Flagellant

"There is power in the Blood, for those with the fortitude to pay the price."

- The Ancestor

The Flagellant is one of the playable Characters in Darkest Dungeon. He is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC.

Description
"If there was ever such a thing as ‘weaponized suffering’, then the Flagellant would be the term made flesh. This man is unique among the various classes in the sense that he thrives on the ruin of his mind and body. Whereas every sane member of your band of mercenaries aims to minimize wounds and disability by mitigation (armor) or avoidance (dodging), the Flagellant welcomes them. He will stand like a wall between his comrades and his foes, with his arms wide open, his body exposed, acting like a magnet for all harm that may come their way. His power lies within the martyrdom, and it is something that transcends physical laws: every action of violence that lands on his tortured corpus creates not an equal, but a far more potent reaction. He converts damage in either powerful healing for his allies, or horrifying punishment for his enemies in the form of insanely powerful bleeding attacks. And the more the minions of darkness try to end his life, the stronger he becomes, since his strength is at its summit when he himself is at the brink of death… or madness. How far are you willing to push him? Because the desire for power can cloud judgement, and sometimes pushing too far can have… dire consequences."

Unique Attributes

 * The only Affliction the Flagellant can receive is Rapturous (unless he is dead in the endless mode in the Farmstead, in which case, he will be Refracted), which gives +25% DMG, +3 SPD, and -20 DODGE. While Rapturous, the Flagellant will often randomly attack enemies, other party members, or even himself, among other effects. He can never obtain a Virtue, and will always become Rapturous upon reaching 100 stress.
 * When the Flagellant falls below 40% HP, he receives a buff for +20% DMG and +7% CRIT. He will also become able to use his emergency heal skills (Redeem and Exsanguinate) if they're enabled during the battle.
 * When the Flagellant reaches Death's Door, every other member of the party is healed for 10% of their max HP, and the Flagellant obtains a buff for +5 ACC, +20% DMG, +2 SPD, and +20% Stun, Bleed, Blight, and Debuff Resist. Additionally, he will never gain Recovery debuffs. (He will, however, still obtain debuffs from heart attacks.)
 * Should the Flagellant die, he will stun (125% base) all enemies as his last act, and heal the remaining party members for 10 HP.
 * As his name suggests, he will only use the Penance Hall for Stress Relief. This will always heal 100 stress, or 90 if "The Town is Abuzz!" Town Event is active. He also cannot gain any negative Quirks that restrict him to other town activities for Stress Relief unless he interacts with certain curios that will give him them, i.e Moonshine Barrel
 * He will refuse to embark with another Flagellant in the party, as "the burden of suffering cannot be shared."
 * In total, if the Flagellant is  both  at Death's Door and Rapturous, he receives a grand total of: +65% DMG, +7 CRT, +5 SPD, +20% Stun/Bleed/Blight/Debuff resistance, and a -20 DODGE.

Combat Skills
"The Flagellant belongs to an extremist faction within the church, and is generally regarded with a toxic mixture of fear, awe and disgust. The power he draws from martyrdom is as effective as it is unsettling - in one moment he is a fountain of healing renewal, and the next, a conduit of terrible wrath. His full potential is realized only on the brink of madness... or death."

- Guild

Note: New Flagellants will always come with the Punish skill.

"Exhaustion" debuffs (From Exsanguinate and Redeem) cannot be cleared by Medicinal Herbs.

(All buffs and debuffs last for 3 rounds unless otherwise specified.)

Camping Skills
"Eschewing the company of others, the Flagellant turns his back to the fire, denying himself the comforts of its warmth. Instead, he whips himself mercilessly - this is a man locked in perpetual battle with his own flesh and blood."

- Survivalist

Unlike other heroes, the Flagellant only has unique camping skills, giving him a total of 4. All of his camping skills target himself, either healing his health, his stress, or even raising his stress to bring him to his Rapturous state faster.

