Ghoul

Ghoul

Enemy Type	Unholy
Size	Large
Drops	Loot Table A x2
Actions per round
Stats
Variation	Slavering Ghoul	Insatiable Ghoul
HP	41	57
HP (Stygian/Bloodmoon)	50	69
Dodge	13.75	26.25
Protection	40	40
Speed	6	7
Stealth	No	No
Resistances
Stun	70%	90%
Blight	40%	60%
Bleed	40%	60%
Debuff	40%	60%
Move	82%	102%

Occasionally, sounds can be heard emanating from the darkness; the sound of flesh being violently stripped from bone, the splashing of fresh blood on cold stone, the sharp cracking and snapping of bone, the ceaseless scratching of blood-soaked claws, and even the unholy, bloodthirsty shrieks of a ravenous monster. These sounds are usually the only warning one gets before encountering the giant, pale-skinned, undead abomination known as a Ghoul... an encounter which is usually their last.

It is almost impossible to comprehend that this monstrosity was at one point a human being. It is said by some that a Ghoul is created by the lingering hunger of a person who savored the taste of human flesh. Others believe that anyone who participates in acts of extreme wickedness and debauchery become Ghouls upon death or succumbing to so-called "Ghoul Fever" after being bitten by a Ghoul. There are even some who believe that the Ancestor's unholy and unnatural experiments in necromancy had something to do with it. Whatever the cause may be that turns humans into these slavering nightmares, one fact is, however, certain; these creatures are cunning, vicious and relentless in their insatiable quest to consume human flesh.

Ghouls haunt places where the stench of death hangs heavy and piles of the carrion it craves can be found. From the decrepit and decaying halls of the Ruins, to the sludge and filth encrusted tunnels of the Warrens, the twisted and pestilent paths of the Weald, and the dark, dank, salt-soaked crags of the Cove. Also, with rediscovery of the Courtyard, we found out that several Ghouls have succeeded in forcing their way into vampiric hive of unbridled hedonism and indulgent with brute force as the festering aroma of freshly slipped human blood and decaying flesh is too irresistible for them. It is unknown if these undead giants have become infected by the Crimson Curse or their unholy origins gifted them some kind of nature or unnatural immunity to it.

Behavior[]

Flesh-eating undead who can be found in Veteran or Champion-level dungeons, Ghouls are often accompanied by Gargoyles, Maggots or Cultists. They have fairly high protection and health, and can cause bleed and stun along with respectable health and stress damage - not a foe to be underestimated. In particular, watch out for their "Howl" ability, which gives Horror to the entire formation, drops the light level, and has a chance of inflicting The Worries on anyone it hits.

Ghouls are most likely to open combat with a Rend, if they can, but after that will typically use Skull Toss and Howl. In general, they will prioritize marked targets (3x/4x more likely to target them on Veteran/Champion, respectively), and additionally will use Skull Toss on already-stressed heroes (2x/4x).

Strategy[]

Ghouls are ruthless and difficult enemies who primarily rely on being hard to kill quickly, while they stack as much stress as possible. Between stress resist debuffs, high crit chances, and the chance to inflict The Worries (for +30% stress), they can easily stack a huge amount of stress or even an Affliction on their own within a few turns, not even considering anyone the Ghoul might be accompanied with.

Skull Toss is a dangerous attack for any backline hero, who tend to have lower health and are much more vulnerable to a crit and stun. If possible, consider guarding to prevent key heroes (such as backline healers like a Vestal or stunners like a Plague Doctor) from being stunned for a turn.

Ghouls' resistances are relatively low, save for stun and move - stunning them on the first round is still sometimes viable with the right setup, giving you time to eliminate their allies, then focus fire on the Ghoul to kill it as quickly as possible. Unlike other Unholy opponents, they're also vulnerable to bleed, and stacking it on them will help end the fight that much quicker.

Abilities[]

Veteran Level
Skill Name	Range	Rank	Target	Accuracy	Crit Chance	Damage	Effect (Target)	Effect (Self)	Notes
Rend	Melee	1,2	1,2	88.75%	16%	5-11	120% Bleed 3 120% Debuff: +15% Stress
Skull Toss	Ranged	1,2,3,4	3,4	88.75%	12%	5-11	Stress +15 100% Stun
Howl	Ranged	1,2,3,4	1+2+3+4	92.5%	0%	0	75% Horror 3 Torch -10 5% Disease (The Worries)

Champion Level
Skill Name	Range	Rank	Target	Accuracy	Crit Chance	Damage	Effect (Target)	Effect (Self)	Notes
Rend	Melee	1,2	1,2	102.5%	19%	7-15	140% Bleed 4 140% Debuff: +20% Stress
Skull Toss	Ranged	1,2,3,4	3,4	102.5%	14%	7-15	Stress +15 130% Stun
Howl	Ranged	1,2,3,4	1+2+3+4	100%	0%	0	75% Horror 3 Torch -10 5% Disease (The Worries)