Ice Mage - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-04-10T07:17:02Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: roles

2025-07-10T11:16:15Z

roles

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2025-06-29T22:16:13Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: cat, correction

2025-06-29T22:15:58Z

cat, correction

Umbire the Phantom: /* Starting inventory */ detail

2025-06-29T18:14:48Z

‎Starting inventory: detail

Umbire the Phantom: lede

2025-06-29T18:14:29Z

lede

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2025-06-29T11:16:36Z

potholes

Joes: THEM races, tweaks

2025-05-27T13:50:39Z

THEM races, tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: ditto

2025-05-24T21:37:16Z

ditto

Ion frigate: as with flame mages

2025-05-24T16:24:33Z

as with flame mages

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 |Skilled
+|
-* ''Weapons:'' [[knife]], [[long sword]], [[staff]], [[unicorn horn]]
+* ''Weapons:'' [[knife]], [[long sword]], [[Quarterstaff#Quarterstaff skill|staff]], [[unicorn horn]]
 * ''Spells:'' [[Spellcasting (SLASH'EM)#Healing spells|healing]], [[protection spells|protection]]
 * ''Combat:'' [[bare hands]], [[two weapon combat]], [[riding]]

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 {{tocright}}
 The '''Ice Mage''' is one of the [[role]]s available to the [[hero]] in [[SLASH'EM]] and [[SlashTHEM]]. From the [[guidebook]]:
 {{guidebook|Ice Mages command the forces of cold. An experienced Mage can summon great blizzards yet remain unaffected by the turmoil of the elements.}}

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 ===Early game===
-Compared with [[Wizard]]s and [[Necromancer]]s, Ice and Flame Mages are at a special disadvantage in the early game because they cannot directly attack with magic. Whereas other magic-users starting with Attack spells can directly and in one turn damage monsters around them, Ice Mages have to rely on their starting Freeze Sphere spell (in the Matter category) to indirectly damage foes. Freeze Spheres will not necessarily explode immediately when they approach a monster, and may wander around in circles before finding their target.
+Compared with [[Wizard/SLASH'EM|Wizards]] and [[Necromancer]]s, Ice and Flame Mages are at a special disadvantage in the early game because they cannot directly attack with magic. Whereas other magic-users starting with Attack spells can directly and in one turn damage monsters around them, Ice Mages have to rely on their starting Freeze Sphere spell (in the Matter category) to indirectly damage foes. Freeze Spheres will not necessarily explode immediately when they approach a monster, and may wander around in circles before finding their target.
 On the other hand, Freeze Spheres will not expire and will never become hostile if left alone on a level (though they may become untame). The only risk in accumulating a small army of spheres to overwhelm any difficult enemies that leap out at you by surprise is that they are just as likely to explode and aggravate friendly or neutral monsters (though not other tame creatures). Freeze and Flame Spheres are a special category of pet that transfer experience and responsibility for kills to the summoner, meaning that a shopkeeper that will remain indifferent to you while your Deva pummels him or her will whip out the shotgun as soon as they get touched by a sphere. Ice Mages should leave early mimics in shops to their wolf cub. Spheres are liable to drift across the shop to the owner just as often as they find their mark. On the other hand, chaotic Ice Mages with mana to spare can let their spheres wander around the corner into an open shop door to slowly blast a shopkeeper to pieces (keep escape items handy if you're trying this). And spheres are perfect for crossing the gap between you and a cross-aligned unicorn.

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 ==Quest==
 {{main|Ice Mage quest}}
-The Ice Mage's [[quest]] sees them fighting the [[Water Mage]] for [[The Storm Whistle]], an [[artifact]] [[magic whistle]]. The Storm Whistle grants [[warning]], [[teleport control]] and fire resistance. [[Invoking]] The Storm Whistle summons a [[tame]] [[water elemental]].
+The Ice Mage's [[quest]] sees them fighting the [[Earth Mage]] for [[The Storm Whistle]], an [[artifact]] [[magic whistle]]. The Storm Whistle grants [[warning]], [[teleport control]] and fire resistance. [[Invoking]] The Storm Whistle summons a [[tame]] [[water elemental]].
 ==Strategy==
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 {{slashem-7E7}}
 [[Category:SLASH'EM roles]]

