Difference between revisions of "Bane"

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'''The Banes''' are a group of [[artifact weapon]]s, notable in that they do double damage to a specific group of monsters. They are generally considered to be worthless for most purposes, since they reduce the probability of receiving a more useful artifact. Despite its name, [[Magicbane]] is not included since it has no double damage bonus. [[Sprig of wolfsbane|Wolfsbane]] is not a weapon at all but a [[comestible]], named after a real-life plant. Likewise, [[Fire and Frost Brand]] are not included, as their range of speciality is very large, while [[Sunsword]] has several other abilities as well.
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A '''Bane''' is a semi-informal name used to refer to a group of [[artifact weapon]]s in ''[[NetHack]]'' that each deal [[double damage]] to a specific group of monsters.
  
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==Warning==
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==List of Banes==
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In [[UnNetHack]] and [[DNethack]] all these artifact weapons (with the exception of Sunsword) also give you [[Warned of monster type|warning of those monster types]] they do double damage against. For example, wielding [[Dragonbane]] will show you all dragons on the current level.
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* [[Demonbane]]
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* [[Dragonbane]]
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* [[Giantslayer]]
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* [[Ogresmasher]]
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* [[Sting]]
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* [[Sunsword]]
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* [[Orcrist]]
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* [[Trollsbane]]
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* [[Werebane]]
  
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==Demonbane==
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==Other 'Banes'==
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[[Demonbane]] is a lawful long sword that deals double damage to proper [[demon]]s, and has +1d5 to hit them. It acts as a normal long sword against non-demons, including the [[Riders]], the [[mail daemon]], [[sandestin]]s, and [[djinni|djinn]]. Its utility or lack thereof depends on your opinion of the difficulty of most demons.  
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The following uses of "bane" are either unrelated to the above weapons, or else simply a turn of phrase based on them.
  
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In dNethack, it is now a lawful silver saber, and blocks passive summoning abilities of demons, even when wielded in the offhand.  Its double damage and warning are preserved.  In SporkHack, it is now a lawful silver mace, and blocks summoning abilities as dNethack.  It is also the first gift for SporkHack priests.  
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* [[Magicbane]] has no double damage bonus.
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* [[Sprig of wolfsbane|Wolfsbane]] is a [[comestible]] named after a real-life plant.
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* [[Fire and Frost Brand]] have double damage bonuses, but their range of specialty is very large, and so they are not considered banes.
  
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==Dragonbane==
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These terms were additionally coined by the community as a reference to or parody of the Banes:
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[[Dragonbane]] is an unaligned broadsword that deals double damage to all [[dragon]]s, and has +1d5 to hit them.  In 3.6.1, the current development version, it grants reflection while wielded. 
 
  
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In dNethack, it is a [[DNetHack_Artifacts#Dragonlance|lawful lance]] that cannot break, and grants its bonus also to any reptilians. In SporkHack, UnNetHack, and SLASH'EM, Dragonbane is instead a dwarvish spear that gives all dragon breath resistances (fire, cold, shock, sleep, poison, acid, and disintegration) when wielded.  It also has a 50% chance of instantly killing dragons (reduced to 20% in UnNetHack).
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* [[Puddingbane]] is used for any tool, generally a weak and heavily eroded weapon, employed in pudding farming.
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* [[Vladsbane]] was formerly used to refer to any object used in killing [[Vlad the Impaler]], who is an incredibly weak late-game boss in versions prior to [[NetHack 3.6.1]].
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* [[Dudley's dungeon#Jokes|Newtbane]] appears in [http://www.nicolaas.net/dudley/index.php?f=20050428 the April 28, 2005 issue] of [[Dudley's dungeon]], where it is an ordinary [[long sword]] named by [[Dudley]] in the hopes that it would help him kill newts more easily; he is then felled by a newt named "Dudleyrist".
  
