Difference between revisions of "Dragon scale mail"

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{{languages}}
 
{{armor
 
{{armor
 
   |top={{black|[}}{{blue|[}}{{gray|[}}{{green|[}}{{orange|[}}{{red|[}}{{cyan|[}}{{white|[}}{{yellow|[}}[[Image:Black_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Blue_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Gray_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Green_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Orange_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Red_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Silver_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:White_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Yellow_dragon_scale_mail.png]]
 
   |top={{black|[}}{{blue|[}}{{gray|[}}{{green|[}}{{orange|[}}{{red|[}}{{cyan|[}}{{white|[}}{{yellow|[}}[[Image:Black_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Blue_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Gray_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Green_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Orange_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Red_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Silver_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:White_dragon_scale_mail.png]][[Image:Yellow_dragon_scale_mail.png]]
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   |slot=body armor
 
   |slot=body armor
 
   |ac=9
 
   |ac=9
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   |special=<ul><li>&lt;by color&gt;</li></ul>
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   |special=[[#Description|<Varies by color>]]
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   |cost=900-1200
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   |cost=(red, blue, white, orange, yellow, green) 900 [[Zorkmid|zm]]<br>(black, gray, silver) 1200
 
   |weight=40
 
   |weight=40
 
   |material=dragon hide
 
   |material=dragon hide
 
}}
 
}}
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{{armor
 
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  |top={{black|[}}{{blue|[}}{{gray|[}}{{green|[}}{{orange|[}}{{red|[}}{{cyan|[}}{{white|[}}{{yellow|[}}[[Image:Black_dragon_scales.png]][[Image:Blue_dragon_scales.png]][[Image:Gray_dragon_scales.png]][[Image:Green_dragon_scales.png]][[Image:Orange_dragon_scales.png]][[Image:Red_dragon_scales.png]][[Image:Silver_dragon_scales.png]][[Image:White_dragon_scales.png]][[Image:Yellow_dragon_scales.png]]
 
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  |name=&lt;color&gt; dragon scales
 
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  |slot=body armor
 
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  |ac=3
 
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  |special=<ul><li>&lt;by color&gt;</li></ul>
 
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  |cost=500-700
 
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  |weight=40
 
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  |material=dragon hide
 
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}}
 
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'''Dragon scale mail''' (commonly abbreviated '''DSM''') is the strongest single piece of [[body armor]] available. Its base [[AC]] reduction is 9, it [[weight|weighs]] only 40, provides a useful [[extrinsic]], is inherently [[erosion|erodeproof]], and doesn't hinder [[spellcasting]]. It does not however provide any [[magic cancellation]], and should hence be complemented by a high [[MC]] cloak.
 
  
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'''Dragon scales''' are [[body armor]] that might be dropped by a [[dragon]]. They have a base [[AC]] reduction of only 3, but are otherwise identical to the dragon scale mail of the same color. They can be [[#Making dragon scale mail from scales|converted]] into dragon scale mail.
+
'''Dragon scale mail''', also known as '''dragon mail''' and commonly abbreviated as '''DSM''', is a type of [[Magical item|magical]] [[body armor]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is made of [[dragon hide]].
  
−
The most coveted varieties are [[silver dragon scale mail]] (SDSM) for [[reflection]] and [[gray dragon scale mail]] (GDSM) for [[magic resistance]].
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==Generation==
 +
Dragon scale mail is not randomly generated, though they can be [[wish]]ed for or found in [[bones]].
  
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{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Gold dragon scale mail now exists, and may have an impact on strategy/kit considerations given that it provides radius 4 light when blessed. The rest of the text in this article currently doesn't reflect the addition. Also, this article (and perhaps other articles) should be reviewed for ambiguous uses of "GDSM", though green dragon scale mail already existed so it may not be a problem.}}
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Dragon scale mail can be created by reading a non-cursed [[scroll of enchant armor]] while wearing a set of [[dragon scales]]: the scales will transform into dragon scale mail if the scroll enchants them, and a blessed scroll will add one point of enchantment.
  
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==Effects==
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[[Player monster]]s that are not [[Monk (player monster)|monks]] generated on the [[Astral Plane]] have a {{frac|9}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|generating with]] dragon scale mail as their initial body armor before role-specific replacements.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|156|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=initial body armor for Astral playermons is random DSM, with equal probability for each}}
  
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===Colors===
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==Description==
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The following table shows the extrinsic abilities provided by each color of dragon scales or dragon scale mail:
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While worn, all forms of dragon scale mail confer 9 base [[AC]], the most of any single piece of [[body armor]]. Dragon scale mail also confers an extrinsic property while worn, based on the color of the armor:
  
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
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|}
 
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Black, gray, and silver dragon scale mail have a base price of 1200 zm, and their scales are 700 zm. Other varieties are 900 zm for the mail and 500 zm for the scales. Gray, silver, and yellow dragon scales are the only ones whose resistances cannot can be obtained as [[intrinsic]]s.
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Uncontrolled [[polymorph]]ing while wearing dragon scale mail will turn the wearer into that color of dragon and revert the mail back to scales.{{refsrc|src/polyself.c|501|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/polyself.c|518|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Black, gray, and silver dragon scale mail have a base price of 1200[[zm]], and all other types of dragon scale mail have a base cost of 900 zm.
 +
 
 +
{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|[[Gold dragon scale mail]] is added per {{commit|5a09a01a13ee4e6e169a7ec0b7e1697ce69a87ac}} along with the corresponding dragons, and acts as a [[light source]] while worn. Per {{commit|ef1eeed7550e38fa1e4ff0ef608f3c8b55eaa950}}, they and other dragon scale mail types that are not gray or silver grant additional extrinsics while worn - the dragon scale mail extrinsics for 3.7 as of this commit are listed below:}}
  
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{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per [https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/commit/ef1eeed7550e38fa1e4ff0ef608f3c8b55eaa950 this commit], the following effects have been added:}}
 
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
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!Color !! Extrinsic
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!Color !! Extrinsics (NetHack 3.7.0)
 +
|-
 +
|[[Blue dragon scale mail|Blue]]||[[shock resistance]], [[very fast]] speed
 +
|-
 +
|[[Black dragon scale mail|Black]]||[[disintegration resistance]], [[drain resistance]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Blue dragon scale mail|Blue]]||extrinsic [[speed]]
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|[[Gray dragon scale mail|Gray]]||[[magic resistance]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Black dragon scale mail|Black]]||[[drain resistance]]
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|[[Green dragon scale mail|Green]]||[[poison resistance]], [[sickness resistance]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Green dragon scale mail|Green]]||[[sickness resistance]]
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|[[Gold dragon scale mail|Gold]]||[[light source]], [[hallucination resistance]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Gold dragon scale mail|Gold]]||[[hallucination]] resistance
+
|[[Orange dragon scale mail|Orange]]||[[sleep resistance]], [[free action]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Orange dragon scale mail|Orange]]||[[free action]]
+
|[[Red dragon scale mail|Red]]||[[fire resistance]], [[infravision]]
 
|-
 
|-
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|[[Red dragon scale mail|Red]]||[[infravision]]
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|[[Silver dragon scale mail|Silver]]||[[reflection]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[White dragon scale mail|White]]||[[slow digestion]]
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|[[White dragon scale mail|White]]||[[cold resistance]], [[slow digestion]]
 
