Poisoning skill is traditionally considered the art of the assassin and is often included in a template with Ninjitsu. The main uses are:
- With Magery – it defines the strength of the mage spells ‘poison’ and ‘poison field’. Poison spell must be cast within 3 tiles of the victim to attain full potency. Formula – [Magery + Poisoning]÷2
- With Necromancy – Necromancers with greater than 60 poisoning skill will have a 3% to 9% chance (Scales with poison skill) to poison their target with the spell ‘Poison Strike’.
- For Warriors – When using a weapon to which poison has been applied, the skill stands in place of tactics and acts as a percentage chance for the level of the poison dealt by Infectious Strike to be bumped up an additional level. Warriors should always apply the highest poison potion that their skill permits to their blade.
- For Archers – it similarly serves in place of tactics using the special move ‘serpent arrow’, but without the need to apply poison to either bow or ammunition and without the potential to ‘bump’ the poison level.
- For Ninjas – it can be used to taint their shuriken and fukiya darts.
Poisoning skill also grants a natural poison resistance at 20% of the player’s poisoning skill.
Poison Types
There are, in total, seven forms of poison. The main four can be crafted from nightshade, two are created from special ingredients and having special properties and one can only be reached through the ‘bump’ granted to an accomplished poisoner.
Lesser Poison – level 1
This potion can be bought from NPC alchemist shops or made by a beginner alchemist (minimum skill 0). Although the poison inflicted is not severe, the timing of the ‘ticks’ make it useful for disrupting a mage’s spells or a warrior’s bandage. Poison and poison field spells cast by mages with less than 65 poison skill have this level of intensity. Warriors with less than 20 poison skill will inflict poison at this level with a minimal percentage chance to bump to level 2 (percentage chance is equal to poisoning skill)
- Inflicts minimal damage every 2 seconds
- Victim Sees – You feel a bit nauseous
- Attacker Sees – “Name” Looks Ill
- Duration 20 – 23 seconds
Poison – level 2
This can also be bought from NPC alchemist shops or crafted by an alchemist (minimum skill 15). Spells cast by mages with 65.1 to 85 poisoning skill will have this level of intensity provided they are within 3 tiles of their target. Warriors with 20.0 – 39.9 poisoning skill can inflict level 2 with a % chance of level 3.
- Inflicts damage every 3 seconds
- Victim sees – You feel disoriented and nauseous
- Others see – “Name” looks extremely ill
- Duration 40 – 45 seconds
Greater Poison – Level 3
Can only be crafted by an alchemist (minimum skill 55). This poison is in demand by gardeners to kill infestations on their plants. Spells cast by mages with 85.1 – 99.9 poisoning skill will have this level of intensity. Warriors with Poisoning skill 40.0 – 59.9 you can inflict level 3 with a % chance of level 4. Many spell casting monsters inflict this level of poisoning. This is the highest level of poison that can be cured by orange petals.
- significant damage every 4 seconds
- Victim sees – You begin to feel pain throughout your body
- Others see – “Name” stumbles around in pain and confusion
- 45 – 60 duration
Deadly Poison – Level 4
The highest level of poison that can be made by an alchemist (minimum skill 90). Mages of GM skill and higher, with GM poisoning will cast at this level, with a 10% chance to inflict lethal poison at distance of less than 3 tiles. Poison strength reduces with range. Warriors with Poisoning skill 60.0 – 100.0 you can inflict level 4 with a % chance of level 5.
- High damage every 5 seconds
- Victim Sees – You feel extremely weak and are in severe pain
- Others see – “Name” is wracked with extreme pain
- Duration 70 – 75 seconds
Lethal Poison – Level 5
The most severe poison, possible only for high level poisoners. A warrior with 80 poisoning has a 80% chance to inflict lethal poison, a warrior with 100 poisoning has a 100% chance to inflict lethal poison.
- Very High damage every 5 seconds
- Victim sees – Your are in extreme pain, and require immediate aid
- Others see – “Name” begins to spasm uncontrollably
- Duration 70 – 85 seconds – but you’ll be dead long before this timer expires 😀
Darkglow Poison – Lvl 3
Nominally level 3, this poison is crafted by alchemists from Luminescent Fungi. It does extra damage by distance in excess of 1 tile. Since shuriken work best at a distance of 3 – 9 tiles this is an ideal poison for use with that item. The success chance of hitting your opponent with a shuriken is based on your ninja skill. A victim would be wise to close with the poisoner rather than run away! The poisoner would be wise to move away from the victim rather than close with him. This poison can be bumped to level 4 by a poisoner with sufficient skill when applied to a blade and employing ‘infectious strike’ special move.
- 14 – 20 damage every 4 seconds
- Victim sees – You begin to feel pain through out your body
- Others see – “Name” stumbles around in pain and confusion
- 45 – 60 duration
Parasitic Poison – Lvl 4
This poison is crafted by alchemists from parasitic plants, or can sometimes be found in hidden boxes in Exodus dungeon. It leaches health for the poisoner, provided he stays within one tile of the victim, receiving health back with every tick until the poison is cured. Since fukiya darts work best at 1 – 4 tiles, this is an ideal poison to use with them, or with a blade. The success chance of hitting your opponent with a fukiya dart is based on your ninja skill. This poison can be bumped to level 5 by a poisoner of high skill when applied to a blade and employing ‘infectious strike’ special move.
- 25 – 33 damage every 5 seconds
- Victim Sees – You feel extremely weak and are in severe pain
- Others see – “Char Name” is wracked with extreme pain
- Duration 70 – 75 seconds
Training
The first thing to realise about training poisoning is that failure hurts! You will need to be prepared to cure yourself, be it potions, spells or bandages. Which ever method best suits your skill set.
Drag the skill icon to the desktop from the skills list if playing in classic client, or to a hotbar slot if playing in enhanced client, or create a macro. Use skill, poisoning – target potion – target item to be poisoned (food, shuriken, fukiya or weapon). If a weapon, it must be one which has infectious strike as a special move. There is a delay between attempts, approximately eight seconds.
A Crystal Ball of knowledge will help you determine when to increase the potion level. The following figures are a guideline only
- 0 – 30: Train at an NPC Thief Guildmaster
- 30 – 39.9: Apply Lesser Poison
- 40 – 64.9: Apply Poison
- 65 – 91.9: Apply Greater Poison
- 92 – 100: Apply Deadly Poison