Zykzyl

Useful Info

Zykzyls are fairly dangerous tier-2 demons. Their Enfeeble casts can cause all sorts of debuffs (unavoidably weakening both the melee and magic regardless of Will!), they occasionally mutate the player, and they have an irresistible penetrating attack. They are found in the Abyss and Pandemonium (particularly in Mnoleg's domain), and can be summoned by certain monsters through the Summon Greater Demon spell.

Tips & Tricks

• A source of mutation resistance and high willpower will protect you from most (but not all) of their attacks; kill them quick to avoid an unlucky Malmutate getting through to you.
• Depending on the terrain, you may be able to hide behind the pile of flesh left behind their Bolts of Flesh to block Enfeeble and Malmutate casts.

History

• Zykzyls were added in 0.34 to somewhat reduce malmutation throughout the game (as Cacodemons instead got Doom mechanics and stayed in many vaults they previously spawned in), especially for the sake of Makhleb's Infernal Servant summoning, and to provide a bit more high-tier demon variety.