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 * a blessed [[spellbook]] of {{+ of|freeze sphere}}
 * a blessed spellbook of {{+ of|cone of cold}}
-* a blessed spellbook of either {{+ of|confuse monster}} or {{+ of|slow monster}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|1086|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
+* a blessed spellbook of either {{+ of|confuse monster}} or {{+ of|slow monster}} with an equal probability of each{{refsrc|u_init.c|1086|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 * a random [[potion]]
 * a random [[ring]]

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 Ice Mages are also at a special disadvantage compared to [[Flame Mage]]s in the early game: difficult undead such as [[human zombie]]s and [[human mummies]] are immune to cold-based magic. However, Ice Mages gain an advantage later on when fighting fire-resistant demons, primarily in Gehennom. Additionally, cold magic only risks destroying potions, where fire-based magic will destroy both potions and scrolls.
-Ice Mage enchantment magic is less useful than Flame Mage divination magic, which eventually helps cast the [[spell of identify]]. Also, [[fireball]] is a more powerful — though less focused — spell than [[cone of cold]], which travels in a straight line and can freeze water. Finally, and most importantly in the early game, the Ice Mage's wand of cold is much, much less useful for engraving "Elbereth" than the Flame Mage's wand of fire. Not only is it not permanent, it is much more liable to fail even on the first engraving.  In fact, using the wand in such a fashion is a complete waste of a wand charge; the same job can simply be done with your fingers.
+Ice Mage enchantment magic is less useful than Flame Mage divination magic, which eventually helps cast {{+ of|identify}}. Also, the basic {{+ of|fireball}} is a more powerful — though less focused — spell than basic {{+ of|cone of cold}}, which travels in a straight line and can freeze water. Finally, and most importantly in the early game, the Ice Mage's wand of cold is much, much less useful for engraving "Elbereth" than the Flame Mage's wand of fire. Not only is it not permanent, it is much more liable to fail even on the first engraving.  In fact, using the wand in such a fashion is a complete waste of a wand charge; the same job can simply be done with your fingers.
 ===Weapons===