Tactical Analysis
The Flagellant is a very unusual frontliner. His base damage is not outstanding, but he inflicts very powerful bleeds to whomever he strikes. While he has various tools at his disposal to inflict Bleed to nearly any position in the formation, he shines the most when he is at low HP, which grants him buffs and enables his more powerful skills. Redeem in particular is a very good emergency heal, offering percentile healing that's sure to bring even the tankiest characters from the brink of death. Exsanguinate is easily the strongest bleed skill in the game, and its direct damage can also grow significantly thanks to the Flagellant's natural low HP or Death's Door buffs. As he has low base health and dodge, it can be an easy task to drive him to 40% HP threshold. He has a good synergy with the Antiquarian and her Protect Me skill, as he benefits from receiving damage. All his attacking skills are restricted to the front ranks, but fortunately he has a forward movement of 3 to return to the front positions in a single step. Meanwhile, all his support skills are available in any position.

Making the most of the Flagellant's low-health buffs also means that one needs to keep a watchful eye on his health numbers. Too much healing denies these buffs, but recklessly letting him hit Death's Door can lead to him dying prematurely. He does have a higher-than-normal Deathblow resistance of 73% to mitigate this, but that should not be depended on too frequently. Quirks like "Clutch Hitter", "Last Gasp" and "Second Wind" synergize with his low-health buffs, and "Unyielding" can help push his already high Deathblow resistance close to the game's maximum.

Reclaim does help remedy this, bestowing him a healing-over-time buff that lets the player keep his health barely within the desired threshold or shake off Death's Door without needing to wait for other healers to move. It's not affected by buffs to healing skills on the Flagellant himself, but rather by buffs to healing received on the target, so it can be paired with the Arbalest's Battlefield Bandage for additional effect. When maxed out, a single application of HOT can heal 12 HP per hero, plus each HOT tick has an individual chance to crit. When using this move, remember that it also has a high chance to bleed the Flagellant. Be sure to keep some Bandages handy to avoid excessive bleed damage, or bring a Plague Doctor to cure. Using bleed resist trinkets can help mitigate this, but keep in mind that the Flagellant has the highest bleed resist out of all the other heroes in the game.

He also functions as a very good Stress healer, especially when Endure at max level has a very good net stress reduction within the party. In a combination with the Jester's Inspiring Tune you can heal a massive amount of stress from the party; or, if you have an opportunity to camp, you can remove 50 stress stacked from Endure with his Lash's Solace skill. The "Steady" Quirk, or similar conditional Stress-reduction quirks, can also reduce the amount of stress that transfers to him from this skill, optimizing net stress loss.

It's not unusual for the Flagellant to become the most damaged and stressed member at any point in a quest. There is an upside to this, in his Rapturous affliction that he always gets. While it will behave like most other Afflictions in that it can interfere with control of the Flagellant and may cause a cascade of Stress, the Flagellant gets a boost to damage and speed which also stacks with his unique buffs while at low health. In his berserk state, it's not unusual to see him singlehandedly end a battle. As this Affliction offers more perks than others, there is little issue with giving the Flagellant trinkets that increase the amount of Stress he takes, like the Ancestor's Pen or Tempting Goblet. On the other hand, as he cannot become Virtuous, any effect that alters his Virtue chance, whether positive or negative, will do nothing.

Trinkets to raise his max HP allows one to have a greater buffer for his 40% threshold; Suffering's Collar and the Life Crystal can give a lot of extra safety in this regard. If you court death, combining the Martyr's Seal and Eternity's Collar can dramatically increase the strength of a Flagellant at Death's Door while nearly maxing out his Deathblow resistance.

Equipment
"The Flagellant relishes the scars and abrasions that cover his body - drawing incomprehensible resilience from the tearing of his own flesh. His flail, a particularly cruel and merciless weapon, drips with his enemies' blood... and his own."

- Blacksmith

Each Hero has Trinkets unique to them that only they can equip. The Flagellant has seven; 2 uncommon, 2 Crimson Court and 1 common, rare and very rare. His normal trinkets are hoods and collars, and his Crimson Court trinkets are teeth and glass due to a beating he received from a drunken patron while begging for money.


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District Bonus
The Crimson Court DLC adds Districts to the Hamlet, some of which confer passive benefits to heroes.


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Customisation
As for every hero, the Flagellant has four different colour palettes to choose from: beige, red, white and dark purple. These can be changed by clicking on the palette icon at the lower left of the hero's info page.