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==Giantslayer==
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==Strategy==
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[[Giantslayer]] is a neutral long sword that has +1d5 to hit and does double damage against proper [[giant]]s, which include [[giant mummy|giant mummies]], [[giant zombie]]s, and even [[Cyclops]] and [[Lord Surtur]], but not [[ettin]]s or [[titan]]s.
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The Banes are generally considered to be unnecessary for most purposes or else excessively niche, though this is not always the case; for example, Sunsword is useful as a light source and [[gremlin]]/[[undead]] deterrent, and Dragonbane may see more use than others, due to providing [[reflection]] when wielded and aiding in obtaining [[dragon scale]]s to convert into [[dragon scale mail]].
  
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In UnNetHack it is now a neutral sling, and sets the player's strength to 18/** when wielded or in the off-hand.  Note that slings also get a larger strength bonus in UnNetHack, so this might be a good choice of weapon for a player that likes slings.
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==Variants==
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Because the Banes are often considered underpowered, it is very common for them to be buffed in variants.
  
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In SLASH'EM, this is replaced by [[Giantkiller]], a neutral axe.  It has mostly the same stats, but has an added 15% to chance any giants (as listed above).
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{{todo|Include more information about the buffs to Banes where possible, particularly in the SLASH'EM section.}}
  
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==Ogresmasher==
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===SLASH'EM===
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[[Ogresmasher]] is an unaligned war hammer that confers +1d5 to hit and double damage against [[ogre]]s. In dNethack, Sporkhack, UnNetHack, and the vanilla 3.6.1 development version, it also sets the wielder's constituition to 25 when wielded or unused in the off hand.  This makes it slightly more useful.  
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In [[SLASH'EM]], Giantslayer is replaced by [[Giantkiller]].
  
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==Sting==
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Both the replacement and vanilla Banes now have a 15% chance of cancelling the monsters they target; the +1d5 to-hit of most Banes is also increased to a flat +5.  
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[[Sting]] is a chaotic elven dagger that provides +1d5 to hit, and does double damage to [[orc]]s, including orc [[orc mummy|mummies]] and [[orc zombie|zombies]]. It also reveals the location of orcs on the level, and cuts through [[Trap|spider-web]]s. Any player can obtain it readily by #[[Name|naming]] any elven dagger "Sting," provided Sting does not already exist.
 
  
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In dNethack, it also grants warning vs arachnids (any 's'), in addition to the standard double damage.
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SLASH'EM also adds new weapons specific to particular monster types, none of which deal double damage:
  
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==Sunsword==
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* [[Deathsword]]
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[[Sunsword]] is a lawful long sword that does double damage to all [[undead]] creatures: {{white|L}} ([[lich]]es), {{white|M}} ([[mummy|mummies]]), {{white|W}} ([[wraith]]s, [[barrow wight|wight]]s and [[Nazgul]]), {{white|Z}} ([[zombie]]s and [[skeleton]]s), [[ghost]]s, and [[shade]]s. It is made slightly more useful by the fact that it's a light source, with a radius of 2, and that it prevents blinding from light-based sources.  Also, its damage range is somewhat wider and more useful than that of the other Banes, especially since many spellcasters are [[lich|undead]]. The keep-or-toss decision is based on how much you hate undead.
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* [[Disrupter]]
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* [[Elfrist]]
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* [[Holy Spear of Light]]
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* [[Thiefbane]], generated on [[One-Eyed Sam]]
  
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In dNethack, it is considerably more useful. Maybe new and powerful undead are around, particularly spellcasters.  In addition, it now grants 2x demon versus demons, and petrifies trolls and gremlins.  It may also blind struck enemies.  Lastly, it now uses (and trains) the higher skill of short swords and long swords, which makes it effective even for, say, a rogue, and maybe even a wizard.
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===UnNetHack===
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In [[UnNetHack]], all vanilla Banes except Sunsword also give you warning of targeted monster types; UnNetHack also adds [[Thiefbane]], which is still generated on [[One-Eyed Sam]] and does not deal double damage.
  