|-
 
|-
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|[[Yellow dragon scale mail|Yellow]]||[[stoning resistance]]
+
|[[Yellow dragon scale mail|Yellow]]||[[acid resistance]], [[stoning resistance]]
 
|}
 
|}
  
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===Polymorph===
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==Strategy==
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Uncontrolled [[polymorph]]ing while wearing dragon scales or dragon scale mail turns you into a dragon of the same color. This, and purposeful polymorph into a dragon of the same color, will revert your scale mail back to its scale form{{refsrc|src/polyself.c|500|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}, but leave its enchantment unchanged. If the dragon scales are enchanted above +3, it is possible that they will evaporate while attempting to return them to dragon scale mail. While polymorphed, the scales will show up as "(embedded in your skin)" and will not function as armor: the base AC and enchantment of the scales will not lower your polymorphed AC, and they cannot be targeted by a [[scroll of enchant armor]]. Your [[shirt]] and [[cloak]] will tear as normal. If you polymorph again while in dragon form, there is a chance that you will turn into a different large monster, destroying your armor in the process.
+
Dragon scale mail is the strongest and most sought-after type of [[armor]] in ''NetHack'': it provides a stellar amount of AC for only 40 units of [[weight]], is made of an intrinsically [[erosion]]-proof material, and does not block [[spellcasting]] - even the least useful dragon scale mail is likely to do much more for a character than most other body armor. One of the few things it does not provide is [[magic cancellation]], which can be remedied with other armor or items such as a high-MC cloak.
  
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Dragon scale mail is considered to be [[magical item|magical]] for purposes of [[polypiling|object polymorph]], whereas dragon scales are not.
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The most common methods of obtaining dragon scale mail are:
  
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Since scales and mail are never generated randomly, they cannot be obtained by polypiling.
+
# Wishing for it directly - dragon scale mail is a common early game wish, especially when a character find a random [[wand of wishing]].
 +
# [[Dragon scales#Acquiring dragon scales|Acquiring dragon scales]] in some manner and making them into mail using a scroll of enchant armor.
 +
# A lucky player may happen across the bones of a former character with dragon scale mail in them, though whatever killed that character will likely be trouble for them as well.
  
−
==Acquiring scales and scale mail==
+
When wishing for your preferred dragon scale mail, make sure to spell out and phrase the wish properly, or you may end up with a [[scroll of mail]]. Take care to avoid [[polymorph trap]]s and other sources of polymorph while wearing dragon scale mail, especially if you lack a source of magic resistance: while dragons are decent polymorph forms, the loss of body armor and AC is quite annoying even at best - re-crafting the dragon scale mail will also take another scroll, and scales with an enchantment of +4 or above risk being evaporated entirely.
  
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There are two main ways to acquire dragon scale mail: either [[wish]] for it directly, or obtain dragon scales and then upgrade them to scale mail. When wishing, make sure of your spelling and wording, or you may end up with a [[scroll of mail]].
+
{{upcoming|3.7.0|Overhaul the sections below to reflect DSM changes and extrinsic resistance buffs.}}
  
−
There are two other ways to obtain DSM. The first is to find it in a [[bones]] pile, which is obviously unreliable. The other option is to kill one of the [[player monster]]s on the [[Astral Plane]], who have a chance of wearing dragon scale mail. This method is almost completely useless, since any adventurer reaching the Astral Plane will probably have DSM already.
+
===Gray versus silver===
 +
{{main|GDSM versus SDSM}}
 +
The most coveted varieties of dragon scale mail are silver (for reflection) and gray (for magic resistance), though players disagree as to which of the two is more useful in particular circumstances. The article linked at the top of this section goes in-depth with regards to which choice may be most appropriate for a given character and/or scenario, particularly in regards to early game wishes and availability of other sources for either property.
  
−
===Making dragon scale mail from scales===
+
===Other colors===
−
Dragon scale mail can be easily made from dragon scales:
+
Even with the popularity of characters using gray or silver dragon scale mail, there are certain builds and strategies where another color is preferred. Some examples of these use cases are listed below:
−
# [[wear]] only the dragon scales you wish to convert
 
−
# [[read]] a non-cursed [[scroll of enchant armor]]
 
  
−
If the scroll is blessed, the mail gains 1 point of enchantment and becomes blessed. Beware; if the scales are already above +3, this may vaporize them as with most other armor.
+
* For [[wishless]] ascensions, while it is possible to obtain obtain DSM without a wish via [[reverse genocide]], some unlucky characters may not find the scrolls or a means to write one in a timely manner - in such cases, it is worth enchanting the first set of dragon scales found, even if only for the AC benefit and weight reduction. This may also be an option for players whose characters lack a [[bag of holding]] and want to manage their inventory weight without resorting to constant [[stash]] trips.
 +
* Players attempting [[foodless]] or even [[vegetarian]] [[conduct]]s can get most resistances through [[crowning]], though this may be undesirable in some circumstances e.g. foodless [[atheist]] play (which makes crowning impossible). Such characters that have magic resistance and reflection from other sources may consider the following colors of dragon scale mail:
 +
** Red dragon scale mail protects against the [[fire trap]]s in [[Gehennom]] - while it can be superseded by the [[ring of fire resistance]], the ring must generally be identified in some way first.
 +
** Green dragon scale mail protects against [[instadeath]]s and extra damage from spiked pits, poisoned missiles and poisonous melee attacks. The [[ring of poison resistance]] and [[amulet versus poison]] similarly warrant identification of some form as with red dragon scales: green dragon scale mail can also be superseded by reaching a given [[experience level]] for certain characters or roles, or else finding an [[alchemy smock]]. It may be a likely candidate for a foodless atheist that obtains an early wish, especially if using a role/race combo that does not gain eventual access to the property.
 +
** Orange dragon scale mail protects from [[sleeping gas trap]]s, [[sleep]] [[ray]]s, and thrown or boiled [[Potion of sleeping|potions of sleeping]]. [[Elf (starting race)|Elven]] characters can obtain sleep resistance at experience level 4, but the property lacks other sources and can only be partially covered by a [[ring of free action]].
 +
* Yellow dragon scale mail is a very rare consideration: though acid resistance is difficult to obtain short of polymorph or else an alchemy smock, acid attacks are themselves rare and not often a threat, and acidic passives can be avoided with most forms of ranged attack.
 +
* Black dragon scale mail is similarly rare: the only sources of disintegration resistance are the [[black dragon]] itself, but a character with reflection can trivialize the threat of their breath attack, then consume their [[corpse]] or [[tin]] for insurance should they lose their reflection somehow.
 +
* Reflection-less play changes considerations significantly, and may open up the possibility of using different colors for harder-to-obtain properties: characters that already have magic resistance covered may consider black dragon scale mail in particular to avoid being surprised by an offscreen disintegration blast - the property is still supersedable afterward by eating a black dragon corpse or tin (with the exception of foodless or [[vegetarian]] conducts), and some players may opt to [[genocide]] black dragons instead.
  
−
===Acquiring dragon scales===
+
===Pets and DSM===
−
Dragon scale mail is simple to acquire: kill dragons of the color you want until one drops scales, and make mail out of them as [[#Making Dragon Scale Mail|described above]].
+
Humanoid pets, on the other hand, will appreciate certain "off-meta" colors of dragon scale mail more, depending on their own intrinsic resistances:
  
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The chance of a dragon dropping scales is 1/3, but only 1/20 if the dragon was [[revive]]d.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|255|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
+
* [[Mind flayer]] pets are especially vulnerable to passive attacks due to their multiple hit dice, and yellow dragon scale mail in particular may be worth considering for them.
 +
* If you lack a spare reflection source, black dragon scale mail can protect a humanoid pet against a black dragon's breath weapon.
  
