====== Clouds ====== **Clouds** are lingering area-of-effect ("AOE") effects. New to Dominions 6, they can get **thicker** with repeated applications, though they still **thin out** over time. Multiple kinds of clouds can be in the same square (with one exception), but only 7 "cloud levels" can fit in one. ==== The Math ==== Clouds thin out at //roughly// a rate of 1 cloud level per battlefield round. Older clouds dissipate first. Clouds **of the same type** //generally// don't actually overlap; if they do, it increases the existing cloud by 1 level at most (instead of being treated as its own thing), and the new clouds displace the old ones otherwise. In other words, a level 1 cloud effect can only create level 2 clouds at most, through affecting the same place twice in a tight-enough window. Everything from a Cloud is [[Protection|Armor-Negating]]. Some clouds are nonmagical, however, so the {{:abilities:ethereal.png?15&nolink}}[[Ethereal]] will only rarely have to breathe them in. The point-value effects of clouds, Damage (DMG) and [[Fatigue]] (FAT), were applied strangely in Dominions 5. To account for units moving through cloudy squares, points were divided by 3, rounded up, and doled out roughly every sixth of a round. It is not yet clear if that is still the math; many other things were changed about clouds, such as clouds of the same type now combining into higher-level clouds instead of overlapping. ===== Types of Clouds ===== The kinds of clouds and their effects are hard-coded and tied to their level. This is a departure from previous games, which also had a different list of cloud spells and considered some of these effects to be "auras". ==== Heat Clouds ==== {{:abilities:heat_aura.png?nolink }} Also known as **Fire Clouds**, these are most-commonly spread by the **[[Heat Aura|Heat]]** trait on certain units. Regardless of the point value of this trait (which merely indicates how many clouds it spawns in a combat round), it lays clouds of only **1** level. {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?nolink}} The cloud deals **(level)+1** Fire Fatigue, and **(level)-2** Fire Damage. Only Fire Clouds of **level 3 or higher** deal damage. ==== Frost Clouds ==== {{:abilities:chill_aura.png?nolink }} Also known as **Chill Clouds** or **Freezing Mists**, these are most-commonly spread by the **[[Chill Aura|Chill]]** trait on certain units. Regardless of the point value of this trait (which merely indicates how many clouds it spawns in a combat round), it lays clouds of only **1** level. {{:abilities:resist_cold.png?nolink }} The cloud deals **(level)+1** Cold Fatigue, and **(level)-2** Cold Damage. Only Freezing Mists of **level 3 or higher** deal damage. The damage is **capped** (unable to be higher than 1 after Damage/Protection [[DRN|DRNs]]) unless the target is **[[freeze|frozen]]**. Frost Clouds and Heat Clouds are the only clouds that cannot coexist in a single square; their levels cancel each other out. ==== Poison Clouds ==== {{:abilities:poison_cloud.png?nolink }} These foul clouds are most-commonly spread by certain units with the **[[Poison Cloud]]** trait, which only lays clouds of **1** level like the above two. This sort of cloud can be **nonmagical**, in which case the Ethereal (breathing in another dimension) are mostly safe. {{:abilities:resist_poison.png?nolink}} The cloud deals [[Poison Damage]] equal to its level. ==== Sulphur Clouds ==== Spread by ??Sulphur Haze??, Sulphur Clouds have a mixed effect. {{:abilities:resist_fire.png?nolink }}{{:abilities:resist_poison.png?nolink }} The cloud deals **(level)/2** Fire Fatigue, and **(level)/2** Poison Damage. The Fatigue is **rounded up**, while the Poison Damage is **rounded down**. The Poison Damage is **capped**, with higher levels merely helping the DRN and knocking [[Elemental Resistance|Poison Resistance]]. ==== Death Clouds ==== {{:magic.png?nolink }} Spread by the ??Cloud of Death?? spell, Death Clouds deal Magic Damage equal to their level. This is resisted by a [[Death]] [[Magic Resistance]] check with a Penetration of **11**. ==== Leeching Clouds ==== {{:abilities:stolen_strength.png?nolink }} Spread by the ??Leeching Darkness?? spell, a Leeching Cloud primarily applies 1 point of **[[Weakness]]** to those inside; this is a minor [[Afflictions|Affliction]], a lesser version of the standard "Weakness" that reduces [[Strength]] by 1 (per point). Its actual effect (or at least the strength of the effect) depends on the cloud level. ^ Level ^ Effect ^ | 1 | {{:abilities:stolen_strength.png?15&nolink}} 1 Weakness (7 [[Magic Resistance|Penetration]], Death) | | 2 | {{:abilities:stolen_strength.png?15&nolink}} 1 Weakness (7 Penetration, Death), {{:magic.png?15&nolink}} 1 **Capped** Magic DMG (7 Penetration, Death) | | 3 | {{:abilities:stolen_strength.png?15&nolink}} 1 Weakness (11 Penetration, Death), {{:magic.png?15&nolink}} 1 **Capped** Magic DMG (7 Penetration, Death) | | 4+ | {{:abilities:stolen_strength.png?15&nolink}} 1 Weakness (11 Penetration, Death), {{:magic.png?15&nolink}} 1 **Capped** Magic DMG (11 Penetration, Death) | ==== Shimmering Light ==== A "Shimmering Light Cloud" is pretty rare, but it deals "[[false damage]]". The power scales as follows: ^ Level ^ Effect ^ | 1 | {{:magic.png?15&nolink}} 1 **Capped** False Magic DMG (7 Penetration, [[Glamour]]) | | 2 | {{:magic.png?15&nolink}} 1 **Capped** False Magic DMG (11 Penetration, Glamour) | | //n// | {{:magic.png?15&nolink}} //n//-1 False Magic DMG (11 Penetration, Glamour) | ==== Disease Clouds ==== {{:abilities:plague_carrier.png?32&nolink }} Primarly spread by **[[Plague Carrier|Plague Carriers]]** such as a ??Mummy??, the Disease Cloud inflicts [[afflictions#torso-afflictions|Disease]] on those passing through who fail a Death Magic Resistance check. For level 1 and level 2 clouds, the Penetration is **7**. For level 3 or higher clouds, the Penetration is **11**. ==== Sleep Clouds ==== {{:abilities:sleep_cloud.png?nolink }} Also known as a **Cloud of Dreamless Slumber**, these clouds are not particularly common. Those who succumb to it fall [[asleep]]; resisting requires a Glamour Magic Resistance check, with a Penetration of **7** for level 1 clouds and a Penetration of **11** for higher levels. ==== Rust Clouds ==== {{:abilities:rusty_equipment.png?nolink}} Spread by the ??Rust Mist?? spell, Rust Clouds [[rust]] the gear of those who pass through; weapons, armor, and even the odd iron shield. ==== Healing Clouds ==== These aren't in Dominions 6. They //were// in Dominions 5, though, so they may return in a later update.