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric Spells (1st Level), Sanctuary (c. pp. 43-44); Magic-User Spells, Minor Globe of Invulnerability (c. p. 77), Globe of Invulnerability (c. p. 84)", "note": "The antecedent attack ward and the spell-immunity globes that carry the name; page numbers follow the scan's page markers." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Potions, Invulnerability, p. 32", "note": "The potion of invulnerability as a +2 bonus to defence and saving throws." }, { "key": "all-power-ups-in-super-mario-bros-wonder-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "All Power-Ups in Super Mario Bros Wonder", "author": "Jacob Woodward", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Retro Dodo", "url": "https://retrododo.com/all-power-ups-in-super-mario-bros-wonder", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Super Star's short invulnerability, its slight speed boost, and its failure to prevent death in a fall." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 14, "word_count": 546, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/invulnerability" }, { "id": "knockback", "name": "Knockback", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "melee", "targeted", "area", "projectile" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An ability whose main effect is to force a target away from the user or in a set direction against its will, by a blow, blast, or field, often into hazards, other figures, or off a ledge; any damage is secondary", "aliases": [ "knock-back", "knock back", "push", "PUSH X", "shove", "bull rush", "force push", "repel", "Repulsion", "Gust of Wind", "Bigby's Forceful Hand", "Thunderwave", "Repelling Blast", "Soundwave", "Concussive Blast", "Typhoon", "Thunderstorm", "Depulso", "knock-off", "smash attack", "Pressor Beam" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "grid-movement", "hitboxes-and-hurtboxes", "opposed-rolls", "saving-throws", "threat-aggro" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Repulsion, a 6th-level magic-user spell, lets the caster make objects or creatures move in a course opposite to their course towards the caster, for 6 turns at a range of 12 inches. It is a sustained field that turns back whatever approaches, not a blow that throws a target.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Four memorised spells displace. Gust of Wind (3rd level) forces small fliers back 1 to 6 inches and holds man-sized ones in place; Bigby's Forceful Hand (6th) pushes a creature of 500 pounds or less away from the caster; Repulsion (6th) moves creatures in its path away at 3 inches per round. The 1st-level Push mainly makes a creature lose its balance.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Super Smash Bros.", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "HAL Laboratory (Nintendo)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Attacks raise the target's Damage Meter, shown as a percentage, and the higher it reads \"the easier it is to knock your opponent off\". A match is scored in knock-offs rather than by depleting hit points. A Damage option scales knockback for every attack, and a handicap makes a fighter easier to knock off.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "action-cost" ], "note": "Bull rush is a standard action, made in place of an attack or at the end of a charge. The attacker moves into the defender's space, provoking attacks of opportunity, and makes an opposed Strength check with 4 points per size category and +2 on a charge. Success pushes the defender back 5 feet, plus 1 foot per point of margin if the attacker follows; failure sends the attacker back 5 feet.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Overwatch", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Lúcio's Soundwave is a short-range blast wave that knocks enemies away from him, and Pharah's Concussive Blast is an explosive projectile that knocks enemies back. Both are cooldown abilities, used to push enemies into lethal falls. A 2019 PTR patch made knockback distance more consistent and let flying heroes be knocked back.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost", "per-rest", "consumable" ], "note": "PUSH X on an ability-card attack forces the target to move X hexes in a direction the attacker chooses, each hex farther from the attacker, ending when no hex qualifies. The target may pass through its allies but not its enemies. Forced movement springs traps and takes hazardous-terrain damage. The card is discarded and recovered by resting, or lost.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Fortnite", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Epic Games", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "The Chiller Grenade (2019), found in stacks of 3, knocks players back and leaves anyone hit, allies included, sliding on icy feet for 7 seconds. Since patch 4.0 (2018) a player knocked off the island counts as eliminated by the opponent, as with fall damage.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Into the Breach", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Subset Games", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Many mech attacks push or pull enemies in addition to, or instead of, dealing damage. Enemy attacks are telegraphed, so a one-square push makes an attack miss or strike another enemy, and ground enemies can be pushed off cliffs, into water, or into each other, damaging both.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hogwarts Legacy", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Avalanche Software (Warner Bros. Games)", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Depulso, learned in a side assignment, pushes enemies and objects away from the caster and serves as a control spell rather than a damage spell, opening room in a fight. A mastery talent gives a larger push that hits several adversaries, Depulso puzzle rooms require it, and the spell reportedly runs on a cooldown.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The definition admits a repelling field, so the earliest documented use is Repulsion in Greyhawk (1975), a 6th-level magic-user spell whose only effect is to move creatures away from the caster. Confidence is medium: the form is a sustained field that turns back approaching creatures rather than a strike; the text is read from a 1979 printing, and its match with the 1975 printing is unconfirmed; earlier tabletop and wargame cases are only partly surveyed. The blow form appears in the Players Handbook (1978) with Push, Gust of Wind, and Bigby's Forceful Hand. Antecedents are Chainmail (2nd edition, 1972), whose fire ball \"drives dragon back 1 move\" and drives elementals back instead of destroying them, a resolution outcome rather than an ability (its presence in the 1971 edition is unconfirmed), and the air elemental of Monsters & Treasure (1974), whose whirlwind sweeps away creatures under two hit dice, a monster power. The earliest video instances cited are Super Smash Bros. (1999), in system form, and the dedicated skills of Diablo II (2000)." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-user spells, 6th level: Repulsion (spell table p. 20; description p. 25)", "note": "The Repulsion text, range, and duration; the scan is a 12th printing of November 1979." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-user spells: Push, p. 68; Gust of Wind, p. 74; Bigby's Forceful Hand, p. 83; Repulsion, pp. 85-86", "note": "Four slot-gated displacement spells with weight and size limits; page numbers from the OCR of a 6th printing." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards: Missiles, exceptions table", "note": "The fire ball and lightning bolt that drive dragons and elementals back 1 move instead of destroying them." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Air Elementals; Djinn", "note": "The whirlwind that sweeps away creatures under two hit dice." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-3-0-combat-actions", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 3.0, Combat Actions", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20040228063324/http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/SRDCombatActions.rtf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Bull rush [Standard][AoO: Yes]", "note": "The bull rush, its opposed Strength check, size modifiers, push distance, and failure rebound; Wayback snapshot of 2004." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Rules Glossary, Unarmed Strike: Shove, p. 190; Thunderwave, p. 169; Repelling Blast, p. 74", "note": "The 2024 Shove, Thunderwave's 10-foot push, and the Repelling Blast rider." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "PUSH X and PULL X, p. 22; Traps and Hazardous terrain, p. 14", "note": "The farther-each-hex push, its separation from PULL, and forced movement into traps and hazards." }, { "key": "super-smash-bros-instruction-manual-en-aus-1999", "canonical": false, "title": "Super Smash Bros. instruction manual (EN-AUS)", "author": "Nintendo and HAL Laboratory", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo", "url": "https://archive.org/details/super-smash-bros-n64-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Introduction, p. 3; The Battle Screen; Options: Handicap, Damage; Items: Home-Run Bat", "note": "The Damage Meter, knock-off scoring, and the knockback scaling option." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment (Blizzard North)", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-ii-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Barbarian Skills, Combat skills: Bash, Leap; Paladin Skills: Smite, Sanctuary", "note": "Dedicated knockback skills; the scan's printer marks are dated 2002, so it may be a reprint." }, { "key": "l-cio-hero-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Lúcio hero page", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/lucio/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Soundwave description, in the current site's text." }, { "key": "pharah-hero-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Pharah hero page", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/pharah/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Concussive Blast description, in the current site's text." }, { "key": "overwatch-ptr-patch-notes-february-26-2019-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch PTR Patch Notes, February 26, 2019", "author": "Tom Powers (Blizzard Entertainment)", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://devtrackers.gg/overwatch/p/a0120819-overwatch-ptr-patch-notes-february-26-2019", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Knockback consistency, knockback on fliers, and Soundwave counted as an offensive assist for pushing enemies into lethal situations." }, { "key": "into-the-breach-review-chess-meets-starship-troopers-in-brilliant-bite-sized-battles-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Into the Breach review: Chess meets Starship Troopers in brilliant, bite-sized battles", "author": "Hayden Dingman (PCWorld)", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pcworld.com/article/3260205/into-the-breach-review.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The push as the core verb, and pushes off cliffs, into water, and into other enemies." }, { "key": "a-plea-on-behalf-of-frustrated-tanks-everywhere-2008", "canonical": false, "title": "A plea on behalf of frustrated tanks everywhere", "author": "Allison Robert (Engadget, WoW Insider)", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2008-10-31-a-plea-on-behalf-of-frustrated-tanks-everywhere.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The knockbacks of patch 3.0.2 (Typhoon, Blast Wave, Thunderstorm) and the friction with tanking." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2005", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "BradyGames", "year": 2005, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mage, Fire talents: Blast Wave; Warrior tactics: Thunder Clap", "note": "At launch Thunder Clap was a debuff and threat tool and Blast Wave dazed, so neither knocked back." }, { "key": "hades-boons-and-blessings-guide-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Hades Boons and Blessings Guide", "author": "Hamza Khalid (SegmentNext)", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://segmentnext.com/2020/09/22/hades-boons-and-blessings", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Poseidon knockback boons, bonus damage for slamming foes into barriers, and boss immunity." }, { "key": "how-to-get-use-depulso-in-hogwarts-legacy-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "How To Get & Use Depulso In Hogwarts Legacy", "author": "Gamer Guides", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gamerguides.com/hogwarts-legacy/guide/spells/all-spells/how-to-get-use-depulso-in-hogwarts-legacy", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Depulso as a control push, its mastery talent, and the puzzle rooms." }, { "key": "robo-rally-faq-2015", "canonical": false, "title": "Robo Rally FAQ", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2015, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2015/faq/Robo_Rally_FAQ.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mini Howitzer and Pressor Beam; Ramming Gear", "note": "The option weapons that count as pushing a robot, and conveyors that do not push." }, { "key": "fortnite-v7-30-patch-notes-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Fortnite v7.30 Patch Notes", "author": "Epic Games", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20190210144345/https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/patch-notes/v7-30", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Battle Royale, Weapons + Items", "note": "The Chiller Grenade knocking players back, the 7-second icy slide for allies and enemies, and its stack size." }, { "key": "fortnite-v4-0-patch-notes-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Fortnite v4.0 Patch Notes", "author": "Epic Games", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20180501130955/https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/patch-notes/v4-0", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Battle Royale, Gameplay", "note": "Elimination credit for knocking a player off the island, as with fall damage, and fall distance in the elimination feed." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 20, "word_count": 551, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/knockback" }, { "id": "leap", "name": "Leap", "status": "verified", "function": "mobility", "delivery": [ "self", "area" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "charges", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A jump far beyond the user's ordinary one, from a spell, skill, or item, that carries it on an airborne arc over whatever lies between to a chosen point or target, often striking the area where it lands", "aliases": [ "Jump", "Jump Attack", "Leap Attack", "Heroic Leap", "Rocket Jump", "Cataclysm", "Leap Slam", "Otherworldly Leap", "Deadly Leap", "jump pack", "Ground Pound", "Boots of Traveling and Leaping", "Boots of Striding and Springing", "Ring of Jumping" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "grid-movement", "hitboxes-and-hurtboxes", "platforming" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Boots of Traveling and Leaping make the wearer tireless when walking and, underground, allow leaps of up to 1 inch of table scale vertically and 3 inches horizontally. No use limit is stated while the boots are worn; the gate is finding the item, rolled on the Miscellaneous Magic table.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "note": "Jump, a first-level magic-user spell cast by touch in 1 segment, lets the recipient leap 30 feet forward or 10 feet back or straight up, in a slight arc, with no safety on landing. One more leap per 3 caster levels beyond 1st, all within 1 turn, and each leap breaks one grasshopper's hind leg, the material component.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy III", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Dragoon job's Jump command takes the character up out of the battle, where enemy attacks cannot hit it, and on the next turn it dives onto the target for heavy damage. It costs no magic; access comes from the job. The user returns to its place in the party, so the movement is nominal and the payoff is damage and untargetability.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Two Barbarian combat skills: Leap jumps the Barbarian clear of surrounding enemies and knocks back those where he lands, and Leap Attack leaps onto a target and attacks on landing. Both spend mana from the shared pool.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Heroic Leap, added for warriors in patch 4.0.1 (2010), sends the warrior through the air toward a target location 8 to 40 yards away, damaging all enemies within 8 yards on landing. It is instant, on a 1-minute cooldown at release, later 45 seconds, and off the global cooldown from patch 4.1.0.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana" ], "note": "Tristana's Rocket Jump propels her to a ground point up to 900 units away, damaging and slowing units around the landing spot. In 2024 data it costs 60 mana with a cooldown of 22 to 14 seconds by rank, reset by a full Explosive Charge; the 2009 values are unconfirmed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "charges", "mana" ], "note": "Mirana's Leap carries her forward a fixed 650 units and grants 6 to 24% movement speed and 25 to 100 attack speed for 5 seconds. In 2026 data it holds 2 charges, each restored after 45 to 15 seconds by level, at 50 mana a leap; the Aghanim's Shard adds a third charge.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Leap Slam is a Travel skill that jumps to a point and damages enemies where it lands. Since 3.7.0 it always knocks enemies back on hit, always stuns enemies on full life, and costs 10 mana (from 15).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost", "per-rest" ], "note": "A Move X (Jump) line ignores all figures and terrain effects during the move, including traps, hazardous and difficult terrain, and obstacles, but the last hex follows normal rules. The Brute's Trample pairs Move 4, Jump with an attack on all enemies moved through. It fills one of a card's two actions, and the card returns on a rest.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Saber Interactive (Focus Entertainment)", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "The Assault class's jump pack launches the player across the level; holding melee while airborne aims a Ground Pound that slams the landing area, the class's answer to hordes. Each jump spends an ability charge that recharges, and perks speed the recharge or refill it on a perfect dodge. Multiplayer jumps are lower than the campaign's.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The definition admits an item property, so the earliest documented use is the Boots of Traveling and Leaping in Monsters & Treasure (1974), which \"allow leaps of up to 1\" vertically and 3\" horizontally\" below ground. The text is a single clause with no rule for landing or combat, and pre-1974 miniatures rules such as Chainmail remain unsurveyed, hence medium. The earliest spell form cited is Jump in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook (1978), with high confidence: Men & Magic (1974) has no jump or leap text, and Greyhawk (1975) repeats the boots on its table but adds no Jump spell. Zelda II (1987) is the earliest video instance cited." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/dd-white-box-rules-set", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Miscellaneous Magic table (58-62); Boots of Traveling and Leaping, c. p. 36", "note": "The 1974 item and its leap distances." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User Spells (1st Level), Jump (Alteration), c. p. 66", "note": "The spell's distances, arc, leaps by level, one-turn window, and material component." }, { "key": "supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Rob Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Miscellaneous Magic table, Boots of Traveling and Leaping (All), 99-00", "note": "The boots carried forward, with no Jump spell in the supplement." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-iii-instruction-manual-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy III instruction manual", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/final-fantasy-iii-sqf-fc-fc-jp-manual-600-dpi", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Job descriptions, Dragoon, c. pp. 46-47", "note": "The Jump command, the next-turn dive, and immunity while airborne (Japanese text)." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-ii-instruction-manual-us-snes-1991", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy II instruction manual (US SNES)", "author": "Square Soft", "year": 1991, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/final-fantasy-ii-us-snes-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Dragoon Kain's Specialty", "note": "Final Fantasy IV under its US title; Kain's Jump Attack and immunity in the air." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment (Blizzard North)", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-ii-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Barbarian Skills, Combat skills: Leap, Leap Attack, c. pp. 51-53", "note": "The escape leap with landing knockback and the targeted leap attack." }, { "key": "zelda-ii-the-adventure-of-link-instruction-booklet-nes-us-1988", "canonical": false, "title": "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link instruction booklet (NES, US)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo", "url": "https://archive.org/details/Zelda-II-The-Adventure-of-Link-Manual-NES-US-1988", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Game Data, magic list (JUMP), pp. 41-42", "note": "The JUMP spell, which raises Link's jump above a normal one." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 85, Jumping; p. 158, Jump; p. 49, Otherworldly Leap; p. 212, Boots of Striding and Springing; p. 236, Ring of Jumping; p. 267, Bulette", "note": "The ordinary-jump baseline and the 5th edition leap forms; the rules date from 2014." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Movement, Jump, p. 19; terrain, p. 14; Trample card example, p. 7; enhancements, p. 47", "note": "Jump movement over figures and terrain, and Jump as a purchasable enhancement." }, { "key": "cataclysm-beta-build-12942-warrior-changes-2010", "canonical": false, "title": "Cataclysm Beta: Build 12942 warrior changes", "author": "Matthew Rossi (Engadget)", "year": 2010, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2010-09-10-cataclysm-beta-build-12942-warrior-changes.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Heroic Leap's range raised to 8 to 40 yards from 8 to 25." }, { "key": "cataclysm-class-changes-impact-on-pvp-part-4-2010", "canonical": false, "title": "Cataclysm Class Changes: Impact on PvP, part 4", "author": "Zach Yonzon (Engadget)", "year": 2010, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2010-04-15-cataclysm-class-changes-impact-on-pvp-part-4.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Heroic Leap \"making a comeback in Cataclysm\" and its positional use in PvP." }, { "key": "warcraft-wiki-heroic-leap", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft Wiki, Heroic Leap", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Tooltip; Patch changes", "note": "Tooltip wording, landing radius, addition in patch 4.0.1, cooldown changes, and the scrapped Wrath of the Lich King version." }, { "key": "tristana-json-data-dragon-14-1-1-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Tristana.json, Data Dragon 14.1.1", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/14.1.1/data/en_US/champion/Tristana.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Rocket Jump description, range, cooldown, and cost in 2024." }, { "key": "jarvaniv-json-data-dragon-14-1-1-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "JarvanIV.json, Data Dragon 14.1.1", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/14.1.1/data/en_US/champion/JarvanIV.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Cataclysm, a targeted leap that raises an arena, with its cooldown and cost." }, { "key": "league-of-legends-wiki-tristana", "canonical": false, "title": "League of Legends Wiki, Tristana", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Rocket Jump", "note": "Tristana's 2009 release date, the slow and radius on landing, and the cooldown reset." }, { "key": "the-best-assault-space-marine-build-warhammer-40-000-space-marine-2-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "The best Assault Space Marine build - Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2", "author": "Aidan O'Brien (Shacknews)", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://shacknews.com/article/141441/best-assault-build-warhammer-40k-space-marine-2", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The jump pack, the aimed Ground Pound, recharge perks, and lower multiplayer jumps." }, { "key": "warhammer-40-000-space-marine-2-assault-class-guide-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - Assault Class Guide", "author": "Zunair Shafiq (Gfinity Esports)", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.gfinityesports.com/article/space-marine-2-assault-class-guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Ground Pound perks and the jump pack recharge perk." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-2-warrior-guide-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile 2 Warrior guide", "author": "Lowell Bell (PCGamesN)", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://pcgamesn.com/path-of-exile-2/warrior", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Leap Slam's wording and its gem, level, and Strength requirements." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-legion-patch-notes-3-7-0-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Legion Patch Notes (3.7.0)", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2513456", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Leap Slam as a Travel skill, its knockback and stun on full-life enemies, and its mana cost." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-mirana", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Mirana", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=9", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Leap", "note": "Current leap distance, speed bonuses and their duration, charges and restore times, mana cost, and the Shard's extra charge." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 20, "word_count": 539, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/leap" }, { "id": "life-drain", "name": "Life Drain", "status": "unverified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "targeted", "melee", "projectile" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable", "proc-chance" ], "definition": "An ability or attack that damages a target and returns some or all of the damage dealt to the user as healing, whether by spell, touch, curse, or a property of a weapon or character.", "aliases": [ "Drain", "Drain Life", "Vampiric Touch", "Life Stealing", "Life Tap", "Death Coil", "Sanguine Coil", "lifesteal", "life leech", "vampirism", "siphon" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "damage-types", "equipment-loadouts", "hit-points", "procs", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeon Masters Guide", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "proc-chance" ], "note": "The Sword of Life Stealing, a +2 sword, removes one level and its hit die from an opponent on a natural 20 to hit, exactly like undead level drain, and the wielder gains as many hit points as the opponent loses, never above the wielder's rolled maximum. Every other hit is an ordinary +2 attack.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy II", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A black magic spell absorbs the target's HP and makes it the caster's own, and a sibling spell does the same for MP; spells are learned from tomes and cast from the MP pool. The HP spell is reportedly named Drain, and a reversal against undead targets is reported.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 2nd edition", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "TSR", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Vampiric Touch, a 3rd-level wizard necromancy spell with range 0, needs a successful melee attack roll: the target loses 1d6 hit points per two caster levels, up to 6d6, and the caster gains them, any excess as temporary hit points lost first and gone after one hour. Undead are unaffected, and the spell lapses after one turn.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Drain Life, a black sorcery costing {X}{1}{B} with X payable only in black mana, deals X damage to any target, and its controller gains that much life, but no more than the target player's life or the creature's toughness before the damage. The card is spent on play.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Life Tap, a Necromancer curse cast on enemies in a radius, heals anyone who attacks a cursed enemy, by expansion-era figures for half the damage dealt, at 9 mana from required level 18 and for 16 seconds or more. Unique items carry an always-on form, such as Blood Crescent's 15% Life Stolen Per Hit.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The warlock's Drain Life at rank 1 (level 14) costs 55 mana, reaches 20 yards, and transfers 10 health every second for 5 seconds from the target to the caster; rank 6 moves 71 per second for 300 mana. Death Coil drains 287 health at 30 yards and returns all of it to the caster, on a 10-minute cooldown.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Pugna's Life Drain is a channelled tether of up to 10 seconds at 700 range that drains 150 to 350 health per second from an enemy unit to heal him, with vision of the target; cast on an ally, it pours his own health into the ally instead. 115 to 205 mana, 7 s cooldown in 2026 data.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Vampiric Touch, a 3rd-level necromancy spell with range self and concentration up to 1 minute, makes a melee spell attack for 3d6 necrotic damage, and the caster regains half the damage dealt. The attack repeats as an action each turn while concentration holds, with 1d6 more per slot level above 3rd.", "latest": false }, { "title": "V Rising", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Stunlock Studios", "gating": [ "charges", "cooldown" ], "note": "Sanguine Coil, a blood spell, fires a projectile from a stock of charges that damages an enemy and leeches part of the damage back as health, or heals an ally it is aimed at. Patch 1.1.13 (May 2026) raised its cooldown from 6 to 7 seconds and cut its projectile speed by 20 percent, citing its charges and speed in PvP, and raised its healing on allies.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeon Masters Guide", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "low", "note": "The Sword of Life Stealing is the earliest documented transfer of drained hit points to the attacker: on a natural 20 it removes one level from the opponent, a function the text calls exactly the same as the level draining of certain undead, and the wielder gains the hit points the opponent loses, up to the wielder's maximum. Confidence is low because the effect is a proc on a magic item and role-playing games published before 1979 outside Dungeons & Dragons remain unsurveyed. The antecedents give the attacker nothing: the energy drain of wights, spectres, and vampires in Monsters & Treasure (1974), whose sword table already lists a level-draining sword at number 83, the number the Sword of Life Stealing keeps, and the Nine Steps Draining sword and blood-draining stirges of Greyhawk (1975). Vampiric Touch is absent from the 1978 Players Handbook and from Unearthed Arcana (1985) and appears in the AD&D 2nd edition Player's Handbook; its presence in the 1989 first printing is unconfirmed. Final Fantasy (1987) has no drain spell, and Final Fantasy II (1988) is the earliest documented video-game example; earlier video games remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-dungeon-masters-guide-1979", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeon Masters Guide", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dungeon-masters-guide-efreet-cover/Dungeon%20Masters%20Guide%20%28Efreet%20Cover%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Swords, Sword of Life Stealing, c. p. 166; Swords table, no. 83, c. p. 124", "note": "The level drain on a natural 20, defined by reference to undead level drain, and the hit points gained by the wielder up to the rolled maximum." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr/MonstersTreasureVol2TSR_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Undead (Wights, Spectres, Vampires), c. p. 9; Magic Swords table, no. 83", "note": "Energy drain of levels with no benefit to the attacker, and a level-draining sword with no benefit stated for the wielder." }, { "key": "supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Rob Kuntz (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Stirges, c. p. 39; Swords, Nine Steps Draining Ability", "note": "Blood and level drains with no transfer to the attacker." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells Table, Magic-Users, 3rd Level", "note": "The 1978 3rd-level magic-user list, Blink to Water Breathing, without Vampiric Touch." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-2nd-edition-player-s-handbook-ad-d-core-rules-2-0-expansion-cd-rom-text-1999", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Player's Handbook (AD&D Core Rules 2.0 Expansion CD-ROM text)", "author": "TSR", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://discmaster.textfiles.com/file/30444/AD&D%20Core%20Rules%202.0%20Expansion.iso/webhelp/phb/dd01928.htm", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Wizard spells, 3rd level, Vampiric Touch", "note": "The touch, 1d6 per two caster levels, temporary hit points for one hour, and undead unaffected; the CD-ROM reproduces the revised text of the 1989 book." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-ii-instruction-manual-famicom-1988", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy II instruction manual (Famicom)", "author": "Square", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/final-fantasy-ii-sqf-fy-fc-jp-manual-600-dpi/Final%20Fantasy%20II%20%5BSQF-FY%5D(FC)(JP)%20-Manual(600DPI)_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic (MP use), p. 33; magic list, c. pp. 34-35", "note": "A spell that takes the target's HP and makes it the caster's own, and its MP sibling; the spell name is not legible in the OCR text." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans/Final%20Fantasy%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "White Magic and Black Magic lists", "note": "The full spell lists of the first game, with no drain spell." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Drain named as a Final Fantasy II spell, and its reversal against undead." }, { "key": "drain-life-limited-edition-alpha-card-record", "canonical": false, "title": "Drain Life (Limited Edition Alpha) card record", "author": "Scryfall", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Current oracle text, the {X}{1}{B} cost, the 1993 release, and the Lifelink keyword; the original 1993 wording is unconfirmed." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard North", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/diablo-ii-manual/Diablo%20II%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Necromancer skills, Curses, Life Tap, c. p. 57", "note": "Life Tap: attacking a cursed enemy heals the attacker." }, { "key": "necromancer-curses-the-arreat-summit", "canonical": false, "title": "Necromancer Curses (The Arreat Summit)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/necromancer-curses.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Life Tap at required level 18 and 9 mana, returning 50 percent of attack damage; expansion-era figures." }, { "key": "unique-swords-the-arreat-summit", "canonical": false, "title": "Unique Swords (The Arreat Summit)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/normal/uswords.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Life Stolen Per Hit as an item statistic, 15% on Blood Crescent." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-reign-of-chaos-manual-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warcraft-iii-manual_202205/Warcraft%20III%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Undead heroes, Dreadlord, Vampiric Aura", "note": "The aura that lets the Dreadlord's allies gain life from the damage they deal." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Warlock chapter, Affliction spell tables (Drain Life, Death Coil)", "note": "Ranks, levels, mana costs, ranges, the per-second transfer of Drain Life, and the Death Coil cooldown." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Vampiric Touch, p. 189", "note": "The 2014 rules text, 3d6 necrotic damage, half regained, and concentration up to 1 minute." }, { "key": "data-dragon-16-21-1-item-data", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon 16.21.1, item data", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/item.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Life Steal on Vampiric Scepter (7 percent) and Bloodthirster (15 percent), and Bloodthirster's conversion of excess Life Steal healing to a shield." }, { "key": "v-rising-version-1-1-13-released-on-may-26-via-patch-1-113-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "V Rising Version 1.1.13 Released on May 26 via Patch 1.113", "author": "Alex Co (MP1st)", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://mp1st.com/title-updates-and-patches/v-rising-version-1-1-13-released-may-26-patch-1-113", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Sanguine Coil cooldown raised from 6 to 7 seconds, projectile speed cut by 20 percent, and ally healing raised, with the PvP rationale about its charges and projectile speed." }, { "key": "v-rising-best-spells-in-update-1-1-ranked-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "V Rising: Best Spells in Update 1.1 (Ranked)", "author": "BisectHosting", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.bisecthosting.com/blog/v-rising-best-spells-abilities-ranked-tier-list-update-1-1", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Sanguine Coil damaging an enemy and leeching health from it, and healing an ally it is aimed at." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-pugna", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Pugna", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=45", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Life Drain", "note": "The channelled drain from an enemy to heal Pugna, the reversed drain into an ally, and current drain rates, range, maximum duration, mana, and cooldown." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 19, "word_count": 542, "updated": "2026-10-26", "url": "/abilities/life-drain" }, { "id": "lightning-bolt", "name": "Lightning Bolt", "status": "verified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "line" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "charges", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A ranged attack that projects a bolt or beam in a straight line from the user and damages every figure along its length, rather than one target, a burst at a point, or a chain of jumps, often allowing a save for half damage.", "aliases": [ "Lightning" ], "media": [ "board-card", "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "damage-types", "hit-points", "line-of-sight", "saving-throws", "skill-trees" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "A Wizard picks the lightning bolt or the fire ball as his missile before play. The bolt is a strip 3/4 inch wide and 6 inches long with a heavy field gun's attack value, thrown up to 24 inches: its head goes at the called range and its body runs back toward the Wizard. Figures under it are destroyed; heroes, wraiths, and Balrogs save on two dice.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "A 3rd-level magic-user spell producing a bolt 6 inches long and up to 3/4 inch wide whose head may not pass 24 inches. Damage dice follow caster level as for Fire Ball, halved on a save. In a space too short for it the bolt doubles back to reach its length, possibly striking its caster.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Rogue", "year": 1980, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Michael Toy, Glenn Wichman, and Ken Arnold", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "In the 5.4 source, a wand or staff of lightning (3 to 7 charges) fires a 6-square bolt in a chosen direction that reverses at walls and can then hit the player. It deals 6d6; a monster that saves lets it pass, but the first that fails stops it, so it strikes at most one target. Whether the 1980 release had it is unconfirmed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Sorceress skill Lightning, requiring character level 12 and a point in Charged Bolt, sends a channel of lightning at her target that \"cuts a swath through her opponents\". Blizzard's table lists 8 mana at skill level 1 rising to 17 at level 20, and damage bonuses from points in Charged Bolt, Nova, and Chain Lightning.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Lux's ultimate, Final Spark: after gathering energy she fires a beam of light that damages all targets in the area. At patch 16.21.1 it costs 100 mana, has a 60, 50, or 40-second cooldown by rank, and reaches 3340 units; the wind-up shows the line before it fires.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost", "charges" ], "note": "A 3rd-level evocation cast as an action: a line 100 feet long and 5 feet wide blasts out from the caster in a chosen direction. Each creature in it makes a Dexterity save for 8d6 lightning damage or half, and each slot level above 3rd adds 1d6. The Wand of Lightning Bolts holds 7 charges.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "The Brute's starting card Skewer attacks two hexes in a line from the Brute, gaining +1 and Pierce 1 if air is consumed; the Tinkerer's level-5 Disintegration Beam kills each enemy with 5 or fewer hit points in a three-hex line and is then lost. Each target is a separate attack and needs line of sight.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Baldur's Gate 3", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Larian Studios", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "note": "A level 3 evocation spell cast as an action that calls forth a blast of lightning hitting all creatures in the line of the eruption. It deals 8d6 lightning damage, and a creature that makes its Dexterity save takes half. Its area is listed as 30 metres.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Chainmail's Fantasy Supplement gives the Wizard a choice of two missiles, the fire ball and a lightning bolt 3/4 inch wide and 6 inches long placed in a straight line from the Wizard. The wording cited is from the 1972 second edition; that the bolt was already in the 1971 first edition rests on Jon Peterson's 2016 account, and no copy of the first edition is cited, hence medium confidence. Peterson reports that Leonard Patt's 1970 rules gave wizards only a fire ball; other fanzine rules of 1970 and 1971 remain unsurveyed. Wargame cannon fire is the antecedent: Chainmail rates the bolt as a heavy field gun, and its cannon rule removes every figure the shot's path touches, friendly troops included." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, Missiles, p. 28; Cannon, Method of Fire", "note": "The lightning bolt's size, placement, attack value, and save exceptions, and the cannon rule that removes every figure along the line of fire." }, { "key": "a-precursor-to-the-chainmail-fantasy-supplement-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "A Precursor to the Chainmail Fantasy Supplement", "author": "Jon Peterson", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Playing at the World (blog)", "url": "https://playingattheworld.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-precursor-to-chainmail-fantasy.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The lightning bolt as a first-edition (1971) addition to Chainmail's wizard, and Patt's 1970 wizards with the fire ball only." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02002menmagic", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanation of Spells, Magic-Users, 3rd level, Lightning Bolt, p. 25; Saving Throw Matrix notes, p. 20", "note": "The first role-playing form, its doubling back in a short space, caster-level dice by reference to Fire Ball, and half damage on a save." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User Spells (3rd Level), Lightning Bolt (Evocation), p. 75", "note": "The choice of a forking or a single bolt, the rebound toward the caster, and the save for half." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Lightning Bolt, p. 159; Magic Items, Wand of Lightning Bolts", "note": "The fifth-edition line of 100 by 5 feet, the Dexterity save, 8d6 damage, higher-slot dice, and the wand's charges." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic Items, Javelin of Lightning, p. 227", "note": "The thrown javelin that becomes a line between the thrower and the target once per dawn." }, { "key": "rogue-5-4-source-sticks-c", "canonical": false, "title": "Rogue 5.4 source (sticks.c)", "author": "Michael Toy, Ken Arnold, and Glenn Wichman", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://github.com/Davidslv/rogue/blob/master/sticks.c", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "fire_bolt; fix_stick", "note": "The 6-square bolt, its reversal at walls, 6d6 damage, the stop at the first monster that fails its save, and 3 to 7 charges." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard North", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-ii-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Sorceress skills, Lightning Spells, Lightning; Amazon Javelin and Spear skills, Lightning Bolt", "note": "The Sorceress's Lightning cutting a swath through opponents, and the Amazon javelin that leaves a trail of lightning." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-sorceress-lightning-spells", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II: Sorceress Lightning Spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/sorceress-lightning.