Sprites
For sprites of the other palettes, see here.

Barks
Idle =

Refusing to Embark with another Flagellant

 * The burden of suffering cannot be shared!

Refusing Stress Healing in the Tavern, Cloister, and Transept

 * Only the lash for me!
 * Only in pain can one find enlightement.
 * This is not the path to solace.
 * I belong elsewhere.

In the Roster when Rapturous
Battle =
 * Ascendance!
 * TRUE PURPOSE!
 * Everything clarified!
 * Pulsing...pulsing!

Landing a Critical Hit
Rapturous =
 * I strike for the light!
 * Guided by pain! Favored by the light!
 * Feel my resolve!
 * Blood for the burden! Bones for the Light!
 * Darkness flees before the blood!
 * The way guides my blows!
 * Flee from the holy bearer, you impious fiends!

Becoming Rapturous

 * The burden is infinite. All flesh must perish.
 * As the burden grows, so too, does my purity.
 * I am blessed with new clarity!
 * Gladly do I accept this new trial! Blessed are the worthy!
 * Through pain and agony, I drag myself to the Light!
 * Blood washes my eyes and cleanses my vision!
 * In this fragile, broken flesh infinite strength is revealed!
 * What I once feared, I have become!
 * Adversity has dissolved my mortal psyche and opened my skull to the Light!
 * What is fear but a key to piety?
 * Through pain, through agony - I drag myself to the Light!
 * Blood washes my eyes and cleanses my vision, for the Light I suffer!

Stressing Party

 * The Light shrinks from my inner vision and so follows my faith.
 * So grows the burden! So grows my strength!
 * Behold - the Light shines from my wounds!
 * I see you all as profane corpses. A righteous fate for those who fear pain.
 * Must the burden weigh on my mind as well as my body?
 * I no longer need to be tested! See how I shine!
 * Weaklings! Wear your wounds with honor!
 * This one greets pain with arms wide open!
 * I am the sun of salvation!

Damaging Party Member

 * It falls to me to guide you back to the Light.
 * Resist not the burden, for it will guide you better than any compass.
 * I do not attack you. It is the light that seeks to purify you.
 * Don't you see? The pain eases the burden.
 * I envy the free flow of your blood.
 * The burden must be borne by all!
 * Purity guides my every act, shrink not from my blows!

Damaging Self

 * Clear this mind. Clear this mind. Clear this mind.
 * The light must burn brighter if we are to persist!
 * Begone foul visions, flee before my flowing blood!
 * I am set upon by tempting visions! Light guide me!
 * I hesitated upon the path. Let the blood soothe my faith!
 * I fear no burden.
 * Clarity!
 * First the sacred wound, then the purifying salt, then the holy stitch.
 * Pain cleaves away the basest instincts!

Marking Self

 * Let it rain upon me!

Random Action

 * I surrender to the Light!
 * Whose will is so pure as to presume command?
 * Do not question the way!
 * Awash in my own sanguinity!
 * The corrupt flesh rots the mind. Light guide me then!
 * Whose will is more righteous?
 * For it is written!
 * I have studied my scars and divined the way, have you?
 * All wounds lead to the Light!
 * Reason is too weak to bear any burden! Release it!

Refuses to Retreat

 * The flesh is mortal, embrace this and live forever.
 * We must not stray from the path.
 * Into rivers of blood this broken flesh must drown.
 * We have feared thus the Light flickers and wanes.
 * Do not pull me from this holy path!
 * That way leads to darkness.
 * To flee is to abandon all faith!
 * I cannot waver, this flesh will be delivered!

Switching Position to the Front

 * Fall behind me and test your flesh! Salvation can yet still find you.
 * Sheep to the back! I am the shepherd!
 * Forward unto the Light!
 * Into the fire! I must purify myself in the crucible of faith!
 * Pain! Suffering! Be mine!
 * See me Light! Witness how I shrink not from the burden!
 * "Through holy agony, bear thy impure flesh forward into the rending knives of the heretics!"
 * "The way is found where the weapon cleaveth the flesh and lo it is worthy! Blood be thine true sign!"
 * Anyone with true humility would advance with me!