−
Energy sources such as [[magic trap]]s and [[The Mitre of Holiness]] can make [[Spellbook of turn undead|Turn Undead]] a viable strategy for forcing one dragon to drop scales.
+
==History==
 +
Dragon scale mail first appears in [[NetHack 3.0.0]], with all varieties except for silver available - silver dragons and their scales and scale mail are introduced in [[NetHack 3.3.0]].
  
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Here are some methods of generating dragons:
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From NetHack 3.0.0 to [[NetHack 3.0.10]], including variants based on those versions, dragon scale mail is created by polymorphing the corpse of an appropriate-color dragon. Dragon scales are introduced in [[NetHack 3.1.0]], along with the current method for converting them into dragon scale mail.
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# [[Polymorph]] [[pet]]s on a [[polymorph trap]] until one becomes the desired dragon, then leave it behind for a while to go [[tameness|wild]] (or just kill it and make up for the [[Luck#Ways_to_change_your_Luck|luck loss]]).
 
−
# [[Reverse genocide]] dragons.
 
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# Allow a monster of the appropriate [[Alignment#Monster_alignment|alignment]] to [[summon nasties]] until the desired dragon is created (note that this can never produce Blue, Gray, or White). Be prepared to deal with whatever else is summoned!
 
−
# Polymorph into a female dragon of the desired variety, lay some eggs (#[[sit]] command), let them hatch and slowly grow up into adult pet dragons. Killing them with a monster's passive attack or a trap avoids penalties.
 
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# Seek out the dragons found in the [[Castle]], in [[Fort Ludios]], and in some [[quest]] levels.
 
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# Confused [[loot]] [[throne]]s to create [[Special_room#Throne_rooms|Throne Room]] monsters ([[Farming#Throne_farming|farmable]] prior to [[3.6.0]]).
 
  
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If you want to reverse-genocide dragons to kill, but aren't strong enough to beat them in normal combat, you can force them to engage you in a "cage match" where they can't fight back.
+
==Variants==
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+
{{main|Dragon-scaled armor}}
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<div class='ttyscreen'>
+
In some variants, dragon scale mail is phased out in favor of dragon-scaled armor, whose implementation is based on a proposal by dtsund. Instead of being made into mail of its own, the dragon scales are treated as a [[cloak]], and reading a scroll of enchant armor melds them onto a worn set of body armor, generally augmenting that armor by adding its AC and conferred extrinsic properties to it.
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<replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
 
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@=[[You|{{white|@}}]]
 
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D=[[dragon|{{gray|D}}]]
 
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.|
 
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.|DDD
 
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.+D@D
 
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.|DDD
 
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.|
 
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</replacecharsblock></div>
 
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Dig a 3x3 square in the rock behind a [[closet]], or use a [[boulder]] to block the entrance. Stand on a [[scroll of scare monster]] ([[Elbereth]] will fade immediately if you attack, but a permanent engraving is an acceptable alternative if you can rely on [[pet]]s to kill the dragons for you). The scroll will prevent the dragons from attacking you in melee, but they also won't use their breath weapons while in melee range. Beware of digging monsters breaking your setup.
 
−
 
 
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<div class='ttyscreen'>
 
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<replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
 
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@=[[You|{{white|@}}]]
 
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D=[[dragon|{{gray|D}}]]
 
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`=[[boulder|{{gray|`}}]]
 
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----------
 
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}}}}}}}}}|
 
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}-------}|
 
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-|`D@D`|}|
 
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.+D.DD.|}|
 
−
--------}|
 
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..|}}}}}}|
 
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</replacecharsblock></div>
 
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If you manage to get to the [[castle]] without dragon scale mail, the room with the [[wand of wishing]] in a [[chest]] includes a guaranteed scroll of scare monster on the floor. It is cursed, so attempting to pick it up will destroy it. There are two positions in the room where a dragon can breathe at you, which you can block off with boulders generated by a [[scroll of earth]] from [[Sokoban]]. The walls are undiggable, negating the threat of disruption.
 
−
 
 
−
The [[Sokoban]] scroll of scare monster can also be used, although you'll have to move it out of the closet by digging a [[hole]] below it and letting it fall through. Hopefully it lands somewhere a [[boulder fort]] can be arranged (in place of walls); if not, you can move the scroll into a more suitable position by [[kick]]ing it (it will be stopped by either a wall or a monster) or, if it gets stuck, digging a hole once more (except on the lowest level).
 
−
 
 
−
==Strategy==
 
−
 
 
−
===Gray or silver?===
 
−
{{main|GDSM versus SDSM}}
 
−
<!-- Please don't add too much info here; that's what the GDSM versus SDSM page is for. -->
 
  
−
Gray and silver are widely considered the two best types of dragon scale mail, but players disagree as to which is more useful in particular circumstances. Gray provides [[magic resistance]] which protects against monster spells and polytraps; silver provides [[reflection]] which protects against wands and breath attacks. Since both are extremely useful, it's best to find a source of magic resistance or reflection and then get the dragon scale mail that grants the other intrinsic.
+
Scrolls of enchant armor will always target worn dragon scales instead of other worn items: a blessed scroll will bless the body armor that the scales are melded to and repair any erosion (but will not erodeproof it), while a cursed scroll will cursed the body armor and lower its enchantment by 1 point. If the armor is already dragon-scaled, fusing another set of scales replaces the previous color. If reading a scroll of enchant armor while wearing scales without body armor, your character will polymorph into the matching type of dragon, with [[polymorph control]] allowing you to choose whether to transfor - if read while confused and wearing both scales and body armor, the scales fuse into the armor before your character polymorphs into a dragon.
  
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===Other colors===
+
Dragon-scaled armor is implemented in [[NetHack Fourk]], [[xNetHack]], [[EvilHack]], and [[Hack'EM]] - these implementations differ from the proposal and from each other, and are covered in detail by the article linked above.<!--Still looking for the patch and/or proposal, any help would be appreciated pls and thx-->
−
In general, one will always want GDSM or SDSM.  However, there are some corner cases where one might use another color:
 
−
*[[Wishless]] ascensions: Of course, one can obtain DSM without wishing via reverse genocide.  However, some unlucky characters may find neither the scroll nor enough magic markers to write one.  In this case, it is worth enchanting the first dragon scales found, simply for the AC benefit and weight reduction.
 
−
*[[Foodless]] ascensions: While players attempting a foodless ascension can get most resistances through [[crowning]], this may be undesirable (or even impossible for foodless [[atheist]]s). The extra extrinsic may thus be worthwhile, particularly if the player already has MR and reflection from other sources. One advantage of gaining extrinsics from DSM over rings is that you have to identify the rings first. The three most desirable colors are:
 
−
:* Red dragon scale mail, to protect against the [[fire trap]]s in [[Gehennom]], can be superseded by the [[ring of fire resistance|ring]].
 
−
:* Green dragon scale mail, to protect against spiked pits, poisoned missiles, and poison melee attacks, can be supplanted by an [[alchemy smock]], by the eponymous amulet or ring, and for some roles by leveling up.
 
