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Monster Level

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Monster Level

A monster's level is used mainly to characterize its attack strength; modifying a monster's level can also change its defense stat, hit points, and the number of stat points gained by defeating it. By definition:

 ML = Atk

For a normal combat monster:

  • All monsters of that type have a set specific attack and defense stat (comparable to a character's Muscle and Moxie).
  • Actual defense is equal to 90% of (base defense + ML Modifiers + Random Variation), rounded up.
  • For most monsters, base attack is equal to base defense. However due to the above formula, actual defense will normally be significantly less.
  • The number of hit points is typically equal to 80% of its level, though this can vary significantly.
  • The number of stat points gained is equal to 25% of its attack rating:
 XP = Atk / 4
  • If this gives a fractional result, the amount of stat gain is randomly rounded up or down based on the amount of that fraction.

For monsters which scale to your level:

  • The attack value is equal to your Moxie plus some offset specific to that monster.
  • The defense value is equal to your Muscle plus some offset specific to that monster.
  • The HP is equal to your HP times some fraction specific to that monster.
  • The number of stat points are calculated as above (25% of Attack).
  • Scaling monsters are never affected by ML modifiers.

Changing Monster Level

The level of a monster can be raised or lowered as you encounter it, based on your equipment, buffs, active effects, and the current setting of the Canadian Mind-Control Device, The Annoy-o-Tron 5000 or detuned radio. This adjustment affects all of the monster's point ratings.

After combat begins, the level of the monster can also be altered by combat skills and combat items, but these changes only affect the attack and defense of the monster, leaving the hit points and stat gain points unchanged. If you repeatedly face stab a monster down to 0 level you will still receive XP based on its stats at the beginning of the fight.

As mentioned above, monster level modifiers in effect before the fight begins do not affect scaling monsters in any way. Monster level modifiers used while fighting a scaling monster work normally.

The objects and familiars that affect Stat Gains from Fights do not affect monster levels. For example, bringing a Blood-Faced Volleyball familiar will increase your stats per fight but will not make the fight more difficult.

Monster Level and Combat Rate Modifiers

With the introduction of NS13, a hidden Combat Frequency modifying effect was added to ML increasers, leading to an anti-synergy between net combat decreasers and +ML. This anti-synergy has no effect on the base combat rate, and leads to a flat 1% combats per +5ML applied.

The strategic implications of this effect are powerful: you now have a choice between boosting +ML to get increased stats from an area, or boosting non-combats in order to complete certain quests faster. While leveling in non-combat-heavy stat zones such as The Haunted Gallery or The Palindome, it is thus better to run no +ML and boost non-combats. Meanwhile, in zones such as The Penultimate Fantasy Airship where both leveling and non-combats are required, a delicate balance between +ML and +non-combat skills must be maintained.

The full effect of +ML as a combat rate modifier is as follows:

  • -ML has no combat frequency effect
  • If the net combat frequency modifier, pre-ML, is negative (i.e., you are running net non-combat boosters)
    • Then:
      • Decimal net combat modifiers are truncated once
      • MCD/Annoy-o-Tron/radio do not contribute to this anti-synergy
      • Otherwise, +1ML adds +0.2% combats
      • Decimal values are then truncated a second time
      • Combat rate cannot be modified beyond the base rate (i.e., the most the ML effect can do is nullify the net non-combat modifier)
    • Otherwise, there is no additional effect on combat frequency.

Example: through some combination of effects, you are running +10% non-combats and +5% combats, for a net effect of +5% non-combats. You are also running +40ML. The +40ML translates into a non-combat modifier anti-synergy of 40×0.2%=8%, which is greater than the net non-combat modifier. Hence the final situation is +40ML and +0% non-combats.

Monster Level Variance

Sometime in the summer of 2006, monster level variance was added to the game. Monsters' Atk, Def, and HP are all now found to vary by ±5 points.