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==Orcrist==
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===dNetHack===
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[[Orcrist]], the big brother to Sting, is a chaotic elven broadsword that gives +1d5 to hit and double damage only against orcs. Orcrist may be created by #[[name|naming]] an elven broadsword "Orcrist".
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In [[dNetHack]], all vanilla Banes are buffed, and also give you [[Warned of monster type|warning of targeted monster types]] with the exception of Sunsword.
  
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In dNethack, it also grants 2x damage and warning against demons, which makes it slightly more useful (though still more useless).
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In addition, dNetHack adds more Banes, ranging from moderately useful to highly useless.
  
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==Trollsbane==
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* [[dNetHack artifacts#Nodensfork|Nodensfork]]
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[[Trollsbane]] is an unaligned [[morning star]] that does double damage and +1d5 to-hit to all {{white|T}} ([[troll]]s).  In the nethack 3.6.1 dev version, it also prevents trolls from reviving while wielded. In SporkHack and UnNetHack, it grants hungerless regeneration and a chance of instantly killing trolls.
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* [[dNetHack artifacts#Gaia's Fate|Gaia's Fate]]
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* [[dNetHack artifacts#Vampire Killer|Vampire Killer]]
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* [[dNetHack artifacts#Kingslayer|Kingslayer]]
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* [[dNetHack artifacts#Peace Keeper|Peace Keeper]]
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* [[dNetHack artifacts#Werebuster|Werebuster]]
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* Three new nameable Banes:
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** [[dNetHack artifacts#Claideamh|Claideamh]]
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** [[dNetHack artifacts#Carnwennan|Carnwennan]]
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** [[dNetHack artifacts#Grimtooth|Grimtooth]]
  
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In dNethack, it is now silvered and instantly kills trolls. In addition, it grants extra damage vs regenerating and covetous monsters, and petrifies gremlins.
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dNetHack also replaces Dragonbane with [[dNetHack artifacts#Dragonlance|Dragonlance]].
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==Werebane==
 
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[[Werebane]] is an unaligned [[silver saber]]. It does double damage against all [[werecreature]]s, as well as +1d5 to hit. However, it is slightly more useful than the other banes in that when [[wield]]ed, it protects you from [[lycanthropy]].  It also has a useful base item, and therefore may be more useful than another bane.
 
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In dNethack, it also grants warning versus demihumans, which include, in rough order of rarity:
 
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* all nagas (including hatchlings)
 
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* centaurs (but not sprow)
 
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* deep/deeper/deepest ones
 
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* manticores
 
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* (master) mind flayers
 
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* edderkops
 
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* gnolls (matriarchs and ghouls included)
 
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* githyanki pirates
 
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* (warrior) changed
 
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In addition, it grants warning versus the following 'boss' monsters:
 
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* Alhoons
 
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* Medusa
 
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* Elder brains (Anachronaut quest bosses)
 
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* Agalope (Bard quest nemesis)
 
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* Maanzecorian
 
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* Lugribossk
 
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==dNethack Banes==
 
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dNethack adds more [[DNetHack_Artifacts#The_Banes|banes]], ranging from moderately useful to highly useless.
 
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* [[DNetHack_Artifacts#Nodensfork|Nodensfork]]: an unaligned silver trident that grants slotless warning and extra damage against primordials (elementals and similar), aliens (mind flayers, U (unknown abominations), and a couple drow) and telepathic monsters.
 
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* [[dNetHack_Artifacts#Gaia.27s_Fate|Gaia's Fate]]: an unaligned sickle that grants slotless warning and extra damage against plants, insects, arachnids, avians, reptilians, animals, fey, elves, and elementals. Because of its long warning list, it's absolutely worth keeping around in open inventory.
 
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* [[DNetHack_Artifacts#Vampire_Killer|Vampire Killer]]: a lawful bullwhip that grants extra damage to all, grants drain resistance while wielded, and slotless warning against undead, demons, and werecreatures.  You can also #invoke it to blessed, fix and erodeproof, and set enchantment to +3 if +2 or lower.
 