−
:*[[Sleep resistance]], from orange dragon scale mail, protects against traps, wands, and thrown potions. It is granted to elves at level 4, but otherwise cannot be entirely superseded by a [[ring of free action]], making that DSM also useful.
 
−
*If you really hate acid attacks: Short of self-[[polymorph]] or the MC 1 [[alchemy smock]], yellow dragon scale mail is the only way to obtain acid resistance.  Acid attacks are rarely threatening, however.
 
  
−
==Variants==
+
Several variants also give dragon scale mail additional properties while worn, and may even introduce other forms of dragon scale armor. Variants with [[object properties]] and/or partial intrinsics can also shift the use of other colors of dragon scale mail as well, generally creating more useful options.
  
 
===SLASH'EM===
 
===SLASH'EM===
−
Getting dragon scale mail is a bit different in SLASH'EM. Baby dragons take much longer to grow up, and it is not feasible anymore to polymorph pets into dragons for their death drop (due to polymorph working like it does for player characters). However, there are many dragons in the [[Special level (SLASH'EM)#Wyrm Caves|Wyrm Caves]], and there are the guaranteed gray dragon scales in the [[Lawful Quest]] and the gray dragon scale mail worn by [[Black market (SLASH'EM)#One-eyed Sam|One-eyed Sam]]. The last two may be somewhat difficult to liberate from their previous owners, and the law quest one is generated cursed -9.
+
[[SLASH'EM]] introduces two new types of dragons, and thus two types of dragon scales and dragon scale mail:
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Some of the [[gnoll]]s can be generated with dragon scale mail: gnoll warriors may be generated with orange dragon scale mail, chieftains may get blue dragon scale mail, and shamans may get either red or silver dragon scale mail.
 
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SLASH'EM's used armor dealers can sometimes [[shopkeeper services|enchant armor for you]].  Using this service on dragon scales will turn them into dragon scale mail, providing a way for [[illiterate]] characters to obtain dragon scale mail without violating conduct.  However, the player is far from guaranteed to find a shopkeeper who offers the appropriate service: only 25% of armor dealers will offer it.
 
  
−
====New colors in SLASH'EM====
 
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 
!Color !! Extrinsic
 
!Color !! Extrinsic
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|[[Shimmering dragon scale mail|Shimmering]]||[[displacement]]
 
|[[Shimmering dragon scale mail|Shimmering]]||[[displacement]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Deep dragon scale mail|Deep]]||[[level-drain resistance]]
+
|[[Deep dragon scale mail|Deep]]||[[drain resistance]]
 
|}
 
|}
  
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While still less useful than GDSM and SDSM, these two new dragon scale mails are still worth using for some players. Drain resistance is a lot more important in SLASH'EM, given the abundance of [[wand of draining|wands of draining]] and the breath of [[deep dragon]]s in its later game; a player who has magic resistance and reflection from other sources may well consider deep dragon scale mail as an option. Meanwhile, shimmering dragon scale mail provides a way for players to get displacement and [[MC]] 3 at the same time without sacrificing their cloak slot. Finally, due to the presence of [[shoggoth]]s and [[giant shoggoth]]s with their high speed and massive acid damage, yellow dragon scale mail is also a viable option.
+
SLASH'EM also makes several changes with regards to how dragon scale mail can be made or obtained:
 +
 
 +
* [[Baby dragon]]s are more common to encounter in the dungeon, but take much longer to [[grow up]] into adult form, and polymorphing for monsters works as it does for the player character, meaning that pets cannot be polymorphed for their death drops.
 +
* [[The Wyrm Caves]] guarantees the appearance of several dragons within the level, providing a plentiful source of various scales.
 +
* [[Shopkeeper services]] from used armor [[Shop|dealerships]] may include the ability to enchant armor - this allows another method besides wishing for [[illiterate]] characters to obtain dragon scale mail, though only {{frac|4}} of such [[shopkeeper]]s offer it.
 +
* There are sources of guaranteed gray dragon scales/dragon scale mail in the [[Lawful Quest]] and [[Black market (SLASH'EM)#One-eyed Sam|the black market]], respectively, though both are quite difficult to liberate from their owners.
 +
* Some [[gnoll]]s can be generated with dragon scale mail:
 +
** [[Gnoll warrior]]s have a {{frac|20}} chance of receiving orange dragon scale mail.{{refsrc|makemon.c|691|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 +
** [[Gnoll chieftain]]s have a {{frac|10}} chance of blue dragon scale mail.{{refsrc|makemon.c|705|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 +
** [[Gnoll shaman]]s have a {{frac|10}} chance of silver dragon scale mail, and otherwise have a {{frac|5}} chance of generating with red dragon scale mail.{{refsrc|makemon.c|718|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 +
 
 +
Though gray and silver are still popular colors of dragon scale mail, strategic uses of other colors are more common as well, especially for characters that seek to obtain magic resistance and reflection by other means: SLASH'EM features several more level-draining threats, such as the [[wand of draining]] and the breath weapon of [[deep dragon]]s; [[shimmering dragon]]s are tougher to hit than other monsters, while making displacement obtainable without sacrificing the [[cloak]] slot typically used for [[Magic cancellation (3.4.3)|MC3]]; and stronger acidic threats such as the [[Shoggoth (SLASH'EM)|shoggoth]] and [[giant shoggoth]] make yellow dragon scale mail's acid resistance much more viable.
 +
 
 +
===GruntHack===
 +
[[GruntHack]]'s implementation of [[object properties]] makes it possible for dragon scale mail and other magical items to have an additional property, unlike implementations of object properties in later variants. Since it is possible and commonplace to wish for an item that provides both magic resistance and reflection (e.g. usually "blessed greased +3 dragonhide [[cloak of magic resistance]] and reflection"), the remaining properties are usually covered via other wishes.
 +
 
 +
The result is that the choice between gray and silver dragon mail (or most other colors) for wishes is rendered moot: assuming a first wish to cover both magic resistance and reflection such as the example provided, yellow dragon scale mail of decay (which adds drain resistance) is the most common secondary wish for most characters, as it blocks two of the most pressing remaining threats: {{spell of|drain life}} and {{spell of|acid blast}}, which hostile spellcasters of certain levels can have access to. Most characters that obtain wishes can also tailor their dragon mail choices to fit other desired builds - characters playing races that cannot wear body armor, such as [[Giant (starting race)|giants]], will have to consider a different series of wishes altogether for their property coverage.
  
