Difference between revisions of "Shuriken"

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(Removing: De-SLEX, and this is flat-out wrong for SLASH'EM; some of the new roles (e.g. Undead Slayer) have the skill, but that's hardly worth mentioning IMO; it's certainly not unrestricted for everyone)
(rw for major quality pass)
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A '''shuriken''' is a Japanese [[ranged weapon]], designed for [[throw]]ing. It appears as a '''throwing star''' when [[identification|unidentified]].  Shuriken have damage exceeding that of [[dagger]]s while having a weight equal to that of [[dart]]s, but are quite rare. Like darts, shuriken can [[Projectile#Breakage|break]] when thrown, but this risk can be minimized by blessing them and having very high [[luck]].  Positive enchantment also helps.  Samurai start with shuriken identified.
 
  
== Shuriken skill ==
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A '''shuriken''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''NetHack''. It is made of [[iron]], and appears as a '''throwing star''' when [[identification|unidentified]] - a [[Samurai]] starts the game with knowledge of shuriken.
  
{{shuriken skill table}}
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Shuriken are designed to be [[thrown]] by hand, and gain a +2 [[to-hit]] bonus when thrown - they can break on impact like some similar weapons and [[projectile]]s, and can be poisoned by [[dip]]ping them in a [[potion of sickness]].
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==Generation==
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Shuriken are quite rare, making up 3.5% of randomly-generated weapons - this amounts to 0.35% of all randomly found objects in the main dungeon, 0.42% of all items on the [[Rogue level]], and 0.7% of all items in [[Gehennom]].{{refsrc|src/objects.c|130|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
  
Shuriken are the only weapons to use shuriken skill, and there are no [[artifact weapon|artifact]] shuriken.
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[[Ninja]] have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|generating with a stack of shuriken]], and will otherwise receive a stack of [[dart]]s.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|267|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} [[Monk (player monster)|Monk]] [[player monster]]s have a {{frac|3}} chance of a stack of shuriken replacing the melee weapon they are generated with, and will otherwise generate with no melee weapon.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|205|version=NetHack 3.6.6|name=monsndx}}
  
== Strategy ==
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==Shuriken skill==
Shuriken cause solid damage, give a to-hit bonus, don't need a launcher and can be [[potion of sickness|poisoned]]. If you find some it is usually a good idea to take them and use them to soften up tough monsters or against [[mind flayer]]s. Their +2 to-hit bonus helps to reduce the unskilled to-hit penalty, which is useful since they are so rare that you probably won't get a chance to raise your skill level (and probably wouldn't want to spend the skill slot anyway). Extensive use of shuriken may require polypiling or wishing.
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{{shuriken skill table}}
  
[[Monk]]s are in a special situation. They can reach basic skill in only 3 ranged weapons: shuriken, [[spear]] and [[crossbow]]. As spears are heavy and a crossbow must be wielded to be used, it may be worth enchanting and blessing shuriken if you find them, especially because monks have little other use for [[scroll of enchant weapon|scrolls of enchant weapon]]. Even at unskilled, monks will get a +1 [[multishot]] bonus when throwing shuriken, offsetting their low skill cap. If you don't mind [[polypiling]] stacks of useless weapons, this is a good way to get shuriken.
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Shuriken are the only weapons to use this skill, and there are no [[artifact weapon|artifact]] shuriken.
  
[[Samurai]] can reach expert in shuriken. Advancing the skill to expert becomes trivial after reaching the [[samurai quest|quest]], thanks to the multitude of shuriken-wielding [[ninja]].
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==Strategy==
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Each shuriken weighs only 1 [[aum]] similar to [[dart]]s, and their damage when thrown eclipses that of thrown [[dagger]]s - they are stellar weapons to enchant and poison (especially if you are not [[lawful]]), and are employed against dangerous melee-range threats such as [[mind flayer]]s. Their to-hit bonus can also help offset the penalty for throwing them at [[Unskilled]].
  
[[Ranger]]s and [[Rogue]]s can reach skilled in shuriken, but do more damage with arrows and daggers because of their role-based bonuses, so they are usually not a good choice.
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In practice, though, the shuriken's rarity makes it difficult to train the skill or make long-term use of them without [[polypiling]]; a [[wish]] is typically used to either procure a stack of shuriken directly, or more commonly to obtain a [[wand of polymorph]] for polypiling. Samurai are the primary exception to this "rule", as ninja generate exclusively in the [[Samurai quest]] and often carry shuriken - this makes it far easier to both assemble and enchant a stockpile and to train the skill to Expert, especially with high [[Luck]].
  
