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'''Mephitic Cloud''' is a Level 3 [[Conjurations]]/[[Alchemy]]/[[Air Magic]] spell that creates up to a 3x3 [[cloud]] of noxious fumes, which will linger for several turns.

[[Alchemist]]s and [[Hedge Wizard]]s start with this spell.

==Useful Info==
Creates a bank of [[Cloud#Noxious fumes|noxious fumes]], affecting random tiles within a 3x3 radius from its release point. Higher [[spell power]] increases the amount of tiles affected. The clouds stay for a duration of <code>1d(power / 50)</code> turns.

Anything standing in noxious fumes has a <code>(21 - [[hit dice]]) / 21</code> chance per turn to become [[confused]]. Monsters with 21 or more hit dice have a flat 2% chance to be affected. Creatures that are resistant or immune to [[poison]] are immune to noxious fumes, anything with [[clarity]] is also immune.

Mephitic Cloud is very loud, making as much noise as [[Fireball]]. Since it can be targeted at an empty square, this increases the effective range by one.

==Strategy==
[[Confusion]] is a powerful effect: it prevents enemy abilities/[[spell]]casting, gives a ~60% chance for melee attacks to target a wrong tile, and allows [[stab]]bing. The clouds last for multiple turns, making this spell strong in both MP and turn economy, and because it's a level 3 spell, it doesn't take that much investment to cast. Overall, despite Mephitic Cloud checking two properties (rPois and HD), it is a strong spell.

Many of the most dangerous enemies in the early game, such as [[orc priest]]s, [[centaur (monster)|centaurs]], and all sorts of early [[unique]]s, are vulnerable. It has surprising longevity for a level 3 spell, being useful against all sorts of spell-/ability-using monsters, e.g., preventing [[ironbound convoker]]s in [[Vaults]] from completing their [[Word of Recall]], disabling [[list of deep elves|deep elves]] in [[Elven Halls|Elf]], and packs in [[Depths]]. The clouds get multiple confuse attempts, each attempt happens passively, and the spell affects a small area, meaning it can be useful on stronger enemies than the raw confuse% would suggest.

Compared to [[Alistair's Intoxication]], Mephitic Cloud has less range, a smaller AOE, and typically has a lower initial chance to succeed, but can affect non-intelligent monsters and is more MP efficient.

===Aiming===
If you are adjacent to a target, you can aim ''diagonally behind'' the target in order to not hit yourself (i.e. aim at the *):
......... .........
...###... ....###..
...#*#... ....#*#..
...##Y... ....Y##..
....@.... ....@....
......... .........

By targeting diagonally behind the yak, you can catch it in the cloud radius without catching yourself.

If you have poison resistance, [[clarity]], or are worshipping [[Qazlal]], you are immune to clouds, so don't be afraid to blast yourself. Even if you aren't immune, risking self-confusion can be worth it. You can drink a [[potion of curing]] to end it; most enemies can't.

===Tips & Tricks===
*Clouds cannot be placed on tiles that already have a cloud. So if you're immune to noxious fumes, you can cast Mephitic Cloud to prevent [[Petrifying Cloud]] or [[Chaos Breath]] clouds from affecting you.
*If you come across [[Ignite Poison]], you can use Mephitic Cloud to create clouds of flame. You can confuse your enemies, then ignite them to inflict extra damage.
*[[Irradiate]] also combos well with this spell, as Irradiate shares two schools and lowers enemy HD, making them more likely to be confused. rPois is recommended to use this spell in melee range.

==History==
*Prior to [[0.28]], noxious fumes would deal minor (0-2) [[poison]]-based damage while in them.
*Prior to [[0.27]], [[unbreathing]] creatures were immune to noxious fumes.
*Prior to [[0.10]], Mephitic Cloud guaranteed a 3x3 cloud.

Mephitic Cloud - Revision history

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