 
===SporkHack===
 
===SporkHack===
−
In [[SporkHack]], all colors of DSM save gray and silver have some kind of secondary effect. Spork also adds an additional color, gold, which acts as a permanent light source.
+
[[SporkHack]] adds [[gold dragon scale mail]], which act as a permanent light source while worn. Most sets of dragon scales and dragon scale mail are also given a secondary extrinsic:
  
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
−
!Color !! Extrinsic !! [[SporkHack]] secondary extrinsic
+
!Color !! Extrinsic !! Secondary extrinsic
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Blue dragon scale mail|Blue]]||[[shock resistance]]||[[speed]]
 
|[[Blue dragon scale mail|Blue]]||[[shock resistance]]||[[speed]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Black dragon scale mail|Black]]||[[disintegration resistance]]||passive blinding attack
 
|[[Black dragon scale mail|Black]]||[[disintegration resistance]]||passive blinding attack
 +
|-
 +
|[[Gold dragon scale mail|Gold]]||[[light source]]||none
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Gray dragon scale mail|Gray]]||[[magic resistance]]||none
 
|[[Gray dragon scale mail|Gray]]||[[magic resistance]]||none
Line 208: Line 177:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Yellow dragon scale mail|Yellow]]||[[acid resistance]]||stun and confusion resistance
 
|[[Yellow dragon scale mail|Yellow]]||[[acid resistance]]||stun and confusion resistance
−
|}
 
−
 
−
====New colors in SporkHack====
 
−
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 
−
!Color !! Extrinsic
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Gold dragon scale mail|Gold]]||[[light source|radius 2 light]]
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
===dNetHack===
 
===dNetHack===
−
In [[dNetHack]], '''shimmering dragon scales/mail''' is also added. All old DS/DSM have additional properties too.
+
{{main|Dragon armor (dNetHack)}}
−
 
+
In [[dNetHack]] and [[notdNetHack]], dragon scales can made into dragon scale shields as well as dragon scale mail - reading a scroll of enchant armor while confused will harden worn dragon scales into a shield. All dragon armor and corresponding scales are given one or more secondary properties similar to SporkHack and other variants, with some being exclusive to particular types of scales or armor. Dragon scales and dragon scale mail also weigh 150 aum. [[Deep dragon (dNetHack)|Deep dragons]] and [[Shimmering dragon (dNetHack)|shimmering dragons]] are added along with their scales and armor.
−
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
 
−
!Color !! Extrinsic !! [[dNetHack]] additional extrinsics
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Blue dragon scale mail|Blue]]||[[shock resistance]]||[[very fast|very fast speed]]
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Black dragon scale mail|Black]]||[[disintegration resistance]]||[[drain resistance]]
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Gray dragon scale mail|Gray]]||[[magic resistance]]||[[half spell damage]]
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Green dragon scale mail|Green]]||[[poison resistance]]||[[sickness resistance]]
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Orange dragon scale mail|Orange]]||[[sleep resistance]]||[[free action]]
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Red dragon scale mail|Red]]||[[fire resistance]]||protects from sliming
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Silver dragon scale mail|Silver]]||[[reflection|improved reflection]]*||none
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[White dragon scale mail|White]]||[[cold resistance]]||[[magical breathing]], [[swimming]], and protects inventory from water damage.
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Yellow dragon scale mail|Yellow]]||[[acid resistance]]||[[stoning resistance]]
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Shimmering dragon scale mail|Shimmering]]||[[displacement]]||none
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
In addition, dragon scale shields can now be made. They are made by reading a scroll of enchant armor while confused, and will harden worn dragon scales into a shield. They grant the same extrinsics that the same color of mail does.
 
−
 
 
−
Also, dNetHack silver dragon scale mail/shields is much more valuable. Amulets and shields of reflection no longer reflect dragon breath, but SDSM/SDSS do.
 
  
 
===UnNetHack===
 
===UnNetHack===
−
In [[UnNetHack]], dragon scale mails have AC 5 (down from 9) and dragon scales have AC 1 (down from 3).
+
In [[UnNetHack]], dragon scale mail confers only 5 base AC. The powers of dragons and their scales (and thus scale mails) are also randomized in each game:
−
 
 
−
The powers of dragons and thus their scales and scale mails is randomized each game:
 
  
 
{|class="prettytable"
 
{|class="prettytable"
Line 272: Line 205:
 
| wyvern || "[[poison resistance|poison]]"
 
| wyvern || "[[poison resistance|poison]]"
 
|-
 
|-
−
| glowing* || "[[stoning|stone]]"**
+
| glowing* || "[[stoning resistance|stone]]"**
 
|-
 
|-
 
| guivre || "[[acid resistance|acid]]"
 
| guivre || "[[acid resistance|acid]]"
Line 279: Line 212:
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
(*) Dragons described as "glowing" always emit light, and wearing their scales or scale mail grants [[light source|radius 2 light]], like SporkHack.
+
A glowing dragon will always [[Light source|emit light]] within a 2-square radius of itself - [[glowing dragon scales]] (and [[glowing dragon scale mail]]) do the same while worn. The dragon that produces [[stone dragon scales]] will always have a breath weapon that creates lava.
−
 
 
−
(**) The dragon with the "stone" power has lava breath, not stoning. However, wearing its scales or scale mail confers stoning resistance.
 
−
 
 
−
Before wishing for dragon armor, note the [[Wish#UnNetHack|new rules for wishing in UnNetHack]]. In particular, [[wand of wishing#UnNetHack|wands of wishing]] only have 0-2 charges (plus 1 [[wresting|wrest]]), and only wishes from wands can grant wishes for [[magical item]]s. Dragon scale mails, [[magic marker]]s, [[scroll of genocide|scrolls of genocide]] and [[scroll of enchant armor|scrolls of enchant armor]] all count as magical items. However, dragon scales are considered non-magical items and can thus be obtained from any wish source.
 
  
−
Any dragon armor can be wished for by appearance, so wishing for "'''guivre''' scale mail" (from a wand of wishing) or "'''guivre''' scales" will always work.
+
UnNetHack also makes significant changes to [[Wish#UnNetHack|wishing rules]]: In particular, [[Wand of wishing#UnNetHack|wands of wishing]] only have 0-2 charges (plus 1 [[wresting|wrest]]), and only wishes from wands can be used for magical items such as dragon scale mail, [[magic marker]]s, [[scroll of genocide|scrolls of genocide]], and scrolls of enchant armor.
  
−
To wish for dragon armor by its power, the corresponding armor must be [[Identification#Auto-identification|formally identified]] first, e.g. by using a [[scroll of identify]] on dropped dragon scales (the matching scale mail will be identified with it). The name of the power (from the table above) can then be used in the wish, e.g. "'''reflecting''' dragon scale mail".
+
Dragon scales are still non-magical items as in ''NetHack'', and can be obtained from any wish source in UnNetHack - any set of dragon scales can be wished for by appearance (e.g. wishing for "guivre scales", or "guivre scale mail" from a wand of wishing, will always work). To wish for dragon armor by its corresponding power, the armor must be formally identified first, e.g. by using a [[scroll of identify]] on dropped dragon scales (which identifies the matching scale mail along with it) or by witnessing the dragon use its breath weapon. The name of the power can then be used in the wish, e.g. "''reflecting'' dragon scale mail".
  
 
===FIQHack===
 
===FIQHack===
 +
[[FIQHack]] implements the [[Shimmering dragon (FIQHack)|shimmering dragon]] and its scales (and scale mail). Dragon scale mail now weighs 300 aum, and the weight of all worn armor is halved.
  
−
* Dragon scale mail in [[FIQHack]] weighs 300 when carried (150 when worn).
+
Dragon scale mail (and corresponding scales) confers additional benefits while worn:
−
* White dragon scale mail protects your inventory from water damage.
 
−
* Shimmering dragon scale mail provides [[displacement]] and [[stun]] resistance.
 
−
* Blue dragon scale mail gives 100% resistance against slow monsters.
 