Getting Hit by Enemy

 * You justify my faith!
 * Every blow steels my resolve.
 * The light glows even brighter!
 * Where faith goes, the blood must follow!
 * Into the Light, then!
 * Faith over steel!
 * Each wound is a prayer heard!
 * Pain is my compass!
 * The way opens!

Enemy Missed Self

 * I wait, ready for the burden!
 * Is this a sign?
 * The Light protects and shelters!
 * Another test. I will not waver.
 * So flows the way.
 * Have I strayed? Light guide me!

Refuses to Get Buffed

 * True strength is drawn from the burden.
 * I bleed. I am strong.
 * I am one with the weight, its strength flows through me.
 * I cannot lean on another or I will lose the way!

Refuses to Get Healed

 * Without blood there is no true salvation.
 * This burden cannot be set aside.
 * These wounds are my offering!

Refuses to Use Item

 * I seek absolution, not temptation.
 * Another temptation overcome.
 * Another illusion.
 * I must bear the burden - the weight of my sin.

Refuses to Move

 * I will not flee these blows!
 * This is a trial of faith!
 * Faith is built on trials!
 * Strength flows to those who stand with faith!
 * Tempt me not into safety!

Camping Stress

 * I can show you the points where the pain sings most sweetly!
 * …and this holy man flayed himself with a single prolonged cut and so he ascended…
 * I grieve when wounds clot and close, but rejoice at their re-opening.
 * I trust my screams will not disturb your slumber.
 * Pain is the Light's song, and agony is its blessing.
 * To heal a wound is to fail the lesson.
 * Has anyone seen my prayer caltrops?
 * Who will sponge me with vinegar?
 * Every stitch is an offering.

Refuses to Perform Camping Skill

 * Faithless! Piety demands blood.
 * If you cannot see the Light, then gouge your eyes!
 * Worthless! Anyone can see you have shirked your burden.
 * Stop! Faithless cur!

Refuses to be Target of Camping Skill

 * The way requires the flow of blood.
 * Why lighten the burden? Why deprive the soul?
 * How dare you try to silence my choir of wounds?!
 * Make yourself useful and pass me the salt.

Having a Heart Attack
Final_Boss(spoiler) =
 * I've failed... I cannot bear it.
 * The burden... it's too much!


 * I've waited long for this! DON'T TAKE IT FROM ME.

Trivia

 * Despite the Reclaim skill saying "Heal," it is not boosted by trinkets that increase "Healing Skills" as it instead applies Restoration, an "over time" effect similar to bleed or blight, for a specific amount. However buffing the hero's "Healing Received" will boost Reclaim's healing effects.
 * The Flagellant shares his name with a Quirk that makes heroes only use the Penance Chamber for Stress Relief. Naturally, he can only relieve stress in the Penance Chamber.
 * Moreover, the achievement for recruiting a Flagellant for the first time, "The Flesh is Willing", shares its name with an attack that the Necromancer uses during his boss fight.
 * The predetermined name for the Flagellant is Damian, which is most likely named after a saint of the same name who introduced flagellation to the Catholic Church.
 * He is currently the only playable character to have a modified Death Blow resistance. The Flagellant has an innate 73% passive chance to resist fatality while others have a 67% chance.
 * No backer heroes exist within this class, because backer heroes are Kickstarter users suggestions before the original game was released; the other three are the Musketeer, the Antiquarian and the Shieldbreaker.
 * The line "Blood for the burden! Bones for the Light!" is most likely a reference to followers of Khorne, the Chaos god of hate, rage, violence, and bloodshed from Warhammer and their battlecry; "Blood for the Blood God, skulls for the Skull Throne!" The Flagellant himself may be a reference to the flagellants from Warhammer Fantasy, as both use "weaponized suffering," against their enemies.
 * The Crimson Court trinket Chipped Tooth, together with the quote "We're all falling apart", may possibly be a reference to a scene from the film Fight Club, where a protagonist (who found release in abusing his body) is disturbed to see his loosened tooth fall out. His companion Tyler Durden then quips: "Hey, even the Mona Lisa is falling apart", prompting the hero to flick the tooth away.