Sigmund

Useful Info

Sigmund the Dreaded is a deadly unique human, and one of the earliest uniques you can encounter. He is always generated with a powerful scythe, a robe, and several brutal spells. Sigmund is notorious for being one of the deadliest uniques in all of DCSS.

Location

• The Dungeon:2-6

Tips & Tricks

• Despite a base damage of 1, Sigmund's damage output in melee is devastating for low-level characters. But an even bigger threat is in his spell list. An invisible Sigmund is almost unbeatable in early-game melee, his Throw Flame lets him brutalize you at range, and expect a swift end if he confuses you and you're out of potions of curing.
• Avoiding Sigmund is usually the wisest thing you can do. If you find him sleeping early on, just walk away and return once you've gained a few levels and found some better gear.
• There are some options for low-level characters who want to take him out immediately. Mephitic Cloud leaves him unable to use magic and almost hopeless in melee, while a few zaps from a good wand will annihilate him.
  • A wand of polymorph may also turn him into a less deadly form and will probably make him drop his scythe, but it's less of a safe bet; Sigmund the centaur is much deadlier than normal.
• If all else fails and you have no choice but to engage him early, don't be afraid to use any useful potions you've identified. Berserk, haste, or might go a long way toward helping you take him down, and a potion of heal wounds can keep you in the fight longer than you'd otherwise last. Don't be afraid to use potions you haven't identified, too.

Trivia

• Donald may say to the player "That guy with the scythe is really mean", which is a reference to Sigmund.

History

• In 0.29, Sigmund was nerfed further; 30 -> 27 base HP, and 2 -> 1 base damage. Scythes were also reduced by 1 base damage.
• In 0.28, Sigmund was given explicitly slow attack speed (As, prior to 0.27, any monster with a scythe attacked slowly).
• In 0.27, Sigmund was weakened from 5 to 2 damage, due to the removal of monster weapon penalties.