  
−
Colored DSM (all except silver/gray) have new benefits, in addition to the standard ones above:
+
{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:0; padding:0;"
−
* Red: [[infravision]], [[warning]], [[see invisible]]
+
!Color !! Extrinsic !! Secondary extrinsic
−
* White: [[automatic searching]], swimming, magical breathing
+
|-
−
* Orange: [[free action]]
+
|[[Blue dragon scale mail|Blue]]||[[shock resistance]]||[[speed]], [[slowing resistance]]
−
* Black: [[drain resistance]]
+
|-
−
* Blue: [[speed]]
+
|[[Black dragon scale mail|Black]]||[[disintegration resistance]]||[[drain resistance]]
−
* Green: [[sickness]] resistance
+
|-
−
* Yellow: [[stoning]] resistance
+
|[[Gray dragon scale mail|Gray]]||[[magic resistance]]||none
 +
|-
 +
|[[Green dragon scale mail|Green]]||[[poison resistance]]||[[sickness resistance]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Orange dragon scale mail|Orange]]||[[sleep resistance]]||[[free action]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Red dragon scale mail|Red]]||[[fire resistance]]||[[infravision]], [[warning]], [[see invisible]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Shimmering dragon scale mail|Shimmering]]||[[Displacement]]||[[stun resistance]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Silver dragon scale mail|Silver]]||[[reflection]]||behaves like vanilla reflection (reflects dragonbreath and rays from wands [[Wands Balance Patch|used at Skilled or higher]])
 +
|-
 +
|[[White dragon scale mail|White]]||[[cold resistance]]||[[automatic searching]], [[swimming]], [[magical breathing]], [[wet]]proof inventory
 +
|-
 +
|[[Yellow dragon scale mail|Yellow]]||[[acid resistance]]||[[stoning resistance]]
 +
|}
  
 
===xNetHack===
 
===xNetHack===
−
In [[xNetHack]], dragon scales are [[cloak]]s instead of body armor. Dragon scale mail is removed; instead, a set of dragon scales can be fused into a suit of body armor by reading a scroll of enchant armor while wearing the scales over the armor. Scrolls of enchant armor will always target worn dragon scales instead of other worn items. Any body armor infused with dragon scales confers 3 extra AC and the scales' extrinsic. If the armor is already dragon-scaled, fusing another set of scales will replace the previous color.
+
In [[xNetHack]]'s implementation of dtsund-DSM, the additional extrinsics that were added to most scales in 3.7.0 only apply to dragon-scaled armor, not to the scales by themselves.
  
−
If the scroll is blessed, the fused armor becomes blessed and has its [[erosion]] repaired (but it is not made erodeproof). If the scroll is cursed, the fused armor becomes cursed and loses a point of [[enchantment]].
+
===Hack'EM===
 +
In [[Hack'EM]]'s implementation of dtsund-DSM, dragon-scaled armor provides an additional extrinsic and a passive attack. In the table below, a set of scales provides only the primary extrinsic, while a suit of dragon-scaled armor provides all three benefits. Passive attacks marked with an asterisk (*) may affect attackers' items.
  
−
If you read a scroll of enchant armor while wearing scales without body armor, you [[polymorph]] into the matching type of dragon. (If you have [[polymorph control]], you choose whether to transform.) If you read it while confused and wearing both scales and body armor, the scales fuse into the armor, and then you polymorph into a dragon.
+
{| class="prettytable"
 +
!Color !! Primary extrinsic !! Secondary extrinsic !! Passive attack
 +
|-
 +
| [[Black dragon scale mail|Black]] || [[disintegration resistance]] || [[slow digestion]] || [[disintegration]]*
 +
|-
 +
| [[Blue dragon scale mail|Blue]] || [[shock resistance]] || [[very fast]] speed || [[shock]]*
 +
|-
 +
| [[Deep dragon scale mail|Deep]] || [[drain resistance]] || stability (hurtling resistance) || [[level drain]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Gold dragon scale mail|Gold]] || [[light source]] || [[automatic searching]] || [[blind]]ing
 +
|-
 +
| [[Gray dragon scale mail|Gray]] || [[magic resistance]] || protection from [[cancellation]] || [[cancellation]]*
 +
|-
 +
| [[Green dragon scale mail|Green]] || [[poison resistance]] || [[sickness resistance]] || [[poison]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Orange dragon scale mail|Orange]] || [[sleep resistance]] || [[free action]] || [[slowing attack|slowing]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Red dragon scale mail|Red]] || [[fire resistance]] || +1d6 melee damage || [[fire]]*
 +
|-
 +
| [[Shimmering dragon scale mail|Shimmering]] || [[displacement]] || [[stealth]], [[warning]], and [[see invisible]] || [[confusion]], [[stun]]ning, and [[slowing attack|slowing]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Silver dragon scale mail|Silver]] || [[reflection]] || [[blind]]ing resistance || [[scare]]s like a [[mirror]]
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sea dragon scale mail|Sea]] || [[magical breathing]] || [[swimming]] || [[rust]]*
 +
|-
 +
| [[White dragon scale mail|White]] || [[cold resistance]] || freeze [[moat|water]] and [[lava]] underfoot || [[cold]]*
 +
|-
 +
| [[Yellow dragon scale mail|Yellow]] || [[acid resistance]] || [[stoning resistance]] || [[acid]]*
 +
|}
  
−
== Encyclopedia entry ==
+
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
Stephen had argued, and the expert armorer had grudgingly
 
Stephen had argued, and the expert armorer had grudgingly
Line 324: Line 295:
 
by Fred Saberhagen ]}}
 
by Fred Saberhagen ]}}
  
−
== References ==
+
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
−
 
+
{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Dragon armor]]
 
[[Category:Dragon armor]]
−
{{nethack-361}}
 

Latest revision as of 21:29, 12 April 2024

English

 • 中文（中国大陆）‎
[[[[[[[[[Black dragon scale mail.pngBlue dragon scale mail.pngGray dragon scale mail.pngGreen dragon scale mail.pngOrange dragon scale mail.pngRed dragon scale mail.pngSilver dragon scale mail.pngWhite dragon scale mail.pngYellow dragon scale mail.png
<color> dragon scale mail
Appearance <color> dragon scale mail
Slot body armor
AC 9
Special <Varies by color>
Base price (red, blue, white, orange, yellow, green) 900 zm
(black, gray, silver) 1200 zm
Weight 40
Material dragon hide

Dragon scale mail, also known as dragon mail and commonly abbreviated as DSM, is a type of magical body armor that appears in NetHack. It is made of dragon hide.

Generation

Dragon scale mail is not randomly generated, though they can be wished for or found in bones.

Dragon scale mail can be created by reading a non-cursed scroll of enchant armor while wearing a set of dragon scales: the scales will transform into dragon scale mail if the scroll enchants them, and a blessed scroll will add one point of enchantment.