  • All three statistics independently vary by 5% of their base value, rounded down and capped at 5.
  • Thus variance does not occur on monsters whose base ML, attack and defense are less than 20.
  • XP remains constant.
  • Fernswarthy's Basement monsters do not vary. They stay at the ML they are given depending on the floor that they're on. It is currently unknown whether scaling monsters are affected by this variance or not.

Strategy Implications

Based on this, here are some basic adventuring strategies:

  • Know the peak monster level of an area, and don't enter it until your Moxie is at least 7 greater than that level, guaranteeing that you can only be hit by monster critical hits.
  • Know the average monster level of an area, and go ahead and enter that area when your Muscle is equal to or greater than that level, so that you will hit at least 50% of the time, but you will have to heal during or after each battle.
  • In combination with either of the above, wear equipment that raises monster levels to set up the monsters you will encounter with higher stat point gains, and then use combat skills that lower monster level to make the monsters beatable again (although you will still have to deal damage equal to the raised hit point value).

Monster Level Modifiers

Here's a list of everything in the game that is currently known or suspected to alter the level of your opponents.

True Modifiers

The following directly modify the ML of monsters, increasing or reducing attack, defense, HP, and stat gains.

Source Source
Type
Level
Incr
Stat
Gain
Duration Cost Prereq Notes
old patched suit-pants Pants 40 10 Always   200 Mox Moxie +5%
Digitally Converted Item 30 7.5 20 turns Item Loss None Obtained from digital underground potion
hockey stick of furious angry rage Accessory 30 7.5 Always   35 Mys
Unpopular Item 30 7.5 20 turns Item Loss, 3 Adventures None Obtained from llama lama gong (see Path of the Roach)
Contemptible Emanations Item 20 5 5-15 turns Item Loss None Obtained from cologne of contempt and Yummy Tummy bean
stainless steel scarf Accessory 20 5.0 Always   30 Mys
The Great Tit's Blessing Item 20 5 20 turns Item Loss, 1 Spleen None Obtained from glimmering great tit feather
C.A.R.N.I.V.O.R.E. button Accessory 15 3.75 Always   10 Mys  
ice sickle Weapon (1H) 15 3.75 Always   None
dreadlock whip Weapon (1H) 10 2.5 Always   5 Mus
Extremely Poor Taste Food 10 2.5 10 turns Item Loss, 2 Fullness None Obtained from escargotsicle
hipposkin poncho Shirt 10 2.5 Always   45 Mus, Torso Awaregness  
hippo whip Weapon (1H) 10 2.5 Always   None  
serpentine sword Weapon (1H) 10 2.5 Always   42 Mus +10 more if wielded with a snake shield
snake shield Off-hand Item 10 2.5 Always   42 Muscle
The Cupcake of Wrath Item 10 2.5 20 turns Item Loss None Obtained from green-frosted astral cupcake.
curmudgel Weapon (1H) 8 2.0 Always   47 Mus Melee Damage +10
buoybottoms Pants 7 1.75 Always   60 Mox
grumpy old man charrrm bracelet Accessory 7 1.75 Always   60 Mys May not equip more than one
squeaky staff Weapon (2H) 6 1.5 Always   22 Mus Mysticality +3
annoying pitchfork Familiar Equipment 5 1.25 Always   None  
bat whip Weapon (1H) 5 1.25 Always   None Spell Damage +10
beer bong Weapon (1H) 5 1.25 Always   80 Mox +15 Stench Damage
Eau D'enmity Item 5 1.25 5-15 turns Item Loss None Obtained from perfume of prejudice.
flaming familiar doppelgänger Familiar Equipment 5 1.25 Always   None
  • Familiar gains 1-2 extra experience per combat/Arena win
  • Cannot equip in Hardcore
Furry Suit Outfit 5 1.25 Always   None Moxie -75%
Gelded Item 5 1.25 10 turns Item Loss None Obtained from chocolate filthy lucre
giant needle Weapon (2H) 5 1.25 Always   60 Mus  
goth kid t-shirt Shirt 5 1.25 Always   35 Mus, Torso Awaregness  
rattail whip Weapon (1H) 5 1.25 Always   None Moxie +5
ring of aggravate monster Accessory 5 1.25 Always   25 Mys Part of the Yendorian Finery
Strung-Up Quartet Song 5 1.25 Always   1 Adventure  
tail o' nine cats Weapon (1H) 5 1.25 Always   None Combat Initiative +15%
tin star Accessory 5 1.25 Always   None Moxie +3
can cannon Weapon (2H) 3 0.75 Always   22 Mox
Frost™ brand sword Weapon (1H) 3 0.75 Always   20 Mus
Mysteriously Handsome Item 3 0.75 5 turns Item Loss None
styrofoam crossbow Weapon (2H) 3 0.75 Always   15 Mox Moxie +3
styrofoam staff Weapon (2H) 3 0.75 Always   15 Mus Mysticality +3
styrofoam sword Weapon (1H) 3 0.75 Always   15 Mus Muscle +3
tiny plastic series 2 commons Accessory 1 0.25 Always   None  
nasty rat mask Hat -5 -1.25 Always   75 Mox Moxie +9
Drowsy Sword Weapon (2H) -10 -2.5 Always   66 Mus
  • -10 ML at the start of combat
  • -17 to -34 ML with each hit