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 {{guidebook|Ice Mages command the forces of cold. An experienced Mage can summon great blizzards yet remain unaffected by the turmoil of the elements.}}
-Ice Mages in SLASH'EM can be [[Human (starting race)|humans]], [[Elf (starting race)|elves]], [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomes]], [[Orc (starting race)|orc]], [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]], [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbits]], or [[Vampire (starting race in SLASH'EM)|vampires]], and can be of any appropriate [[alignment]].
+Ice Mages in SLASH'EM can be [[Human (starting race)|humans]], [[Elf (starting race)|elves]], [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomes]], [[Orc (starting race)|orc]], [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]], [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbits]], or [[Vampire (starting race in SLASH'EM)|vampires]], and can be of any appropriate [[alignment]]; SlashTHEM additionally allows them to be [[ghoul (starting race)|ghouls]], [[incantifier (starting race)|incantifiers]] or [[illithid (starting race)|illithids]].
 ==Starting inventory==
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 {{todo|Structure and fill out similar to other SLASH'EM role strategy sections, and differentiate accordingly.}}
 ===Character creation===
-Since Ice Mages, like all primary magic-users, start with weak armor and have a difficult time finding suitable upgrades, high dexterity and constitution to keep AC low and HP high are a must. For this reason, hobbits make excellent lawful or neutral Ice Mages — though their max [[intelligence]] of 16 will hold them back later on. Remember to use the hobbit's blink technique when you see a problem coming up.
+Since Ice Mages, like all primary magic-users, start with weak armor and have a difficult time finding suitable upgrades, high dexterity and constitution to keep AC low and HP high are a must. For this reason, hobbits make excellent lawful or neutral Ice Mages — though their max [[intelligence]] of 16 will hold them back later on. Remember to use the hobbit's [[blink]] technique when you see a problem coming up.
 ===Early game===
 Compared with [[Wizard]]s and [[Necromancer]]s, Ice and Flame Mages are at a special disadvantage in the early game because they cannot directly attack with magic. Whereas other magic-users starting with Attack spells can directly and in one turn damage monsters around them, Ice Mages have to rely on their starting Freeze Sphere spell (in the Matter category) to indirectly damage foes. Freeze Spheres will not necessarily explode immediately when they approach a monster, and may wander around in circles before finding their target.
-On the other hand, Freeze Spheres will not expire and will never become hostile if left alone on a level (though they may turn neutral). The only risk in accumulating a small army of spheres to overwhelm any difficult enemies that leap out at you by surprise is that they are just as likely to explode and aggravate friendly or neutral monsters (though not other tame creatures). Freeze and Flame Spheres are a special category of pet that transfer experience and responsibility for kills to the summoner, meaning that a shopkeeper that will remain indifferent to you while your Deva pummels him or her will whip out the shotgun as soon as they get touched by a sphere. Ice Mages should leave early mimics in shops to their wolf cub. Spheres are liable to drift across the shop to the owner just as often as they find their mark. On the other hand, chaotic Ice Mages with mana to spare can let their spheres wander around the corner into an open shop door to slowly blast a shopkeeper to pieces (keep escape items handy if you're trying this). And spheres are perfect for crossing the gap between you and a cross-aligned unicorn.
+On the other hand, Freeze Spheres will not expire and will never become hostile if left alone on a level (though they may become untame). The only risk in accumulating a small army of spheres to overwhelm any difficult enemies that leap out at you by surprise is that they are just as likely to explode and aggravate friendly or neutral monsters (though not other tame creatures). Freeze and Flame Spheres are a special category of pet that transfer experience and responsibility for kills to the summoner, meaning that a shopkeeper that will remain indifferent to you while your Deva pummels him or her will whip out the shotgun as soon as they get touched by a sphere. Ice Mages should leave early mimics in shops to their wolf cub. Spheres are liable to drift across the shop to the owner just as often as they find their mark. On the other hand, chaotic Ice Mages with mana to spare can let their spheres wander around the corner into an open shop door to slowly blast a shopkeeper to pieces (keep escape items handy if you're trying this). And spheres are perfect for crossing the gap between you and a cross-aligned unicorn.
-In the early game, Ice Mages should focus first on bringing their Matter spells to skilled level by casting as many Freeze Sphere spells as possible, starting with the very first turn. Calling up a Freeze Sphere to destroy a goblin is never a waste. The reason for this is that the "Cone of Cold" spell will become much easier to cast as soon as the first skill enhancement is made, allowing the Ice Mage to finally use a direct attack spell. In the meantime, Ice Mages should scrounge around for new armor and improvements to their quarterstaff. Ice Mages should also spend some time strengthening their winter wolf cub, which will turn into a full-grown winter wolf with an appetite for aligned priests when it reaches enough kills. Letting the cub protect you not only against tough, very early monsters like large mimics and rothes, but having them gobble up grid bugs and lichens is a great way to tick up its MaxHP.
+In the early game, Ice Mages should focus first on bringing their Matter spells to skilled level by casting as many Freeze Sphere spells as possible, starting with the very first turn. Calling up a Freeze Sphere to destroy a goblin is never a waste. The reason for this is that the "Cone of Cold" spell will become much easier to cast as soon as the first skill enhancement is made, allowing the Ice Mage to finally use a direct attack spell. In the meantime, Ice Mages should scrounge around for new armor and improvements to their quarterstaff. Ice Mages should also spend some time strengthening their winter wolf cub, which will turn into a full-grown winter wolf with an appetite for aligned priests when it reaches enough kills. Letting the cub protect you not only against tough, very early monsters like large mimics and rothes, but having them gobble up grid bugs and lichens is a great way to tick up its maximum hit points.
 ===Ice Mage vs. Flame Mage===

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 * [[ring of levitation]]
 * [[ring of sleeping]]
-* [[ring of cold resistance]]{{refsrc|u_init.c|1524|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=Rings and spellbooks providing fire/cold resistance are specifically prohibited to ice and flame mages; the spellbooks would not normally be given to them anyway, but are mentioned for completeness.}}
+* [[ring of cold resistance]]{{refsrc|u_init.c|1524|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|name="tempcheck"|comment=Rings and spellbooks providing fire/cold resistance are specifically prohibited to Ice and Flame mages for completeness and to avoid redundancy, even if the spellbooks would not normally be given to them anyway}}
-* [[ring of fire resistance]]
+* [[ring of fire resistance]]<ref name="tempcheck"/>
-* [[spellbook of endure cold]]
+* [[spellbook of endure cold]]<ref name="tempcheck"/>
-* [[spellbook of endure heat]]
+* [[spellbook of endure heat]]<ref name="tempcheck"/>
 ==Intrinsics==