Player monsters that are not monks generated on the Astral Plane have a 1⁄9 chance of generating with dragon scale mail as their initial body armor before role-specific replacements.[1]

Description

While worn, all forms of dragon scale mail confer 9 base AC, the most of any single piece of body armor. Dragon scale mail also confers an extrinsic property while worn, based on the color of the armor:

Color Extrinsic
Blue shock resistance
Black disintegration resistance
Gray magic resistance
Green poison resistance
Orange sleep resistance
Red fire resistance
Silver reflection
White cold resistance
Yellow acid resistance

Uncontrolled polymorphing while wearing dragon scale mail will turn the wearer into that color of dragon and revert the mail back to scales.[2][3] Black, gray, and silver dragon scale mail have a base price of 1200zm, and all other types of dragon scale mail have a base cost of 900 zm.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Gold dragon scale mail is added per commit 5a09a01a along with the corresponding dragons, and acts as a light source while worn. Per commit ef1eeed7, they and other dragon scale mail types that are not gray or silver grant additional extrinsics while worn - the dragon scale mail extrinsics for 3.7 as of this commit are listed below:
Color Extrinsics (NetHack 3.7.0)
Blue shock resistance, very fast speed
Black disintegration resistance, drain resistance
Gray magic resistance
Green poison resistance, sickness resistance
Gold light source, hallucination resistance
Orange sleep resistance, free action
Red fire resistance, infravision
Silver reflection
White cold resistance, slow digestion
Yellow acid resistance, stoning resistance

Strategy

Dragon scale mail is the strongest and most sought-after type of armor in NetHack: it provides a stellar amount of AC for only 40 units of weight, is made of an intrinsically erosion-proof material, and does not block spellcasting - even the least useful dragon scale mail is likely to do much more for a character than most other body armor. One of the few things it does not provide is magic cancellation, which can be remedied with other armor or items such as a high-MC cloak.

The most common methods of obtaining dragon scale mail are:

  1. Wishing for it directly - dragon scale mail is a common early game wish, especially when a character find a random wand of wishing.
  2. Acquiring dragon scales in some manner and making them into mail using a scroll of enchant armor.
  3. A lucky player may happen across the bones of a former character with dragon scale mail in them, though whatever killed that character will likely be trouble for them as well.

When wishing for your preferred dragon scale mail, make sure to spell out and phrase the wish properly, or you may end up with a scroll of mail. Take care to avoid polymorph traps and other sources of polymorph while wearing dragon scale mail, especially if you lack a source of magic resistance: while dragons are decent polymorph forms, the loss of body armor and AC is quite annoying even at best - re-crafting the dragon scale mail will also take another scroll, and scales with an enchantment of +4 or above risk being evaporated entirely.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Overhaul the sections below to reflect DSM changes and extrinsic resistance buffs.

Gray versus silver

Main article: GDSM versus SDSM

The most coveted varieties of dragon scale mail are silver (for reflection) and gray (for magic resistance), though players disagree as to which of the two is more useful in particular circumstances. The article linked at the top of this section goes in-depth with regards to which choice may be most appropriate for a given character and/or scenario, particularly in regards to early game wishes and availability of other sources for either property.

Other colors

Even with the popularity of characters using gray or silver dragon scale mail, there are certain builds and strategies where another color is preferred. Some examples of these use cases are listed below:

  • For wishless ascensions, while it is possible to obtain obtain DSM without a wish via reverse genocide, some unlucky characters may not find the scrolls or a means to write one in a timely manner - in such cases, it is worth enchanting the first set of dragon scales found, even if only for the AC benefit and weight reduction. This may also be an option for players whose characters lack a bag of holding and want to manage their inventory weight without resorting to constant stash trips.
  • Players attempting foodless or even vegetarian conducts can get most resistances through crowning, though this may be undesirable in some circumstances e.g. foodless atheist play (which makes crowning impossible). Such characters that have magic resistance and reflection from other sources may consider the following colors of dragon scale mail:
    • Red dragon scale mail protects against the fire traps in Gehennom - while it can be superseded by the ring of fire resistance, the ring must generally be identified in some way first.
    • Green dragon scale mail protects against instadeaths and extra damage from spiked pits, poisoned missiles and poisonous melee attacks. The ring of poison resistance and amulet versus poison similarly warrant identification of some form as with red dragon scales: green dragon scale mail can also be superseded by reaching a given experience level for certain characters or roles, or else finding an alchemy smock. It may be a likely candidate for a foodless atheist that obtains an early wish, especially if using a role/race combo that does not gain eventual access to the property.
    • Orange dragon scale mail protects from sleeping gas traps, sleep rays, and thrown or boiled potions of sleeping. Elven characters can obtain sleep resistance at experience level 4, but the property lacks other sources and can only be partially covered by a ring of free action.
  • Yellow dragon scale mail is a very rare consideration: though acid resistance is difficult to obtain short of polymorph or else an alchemy smock, acid attacks are themselves rare and not often a threat, and acidic passives can be avoided with most forms of ranged attack.
  • Black dragon scale mail is similarly rare: the only sources of disintegration resistance are the black dragon itself, but a character with reflection can trivialize the threat of their breath attack, then consume their corpse or tin for insurance should they lose their reflection somehow.
  • Reflection-less play changes considerations significantly, and may open up the possibility of using different colors for harder-to-obtain properties: characters that already have magic resistance covered may consider black dragon scale mail in particular to avoid being surprised by an offscreen disintegration blast - the property is still supersedable afterward by eating a black dragon corpse or tin (with the exception of foodless or vegetarian conducts), and some players may opt to genocide black dragons instead.

Pets and DSM

Humanoid pets, on the other hand, will appreciate certain "off-meta" colors of dragon scale mail more, depending on their own intrinsic resistances:

  • Mind flayer pets are especially vulnerable to passive attacks due to their multiple hit dice, and yellow dragon scale mail in particular may be worth considering for them.
  • If you lack a spare reflection source, black dragon scale mail can protect a humanoid pet against a black dragon's breath weapon.

History

Dragon scale mail first appears in NetHack 3.0.0, with all varieties except for silver available - silver dragons and their scales and scale mail are introduced in NetHack 3.3.0.

From NetHack 3.0.0 to NetHack 3.0.10, including variants based on those versions, dragon scale mail is created by polymorphing the corpse of an appropriate-color dragon. Dragon scales are introduced in NetHack 3.1.0, along with the current method for converting them into dragon scale mail.

Variants

Main article: Dragon-scaled armor

In some variants, dragon scale mail is phased out in favor of dragon-scaled armor, whose implementation is based on a proposal by dtsund. Instead of being made into mail of its own, the dragon scales are treated as a cloak, and reading a scroll of enchant armor melds them onto a worn set of body armor, generally augmenting that armor by adding its AC and conferred extrinsic properties to it.

Scrolls of enchant armor will always target worn dragon scales instead of other worn items: a blessed scroll will bless the body armor that the scales are melded to and repair any erosion (but will not erodeproof it), while a cursed scroll will cursed the body armor and lower its enchantment by 1 point. If the armor is already dragon-scaled, fusing another set of scales replaces the previous color. If reading a scroll of enchant armor while wearing scales without body armor, your character will polymorph into the matching type of dragon, with polymorph control allowing you to choose whether to transfor - if read while confused and wearing both scales and body armor, the scales fuse into the armor before your character polymorphs into a dragon.

Dragon-scaled armor is implemented in NetHack Fourk, xNetHack, EvilHack, and Hack'EM - these implementations differ from the proposal and from each other, and are covered in detail by the article linked above.

Several variants also give dragon scale mail additional properties while worn, and may even introduce other forms of dragon scale armor. Variants with object properties and/or partial intrinsics can also shift the use of other colors of dragon scale mail as well, generally creating more useful options.