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Lightning table", "note": "Required level, prerequisite, mana cost by skill level, and synergies; the page is undated and may reflect a later patch." }, { "key": "data-dragon-champion-data-lux-version-16-21-1", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon champion data, Lux (version 16.21.1)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Lux.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Final Spark's text, mana cost, cooldown, and range at the current patch." }, { "key": "data-dragon-champion-data-xerath-version-16-21-1", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon champion data, Xerath (version 16.21.1)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Xerath.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Arcanopulse, a beam that damages all targets hit and lengthens as it is charged." }, { "key": "data-dragon-champion-data-vel-koz-version-16-21-1", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon champion data, Vel'Koz (version 16.21.1)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Velkoz.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Life Form Disintegration Ray, a channelled beam that follows the cursor for 2.5 seconds." }, { "key": "disintegrate-diablo-iii-wizard-skill", "canonical": false, "title": "Disintegrate (Diablo III Wizard skill)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://us.diablo3.blizzard.com/en-us/class/wizard/active/disintegrate", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "A channelled beam paid with Arcane Power, and the rune that widens it to hit more enemies." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Cephalofair Games", "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Area Effects, p. 21", "note": "Area diagrams on cards, each target attacked separately, and line of sight to each target." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-secretariat-card-data-brute-and-tinkerer-decks", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven Secretariat card data (Brute and Tinkerer decks)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Skewer; Disintegration Beam", "note": "Fan transcription of the two line cards, their attack values, element bonus, and loss on use." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-shaman-spells", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Shaman spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20060703101730/http://worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/shaman-spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Lightning Bolt", "note": "A single-target Lightning Bolt cast at one target (snapshot of July 2006)." }, { "key": "nintendo-power-strategy-guide-final-fantasy-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Nintendo Power Strategy Guide: Final Fantasy", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Strategy_Guide_Final_Fantasy_Nintendo_Power_017_1990", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic tables, LIT, LIT2, LIT3", "note": "LIT striking one enemy and LIT2 and LIT3 striking all enemies, with no spatial line." }, { "key": "scryfall-lightning-bolt-limited-edition-alpha", "canonical": false, "title": "Scryfall, Lightning Bolt (Limited Edition Alpha)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The 1993 card dealing 3 damage to any target (Oracle text)." }, { "key": "lightning-bolt-spell-guide-and-effects-baldur-s-gate-3-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Lightning Bolt Spell Guide and Effects, Baldur's Gate 3", "author": "Game8 Baldur's Gate 3 Walkthrough Team", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": "Game8", "url": "https://game8.co/games/BG3/archives/420866", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The spell's description, level, school, damage, save for half, cast time, and the 30-metre figure." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 19, "word_count": 542, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/lightning-bolt" }, { "id": "magic-missile", "name": "Magic Missile", "status": "verified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "projectile" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "charges", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A cheap, low-damage ranged bolt or small volley whose hit is guaranteed, because the rules skip the hit roll or the projectile aims at or tracks its target by itself, trading damage for reliability.", "aliases": [ "Swift", "Glintstone Stars", "Magic Wand" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "damage-types", "hit-points", "line-of-sight", "saving-throws" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Antecedent. A 1st-level spell conjuring a missile \"equivalent to a magic arrow\" that does 2-7 damage to any creature it strikes, with two more missiles per five caster levels and a range of 15\". The text does not say whether a hit roll is needed; Holmes Basic (1977) required one.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Missiles \"unerringly strike their target\" for d4+1 each, with no saving throw and a casting time of one segment. One more missile per two caster levels, range 6\" plus 1\" per level, and the missiles can be split among targets. The Shield spell negates them.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Rogue", "year": 1980, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Michael Toy, Glenn Wichman, and Ken Arnold", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "In the 5.4 source, the wand of magic missile fires a bolt in a chosen direction with +100 to hit, in effect certain, for 1d4+1; the first monster in its path still saves against magic. Wands hold 3 to 7 charges. Whether the 1980 release had this wand is unconfirmed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Pokémon Red and Green", "year": 1996, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Game Freak (Nintendo)", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "Swift is a Normal-type move of 60 power and 20 PP. In the English release the battle engine skips the accuracy check, so Swift never misses; the Japanese original reportedly could miss through a glitch. PP are restored at a Pokémon Center.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Baldur's Gate", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "BioWare (Interplay)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Missiles \"dart forth from the wizard's fingertip and unerringly strike their target\" for 1d4+1 each, one more per two levels up to five at 9th level, with range set by the caster's sight and no save. The spell is memorised, spent on casting, and restored by resting.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Skywrath Mage's Arcane Bolt is a slow bolt (speed 500) launched at one enemy unit that cannot be disjointed, dealing 60 to 150 damage plus 1.5 times his Intelligence for 70 mana on a 5 to 2 s cooldown in 2026 data. Vengeful Spirit's namesake Magic Missile also stuns for 1.2 to 1.8 seconds, a border with stun.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "note": "Three darts of force, each automatically hitting a creature the caster can see within 120 feet, for 1d4+1 force damage; the darts strike together and can be split among targets. Casting takes an action, and each slot level above 1st adds a dart.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Elden Ring", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "FromSoftware (Bandai Namco)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Glintstone Stars fires three magic shooting stars that pursue the target, for 12 FP and one memory slot at Intelligence 12. It can be cast while moving and launches after a brief delay.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Vampire Survivors", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "poncle", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The Magic Wand, a starting weapon, fires on its own at the nearest enemy every 1.2 seconds for 10 damage, one projectile with pierce 1, blocked by walls. Level-ups add projectiles up to four, shorten the cooldown, and raise damage and pierce. Aim is fixed at firing and the bolt does not curve.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Provenance is scoped to the guaranteed-hit form that the definition names: the Players Handbook text, in which the missiles \"unerringly strike their target\" with no saving throw, is the earliest cited statement of it. The name is older. Greyhawk (1975) added Magic Missile as a new 1st-level spell, absent from the 1974 Men & Magic list, but its wording (\"equivalent to a magic arrow\") is silent on the hit roll, and Holmes Basic (1977) told players to roll it like a long bow arrow, according to the Zenopus Archives. Tim Kask is reported as saying the spell first needed a to-hit roll and that the guaranteed hit came with the Players Handbook; the accounts are second-hand, and a reading of Greyhawk as already certain is common. Periodicals of 1975-1978 remain unsurveyed. Fire Ball and Lightning Bolt in Men & Magic (1974) are already called missiles from the caster's finger, and a blog account traces the idea to the wizard duel in the film The Raven (1963) without citing a source." }, "established": { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "low", "note": "The Players Handbook's unerring missiles of d4+1 each are the form later games repeat: the Baldur's Gate manual, an adaptation of the rules, reuses the phrase \"unerringly strike their target\" with the same d4+1 missile, and the fifth edition keeps the automatic hit and the d4+1 dart. No history cited credits the book with setting the form, and outside licensed adaptations the lineage is undocumented." }, "sources": [ { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/pdfy-my6p8niGqahpilXi", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 66, Magic-User Spells (1st Level): Magic Missile", "note": "Unerring missiles, d4+1 each, no saving throw, one more missile per two levels." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 22, Magic Missile; 1st-level Magic-User spell table, no. 10", "note": "The named spell marked as new, \"equivalent to a magic arrow\", 2-7 damage, silent on the hit roll. The scanned copy is a 1979 printing." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02002menmagic", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells Table, Magic-Users, 1st Level; Fire Ball", "note": "The 1974 1st-level list has no Magic Missile; Fire Ball is described as a missile from the caster's finger." }, { "key": "baldur-s-gate-manual-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "Baldur's Gate manual", "author": "BioWare (Interplay Productions)", "year": 1998, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/Baldurs_Gate", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 102, Magic Missile (Evocation)", "note": "Unerring missiles, 1d4+1, five missiles at most, range by sight. The scanned manual carries Tales of the Sword Coast credits." }, { "key": "magic-missile-basic-rules-2014-2014", "canonical": false, "title": "Magic Missile (Basic Rules 2014)", "author": "Wizards of the Coast (D&D Beyond)", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/magic-missile", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Basic Rules p. 257", "note": "Three automatically hitting darts of force, scaled by slot level." }, { "key": "pok-mon-red-and-blue-disassembly-pokered", "canonical": false, "title": "Pokémon Red and Blue disassembly (pokered)", "author": "pret", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://github.com/pret/pokered", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "engine/battle/core.asm, .swiftCheck; data/moves/moves.asm, SWIFT", "note": "The English engine's comment: Swift never misses, fixed from the Japanese versions; 60 power, 20 PP." }, { "key": "rogue-5-4-source-sticks-c", "canonical": false, "title": "Rogue 5.4 source, sticks.c", "author": "Michael Toy, Ken Arnold, and Glenn Wichman", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://github.com/Davidslv/rogue/blob/master/sticks.c", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "case WS_MISSILE; wand charge initialisation", "note": "Wand bolt with +100 to hit, 1d4+1, a monster save against magic, 3 to 7 charges." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard North (Blizzard Entertainment)", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/Diablo_II", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Amazon skills, Guided Arrow", "note": "An arrow that seeks its nearest target, the physical homing form at the boundary." }, { "key": "8-fast-facts-about-d-d-s-magic-missile-spell", "canonical": false, "title": "8 Fast Facts About D&D's Magic Missile Spell", "author": "DM David", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://dmdavid.com/tag/8-fun-facts-about-dds-magic-missile-spell/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Secondary history of the Greyhawk origin, the Holmes to-hit ruling, Kask's account, the 4th edition attack roll and its 2010 reversal, and the Shield negation." }, { "key": "part-10-book-of-first-level-spells-2013", "canonical": false, "title": "Part 10: 'Book of First Level Spells'", "author": "Zenopus Archives", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2013/12/part-10-book-of-first-level-spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic Missile", "note": "The Holmes Basic to-hit sentence in manuscript and in print." }, { "key": "vampire-survivors-wiki-magic-wand", "canonical": false, "title": "Vampire Survivors Wiki: Magic Wand", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Magic Wand statistics, upgrades, and targeting of the nearest enemy." }, { "key": "elden-ring-wiki-fextralife-glintstone-stars", "canonical": false, "title": "Elden Ring Wiki (Fextralife): Glintstone Stars", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Glintstone Stars description, FP cost, and requirements." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-skywrath-mage", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Skywrath Mage", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=101", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Arcane Bolt", "note": "Current bolt speed, damage and Intelligence multiplier, mana, cooldown, and the note that the bolt cannot be disjointed." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-vengeful-spirit", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Vengeful Spirit", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=20", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Magic Missile", "note": "Current damage and stun duration of Magic Missile." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 14, "word_count": 541, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/magic-missile" }, { "id": "mana-burn", "name": "Mana Burn", "status": "unverified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "targeted", "melee" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana" ], "definition": "An ability that drains or destroys part or all of a target's spell resource pool, such as mana, energy, spell points or capacitor, sometimes dealing damage in proportion to the amount lost or passing it to the user", "aliases": [ "RobMagic", "Drain Mana", "Mana Break", "Feedback", "Spirit Drain", "Aspir", "Osmose", "energy neutralizer", "Nosferatu", "neut" ], "media": [ "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "equipment-loadouts", "hit-points" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dragon Quest III", "year": 1988, "year_approx": true, "medium": "video", "creator": "Chunsoft (Enix)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "RobMagic (Mahotora), aimed at one monster, takes the target's MP and makes it the caster's own, and costs the caster no MP. The English manual adds that it may fail against enemies but always works on an ally with MP to spare.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy II", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A black magic spell, cast from the caster's MP pool like the rest of the list, takes the target's MP and makes it the caster's own, beside a sibling spell that does the same for HP. The MP spell is reportedly named Aspir.", "latest": false }, { "title": "StarCraft: Brood War", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Dark Archon's Feedback, a targeted spell at range 10 for 50 energy, makes the target unit lose all of its energy and take damage equal to the energy lost, turning a spellcaster's stock against it.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The Demon Hunter's Mana Burn sends a bolt of negative energy at one enemy unit that burns 50, 100 or 150 mana by level, and the burned mana deals equal damage to the target. It costs 50 mana on a 7- to 5-second cooldown, and hero magic resistance cuts the damage against heroes.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EVE Online", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "CCP Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Energy Neutralizer modules destroy a target ship's capacitor energy at a large capacitor cost to the user; Nosferatus remove smaller amounts and recharge the user's own capacitor, but only while the target holds more than the user. A ship drained dry cannot warp or run propulsion modules.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The priest's Mana Burn, a 3-second cast at 30 yards, drains mana from a target, 191 to 203 at one rank and 738 to 760 at the highest listed, and the target takes 0.5 damage for each point drained. The warlock's Drain Mana instead moves 42 to 99 mana a second to the caster for 5 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Anti-Mage's passive Mana Break burns 25 to 40 mana plus a share of the target's pool on each attack and deals 65 percent of the mana burned as damage; his illusions burn a quarter as much, in 2026 data.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Persona 3 Reload", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Atlus", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Spirit Drain, an Almighty skill learned by several Personas or taught by a skill card, drains 20 SP from one foe for a cost of 3 SP.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dragon Quest III", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "low", "note": "The Dragon Quest III manual (1988) lists Mahotora, a spell aimed at one monster that takes its MP for the caster, the earliest documented ability aimed at a target's spell pool. The game was released on 10 February 1988, ten months before Final Fantasy II (17 December 1988), whose manual lists a spell that does the same; Dragon Quest II (1987) has no such spell among its player spells. Confidence is low because other Japanese role-playing games of 1986 and 1987 and tabletop spell-point systems remain unsurveyed. The antecedent is psionic combat in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook (1978), where psionic strength points fuel both attack and defence and a defender whose defence points are spent can suffer loss of psionic strength points among other results on a combat table; no ability there is directed at the pool. The earliest cited form that turns the lost pool into damage is the Dark Archon's Feedback in StarCraft: Brood War (1998)." }, "established": { "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "low", "note": "The Demon Hunter's Mana Burn named the ability and fixed its targeted burn with damage equal to the mana lost. World of Warcraft (2004) gave the name to a priest spell that drains mana and damages in proportion, and Dota 2 keeps the burn and proportional damage in Anti-Mage's Mana Break. Confidence is low because the documented line runs through Blizzard's own games and Dota, which descends from a Warcraft III map, and StarCraft: Brood War already had the damage-equal form." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dragon-quest-iii-soshite-densetsu-e-instruction-manual-famicom-1988", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Quest III: Soshite Densetsu e... instruction manual (Famicom)", "author": "Enix", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dragon-quest-iii-soshite-densetsu-e...-efc-d-3-fc-jp-manual-600-dpi/Dragon%20Quest%20III%20-%20Soshite%20Densetsu%20e...%20%5BEFC-D3%5D%28FC%29%28JP%29%20-Manual%28600DPI%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Spell list, Mahotora, p. 44", "note": "Mahotora, aimed at one monster, takes the opponent's MP and makes it the caster's own, consuming none of the caster's MP." }, { "key": "dragon-warrior-iii-instruction-manual-1991", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Warrior III instruction manual", "author": "Enix", "year": 1991, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/DragonWarriorIIIHiResScans/Dragon%20Warrior%20III%20-%20Manual%20%28Clearscan%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Cast Spells on Your Allies, RobMagic, p. 20", "note": "RobMagic consumes no MP, takes MP from an ally with MP to spare, and may not always work on enemies." }, { "key": "dragon-warrior-ii-instruction-manual-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Warrior II instruction manual", "author": "Enix America", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/DragonWarriorIINESHiResScans/Dragon%20Warrior%20II%20-%20Manual%20%28Clearscan%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Definitions of Spells, pp. 35-37", "note": "The player spells of Dragon Quest II, none of which takes MP." }, { "key": "iii-35-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "「ドラゴンクエストIII」35周年。堀井雄二氏が発売当時の心境についてコメント", "author": "4Gamer.net", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.4gamer.net/games/275/G027588/", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "News list, 10 February 2023", "note": "Dragon Quest III's 35th anniversary of its release on 10 February 1988." }, { "key": "ff2-35-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "『FF2』が発売35周年【今日は何の日？】", "author": "Famitsu", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.famitsu.com/news/202312/17327773.html", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": null, "note": "Final Fantasy II released for the Famicom on 17 December 1988." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-ii-instruction-manual-famicom-1988", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy II instruction manual (Famicom)", "author": "Square", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/final-fantasy-ii-sqf-fy-fc-jp-manual-600-dpi/Final%20Fantasy%20II%20%5BSQF-FY%5D(FC)(JP)%20-Manual(600DPI)_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Magic (MP use), p. 33; magic list, c. p. 34", "note": "The spell that takes the target's MP and makes it the caster's own, beside its HP sibling; the spell name is not legible in the OCR text." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Psionics: Psionic Strength, Attack Modes, Defense Modes", "note": "Psionic strength as the points spent on attack, defence and disciplines, and the loss of psionic strength points as one result against a defender with no defence points left." }, { "key": "starcraft-brood-war-manual-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "StarCraft: Brood War manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/star-craft-brood-war-expansion-game-manual-pc-1998/StarCraft%20Brood%20War%20expansion%20game%20manual%20PC%201998_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Protoss units, Dark Archon, Feedback", "note": "Feedback as the Dark Archon's power to turn the psychic and synthetic energies of enemies against them." }, { "key": "starcraft-compendium-protoss-special-abilities", "canonical": false, "title": "StarCraft Compendium: Protoss Special Abilities", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/scc/protoss/special.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Feedback", "note": "The 50 energy cost, range 10, and the loss of all the target's mana with damage equal to the mana lost." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-reign-of-chaos-manual-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warcraft-iii-manual_202205/Warcraft%20III%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Night elf heroes, Demon Hunter, Mana Burn", "note": "The bolt of negative energy that burns away an enemy's mana reserves." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-demon-hunter", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Demon Hunter", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/war3/nightelf/units/demonhunter.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Mana Burn", "note": "Damage equal to the mana burned, 50, 100 and 150 mana by level, the 50 mana cost, the 7- to 5-second cooldown, and reduced damage against heroes from hero magic resistance." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Priest chapter, spell tables (Mana Burn); Warlock chapter, spell tables (Drain Mana); Hunter chapter (Viper Sting)", "note": "The Mana Burn ranks, 30-yard range, 3-second cast and 0.5 damage per point drained; the per-second transfer of Drain Mana; Viper Sting's drain over 8 seconds." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-anti-mage", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Anti-Mage", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=1", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Mana Break; Mana Void", "note": "The burn on each attack, its damage share and the illusion penalty; Mana Void's damage per point of missing mana, area, mana costs and cooldowns." }, { "key": "revised-nosferatu-mechanics-and-khanid-mk-2-on-the-test-server-2007", "canonical": false, "title": "Revised Nosferatu Mechanics and Khanid mk 2 on the Test Server", "author": "CCP Fendahl (CCP Games)", "year": 2007, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.eveonline.com/news/view/revised-nosferatu-mechanics-and-khanid-mk-2-on-the-test-server", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": null, "note": "Nosferatus that neutralize the target's capacitor and leech the energy for the user, the 2007 rule that energy moves only while the target's charge percentage is higher, and Energy Neutralizers that work at an energy cost to the user." }, { "key": "capacitor-warfare", "canonical": false, "title": "Capacitor warfare", "author": "EVE University Wiki", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Capacitor as the energy for powered modules and warping, the neutralizer's cost to the user, the Nosferatu's transfer by absolute amount, and a drained ship's inability to warp or run propulsion." }, { "key": "persona-3-reload-spirit-drain-skill-guide-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Persona 3 Reload: Spirit Drain Skill Guide", "author": "Golden Toast (Samurai Gamers)", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://samurai-gamers.com/?p=332449", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": null, "note": "Spirit Drain as a single-target Almighty skill that drains 20 SP from one foe for 3 SP, and the Personas that learn it." }, { "key": "persuasion-procedure-and-planeswalkers-the-protocological-rhetoric-of-magic-the-gathering-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Persuasion, Procedure, and Planeswalkers: The Protocological Rhetoric of Magic: The Gathering", "author": "Brock, Meyer and Lerner (Kairos 24.2)", "year": 2020, "year_approx": true, "type": "paper", "publisher": null, "url": "https://technorhetoric.net/24.2/topoi/brock-et-al/magic-history.html", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "A Brief History of Magic's Rules", "note": "The former Magic rule called mana burn, under which unspent mana made a player lose life, and its removal." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 17, "word_count": 558, "updated": "2026-10-28", "url": "/abilities/mana-burn" }, { "id": "mark", "name": "Mark", "status": "verified", "function": "detection", "delivery": [ "targeted" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An activated tag placed on one or a few chosen targets that moves with them for a time, keeping their position known through darkness, cover, stealth or distance, or making them the designated target for extra harm.", "aliases": [ "Hunter's Mark", "Hunter's Quarry", "Hunt Prey", "Faerie Fire", "Paintball", "Paint S", "Spotting", "3D Spotting", "Tagging", "Mark and Execute", "Quarry" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "line-of-sight", "lock-on-targeting", "map-markers", "status-effects", "stealth-detection", "team-play" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "The druid's 1st-level Faerie Fire outlines chosen creatures, about 12 linear feet per level, each fully before the next, within a 4\" radius at 8\" range for 4 rounds per level with no save. Outlined figures, invisible ones included, are visible at 8\" in the dark, and all opponents gain +2 to hit them.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Druid of the Talon casts Faerie Fire on one enemy unit, stripping its armour for a limited duration and letting the druid observe the unit at any distance while the spell lasts. The manual gives no cost, armour value or duration.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Natural Selection", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "The NS Team (Charles Cleveland)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Half-Life modification released on 29 October 2002. The alien Parasite infects a marine so that he shows up on the aliens' hive sight at all times, and the parasite cannot be removed; alien abilities cost energy from a bar that refills.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Monster Hunter", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Capcom", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "A thrown Paintball, crafted from Paintberries, marks a large monster's position on the area map for 10 minutes and works only on flying dragons and large monsters; bowgun Paint S ammunition does the same for a set time. The hunter marks first, then follows the marker from area to area.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Hunter's Mark is instant at 100 yards and raises the ranged attack power of all attackers against the target, by 20 to 110 across four ranks costing 15 to 60 mana. The target can always be seen by the hunter through stealth or invisibility and shows on the minimap; the 2004 guide gives 10 minutes. It draws no aggro.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Battlefield 3", "year": 2011, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "DICE (Electronic Arts)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Pressing the spot input over an enemy soldier puts a red triangle over his head and singles him out on the minimap for the whole team, a 3D spot shared by every teammate. Spotting has no cost.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Far Cry 3", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Ubisoft", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Holding the camera or a weapon scope on each soldier or animal tags it, and afterwards its silhouette stays visible around the camp so its movements can be tracked while sneaking. Tagging costs only the time spent with the camera out.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Since 3.12.0 a Mark applies to one targeted enemy, and only one enemy can be marked at a time. Assassin's Mark grants critical strike chance and multiplier against the target and a power charge, life and mana when it dies; Sniper's Mark makes it take 16 to 35% more projectile damage and splits projectiles off it.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "note": "Hunter's Mark, a 1st-level divination, is a bonus action at 90 feet held by concentration for up to 1 hour (8 or 24 hours from higher slots). Weapon hits on the one marked creature deal an extra 1d6, checks to find it gain advantage, and when it drops to 0 hit points the mark moves to a new target as a bonus action.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Assassin's Creed Mirage", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Ubisoft", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Flown over an area, the eagle Enkidu marks enemies, treasure, keys and hidden passages, and Eagle Vision lets Basim highlight and mark enemies through walls. Some outposts post an eagle archer who shoots Enkidu down. Assassin's Focus marks several enemies, up to five when upgraded, for a chained kill.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The druid's Faerie Fire outlines chosen creatures one after another, keeps them visible in the dark and when otherwise invisible, and gives every opponent +2 to hit them: a tag on chosen figures that serves both tracking and attack. The direct antecedent is the Faerie Fire of Eldritch Wizardry (1976), which only limns an object with a pale glow, with no bonus and no mention of invisible creatures; on a loose reading it would move the date to 1976 at low confidence. Spotting rules in earlier wargames remain unsurveyed. Warcraft III (2002) is the earliest video example cited; video carry-overs of the AD&D spell in 1990s role-playing games remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Druid spells, 1st level, Faerie Fire, c. p. 55; Rangers, tracking, c. p. 24", "note": "Faerie Fire on chosen creatures, invisible ones included, with +2 to hit for opponents; ranger tracking as a percentage skill with no tag on the target." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-iii-eldritch-wizardry-1976", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry", "author": "Gary Gygax and Brian Blume (TSR)", "year": 1976, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/1st-edition-tsr-9438-creature-catalog/1st%20Edition%20Supplement_III_-_Eldritch_Wizardry%28TSR%20Games%2C_1976%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Druid spells, 1st level, Faerie Fire", "note": "The outline-only antecedent; the archive.org item is a multi-book upload titled after another book." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-reign-of-chaos-manual-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warcraft-iii-manual_202205/Warcraft%20III%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Night Elf units, Druid of the Talon, Faerie Fire", "note": "The armour strip and sight of the marked unit at any distance." }, { "key": "natural-selection-v1-0-half-life-mod-installer-in-game-help-text-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Natural Selection v1.0 - Half-Life Mod (installer, in-game help text)", "author": "The NS Team", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/hlmod_ns1", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": "Help text: Parasite; hive sight; alien energy", "note": "Parasite's permanent mark on hive sight, and abilities paid with energy." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "BradyGames", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Hunter chapter, spell table, Hunter's Mark ranks 1-4; General Tips; Druid chapter, Track Humanoid", "note": "Ranged attack power for all attackers, sight through stealth and invisibility, the minimap, duration and mana by rank; Track Humanoid as the area form on the reveal side." }, { "key": "monster-hunter-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "Monster Hunter Official Strategy Guide", "author": "BradyGames", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/mh-1-brady-games/MH1BradyGames_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Items table, Paintball; Ammunition table, Paint S; dragon strategy", "note": "The consumable tracking mark, its 10 minutes, and the restriction to large monsters." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Hunter's Mark, PDF p. 155", "note": "The 2014 spell text, its bonus action, range, concentration, damage, and moving the mark." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Ranger, Favored Enemy, Relentless Hunter, Precise Hunter, Foe Slayer, p. 58; Spells, Hunter's Mark, p. 141", "note": "The 2024 free castings restored on a Long Rest and the class features built on the mark." }, { "key": "archives-of-nethys-ranger-hunt-prey", "canonical": false, "title": "Archives of Nethys, Ranger, Hunt Prey", "author": "Paizo", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Pathfinder (second edition) Hunt Prey as a one-action designation of a single prey, lasting until the next daily preparations." }, { "key": "d-d-4e-keep-on-the-shadowfell-2008", "canonical": false, "title": "D&D 4E Keep on the Shadowfell", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/d-d-4.0-eng-adventure-keep-on-the-shadowfell/D_D%204.0%20-%20ENG%20-%20Adventure%20-%20Keep%20on%20the%20Shadowfell_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Pregenerated characters, Fighter (Combat Challenge) and Paladin (Divine Challenge); Conditions, Marked", "note": "Defender marks that penalise attacks not aimed at the marker, the taunt form on the threat-aggro side of the boundary." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-ii-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Necromancer skills, Curses, Amplify Damage", "note": "A damage-taken curse with no tracking or designation, on the curse side of the boundary." }, { "key": "dice-drops-battlefield-3-details-confirms-3d-spotting-2011", "canonical": false, "title": "DICE drops Battlefield 3 details, confirms 3D spotting", "author": "Michael Harradence (PSU)", "year": 2011, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.psu.com/news/dice-drops-battlefield-3-details-confirms-3d-spotting/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The red triangle over a spotted soldier, the minimap mark, and the team-wide 3D spot." }, { "key": "far-cry-3-review-2012", "canonical": false, "title": "Far Cry 3 Review", "author": "Kirk Mckeand (GamingBolt)", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gamingbolt.com/far-cry-3-review", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Camera tagging of each soldier and the silhouettes visible afterwards." }, { "key": "far-cry-3-is-a-superior-rumble-in-the-jungle-review-2012", "canonical": false, "title": "Far Cry 3 is a superior rumble in the jungle (review)", "author": "GamesBeat", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gamesbeat.com/?p=37697", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The camera tags enemies and animals so their movements can be tracked." }, { "key": "tom-clancy-s-splinter-cell-conviction-review-2010", "canonical": false, "title": "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction Review", "author": "GR Staff (GameRevolution)", "year": 2010, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/45911-tom-clancys-splinter-cell-conviction-review", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Mark and Execute, refilled by hand-to-hand takedowns, with points that do not stack." }, { "key": "assassin-s-creed-mirage-stealth-tips-for-those-looking-to-master-the-murderous-arts-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Assassin's Creed Mirage – Stealth Tips for Those Looking to Master the Murderous Arts", "author": "Nathan Birch (Wccftech)", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://wccftech.com/how-to/assassins-creed-mirage-guide-stealth/amp/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Enkidu's marking, Eagle Vision through walls, eagle archers, and Assassin's Focus marking up to five enemies." }, { "key": "content-update-3-12-0-path-of-exile-heist-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 3.12.0 -- Path of Exile: Heist", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2935777", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Marks rework, with one marked enemy at a time, and the effects of Assassin's Mark and Sniper's Mark." }, { "key": "content-update-3-27-0-path-of-exile-keepers-of-the-flame-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 3.27.0 -- Path of Exile: Keepers of the Flame", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3869068", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "An Assassin notable making Mark skills cost no mana, which they otherwise do." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 18, "word_count": 523, "updated": "2026-10-30", "url": "/abilities/mark" }, { "id": "mirror-image", "name": "Mirror Image", "status": "verified", "function": "concealment", "delivery": [ "self" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable" ], "definition": "An activated effect surrounds or accompanies the user with illusory copies or a decoy of itself, so opponents cannot tell which figure is real and spend attacks on copies that vanish when struck or expire.", "aliases": [ "Ruse", "Image", "Psyche Out", "Manta Style", "Doppelganger", "Deception", "decoy" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "hit-points", "status-effects", "threat-aggro" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "A 2nd-level magic-user spell creates 1-4 images of the caster that are indistinguishable from the magic-user and do exactly as he does. Any attack on an image dispels that image and leaves the others; the spell lasts 6 turns, and the text gives no saving throw.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "The level 1 white magic spell RUSE, as named in the 1990 US manual, makes the enemy see multiple images of the caster and raises the caster's evade rate by 40%, so the images exist only as an evasion bonus. It is cast from the per-level spell charges.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The Blademaster's spell dispels magic on him, breaks target lock, and creates 1 to 3 illusions by level for 60 seconds at 125 mana on a 3-second cooldown (2004 values). The illusions have his current hit points, look identical to opponents, can attack but deal no damage, and take double damage; each cast replaces earlier images.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Mirror Image, a level 80 mage spell of Wrath of the Lich King (2008; patch 3.0.2 per Warcraft Wiki), creates 3 copies of the mage for 30 seconds in a beta report. Warcraft Wiki gives 10% of base mana and a 3-minute cooldown, and says the copies \"cast spells and attack the mage's enemies\". The copies deal damage, which makes this a boundary case under the Definition, as for Dota 2.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Descent: Journeys in the Dark (second edition)", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Fantasy Flight Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "In the Shadow of Nerekhall expansion (2014), the Conjurer suffers fatigue equal to the image tokens on the map, then places 1 image within 2 spaces. An image is treated as a hero figure with the Conjurer's attributes and a grey defence die; if it suffers damage or fatigue it is discarded and the Conjurer suffers 1 damage and 1 fatigue.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Naga Siren's Mirror Image applies a basic dispel and, after a 0.5-second invulnerable shuffle, creates 3 illusions for 26 seconds that deal 25-40% of her damage and take 350%, for 75-120 mana on a 40-25 second cooldown. The Manta Style item active makes 2 such images for 18 seconds. Values are current rather than those of 2013.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hearthstone", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "The Mage spell card Mirror Image costs 1 mana and summons two 0/2 minions with Taunt. They have no attack; Taunt forces enemy attacks onto them, so each image soaks attacks until its 2 health is gone. The card is spent on play.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Apex Legends", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Respawn Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Mirage's tactical, Psyche Out, sends a holographic decoy of him running in the aimed direction. In the 2019 kit his passive drops a decoy and cloaks him when he is downed, and his ultimate deploys a whole team of holographic decoys while he cloaks.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Marvel Rivals", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "NetEase Games", "gating": [ "cooldown", "charges" ], "note": "Loki's Deception, on a 15-second cooldown, leaves an illusion in his place while he becomes invisible and heals. Doppelganger projects an illusion up to 30 metres away on 2 charges of 12 seconds each; illusions have 250 health, last 60 seconds, number at most two, and deal 80% damage. Devious Exchange swaps him with an illusion.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "high", "note": "Greyhawk's spell table lists Mirror Image among the 2nd-level magic-user additions, marked as a new spell, and describes 1-4 images indistinguishable from the caster, each dispelled by any attack. The 1974 Men & Magic spell lists do not contain it. Phantasmal Forces, in the 1972 second edition of Chainmail and in Men & Magic, is an antecedent: an illusion of a unit or creature rather than a copy of the caster, which in Men & Magic ends when touched. Whether the 1971 first edition of Chainmail held Phantasmal Forces is unconfirmed, and club or newsletter material before 1975 remains unsurveyed. The Players Handbook (1978) expanded the spell with level-scaled image counts and a round-by-round shuffle." }, "established": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "low", "note": "The earliest documented use also set the form: copies indistinguishable from the caster, each lost to the attack that strikes it. The Players Handbook (1978) and the 2024 rules keep the spell under the same name with duplicates destroyed when hit, and the name recurs in Warcraft III, World of Warcraft, Dota 2 and Hearthstone. No source says those video games took the spell from Dungeons & Dragons, and their copies carry hit points or deal damage, so the lineage beyond the tabletop line is thin." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells table (Additions), Magic-User 2nd level, p. 19; Mirror Image, p. 21", "note": "The earliest form cited, 1-4 images that do exactly as the caster does, each dispelled by any attack, lasting 6 turns." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells (2nd level): Mirror Image, p. 71; Illusionist spells (2nd level): Mirror Image", "note": "Level-scaled image counts, the round-by-round shuffle, and the illusionist version with 2-5 images." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/details/chainmail-2nd-edition", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement: Wizards, p. 28 (Phantasmal Forces)", "note": "The illusion antecedent, an apparition of a unit or creature lasting four turns." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo", "url": "https://archive.org/details/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "White Magic Level 1: RUSE, pp. 75-76", "note": "The images rendered as a 40% evasion bonus, and per-level spell charges." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-ii-instruction-manual-us-snes-1991", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy II instruction manual (US SNES)", "author": "Square Soft", "year": 1991, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/final-fantasy-ii-us-snes-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "White Magic table (Blink); Ninja Magic table (Image)", "note": "Final Fantasy IV under its US title; Blink costs 8 MP and lets the target avoid 2 attacks, and Image costs 6 MP." }, { "key": "blademaster-warcraft-iii-orc-hero-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Blademaster (Warcraft III Orc hero page)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20041229040348/http://www.battle.net:80/war3/orc/units/blademaster.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Snapshot of 29 December 2004; illusion counts, duration, mana, cooldown, no damage dealt, double damage taken, and the break of target lock." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-naga-siren", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Naga Siren", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=89", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Current Mirror Image values for illusion count, duration, damage dealt and taken, mana and cooldown." }, { "key": "dota-2-item-data-manta-style", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 item data, Manta Style", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/itemdata?language=english&item_id=147", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Current values for the item active, 2 images for 18 seconds." }, { "key": "hearthstonejson-card-data", "canonical": false, "title": "HearthstoneJSON card data", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Mirror Image (CS2_027), cost 1, \"Summon two 0/2 minions with Taunt.\"" }, { "key": "descent-community-wiki-mirror-image-and-conjurer", "canonical": false, "title": "Descent community wiki, Mirror Image and Conjurer", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Conjurer's Mirror Image card text, the escalating fatigue cost and the penalty when an image is hit." }, { "key": "shadow-of-nerekhall-2013", "canonical": false, "title": "Shadow of Nerekhall", "author": "ICv2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://icv2.com/print/article/27106", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Announcement of the Descent expansion for the first quarter of 2014, with a new class for each hero archetype." }, { "key": "apex-legends-mirage-guide-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Apex Legends Mirage guide", "author": "Robert N. Adams", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "GameRevolution", "url": "https://www.gamerevolution.com/?p=495047", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Psyche Out, the passive decoy and cloak, and the ultimate's team of decoys in the 2019 kit." }, { "key": "loki-hero-page-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Loki hero page", "author": "NetEase Games", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.marvelrivals.com/20241123/41360_1195662.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Deception, Doppelganger and its charges, Devious Exchange, and the illusions' health, duration and damage." }, { "key": "spell-descriptions-mirror-image-d-d-beyond-free-rules-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Spell Descriptions: Mirror Image (D&D Beyond free rules)", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/spell-descriptions", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spell Descriptions: Mirror Image", "note": "Three duplicates, a d6 per remaining duplicate when the caster is hit, and the exceptions for blinded creatures and those with blindsight or truesight." }, { "key": "vid-o-de-la-comp-tence-image-du-miroir-du-mage-2008", "canonical": false, "title": "Vidéo de la compétence Image du miroir du mage", "author": "Sharas", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "JudgeHype", "url": "https://worldofwarcraft.judgehype.com/news/video-de-la-competence-image-du-miroir-du-mage-115433/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Mirror Image in the Wrath of the Lich King beta, a level 80 spell making 3 copies for 30 seconds." }, { "key": "warcraft-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Mirror Image", "note": "The patch date, cost, cooldown, and the copies casting spells and attacking." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 16, "word_count": 542, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/mirror-image" }, { "id": "mount", "name": "Mount", "status": "verified", "function": "mobility", "delivery": [ "self" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "definition": "An activated spell, item or command calls or creates a creature or vehicle that carries the user faster than on foot, until it is dismissed, its duration ends, or it is lost when it or its rider is attacked", "aliases": [ "Phantom Steed", "Find Steed", "Chariot of Sustarre", "Figurine of Wondrous Power", "Ebony Fly", "Summon Warhorse", "Summon Felsteed", "Call Horse", "Epona's Song", "Flammie Drum", "horse whistle" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "exploration-procedures", "hit-points", "inventory-encumbrance" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "cooldown", "consumable" ], "note": "Figurines of Wondrous Power grow into mounts on command. The Ebony Fly carries a rider at 24\"/turn, \"the speed of a Dragon\", and shrinks on command, once per week for up to a day. The Marble Elephant carries the owner and others for up to a week, once a month. The Goat of Fleeing bears two riders at 48\"/turn to a named haven, then becomes a non-magical figurine.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Unearthed Arcana", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Mount, a 1st-level magic-user spell with a 1-round cast, brings an animal that serves as a mount and disappears \"at the expiration of the spell duration\", from mule or light horse up to warhorse, camel and elephant by caster level. Phantom Steed, a 3rd-level illusionist spell, makes a quasi-real horse moving 4\" per caster level that does not fight and is dispelled by more than 12 points of damage.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Secret of Mana", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Flammie Drum, received late in the quest, calls Flammie, a dragon that \"sweeps all of you into the air\", and the player steers him across the world map with a world view on Start. \"Flammie cannot find you when you are inside a building or underground\", and he cannot land on buildings or among trees.", "latest": false }, { "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Adult Link plays Epona's Song on the ocarina to call the horse Epona, found at Lon Lon Ranch, and ride her around Hyrule Field. Riding is allowed only \"in certain places\", and on-screen carrots count the speed boosts available.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EverQuest", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Verant Interactive", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Mounts arrived with The Shadows of Luclin on 4 December 2001. Players buy a horse \"in designated locations\" and \"summon their horse with the aid of a magical whistle\" to \"traverse greater distances in shorter periods of time and even battle from their mounts\". The in-game items are reportedly bridles whose speed bonus rises by tier.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Riding opens at level 40, where 100 gold and riding training buy a mount 60% faster than walking; at level 60 one 100% faster costs 1,000 gold. Players \"cannot attack while mounted\", and the mount \"unsummons\" indoors and on death. Paladins and warlocks earn class mounts by quest, and summoning reportedly takes a 3-second cast.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "at-will" ], "note": "Phantom Steed, a 3rd-level wizard ritual with a 1-minute cast, makes a horse with 100 feet of speed for 1 hour that ends if dismissed or \"if the steed takes any damage\"; as a ritual it spends no slot but takes 10 minutes longer. Find Steed, a 2nd-level paladin spell with a 10-minute cast, summons a bonded steed that can be dismissed and summoned again.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Ghost of Tsushima", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Sucker Punch Productions", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Pressing left on the d-pad makes Jin whistle, \"beckoning the horse to his location\", and whistling again does not speed its return. \"When you're in active combat, you can't whistle for your horse.\" The horse cannot be hurt, and the player can call it while sprinting and climb straight into the saddle.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The claim rests on the Figurines of Wondrous Power in Greyhawk's Miscellaneous Magic (pp. 56-57): the Ebony Fly, which \"upon command grows to gigantic size\" so that \"a man may ride upon its back\", the Marble Elephant, and the Goat of Fleeing, each shrinking or reverting after use. The 1974 boxed set has no called mount; its Broom of Flying and Flying Carpet are flight. The paladin's horse, which Greyhawk (p. 8) lets him \"obtain\" once in ten years, is a one-time grant with no call or dismissal and is an antecedent. The spells Mount and Phantom Steed first appear in Unearthed Arcana (1985), not the 1978 Players Handbook, whose only conjured carrier is the druid's Chariot of Sustarre; Eldritch Wizardry (1976) lists no such druid spell. Pre-publication campaign play and The Strategic Review remain unsurveyed. The earliest video example cited is Secret of Mana (1993); Phantasy Star (1987) has a Landrover vehicle item whose deployment is unconfirmed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Miscellaneous Magic, Figurines of Wondrous Powers (Ebony Fly, Marble Elephant, 3 Ivory Goats), pp. 56-57; Paladin, p. 8", "note": "The figurine mounts, their speeds, weekly or monthly use and dismissal on command; the paladin's horse obtainable once in ten years." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-unearthed-arcana-1985", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Unearthed Arcana", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/ad-d-1st-edition-unearthed-arcana", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User Spells (1st level), Mount, c. p. 53; Illusionist Spells (3rd level), Phantom Steed, c. p. 69", "note": "The Mount and Phantom Steed spells, their cast times, caster-level scaling and dismissal by damage." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Character Classes, The Paladin, item 8; Druid Spells (7th Level), Chariot of Sustarre", "note": "The paladin's warhorse that \"will magically appear\" once every ten years; the flaming chariot that carries the druid and up to 8 others." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-dungeon-masters-guide-1979", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeon Masters Guide", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/dungeon-masters-guide-efreet-cover", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Treasure (Miscellaneous Magic), Figurines of Wondrous Power, pp. 144-145", "note": "The revised figurines with weekly and monthly allowances, a cap of 3 uses on the goats, and command-word dismissal." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-iii-eldritch-wizardry-1976", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement III, Eldritch Wizardry", "author": "TSR", "year": 1976, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02005supplement3eldritchwizardy", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Druid spell list, 7th Level", "note": "A druid 7th-level list without the Chariot of Sustarre." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells: Find Steed, p. 144; Phantom Steed, pp. 168-169; Rituals, p. 102", "note": "The 5th edition steeds, the ritual route around slots, and dismissal on damage; the rules date from the 2014 edition." }, { "key": "secret-of-mana-instruction-booklet-1993", "canonical": false, "title": "Secret of Mana instruction booklet", "author": "Square", "year": 1993, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Square Soft", "url": "https://archive.org/details/SecretOfManaInstructionBooklet", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Travel: Cannon Travel, Dragon Flight, Landing (c. pp. 30-31); Flammie Drum (p. 33)", "note": "The drum that calls Flammie, steering on the world map, and the ban inside buildings and underground." }, { "key": "the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-instruction-booklet-us-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time instruction booklet (US)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo", "url": "https://archive.org/details/the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-n64-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Ride the Horse", "note": "Riding limited to adult Link in certain places, and the carrots that count speed boosts." }, { "key": "the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-songs-faq", "canonical": false, "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time songs FAQ", "author": "Flying Omelette", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.flyingomelette.com/faqs/z64/z64songs.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Epona's Song", "note": "Adult Link uses the song to call Epona and ride her around Hyrule Field." }, { "key": "sony-online-entertainment-takes-everquest-players-to-the-moon-with-everquest-the-shadows-of-luclin-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "Sony Online Entertainment Takes EverQuest Players to the Moon With EverQuest: The Shadows of Luclin", "author": "Sony Online Entertainment", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://sony.mediaroom.com/2001-12-03-Sony-Online-Entertainment-Takes-EverQuest-Players-to-the-Moon-With-EverQuest-The-Shadows-of-Luclin", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Horses bought in designated locations and summoned with a magical whistle for faster travel; retail release on 4 December 2001." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-community-site-info-basics-mounts-2005", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft community site, Info, Basics, Mounts", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2005, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20050602025434/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/basics/mounts.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Mounts at levels 40 and 60, their speeds and prices, no attacking while mounted, unsummoning indoors and on death, and the paladin and warlock quest mounts (Wayback snapshot of 2 June 2005)." }, { "key": "wowhead-and-the-vanilla-wow-wiki-summon-warhorse-summon-felsteed", "canonical": false, "title": "Wowhead and the Vanilla WoW wiki (Summon Warhorse, Summon Felsteed)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The class mount spells and the reported 3-second cast time." }, { "key": "how-to-call-your-horse-in-ghost-of-tsushima-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "How to Call Your Horse in Ghost of Tsushima", "author": "Morgan Shaver (Prima Games)", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20250516145904/https://primagames.com/tips/how-call-your-horse-ghost-tsushima", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The d-pad whistle, the horse travelling to the player, and the ban during active combat." }, { "key": "five-little-flourishes-that-help-make-ghost-of-tsushima-great-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Five Little Flourishes That Help Make Ghost of Tsushima Great", "author": "Jeff Cork (Game Informer)", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gameinformer.com/2020/07/15/five-little-flourishes-that-help-make-ghost-of-tsushima-great", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Calling the mount while sprinting and climbing into the saddle." }, { "key": "phantasy-star-instruction-manual-us-1988", "canonical": false, "title": "Phantasy Star instruction manual (US)", "author": "Sega", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Sega", "url": "https://archive.org/details/phantasy-star-1988-sega", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Important Items, LANDROVER, p. 25", "note": "The Landrover, \"a vehicle to move rapidly across the surface planets\"; the manual does not say how it is deployed." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 15, "word_count": 526, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/mount" }, { "id": "phase", "name": "Phase", "status": "verified", "function": "mobility", "delivery": [ "self", "placed" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "The user passes through solid matter that would otherwise block it, such as a wall, floor, ceiling or gate, by becoming intangible or by opening a temporary passage through it, for a short time or a set number of crossings", "aliases": [ "intangibility", "Pass-Wall", "Passwall", "Phase Door", "Etherealness", "Shadow Step", "Void Passage", "Ascend" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "inventory-encumbrance", "lock-and-key", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "charges" ], "note": "Pass-Wall, a 5th-level Magic-User spell, \"opens a hole in a solid rock wall, man-sized and up to 10' in length\" for 3 turns at a range of 3 inches, and anyone can walk through it. Monsters & Treasure also gives Passwall as one power of the Staff of Wizardry, which spends charges.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable" ], "note": "Phase Door, a 7th-level spell, is an invisible passwall that only its caster can use, for seven uses. Armor of Etherealness lets its wearer \"move through solid objects\", attackable only by creatures also out of phase and unable to attack, 49 times in all. Oil of Etherealness does the same through solid substances, but the user's hands pass through objects.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Crystal Dynamics (Eidos Interactive)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "On the Spectral Plane, pushing against a gate makes Raziel \"dematerialize and phase through it\", an earned ability for fences, gates and grates. He can shift to the Spectral Plane at any time, but returning needs full health and a planar portal, and nothing can be picked up or opened while spectral.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Kayn's Shadow Step gives 40% move speed, the Ghosted state, and movement through terrain for 7 to 9 seconds; he heals on first entering terrain, and it ends early if he is immobilised or spends more than 1.5 seconds outside terrain. Cooldown 21 to 13 seconds, no cost, in current values. The Ghost summoner spell ignores unit collision only.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost" ], "note": "Passwall, 5th level, range 30 feet, opens a passage up to 5 by 8 by 20 feet in a wooden, plaster or stone wall, ceiling or floor for 1 hour. Etherealness, 7th level and 1 action, moves the caster into the Ethereal border for up to 8 hours, interacting only with ethereal creatures, and shunts it out with force damage if it ends inside a solid object.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Apex Legends", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Respawn Entertainment (Electronic Arts)", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Alter, added in Season 21 (May 2024), has the tactical Void Passage, which \"Creates a portal passageway through a surface\"; a Level 3 upgrade cuts its cooldown by 10 seconds. The official notes give no base cooldown, range or depth.", "latest": false }, { "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Ascend gives Link the ability to pass through solid objects above him, rising through ceilings, hillsides, and even certain enemies and coming out on top as a shortcut. It works upward only and carries no cost.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The definition admits an opened passage as well as an intangible user, so the earliest documented use is Pass-Wall in Men & Magic (c. p. 29), which opens a temporary hole in solid rock. Confidence is medium because the spell makes a hole anyone can use rather than making its caster intangible, and because earlier tabletop rules, including Chainmail and Blackmoor play, remain unsurveyed. The earliest documented self-intangibility is Greyhawk (1975): the Oil and Armor of Etherealness, which let the user move through solid objects, and Phase Door, a passwall only its caster can use; the scan cited is a 1979 printing, and identity with the 1975 first printing is unconfirmed. The Gaseous Form potion of Monsters & Treasure (1974) seeps through any place not air-tight, gaps rather than matter, and is an antecedent filed as a shapeshift. Greyhawk's phase spiders shift out of phase as an innate monster trait. Bomberman (1985) reportedly has a power-up that walks through brick walls; this is unconfirmed, and the earliest video instance cited is Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (1999)." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spell table, 5th level (c. p. 21); Pass-Wall (c. p. 29)", "note": "Pass-Wall as a man-sized hole in solid rock up to 10 feet long, lasting 3 turns at a range of 3 inches." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Phase Door, 7th-level Magic-User spells, p. 25; Phase Spiders, c. p. 39; Armor of Etherealness, p. 47; Oil of Etherealness, p. 48", "note": "The caster-only passwall, the ethereal armour and oil that move through solid objects, and the phase spider trait; the scan is a 1979 printing." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr/MonstersTreasureVol2TSR_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Potions table and Gaseous Form (c. p. 32); Staff of Wizardry (c. p. 34)", "note": "The Gaseous Form potion as an antecedent, and Passwall as a power of the Staff of Wizardry." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Passwall, 5th-level Magic-User (c. p. 81); Phase Door, 7th-level Magic-User (c. p. 88)", "note": "Phase Door at one use per two caster levels with a verbal component only, the caster disappearing on entering it." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-iii-eldritch-wizardry-1976", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry", "author": "Gary Gygax and Brian Blume", "year": 1976, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/1st-edition-tsr-9438-creature-catalog/1st%20Edition%20Supplement_III_-_Eldritch_Wizardry%28TSR%20Games%2C_1976%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Psionic major abilities, Etherealness (5/turn), p. 20", "note": "Etherealness as a psionic power costing points per turn, with a carry limit set by mastery." }, { "key": "legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-instruction-manual-playstation-us-1999", "canonical": false, "title": "Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver instruction manual (PlayStation, US)", "author": "Eidos Interactive", "year": 1999, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Eidos Interactive", "url": "https://archive.org/details/legacy-of-kain-soul-reaver-manual-us-version", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Earned Abilities, Phasing Through Gates; Living and Dying in Nosgoth; Shifting between planes", "note": "Phasing through gates on the Spectral Plane, the lack of object interaction there, and the full-health and portal conditions for returning." }, { "key": "data-dragon-16-21-1-champion-and-summoner-data-kayn-ghost-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon 16.21.1, champion and summoner data (Kayn; Ghost)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Kayn.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Kayn, spells, Shadow Step (E); summoner.json, Ghost", "note": "Movement through terrain for 7 to 9 seconds, the 21 to 13 second cooldown, and the early exit after 1.5 seconds outside terrain; Ghost ignoring unit collision." }, { "key": "basic-rules-2014-spells-2014", "canonical": false, "title": "Basic Rules (2014), Spells", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/basic-rules-2014/spells", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spell descriptions: Etherealness; Gaseous Form; Passwall", "note": "The 5th edition values for Passwall and Etherealness, and Gaseous Form for the boundary." }, { "key": "apex-legends-upheaval-patch-notes-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Apex Legends: Upheaval patch notes", "author": "Respawn Entertainment", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": "Electronic Arts", "url": "https://www.ea.com/games/apex-legends/news/upheaval-patch-notes", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "New Legend: Alter, Tactical (Void Passage), upgrades", "note": "Void Passage as a portal passageway through a surface, and the upgrade that cuts its cooldown by 10 seconds." }, { "key": "the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-product-page-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (product page)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-switch/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Ascend", "note": "Ascend passing through solid objects above Link, through ceilings, hillsides, and certain enemies." }, { "key": "overwatch-hero-page-reaper", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch hero page: Reaper", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/reaper/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Abilities: Wraith Form", "note": "Supports the boundary only; Wraith Form makes Reaper faster and invulnerable but unable to shoot, with no passage through walls." } ], "n_examples": 7, "n_sources": 11, "word_count": 562, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/phase" }, { "id": "pin", "name": "Pin", "status": "unverified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "melee", "projectile" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown" ], "definition": "An attacker seizes or pins a target and holds it helpless, unable to move, fight back, or use items, with no timer of its own, until an ally knocks off, interrupts, or kills the attacker, or the target dies", "aliases": [ "pinned", "pounce", "grab" ], "media": [ "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooperative-play", "hit-points", "team-play" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Left 4 Dead", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve and Turtle Rock Studios", "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown" ], "note": "The Hunter must crouch, then pounces; a pounced Survivor is helpless until another Survivor knocks or shoots the Hunter off, and the pounce makes nearby Survivors stumble away. The Smoker's Tongue Snare catches at range and drags its prey in, leaving it helpless and hanging when caught from a rooftop. Players take these roles in Versus.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dead by Daylight", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Behaviour Interactive", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The killer carries a downed survivor, who squirms and can wiggle free, to a meathook and impales it there; the hold then needs no killer and ends when another survivor unhooks the victim or it is carried off. The perk Iron Grasp weakens and slows the wiggle, and No One Left Behind speeds unhooking.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warhammer: Vermintide 2", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Fatshark", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Gutter Runner leaps and bears its foe to the ground, slicing at the prone victim, and the Packmaster's barbed polearm strangles a foe into submission and leaves it for later harvesting; once caught, the prey cannot escape unless friends are close by.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Back 4 Blood", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Turtle Rock Studios", "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown" ], "note": "A Sleeper bursts from a wall pod and pins a Cleaner to the ground until a teammate rescues it; the Crusher grabs and squeezes, leaving its victim helpless under damage over time; the Hocker pins with a sticky projectile and the Stalker pounces and drags. A 2022 update fixed Cleaners staying pinned after the Stalker pinning them was killed.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Left 4 Dead", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The Hunter's pounce and the Smoker's Tongue Snare in the 2008 Xbox 360 manual are the earliest documented form cited: a victim left helpless until another Survivor frees it. Natural Selection's Onos Devour, a swallow announced for the Half-Life modification's version 2.0 of July 2003, is earlier; the rule that freeing the marine requires killing the Onos is cited only from a later build. Galaga's (1981) tractor beam, a captured fighter freed by shooting its captor, is sometimes named as an antecedent. Earlier action and multiplayer games remain unsurveyed." }, "established": { "title": "Left 4 Dead", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Left 4 Dead is both the earliest documented use and the reference form: its Hunter and Smoker are the cases later games repeat. Back 4 Blood, from Turtle Rock Studios, keeps the pounce, the tether and the squeeze, and Windows Central compares its Crusher family to the Chargers of Left 4 Dead 2. Vermintide 2's Gutter Runner and Packmaster repeat the pounce and the hold; no cited source ties them to Left 4 Dead directly." }, "sources": [ { "key": "left-4-dead-xbox-360-manual-2008", "canonical": false, "title": "Left 4 Dead, Xbox 360 manual", "author": "Valve", "year": 2008, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/left-4-dead_manual_xbox360/Left%204%20Dead_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": "Infected Controls; Getting Incapped; The Hunter; The Smoker", "note": "The crouch before the pounce, the Survivor left helpless until another Survivor knocks or shoots the Hunter off, the stumble of nearby Survivors, the Smoker's ranged Tongue Snare leaving victims helpless and hanging, and incapacitation as a separate state." }, { "key": "dev-blog-gutter-runner-packmaster-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Dev Blog - Gutter Runner & Packmaster", "author": "Fatshark", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.vermintide.com/news/2018/12/18/dev-blog-gutter-runner-amp-packmaster", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": "Gutter Runner; Packmaster", "note": "The Gutter Runner's leap that bears the foe to the ground, the Packmaster's strangling polearm, and the prey's lack of escape unless friends are close by. The page shows 18 January 2018, and Fatshark's Steam post of Dev Blog 11 linked it on 20 January 2018; the December 2018 address is a later one." }, { "key": "review-dead-by-daylight-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Review: Dead by Daylight", "author": "Jed Whitaker (Destructoid)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-dead-by-daylight/", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": null, "note": "The killer carrying downed survivors' squirming bodies to meathooks, where they struggle before a monstrosity carries them off." }, { "key": "dead-by-daylight-10-2-0-mid-chapter-patch-notes-steam-news-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Dead by Daylight 10.2.0, Mid-Chapter patch notes (Steam news)", "author": "Behaviour Interactive", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://api.steampowered.com/ISteamNews/GetNewsForApp/v2/?appid=381210&count=300&maxlength=0&format=json", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": "10.2.0 | Mid-Chapter, 6 October 2026: Iron Grasp; No One Left Behind", "note": "The wiggle of a carried survivor, made weaker and slower by Iron Grasp, and survivors unhooking other survivors, made faster by No One Left Behind." }, { "key": "back-4-blood-all-zombie-classes-explained-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "Back 4 Blood: All zombie classes explained", "author": "Miles Dompier (Windows Central)", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.windowscentral.com/back-4-blood-all-zombie-classes-explained", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": "Hocker/Stalker/Stinger; Bruiser/Crusher/Tallboy; Hag; Sleeper", "note": "The Hocker's sticky pin, the Stalker's pounce and drag, the Crusher's helpless squeeze, the Hag's swallow, the Sleeper's pin that a teammate must break, the low health of the agile family, and the comparison with Left 4 Dead 2's Chargers." }, { "key": "back-4-blood-april-2022-update-steam-news-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "Back 4 Blood, April 2022 Update (Steam news)", "author": "Turtle Rock Studios", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://api.steampowered.com/ISteamNews/GetNewsForApp/v2/?appid=924970&count=100&maxlength=0&format=json", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": "April 2022 Update, 12 April 2022: Fort Hope Shooting Range; Bots", "note": "The fix for Cleaners remaining pinned after the Stalker pinning them was killed, and bots pinging Special Ridden after being grabbed or pinned." }, { "key": "back-4-blood-december-2021-and-december-2022-updates-steam-news-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "Back 4 Blood, December 2021 and December 2022 Updates (Steam news)", "author": "Turtle Rock Studios", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://api.steampowered.com/ISteamNews/GetNewsForApp/v2/?appid=924970&count=100&maxlength=0&format=json", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": "December 2021 Update, 16 December 2021: Ridden AI Updates; December 2022 Update, 5 December 2022: Ridden Updates", "note": "The Hocker's pin cooldown raised to 8 seconds after a miss or a hit in 2021 and cut to 7 seconds in 2022." }, { "key": "left-4-dead-update-released-steam-news-2009", "canonical": false, "title": "Left 4 Dead Update Released (Steam news)", "author": "Valve", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://store.steampowered.com/news/2162", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": "Versus Changes; Smoker", "note": "The shorter ability delay timer after a tongue attack that fails to paralyze or hang a Survivor, and the tongue that breaks only when the Smoker is killed or the tongue destroyed." }, { "key": "natural-selection-2-0-gets-release-date-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "'Natural Selection 2.0' Gets Release Date", "author": "Rainier (Worthplaying)", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "http://worthplaying.com/article/2003/7/1/news/10977-natural-selection-20-gets-release-date/", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": null, "note": "Version 2.0 of the Half-Life modification announced for 31 July 2003, with new abilities that let the Onos stun enemies with Stomp and devour them whole." }, { "key": "natural-selection-v3-3-beta-9-in-game-help-text", "canonical": false, "title": "Natural Selection v3.3 beta 9, in-game help text", "author": "The NS Team", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/ns_v33b9_full/ns_v33b9_full.zip/ns%2Fenglish_titles.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": "english_titles.txt: Weapon30Help; TechNodeHelp_117", "note": "Devour slowly digests the eaten enemy, and if the Onos is killed before digestion completes the enemy is freed; the package's readme is dated February 2006." } ], "n_examples": 4, "n_sources": 10, "word_count": 561, "updated": "2026-10-30", "url": "/abilities/pin" }, { "id": "poison", "name": "Poison", "status": "unverified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "targeted", "melee", "projectile" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "charges", "consumable", "proc-chance" ], "definition": "An ability that leaves damage on a target to be dealt in instalments over later turns or seconds, as poison, bleeding, burning or acid, without the user acting again, until it runs its course or is cured", "aliases": [ "poisoned", "venom", "toxin", "Toxic", "badly poisoned", "damage over time", "DoT", "bleed", "Rend", "burn", "acid", "Corruption", "Deadly Poison", "Poison Dagger", "Heat Metal", "Melf's Acid Arrow", "Acid Arrow" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "damage-types", "hit-points", "procs", "saving-throws", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry", "year": 1976, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Brian Blume (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Heat Metal, a 2nd-level druid spell with range 3\", heats ferrous metal in contact with the target until it is searing for two turns; the first blisters a hand or deals 1-2 points to the body, and the second adds 2-3 more and can leave the target unconscious for 2-8 turns. The druid does nothing further, and fire resistance negates the effect.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Sir-Tech", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Monster attacks and poison-needle traps leave a character POISONED, losing hit points steadily during movement and combat, faster in combat. The priest's level-4 LATUMOFIS cures it, and poisoned characters recover on their own back at the castle. Only monsters and traps inflict it, as a free property of the attack; the party has the cure, not the poison.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Unearthed Arcana", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Melf's Acid Arrow, a 2nd-level magic-user evocation with range 3\", hits as a +1 arrow for 2-5 damage plus 2-8 acid, and the acid burns for one more round for every 3 caster levels above 3rd, so a 4th- to 6th-level caster's arrow deals acid damage over two rounds unless neutralized. Underwater it lasts a single round.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Pokémon Red and Green", "year": 1996, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Game Freak", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "Poison costs the victim 1/16 of its maximum HP, at least 1, at each of its turns, and Toxic (85% accuracy, 10 PP) badly poisons, multiplying the 1/16 by a counter that rises each turn. Outside battle a poisoned Pokémon loses 1 HP every fourth step. PP are restored at a Pokémon Center.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Necromancer's Poison Dagger makes a dagger hit poison the target, 7-15 damage over 2 seconds for 3 mana at skill level 1. Poison Nova (required level 30, 20 mana) sends a ring out from the caster that poisons each enemy it touches for 52-93 damage over 2 seconds at level 1, and does not overwrite itself. Expansion-era figures.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable", "charges", "proc-chance" ], "note": "Warlock Corruption at rank 1 (level 4) costs 35 mana, reaches 30 yards, and deals 42 damage over 18 seconds after a 2-second cast. Rogue Deadly Poison is applied to a weapon for 30 minutes or a set number of charges, and each strike has a chance to add 36 Nature damage over 12 seconds, stacking up to 5 times. Warrior Rend bleeds 15 damage over 9 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "per-rest", "consumable" ], "note": "Ability cards apply WOUND, under which a figure suffers one point of damage at the start of each of its turns until a Heal removes the token and also restores hit points. Played cards return on a rest, less one lost card, or are lost for the scenario. The POISON condition of the same game deals no damage.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile 2", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana", "proc-chance" ], "note": "Skills and weapon modifiers granting a chance to Poison on Hit inflict poison, which runs for a Poison Duration that support gems and modifiers lengthen or shorten, and several poisons can damage one target up to per-skill limits. In patch 0.2.0 Plague Bearer stores up to 15,257 poison damage at gem level 20, and Poisonous Concoction inflicts poison of 200% more magnitude.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry", "year": 1976, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "low", "note": "The definition admits any damage left on the target in instalments, whatever its flavour, so the earliest documented use is the druid's Heat Metal in Eldritch Wizardry (1976): one casting deals damage over two turns with no further act by the druid, and fire resistance cures it. Confidence is low because Heat Metal is bound to metal the target can shed and deals a few points tied to body parts, and because 1975 to 1978 material such as The Strategic Review, Gods, Demi-gods & Heroes, the AD&D Monster Manual (1977), and RuneQuest (1978) remains unsurveyed; Blackmoor and Greyhawk (1975) show no hit-point damage over time from an applied effect. The same booklet's psionic Molecular Agitation deals cumulative damage each turn but only while the user keeps using it, a channelled antecedent. The earliest documented poison that drains hit points, matching the name, is Wizardry (1981), whose manual says poison makes a character lose hit points steadily during movement and combat (medium confidence for that form; earlier computer role-playing games such as PLATO dnd, Oubliette, Akalabeth, and Temple of Apshai remain unsurveyed). Save-or-die poison in Dungeons & Dragons (1974) is a neighbour, all or nothing, not an antecedent of the instalment rule." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-iii-eldritch-wizardry-1976", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry", "author": "Gary Gygax and Brian Blume", "year": 1976, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/1st-edition-tsr-9438-creature-catalog/1st%20Edition%20Supplement_III_-_Eldritch_Wizardry%28TSR%20Games%2C_1976%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Druid spells, 2nd level, Heat Metal, p. 22; Psionic abilities, Molecular Agitation, p. 19", "note": "Heat Metal's two turns of searing damage, the fire-resistance cure, and Molecular Agitation's cumulative per-turn damage while the power is maintained; page numbers from OCR markers." }, { "key": "wizardry-proving-grounds-of-the-mad-overlord-manual-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord manual", "author": "Andrew Greenberg and Robert Woodhead (Sir-Tech)", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/adoc_wizardry/wizardry_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Status, p. 10; Temple of Cant; Priest spells, LATUMOFIS, p. 39", "note": "POISONED as a status, poison losing hit points steadily during movement and combat, LATUMOFIS as the cure, and recovery on return to the castle." }, { "key": "wizardry-proving-grounds-of-the-mad-overlord-player-s-guide-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, Player's Guide", "author": "Sir-Tech", "year": 1981, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/sir-tech-wizardry-1-a2-v2.1-black-manual-ph/components/wizardry%20players%20guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Tips, pp. 49-50; sample expedition, poison needle, pp. 59-60", "note": "A poison-needle trap, hit points lost per step, and poison draining faster in combat; a later printing, copyright 1981 to 1987." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Saving Throw Matrix and notes, p. 20; Clerics, 4th level, Neutralize Poison", "note": "The Death Ray or Poison save and a Neutralize Poison that does not aid a character killed by poison, the save-or-die neighbour." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-dungeon-masters-guide-1979", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeon Masters Guide", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dungeon-masters-guide-efreet-cover/Dungeon%20Masters%20Guide%20%28Efreet%20Cover%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Poison Types, c. pp. 20-21; Oil, c. p. 64", "note": "Monster poison as an all-or-nothing affair, purchased poisons dealing one sum after an onset time, and flaming oil burning over two rounds." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-unearthed-arcana-1985", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Unearthed Arcana", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1985, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/ad-d-1st-edition-unearthed-arcana/AD%26D%201st%20Edition%20-%20Unearthed%20Arcana_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-user spells, 2nd level, Melf's Acid Arrow, p. 54", "note": "The arrow's hit, the acid damage, and the extra rounds of acid by caster level." }, { "key": "rogue-3-6-source-fight-c-and-potions-c", "canonical": false, "title": "Rogue 3.6 source, fight.c and potions.c", "author": "Michael Toy, Glenn Wichman, and Ken Arnold", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RoguelikeRestorationProject/rogue3.6/master/fight.c", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "fight.c, giant ant sting; potions.c, potion of poison", "note": "Poison in Rogue lowering Strength rather than hit points." }, { "key": "dragon-warrior-instruction-manual-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Warrior instruction manual", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/DragonWarriorNESHiResScans/Dragon%20Warrior%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Terrain, Swamps", "note": "Poisonous swamps that cost two hit points per step, a terrain hazard and the only poison the manual describes." }, { "key": "pok-mon-red-and-blue-disassembly-pokered", "canonical": false, "title": "Pokémon Red and Blue disassembly (pokered)", "author": "pret", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/pret/pokered/master/engine/battle/core.asm", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "engine/battle/core.asm, HandlePoisonBurnLeechSeed_DecreaseOwnHP; data/moves/moves.asm, TOXIC; engine/events/poison.asm, ApplyOutOfBattlePoisonDamage", "note": "The 1/16 tick, Toxic's rising counter, accuracy, and PP, and the out-of-battle step damage." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard North", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/diablo-ii-manual/Diablo%20II%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Necromancer skills, Poison and Bone Spells (Poison Dagger, Poison Nova)", "note": "The skill descriptions of Poison Dagger and Poison Nova." }, { "key": "the-arreat-summit-necromancer-poison-and-bone-spells", "canonical": false, "title": "The Arreat Summit: Necromancer Poison and Bone Spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/necromancer-poison.