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* [[DNetHack_Artifacts#Kingslayer|Kingslayer]]: a chaotic stilleto that is permanently poisoned, grants slotless warning against monster lords or princes (including the late-game demon and devil lords), and can be held second to other artifacts with no penalty or restrictions.
 
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* [[DNetHack_Artifacts#Peace_Keeper|Peace Keeper]]: a lawful athame which grants extra damage and warning vs always hostile creatures.  It can be held second to other artifacts with no penalty or restrictions.
 
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In addition, two more new nameable 'banes' exist:
 
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* [[DNetHack_Artifacts#Claideamh|Claideamh]]: unaligned long sword which warns and grants extra damage against elves, fey, giants, elementals, and primordials.
 
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* [[DNetHack_Artifacts#Carnwennan | Carnwennan]]:: lawful dagger that grants +1d5 to hit, +1d10 damage, and warning vs magic-hording monsters.  Can only be named by knights.
 
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* [[DNetHack_Artifacts#Grimtooth|Grimtooth]]: chaotic orcish dagger ([[Grimtooth|as in vanilla]]), now grants +1d5 to hit, 2x damage, and warning against elves, humans, and minions.
 
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Lastly, there is another bane for werecreatures, but it's very useless. Werebuster is an unaligned long sword with +1d10 to hit and +1d20 to damage against all werebeasts.  It is guaranteed at the Chaos quest, but likely isn't even worth picking up.
 
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==See also==
 
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Some non-artifacts with similar names:
 
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* [[Puddingbane]]
 
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* [[Vladsbane]]
 
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* [[Newtbane]]
 
  
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===FIQHack===
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In [[FIQHack]], all the vanilla Banes other than [[Sting]] and [[Orcrist]] no longer deal [[double damage]] to monsters they target, but instead deal +1d20 damage, making them more useful at +0 than they would be in vanilla NetHack.
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{{nethack-364}}
 
[[Category:Artifact weapons|Banes]]
 
[[Category:Artifact weapons|Banes]]
 
[[Category:Strategy]]
 
[[Category:Strategy]]
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{{nethack-343}}
 

Latest revision as of 21:48, 2 December 2023

A Bane is a semi-informal name used to refer to a group of artifact weapons in NetHack that each deal double damage to a specific group of monsters.

List of Banes

Other 'Banes'

The following uses of "bane" are either unrelated to the above weapons, or else simply a turn of phrase based on them.

These terms were additionally coined by the community as a reference to or parody of the Banes:

Strategy

The Banes are generally considered to be unnecessary for most purposes or else excessively niche, though this is not always the case; for example, Sunsword is useful as a light source and gremlin/undead deterrent, and Dragonbane may see more use than others, due to providing reflection when wielded and aiding in obtaining dragon scales to convert into dragon scale mail.

Variants

Because the Banes are often considered underpowered, it is very common for them to be buffed in variants.

A user has suggested improving this page or section as follows:

"Include more information about the buffs to Banes where possible, particularly in the SLASH'EM section."

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, Giantslayer is replaced by Giantkiller.

Both the replacement and vanilla Banes now have a 15% chance of cancelling the monsters they target; the +1d5 to-hit of most Banes is also increased to a flat +5.

SLASH'EM also adds new weapons specific to particular monster types, none of which deal double damage:

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, all vanilla Banes except Sunsword also give you warning of targeted monster types; UnNetHack also adds Thiefbane, which is still generated on One-Eyed Sam and does not deal double damage.

dNetHack

In dNetHack, all vanilla Banes are buffed, and also give you warning of targeted monster types with the exception of Sunsword.

In addition, dNetHack adds more Banes, ranging from moderately useful to highly useless.

dNetHack also replaces Dragonbane with Dragonlance.

FIQHack

In FIQHack, all the vanilla Banes other than Sting and Orcrist no longer deal double damage to monsters they target, but instead deal +1d20 damage, making them more useful at +0 than they would be in vanilla NetHack.

This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.

It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.6.4. Information on this page may be out of date.

Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-364}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.

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