SLASH'EM

SLASH'EM introduces two new types of dragons, and thus two types of dragon scales and dragon scale mail:

Color Extrinsic
Shimmering displacement
Deep drain resistance

SLASH'EM also makes several changes with regards to how dragon scale mail can be made or obtained:

  • Baby dragons are more common to encounter in the dungeon, but take much longer to grow up into adult form, and polymorphing for monsters works as it does for the player character, meaning that pets cannot be polymorphed for their death drops.
  • The Wyrm Caves guarantees the appearance of several dragons within the level, providing a plentiful source of various scales.
  • Shopkeeper services from used armor dealerships may include the ability to enchant armor - this allows another method besides wishing for illiterate characters to obtain dragon scale mail, though only 1⁄4 of such shopkeepers offer it.
  • There are sources of guaranteed gray dragon scales/dragon scale mail in the Lawful Quest and the black market, respectively, though both are quite difficult to liberate from their owners.
  • Some gnolls can be generated with dragon scale mail:
    • Gnoll warriors have a 1⁄20 chance of receiving orange dragon scale mail.[4]
    • Gnoll chieftains have a 1⁄10 chance of blue dragon scale mail.[5]
    • Gnoll shamans have a 1⁄10 chance of silver dragon scale mail, and otherwise have a 1⁄5 chance of generating with red dragon scale mail.[6]

Though gray and silver are still popular colors of dragon scale mail, strategic uses of other colors are more common as well, especially for characters that seek to obtain magic resistance and reflection by other means: SLASH'EM features several more level-draining threats, such as the wand of draining and the breath weapon of deep dragons; shimmering dragons are tougher to hit than other monsters, while making displacement obtainable without sacrificing the cloak slot typically used for MC3; and stronger acidic threats such as the shoggoth and giant shoggoth make yellow dragon scale mail's acid resistance much more viable.

GruntHack

GruntHack's implementation of object properties makes it possible for dragon scale mail and other magical items to have an additional property, unlike implementations of object properties in later variants. Since it is possible and commonplace to wish for an item that provides both magic resistance and reflection (e.g. usually "blessed greased +3 dragonhide cloak of magic resistance and reflection"), the remaining properties are usually covered via other wishes.

The result is that the choice between gray and silver dragon mail (or most other colors) for wishes is rendered moot: assuming a first wish to cover both magic resistance and reflection such as the example provided, yellow dragon scale mail of decay (which adds drain resistance) is the most common secondary wish for most characters, as it blocks two of the most pressing remaining threats: drain life and acid blast, which hostile spellcasters of certain levels can have access to. Most characters that obtain wishes can also tailor their dragon mail choices to fit other desired builds - characters playing races that cannot wear body armor, such as giants, will have to consider a different series of wishes altogether for their property coverage.

SporkHack

SporkHack adds gold dragon scale mail, which act as a permanent light source while worn. Most sets of dragon scales and dragon scale mail are also given a secondary extrinsic:

Color Extrinsic Secondary extrinsic
Blue shock resistance speed
Black disintegration resistance passive blinding attack
Gold light source none
Gray magic resistance none
Green poison resistance passive poison attack
Orange sleep resistance passive slow attack
Red fire resistance +1d6 to all melee damage
Silver reflection none
White cold resistance freezes water and lava under foot
Yellow acid resistance stun and confusion resistance

dNetHack

Main article: Dragon armor (dNetHack)

In dNetHack and notdNetHack, dragon scales can made into dragon scale shields as well as dragon scale mail - reading a scroll of enchant armor while confused will harden worn dragon scales into a shield. All dragon armor and corresponding scales are given one or more secondary properties similar to SporkHack and other variants, with some being exclusive to particular types of scales or armor. Dragon scales and dragon scale mail also weigh 150 aum. Deep dragons and shimmering dragons are added along with their scales and armor.

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, dragon scale mail confers only 5 base AC. The powers of dragons and their scales (and thus scale mails) are also randomized in each game:

Appearances Powers (randomized each game)
tatzelworm "magic"
amphitere "reflecting"
draken "fire"
lindworm "ice"
sarkany "sleep"
sirrush "disintegration"
leviathan "electric"
wyvern "poison"
glowing* "stone"**
guivre "acid"
chromatic all

A glowing dragon will always emit light within a 2-square radius of itself - glowing dragon scales (and glowing dragon scale mail) do the same while worn. The dragon that produces stone dragon scales will always have a breath weapon that creates lava.

UnNetHack also makes significant changes to wishing rules: In particular, wands of wishing only have 0-2 charges (plus 1 wrest), and only wishes from wands can be used for magical items such as dragon scale mail, magic markers, scrolls of genocide, and scrolls of enchant armor.

Dragon scales are still non-magical items as in NetHack, and can be obtained from any wish source in UnNetHack - any set of dragon scales can be wished for by appearance (e.g. wishing for "guivre scales", or "guivre scale mail" from a wand of wishing, will always work). To wish for dragon armor by its corresponding power, the armor must be formally identified first, e.g. by using a scroll of identify on dropped dragon scales (which identifies the matching scale mail along with it) or by witnessing the dragon use its breath weapon. The name of the power can then be used in the wish, e.g. "reflecting dragon scale mail".

FIQHack

FIQHack implements the shimmering dragon and its scales (and scale mail). Dragon scale mail now weighs 300 aum, and the weight of all worn armor is halved.

Dragon scale mail (and corresponding scales) confers additional benefits while worn:

Color Extrinsic Secondary extrinsic
Blue shock resistance speed, slowing resistance
Black disintegration resistance drain resistance
Gray magic resistance none
Green poison resistance sickness resistance
Orange sleep resistance free action
Red fire resistance infravision, warning, see invisible
Shimmering Displacement stun resistance
Silver reflection behaves like vanilla reflection (reflects dragonbreath and rays from wands used at Skilled or higher)
White cold resistance automatic searching, swimming, magical breathing, wetproof inventory
Yellow acid resistance stoning resistance

xNetHack

In xNetHack's implementation of dtsund-DSM, the additional extrinsics that were added to most scales in 3.7.0 only apply to dragon-scaled armor, not to the scales by themselves.

Hack'EM

In Hack'EM's implementation of dtsund-DSM, dragon-scaled armor provides an additional extrinsic and a passive attack. In the table below, a set of scales provides only the primary extrinsic, while a suit of dragon-scaled armor provides all three benefits. Passive attacks marked with an asterisk (*) may affect attackers' items.

Color Primary extrinsic Secondary extrinsic Passive attack
Black disintegration resistance slow digestion disintegration*
Blue shock resistance very fast speed shock*
Deep drain resistance stability (hurtling resistance) level drain
Gold light source automatic searching blinding
Gray magic resistance protection from cancellation cancellation*
Green poison resistance sickness resistance poison
Orange sleep resistance free action slowing
Red fire resistance +1d6 melee damage fire*
Shimmering displacement stealth, warning, and see invisible confusion, stunning, and slowing
Silver reflection blinding resistance scares like a mirror
Sea magical breathing swimming rust*
White cold resistance freeze water and lava underfoot cold*
Yellow acid resistance stoning resistance acid*

Encyclopedia entry

Stephen had argued, and the expert armorer had grudgingly
admitted, that dragonscale shield or armor, provided it proved
feasible to make at all, ought to offer some real, practical
advantages over any metal breastplate or shield -- gram for
gram of weight, such a defense would probably be a lot
tougher and more protective than any human smiths could
make of steel.
[ The Last Book of Swords: Shieldbreaker's Story,
by Fred Saberhagen ]

References

  1. ↑ src/mplayer.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 156: initial body armor for Astral playermons is random DSM, with equal probability for each
  2. ↑ src/polyself.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 501
  3. ↑ src/polyself.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 518
  4. ↑ makemon.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 691
  5. ↑ makemon.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 705
  6. ↑ makemon.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 718
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