Combat Effects

The following table lists modifiers applied during combat. Although they might alter a monster's power in some way, it is not a true change of ML.

Source Source
Type
Level
Incr
Stat
Gain
Duration Cost Prereq Notes
Disco Eye-Poke DB Combat Skill -1 0 Instant 3 MP None Deals 1-3 Damage
8-ball Combat Item -1 to -3 0 Instant Item Loss None
30669 scroll Combat Item -1 to -3 0 Instant Item Loss None
33398 scroll Combat Item -1 to -3 0 Instant Item Loss None
64067 scroll Combat Item -1 to -3 0 Instant Item Loss None
668 scroll Combat Item -1 to -3 0 Instant Item Loss None
spectre scepter Combat Item -1 to -3 0 Instant None
  • May instead deal 8-10 damage
  • May instead deal 6-10 damage
  • May instead restore 4-5 HP
Cloaca grenade Combat Item -2 to Monster Attack, not ML 0 Instant Item Loss None Deals 50-60 Damage
Dyspepsi grenade Combat Item -2 to Monster Attack, not ML 0 Instant Item Loss None Deals 50-60 Damage
disease Combat Item -2 0 Instant Item Loss None  
gob of wet hair Combat Item -2 to -3 0 Instant Item Loss None Has 100% probability of stunning opponent
shaving cream Combat Item -2 to -3 0 Instant Item Loss None Has high probability of stunning opponent
Knob Goblin stink bomb Combat Item -3 0 Instant Item Loss None Deals 20-25 Damage
Disco Dance of Doom DB Combat Skill -3 0 Instant 5 MP None Deals 4-6 Damage
Psalm of Pointiness AT Buff Skill -3 0 5-15 turns 15 MP None
  • Deals 4-8 Damage
  • Both effects applied each time monster hits you
yak whip Weapon (1H) -2 to -4 0 Always   None Delevels on hit
barbed-wire fence Combat Item -1 to -7 0 Instant Item Loss None May stun opponent
tropical orchid Combat Item -1 to -7 0 Instant Item Loss None May stun opponent
Miniborg Destroy-O-Bot Combat Item -3 to -5 0 Instant   None Deals 10-15 physical and 10-15 Hot Damage
Miniborg strangler Combat Item -3 to -5 0 Instant   None  
plot hole Combat Item -3 to -5 0 Instant Item Loss None Deals 20-25 Damage
vial of patchouli oil Combat Item -4 0 Instant Item Loss None  
patchouli incense stick Combat Item -3 to -5 0 Instant Item Loss None  
fancy bath salts Combat Item -4 to -5 0 Instant Item Loss None  
roofie Combat Item -4 to -5 0 Instant Item Loss None May also stun opponent
Disco Dance II: Electric Boogaloo DB Combat Skill -5 0 Instant 7 MP None Deals 8-10 Damage
Shieldbutt TT Combat Skill -5 0 Instant 5 MP Must have shield equipped Never misses.
ferret bait Combat Item -5 0 Instant Item Loss None Deals 45-60 Damage
sake bomb Combat Item -5 0 Instant Item Loss None Deals 45-60 Damage
wussiness potion Combat Item -5 0 Instant Item Loss None  
inkwell Combat Item -4 to -7 0 Instant Item Loss None Has probability of stunning opponent
possessed top Combat Item -6 0 Instant Item Loss None  