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Poison Dagger; Poison Nova", "note": "Mana costs, required levels, damage over seconds, and Poison Nova not overwriting itself; expansion-era figures." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Warlock chapter, Affliction (Corruption); Rogue chapter, Poisons (Deadly Poison); Warrior chapter (Rend)", "note": "Ranks, mana costs, ranges, damage over seconds, weapon-poison duration, charges, and stacks; the OCR is garbled in places, including the Deadly Poison chance." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Conditions, Poison and Wound, p. 22; Resting, p. 17", "note": "Wound as one point of damage at the start of each turn until healed, Poison as a condition that deals no damage, and the rest rules." }, { "key": "content-update-0-2-0-path-of-exile-2-dawn-of-the-hunt-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 0.2.0 -- Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3740562", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Plague Bearer's stored poison damage, Poisonous Concoction's magnitude, Comorbidity's shorter Poison Duration, and a fix for poisons with different limits damaging the same target." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-2-content-update-0-5-5-patch-notes", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile 2 Content Update 0.5.5 patch notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/4000864", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Weapon modifiers granting a chance to Poison on Hit and modifiers to Poison Duration." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 15, "word_count": 562, "updated": "2026-10-26", "url": "/abilities/poison" }, { "id": "polymorph", "name": "Polymorph", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "targeted" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable" ], "definition": "An ability that transforms a target, usually an enemy, into a weaker or harmless creature, replacing its form and removing its attacks and abilities, for a duration or until dispelled; often resisted by a save or ended by damage.", "aliases": [ "Polymorph Others", "Polymorph Other", "Toad", "frog", "Turn to Frog", "Frogify", "Hex", "sheep", "sheeping", "Whimsy", "Pongify", "Ovinomancer", "wand of polymorph" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "hit-points", "saving-throws", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable" ], "note": "Polymorph Others, a 4th-level Magic-User spell with a range of 6 inches, lasts until dispelled and gives the target all characteristics of the new form, as with \"a troll polymorphed into a snail\". The spell states no save; the save matrix lists polymorph under wands. A Wand of Polymorph with 100 charges projects it, and a Curse Scroll can polymorph its victims to insects.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Rogue", "year": 1980, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Michael Toy, Glenn Wichman, and Ken Arnold", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "A wand of polymorph zapped in a direction hits the first monster in line and replaces it with a random monster of the 26 letter types, which may be stronger and then chases the player. Wands hold 3 to 7 charges, and the wand is identified when the change is seen. The rule is cited from the 1981 3.6 source; the 5.4 source keeps it.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy II", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A black-magic spell turns the target into a frog, and the manual, partly garbled in the scanned text, says a frog is powerless against any opponent; a shop item restores a character whose form magic has changed. Square Enix describes the Toad status as lowering accuracy and blocking magic, with a toad party member counted as defeated.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Mirage's Polymorph (1996, a 3U sorcery) destroys a creature, and its controller reveals cards until a creature card, which enters instead. Visions' Ovinomancer (1997) destroys a creature and gives its controller a 0/1 Sheep. Turn to Frog (Magic 2012, a 1U instant) makes a creature a 1/1 blue Frog with no abilities until end of turn.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft II", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Mage's Polymorph, researched for 2,000 gold and cast for 200 mana, permanently turns a target into \"a creature of the wilds\" that can no longer be commanded, which players treat as a one-cast kill. The manual says a target of greater stamina is less likely to be changed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Mage spell from level 8. Rank 1 costs 60 mana, takes a 1.5-second cast at 30 yards, and turns an enemy into a sheep that wanders for up to 20 seconds, cannot attack or cast, and regenerates quickly. Any damage ends it, only one target can be polymorphed at a time, and rank 4, at level 60 for 150 mana, lasts 50 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Lion's Hex turns an enemy unit into a harmless beast with its special abilities disabled and 120 base movement speed for 2 to 3.2 seconds, and instantly destroys illusions; 110 to 200 mana, 24 to 12 s cooldown in 2026 data. The Scythe of Vyse item's Hex makes a critter for 2.8 seconds that is silenced, muted, and disarmed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hearthstone", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Polymorph, a 4-mana Basic Mage spell card, reads \"Transform a minion into a 1/1 Sheep.\" The change is permanent, and the Sheep can still deal 1 damage. The Shaman's Hex does the same for one mana less.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends: Wild Rift", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Lulu's Whimsy, cast on an enemy, \"turns them into an adorable critter that can't attack or cast spells\"; cast on an ally, it grants attack speed and movement speed instead. The form reportedly lasts 1 to 1.75 seconds by rank, on a cooldown of about 14 to 17 seconds.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "high", "note": "Men & Magic (1974) prints Polymorph Others as a 4th-level Magic-User spell that lasts until dispelled and gives the target the new form's characteristics, separate from Polymorph Self, which is shorter and grants no combat abilities. Monsters & Treasure (1974) adds a Wand of Polymorph and a Curse Scroll result that polymorphs to an insect. The spell text states no save; applying the save matrix's wand column to the spell is a reading. Chainmail is not an antecedent for the target form: its second edition (1972) has no polymorph spell, and the third (1975) has a self-only Polymorph. Pre-publication campaign use is unconfirmed. The Players Handbook (1978) adds the system-shock roll that can kill the transformed creature. The earliest cited video instance is Rogue's wand, from the 1981 3.6 source; its presence in the 1980 build is unconfirmed." }, "established": { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "low", "note": "World of Warcraft's sheep, a harmless form held for a limited time that any damage ends, gave players the verb \"sheep\" and is the reference form of the timed polymorph. Warcraft Wiki traces the spell from Warcraft II's critter and Warcraft III's timed sheep through World of Warcraft to Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm, all Blizzard games. Confidence is low because that lineage is a wiki's and stays within one publisher, and Dungeons & Dragons' Polymorph Others, which lasts until dispelled, is the older form and name." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells & Levels, pp. 17-18; Saving Throw Matrix, p. 20; Magic-User spells, 4th level list, p. 21; Polymorph Self and Polymorph Others, p. 26", "note": "The Polymorph Others wording, its range and permanence, and the split from Polymorph Self." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr/MonstersTreasureVol2TSR_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Scrolls, Curse table, p. 24; Wands and Staves, Polymorph and charges, p. 34 (pages inferred from scan footers)", "note": "The curse that polymorphs to an insect, the Wand of Polymorph, and 100 charges." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Constitution, System Shock Survival, pp. 12-13; Magic-User Spells (4th Level), Polymorph Other, p. 78; Polymorph Self, p. 79", "note": "System shock, permanence, the negating save, and the change of personality." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-3rd-edition", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 3rd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (TSR)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02008chainmail3rdeditionblackwhitereprint/tsr02008%20-%20Chainmail%2C%203rd%20Edition%20%28black%20%26%20white%20reprint%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, Spells, 12. Polymorph, p. 32", "note": "The self-only Chainmail Polymorph, from a black-and-white reprint." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, Spells 1-8, pp. 27-29", "note": "The eight wizard spells of 1972, none of them a polymorph." }, { "key": "rogue-3-6-source-sticks-c-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Rogue 3.6 source, sticks.c", "author": "Michael Toy, Ken Arnold, and Glenn Wichman", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RoguelikeRestorationProject/rogue3.6/master/sticks.c", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "do_zap, case WS_POLYMORPH; fix_stick charges", "note": "The random-monster wand and its 3 to 7 charges." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-ii-instruction-manual-famicom-1988", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy II instruction manual (Famicom)", "author": "Square", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/final-fantasy-ii-sqf-fy-fc-jp-manual-600-dpi/Final%20Fantasy%20II%20%5BSQF-FY%5D(FC)(JP)%20-Manual(600DPI)_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Items, p. 31; Magic list, p. 36 (Japanese; the scanned text garbles the frog character)", "note": "The frog spell and the item that cures it." }, { "key": "ff-weekly-june-3rd-remember-when-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "FF Weekly: June 3rd Remember When...", "author": "Square Enix (FINAL FANTASY Portal Site)", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://na.finalfantasy.com/topics/286", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Toad's first appearance in Final Fantasy II and its effects there and in later games." }, { "key": "warcraft-ii-manual-pc-1995", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft II manual (PC)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/Warcraft_II_-_Manual_-_PC/Warcraft_II_-_Manual_-_PC_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Human forces, Mage spells, Polymorph", "note": "The permanent creature form and the stamina clause." }, { "key": "warcraft-ii-strategy-advanced-strategy", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft II Strategy: Advanced Strategy", "author": "Hive Workshop", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://classic.hiveworkshop.com/war2/advanced/sdis.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The 200-mana cost, the 2,000-gold research, and the one-cast kill." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-reign-of-chaos-manual-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warcraft-iii-manual_202205/Warcraft%20III%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Human units, Sorceress, Polymorph", "note": "The sheep form \"for a limited duration of time\"." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mage, spell tables, Polymorph ranks 1-4; Mage tips (Sheep); glossary, Mez", "note": "Ranks, mana, range, cast time, duration, the break on damage, and one target at a time." }, { "key": "warcraft-wiki-polymorph", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft Wiki, Polymorph", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Diminishing returns against players, the patch history, the break on damage, and the spell's appearances from Warcraft II and Warcraft III to Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm." }, { "key": "hearthstone-help-the-46-best-cards-revealed-page-2-2014", "canonical": false, "title": "Hearthstone Help: The 46 best cards revealed (page 2)", "author": "PC Gamer staff (PC Gamer)", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/hearthstone-help-the-46-best-cards-revealed/2/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Polymorph card text, its cost and rarity, the Sheep's 1 damage, and Hex at one mana less." }, { "key": "scryfall-card-database-polymorph-mirage-ovinomancer-turn-to-frog-pongify", "canonical": false, "title": "Scryfall card database, Polymorph (Mirage), Ovinomancer, Turn to Frog, Pongify", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Card text and first-printing dates." }, { "key": "lulu-champion-page-wild-rift", "canonical": false, "title": "Lulu champion page (Wild Rift)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://wildrift.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/champions/lulu/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Whimsy text." }, { "key": "league-of-legends-wiki-wr-lulu", "canonical": false, "title": "League of Legends Wiki, WR:Lulu", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Whimsy durations and cooldowns." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Polymorph, pp. 153-154", "note": "The 2024-edition rule, with its Wisdom save, concentration, and temporary hit points." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-lion", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Lion", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=26", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Hex", "note": "Current Hex duration, movement speed, range, mana, cooldown, and the instant destruction of illusions." }, { "key": "dota-2-item-data-scythe-of-vyse", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 item data, Scythe of Vyse", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/itemdata?language=english&item_id=96", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Active: Hex", "note": "The item's critter form for 2.8 seconds, silenced, muted, and disarmed, at 250 mana on a 20-second cooldown." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 20, "word_count": 542, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/polymorph" }, { "id": "rage", "name": "Rage", "status": "verified", "function": "enhancement", "delivery": [ "self" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A self-applied state that raises the user's damage, attacks, or toughness for a duration at a price, such as lost control, lowered defence, barred spells or options, or fatigue, stress, or damage once it ends", "aliases": [ "Berserk", "Berserker Rage", "Frenzy", "Fury", "Death Wish", "Recklessness", "Transform", "Bane of All Evil" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "board-card", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "advantage-disadvantage", "cooldowns", "hit-points", "morale-and-rout", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "note": "Tenser's Transformation, a 6th-level magic-user spell on the caster lasting 1 round per level, doubles hit points, improves armour class by 4, and gives two dagger attacks a round at +2 damage. The caster must fight \"until all opponents are slain\" or the spell ends, damage beyond the added hit points counts double, and a potion of heroism is consumed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, The Complete Fighter's Handbook", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Aaron Allston (TSR)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Berserker warrior kit \"may choose to Go Berserk\", which takes a full turn (ten combat rounds); berserk, he gains +1 to attack, +3 damage, and 5 hit points, resists mind-affecting spells, and must fight until every enemy is down. When the fight ends he loses the hit points and \"collapses in exhaustion\" for a round per round berserk. No daily limit is given.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Berserk, a green instant for one mana, gives target creature trample and +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is its power, and destroys it at the next end step if it attacked that turn. It targets a creature rather than the player and can be cast only before combat damage.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Barbarian's Berserk, for 4 mana, is one attack at +100% attack rating and +150% magic damage at skill level 1, converted to magic so it cannot leech; afterwards the Barbarian's defence is zero for 2.7 seconds, falling to 1.3 at level 20. Values from the expansion-era skill page.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "The barbarian's Rage gives +4 Strength, +4 Constitution, and +2 on Will saves at -2 armour class for 3 rounds plus the new Constitution modifier, and bars spells and patience-based skills; the barbarian is fatigued afterwards for the encounter. Uses run from 1 to 6 a day, once per encounter. Wording cited from the 3.5 SRD (2003).", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Death Wish, a Fury talent, is \"a 10 Rage ability that increases melee damage by 20%, makes you immune to fear, but lowers defense against all damage by 20%\", on a 3-minute cooldown in Classic-era data. Recklessness gives +100% critical chance and +20% damage taken for 15 seconds on a 30-minute cooldown.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "per-rest", "action-cost" ], "note": "Rage, entered as a bonus action outside heavy armour, gives advantage on Strength checks and saves, extra melee damage, and resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing for 1 minute, and bars casting; it ends early on a turn without attacking or taking damage. The Berserker's Frenzy adds a bonus-action attack each turn, then a level of exhaustion.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Darkest Dungeon", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Red Hook Studios", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The Abomination's Transform, used on himself at no action cost, switches him to Beast form for +10% damage, +1 speed, Blight resistance, and a small heal. Every other hero takes 8 stress, he takes 6 stress each turn in Beast form, and after he changes back the skill cannot be used again that battle.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Genshin Impact", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "miHoYo", "gating": [ "ultimate-charge", "cooldown" ], "note": "Xiao's Elemental Burst, Bane of All Evil, greatly increases his jumping power, converts all his attacks to Anemo damage, and enhances their range and damage, while he continuously loses HP; the drain ends on switching characters. It reportedly needs 70 Energy and lasts 15 seconds.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The Players Handbook (1978) gives Tenser's Transformation, which \"causes the caster to become a berserk fighter\": hit points double and attacks improve, and the spell \"must run its full course\", the magic-user attacking \"until all opponents are slain, he or she is killed, the magic is dispelled, or the Transformation duration expires\". The same book's illusionist spell Emotion has a rage form that makes its recipients \"berserk\", at +1 to hit, +3 damage, and +5 hit points, fighting without shield. Earlier berserkers are fixed traits, not activated states, and are antecedents: Chainmail's Viking Berserkers (third edition, 1975) charge once they see troops in battle and fight until they or all their opponents are dead, and the berserkers of Monsters & Treasure (1974) never check morale and add +2 against normal men. Chainmail's 1972 second edition has no berserker passage; the 1971 first edition is unconfirmed. RuneQuest (1978) reportedly has a Fanaticism spell that raises attack while barring parry, and Cults of Prax (1979) reportedly a Storm Bull berserk; if confirmed, RuneQuest ties the date. Eldritch Wizardry (1976) and magazine issues before 1978 remain unsurveyed. The earliest video form cited is the player-applied Berserk of Final Fantasy IV (1991); earlier video forms remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User Spells, Sixth Level, Tenser's Transformation; Illusionist Spells, Fourth Level, Emotion", "note": "The berserk lock-in, doubled hit points, armour class and damage figures, double damage beyond the added hit points, the potion component, and Emotion's rage form." }, { "key": "the-complete-fighter-s-handbook-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "The Complete Fighter's Handbook", "author": "Aaron Allston (TSR)", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02110phbr01thecompletefightershandbook/tsr02110%20-%20PHBR01%20-%20The%20Complete%20Fighter%27s%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": "Warrior Kits, Berserker, Special Benefits and Special Hindrances", "note": "The voluntary berserk state, its ten-round work-up, bonuses, immunities, fight-to-the-end rule, and the exhaustion afterwards, with no limit on uses; the scan's copyright line is illegible in the text." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Barbarian, Rage (p. 8); Reckless Attack and Path of the Berserker, Frenzy (p. 9)", "note": "The 5th edition Rage, its early end, the ban on casting, and Frenzy's exhaustion." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Barbarian, Level 1, Rage (pp. 28-29); Path of the Berserker, Frenzy (p. 30)", "note": "The 2024 Rage, extended turn by turn up to 10 minutes with one use regained on a Short Rest, and a Frenzy without exhaustion." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-3-5-system-reference-document-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 System Reference Document", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://archive.org/details/dnd35srd", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "BasicRules.zip, ClassesI.rtf, Barbarian, Rage (Ex)", "note": "The bonuses, armour class penalty, duration, barred options, fatigue, and uses per day, in 3.5 wording." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard North", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Blizzard Entertainment", "url": "https://archive.org/download/diablo-ii-manual/Diablo%20II%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Barbarian, Combat Skills, Frenzy and Berserk", "note": "Berserk as \"A powerful attack that leaves the Barbarian more vulnerable\", and Frenzy, in the 2000 release." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-barbarian-combat-skills-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II: Barbarian Combat Skills", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2001, "year_approx": true, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/barbarian-combatskills.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Berserk; Frenzy", "note": "Berserk's mana cost, attack rating and magic damage by level, and the zero-defence duration; Frenzy's stacking speed." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Warrior chapter, Class Abilities (rage); Fury talents, Death Wish and Enrage", "note": "Rage as a 0 to 100 resource, the Death Wish text, and the Enrage proc." }, { "key": "genshin-impact-xiao-profile-elemental-skill-and-burst-explained-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "Genshin Impact Xiao profile: Elemental Skill and Burst explained", "author": "Iyane Agossah (DualShockers)", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dualshockers.com/genshin-impact-xiao-profile-elemental-skill-burst-explained/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The jump, Anemo conversion, range and damage gains of Xiao's burst, and the HP drain that ends on switching." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2: Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr/MonstersTreasureVol2TSR_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Men, Berserkers; Potions, Heroism", "note": "Berserkers as a monster trait with no activation; the Potion of Heroism as a cost-free buff." }, { "key": "chainmail-3rd-edition-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 3rd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02008chainmail3rdeditionblackwhitereprint/tsr02008%20-%20Chainmail%2C%203rd%20Edition%20%28black%20%26%20white%20reprint%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Man-to-Man Combat, Viking Berserkers (pp. 25-26)", "note": "The antecedent troop rule for berserkers who fight until they or all their opponents are killed." }, { "key": "death-wish-recklessness", "canonical": false, "title": "Death Wish; Recklessness", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": "Wowhead Classic", "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Classic-era durations and cooldowns of Death Wish and Recklessness, and Recklessness's critical chance and damage taken." }, { "key": "abomination", "canonical": false, "title": "Abomination", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": "Darkest Dungeon Wiki", "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Transform's bonuses, the stress it causes, and the once-per-battle limit after changing back." }, { "key": "berserk-status", "canonical": false, "title": "Berserk (status)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": "Final Fantasy Wiki", "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Final Fantasy IV's player-applied Berserk and its sources; Final Fantasy II's Berserk as a plain attack buff; Final Fantasy VI's separate Rage command." }, { "key": "berserk", "canonical": false, "title": "Berserk", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": "Scryfall", "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Limited Edition Alpha text of the card." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 15, "word_count": 574, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/rage" }, { "id": "recall", "name": "Recall", "status": "verified", "function": "mobility", "delivery": [ "self" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "definition": "An activated spell, skill or item returns the user, sometimes with a group, over any distance to a home point bound in advance or a fixed hub such as a town, usually after a delay and limited by a long cooldown or a spent item", "aliases": [ "Word of Recall", "LOKTOFEIT", "Return", "Wyvern's Wings", "Town Portal", "Gate", "Hearthstone", "Recall to Inn", "Farcaster" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "checkpoints", "cooldowns", "downtime-phases", "exploration-procedures", "inventory-encumbrance" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Word of Recall, a 6th-level cleric spell: the cleric first designates a sanctuary, which \"may not be changed at will\", and the spell \"acts similarly to a Teleportation spell, but there is no chance of failure\", over any distance, taking only the cleric and only to that sanctuary.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Andrew Greenberg and Robert Woodhead (Sir-Tech)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "LOKTOFEIT (\"RECALL\"), a level-6 priest spell cast in combat, sends the whole party \"back to the Castle, minus all their equipment and most of their gold\", and \"there is a very good chance this spell will fizzle\", so it is an emergency escape paid for with the party's possessions.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dragon Quest", "year": 1986, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Chunsoft (Yuji Horii)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "In the 1989 North American Dragon Warrior, RETURN (level 13, 8 MP) gives \"Transport back to Tantegel Castle from anywhere in the overworld\"; Wings, sold as Wyvern's Wings at Kol, \"transport you home to Tantegel Castle when thrown\" and are used up. OUTSIDE (level 12, 6 MP) only leaves a dungeon.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo", "year": 1996, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Town Portal, a learned spell or a scroll, opens a gate that \"will always take the caster to the location of the nearest gate and remain open long enough to bring the caster back to his point of origin\", a round trip between the labyrinth and the town. Learned spells spend mana; scrolls \"draw their own power\" and are used up.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EverQuest", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Verant Interactive", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Gate, open at level 4 or 5 to seven caster classes, costs 70 mana with a 5-second cast and a 10.25-second recast delay, a \"Teleport to wherever you're bound\". Higher-level casters bind themselves or others; the bind point is also the respawn point, and \"some of the most dangerous places will not allow binding\". Values from a 2001 guide.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The Hearthstone, in every starting inventory and free from any innkeeper, returns the player to the inn last checked in at. The cast \"will take a reasonable amount of time, to prevent it from being used as an escape mechanism from combat\", and Hearthstones \"can only be used once per hour\" (Blizzard's page of November 2004).", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Recall, mapped to the B key, returns the champion to the team's base fountain to buy items and regenerate health and mana. It has no cost or cooldown but an 8-second channel in a 2015 description, reportedly interrupted by damage, so its price is time away from the lane.", "latest": false }, { "title": "New World", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Amazon Games", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Checking in at an inn makes it the single \"home location, much like using Hearthstone in World of Warcraft\", and the player can recall there \"every fifteen minutes\"; shrine fast travel, paid in Azoth, is a separate system. Values from a guide to the 2024 relaunch, New World: Aeternum; the 2021 launch cooldown is unconfirmed.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Word of Recall in Greyhawk (p. 31), a new 6th-level cleric spell, is the earliest documented return over any distance to a sanctuary designated in advance, with \"no chance of failure\". It is explicitly modelled on Teleport in Men & Magic (1974, p. 28), an antecedent that reaches any place the user knows \"regardless of the distance involved\" but kills on a bad roll for an uncertain destination; players could already use it to go home. Earlier tabletop play, including Blackmoor and Chainmail-era campaigns, remains unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 31, Word of Recall (cleric 6th level); cleric spell table p. 21", "note": "The designated sanctuary, the comparison with a Teleportation spell without its chance of failure, and the rule that the sanctuary may not be changed at will." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 28, Teleport (5th-level Magic-User spell)", "note": "The antecedent, travel to any known place regardless of distance, with death on a failed roll for an uncertain destination." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 52, Word of Recall (cleric 6th level)", "note": "One-segment casting, still 6th level, and a carry allowance of 250 gold pieces' weight per caster level, which may include another person." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spell Descriptions, Word of Recall, p. 193", "note": "A 6th-level, one-action spell taking the caster and up to five willing creatures within 5 feet to a sanctuary linked to the caster's deity." }, { "key": "wizardry-proving-grounds-of-the-mad-overlord-player-s-guide-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, Player's Guide", "author": "Sir-Tech", "year": 1981, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/sir-tech-wizardry-1-a2-v2.1-black-manual-ph/components/wizardry%20players%20guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Level 6 Priest Spells, LOKTOFEIT, c. p. 72", "note": "The party returned to the Castle without its equipment and most of its gold, with a high chance of fizzling." }, { "key": "dragon-warrior-instruction-manual-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Warrior instruction manual", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/DragonWarriorNESHiResScans/Dragon%20Warrior%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Items, Wings (p. 25); Magic Spells, Outside and Return (p. 27)", "note": "The North American localisation of Dragon Quest; Wings and RETURN both bring the hero back to Tantegel Castle." }, { "key": "dragon-warrior-explorer-s-handbook-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Warrior Explorer's Handbook", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/DragonWarriorNESHiResScans/Dragon%20Warrior%20-%20Explorer%27s%20Handbook%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Items, Wyvern Wings (p. 13); spell list (OUTSIDE level 12, 6 MP; RETURN level 13, 8 MP)", "note": "RETURN works from anywhere in the overworld; Wyvern's Wings are bought at Kol." }, { "key": "diablo-manual-1996", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 1996, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/diablo-manual-e/Diablo%20-%20MANUAL_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Town Portal (p. 49); Mana (c. p. 27)", "note": "The portal to the nearest gate that stays open to bring the caster back; scrolls draw their own power instead of mana." }, { "key": "everquest-players-guide-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "EverQuest Players Guide", "author": "Juanita Jones, Russell Phoenix, Jimmy Monkerface, and Damien Waples (Prima Games)", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/everquest-players-guide/Everquest%20%20Players%20Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Appendix D: Spells, Gate; Death section, Binding; Glossary, Evacuate and Teleport", "note": "Gate's mana, cast time, recast delay and bind-point destination; which classes may bind and where; group Evacuate." }, { "key": "basics-resting-inns-hearthstones-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "Basics: Resting (Inns, Hearthstones)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20041124040630/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/basics/resting.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Inn check-in sets the home location; the cast time that prevents combat escape; once per hour; free from innkeepers. Wayback snapshot of 24 November 2004." }, { "key": "mage-spells-world-of-warcraft-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "Mage Spells (World of Warcraft)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20061102230758/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/mage/spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Portal; Teleport", "note": "Teleport and Portal spells trained for specific locations, each needing a reagent; Portal carries group members who use it." }, { "key": "the-dungeons-of-moria-manual", "canonical": false, "title": "The Dungeons of Moria (manual)", "author": "Robert Alan Koeneke (Umoria maintainers)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dungeons-of-moria/umoria/master/historical/manual.md", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "§8 Within The Dungeon (Word-of-Recall)", "note": "The two-way scroll between the town and the deepest level reached, and its delay, which keeps it from saving a character in a crisis." }, { "key": "moria-history", "canonical": false, "title": "Moria history", "author": "Robert Alan Koeneke (Umoria maintainers)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dungeons-of-moria/umoria/master/historical/history.md", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Dates Moria 1.0 to about 1983." }, { "key": "a-beginner-s-guide-to-league-of-legends-2012", "canonical": false, "title": "A Beginner's Guide To League Of Legends", "author": "Game Informer Editorial", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/08/01/a-beginner-s-guide-to-league-of-legends", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Recall mapped to the B key; the fountain for buying items and regenerating." }, { "key": "latest-league-of-legends-patch-introduces-instant-recall-bug-2015", "canonical": false, "title": "Latest League of Legends patch introduces instant recall bug", "author": "Ben Barrett (PCGamesN)", "year": 2015, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://pcgamesn.com/league-of-legends/latest-league-of-legends-patch-introduces-instant-recall-bug", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Recall returns champions to base after an 8-second period; a patch 5.13 bug made it instant." }, { "key": "league-of-legends-wiki-recall", "canonical": false, "title": "League of Legends Wiki, Recall", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Interruption of the channel by damage." }, { "key": "new-world-aeternum-how-to-recall-fast-travel-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "New World Aeternum: How to Recall (Fast Travel)", "author": "Sportskeeda (edited by Adarsh J Kumar)", "year": 2024, "year_approx": true, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.sportskeeda.com/mmo/new-world-aeternum-how-recall-fast-travel", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The inn as home location compared with the Hearthstone, the fifteen-minute recall, and shrine fast travel at 10 or 20 Azoth as a separate system." }, { "key": "monster-hunter-wilds-farcaster-how-to-get-and-use-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Monster Hunter Wilds Farcaster: How To Get and Use", "author": "Angshuman Dutta (Deltia's Gaming)", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://deltiasgaming.com/monster-hunter-wilds-farcaster-how-to-get-and-use/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The crafted Farcaster, one carried, usable in combat, taking the hunter to the nearest camp, as distinct from fast travel." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 18, "word_count": 549, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/recall" }, { "id": "reflect", "name": "Reflect", "status": "verified", "function": "protection", "delivery": [ "self", "targeted", "melee" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An ability that turns an incoming attack, projectile, or spell away from its target and sends it back at its source or on to another target, so that the attacker's own effect is used against it.", "aliases": [ "Spell Turning", "Gaze Reflection", "Bounce", "Mahokanta", "Deflect", "Dead Man's Volley", "Reflecting Mirror", "Deflection" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "board-card", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "interrupts-and-reactions", "parry-and-dodge", "saving-throws", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Ring of Spell Turning partly turns any spoken spell aimed directly at its wearer, dragon and cleric spells included but not Finger of Death. Percentile dice give the share that returns to affect the caster, and the remainder affects the wearer. The ring does not work against wands or staves.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dragon Quest III", "year": 1988, "year_approx": true, "medium": "video", "creator": "Chunsoft (Enix)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Bounce (Mahokanta), learned by Mages and Sages at level 24 for 8 MP in the original, is cast on the user and throws spells that target it back at their source, beneficial ones included. Crag-family spells, cast on the ground beneath the target, bypass it. Remakes limit it to 4 to 6 turns.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy III", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Reflect is a level 7 White Magic spell bought for 20,000 gil, which the manual describes as bouncing attack magic back at the opponent with a reflecting wall. In the Famicom version it returns a single enemy spell to its caster, with an 80% base chance that rises with job level.", "latest": false }, { "title": "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past", "year": 1991, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Agahnim cannot be harmed directly. His flashing energy ball must be struck with the sword or the Bug Net so that it flies back and wounds him, while his splitting attack and his lightning cannot be returned. The Mirror Shield also reflects Wizzrobe projectiles.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Reflecting Mirror (The Dark, 1994), an artifact, pays X equal to twice a spell's mana value and taps to move a single-target spell aimed at its controller to another player. Deflection (Ice Age, 1995) changes the target of any single-target spell, and Eye for an Eye (Arabian Nights, 1993) deals the next damage from a chosen source to that source's controller as well.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Spell Reflection, a warrior ability reportedly added in patch 2.0.1 (December 2006) at level 64, so in practice with The Burning Crusade (2007), reportedly raises the shield to reflect the next spell cast on the warrior back at its caster, for 5 seconds. It reportedly cost 25 rage on a 10-second cooldown and needed a shield and Battle or Defensive Stance; the rage cost was later removed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Lotus Orb's Echo Shell shields a target unit for 5 seconds and re-casts most targeted spells back to their caster, while the shielded unit still takes the spell; it also applies a basic dispel. It costs 175 mana on a 15 s cooldown at 900 range in 2026 data, and targeted abilities from neutral items do not trigger it.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Overwatch", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Genji's Deflect, a short channel on an 8-second cooldown, sends incoming projectiles towards the direction he is aiming and blocks melee attacks. Experimental patch notes of June 2020 tested raising its duration from 1.5 to 2 seconds with a manual cancel.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost", "per-rest", "consumable" ], "note": "Retaliate X on an ability card makes the figure deal X damage to each figure that attacks it from an adjacent hex, or from within Y hexes with Range Y. It resolves after the attack, fails if the retaliating figure is killed or exhausted, stacks, and is not itself an attack or a targeted effect.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hades", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Supergiant Games", "gating": [ "at-will", "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Athena's boons add Deflect to existing moves. Divine Strike makes the Attack deflect, Divine Dash the Dash, and Athena's Aid makes the Call grant brief invulnerability and deflect all attacks, for 1.5 seconds at Common rarity. A deflected projectile is sent back towards the enemy who cast it.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Monsters & Treasure (1974) lists Spell Turning on its ring table and describes a ring that returns a percentile share of any spoken spell aimed at its wearer to the caster. Confidence is medium for three reasons: the ring is an always-on item rather than an activated ability, and its return is partial and random; the same booklet already uses reflection as a monster weakness, the basilisk and the medusa being subject to their own reflected gaze; and the 1971 first edition of Chainmail remains unsurveyed, although Men & Magic (1974) and the 1972 second edition of Chainmail carry no reflect effect. Greyhawk (1975) repeats the ring and adds the Rod of Absorption. The earliest reflect spell cited is Gaze Reflection in the Players Handbook (1978), which has no Spell Turning spell; the spell form of Spell Turning is often credited to the 1989 second edition, which is unconfirmed. Atari's Warlords (Atari 2600 manual, 1981) is a video antecedent. Dragon Quest III (1988) Bounce is the earliest video reflect cited, ahead of Final Fantasy III (1990) Reflect; earlier computer role-playing games remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic Rings table; ring descriptions, Spell Turning; Basilisk; Medusae", "note": "The Ring of Spell Turning (results 97-98 on the ring table) with its percentile partial return, and the reflected gaze of the basilisk and the medusa; the ring table sits between the scan's page markers 23 and 25 and the description follows marker 33." }, { "key": "supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Supplement I, Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Rod of Absorption, pp. 47-48; rings table, Spell Turning", "note": "The Rod of Absorption, which absorbs hostile spells up to 100 spell levels and lets its user redirect a spell back at the originator, and the repeated Spell Turning ring; page numbers follow the scan's page markers." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Illusionist spells, first level, Gaze Reflection, pp. 94-95; Hold Person", "note": "Gaze Reflection, which turns a gaze attack back on the gazer, the seventh-level magic-user list without Spell Turning, and the mention of a ring of spell turning under Hold Person; page numbers follow the scan's page markers." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic Items, Ring of Spell Turning (p. 237); Spells, Hellish Rebuke (p. 154)", "note": "The 5th-edition ring, which returns a spell to its caster only on a natural 20 save, and Hellish Rebuke, a reaction attack outside the archetype." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-iii-instruction-manual-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy III instruction manual", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Square", "url": "https://archive.org/details/final-fantasy-iii-sqf-fc-fc-jp-manual-600-dpi", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic section, white magic, Reflect (リフレク)", "note": "The Japanese Famicom manual's one-line description of Reflect, which bounces attack magic back at the opponent with a reflecting wall; the entry lies near the scan's page marker 33." }, { "key": "warlords-game-program-instructions-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Warlords Game Program Instructions", "author": "Atari", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Atari", "url": "https://archive.org/details/Warlords_1981_Atari", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Using the Controllers; Game Variations, C. Shields", "note": "The CATCH feature, which holds a fireball on the shield and releases it back towards the opponents at high speed." }, { "key": "genji-hero-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Genji hero page", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/genji/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Abilities, Deflect", "note": "Deflect sends incoming projectiles towards the direction Genji is aiming and blocks melee attacks." }, { "key": "overwatch-experimental-patch-notes-2-june-2020-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch Experimental Patch Notes, 2 June 2020", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/patch-notes/experimental/2020/06/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Genji, Deflect", "note": "Deflect duration raised from 1.5 to 2 seconds under test, with a manual cancel." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Retaliate, p. 26", "note": "Retaliate X and Range Y, their timing after the attack, stacking, and the rule that Retaliate is not an attack." }, { "key": "paladin-offensive-auras-2009", "canonical": false, "title": "Paladin: Offensive Auras", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20090323061816/http://classic.battle.net:80/diablo2exp/skills/paladin-offense.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Thorns", "note": "The Diablo II Thorns aura, which returns +250% of melee damage to the attacker at level 1 and +1010% at level 20, at one-tenth in player-versus-player play, as given in the expansion era (Wayback Machine capture of 2009)." }, { "key": "hades-boons-and-blessings-guide", "canonical": false, "title": "Hades Boons and Blessings Guide", "author": "Hamza Khalid", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "SegmentNext", "url": "https://segmentnext.com/2020/09/22/hades-boons-and-blessings", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Athena Boons", "note": "The texts of Divine Strike, Divine Dash, and Athena's Aid, which let the Attack, the Dash, and the Call deflect." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Reflect (ability); Reflect (Final Fantasy III); Wall (ability)", "note": "Reflect as a level 7 White Magic spell with its single-spell bounce and base chance in the Famicom Final Fantasy III, and WALL in Final Fantasy (1987) as spell immunity." }, { "key": "dragon-quest-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Quest Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Bounce", "note": "Bounce's debut in Dragon Quest III, its learners, cost, and duration, and the Crag spells that bypass it." }, { "key": "zelda-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Zelda Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Agahnim; Dead Man's Volley; Mirror Shield", "note": "Agahnim's returnable energy ball and unreturnable attacks, and the Mirror Shield's reflection of Wizzrobe projectiles." }, { "key": "overwatch-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Genji, Deflect", "note": "The 8-second cooldown of Deflect." }, { "key": "hades-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Hades Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Athena/Boons (Hades)", "note": "Deflected projectiles sent back towards the enemy who cast them, and the duration of Athena's Aid." }, { "key": "scryfall-card-database", "canonical": false, "title": "Scryfall card database", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Eye for an Eye; Reflecting Mirror; Deflection; Spellskite", "note": "Card texts in modern Oracle wording, with first-printing dates." }, { "key": "warcraft-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Spell Reflection", "note": "The effect, the 2.0.1 addition, the Burning Crusade cost, cooldown, and requirements, and later changes." }, { "key": "dota-2-item-data-lotus-orb", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 item data, Lotus Orb", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/itemdata?language=english&item_id=226", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Active: Echo Shell", "note": "The 5-second shield that re-casts most targeted spells back to their caster while the shielded unit still takes the spell, the basic dispel, and current mana, cooldown, and range." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 19, "word_count": 578, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/reflect" }, { "id": "resurrection", "name": "Resurrection", "status": "verified", "function": "restoration", "delivery": [ "targeted" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A spell, skill, or item a player uses to return a dead or incapacitated character to play, usually with reduced health, a failure chance, a time limit, or another penalty.", "aliases": [ "Raise Dead", "Revive", "Rebirth", "combat res", "battle res", "Resurrect", "Phoenix Down", "DI", "LIFE" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "action-points", "cooldowns", "hit-points", "permadeath", "team-play" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "The cleric's 5th-level Raise Dead is cast by pointing a finger and works on men, elves, and dwarves only. The body may be dead up to four days at 8th level, four more per level above; a character of weak Constitution does not return, and the raised character spends two game weeks recuperating.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Sir-Tech Software", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "DI, a 5th-level priest spell cast only in camp, revives one character at 1 hit point or, on failure, reduces the body to ashes. KADORTO (7th level) raises even from ashes with full hit points, but failure on ashes leaves the character lost. The Temple of Cant performs the same service for a tithe.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "LIFE, a level 5 white magic spell, revives one slain ally outside battle only, with 1 hit point; LIF2 at level 8 revives with hit points fully restored. Town clinics revive party members for a fee that varies by town.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "The white sorcery Resurrection, costing four mana, returns a creature card from its owner's graveyard to the battlefield. Black Raise Dead, costing one, returns it to hand instead, and Animate Dead returns it weakened and tied to an Aura. Each card is spent when cast.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana" ], "note": "The druid's Rebirth restores a dead target with some health and mana and can be cast during battle; higher ranks require a reagent. The priest's Resurrection is the out-of-combat form. Rebirth's cooldown was cut from 30 to 10 minutes in 2010, and from 2014 all combat resurrections in a raid draw on one shared pool of charges.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Descent: Journeys in the Dark (second edition)", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Adam Sadler and Corey Konieczka with Daniel Lovat Clark (Fantasy Flight Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost" ], "note": "A defeated hero is knocked out, its figure replaced by a token. An adjacent hero spends one of two actions to revive it; the knocked-out hero rolls two red power dice and recovers that much damage and fatigue. Standing up unaided costs the knocked-out hero its whole turn.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Wraith King's ultimate Reincarnation revives him with full health and mana 3 seconds after he dies, slowing nearby enemies, but only if he has the mana (220, 110, or 0 by level), on a 180 to 120 s cooldown in 2026 data. The Aegis of the Immortal item revives its holder after 5 seconds and disappears if not used within 5 minutes.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Evolve", "year": 2015, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Turtle Rock Studios", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The medic Lazarus's Lazarus Device brings a hunter back from the dead, not from the downed state, and only within a period after death; the revived hunter suffers no mark against their health, and the device is on a lengthy cooldown.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Overwatch", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "ultimate-charge", "cooldown" ], "note": "At launch Mercy's ultimate, Resurrect, brought nearby dead allies back with full health. From 19 September 2017 Resurrect was a single-target ability on a 30-second cooldown with a 5-metre radius, and from November 2017 it took a 1.75-second cast that slows Mercy and can be interrupted.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Valorant", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Sage's ultimate, Resurrection, is aimed with the crosshair at a dead ally; after a brief channel the ally returns with full health. Patch 3.0 (June 2021) raised its cost from 7 to 8 ultimate points.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "high", "note": "Rests on the cleric spell Raise Dead in Volume 1, Men & Magic (1974), p. 33, which states a time limit since death that widens with the cleric's level, a failure condition tied to a weak Constitution, and a two-week recuperation. The same booklet gives the magic-user spell Reincarnation, which returns the dead in a randomly rolled form. Whether raising was used in Blackmoor or Greyhawk campaign play before 1974 is undocumented, and no raising spell in Chainmail (1971) is cited; the earliest documented use is the 1974 text." }, "established": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "low", "note": "Raise Dead set the priced return: a high-level spell, a limit on how long the body has been dead, a chance the target does not survive, and a long recuperation. The documented chain runs through Wizardry, which a 1981 Softalk review called the truest of computer programs to Dungeons & Dragons and whose DI can fail, to Final Fantasy, whose creator drew on Wizardry and whose LIFE returns an ally at 1 hit point. No source cited traces the spell itself along that chain." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 33, Raise Dead (cleric 5th level); p. 11, Constitution table; Magic-User 6th-level spells, Reincarnation", "note": "The Raise Dead text with its time limit, Constitution condition, and recuperation period; the Reincarnation spell; the Constitution survival percentages." }, { "key": "wizardry-proving-grounds-of-the-mad-overlord-player-s-guide-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, Player's Guide", "author": "Sir-Tech Software", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/sir-tech-wizardry-1-a2-v2.1-black-manual-ph/components/wizardry%20players%20guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 33, The Temple of Cant; p. 71, DI (level 5 priest spells); p. 72, KADORTO (level 7)", "note": "The dead, ashes, and lost states, the 1-hit-point return from DI, and the temple tithe. The copy cited is the version 2.1 printing." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Square (Nintendo of America)", "year": 1990, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans/Final%20Fantasy%20-%20Manual%20(Searchable)_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 16, The Clinic; p. 77, White Magic level 5 (LIFE) and level 8 (LIF2)", "note": "LIFE cannot be used in battle and leaves 1 hit point; LIF2 restores full hit points; clinics revive for a fee." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-ii-instruction-manual-famicom-1988", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy II instruction manual (Famicom)", "author": "Square", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/final-fantasy-ii-sqf-fy-fc-jp-manual-600-dpi/Final%20Fantasy%20II%20%5BSQF-FY%5D(FC)(JP)%20-Manual(600DPI)_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Item list, pp. 31 to 32", "note": "The phoenix-tail item that revives a companion who fell in battle." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-druid-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Druid", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20041229000846/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/druid.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Strengths; Rebirth", "note": "Rebirth restores a dead target with health and mana, requires a reagent at higher ranks, and can be cast during battle." }, { "key": "raid-rx-what-the-more-beta-healing-changes-2010", "canonical": false, "title": "Raid Rx: What the -- more beta healing changes?", "author": "Matt Low", "year": 2010, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Engadget", "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2010-10-29-raid-rx-what-the-more-beta-healing-changes.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Cataclysm beta set Rebirth's cooldown to 10 minutes, down from 30, described as a return to the original value." }, { "key": "combat-resurrection-limitations-a-positive-note-in-warlords-of-draenor-2014", "canonical": false, "title": "Combat Resurrection Limitations a Positive Note in Warlords of Draenor", "author": "Tiffany Bechdel", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Ten Ton Hammer", "url": "https://www.tentonhammer.com/articles/combat-resurrection-limitations-a-positive-note-in-warlords-of-draenor", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The raid-wide shared pool of combat resurrections and the earlier per-encounter limits by raid size." }, { "key": "descent-journeys-in-the-dark-second-edition-rules-of-play-2012", "canonical": false, "title": "Descent: Journeys in the Dark (second edition), Rules of Play", "author": "Adam Sadler and Corey Konieczka with Daniel Lovat Clark", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Fantasy Flight Games", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20121018023304/http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/descent-second-ed/support/DJ01_Rulebook_ENG.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 10, Stand Up and Revive a Hero; p. 15, Knocked Out", "note": "The knocked-out state and the revive action taken by an adjacent hero." }, { "key": "overwatch-mercy-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch: Mercy", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20160526154101/https://playoverwatch.com/en-us/heroes/mercy/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The launch Resurrect, which returns nearby dead allies with full health. Snapshot of 26 May 2016." }, { "key": "overwatch-patch-notes-september-2017-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch Patch Notes, September 2017", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/patch-notes/live/2017/9/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "19 September 2017, Mercy", "note": "Resurrect, formerly Mercy's ultimate, becomes a single-target ability with a 30-second cooldown and a 5-metre radius." }, { "key": "overwatch-patch-notes-november-2017-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch Patch Notes, November 2017", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/patch-notes/live/2017/11/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "16 November 2017, Mercy", "note": "Resurrect gains a 1.75-second cast time." }, { "key": "valorant-sage", "canonical": false, "title": "VALORANT: Sage", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://playvalorant.com/en-us/agents/sage/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Resurrection (X)", "note": "The ability text of Sage's Resurrection." }, { "key": "valorant-patch-notes-3-0-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "VALORANT Patch Notes 3.0", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://playvalorant.com/en-us/news/game-updates/valorant-patch-notes-3-0/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Sage, Resurrection (X)", "note": "The ultimate-point cost of Resurrection rises from 7 to 8." }, { "key": "raise-dead-2013", "canonical": false, "title": "raise dead", "author": "Brendan (Necropraxis)", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://necropraxis.com/2013/03/13/raise-dead/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Reads the 1974 weak-Constitution clause against the Constitution survival table and notes the ambiguity of casting below 8th level." }, { "key": "apex-legends-review-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Apex Legends review", "author": "Matt Gander", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Games Asylum", "url": "https://www.gamesasylum.com/?p=38672", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Fallen teammates leave a banner that is carried to a respawn point." }, { "key": "scryfall-card-database", "canonical": false, "title": "Scryfall card database", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Alpha (1993) Resurrection, Raise Dead, Animate Dead", "note": "Card text and costs of the 1993 resurrection cards." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-wraith-king", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Wraith King", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=42", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Reincarnation", "note": "Current revival delay, full health and mana on return, the mana requirement, mana cost, cooldown, and slow." }, { "key": "the-making-of-wizardry-the-landmark-rpg-that-inspired-dragon-quest-final-fantasy-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "The Making Of: Wizardry, The Landmark RPG That Inspired Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy", "author": "Jack Yarwood", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Time Extension", "url": "https://www.timeextension.com/features/the-making-of-wizardry-the-landmark-rpg-that-inspired-dragon-quest-and-final-fantasy", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": null, "note": "Softalk's 1981 review calling Wizardry the truest of programs to Dungeons & Dragons, Wizardry's Temple of Cant, and Hironobu Sakaguchi drawing on Wizardry for Final Fantasy; the article does not discuss spells." }, { "key": "dota-2-item-data-aegis-of-the-immortal", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 item data, Aegis of the Immortal", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/itemdata?language=english&item_id=117", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Passive: Reincarnation", "note": "Revival 5 seconds after death where the holder died, and the 5-minute expiry." }, { "key": "evolve-hunter-guide-lazarus-the-medic-2015", "canonical": false, "title": "Evolve Hunter Guide - Lazarus the Medic", "author": "Lewis Burnell (Ten Ton Hammer)", "year": 2015, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.tentonhammer.com/guides/evolve-hunter-guide-lazarus-the-medic", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": null, "note": "The Lazarus Device bringing players back from the dead (not downed), on a lengthy cooldown and only for a certain period after death, with no mark against the revived player's health." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 20, "word_count": 580, "updated": "2026-10-30", "url": "/abilities/resurrection" }, { "id": "reveal", "name": "Reveal", "status": "verified", "function": "detection", "delivery": [ "area", "placed" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "definition": "An activated effect exposes hidden things, such as invisible or stealthed figures, traps, magic or enemies beyond sight, within an area or range for a time, so that the user and often allies can see or target them.", "aliases": [ "Detection", "Detect Magic", "Detect Invisible", "Find Traps", "See Invisibility", "True Seeing", "True Sight", "Holy Vision", "Scanner Sweep", "Flare", "Far Sight", "Sentry Ward", "Dust of Appearance", "Drone", "Sonar", "UAV", "Odin Sight" ], "media": [ "board-card", "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "fog-of-war", "hidden-movement", "line-of-sight", "status-effects", "stealth-detection" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "In the 1972 second-edition text, the Wizard's Detection spell \"detects either hidden enemies or the use and effect of other magic spells\"; against a Wizard of near strength it finds neither hidden enemies nor the type of magic, though the use of magic is still revealed. No per-battle limit is stated beyond the counter-spell contest.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "at-will" ], "note": "Low-level spells split detection by what is found; Detect Invisible lasts 6 turns at a range of 1 inch per caster level, and the clerical Find Traps locates traps within 3 inches for 2 turns. A Wand of Enemy Detection reveals hidden or invisible enemies within 6 inches and is exempt from the 100-charge rule for wands.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft II", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Paladin's Holy Vision unveils an area anywhere on the map, granting \"knowledge of the terrain and of all those who may dwell there\"; when it dims the terrain stays mapped but the units drop back under fog, so it lifts fog rather than invisibility.", "latest": false }, { "title": "StarCraft", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The ComSat Station, a Command Center add-on, fires a Scanner Sweep at any point on the map that \"will reveal any units and buildings located there, including cloaked and concealed enemies\"; Blizzard's strategy pages give 50 energy for a 15-second reveal of a 20x20 area that provides detection there.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana" ], "note": "Each faction carries reveals. The Mortar Team's Flare can \"reveal areas and enemies that are difficult to see, or otherwise cloaked by invisibility or Shadowmeld\"; the Priestess of the Moon's Scout owl reveals invisible enemies for a limited time; the Far Seer has Far Sight and the Witch Doctor a Sentry Ward. Their exact costs and cooldowns are unconfirmed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The hunter's Flare, learned at level 32 for 50 mana with a 30-yard range, \"Exposes all hidden and invisible enemies within 30 yards of the targeted area for 30 sec\" in the strategy guide, whose scanned table also gives 15 sec, apparently the cooldown. The demon hunter's Spectral Sight, added with Legion (2016), lets the demon hunter \"see through walls\".", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "A Sentry Ward (50 gold) is planted to grant True Sight in a 1050 radius for 7 minutes, without ground vision; Dust of Appearance (80 gold) reveals and slows invisible heroes by 20% for 12 seconds in a 1050 radius around where the user stood, and revealed invisible units take 25 damage. Figures are for patch 7.41f.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Captain Sonar", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Roberto Fraga and Yohan Lemonnier (Matagot)", "gating": [ "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Each course the Captain announces adds one mark to a system gauge on the First Mate's sheet, and a full gauge can be fired. The Drone asks whether the enemy is in a named sector, answered truthfully yes or no; the Sonar makes the enemy Captain give two pieces of position information, one true and one false.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Call of Duty: Warzone", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Activision", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "A UAV bought at a Buy Station with cash collected in the match shows enemies' locations in a small area around the team on the minimap for as long as it lasts; three UAVs called at once become an Advanced UAV that shows every enemy on the map and where each is looking.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The wording cited is that of the 1972 second edition, whose Fantasy Supplement gives Wizards a Detection spell against hidden enemies and enemy magic, beside a Concealment spell that hides a unit from all but creatures able to detect hidden enemies; its colophon dates the first edition to 1971. No copy of the 1971 first edition is cited, so whether the spell was already in the first printing is unconfirmed. Gygax's fantasy material in club newsletters before 1971 is a plausible earlier venue and remains unsurveyed. The same book's passive detectors (Dragons within 15 inches, Rocs within 48 inches) are standing traits, antecedents rather than instances. Dungeons & Dragons (1974) gives the earliest typed spell forms cited. Earlier video reveals, such as detection items in 1980s computer role-playing games, remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement: Wizards' spells (Detection, Concealment, Wizard Light), pp. 28-29; Dragons, p. 31; Rocs, p. 32", "note": "The Detection spell against hidden enemies and enemy magic; passive creature detectors; colophon dating the first edition to 1971." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dd-white-box-rules-set/TSR%202002%20-%20V1%20-%20Men%20%26%20Magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells Table; Explanation of Spells, Magic-User 1st and 2nd level (Detect Magic, Detect Invisible, Detect Evil, ESP), pp. 23-24; Clerics 1st and 2nd level (Detect Magic, Detect Evil, Find Traps), p. 32", "note": "The typed detection spells, their levels, ranges and durations." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dd-white-box-rules-set/TSR%202002%20-%20V2%20-%20Monsters%20%26%20Treasure_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanations of Magic Items: Rings (X-Ray Vision), p. 33; Wands and Staves (Enemy Detection, Magic Detection, Secret Doors & Traps Detection), pp. 33-34", "note": "Item reveals, and the exemption of detection wands from the charge count." }, { "key": "warcraft-ii-manual-pc-1995", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft II manual (PC)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/Warcraft_II_-_Manual_-_PC/Warcraft_II_-_Manual_-_PC_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Human spells: Paladin Spells, Holy Vision", "note": "An area reveal that leaves terrain mapped but loses sight of units when it dims." }, { "key": "starcraft-manual-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "StarCraft manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/starcraft_202306/StarCraft_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Terran buildings: ComSat Station, p. 43", "note": "Scanner Sweep reveals units and buildings in an area, including cloaked enemies. The scan may be a later printing." }, { "key": "terran-special-abilities-starcraft-strategy-pages", "canonical": false, "title": "Terran Special Abilities (StarCraft strategy pages)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://classic.battle.net/scc/terran/tspecial.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Scanner Sweep costs 50 energy, reveals a 20x20 area for 15 seconds and provides detection there; the page dates from the Brood War era and describes the patched game." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-reign-of-chaos-manual-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warcraft-iii-manual_202205/Warcraft%20III%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Human: Mortar Team (Flare); Orc: Witch Doctor (Sentry Ward), Far Seer (Far Sight); Night Elf: Priestess of the Moon (Scout)", "note": "Flare reveals enemies cloaked by invisibility or Shadowmeld; the Scout owl reveals invisible enemies for a limited time." }, { "key": "dota-2-item-pages-sentry-ward-dust-of-appearance", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 item pages (Sentry Ward; Dust of Appearance)", "author": "dotacoach.gg", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Patch 7.41f costs, radius and durations." }, { "key": "captain-sonar-is-an-exhilarating-game-of-cat-and-mouse-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "'Captain Sonar' Is an Exhilarating Game of Cat and Mouse", "author": "Dave Banks (GeekDad)", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://geekdad.com/2016/08/captain-sonar/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Gauges charged by announced courses; the Drone's yes-or-no sector query; the Sonar's one true and one false clue." }, { "key": "call-of-duty-warzone-trick-reveals-every-enemy-on-the-map-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Call of Duty: Warzone Trick Reveals Every Enemy on the Map", "author": "Tanner Dedmon (ComicBook.com)", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://comicbook.com/gaming/2020/03/12/call-of-duty-warzone-uav-trick-reveal-every-enemy", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The UAV bought at Buy Stations reveals enemies near the team; three at once make an Advanced UAV." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells: Detect Magic, p. 123; Faerie Fire, p. 129; See Invisibility, p. 160; True Seeing, p. 171", "note": "The 2024 rules forms, including concentration, rituals, and a reveal that removes the Invisible condition." }, { "key": "glasses-of-urza", "canonical": false, "title": "Glasses of Urza", "author": "Scryfall", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Limited Edition Alpha (1993) printing and its rules text." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Hunter chapter, Marksmanship spells (Flare)", "note": "Flare wording, level, cost, range, and duration; the column alignment of the scanned table is uncertain." }, { "key": "hunter-spells-world-of-warcraft-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "Hunter Spells (World of Warcraft)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20060719215125/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/hunter-spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Flare", "note": "Flare on the official class page." }, { "key": "conoce-la-nueva-clase-de-world-of-warcraft-legion-2015", "canonical": false, "title": "Conoce la nueva clase de World of Warcraft: Legion", "author": "Luis Sánchez", "year": 2015, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "LevelUp", "url": "https://www.levelup.com/noticias/conoce-la-nueva-clase-de-world-of-warcraft-legion/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Spectral Sight, which lets the demon hunter see through walls." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 15, "word_count": 532, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/reveal" }, { "id": "scry", "name": "Scry", "status": "verified", "function": "detection", "delivery": [ "placed", "targeted" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "charges" ], "definition": "An activated effect lends the user sight or hearing of a distant place through a sensor, remote viewpoint or vision, or a glimpse of what is about to happen, without exposing what is hidden there.", "aliases": [ "Clairvoyance", "Clairaudience", "Wizard Eye", "Crystal Ball", "Eye of Kilrogg", "Scouting Orb", "Prescience", "Remote Viewing", "Foresight" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "board-card", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "equipment-loadouts", "fog-of-war", "line-of-sight", "stealth-detection" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "per-rest" ], "note": "Clairvoyance (third level) sees and Clairaudience hears as ESP does, inheriting its 6-inch range, 12-turn duration and passage through up to 2 feet of rock, blocked by lead. Wizard Eye (fourth level) sends an invisible sensor up to 24 inches, moving 12 inches a turn for 6 turns. A Crystal Ball allows three attempts a day before madness, with a rest day after long use.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dune", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": null, "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Atreides faction's prescience lets its player view the next spice blow card, so it knows where spice will appear before the others. The same standing power permits peeks at the treachery card up for bid and at one element of an opponent's battle plan, which expose present hidden information instead. It applies each time its step occurs.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Scry, made a keyword in Fifth Dawn (2004), looks at the top X cards of the library and puts any number of them on the bottom and the rest back on top, each group in any order. It rides on spells paid with mana, such as Condescend, paid with X and blue mana, which carries Scry 2.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft II", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Ogre-Mage's Eye of Kilrogg creates a disembodied, free-floating eye that the caster steers through the air and that transmits its view back; when it vanishes, the caster keeps knowledge of the terrain it saw. It is a mana spell whose exact cost is unconfirmed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Thief II: The Metal Age", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Looking Glass Studios (Eidos Interactive)", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "The Scouting Orb is thrown from the inventory and, once it lands and comes to rest, switches the player's view to its perspective, so guards can be scouted without alerting them. The player returns to normal view at will and must pick the orb up before using it again unless carrying extras.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The shaman's Far Sight, cast for mana, \"Changes the caster's viewpoint to the targeted location. Lasts 1 min. Only usable outdoors\"; the class page calls it useful \"for scouting and for looking for certain NPCs\". From patch 2.0.1 (December 2006) the camera zooms in to the distant location instead of cutting to it. The priest's Mind Vision instead sees \"through the target's eyes for 1 min\".", "latest": false }, { "title": "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege", "year": 2015, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Ubisoft Montreal", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "Each attacker drives a remote camera drone through the building in a 45-second preparation phase to find the objective, defenders and fortifications; defenders can disable drones they spot, and a surviving drone carries into the action phase. Current rules give two drones per attacker each round, and a drone can scan a defender to ping them, which is a mark.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Assassin's Creed Valhalla", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Ubisoft Montreal (Ubisoft)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Eivor calls the raven Synin for an overhead view of the ground below, used mainly to find points of interest to investigate. Ubisoft describes the raven as less adept at highlighting enemies, a task left largely to the separate Odin Sight. Ubisoft's guide states no cost or cooldown for the view.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Men & Magic gives Clairvoyance and Clairaudience as third-level spells defined from ESP and Wizard Eye as a fourth-level travelling sensor; Monsters & Treasure adds three Crystal Balls and an amulet that blocks them. The wording cited is the archive.org scan of the 1974 booklets, whose printing is unidentified, and the page numbers come from its OCR markers. The 1972 Chainmail spell list, read in full, has no remote-viewing spell. Crystal-gazing in folklore and fantasy fiction is a likely antecedent outside games, and pre-1974 campaign and newsletter material by Gygax and Arneson remains unsurveyed. Earlier video forms than Warcraft II (1995), such as 1980s computer role-playing items, remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dd-white-box-rules-set/TSR%202002%20-%20V1%20-%20Men%20%26%20Magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells Table; Explanation of Spells, Magic-User 2nd and 3rd level (ESP, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience), p. 25; 4th level (Wizard Eye), p. 27", "note": "Clairvoyance and Clairaudience defined from ESP, its range, duration and lead block; Wizard Eye's invisible travelling sensor." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dd-white-box-rules-set/TSR%202002%20-%20V2%20-%20Monsters%20%26%20Treasure_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Miscellaneous Magic table; Explanations, Miscellaneous Magic: Crystal Balls, p. 36", "note": "Crystal Ball variants, three attempts a day, rest after long use, penalties for distance, unknown subjects and lead, and the counter-amulet." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Guidon Games", "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement: Wizards' spells, pp. 28-29", "note": "The full spell list, which holds no remote-viewing spell." }, { "key": "dune-review", "canonical": false, "title": "Dune review", "author": "Richard Irving (grognard.com)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.grognard.com/reviews/dune.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Atreides prescience, including viewing the next spice blow card and the peeks at treachery cards and battle plans." }, { "key": "scry-me-a-river-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "Scry Me a River", "author": "Mark Rosewater", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/scry-me-river-2004-05-17", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The rules text of Scry, its design by Aaron Forsythe, and its Fifth Dawn cards." }, { "key": "warcraft-ii-manual-pc-1995", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft II manual (PC)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/Warcraft_II_-_Manual_-_PC/Warcraft_II_-_Manual_-_PC_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Orc spells: Ogre Mage Spells, Eye of Kilrogg, p. 75", "note": "A steerable eye that transmits its view to the caster, with terrain kept known after it vanishes." }, { "key": "thief-ii-the-metal-age-manual-pc-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Thief II: The Metal Age manual (PC)", "author": "Looking Glass Studios", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Eidos Interactive", "url": "https://archive.org/download/thief-2-manual/Thief%202%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "The Scouting Orb, pp. 23-24", "note": "The thrown orb that switches the view to its perspective and must be retrieved unless extras are carried." }, { "key": "behind-the-wall-series-tools-of-attack-2014", "canonical": false, "title": "Behind the Wall Series: Tools of Attack", "author": "Ubisoft", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/rainbow-six/siege/news-updates/1qBe9DIHhdmclzHegvNZi2/behind-the-wall-series-tools-of-attack", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Pre-release description of attackers' drones in the preparation phase, defenders disabling spotted drones, and survivors carried into the action phase." }, { "key": "how-to-drone-in-rainbow-six-siege-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "How to Drone in Rainbow Six Siege", "author": "David Via (Siege.gg)", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://siege.gg/news/how-to-drone-in-rainbow-six-siege", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Current figures for two drones per attacker, the 45-second preparation phase, and scanning pings." }, { "key": "5-essential-tips-for-playing-assassin-s-creed-valhalla-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "5 Essential Tips for Playing Assassin's Creed Valhalla", "author": "Ubisoft", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/assassins-creed/news/3fQgx19x3ZGi2lvWiRC75c/5-essential-tips-for-playing-assassins-creed-valhalla", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Synin's overhead view, its use for points of interest, its weakness at highlighting enemies, and Odin Sight as a separate ability." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Shaman chapter (Far Sight); Priest chapter (Mind Vision)", "note": "Far Sight and Mind Vision wording, duration, and the outdoor limit." }, { "key": "shaman-spells-world-of-warcraft-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "Shaman Spells (World of Warcraft)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20060703101730/http://worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/shaman-spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Far Sight", "note": "Far Sight as a scouting spell." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-patch-notes-2-0-x-2007", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft patch notes (2.0.x)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2007, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20070202023648/http://worldofwarcraft.com:80/patchnotes/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Patch 2.0.1, Shaman", "note": "The 2.0.1 date (5 December 2006) and the Far Sight camera change." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 13, "word_count": 540, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/scry" }, { "id": "shapeshift", "name": "Shapeshift", "status": "verified", "function": "enhancement", "delivery": [ "self" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "charges", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An ability by which the user changes its own body into another form, such as an animal, monster, or empowered state, gaining and losing capabilities with the form until a duration ends, a resource runs out, or it changes back.", "aliases": [ "Polymorph Self", "Shape Change", "Wild Shape", "change shape", "Shape Alteration", "transformation masks", "Bear Form", "Cat Form", "Travel Form", "transformation spells" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "equipment-loadouts", "experience-levels", "hit-points", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "consumable", "charges" ], "note": "Polymorph Self, a 4th-level Magic-User spell, lets the user take \"the shape of anything he desires\" for 6 turns plus caster level, with the form's movement but not its combat abilities; as a dragon \"he will not gain the ability to fight and breathe, but he will be able to fly\". A potion lasts 6 turns plus 1d6, and a 100-charge Wand of Polymorph can project Self.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "per-rest", "spell-slots" ], "note": "A 7th-level druid can change form \"up to three times per day\", once each into a reptile, bird and mammal from bullfrog to black-bear size, becoming the creature \"in all respects save the mind\"; each change heals 10% to 60% of damage taken. Polymorph Self (4th level, 2 turns per level) gives a form's locomotion only and restores 1d12 hit points on return.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The FAIRY spell, learned in a town, turns Link into a fairy that can fly, which the manual advises for dangerous terrain such as cliffs. It spends MAGIC points from the shared meter, and the form wears off when the display changes to another screen, so it lasts one screen.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Altered Beast", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Sega (Makoto Uchida)", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "Spirit Balls dropped by white three-headed wolves drive the change. The first makes the centurion \"a superman with rippling muscles\"; the next turns him into the round's beast, such as a weredragon \"with the power of flight\", whose attacks replace those of both buttons, and the boss appears. The Master System version needs two balls; the arcade reportedly three.", "latest": false }, { "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Three transformation masks let Link inhabit a Deku Scrub, Goron or Zora, each with its own moves and weaknesses; the Deku hovers from flowers and skips on water but burns, the Goron rolls and pounds, the Zora swims and throws fins. Masks are worn and removed like items, some form moves spend magic, and the Fierce Deity's Mask works \"only in boss rooms\".", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Druid forms are learned by level, Bear Form at 10, Aquatic Form at 16, Cat Form at 20, Travel Form at 30 and Dire Bear Form at 40. Bear Form adds 30 attack power, armour and health and opens bear abilities; Cat Form adds 40 attack power. Forms carry a mana cost and run on Rage or Energy, so the druid returns to caster form to heal.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Last Epoch", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Eleventh Hour Games", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Werebear Form turns the Primalist Druid into a bear with skills of its own, such as Maul. Rage replaces Mana while transformed; a 2021 developer post says it is restored to full on entering a form and then drains slowly, and a build guide advises waiting out the form's cooldown once Rage runs out.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 2024 edition", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "per-rest", "action-cost" ], "note": "Wild Shape, from druid level 2, takes a Bonus Action and turns the druid into a known Beast for hours equal to half its druid level, with temporary hit points equal to that level and the Beast's statistics; it keeps its hit points, mind and class features but cannot cast spells. Two uses, one back on a Short Rest and all on a Long Rest; fly forms come at level 8.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Black Myth: Wukong", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Game Science", "gating": [ "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Transformation spells, each won from a boss or quest (Red Tides from Guangzhi), turn the Destined One into that creature. Entry needs enough Might, built by attacking; the form has its own health bar and Might gauge, its skills drain Might, and it ends when either gauge empties. One transformation is equipped at a time, out of ten.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "high", "note": "Men & Magic (1974) prints Polymorph Self as a 4th-level Magic-User spell, separate from Polymorph Others, giving \"the shape of anything he desires\" with the form's movement but not its combat abilities. Monsters & Treasure (1974) adds a potion and a wand that can project Self, and vampires that polymorph into a bat or a gaseous form at will. Chainmail's second edition (1972) lists lycanthropes as \"Shape Changers\" with no transformation rule and has no polymorph spell; its third edition, usually dated 1975, has a self-only Polymorph and follows Men & Magic. Greyhawk (1975) adds the full-ability Shape Change and the druid monster's three changes a day, and Eldritch Wizardry (1976) gives the shape change to the druid player class. Folklore is the obvious antecedent, with no designer statement cited, and pre-publication campaign play remains unsurveyed. The earliest cited video instance is Zelda II's FAIRY spell (1987)." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, 4th level list, p. 21; Polymorph Self, p. 26", "note": "The earliest wording of Polymorph Self and its limit to the form's movement." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr/MonstersTreasureVol2TSR_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Potions table, Polymorph (Self), p. 24; Potions, duration and Gaseous Form, p. 31; Wands, Polymorph, p. 34; Lycanthropes (infection), c. p. 14", "note": "The potion and wand forms, the gaseous form, and lycanthropy as an infection." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Rob Kuntz (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, 9th level, Shape Change, p. 28; Monsters, Druids, p. 34", "note": "The full-ability Shape Change and the druid monster's three changes a day." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-iii-eldritch-wizardry-1976", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry", "author": "Gary Gygax and Brian Blume (TSR)", "year": 1976, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/1st-edition-tsr-9438-creature-catalog/1st%20Edition%20Supplement_III_-_Eldritch_Wizardry%28TSR%20Games%2C_1976%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Druids (class section); Psionic abilities, Shape Alteration, c. p. 20", "note": "The druid player class's shape change with its healing, and the point-cost psionic Shape Alteration." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Druids, 7th-level powers, p. 21; Polymorph Self, p. 79; Shape Change (9th level), c. p. 94", "note": "The three-a-day druid form, the locomotion-only spell, and the full-ability spell." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Lycanthropes (Shape Changers), c. p. 30", "note": "Lycanthropes as a creature type with no transformation rule, and no polymorph spell." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-3rd-edition", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 3rd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (TSR)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02008chainmail3rdeditionblackwhitereprint/tsr02008%20-%20Chainmail%2C%203rd%20Edition%20%28black%20%26%20white%20reprint%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, Spells, 12. Polymorph, p. 32", "note": "The self-only Chainmail Polymorph, from a black-and-white reprint." }, { "key": "zelda-ii-the-adventure-of-link-instruction-booklet-nes-us-1988", "canonical": false, "title": "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link instruction booklet (NES, US)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/Zelda-II-The-Adventure-of-Link-Manual-NES-US-1988", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Game Data, magic list (FAIRY), pp. 41-43", "note": "The FAIRY form, MAGIC points, and magic wearing off when the display changes." }, { "key": "altered-beast-instruction-manual-sega-master-system-us-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "Altered Beast instruction manual (Sega Master System, US)", "author": "Sega of America", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/Altered_Beast_1989_U", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Becoming an Altered Beast, p. 5; Rounds 1-4, pp. 6-9; Three-Headed Wolves, p. 11", "note": "Spirit Balls, the superman stage, the beast of each round, and the changed button attacks, for the Master System version." }, { "key": "anniversary-sega-s-altered-beast-celebrates-its-35th-anniversary-today-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Anniversary: Sega's Altered Beast Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary Today", "author": "Jack Yarwood (Time Extension)", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.timeextension.com/news/2023/06/anniversary-segas-altered-beast-celebrates-its-35th-anniversary-today", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Japanese arcade release on 14 June 1988, the team led by Makoto Uchida, and the orb-driven transformation." }, { "key": "nintendo-player-s-guide-the-legend-of-zelda-majora-s-mask-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Nintendo Player's Guide: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/Nintendo_Players_Guide_N64_Legend_of_Zelda_The_Majoras_Mask/Nintendo_Players_Guide_N64_Legend_of_Zelda_The_Majoras_Mask_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Transformation Masks; Shape-Shifting; Deku, Goron and Zora Masks; The Fierce Deity's Mask", "note": "The three forms, their moves and weaknesses, the disguise masks, and the boss-room restriction." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Druid, Feral Combat, Aquatic, Bear, Cat, Dire Bear and Travel Form tables; Cat Form and Bear Form tips", "note": "The form levels, the Bear and Cat Form effects, the mana column, and switching forms to heal." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Druid, Level 2: Wild Shape, Beast Shapes table, Rules While Shape-Shifted, p. 42; Level 5: Wild Resurgence", "note": "The 2024-edition Wild Shape, its uses per rest, the Bonus Action, temporary hit points, and the bar on spellcasting." }, { "key": "black-myth-wukong-spell-guide-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Black Myth Wukong Spell Guide", "author": "Tenkiei (Maxroll)", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://maxroll.gg/black-myth-wukong/guides/black-myth-wukong-spell-guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Might in place of mana, built by attacking; the separate health bar; one transformation equipped." }, { "key": "black-myth-wukong-all-transformations-locations-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Black Myth: Wukong, All Transformations Locations", "author": "Ben Chard, Shane Williams, and Matt Chard (Gamer Guides)", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.gamerguides.com/black-myth-wukong/guide/transformations", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The ten transformations, entry once enough Might is built, and the form ending when either gauge empties." }, { "key": "druid-overhaul-werebear-form-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "Druid Overhaul - Werebear Form", "author": "EHG_Dodo (Eleventh Hour Games)", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": "Last Epoch forums (Eleventh Hour Games)", "url": "https://forum.lastepoch.com/t/druid-overhaul-werebear-form/45260", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Rage in place of mana for all Druid transforms, restored to full on entering a form and draining slowly over time; Maul as a Werebear skill." }, { "key": "earthquake-werebear-druid-guide", "canonical": false, "title": "Earthquake Werebear Druid Guide", "author": "LizardIRL (Maxroll)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://maxroll.gg/last-epoch/build-guides/earthquake-werebear-druid-guide", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Mana replaced by Rage while transformed, Maul available only in form, and waiting for Werebear Form's cooldown when Rage runs out." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 17, "word_count": 548, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/shapeshift" }, { "id": "silence", "name": "Silence", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "targeted", "area", "placed" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "consumable", "proc-chance" ], "definition": "An ability that stops a target, or everyone in an area, from casting spells or using abilities for a set time while it can still move and make ordinary attacks; often resisted by a save or an immunity, or cured.", "aliases": [ "silenced", "Silence 15' Radius", "MONTINO", "StopSpell", "STOPSPELL", "MUTE", "Global Silence", "Last Word", "Soul Burn", "Orim's Chant", "Abeyance", "lockout" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "interrupts-and-reactions", "procs", "saving-throws", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Silence 15' Radius, a 2nd-level cleric spell, makes a 30-foot sphere at up to 12 inches in which all sound stops and \"spells cannot be cast\", for 2 rounds per caster level after a 5-segment cast. Cast on a creature, the sphere moves with it; an unwilling creature that saves leaves it a foot behind.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Sir-Tech", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "MONTINO, a Level 2 Priest spell, makes the air around one group of monsters \"stop transmitting sound, thus preventing them from casting spells\"; the group can still attack. Each cast spends a spell point of its level.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dragon Quest", "year": 1986, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Chunsoft (Yuji Horii)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "In the 1989 North American release, Dragon Warrior, STOPSPELL is learned at level 10 for 2 MP and blocks an enemy's magic; the manual says \"If the spell is successful you can block the monster's spell\", so it can fail. The Explorer's Handbook names the Axe Knight's Sleep, Starwyverns, and Magicians as its targets.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "MUTE, a Level 2 White Magic spell cast on one enemy, leaves magic users \"unable to speak\"; AMUT, Level 4, cast on one ally, \"will nullify the enemies' MUTE spell\". Uses are counted per spell level and restored at an inn.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Silence (Magic 2010, 2009), a one-mana white instant, reads \"Your opponents can't cast spells this turn\"; spells cast before it resolves are unaffected, it acts on players rather than creatures, and creatures still attack. Orim's Chant (2001) bars one target player, and its kicker also stops creatures attacking that turn.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "proc-chance" ], "note": "Silence, a priest Shadow talent, is an instant that silences one target for 5 seconds, preventing casting, at 20 yards for 225 mana on a 45-second cooldown in the Classic recreation. The Discipline talent Unbreakable Will raises resistance to stun, fear, and silence. Improved Kick and Improved Shield Bash give a 50% chance to silence for 2 or 3 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Silencer's ultimate, Global Silence, stops every enemy hero and unit on the map from casting spells for 4.5, 5.25, or 6 seconds, for 300 to 600 mana on a 120-second cooldown in the current patch. Last Word silences a target for 3 to 6 seconds if it casts or when its timer expires; the Orchid Malevolence item silences for 5 seconds at 900 range for 125 mana.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 2024 edition", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Silence, a level 2 Illusion spell for bards, clerics, and rangers, is cast as an action or a ritual at 120 feet and lasts up to 10 minutes with concentration. In a 20-foot-radius sphere no sound passes, creatures are Deafened, and \"Casting a spell that includes a Verbal component is impossible there\"; spells without one still work.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The Players Handbook (1978) is the earliest cited text in which a silence stops spellcasting: Silence 15' Radius makes an area where \"spells cannot be cast\", and the book's sample combat has a silence spoil a prismatic spray. Greyhawk (1975) is an antecedent: it adds the named spell, its 15-foot radius and range, as a way to move with no sound or to silence an object, and never says that spells fail inside it; the scan cited is a 1979 printing. Men & Magic (1974) has no silence spell. Whether a 1975 to 1977 text (Eldritch Wizardry, Holmes Basic, The Strategic Review, The Dragon) or table practice already barred silenced casters remains unsurveyed, hence medium confidence. The earliest cited video instance is Wizardry's MONTINO, from a manual printed between 1981 and 1987, so its presence in the 1981 release is unconfirmed; earlier PLATO games remain unsurveyed. The earliest cited card instance is Magic's Abeyance (1997)." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric Spells (2nd Level), Silence, 15' Radius, p. 46", "note": "The casting ban, area, duration, and the save for an unwilling creature as anchor; the sample combat in which a silence spoils a verbal spell." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric spells, 2nd level, Silence, 15' Radius, p. 30 (new spells marked *)", "note": "The named silence spell framed as stealth, without a casting ban; the scan is a 1979 printing." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric spell table", "note": "The 1974 cleric list, which has no silence spell." }, { "key": "wizardry-proving-grounds-of-the-mad-overlord-player-s-guide-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, Player's Guide", "author": "Sir-Tech", "year": 1981, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/sir-tech-wizardry-1-a2-v2.1-black-manual-ph/components/wizardry%20players%20guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Level 2 Priest Spells, MONTINO, p. 69", "note": "MONTINO, from a printing dated 1981-1987." }, { "key": "dragon-warrior-instruction-manual-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Warrior instruction manual", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/DragonWarriorNESHiResScans/Dragon%20Warrior%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic Spells, Stop spell, p. 27", "note": "The StopSpell wording and its chance of failure." }, { "key": "dragon-warrior-explorer-s-handbook-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "Dragon Warrior Explorer's Handbook", "author": "Nintendo of America", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/DragonWarriorNESHiResScans/Dragon%20Warrior%20-%20Explorer%27s%20Handbook%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spell table (STOPSPELL, Level 10, 2MP)", "note": "StopSpell's level, cost, and named targets." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans/Final%20Fantasy%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "White Magic, Level 2 MUTE and Level 4 AMUT, p. 76", "note": "MUTE and its cure AMUT." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Priest talents (Shadow, Silence; Discipline, Unbreakable Will); Rogue (Kick, Improved Kick); Warrior (Improved Shield Bash)", "note": "The launch-era Silence talent, its resistance talent, the Kick interrupt, and the silence riders." }, { "key": "wowhead-classic-database-silence-spell-15487", "canonical": false, "title": "Wowhead Classic database, Silence (spell 15487)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Range, cooldown, and mana cost in the Classic recreation of patch 1.12." }, { "key": "silencer-hero-data", "canonical": false, "title": "Silencer hero data", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=75", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Global Silence and Last Word values in the current patch, not those of 2013." }, { "key": "orchid-malevolence-item-data", "canonical": false, "title": "Orchid Malevolence item data", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/itemdata?language=english&item_id=98", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The item silence, its range, cost, and duration in the current patch." }, { "key": "scryfall-card-records-silence-orim-s-chant-abeyance-render-silent-brand-of-ill-omen", "canonical": false, "title": "Scryfall card records (Silence, Orim's Chant, Abeyance, Render Silent, Brand of Ill Omen)", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Card texts in current Oracle wording, not printed wording, and set release dates." }, { "key": "hearthstonejson-card-data", "canonical": false, "title": "HearthstoneJSON card data", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Card texts of Silence, Ironbeak Owl, Spellbreaker, and Mass Dispel." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spellcasting, Components, Verbal (V), p. 101; Silence, p. 179", "note": "The 5th-edition rule that a caster in an area of silence cannot cast a spell with a verbal component; Silence as a 2nd-level ritual." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells, Silence, PDF p. 162", "note": "The 2024-edition Silence, a concentration sphere in which verbal spells are impossible." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 15, "word_count": 544, "updated": "2026-10-26", "url": "/abilities/silence" }, { "id": "slow", "name": "Slow", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "area", "targeted", "projectile", "placed" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "charges", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An ability that lowers a target's movement speed, attack or action rate, or actions per turn for a limited time without stopping it, down to rooting it in place while it can still attack or cast; often resisted by a save.", "aliases": [ "Slow Spell", "Slowness", "SLOW", "SLO2", "slow monster", "snare", "root", "immobilize", "immobilise", "chill", "daze", "cripple", "Hamstring", "Concussive Shot", "Frostbolt", "Frost Nova", "Wither", "Ray of Frost", "entangle", "Cyber-Web Snare" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "procs", "saving-throws", "status-effects", "tower-defence" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Slow Spell, a 3rd-level Magic-User spell, affects up to 24 creatures in an area of at most 6 by 12 inches for 3 turns at a range of 24 inches. The text states no rate; Haste is defined as its opposite, and each counters the other. In Greyhawk (1975) the stone golem can place a Slow spell on one opponent per turn.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Rogue", "year": 1980, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Michael Toy, Glenn Wichman, and Ken Arnold", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "The wand of slow monster sends a bolt in a chosen direction to the first monster. A hasted monster loses its haste; any other then acts only on alternate turns, with no save and no expiry. Wands hold 3 to 7 charges, and the wand of haste monster is the opposite. Behaviour cited from the 1981 and later source code.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "SLOW, a level 2 Black Magic spell sold in Pravoka, targets all enemies and \"Slows the enemies' thinking and actions\"; SLO2, at level 5, targets one enemy. The level 4 spell FAST \"nullifies SLOW\" and doubles a weapon's rate of fire. Uses are counted per spell level and restored at inns. Wording from the 1990 NES manual.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EVE Online", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "CCP Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A stasis webifier, a fitted module that draws capacitor when activated, slows a locked target ship while it runs; by 2007 CCP's guide listed it among the electronic warfare that cannot be countered, and interceptors paired it with warp jammers to pin a ship for others to kill.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Frostbolt at rank 1 deals 18 to 20 frost damage and slows movement for 5 seconds, 9 at higher ranks. The hunter's Concussive Shot \"Dazes the target, slowing movement speed to 50% of normal for 3 sec\" on a 12-second cooldown. Frost Nova is a root, and Thunder Clap cuts attack speed by 10% for 10 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Plants vs. Zombies", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "PopCap Games (George Fan)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Snow Pea, a plant bought with sun and placed in a lane, fires frozen peas that damage and slow the zombies in that lane; a wiki gives half movement and eating speed. Torchwood turns its peas into ordinary ones.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "action-cost", "at-will" ], "note": "Slow (3rd level, one action, 120 feet, concentration up to 1 minute) affects up to six creatures in a 40-foot cube. A target that fails a Wisdom save has half speed, -2 to AC and Dexterity saves, no reactions, one action or bonus action, and one attack, and saves again each turn. The Ray of Frost cantrip deals 1d8 cold and cuts speed by 10 feet.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost", "per-rest" ], "note": "IMMOBILIZE on an ability-card action is a root: an immobilized figure \"cannot perform any move abilities on its turn\" but still attacks and uses other abilities, and the token is removed at the end of its next turn. There is no save. The card is one of the turn's two and is recovered by resting, or lost.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Marvel Rivals", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "NetEase Games", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "Since Version 20260807, a hit from Peni Parker's Cyber-Web Snare slows by 30% for 1 second and marks the enemy with a Web-Tracer for 5 seconds; a second hit on a marked enemy immobilises it for 0.7 seconds. The snare holds up to 2 charges. Her Spider-Drone stacks an 8% slow per hit for 2 seconds, up to 40%.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Men & Magic (1974) lists Slow Spell as a 3rd-level Magic-User spell with an area, a duration, and a range, and defines Haste Spell as \"exactly the opposite of a Slow Spell in effect\". Neither text states what the slow does, hence medium confidence. The half-speed rate is first stated in the cited texts in Chainmail's third edition (dated 1975 from other sources; the scan is undated), whose Slowness moves up to 20 figures at one-half speed for two turns, and in the Players Handbook (1978), where creatures \"move and attack at one-half of the normal or current rate\". Chainmail's second edition (1972) lists eight spells and no Slowness; the 1971 first printing's six spells are uncited. Antecedents are Chainmail's terrain rule that a hill \"Slows movement 50%\", a property of the ground, and the webs of the Staff of Wizardry in Monsters & Treasure (1974), a charged item that holds rather than slows. The earliest cited video instance is Rogue's wand of slow monster in the 1981 source; its presence in the 1980 release is unconfirmed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, Slow Spell and Haste Spell, p. 26", "note": "The 1974 Slow Spell area, duration, and range, and Haste defined as its opposite." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/monsters-treasure-vol-2-tsr/MonstersTreasureVol2TSR_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Staves, Staff of Wizardry (Webs)", "note": "Webs as a power of a charged item in 1974." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, Web; Dragons table, p. 35; Golems table (Stone)", "note": "Web as a spell, and monsters that cast or breathe slow; the scan is a 1979 printing." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, Spells 1-8, pp. 28-29; terrain table (Hill)", "note": "The eight-spell list without Slowness, and the terrain slow." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-3rd-edition-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 3rd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02008chainmail3rdeditionblackwhitereprint/tsr02008%20-%20Chainmail%2C%203rd%20Edition%20%28black%20%26%20white%20reprint%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, spells 10 (Slowness) and 11 (Haste), p. 32", "note": "Half speed for two turns, from an undated black-and-white reprint." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User Spells (3rd Level), Haste and Slow, pp. 75-76; (2nd Level) Web, pp. 72-73; Druid Spells (1st Level), Entangle", "note": "The half-rate effect, no save, cumulative slows, Web, and Entangle's 50% slow on a save." }, { "key": "rogue-3-6-source-sticks-c", "canonical": false, "title": "Rogue 3.6 source, sticks.c", "author": "Michael Toy, Ken Arnold, and Glenn Wichman", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://github.com/NCommander/rogue362/blob/master/sticks.c", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "case WS_SLOW_M; file header 3.14 (Berkeley) 6/15/81", "note": "The wand of slow monster in a 1981 version." }, { "key": "rogue-5-4-source-sticks-c", "canonical": false, "title": "Rogue 5.4 source, sticks.c", "author": "Michael Toy, Ken Arnold, and Glenn Wichman", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://github.com/Davidslv/rogue/blob/master/sticks.c", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "case WS_SLOW_M; wand charge initialisation; chase.c, move_monst", "note": "The haste cancel, the alternate-turn rule, and 3 to 7 charges." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://archive.org/download/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans/Final%20Fantasy%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Black Magic, Levels 2, 4, 5, p. 78; Pravoka shop list", "note": "SLOW, SLO2, and FAST wording and the shop." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Glossary (Snare); Gnomes, Escape Artist; Hunter, Concussive Shot; Mage, Frostbolt, Frost Nova; Rogue, Crippling Poison; Warrior, Thunder Clap; Warlock, Curse of Tongues", "note": "Launch-era slow and root wording, durations, and cooldowns." }, { "key": "plants-vs-zombies-review-2009", "canonical": false, "title": "Plants vs. Zombies review", "author": "Laura Blackwell (PC World)", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pcworld.com/article/528874/plants_vs_zombies-4.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The \"enemy-slowing Snow Peas\"." }, { "key": "plants-vs-zombies-wiki-snow-pea", "canonical": false, "title": "Plants vs. Zombies Wiki, Snow Pea", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The movement and eating slow and the Torchwood interaction." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Ray of Frost, p. 174; Slow, pp. 180-181", "note": "The 5th-edition Slow and Ray of Frost, matching the 2014 text." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Conditions, IMMOBILIZE, p. 22", "note": "The root condition and its removal." }, { "key": "marvel-rivals-version-20260807-balance-post-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Marvel Rivals Version 20260807 Balance Post", "author": "NetEase Games", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.marvelrivals.com/balancepost/20260804/41667_1309952.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Peni Parker, Cyber-Web Snare", "note": "The slow then immobilise, the 2 charges, and the stated reason for the change." }, { "key": "marvel-rivals-version-20250912-balance-post-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Marvel Rivals Version 20250912 Balance Post", "author": "NetEase Games", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.marvelrivals.com/balancepost/20250904/41667_1257761.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Peni Parker, Spider-Drone; Invisible Woman, Guardian Shield", "note": "The stacking slow and the zone slow." }, { "key": "nasus-champion-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Nasus champion page", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/champions/nasus/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Wither, which slows movement and attack speed increasingly over time." }, { "key": "ashe-champion-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Ashe champion page", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/champions/ashe/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Frost Shot, the slow on every attack." }, { "key": "eve-online-player-guide-the-market-categories-wayback-capture-2007", "canonical": false, "title": "EVE Online Player Guide: The Market Categories (Wayback capture)", "author": "CCP Games", "year": 2007, "year_approx": true, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20071208004821/http://www.eve-online.com:80/guide/en/g68_2.asp", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "Ship Equipment: Electronic Warfare; Ships: Frigate sized", "note": "Stasis webifiers slowing another ship and having no countermeasure, and interceptors tackling with warp jammers and webifiers." }, { "key": "eve-online-player-guide-ship-fitting-wayback-capture-2005", "canonical": false, "title": "EVE Online Player Guide: Ship Fitting (Wayback capture)", "author": "CCP Games", "year": 2005, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20050306000013/http://www.eve-online.com:80/guide/en/g08.asp", "accessed": "2026-10-28", "locator": "8: Ship Fitting, Mid-Slots and Lo-Slots", "note": "Capacitor used only when a fitted module is activated." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 20, "word_count": 546, "updated": "2026-10-28", "url": "/abilities/slow" }, { "id": "smoke-screen", "name": "Smoke Screen", "status": "verified", "function": "concealment", "delivery": [ "placed", "area", "projectile" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable" ], "definition": "An ability that fills an area with smoke, fog, darkness or a similar obscurant for a time, so that sight into, out of, or through the area is blocked or degraded for everyone, hiding what is inside or behind it", "aliases": [ "smoke screen", "smoke grenade", "smoke bomb", "smoke counter", "Darkness", "Darkness, 5' Radius", "Darkness, 15' Radius", "Fog Cloud", "Wall of Fog", "Obscurement", "Sky Smoke", "Orbital Smoke Strike" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "board-card", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "cover-systems", "fog-of-war", "line-of-sight", "stealth-detection" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Darkness, 5' Radius (Magic-User 2nd level, range 12\", 6 turns) makes \"total darkness within the indicated area making even infravision useless\" until Dispell Magic or Light counters it. Pyrotechnics, at the same level, turns a fire source into \"a great amount of smoke\" over at least 20 cubic feet for 6 turns at range 24\", putting the fire out.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Squad Leader", "year": 1977, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "John Hill (Avalon Hill)", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "Assault Engineer squads place smoke counters, from a stock the scenario sets, in or next to their hex as the first act of the Prep Fire Phase, one per squad per turn. Fire traced into, out of, or through the hex adds one die to the Fire Combat roll, entering costs 1 extra MF, and the counter is removed at the layer's next Prep Fire Phase.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "The Illusionist's Wall of Fog (1st level, range 3\", a 2\" cube per level) \"obscures all sight, normal and/or infravisual, beyond 2'\" until a strong breeze clears it; Fog Cloud (2nd) drifts away at 1\" a round. The Magic-User's Darkness, 15' Radius gives \"total, impenetrable darkness\" that light negates, and the Druid's Obscurement cuts visibility to 2d4 feet.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Spy Hunter", "year": 1983, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Bally Midway", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "The smoke screen is one of the weapons the car takes on from Weapons Vans along the road; the player uses it to \"elude\" Switch Blade cars and Road Lords or \"lose\" the Enforcer \"in a cloud of smoke\", until the weapon supply is exhausted and the next van restocks it. The manual does not say whether the smoke blocks the pursuers' sight.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Counter-Strike", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Minh Le and Jess Cliffe", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "The $300 smoke grenade, \"designed to produce a screen of smoke to mask a team's position\" in the 2003 Xbox guide, makes \"a thick cloud of white smoke\" whose radius shrinks as it dissipates; it covers movement and denies sniper lanes. It is reportedly absent from the 1999 betas and added in Beta 6.5 (2000).", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Smoke Bomb, a rogue ability added with the Cataclysm expansion (2010), drops a cloud for 10 seconds on a 3-minute cooldown in the preview. Enemies outside cannot target units inside with single-target abilities, but can step in to attack or hit those inside with area attacks.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Graves' Smoke Screen (range 950, 70 to 90 mana) fires a canister that makes a cloud. Current data give a 26 to 18 second cooldown and \"a cloud of black smoke for 4 seconds\" that slows enemies and blocks \"their vision outside the area\"; early data reduce the sight radius of enemies inside. Only enemies are affected.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Counter-Strike 2", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "Bought smoke grenades make volumetric clouds that fill the space they land in. Valve's 2023 notes add that \"Shotguns now create larger holes in smoke volumes\", that HE grenade effect times on smoke were reduced, and that \"HE grenades no longer affect smokes through walls\", so gunfire and explosions open the cloud for a moment.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Greyhawk's Darkness, 5' Radius and the smoke of Pyrotechnics are the earliest cited placed areas that hide whatever is inside them for a stated duration, with stated counters. Two antecedents fit less cleanly. Chainmail's Darkness (second edition, 1972) brings gloom over the entire playing area for both sides while the Wizard is not attacked, so nothing is hidden behind it; whether the 1971 first edition had the spell is unconfirmed. Men & Magic's Insect Plague (1974) is a cloud that obscures vision, but its purpose is to rout weak creatures. Men & Magic has no Darkness spell, and whether its Anti-Cleric could reverse Light into darkness is unconfirmed. Confidence is medium because smoke rules in tactical wargames before 1975, including WWII miniatures and naval rules, remain unsurveyed. The earliest cited video instance is Spy Hunter (1983), whose manual never says that the smoke blocks sight." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, 2nd level, Darkness, 5' Radius and Pyrotechnics, p. 22; spell table, p. 21", "note": "The provenance wording, ranges, durations, and counters; page numbers from the scan's page markers." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, 2nd level, Darkness, 15' Radius, p. 70; Illusionist spells, 1st level, Wall of Fog, p. 95; 2nd level, Fog Cloud, p. 96; Druid spells, 2nd level, Obscurement; 3rd level, Pyrotechnics", "note": "The AD&D obscurant family and the split of Pyrotechnics into a blinding flash and an obscuring smoke; page numbers inferred from sparse scan markers." }, { "key": "chainmail-2nd-edition-1972", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail, 2nd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "year": 1972, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/chainmail-2nd-edition/Chainmail%20-%202nd%20Edition_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizard spells, Darkness and Wizard Light", "note": "The field-wide Darkness antecedent and its counter." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric spells, 5th level, Insect Plague, pp. 33-34; Magic-User spells, 5th level, Cloudkill", "note": "The vision-obscuring swarm antecedent and the absence of a Darkness spell in 1974." }, { "key": "squad-leader-rulebook-1977", "canonical": false, "title": "Squad Leader rulebook", "author": "John Hill (Avalon Hill)", "year": 1977, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Game Set I, rule 24 (Smoke), 24.1-24.8", "note": "The smoke counter stock, placement by Assault Engineers, the hindrance die, the movement cost, and removal; read in a rules transcription." }, { "key": "spy-hunter-instruction-manual-colecovision-1984", "canonical": false, "title": "Spy Hunter instruction manual (ColecoVision)", "author": "Coleco", "year": 1984, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/Spy_Hunter_1984_Coleco/Spy_Hunter_1984_Coleco_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Enemy descriptions; Weapons Van", "note": "The smoke screen as a restocked weapon used to evade pursuers." }, { "key": "counter-strike-prima-s-official-strategy-guide-xbox-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "Counter-Strike: Prima's Official Strategy Guide (Xbox)", "author": "Prima Games", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/counter-strike-primas-official-xbox-strategy-guide-2004/Counter%20Strike%20%28Prima%27s%20Official%20Xbox%20Strategy%20Guide%20-%202004%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Weapons & Equipment, Smoke Grenade", "note": "The smoke grenade's price, description, shrinking cloud, and tactical uses." }, { "key": "counter-strike-wiki-smoke-grenade", "canonical": false, "title": "Counter-Strike Wiki, Smoke Grenade", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The reported introduction of the smoke grenade in Beta 6.5 (2000)." }, { "key": "cataclysm-class-changes-rogue-2010", "canonical": false, "title": "Cataclysm Class Changes: Rogue", "author": "Adam Holisky (Engadget, WoW Insider)", "year": 2010, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2010-04-09-cataclysm-class-changes-rogue.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Smoke Bomb's level, duration, cooldown, and targeting rule as previewed." }, { "key": "data-dragon-champion-data-graves-version-0-151-101", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon champion data, Graves (version 0.151.101)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/0.151.101/data/en_US/champion/Graves.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Early Smoke Screen wording, cooldown, and sight-radius reduction." }, { "key": "data-dragon-champion-data-graves-version-16-21-1", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon champion data, Graves (version 16.21.1)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Graves.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Current Smoke Screen range, cost, cooldown, duration, and vision wording." }, { "key": "counter-strike-2-store-page-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Counter-Strike 2 store page", "author": "Valve", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://store.steampowered.com/app/730/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The dynamic, volumetric smoke grenades." }, { "key": "counter-strike-2-release-notes-for-6-june-2023-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Counter-Strike 2 release notes for 6 June 2023", "author": "Valve", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://steamcommunity.com/games/CSGO/announcements/detail/3702568031467145906", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Shotgun holes in smoke volumes and reduced HE effect times on smoke; the 30 March 2023 note on HE grenades and walls was read through the Steam news feed for the game." }, { "key": "brimstone-agent-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Brimstone agent page", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://playvalorant.com/en-us/agents/brimstone/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Sky Smoke, placed from a tactical map." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Playing the Game, Vision and Light, Heavily Obscured, p. 11; Spells, Darkness, p. 122; Fog Cloud, p. 133", "note": "The 2024 area forms under concentration and the link from a Heavily Obscured area to the Blinded condition." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 15, "word_count": 552, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/smoke-screen" }, { "id": "spell-steal", "name": "Spell Steal", "status": "verified", "function": "enhancement", "delivery": [ "targeted", "melee" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "consumable" ], "definition": "The user takes or copies an ability belonging to an opponent and can then cast or use it as its own, usually for a limited time or until it is replaced, without taking control of the opponent itself", "aliases": [ "Spellsteal", "Copy Ability", "Hijack", "Blue Magic", "Lore" ], "media": [ "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "interrupts-and-reactions", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Final Fantasy V", "year": 1992, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "An antecedent with permanent learning. The Blue Mage's Learning lets it \"Get hit by an enemy's special attack to learn it as blue magic\", and its Blue command will \"Perform learned enemy skills\" from then on (wording of the Final Fantasy V Advance booklet).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Kirby's Adventure", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "HAL Laboratory (Nintendo)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Under \"Let's Steal the Enemies' Abilities!\", swallowing certain enemies gives Kirby their special ability, one at a time. A hit or the SELECT button drops it as a star he can swallow again; some copies \"have time limits or a set number of times they can be used\".", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "Fork, an instant in the first set, reads \"Copy target instant or sorcery spell, except that the copy is red. You may choose new targets for the copy.\" Cast in response to an opponent's spell, it turns that spell to its caster's use once.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy VI", "year": 1994, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "mana", "at-will" ], "note": "Strago learns an enemy spell when hit by it, since \"he must survive its power once\", and Gau's Rage draws on enemy skills he has learned. Relm's Sketch borrows instead: it lets her \"attack with the powers of her enemies\" without keeping them (US manual, as Final Fantasy III).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The Spell Breaker's autocast Spell Steal \"Steals a positive buff from an enemy unit and applies it to a nearby friendly unit\", or moves a negative buff from a friend to a nearby enemy, for 75 mana at range 70 on a 3-second cooldown.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Sylas's Hijack \"steals the enemy's ultimate ability and can cast it freely\", at 950 range for 75 mana on an 80, 55, or 30-second cooldown by rank (2024 values).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Rubick's Spell Steal targets an enemy hero at 1000 range and takes \"the last spell the hero cast\", kept until Rubick dies or it expires after 180 to 300 seconds; 25 mana, cooldown 16 to 4 seconds. Aghanim's Scepter raises the spells held to two. Current values, not those of 2013.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Kirby and the Forgotten Land", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "HAL Laboratory (Nintendo)", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "\"By inhaling certain enemies and gulping them down, you can put their powers to work\"; twelve Copy Abilities are listed, and \"As you progress, you can upgrade your skills with evolved Copy Abilities\".", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Kirby's Adventure", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Provenance is scoped to the canonical form, an activated take whose prize is held for a limited time or number of uses. Kirby's Adventure (1993) is its earliest documented use: its manual headed the copy ability \"Let's Steal the Enemies' Abilities!\" and drops the power on a hit. Fork, in Magic's first set the same year, copies a spell once. Final Fantasy V (1992), whose Blue Mage learns enemy skills permanently by being hit, is an antecedent, and Mega Man (1987), in which defeating a boss reportedly grants its weapon, an earlier one. Earlier video and tabletop forms remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "kirby-s-adventure-instruction-manual-nes-us-1993", "canonical": false, "title": "Kirby's Adventure instruction manual (NES, US)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/Kirbys-Adventure-Manual-NES-US-1993/Kirbys-Adventure-Manual-NES-US-1993_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Let's Steal the Enemies' Abilities!, pp. 20-21", "note": "Swallowing an enemy steals its special ability; one held at a time; limits on some copies; loss on a hit or SELECT and recovery of the star." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-v-advance-instruction-booklet-agb-bz5p-2007", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy V Advance instruction booklet (AGB-BZ5P)", "author": "Square Enix", "year": 2007, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/final-fantasy-v-advance-fhug-manual/3.5%20Manual%20Scan_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Jobs, Blue Mage (English section)", "note": "The Blue Mage's Check, Learning, and Blue commands; learning an enemy skill by being hit by it." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-iii-instruction-manual-us-snes-1994", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy III instruction manual (US SNES)", "author": "Square Soft", "year": 1994, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/final-fantasy-3-manual/Final%20Fantasy%203%20manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "p. 18 (Strago's Lore), p. 64 (Gau's Rage), p. 70 (Strago)", "note": "The US release of Final Fantasy VI; Lore learned by surviving a spell, Rage, and Relm's Sketch." }, { "key": "gatherer-fork", "canonical": false, "title": "Gatherer, Fork", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Fork's Oracle text and its printing in Limited Edition Alpha (set code 1E)." }, { "key": "spell-breaker-warcraft-iii", "canonical": false, "title": "Spell Breaker (Warcraft III)", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/war3/human/units/spellbreaker.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Spell Steal", "note": "The autocast buff transfer in both directions, with its mana cost, range, and cooldown; Control Magic as a separate ability." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-rubick", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Rubick", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=86", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Spell Steal", "note": "The last spell cast by the target, its duration, range, mana cost, and cooldown, and the Scepter's second stolen spell." }, { "key": "data-dragon-14-1-1-sylas-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon 14.1.1, Sylas", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/14.1.1/data/en_US/champion/Sylas.json", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "R, Hijack", "note": "Hijack steals an enemy's ultimate; cooldown, range, and mana cost." }, { "key": "kirby-and-the-forgotten-land-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "Kirby and the Forgotten Land", "author": "Nintendo Australia", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://nintendo.com/au/games/nintendo-switch/kirby-and-the-forgotten-land", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Inhaling enemies to use their powers, the list of Copy Abilities, evolved Copy Abilities, and the release date." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 8, "word_count": 545, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/spell-steal" }, { "id": "stun", "name": "Stun", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "targeted", "area", "melee", "projectile" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "An ability that leaves its target unable to move, attack, or use abilities for a short fixed or rolled duration, after which it acts normally again; often resisted by a save, an immunity, or diminishing returns.", "aliases": [ "stunned", "hold", "Hold Person", "Hold Monster", "paralysis", "Power Word Stun", "KATINO", "MANIFO", "mesmerize", "mez", "Storm Hammer", "Hammer of Justice", "Cheap Shot", "Kidney Shot", "Stunning Strike", "Bandage Toss", "hard crowd control" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "initiative-order", "procs", "saving-throws", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Sleep, a 1st-level Magic-User spell, affects 2 to 16 creatures of up to 1+1 hit dice and fewer of higher hit dice, with no saving throw, at 24 inches. Hold Person (Magic-User 3rd level, Cleric 2nd) affects 1 to 4 persons for 6 turns plus the caster's level, with the save at -2 against a lone target; Hold Monster extends it to monsters.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord", "year": 1981, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Sir-Tech", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "KATINO, a Level 1 Mage spell, puts most of a monster group to sleep for a time inversely proportional to the monsters' power; MANIFO, a Level 2 Priest spell, holds some of a group \"still as statues\" for one or more rounds so they cannot attack. Sleeping monsters take double damage. Each cast spends a spell point of its level.", "latest": false }, { "title": "EverQuest", "year": 1999, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Verant Interactive", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Cleric's 5th-level Stun stuns a target and can interrupt an NPC's casting; the Enchanter's Mesmerize leaves a monster unable to fight until any damage breaks it, and Color Flux stuns everything in an area. Warrior Bash and Barbarian Slam stun as melee skills. Holding extra monsters out of a fight this way is called mezzing.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana" ], "note": "Paladin Hammer of Justice at rank 1 stuns one target for 3 seconds at 10 yards for 30 mana, on a 1-minute cooldown; the rogue's Cheap Shot stuns for 4 seconds from stealth for 60 energy. Against players the 2004 strategy guide halves a repeat stun within 15 seconds and makes the target immune after the fourth; later versions use an 18-second window.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Sven's Storm Hammer is thrown at a target and stuns enemy units in a small area, for 1 to 1.75 seconds by level, radius 250 to 310, cast range 600, 110 mana, cooldown 21 to 12 seconds in the current patch. The Black King Bar item, on a 95-second cooldown, lets its holder ignore negative effects from enemy spells for a few seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "mana" ], "note": "Hold Person (2nd level, one action, 60 feet, concentration up to 1 minute) paralyses a target that fails a Wisdom save, repeated at the end of each of its turns. Power Word Stun (8th level) stuns a creature of 150 hit points or fewer with no first save, then a Constitution save each turn. The monk's Stunning Strike spends 1 ki point on a hit.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost", "per-rest", "consumable" ], "note": "STUN on an ability-card action applies the condition to every target after the main effect, with no save and whether or not the attack deals damage. A stunned figure cannot perform abilities or use items on its turn; the token is removed at the end of its next turn. The card is discarded and recovered by resting, or lost, and some bosses are immune.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends: Wild Rift", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Amumu's Bandage Toss is thrown at a target, stunning and damaging it while pulling Amumu to it; his ultimate, Curse of the Sad Mummy, entangles surrounding enemies so they cannot attack or move, a stun of 1.5, 1.75, or 2 seconds by rank since December 2020. Since May 2025 the cooldowns are 13 to 11.5 seconds for the toss and 105 to 85 for the ultimate.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Men & Magic (1974) has two cast abilities whose effect is that targets stop acting: Sleep, gated by the targets' hit dice and with no save, and Hold Person and Hold Monster, of limited duration and resisted by a save. The 1974 text never states what a hold does; the Players Handbook (1978) is the earliest cited text to say the spell \"holds immobile\". Chainmail is an antecedent: in its Fantasy Supplement wights and ghouls paralyse a figure they touch for one turn and wraiths until a friendly Elf, Hero, or Wizard touches it, and its medieval rules leave an unhorsed man stunned for one or three turns as a combat result. Those rules are cited from a third-edition reprint, and their presence in the 1971 printing is unconfirmed; whether creature traits count as abilities is an editorial call, hence medium confidence. Chainmail's wizard has no hold or sleep spell. The earliest cited ability named stun is Power Word-Stun in Greyhawk (1975), and the earliest cited video instance is Wizardry (1981); earlier video forms in PLATO games or Rogue are unconfirmed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules)", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, Sleep p. 23, Hold Person p. 25, Hold Monster p. 28; Cleric spells, Hold Person p. 32", "note": "The 1974 Sleep and Hold Person wording, ranges, durations, and saves." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells, Power Word-Stun, p. 25; Cleric spells, Holy Word", "note": "Power Word-Stun and its hit-point-banded durations; the scan is a 1979 printing." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-ii-blackmoor-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement II: Blackmoor", "author": "Dave Arneson (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Monks (stunning on a strong hit)", "note": "The monk's 75 percent chance to stun for 3 to 12 turns on a hit well above the minimum." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric Spells (2nd Level), Hold Person, p. 45; Magic-User Spells (7th Level), Power Word, Stun", "note": "The explicit \"holds immobile\" wording and the no-save, hit-point-banded Power Word, Stun." }, { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-3rd-edition", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 3rd edition", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (TSR)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02008chainmail3rdeditionblackwhitereprint/tsr02008%20-%20Chainmail%2C%203rd%20Edition%20%28black%20%26%20white%20reprint%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wights (and Ghouls), Wraiths; Mounted Men (unhorsing); Escalade", "note": "The paralysis and stunned-for-turns antecedents, from a black-and-white reprint." }, { "key": "wizardry-proving-grounds-of-the-mad-overlord-player-s-guide-1981", "canonical": false, "title": "Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, Player's Guide", "author": "Sir-Tech", "year": 1981, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/sir-tech-wizardry-1-a2-v2.1-black-manual-ph/components/wizardry%20players%20guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Level 1 Mage Spells (KATINO); Level 2 Priest Spells (MANIFO), pp. 63-65", "note": "KATINO and MANIFO, from a printing dated 1981-1987." }, { "key": "everquest-players-guide-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "EverQuest Players Guide", "author": "Juanita Jones, Russell Phoenix, Jimmy Monkerface, and Damien Waples (Prima Games)", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/everquest-players-guide/Everquest%20%20Players%20Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric spells (Stun); Enchanter spells (Mesmerize, Color Flux); Mesmerized Targets", "note": "The Stun and Mesmerize wording, the break on damage, and the mezzing tactic." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-reign-of-chaos-manual-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warcraft-iii-manual_202205/Warcraft%20III%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Mountain King (Storm Bolt, Bash); Tauren Chieftain (War Stomp); Dreadlord (Sleep)", "note": "Hero stuns, the chance-on-hit Bash, and a Sleep that any blow ends." }, { "key": "starcraft-manual-1998", "canonical": false, "title": "StarCraft manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 1998, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/starcraft_202306/StarCraft_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Ghost, Lockdown, p. 37; Arbiter, Stasis Field, p. 84", "note": "Stasis Field, which stops units and makes them immune to damage, and Lockdown on mechanical units." }, { "key": "warcraft-wiki-diminishing-returns-cheap-shot-hammer-of-justice", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft Wiki, Diminishing returns; Cheap Shot; Hammer of Justice", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Diminishing-returns fractions and the later 18-second window, and the Classic Cheap Shot tooltip." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2004", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and others (BradyGames)", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "PvP, diminishing returns", "note": "The launch-era rule that a second stun, fear, or charm within 15 seconds is reduced to half its duration, with immunity after the fourth." }, { "key": "wowhead-classic-database-hammer-of-justice-kidney-shot", "canonical": false, "title": "Wowhead Classic database, Hammer of Justice; Kidney Shot", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Rank 1 Hammer of Justice values and the Kidney Shot cost and cooldown." }, { "key": "sven-hero-data-storm-hammer", "canonical": false, "title": "Sven hero data (Storm Hammer)", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=18", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Current-patch Storm Hammer values, not those of 2013." }, { "key": "black-king-bar-item-data", "canonical": false, "title": "Black King Bar item data", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/itemdata?language=english&item_id=116", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The immunity item and its cooldown in the current patch." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Monk, Stunning Strike, p. 28; Hold Person, pp. 154-155; Power Word Stun, p. 170; Conditions, Paralyzed p. 358, Stunned p. 359", "note": "The 5th-edition rules, matching the 2014 text." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Conditions, pp. 22-23; Bosses; Card loss and resting", "note": "The STUN condition, its timing and removal, boss immunities, and card recovery." }, { "key": "annie-champion-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Annie champion page", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/champions/annie/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Pyromania, the stun after four spells." }, { "key": "overwatch-2-is-gently-reverting-one-of-its-biggest-changes-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Overwatch 2 Is Gently Reverting One Of Its Biggest Changes", "author": "Kenneth Shepard (Kotaku)", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://kotaku.com/overwatch-2-mei-cassidy-grenade-crowd-control-season-5-1850511922", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The cut to crowd control at the 2022 launch and its partial reversal in 2023." }, { "key": "lol-wild-rift-amumu-champion-guide-2021", "canonical": false, "title": "LoL: Wild Rift Amumu Champion Guide", "author": "Cristina Mesesan (Pocket Gamer)", "year": 2021, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pocketgamer.com/wild-rift/lol-wild-rift-amumu-champion-guide-best-build-items-and-everything-you-need-to-k/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Bandage Toss and Curse of the Sad Mummy wording." }, { "key": "wild-rift-patch-notes-1-1-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Wild Rift Patch Notes 1.1", "author": "Ben Forbes and Jonathan Chao (Riot Games)", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://wildrift.leagueoflegends.com/en-sg/news/game-updates/wild-rift-patch-notes-1-1", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Curse of the Sad Mummy stun duration by rank, and Tenacity on Mercury's Treads raised because stuns \"feel extra long\"." }, { "key": "wild-rift-patch-notes-6-1b-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Wild Rift Patch Notes 6.1b", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://wildrift.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/news/game-updates/wild-rift-patch-notes-6-1b/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Bandage Toss and Curse of the Sad Mummy cooldowns." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 21, "word_count": 533, "updated": "2026-10-24", "url": "/abilities/stun" }, { "id": "summon", "name": "Summon", "status": "verified", "function": "summoning", "delivery": [ "placed" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "consumable" ], "definition": "An ability that brings a temporary allied creature or entity into play, fighting under the user's control or on its own, until a duration ends, it is destroyed or dismissed, or, in a one-shot form, it delivers one effect and leaves.", "aliases": [ "conjure", "conjuration", "monster summoning", "summon magic", "raise", "animate dead", "spirit ashes", "minion", "pet" ], "media": [ "board-card", "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "hand-management", "hit-points", "random-tables" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games)", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "A wizard conjures an Air, Earth, Fire, or Water Elemental, at most one of each kind per game, and it lasts until dispelled or killed. If the wizard is attacked while it exists, control is lost and the elemental attacks its conjurer; if the wizard dies, it attacks the nearest figure. Wording cited from the 1975 third edition.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Conjure Elemental, a fifth-level magic-user spell, brings a 16-hit-dice elemental, one of each type per day, that remains until dispelled, but the caster must concentrate on control or it turns on them. The Greyhawk supplement (1975) adds Monster Summoning I to VII, a monster from the level tables that serves for six melee turns after a one-turn delay.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Final Fantasy III", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Square", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Summon magic, cast from per-level spell charges, calls a monster to the battle. Each of the eight summons has a white, a black, and a combined form; the Conjurer job draws the white or black form at random and the Summoner gets the combined form. The monster reportedly leaves after its one effect.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Magic: The Gathering", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Richard Garfield (Wizards of the Coast)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Summon spell, paid once from the hand in land-produced mana, brings a creature into play, where it persists until it dies or is removed. Summoning sickness bars it from attacking or using tap abilities until it has begun its controller's turn in play, though it can block. Wording cited from the 1994 Revised rulebook.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Necromancer's Raise Skeleton is cast on the corpse of a slain monster for mana, 6 at skill level 1 and one more per level in the Arreat Summit tables, and the number of skeletons kept at once rises with skill level. Golems need no corpse and only one exists at a time; Revive raises a slain monster for 180 seconds at 45 mana.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "consumable" ], "note": "The Warlock's Summon Imp takes a 10-second cast and a share of base mana, and the demon stays until killed or dismissed. Summon Voidwalker also spends a Soul Shard reagent, a cost removed in patch 4.0.3a (2010); patch 7.0.3 (2016) moved Summon Imp to one Soul Shard and a 2.5-second cast.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana", "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Raise Zombie creates permanent minions that fight with a basic melee attack, range 9 since 2.6.0, and a slam; since 3.12.0 permanent minions such as Zombies and Golems persist through logout. Vaal Summon Skeletons spends 50 souls per use (3.3.0).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Hearthstone", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Minions are played from the hand for mana, up to seven on the battlefield, and enter exhausted, unable to attack that turn without Charge or Rush. Card text that summons, as on Murloc Tidehunter's 'Battlecry: Summon a 1/1 Murloc Scout', puts extra minions into play that are not played and trigger no Battlecries.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Grim Dawn", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Crate Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The Occultist may keep only one Storm Raven familiar at a time. The Necromancer of the Ashes of Malmouth expansion (2017) raises three skeletons per cast of Raise Skeletons on a cooldown, reported by a player as 10 seconds with its modifier maxed, up to a summon limit that modifiers and items raise.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Elden Ring", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "FromSoftware (Bandai Namco)", "gating": [ "mana", "per-rest" ], "note": "Spirit Ashes are called with the Spirit Calling Bell only within range of a Rebirth Monument, one ash at a time, for FP or, for some ashes, HP. Spirits vanish when the player leaves the area, a spirit that dies cannot be called again until the player rests at a Site of Grace, and summons are unavailable in multiplayer.", "latest": true }, { "title": "Last Epoch", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Eleventh Hour Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Acolyte's Summon Skeleton raises a standing group of skeletons for mana, three in one leveling guide, at a base cost reported by a player as 15. The Necromancer mastery's Summon Wraith is cast again and again to build up to a maximum of six wraiths.", "latest": false } ], "provenance": { "title": "Chainmail", "year": 1971, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "medium", "note": "The Fantasy Supplement of Chainmail lets wizards conjure elementals that fight until dispelled or killed and turn on the conjurer when control is lost. The earliest wording cited is the 1975 third edition; no copy of the 1971 text is cited. The 1971 dating rests on a collector's statement quoted by the Acaeum that \"conjure elemental\" is in the 1971 edition, whose first printing carried six spells; whether the spell or only the Elementals creature entry carried conjuration in 1971 is unconfirmed. Dungeons & Dragons (1974) cites Chainmail in its Conjure Elemental spell. Antecedents include spirit conjuration in ceremonial magic and the djinn of the Thousand and One Nights, and Leonard Patt's Rules for Middle Earth (c. 1970) is often named as an influence on the supplement; its contents remain unsurveyed. The earliest video-game summon remains unsurveyed; Final Fantasy III (1990) is an early one-shot form." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "chainmail-rules-for-medieval-miniatures-third-edition-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures (third edition)", "author": "Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02008chainmail3rdeditionblackwhitereprint", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Fantasy Supplement, Wizards spell list item 6, Conjuration of an Elemental (pp. 31-32); Elementals (p. 35)", "note": "Wizards conjure one elemental of each kind per game; lost control turns it on the conjurer; it lasts until dispelled or killed." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1: Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02002menmagic", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanation of Spells: Conjure Elemental and Animate Dead (c. p. 28), Invisible Stalker, Turn Sticks to Snakes", "note": "Summoning spells inside the spell-slot system; Conjure Elemental cites Chainmail and requires concentration to keep control." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanation of Spells: Monster Summoning I (c. p. 23) to VII; Conjure Animals; Aerial Servant", "note": "Timed summons that call a random monster from the monster level tables to serve until the spell ends or it is killed." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-iii-instruction-manual-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy III instruction manual", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Magic section, summon magic; Conjurer and Summoner job descriptions", "note": "Summon magic in eight classes with white, black, and combined forms, limited by per-level charges." }, { "key": "magic-the-gathering-revised-edition-rulebook-1994", "canonical": false, "title": "Magic: The Gathering Revised Edition Rulebook", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 1994, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/revised-rulebook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Summons and Creatures (pp. 24-25); Summoning Sickness (p. 27)", "note": "A Summon spell brings a creature into play; summoning sickness delays its attacks. The 1993 rulebook is not the text cited." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-ii-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Necromancer Skills, Summoning Spells: Raise Skeleton (p. 58)", "note": "Raising a skeleton from a fresh corpse, one skeleton per skill level." }, { "key": "the-arreat-summit-necromancer-summoning-skills", "canonical": false, "title": "The Arreat Summit: Necromancer Summoning Skills", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/necromancer-summoning.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Raise Skeleton, Clay Golem, and Revive tables", "note": "Mana costs, corpse requirement, and Revive duration, in Lord of Destruction-era values that may differ from the 2000 release." }, { "key": "the-acaeum-chainmail", "canonical": false, "title": "The Acaeum: Chainmail", "author": "The Acaeum", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/setpages/chainmail.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Printing Information, 1st Edition", "note": "Collector Bruce Robertson's statement that conjure elemental is in the 1971 edition, and the six-spell first printing." }, { "key": "elden-ring-how-to-summon-spirits-and-use-ashes-summons", "canonical": false, "title": "Elden Ring: How to Summon Spirits and Use Ashes Summons", "author": "Liam Croft (Push Square)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pushsquare.com/guides/elden-ring-how-to-summon-spirits-and-use-ashes-summons", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Rebirth Monument requirement, FP cost, spirits vanishing on leaving the area, re-summoning after a Site of Grace rest, and no summons in multiplayer." }, { "key": "summon-imp-summon-voidwalker", "canonical": false, "title": "Summon Imp; Summon Voidwalker", "author": "warcraft.wiki.gg", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Warlock demon cast times, mana shares, the Soul Shard reagent, and patch history." }, { "key": "summon-minion-murloc-tidehunter", "canonical": false, "title": "Summon; Minion; Murloc Tidehunter", "author": "hearthstone.wiki.gg", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Board limit, exhaustion on entry, and the difference between playing and summoning a minion." }, { "key": "spirit-ashes-lone-wolf-ashes-mimic-tear-ashes", "canonical": false, "title": "Spirit Ashes; Lone Wolf Ashes; Mimic Tear Ashes", "author": "eldenring.wiki.gg", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "FP and HP costs of individual ashes and the one-ash-at-a-time rule." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-content-update-2-6-0-patch-notes-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile Content Update 2.6.0 Patch Notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/1839765", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Raised Zombies' basic melee attack, its range of 9, and their slam." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-incursion-content-update-3-3-0-patch-notes-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Incursion (Content Update 3.3.0) Patch Notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2150237", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Vaal Summon Skeletons' cost of 50 souls." }, { "key": "content-update-3-12-0-path-of-exile-heist-2020", "canonical": false, "title": "Content Update 3.12.0 -- Path of Exile: Heist", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2020, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2935777", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Permanent minions such as Golems and Zombies saved through logout." }, { "key": "necromancer-leveling-guide", "canonical": false, "title": "Necromancer Leveling Guide", "author": "Terek (Maxroll)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://maxroll.gg/last-epoch/build-guides/necromancer-leveling-guide", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Three Summon Skeletons early in the campaign, and Summon Wraith from the Necromancer mastery up to a maximum of six wraiths." }, { "key": "what-is-causing-mana-cost-change-of-summon-skeletons-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "What is causing mana cost change of Summon Skeletons?", "author": "Last Epoch forum players", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": "Last Epoch forums (Eleventh Hour Games)", "url": "https://forum.lastepoch.com/t/what-is-causing-mana-cost-change-of-summon-skeletons/62615", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "A player's statement that Summon Skeletons has a base mana cost of 15, lowered by the Unbound Necromancy node." }, { "key": "guide-character-masteries-occultist", "canonical": false, "title": "Guide: Character, Masteries, Occultist", "author": "Crate Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.grimdawn.com/guide/character/masteries/occultist/", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Only one Storm Raven familiar summoned at any one time." }, { "key": "grim-dawn-grim-misadventures-114-necromancer-mastery-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Grim Dawn Grim Misadventures #114: Necromancer Mastery", "author": "BuckGB (GameBanshee)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.gamebanshee.com/kdpxq", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Raise Skeletons raising three skeletons, modifiers raising the summon limit, and slain foes able to reset its cooldown; a preview written while the mastery was under development." }, { "key": "1-2-0-3-skelespam-1-5-skeletons-second-skelemancer-cabalist-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "[1.2.0.3] SKELESPAM! 1.5 Skeletons/second - Skelemancer Cabalist", "author": "CargoPants (Crate Entertainment forums)", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/1-2-0-3-skelespam-1-5-skeletons-second-skelemancer-cabalist/134460", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "A player's statement that Raise Skeletons has a 10-second cooldown with Undead Legion maxed, reduced by items, and raises 3 skeletons per cast." } ], "n_examples": 11, "n_sources": 20, "word_count": 550, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/summon" }, { "id": "swap", "name": "Swap", "status": "unverified", "function": "mobility", "delivery": [ "targeted", "projectile" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "per-rest", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "Two figures exchange positions at once without crossing the space between, the user and a chosen ally, enemy, or object, or two figures the user picks, so that each ends where the other stood", "aliases": [ "change places", "switch places", "Switch Hook", "Nether Swap", "Hyper-Kinetic Position Reverser", "Ally Switch", "Paradoxical Swap", "transposition" ], "media": [ "board-card", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "action-points", "cooldowns", "grid-movement", "interrupts-and-reactions", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Sorry!", "year": 1934, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Parker Brothers", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "In the 1939 rules a drawn 11 lets the player move one man 11 spaces forward or instead change places with any opponent's man on the margin squares; the exchange ignores the Safety Zone entry restriction. A player who can do neither, or does not wish to swap, forfeits the move. No copy of the 1934 rules is cited.", "latest": false }, { "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Flagship (Capcom) for Nintendo", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The Switch Hook, found in the Skull Dungeon, is fired like a hookshot; on contact Link and the object trade places, so stone jars and gems carry him across lava and pits, and the boss Eyesoar is disoriented by the swap. The landing has to be safe: the guide warns against materialising in lava. It uses no ammunition; the Long Hook upgrade reportedly extends the range.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The monk's Transcendence: Transfer, reportedly added with Mists of Pandaria in patch 5.0.4 (August 2012), reportedly reads \"Your body and spirit swap locations\", up to 40 yards, the spirit being one the monk left earlier with Transcendence; it is now on a 45-second cooldown. The second figure is the monk's own placed spirit, which puts it near a blink to a marker.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Urgot's ultimate, Hyper-Kinetic Position Reverser (2010), targets an enemy champion within 600 range and channels for one second, suppressing it; the two then swap locations, Urgot gains 80/105/130 armour and magic resist, and the target is slowed by 40% for 3 seconds. It cost 120 mana.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Vengeful Spirit's ultimate Nether Swap \"instantaneously swaps positions with a target Hero, friend or enemy\" and interrupts channelling. Enemies take 150/300/450 magical damage; allies and the caster gain an equal barrier. The 2026 files give 850/975/1100 cast range, a 0.4 s cast point, 100/150/200 mana, and a 46/38/30 s cooldown; it works on spell-immune units.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Divinity: Original Sin 2", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Larian Studios", "gating": [ "action-cost", "cooldown" ], "note": "Nether Swap, an Aerotheurge skill (Aerotheurge 2, one memory slot), reads \"Make two characters switch places. One of the characters can be you.\" Range is 13 m, corpses can be swapped, and Fortified or Grounded characters cannot be targeted, so the user may exchange two other figures without moving.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Game Freak (Nintendo, The Pokémon Company)", "gating": [ "per-rest" ], "note": "Ally Switch, a Psychic-type status move with 15 PP and +2 priority, swaps the user with its ally in a double battle, so attacks aimed at either land on the other; it fails in single battles. In this generation consecutive uses reportedly can fail, with a success chance of 1/X, X tripling after each success, as with Protect. PP are reportedly restored at a Pokémon Center.", "latest": true }, { "title": "Deadlock", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "Paradox's Paradoxical Swap \"fires a projectile that instantly swaps your physical position with the target enemy hero\", pulling an over-extended enemy into Paradox's team; a miss wastes it. Reported values are 25 m range, 150 damage, and a cooldown of 95 or 110 seconds depending on patch. The game is in an invite-only playtest.", "latest": false } ], "provenance": { "title": "Sorry!", "year": 1939, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "confidence": "low", "note": "The claim rests on the 1939 United States rules of Sorry!, in a 2012 Winning Moves reprint under licence from Hasbro, whose 11 card lets a player \"change places with any Margin Men of an opponent\"; the year is that of those rules. Parker Brothers adopted the game in 1934, but no copy of the 1934 rules is cited, so the swap at that release is inferred. The same rules adapt their hints on play from a 1933 British version, and the game is reportedly a British design patented in 1929. Men & Magic (1974), Greyhawk (1975), and the Players Handbook (1978) contain no position-exchange spell. Chess castling moves king and rook in one turn without an exchange and is a movement rule. The earliest cited video form is the Switch Hook of Oracle of Ages (2001); DotA's Nether Swap is reportedly older than Dota 2 but undated, and earlier video swaps remain unsurveyed." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "the-rules-of-sorry-as-found-in-the-1939-united-states-version-2012", "canonical": false, "title": "The Rules of Sorry! (as found in the 1939 United States version)", "author": "Parker Brothers", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Winning Moves Games, under licence from Hasbro", "url": "https://www.buffalolib.org/sites/default/files/gaming-unplugged/inst/Classic%20Sorry%20Instructions.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Detailed Rules G; Amplified Card Rules, The 11; Hints on Play", "note": "The 11-card exchange with an opponent's margin man, its exemption from the Safety Zone rule, the 44-card pack, and the reference to a 1933 British version." }, { "key": "the-legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons-and-oracle-of-ages-prima-s-official-strategy-guide-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages: Prima's Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Prima Games", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/Zelda_Oracle_Seasons_Ages_Guide/The%20Legend%20of%20Zelda%20-%20Oracle%20of%20Seasons%20and%20The%20Legend%20of%20Zelda%20-%20Oracle%20of%20Ages%20-%20Prima%27s%20Official%20Strategy%20Guide%20%282001%29%20%5BGBC%5D_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Oracle of Ages walkthrough, Skull Dungeon (Switch Hook); boss Eyesoar", "note": "The Switch Hook used \"to shoot at an object to change places with it\", trades with jars and gems, and the warning against materialising in lava." }, { "key": "urgot-the-headsman-s-pride-champion-page-2010", "canonical": false, "title": "Urgot, the Headsman's Pride (champion page)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2010, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20100927195437/http://www.leagueoflegends.com:80/champions/6/urgot_the_headsman_s_pride", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Hyper-Kinetic Position Reverser", "note": "The one-second channel, suppression, swap, resistances, 40% slow, 120 mana, and 600 range (Wayback snapshot of 27 September 2010)." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-npc-dota-hero-vengefulspirit-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data (npc_dota_hero_vengefulspirit)", "author": "Valve, via SteamTracking GameTracking-Dota2", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SteamTracking/GameTracking-Dota2/master/game/dota/pak01_dir/scripts/npc/heroes/npc_dota_hero_vengefulspirit.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "vengefulspirit_nether_swap", "note": "Current cast range, cast point, mana cost, cooldown, and damage and barrier values." }, { "key": "dota-2-localisation-abilities-english-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 localisation (abilities_english)", "author": "Valve, via SteamTracking GameTracking-Dota2", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SteamTracking/GameTracking-Dota2/master/game/dota/pak01_dir/resource/localization/abilities_english.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "vengefulspirit_nether_swap", "note": "The tooltip text, including the swap with a friend or enemy hero and the interrupt." }, { "key": "pok-mon-showdown-move-data-data-moves-ts-data-text-moves-ts", "canonical": false, "title": "Pokémon Showdown move data (data/moves.ts, data/text/moves.ts)", "author": "Smogon and Pokémon Showdown contributors", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "allyswitch", "note": "A simulator's reimplementation giving 15 PP, priority 2, the swap with an ally in doubles or triples only, and the consecutive-use rule of the current generation." }, { "key": "paradox-deadlock-hero-guide-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Paradox (Deadlock hero guide)", "author": "Cande Maldonado (Dexerto)", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dexerto.com/wikis/deadlock/paradox/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Paradoxical Swap as a projectile that swaps the user's position with the target enemy hero." }, { "key": "deadlock-steam-store-page", "canonical": false, "title": "Deadlock (Steam store page)", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://store.steampowered.com/app/1422450/Deadlock/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The playtest status, with access by friend invite and the release date to be announced." }, { "key": "nether-swap-divinity-original-sin-2-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Nether Swap (Divinity Original Sin 2 wiki)", "author": "Fextralife", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The skill text, Aerotheurge 2 requirement, one memory slot, 13 m range, swappable corpses, and the Fortified and Grounded exemption." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dndbook1/dungeons_and_dragons_book_1_-_men_and_magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spell lists and spell descriptions", "note": "No spell exchanges the positions of two figures." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spell lists and spell descriptions", "note": "No spell exchanges the positions of two figures." }, { "key": "sorry-game", "canonical": false, "title": "Sorry! (game)", "author": "Wikipedia", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "Parker Brothers' adoption of the game in 1934 and its British origin." }, { "key": "warcraft-wiki", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft Wiki", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Transcendence: Transfer", "note": "The tooltip, range, cooldown, patch date, and the removed energy or mana cost." } ], "n_examples": 8, "n_sources": 13, "word_count": 569, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/swap" }, { "id": "time-stop", "name": "Time Stop", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "area", "self" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "spell-slots", "charges", "consumable" ], "definition": "An ability that halts time for everything around the user, or within an area, for a brief span, so that only the user (in some games also its own units) moves and acts while everything frozen cannot react", "aliases": [ "Time Stopper", "magical clock", "Power of Haste", "Mega-Freeze", "Bend Time", "Chronosphere", "Chaos Control" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "initiative-order", "real-time", "status-effects" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "A 9th-level magic-user spell \"freezes\" time in a 3-inch cubic area around the caster, who \"may move freely\"; creatures in the area, or entering it, are \"stopped in time with regard to the magic-user\". It lasts 2-5 melee turns, the caster is not told how long, and the text gives no saving throw.", "latest": false }, { "title": "The Legend of Zelda", "year": 1986, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo (Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka)", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "The magical clock is a pickup used at once: \"The enemy stops moving when Link has this.\" The manual adds that it works only for the screen Link is on, so every enemy on that screen stops and the next screen is unaffected.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Mega Man 2", "year": 1988, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Capcom", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "The Time Stopper, taken from Flash Man, \"will freeze all enemies for a little while\". Once used it runs until its own weapon energy bar is \"completely drained\" and \"cannot be turned off early\", so one full bar is one stop; weapon energy pellets refill the bar.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Ubisoft Montreal (Ubisoft)", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Power of Haste, or Mega-Freeze, \"stops time for the entire world\". It needs a full complement of Power Tanks and consumes all of them, with the Time Circle timing the stop; the Prince targets the frozen enemies and finishes \"each one off in turn\". Power Tanks refill with sand taken from enemies.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Chronosphere, Faceless Void's ultimate, traps all units caught in its sphere, radius 500, for 3.75, 4.25, or 4.75 seconds by level; only Void and units he controls are unaffected, so allies freeze too. It costs 125 to 275 mana on a 155 to 135 second cooldown and reveals invisible enemies (current-patch values).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition", "year": 2014, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "A 9th-level self spell, verbal only, cast as one action. \"No time passes for other creatures, while you take 1d4 + 1 turns in a row.\" It ends if an action or effect of the caster's affects another creature or an object someone else wears or carries, or if the caster moves more than 1,000 feet from the casting point.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Sonic X Shadow Generations", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Sonic Team (SEGA)", "gating": [ "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Shadow's Chaos Control stops time for about five seconds once a gauge is full. A June 2024 preview describes the gauge filling from rings; an October 2024 review describes it filling from defeating a set number of enemies or finding a power-up, and notes set pieces that remove the ability.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "high", "note": "Greyhawk, whose foreword is dated 1 February 1975, lists Time Stop in its 9th-level magic-user table, marked \"all new\", and describes an area freeze around the caster with a hidden duration of 2-5 melee turns. Men & Magic (1974) has no Time Stop in its text, and no earlier game instance is cited. Eldritch Wizardry (1976) postdates Greyhawk, and its contents remain unsurveyed. The Players Handbook (1978) restates the spell with fuller rules. The earliest cited video instance is the magical clock of The Legend of Zelda (1986); earlier video forms remain unsurveyed." }, "established": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "low", "note": "The Players Handbook (1978), the 3.5 System Reference Document (2003), and 5th edition (2014) each keep Time Stop as a 9th-level magic-user or wizard spell under which the caster acts while others stay frozen, a documented chain within the Dungeons & Dragons rules. No source ties the video forms, from the Zelda clock to Chronosphere, to the spell, so the lineage beyond the tabletop line is undocumented." }, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User spells table, 9th level, p. 20; Time Stop, p. 28; Cube of Force, Miscellaneous Magic", "note": "The 1975 Time Stop, an area freeze with a hidden 2-5 turn duration, and its place among the new 9th-level spells." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Magic-User Spells (9th Level), Time Stop, p. 94", "note": "The 3-inch sphere, the per-level duration, frozen creatures between ticks of the time clock, and the end on leaving the area." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-3-5-system-reference-document-spells-t-z-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 System Reference Document, Spells T-Z", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20160307121606id_/http://wizards.com/d20/files/v35/SpellsT-Z.rtf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Time Stop", "note": "The speed-up explanation and the rule that frozen creatures are invulnerable to the caster's attacks and spells." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Time Stop, p. 187", "note": "The 1d4 + 1 turns in a row and the end on affecting another creature or moving more than 1,000 feet away, matching the 2014 text." }, { "key": "the-legend-of-zelda-instruction-manual-nes-1987", "canonical": false, "title": "The Legend of Zelda instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1987, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/LegendOfZeldaTheNESHiResScans/Legend%20of%20Zelda%2C%20The%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Treasure - The Magic and the Mystery, Magical clock", "note": "The clock as a screen-wide enemy stop." }, { "key": "mega-man-2-instruction-manual-nes-1989", "canonical": false, "title": "Mega Man 2 instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Capcom USA", "year": 1989, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/mega-man-2-nes-manual/Mega-Man-2-Game-Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Robot weapons (Time Stopper), p. 15; Energy", "note": "The Time Stopper's freeze of all enemies and its drain of the weapon's energy to zero." }, { "key": "prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-pc-manual-2003", "canonical": false, "title": "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time PC manual", "author": "Ubisoft", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/manual-english-1/manual_english%20%281%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Powers of the Dagger of Time, pp. 10-11; Power Tanks and Time Circle, p. 13; Power Attacks, Power of Haste (Mega-Freeze), p. 21", "note": "The world stop that spends every Power Tank, beside the Power of Delay slow and the Power of Restraint freeze on one enemy." }, { "key": "dishonored-pc-game-manual-2012", "canonical": false, "title": "Dishonored PC Game Manual", "author": "Arkane Studios", "year": 2012, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Bethesda Softworks", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dishonored-gfw-manual-v15_202507/dishonored-gfw-manual-v15_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Powers: Bend Time; Runes", "note": "Bend Time as a world slow at level one and a full stop at level two." }, { "key": "faceless-void-hero-data-chronosphere", "canonical": false, "title": "Faceless Void hero data (Chronosphere)", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=41", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Current-patch Chronosphere radius, duration, mana, and cooldown, and that only Void and units he controls are unaffected." }, { "key": "final-fantasy-instruction-manual-nes-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES)", "author": "Square", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://archive.org/download/FinalFantasyNESHiResScans/Final%20Fantasy%20-%20Manual%20%28Searchable%29_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Black Magic, Level 8, STOP, p. 79", "note": "STOP on all enemies, \"Time is stopped for the enemies\"." }, { "key": "max-payne-manual-pc-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "Max Payne manual (PC)", "author": "Remedy Entertainment", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/max-payne-manual/Max_Payne_Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Bullet Time", "note": "The bullet-time neighbour, which slows the action around the player and drains an hourglass meter refilled by kills." }, { "key": "hands-on-sonic-x-shadow-generations-is-a-love-letter-to-sonic-adventure-2-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Hands On: Sonic X Shadow Generations Is A Love Letter To Sonic Adventure 2", "author": "Alana Hagues (Nintendo Life)", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.nintendolife.com/previews/hands-on-sonic-x-shadow-generations-is-a-love-letter-to-sonic-adventure-2", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The ring-filled gauge and the five-second Chaos Control in the June 2024 preview build." }, { "key": "sonic-x-shadow-generations-ps5-review-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Sonic X Shadow Generations (PS5) Review", "author": "Zubi Khan (CGMagazine)", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/sonic-x-shadow-generations-ps5", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Chaos Control triggered when the gauge fills, from defeating enemies or a power-up, and set pieces that remove it." }, { "key": "sonic-x-shadow-generations-nintendo-switch-store-page-2024", "canonical": false, "title": "Sonic X Shadow Generations (Nintendo Switch) store page", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://nintendo.com/games/detail/sonic-x-shadow-generations-switch", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The publisher's description of stopping time with Chaos Control, and the 2024 release by SEGA." }, { "key": "scryfall-card-database-time-walk-time-stretch", "canonical": false, "title": "Scryfall card database, Time Walk; Time Stretch", "author": null, "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The extra-turn cards of Magic, the board-card analogue of the turn-based form." } ], "n_examples": 7, "n_sources": 15, "word_count": 548, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/time-stop" }, { "id": "totem", "name": "Totem", "status": "verified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "placed" ], "gating": [ "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots" ], "definition": "A stationary object, ward or bound spirit that the user sets at a spot, which then attacks, heals or buffs on its own, again and again, until its duration, shots or health run out", "aliases": [ "turret", "Serpent Ward", "Mass Serpent Ward", "Healing Ward", "Searing Totem", "Healing Stream Totem", "Storm Totem", "Thorn Totem", "Lightning Sentry", "Charged Bolt Sentry", "Guardian of Faith", "Faithful Hound" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video" ], "mechanics": [ "area-control", "cooldowns", "hit-points", "saving-throws", "threat-aggro" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound, a 5th-level magic-user spell, sets a phantom watchdog to guard a passage, room or door for 2 rounds per level. It barks at intruders and bites any who expose their backs for 3-18; it cannot be attacked, and it is dispelled if the caster goes more than 3\" away.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II: Lord of Destruction", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The Assassin's sentries are devices cast on the ground that fire at adversaries who come near. Charged Bolt Sentry shoots 5 times for 13 mana and Lightning Sentry 10 times for 20; the game files them as traps, with at most 5 out at once.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "The troll Witch Doctor's Healing Ward is an immovable ward that heals nearby friendly non-mechanical units by 2% of their hit points per second for 30 seconds. In Blizzard's later unit values it costs 200 mana and has 5 hit points.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne", "year": 2003, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "The Shadow Hunter, a hero absent from the Reign of Chaos manual, summons an immobile, magic-immune Serpent Ward that attacks air and ground enemies for 40 seconds, for 30 mana on a 6.5-second cooldown; the ward has 75 to 135 hit points by level.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Shaman totems drop at the caster's feet, most with 5 health. Searing Totem attacks an enemy within 20 yards every 2 seconds for 35 to 55 seconds, Healing Stream Totem heals group members within 20 yards every 5 seconds for a minute, and Stoneclaw Totem taunts. One totem of each element may be down at a time.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "In current-patch values, Shadow Shaman's Mass Serpent Ward summons 10 magic-immune wards that attack enemy units and structures for 45 seconds. Each dies to 2 hits, and the spell costs 200 to 550 mana on a 110- to 100-second cooldown.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Grim Dawn", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Crate Entertainment", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "The Shaman's Storm Totem is set down and keeps dealing damage while the player moves away to avoid a boss's attacks. It runs on a cooldown, and players report keeping two or three up at a time.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Last Epoch", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Eleventh Hour Games", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Summon Thorn Totem places a totem that fires thorns at nearby enemies for a duration and restores mana when it dies or is unsummoned. The Shaman's Storm Totems target enemies automatically, and Healing Totem heals allies at range; totem skills cost mana.", "latest": true }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 2024 edition", "year": 2024, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Guardian of Faith (cleric 4th level) sets an invulnerable spectral guardian in a space within 30 feet for 8 hours. Any enemy that moves within 10 feet of it or starts its turn there saves against 20 Radiant damage, until the guardian has dealt 60 in total.", "latest": false } ], "provenance": { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound is the earliest cited placed entity that holds one spot and attacks on its own for a duration. It is a phantom creature rather than an object, and its bite needs an exposed back, so the claim rests on behaviour rather than form. Tabletop rules of 1974 to 1977 remain unsurveyed. The earliest video form cited is the Assassin's sentries in Diablo II: Lord of Destruction (2001), which the game files as traps; Team Fortress (1996) and its built sentry gun remain unsurveyed. Warcraft III (2002, 2003) calls the archetype a ward, and World of Warcraft (2004) carries the name totem." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Magic-User Spells (5th Level), Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound, c. p. 82", "note": "The phantom watchdog that guards a set place for 2 rounds per level, barks at intruders, bites exposed backs for 3-18, cannot be attacked, and ends if the caster moves more than 3\" away." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-lord-of-destruction-manual-2001", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II: Lord of Destruction manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2001, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/diablo-ii-lord-of-destruction_202306/Diablo%20II%20-%20Lord%20of%20Destruction_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Assassin, Traps, pp. 18-19", "note": "Charged Bolt Sentry, Lightning Sentry and Death Sentry as devices set on the ground that fire at foes who come near, listed among the Assassin's traps." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-lord-of-destruction-assassin-traps", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II: Lord of Destruction, Assassin Traps", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/assassin-traps.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Charged Bolt Sentry; Lightning Sentry; Death Sentry", "note": "Mana costs, shot counts, and the limit of 5 traps." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-reign-of-chaos-manual-2002", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2002, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/download/warcraft-iii-manual_202205/Warcraft%20III%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Orc heroes; Orc units, Troll Witch Doctor, Healing Ward", "note": "The Healing Ward that heals friendly units who come in contact with it, and an Orc hero list of Blademaster, Far Seer and Tauren Chieftain only." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-witch-doctor", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Witch Doctor", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/war3/orc/units/witchdoctor.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Healing Ward", "note": "The immovable ward, its 2% heal per second, 30-second duration, 200 mana cost and 5 hit points." }, { "key": "warcraft-iii-shadow-hunter", "canonical": false, "title": "Warcraft III: Shadow Hunter", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/war3/orc/units/shadowhunter.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Serpent Ward", "note": "The immobile, magic-immune ward that attacks air and ground, its duration, cooldown, mana cost and hit points." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2005", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip", "year": 2005, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Shaman chapter: spell tables (Searing Totem, Stoneclaw Totem, Healing Stream Totem); Working with Other Shaman", "note": "Totems summoned at the caster's feet with their health, durations, ranges and tick rates, Stoneclaw's taunt, and the one-totem-per-element rule." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-shadow-shaman-hero-27", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Shadow Shaman (hero 27)", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=27", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "abilities, Mass Serpent Ward", "note": "The ten magic-immune wards, their duration, hits to destroy, mana costs and cooldowns, in current-patch values." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-incursion-content-update-3-3-0-patch-notes-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Incursion (Content Update 3.3.0) Patch Notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2150237", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Supports that cause skills to create totems, and totems as having their own duration apart from the skills they cast." }, { "key": "storm-totems-and-some-general-feedback-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Storm totems and some general feedback", "author": "Crate Entertainment Forum users", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://forums.crateentertainment.com/t/storm-totems-and-some-general-feedback/39840", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Players' reports that Storm Totem keeps damaging while the player avoids a boss, that two or three can be up at a time, and that it has a cooldown." }, { "key": "beta-0-7-patch-notes-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Beta 0.7 Patch Notes", "author": "Hackaloken (Eleventh Hour Games)", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://forum.lastepoch.com/t/beta-0-7-patch-notes/12334", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Healing Totem as a totem that heals allies at range, Storm Totem's placement, and Thorn Totem's duration node." }, { "key": "last-epoch-best-totem-shaman-endgame-build-season-3-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "Last Epoch: Best Totem Shaman endgame build (Season 3)", "author": "Jagaran Dutta", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Sportskeeda", "url": "https://www.sportskeeda.com/mmo/last-epoch-le-totem-shaman-endgame-build-guide-s3", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": null, "note": "Auto-targeting Storm and Thorn Totems, thorns fired at nearby enemies, mana restored when a Thorn Totem dies or is unsummoned, and mana costs for totems." }, { "key": "torbj-rn", "canonical": false, "title": "Torbjörn", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/torbjorn/", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Deploy Turret; Forge Hammer", "note": "The self-building turret and the hammer that repairs it." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-2-1-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.2.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Spells, Faithful Hound, p. 129; Guardian of Faith, p. 137", "note": "The 2024 Guardian of Faith, its range, duration, 10-foot trigger, save, damage and 60-damage limit, and the Faithful Hound that bites each turn and can be moved." } ], "n_examples": 9, "n_sources": 14, "word_count": 504, "updated": "2026-10-25", "url": "/abilities/totem" }, { "id": "trap", "name": "Trap", "status": "verified", "function": "control", "delivery": [ "placed" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "mana", "spell-slots", "per-rest", "charges", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A device, glyph or mine that the user places at a spot and leaves, which acts on its own when an opponent enters, touches or reads it, usually once, holding, hindering or damaging that opponent.", "aliases": [ "Symbol", "Explosive Runes", "Glyph of Warding", "Fire Trap", "Trip", "pitfall", "Freezing Trap", "Immolation Trap", "Frost Trap", "Explosive Trap", "Noxious Trap", "Yordle Snap Trap", "Proximity Mines", "Bear Trap", "Shock Trap", "Pitfall Trap", "mine", "land mine", "rune", "tripwire", "booby trap" ], "media": [ "tabletop-rpg", "video", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "damage-types", "saving-throws", "status-effects", "stealth-detection", "tower-defence" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots" ], "note": "Symbol, an 8th-level magic-user spell, is an inscribed rune that takes effect when \"passed over, touched, or read\" by a creature of another alignment or hostile intent, with fear, discord, sleep, stunning, insanity or death. Only a magic-user a level above the caster can negate it. Explosive Runes (3rd level) on a parchment deal 4-24 to an unauthorized reader, with no save.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Gary Gygax (TSR)", "gating": [ "spell-slots", "consumable" ], "note": "Glyph of Warding (cleric 3rd) guards a bridge, entry or chest and turns invisible; touching it without speaking its name releases shock or fire (2 per caster level), paralysis, blindness or level drain, and over 50 square feet it needs 2,000 gp of diamond. Fire Trap (magic-user 4th, druid 2nd) on a closable item blasts 5 feet for 1-4 plus 1 per level.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Heiankyo Alien", "year": 1979, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Theoretical Science Group, University of Tokyo", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "The player has no attack and digs a pitfall in five stages; aliens fall only into a finished hole, and the player must then fill it in, in five more stages, to remove the alien. A trapped alien climbs out after a while or is freed by another alien, and small holes are walked over.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "In the strategy guide's values, hunter traps are placed at the hunter's feet. Freezing Trap (50 mana, 15-second cooldown at rank 1) freezes the first enemy that approaches, \"preventing all action\" for up to 10 seconds until damage breaks it; Frost Trap slows enemies within 10 yards to 40%. Each trap lasts a minute, one may be active, and none can be set in combat.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "mana", "charges" ], "note": "In current-patch values, Teemo's Noxious Trap is a stealthed mushroom that detonates when stepped on, slowing, damaging over time and revealing the victim; it lasts minutes and holds 3 charges at 75 to 35 mana. Caitlyn's Yordle Snap Trap, with 2 charges, reveals and immobilizes an enemy champion for 1.5 seconds.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "charges" ], "note": "In current-patch values, Techies' Proximity Mines are invisible even to True Sight and detonate when an enemy stands within 500 units for a second, dealing 400 to 700 damage, halved at the edge, and lowering magic resistance. Each costs 110 to 170 mana from 3 charges that restore every 15 seconds, and lasts until it explodes.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Trap skills throw a device that acts when triggered; Explosive Trap creates a large explosion when triggered, and since 3.3.0 up to 15 traps may be active (from 3). That patch removed the cooldowns of Fire, Lightning and Ice Trap, while Bear Trap kept one and debuffs its target.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dead by Daylight", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Behaviour Interactive", "gating": [ "charges" ], "note": "The Trapper sets bear traps, which immobilise and injure a survivor who steps in until the survivor struggles free or another frees them. In current rules he carries up to two, picks up more from eight that spawn disarmed around the map, and can be caught by his own armed traps.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost", "per-rest", "consumable" ], "note": "Character ability cards can \"create traps on the board\", each with the effect its card states. A trap springs when a figure enters its hex by normal or forced movement, flying and jumping figures excepted, and is then removed. Monsters treat trap hexes as obstacles unless no other path exists, so pushing or pulling them in is a tactic.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Monster Hunter Wilds", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Capcom", "gating": [ "consumable" ], "note": "A Shock Trap or Pitfall Trap is set on the ground where the monster will walk into or touch it, and holds the monster so that Tranq Bombs can capture it; Pitfall Traps suit larger monsters that resist Shock Traps. Each is crafted from a Trap Tool and a Thunderbug Capacitor or a Net, and the pouch holds two Trap Tools and one trap of each type.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "confidence": "medium", "note": "Greyhawk's Symbol, a rune that takes effect when \"passed over, touched, or read\" by a creature of hostile alignment or intent, and its Explosive Runes, which explode on an unauthorized reader, are the earliest player-placed traps cited. The text cited is the 12th printing of November 1979, and whether the 1975 first printing carried the same wording is unconfirmed. Dungeons & Dragons (1974) offers a borderline antecedent: the Mirror of Life Trapping, which \"can be set up to operate untended\" and traps whoever looks into it, is a found item triggered by a look rather than an ability triggered by contact. The 1974 spell lists hold no trap spell, only the detection spell Find Traps, and the referee's pits and traps in the same rules are environment rather than an ability. Glyph of Warding, Fire Trap, Snare and Trip are first documented in the 1978 Players Handbook. Heiankyo Alien (1979) is the earliest video case cited; whether any earlier video game had a player-set trap remains unsurveyed, as do 1974-1975 fanzines." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "dungeons-dragons-supplement-i-greyhawk-1975", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons Supplement I: Greyhawk", "author": "Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz", "year": 1975, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/tsr02003supplement1greyhawk/tsr02003%20-%20Supplement%201%20-%20Greyhawk_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanation of Magic-User Spells: 2nd level (Magic Mouth) and 3rd level (Explosive Runes), p. 22; 8th level (Symbol), p. 26; Cleric 7th level (Symbol), p. 32", "note": "Symbol's trigger, its six runes and its negation rule; Explosive Runes' 4-24 damage with no save; Magic Mouth as a placed alarm. The scan is the 12th printing, November 1979." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/download/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook/Advanced%20Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons%20-%20Players%20Handbook_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Cleric Spells (3rd Level), Glyph of Warding, pp. 47-48; Druid Spells (2nd Level), Fire Trap and Trip, c. pp. 56-57; Druid Spells (3rd Level), Snare, c. pp. 60-61; Magic-User Spells (3rd Level), Explosive Runes, p. 73; (4th Level), Fire Trap, p. 77", "note": "The 1978 trap spells, the glyph's payloads and diamond cost, Fire Trap's trigger, blast and reduced chance of detection, and the holds of Snare and Trip." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-1-men-magic-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1: Men & Magic", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dd-white-box-rules-set/TSR%202002%20-%20V1%20-%20Men%20%26%20Magic_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Spells Table; Explanation of Spells (Find Traps, Hold Portal, Wizard Lock)", "note": "The 1974 spell lists, which contain a trap-detection spell and locks but no trap spell." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-2-monsters-treasure-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/download/dd-white-box-rules-set/TSR%202002%20-%20V2%20-%20Monsters%20%26%20Treasure_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Explanations of Magic Items: Miscellaneous Magic, Mirror of Life Trapping, p. 38", "note": "The mirror that traps the life-force of whoever looks into it and can operate untended, the borderline 1974 antecedent." }, { "key": "dungeons-dragons-volume-3-the-underworld-wilderness-adventures-1974", "canonical": false, "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 3: The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures", "author": "Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson", "year": 1974, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Tactical Studies Rules", "url": "https://archive.org/details/dd-white-box-rules-set", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "The Underworld, procedures (traps and pits sprung on a 1 or 2), c. p. 9", "note": "Referee-placed traps sprung by a die roll as characters pass, the environment form outside the ability." }, { "key": "heiankyo-alien-overview", "canonical": false, "title": "Heiankyo Alien, Overview", "author": "Theoretical Science Group", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.heiankyo-alien.com/en/overview", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Overview; rules", "note": "Development by the Theoretical Science Group at the University of Tokyo in summer 1979, and the dig, fall-in and fill-in rules." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-official-strategy-guide-2005", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Official Strategy Guide", "author": "Michael Lummis and Danielle Vanderlip", "year": 2005, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/download/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide/World_of_Warcraft_World_of_Warcraft_BradyGames_Official_Strategy_Guide_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Hunter chapter: Outdoorsmanship (Freezing Trap, Immolation Trap, Frost Trap, Explosive Trap)", "note": "Trap mana costs, the 15-second cooldown, the one-minute lifetime, one trap active at a time, no placement in combat, and Freezing Trap's 10 to 20 seconds." }, { "key": "data-dragon-champion-data-teemo-version-16-21-1", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon champion data, Teemo (version 16.21.1)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Teemo.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Noxious Trap", "note": "The stealthed mushroom trap, its slow, damage over time and reveal, its 3 charges and mana cost, in current-patch values." }, { "key": "data-dragon-champion-data-caitlyn-version-16-21-1", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon champion data, Caitlyn (version 16.21.1)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": "Yordle Snap Trap", "note": "The trap that reveals and immobilizes an enemy champion for 1.5 seconds, with 2 charges." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-techies", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Techies", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=105", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Proximity Mines", "note": "The invisible mine, its 500-unit trigger radius and one-second delay, damage, magic-resistance reduction, mana costs, 3 charges with a 15-second restore, and the 350-unit spacing rule, in current-patch values." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Overlay tiles: Traps, p. 14; Monster Interaction with Traps and Hazardous Terrain, p. 31", "note": "Scenario traps against traps created by character abilities, springing on entry by normal or forced movement, and monster avoidance of trap hexes." }, { "key": "dead-by-daylight-the-trapper-build-guide-2022", "canonical": false, "title": "Dead by Daylight The Trapper build guide", "author": "Aimee Hart", "year": 2022, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Gfinity Esports", "url": "https://www.gfinityesports.com/dead-by-daylight/dead-by-daylight-the-trapper-build-guide-best-killer-perks-powers-add-ons-and-tips/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The Trapper carries one bear trap and collects others placed around the map; a caught Survivor is immobilised until freed by escape attempts or a teammate." }, { "key": "how-to-trap-monsters-monster-hunter-wilds-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "How to trap monsters - Monster Hunter Wilds", "author": "Sam Chandler", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Shacknews", "url": "https://www.shacknews.com/article/143259/trap-monsters-monster-hunter-wilds", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Placing Shock and Pitfall Traps where the monster walks into or touches them, the hold for capture with Tranq Bombs, and Pitfall Traps for monsters that resist Shock Traps." }, { "key": "how-to-craft-traps-monster-hunter-wilds-2025", "canonical": false, "title": "How to craft traps - Monster Hunter Wilds", "author": "Sam Chandler", "year": 2025, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": "Shacknews", "url": "https://shacknews.com/article/143265/craft-traps-shock-pitfall-monster-hunter-wilds", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The trap recipes and the pouch limits." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-incursion-content-update-3-3-0-patch-notes-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Incursion (Content Update 3.3.0) Patch Notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2150237", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Explosive Trap and Seismic Trap, the active-trap limit raised from 3 to 15, and cooldowns removed from Fire, Lightning and Ice Trap but kept on Bear Trap." }, { "key": "review-dead-by-daylight-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "Review: Dead by Daylight", "author": "Mike Futter (Game Informer)", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://gameinformer.com/games/dead_by_daylight/b/pc/archive/2016/07/06/review-dead-by-daylight.aspx", "accessed": "2026-10-30", "locator": null, "note": "Killers with special abilities at release, such as setting bear traps." }, { "key": "dead-by-daylight-wiki-the-trapper", "canonical": false, "title": "Dead by Daylight Wiki, The Trapper", "author": "Dead by Daylight Wiki (wiki.gg)", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The Trapper released with the game on 14 June 2016; up to two bear traps carried, eight disarmed traps spawning around the map, armed traps immobilising and injuring survivors who step in, escape attempts or rescue by another survivor, and the Trapper caught by his own traps." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 17, "word_count": 552, "updated": "2026-10-30", "url": "/abilities/trap" }, { "id": "whirlwind", "name": "Whirlwind", "status": "unverified", "function": "damage", "delivery": [ "melee", "area" ], "gating": [ "at-will", "cooldown", "ultimate-charge", "mana", "consumable", "action-cost" ], "definition": "A melee attack centred on the user that strikes every enemy within weapon reach on all sides in one action, usually as a spin, instead of hitting a chosen target, bursting at range, or carrying a swing over to a second foe", "aliases": [ "Whirlwind Attack", "Whirling Blade Technique", "spin attack", "spinning attack", "charged attack", "Special Attack", "Whirlwind Kick", "Double Lariat", "Judgment", "Slashing Cyclone" ], "media": [ "video", "tabletop-rpg", "board-card" ], "mechanics": [ "cooldowns", "grid-movement", "hand-management", "hit-points", "hitboxes-and-hurtboxes" ], "examples": [ { "title": "Final Fight", "year": 1989, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Capcom", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "In the 1993 Sega CD manual, Attack and Jump pressed together, or a Special button, unleash a Special Attack that knocks away enemies on all sides; Haggar's form is the Double Lariat and Guy's the Whirlwind Kick. Each use that connects drains some of the user's vitality, and the attack stays available until vitality is almost gone.", "latest": false }, { "title": "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past", "year": 1991, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo", "gating": [ "at-will" ], "note": "Holding B for about two seconds charges the sword; releasing it executes a whirling attack that affects any enemies nearby, including one standing behind Link. There is no resource cost; the charge time is the price.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "tabletop-rpg", "creator": "Wizards of the Coast", "gating": [ "action-cost" ], "note": "The Whirlwind Attack feat requires Expertise, Dodge, Mobility, and Spring Attack, Int 13, Dex 13, and base attack bonus +4. On a full attack the user gives up all regular attacks for one melee attack at full base attack bonus against each opponent within 5 feet, in any round the full attack is taken.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Diablo II", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard North", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Barbarian combat skill from level 30, described as a fierce spinning attack, in which the Barbarian moves to a clicked point and strikes monsters within weapon range as he passes. Each use costs mana, 12.5 at level 1 rising by 0.5 per level in Lord of Destruction, weapon damage is reduced at low skill levels, and potions cannot be used mid-spin.", "latest": false }, { "title": "World of Warcraft", "year": 2004, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Blizzard Entertainment", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "A Warrior ability trained at level 36, usable only in Berserker Stance and costing 25 rage, the class's shared pool. It attacks up to 4 enemies within 8 yards, causing weapon damage to each. Its cooldown at launch is unconfirmed.", "latest": false }, { "title": "League of Legends", "year": 2009, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Riot Games", "gating": [ "cooldown" ], "note": "In current data (patch 16.21.1), Garen's Judgment spins his sword for a duration, damaging nearby enemies several times; the nearest enemy takes increased damage, and champions hit enough times lose armour. It has no resource cost, a cooldown of 9 falling to 6 seconds by rank, and a radius of 325, and a recast ends it early.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Dota 2", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Valve", "gating": [ "mana", "cooldown" ], "note": "Juggernaut's Blade Fury spins a bladestorm around him for 5 seconds, damaging enemy units within 260 every 0.2 seconds (85 to 175 per second), makes him debuff immune with 80% magic resistance, and ends in a strong dispel; 110 mana, 30 to 18 s cooldown in 2026 data. His own attacks during it hit only units the spin does not, such as wards.", "latest": false }, { "title": "Path of Exile", "year": 2013, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Grinding Gear Games", "gating": [ "mana", "ultimate-charge" ], "note": "Cyclone is a melee attack made in a spin; since 3.7.0 it is channelled, costs 2 mana (from 12), and gains stages while channelled, up to 3 at gem level 1 and 6 at level 20, with melee range modifiers applying to its area radius. Vaal Cyclone spends 35 souls per use (3.3.0).", "latest": false }, { "title": "Gloomhaven", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "medium": "board-card", "creator": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "gating": [ "action-cost", "consumable" ], "note": "The Brute's level-5 card Whirlwind has a top action of Attack 4 targeting all adjacent enemies, with 1 experience per enemy targeted. Each target is a separate attack with its own modifier card within one action, and the action's lost icon removes the card from play for the scenario.", "latest": false }, { "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "creator": "Nintendo", "gating": [ "mana" ], "note": "Holding Y charges a weapon and releasing it spins Link; the longer the hold, the more powerful the attack, and charge attacks deal damage in a wide area. The charge draws on the stamina wheel shared with sprinting, climbing, and gliding, and running it dry leaves Link vulnerable.", "latest": true } ], "provenance": { "title": "Final Fight", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "medium": "video", "confidence": "low", "note": "The earliest documentation cited for Final Fight's special attack is the manual of the Super Famicom version (21 December 1990), which gives the two-button input and the vitality it costs; the US Super NES manual names Haggar's Super Spin, and the Sega CD manual (1993) says it knocks away enemies on all sides. The year is that of the 1990 manual. That the move was in the 1989 arcade original rests on Wikipedia, since the arcade kit manual covers installation and switch settings only and the 1991 home-computer instructions do not describe it. Double Dragon II: The Revenge (1988) has a Hurricane Kick whose behaviour is unconfirmed, and earlier beat 'em ups remain unsurveyed. A Link to the Past (1991) is the earliest instance cited from a primary source of its own period, the 1992 US booklet. The earliest tabletop form cited is the Whirlwind Attack feat of Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition (2000); the multiple attacks against weak foes in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1978) and Player's Option (1995) are separate attacks and count as antecedents." }, "established": null, "sources": [ { "key": "final-fight-cd-instruction-manual-sega-cd-us-1993", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fight CD instruction manual (Sega CD, US)", "author": "Capcom (Sega)", "year": 1993, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/Final_Fight_CD_1993_Sega_US", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Moves list, Special Attack; status display, Vitality", "note": "The Special Attack that knocks away enemies on all sides, its button input, the per-character names, and the vitality cost." }, { "key": "final-fight-instruction-manual-super-famicom-jp-1990", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fight instruction manual (Super Famicom, JP)", "author": "Capcom", "year": 1990, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Capcom", "url": "https://archive.org/details/final-fight-sfc-hiresscans", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": "Special attack (必殺技) and vitality (体力) passages", "note": "The special attack made by pressing the buttons together, the small loss of vitality and the meter drop on each use, and the advice to use it when in trouble; the Super Famicom version was released on 21 December 1990." }, { "key": "final-fight-instruction-booklet-super-nes-us-1991", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fight instruction booklet (Super NES, US)", "author": "Capcom", "year": 1991, "year_approx": true, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Capcom USA", "url": "https://archive.org/details/FinalFightUSA", "accessed": "2026-10-27", "locator": "pp. 7-8, Haggar's Wrestling Technique, Cody's Boxing Technique; p. 11, Survival Tactics", "note": "Haggar's Super Spin and Cody's Super Kick on the Y and B buttons pressed together, each use depleting strength." }, { "key": "final-fight-video-game-double-dragon-ii-the-revenge", "canonical": false, "title": "Final Fight (video game); Double Dragon II, The Revenge", "author": "Wikipedia", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The spinning attack in the 1989 arcade original and its release date; the Hurricane Kick of Double Dragon II, without its behaviour." }, { "key": "the-legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past-instruction-manual-snes-us-1992", "canonical": false, "title": "The Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past instruction manual (SNES, US)", "author": "Nintendo", "year": 1992, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Nintendo of America", "url": "https://archive.org/details/the-legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past-snes-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Using the Controller, Whirling Blade Technique", "note": "The charged whirling attack that affects any enemies nearby, including one behind Link." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-3-0-feats", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 3.0, Feats", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20040228063113/http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/srdfeats.rtf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Feats, Whirlwind Attack [General]; Cleave; Great Cleave", "note": "The 3rd edition feat text and prerequisites, and the Cleave feats that grant one extra attack after a creature drops; Wayback snapshot of 2004." }, { "key": "system-reference-document-5-1-2016", "canonical": false, "title": "System Reference Document 5.1", "author": "Wizards of the Coast", "year": 2016, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "Wizards of the Coast", "url": "https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Ranger, Hunter archetype, Multiattack, Whirlwind Attack (p. 38)", "note": "The 5th edition Hunter's Whirlwind Attack; the rules date from the 2014 edition." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-manual-2000", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II manual", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment (Blizzard North)", "year": 2000, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://archive.org/details/diablo-ii-manual", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Barbarian skills, Combat Skills, Whirlwind", "note": "Whirlwind described as a fierce spinning attack." }, { "key": "diablo-ii-lord-of-destruction-barbarian-combat-skills", "canonical": false, "title": "Diablo II: Lord of Destruction, Barbarian Combat Skills", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/barbarian-combatskills.shtml", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Whirlwind", "note": "The required level, mana table, movement through packs, the wider radius of long weapons, and the animation frames on which hits are checked." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-master-guide-2nd-edition-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft Master Guide, 2nd edition", "author": "BradyGames", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "book", "publisher": "BradyGames", "url": "https://archive.org/details/WoWMasterGuide", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Warrior chapter, Berserker abilities, Whirlwind; Arms talents, Sweeping Strikes", "note": "The level, rage cost, target cap, and radius of Whirlwind, and the cleave-type Sweeping Strikes." }, { "key": "world-of-warcraft-warrior-spells-2006", "canonical": false, "title": "World of Warcraft: Warrior spells", "author": "Blizzard Entertainment", "year": 2006, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20061230082250/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/classes/warrior/spells.html", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Whirlwind", "note": "The official description of an attack on a number of enemies within a radius of yards." }, { "key": "data-dragon-garen-champion-data-patch-16-21-1-2026", "canonical": false, "title": "Data Dragon, Garen champion data (patch 16.21.1)", "author": "Riot Games", "year": 2026, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.21.1/data/en_US/champion/Garen.json", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "spells, Judgment", "note": "The spin, its cooldowns by rank, the absence of a cost, and the radius." }, { "key": "gloomhaven-rulebook-2017", "canonical": false, "title": "Gloomhaven rulebook", "author": "Isaac Childres (Cephalofair Games)", "year": 2017, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": null, "url": "https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/8d/c5/21-gloomhaven-rulebook.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 17, lost cards; p. 21, Area Effects", "note": "Lost ability cards, and each target of an area attack resolved as a separate attack within one action." }, { "key": "worldhaven-card-database-gloomhaven-brute-whirlwind-and-sweeping-blow", "canonical": false, "title": "Worldhaven card database: Gloomhaven Brute, Whirlwind and Sweeping Blow", "author": "any2cards", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "wiki", "publisher": null, "url": null, "accessed": null, "locator": null, "note": "The card text and levels of Whirlwind and Sweeping Blow." }, { "key": "advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook-1978", "canonical": false, "title": "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Players Handbook", "author": "Gary Gygax", "year": 1978, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://archive.org/details/advanced-dungeons-dragons-players-handbook", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "p. 25, note to the Fighters', Paladins' & Rangers' Attacks per Melee Round table", "note": "The antecedent of one attack per level against creatures of less than one hit die." }, { "key": "player-s-option-combat-tactics-1995", "canonical": false, "title": "Player's Option: Combat & Tactics", "author": "L. Richard Baker III and Skip Williams", "year": 1995, "year_approx": false, "type": "rulebook", "publisher": "TSR", "url": "https://discmaster.textfiles.com/file/30444/AD&D%20Core%20Rules%202.0%20Expansion.iso/webhelp/ct/dd02518.htm", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": "Chapter One, Heroic Frays", "note": "The antecedent doubling of attacks against hordes of weak monsters when outnumbered, cited from the AD&D Core Rules 2.0 Expansion CD-ROM text." }, { "key": "all-combat-controls-in-tears-of-the-kingdom-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "All Combat Controls in Tears of the Kingdom", "author": "Gamer Guides", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.gamerguides.com/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom/guide/getting-started/basics/all-combat-controls-in-tears-of-the-kingdom", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "The charged attack on a held Y button and its stamina drain." }, { "key": "zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-combat-basics-2023", "canonical": false, "title": "Zelda Tears of the Kingdom combat basics", "author": "Joshua Boyles (GGRecon)", "year": 2023, "year_approx": false, "type": "article", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.ggrecon.com/guides/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-combat-basics/", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Charge attacks dealing damage in a wide area and depleting stamina." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-incursion-content-update-3-3-0-patch-notes-2018", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Incursion (Content Update 3.3.0) Patch Notes", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2018, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2150237", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Vaal Cyclone's cost of 35 souls." }, { "key": "path-of-exile-legion-patch-notes-3-7-0-2019", "canonical": false, "title": "Path of Exile: Legion Patch Notes (3.7.0)", "author": "Grinding Gear Games", "year": 2019, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2513456", "accessed": "2026-10-24", "locator": null, "note": "Cyclone as a channelling skill, its mana cost, stages by gem level, and melee range modifiers applying to its area radius." }, { "key": "dota-2-hero-data-juggernaut", "canonical": false, "title": "Dota 2 hero data, Juggernaut", "author": "Valve", "year": null, "year_approx": false, "type": "website", "publisher": null, "url": "https://www.dota2.com/datafeed/herodata?language=english&hero_id=8", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "locator": "Blade Fury", "note": "Current duration, radius, tick rate, damage per second, debuff immunity and magic resistance, the closing strong dispel, mana, cooldown, and the note on attacks during the spin." } ], "n_examples": 10, "n_sources": 21, "word_count": 530, "updated": "2026-10-27", "url": "/abilities/whirlwind" } ] }