[[Healer]]s can reach skilled in shuriken. They can also reach skilled in the weaker daggers and sling, and expert in the weaker darts, so shuriken are interesting. Healers are restricted in matter spells, and even with a robe and high enough level they won't be able to reach much better than 90% failure rate with the [[spellbook of polymorph|polymorph spell]], so the [[PYEC]] and [[wand of polymorph|wands]] are usually a better way to get large numbers of shuriken.
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Of the three roles that can attain Skilled in shuriken, [[Healer]]s can also reach Skilled in daggers and [[sling]], as well as Expert in darts - all three are far more common, but generally deal less damage and are overall heavier to carry; darts are the only option of those three that can be poisoned and [[multishot]], and are just as light as shuriken. [[Ranger]]s gain multishot bonuses with arrows, as do [[Rogue]]s using daggers, making them superior preferable to shuriken thrown at Skilled.
  
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[[Monk]]s are in a unique situation: While they can only reach Basic in shuriken, they have a role-specific multishot bonus, and the shuriken is one of the few non-melee weapons that they can advance the skill of - of the others, [[spear]]s are generally heavy, and [[crossbow bolt]]s require that you keep a [[crossbow]] wielded. [[Weaponless]] Monks may consider enchanting and blessing any shuriken they find or even polypiling for them, which provides one of the [[conduct]]'s few uses for the [[scroll of enchant weapon]].
  
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
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==References==
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<references/>
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{{nethack-366}}
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
{{nethack-360}}
 
[[Category:SLASH'EM items]]
 

Revision as of 09:09, 27 October 2022

) Shuriken.png
Name shuriken
Appearance throwing star
Damage vs. small 1d8
Damage vs. large 1d6
To-hit bonus +2
Weapon skill shuriken
Size one-handed
Base price 5 zm
(+10/positive
enchant)
Weight 1
Material iron

A shuriken is a type of weapon that appears in NetHack. It is made of iron, and appears as a throwing star when unidentified - a Samurai starts the game with knowledge of shuriken.

Shuriken are designed to be thrown by hand, and gain a +2 to-hit bonus when thrown - they can break on impact like some similar weapons and projectiles, and can be poisoned by dipping them in a potion of sickness.

Generation

Shuriken are quite rare, making up 3.5% of randomly-generated weapons - this amounts to 0.35% of all randomly found objects in the main dungeon, 0.42% of all items on the Rogue level, and 0.7% of all items in Gehennom.[1]

Ninja have a 34 chance of generating with a stack of shuriken, and will otherwise receive a stack of darts.[2] Monk player monsters have a 13 chance of a stack of shuriken replacing the melee weapon they are generated with, and will otherwise generate with no melee weapon.[3]

Shuriken skill

Shuriken
Max Role
Basic
Skilled
Expert

Shuriken are the only weapons to use this skill, and there are no artifact shuriken.

Strategy

Each shuriken weighs only 1 aum similar to darts, and their damage when thrown eclipses that of thrown daggers - they are stellar weapons to enchant and poison (especially if you are not lawful), and are employed against dangerous melee-range threats such as mind flayers. Their to-hit bonus can also help offset the penalty for throwing them at Unskilled.

In practice, though, the shuriken's rarity makes it difficult to train the skill or make long-term use of them without polypiling; a wish is typically used to either procure a stack of shuriken directly, or more commonly to obtain a wand of polymorph for polypiling. Samurai are the primary exception to this "rule", as ninja generate exclusively in the Samurai quest and often carry shuriken - this makes it far easier to both assemble and enchant a stockpile and to train the skill to Expert, especially with high Luck.

Of the three roles that can attain Skilled in shuriken, Healers can also reach Skilled in daggers and sling, as well as Expert in darts - all three are far more common, but generally deal less damage and are overall heavier to carry; darts are the only option of those three that can be poisoned and multishot, and are just as light as shuriken. Rangers gain multishot bonuses with arrows, as do Rogues using daggers, making them superior preferable to shuriken thrown at Skilled.

Monks are in a unique situation: While they can only reach Basic in shuriken, they have a role-specific multishot bonus, and the shuriken is one of the few non-melee weapons that they can advance the skill of - of the others, spears are generally heavy, and crossbow bolts require that you keep a crossbow wielded. Weaponless Monks may consider enchanting and blessing any shuriken they find or even polypiling for them, which provides one of the conduct's few uses for the scroll of enchant weapon.

Encyclopedia entry

You know, that's what I hate most about fighting against magic:
you never know what they're trying to do to you until it hits.
The sorceress knew what hit her, however. Two of the shuriken
got past whatever defenses she had. One caught her just below
the throat, the other in the middle of her chest. It wouldn't
kill her, but she wouldn't be fighting anyone for a while.

[ Jhereg, by Steven Brust ]

References