top Combat Item -6 0 Instant Item Loss None  
curdflinger Weapon (1H) -4 to -9 0 Always   7 Mox
  • Delevels on hit
  • Moxie +3
Disco Face Stab DB Combat Skill -7 0 Instant 10 MP None Deals 15-18 Damage
Tango of Terror Combat Skill -7 0 Instant 8 MP   Deals 15-18
handful of sawdust Combat Item -4 to -10 0 Instant Item Loss None
Tom's of the Spanish Main Toothpaste Combat Item -6 to -8 0 Instant Item Loss None
handful of sand Combat Item -5 to -10 0 Instant Item Loss None
Staff of the Walk-In Freezer Weapon (1H) -5 to -10 0 Instant   125 Mys
Unionize The Elves sign Weapon (1H) -5 to -10 0 Always   10 Mus
  • Delevels on hit
  • No longer drops
black pepper Combat Item -7 to -10 0 Instant Item Loss None
superamplified boom box Combat Item -8 to -10 0 Instant Item Loss None
macrame net Combat Item -8 to -10 0 Instant Item Loss None
The Big Book of Pirate Insults Combat Item -10 0 Instant None None
  • Only works against pirates
  • Only works if pirate does not respond correctly
Fearless Adventure -10 0 10 turns     Obtained from Ninja Snowman (Chopsticks).
palm-frond net Combat Item -8 to -12 0 Instant Item Loss None
mylar scout drone Combat Item -10 to -12 0 Instant Item Loss None
  • 75% chance of success
  • When successful, stuns for 1 round
powdered organs Combat Item -10 to -12 0 Instant Item Loss None
kite Combat Item -12 0 Instant Item Loss None
  • Stops opponent's attack
  • May fail 25% of the time
7-Foot Dwarven mattock Weapon (2H) -8 to -16 0 Always   25 Mus
antique spear Weapon (1H) -8 to -16 0 Always   85 Mus
clockwork crossbow Weapon (1H) -8 to -16 0 Always   25 Mox
depantsing bomb Combat Item -15 to -20 0 Instant Item Loss None
Drowsy Sword Weapon (2H) -17 to -34 -2.5 Always   66 Mus
  • -10 ML at the start of combat
  • -17 to -34 ML with each hit
bronzed locust Combat Item -20 to -30 0 Instant Item Loss None
golden ring Combat Item -20 to -30 0 Instant Item Loss None  

Modifiers Dependent on Another Mechanic

Some modifiers vary with moonlight or even player choice.

Source Source
Type
Level
Incr
Stat
Gain
Duration Cost Prereq Notes
Chester's moustache Accessory Varies 0 Always   200 Mox
  • Part of the Tawdry Tramp Togs
  • Bonus for DBs only
  • Disco Bandit Combat Skills weaken enemies by an additional +50%
  • +20 damage to Disco Bandit Combat Skills
  • +20 Sleaze Damage
  • May not equip more than one
Chester's sunglasses Accessory Varies 0 Always   200 Mox
El Vibrato Relics Outfit Varies
(0-100)
Varies
(0-25)
Always   200 Mus
200 Mox
+10 per MODIFY charge (up to ten)
Brimstone items Varying equipment (see link) Varies
(0-64)
Varies
(0-16)
Always   30 of the corresponding stat

The increase in monster level is based on the number of pieces equipped, as listed below:

