Difference between revisions of "Small shield"

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The '''small shield''' is the cheapest and lightest kind of [[shield]].
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A '''small shield''' is a type of [[shield]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is made of [[wood]]
  
 
Unless made [[fireproof]] or rotproof, it can burn or rot when faced with [[fire]] or a [[black pudding]]/[[brown pudding]]'s attack.
 
Unless made [[fireproof]] or rotproof, it can burn or rot when faced with [[fire]] or a [[black pudding]]/[[brown pudding]]'s attack.
  
It does not inhibit [[spellcasting]] as much as the other shields due to its small weight.{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1802|nethack=3.6.6|name=penalty|comment=extra shield penalty doesn't apply for small shields}}
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==Generation==
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[[Knight]]s and [[Priest]]s start each game with a +0 small shield.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|78|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|103|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Valkyrie]]s start each game with a +3 small shield.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|155|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
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Lines of code are present that would give [[Dwarf (starting race)|Dwarvish]], [[Elf (starting race)|elven]] and [[Orc (starting race)|orcish]] characters in roles that start with small shields a race-appropriate shield instead - of these, only the line regarding orcs and [[orcish shield]]s is not commented out, as it has no applicable roles.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|210|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|219|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|227|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
==Generation==
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[[Mercenaries]] have a {{frac|2|3}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being generated with]] small shields.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|639|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Aligned priest]]s, [[high priest]]s and the [[Grand Priest]] always generate with a small shield.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|694|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
[[Knight]]s and [[priest]]s start out with one, as well as [[valkyrie]]s (theirs is enchanted +3 from the beginning).
 
  
[[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] are also generated with small shields sometimes.
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==Description==
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When worn, a small shield grants 1 base [[AC]] and inhibits [[spellcasting]]. The spellcasting penalty for a small shield is much lower than other shield types due to its low weight.{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1802|nethack=3.6.7|name=penalty|comment=extra shield penalty doesn't apply for small shields}}
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
 
{{main|Shield#Strategy|l1=Shield § Strategy}}
 
{{main|Shield#Strategy|l1=Shield § Strategy}}
The small shield is the best shield for spellcasters and characters with low [[carrying capacity]].
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The small shield is the best shield by far for spellcasters and characters with low [[carrying capacity]] - characters in other roles or builds may consider sticking with a highly-enchanted small shield in the long term if they have [[reflection]] covered by other slots. An [[elven shield]] may be a superior option depending on a characters exact needs: it has higher base AC and can be enchanted safely from +5, in exchange for weighing 10 more [[aum]] and inhibiting spellcasting harder than the small shield.
  
A Valkyrie's starting small shield is worth wearing for a long time due to its high enchantment. Eventually, Valkyries will probably want to ditch the shield so they can [[twoweapon]].
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A Valkyrie's starting small shield is worth wearing for a long time due to its high enchantment, though many of them eventually ditch the shield so they can [[twoweapon]].
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==History==
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The small shield first appears in Hack 1.21, a variant of [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], where it is simply known as a '''shield''' and is not considered a type of armor. This shield is also included in the initial object list for [[Hack 1.0]], and is renamed to the small shield in [[NetHack 3.0.0]].
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
The spellcasting code<ref name='penalty'/> actually adds the extra penalty to every shield that [[weight|weighs]] more than the small shield.  While in vanilla the latter is the sole lightest shield, the [[object materials]] patch may allow bigger shields to be also exempt when they're made of a lightweight material like [[bone]] or [[wood]]. [[Mithril]] might qualify too, although in many variants all [[metallic]] shields get the penalty, regardless of weight.
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In variants with [[object materials]] systems, shields larger than the small shield may be exempt from additional spellcasting penalties if they are made of a lightweight, non-[[metallic]] material such as [[bone]] or [[wood]].<ref name='penalty'/>
 
 
== References ==
 
<references />
 
  
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==References==
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<references/>
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Shields]]
 
[[Category:Shields]]
{{nethack-366}}
 

Revision as of 15:25, 25 November 2023

[   small shield   Small shield.png
Appearance small shield
Slot shield
AC 1
Special (none)
Base price 3 zm
Weight 30
Material wood

A small shield is a type of shield that appears in NetHack. It is made of wood

Unless made fireproof or rotproof, it can burn or rot when faced with fire or a black pudding/brown pudding's attack.

Generation

Knights and Priests start each game with a +0 small shield.[1][2] Valkyries start each game with a +3 small shield.[3]

Lines of code are present that would give Dwarvish, elven and orcish characters in roles that start with small shields a race-appropriate shield instead - of these, only the line regarding orcs and orcish shields is not commented out, as it has no applicable roles.[4][5][6]

Mercenaries have a 23 chance of being generated with small shields.[7] Aligned priests, high priests and the Grand Priest always generate with a small shield.[8]

Description

When worn, a small shield grants 1 base AC and inhibits spellcasting. The spellcasting penalty for a small shield is much lower than other shield types due to its low weight.[9]

Strategy

Main article: Shield § Strategy

The small shield is the best shield by far for spellcasters and characters with low carrying capacity - characters in other roles or builds may consider sticking with a highly-enchanted small shield in the long term if they have reflection covered by other slots. An elven shield may be a superior option depending on a characters exact needs: it has higher base AC and can be enchanted safely from +5, in exchange for weighing 10 more aum and inhibiting spellcasting harder than the small shield.

A Valkyrie's starting small shield is worth wearing for a long time due to its high enchantment, though many of them eventually ditch the shield so they can twoweapon.

History

The small shield first appears in Hack 1.21, a variant of Jay Fenlason's Hack, where it is simply known as a shield and is not considered a type of armor. This shield is also included in the initial object list for Hack 1.0, and is renamed to the small shield in NetHack 3.0.0.

Variants

In variants with object materials systems, shields larger than the small shield may be exempt from additional spellcasting penalties if they are made of a lightweight, non-metallic material such as bone or wood.[9]

References