  • 0 for 1 piece
  • 4 for 2 pieces
  • 8 for 3 pieces
  • 16 for 4 pieces
  • 32 for 5 pieces
  • 64 for 6 pieces
Grimacite gown Shirt Varies
(0-50)
Varies
(0-12.5)
Always   40 Mus, Torso Awaregness
Grimacite guayabera Shirt Varies
(0-50)
Varies
(0-12.5)
Always   47 Mus, Torso Awaregness
The Super-Secret Canadian Mind-Control Device Location Varies
(0-11)
Varies
(0-2.75)
Always    
  • Mysticality moon signs only
  • Dial settings range from 0 to 11
detuned radio Quest Item Varies
(0-10)
Varies
(0-2.5)
Always    
  • Muscle moon signs only
  • Dial settings range from 0 to 10
The Annoy-o-Tron 5000 Location Varies
(0-10)
Varies
(0-2.5)
Always    
  • Moxie moon signs only
  • Dial settings range from 0 to 10
Ur-Kel's Aria of Annoyance AT Buff Skill Varies Varies 5-15 turns 30 MP   +2 per recipient Level
Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot Familiar -weight/2 0 Always    
  • Occurs from the "Graaaaagh" attack
  • Other attacks have miscellaneous effects
RoboGoose Familiar -(weight+4)/3 0 Always     Has numerous other abilities
Crimbo P. R. E. S. S. I. E. Familiar -floor(weight*.3) to -floor(weight*.5) 0 Always    
  • Occurs from the "taser" attack
  • Has numerous other abilities
Ghost Pickle on a Stick Familiar -1 to -floor(weight/3) 0 Always    
  • Occurs from the "caustic juice" attack
  • Other attacks do serious damage
Misshapen Animal Skeleton Familiar -1 to -floor(weight/3) 0 Always    
  • Occurs from the "howls mournfully" attack
  • Other attacks do physical and spooky damage
Personal Raincloud Familiar -1 to -floor(weight/4) 0 Always    
  • Occurs from the "rains on parade" attack
  • Other attacks have miscellaneous effects
Spooky Pirate Skeleton Familiar -1 to -floor(weight/4) 0 Always    
  • Occurs from the "Arrrr" attack
  • Other attacks do spooky damage
Cocoabo Familiar -(weight+1)/3 to -2*(weight+1)/3 0 Always    
  • Occurs from the "runs in circle" attack. Value can be rounded up or rounded down.
  • Deleveling amount is doubled when LIMIT BREAK! appears at the end of the attack.
  • At 30 pounds, a Cocoabo can delevel 10-11ML on a normal attack, or 20, 21, or 22 on a LIMIT BREAK!
  • Other attacks have miscellaneous effects
Barrrnacle Familiar -floor(weight/2) 0 Always    


Needs Research

The following ML boosters require further research.

Source Source
Type
Level
Incr
Stat
Gain
Duration Cost Prereq Notes
Fuzzy Dice Familiar ? 0 Always    
  • Occurs from the "glares at your opponent" attack
  • Other attacks have miscellaneous effects
Spice Ghost Pastamancer
combat ghost
? 0 Always     Delevels with every attack
Zombo's empty eye combat item -40? 0 Always     Delevels with successful use.

Notes

  • Before November 30, 2005 a monster's hit points did not increase with its level. This allowed the LTSynergy strategy to be very effective before this "nerf."
  • Jick confirmed on the radio show that "delevel on hit" weapons act for 10% to 20% of weapon power in -ML.
Dressing Up
Maximizing

Mus · Mys · Mox · HP · MP · WDmg · SDmg · Init · DA · DR · Res
FightStats· ML · Items · Meat · HP Regen · MP Regen · Adv

Modifiers

Mus · Mys · Mox · HP · MP · WDmg · SDmg · Init · DA · DR · Res
FightStats · ML · Items · Meat · HP Regen · MP Regen · Adv


PrismDmg · RDmg · Crit · Fumb · Stun · Passive Dmg · Fam Wt
MP Cost · Spell Elts · Combat% · Hobo · PvP


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