Difference between revisions of "The Tsurugi of Muramasa"

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'''The Tsurugi of Muramasa''' is the [[Samurai]] [[quest artifact]]. It is the prize for completing the [[samurai quest]]. It is [[lawful]] for [[wish]]ing purposes.
+
'''The Tsurugi of Muramasa''' is the [[Samurai]] [[quest artifact]]. It is the prize for completing the [[samurai quest]], and is [[lawful]] for [[wish]]ing purposes. Its [[base item]] is a [[tsurugi]], a type of [[two-handed sword]].
  
−
It is a [[tsurugi]], a type of two-handed sword. It does 4-28 base damage, with a 5% chance of either instantly killing a small [[monster]] (or a monster engulfing you) by bisection, or doing [[double damage]] to large monsters. When wielded, it provides extrinsic [[protection]], augmenting your [[magic cancellation]] as a [[ring of protection]], but not cumulative with one.
+
==Description==
 +
The Tsurugi has +2 to-hit and deals +[[d notation|d8]] bonus damage. It has a 5% chance of [[bisect]]ing and [[Instadeath|instantly killing]] [[Physical size|medium-size]] or smaller [[monster]]s that it hits, as well as any monster [[engulf]]ing you; large-or-bigger monsters instead take [[double damage]]. When carried, it acts as a [[luckstone]], and when wielded, it provides extrinsic [[protection]], augmenting your [[magic cancellation]] as with a [[ring of protection]], but not cumulative with one. Unlike most other quest artifacts, it cannot be [[invoke]]d or [[applied]].
  
−
Its disadvantage is being two-handed; if it becomes [[cursed]] in a fight you will need to #tip an uncursing item out of your bag to regain use of your hands. The Tsurugi is still safer than most two-handed weapons, because as an [[intelligent artifact]] it resists the [[curse items]] monster spell 80% of the time.
+
==Strategy==
 +
The chance of bisection makes it dangerous for Samurai to face their [[quest nemesis]] [[Ashikaga Takauji]] in melee. Those facing him may employ ranged attacks, [[Polymorph control|controlled]] [[polymorph]], a [[boulder fort]], or a [[wand of death]] to liberate the artifact from him.
  
−
==Average damage calculation==
+
As a two-handed weapon, if the Tsurugi becomes [[cursed]], you will need to #[[tip]] an uncursing item out of your bag to regain use of your hands. However, as an [[intelligent artifact]] it resists the [[curse items]] monster spell 80% of the time, making it much safer than most other two-handed weapons. Beyond that, the Tsurugi's extra Luck and protection renders it barely noteworthy among lawful artifacts for non-Samurai, if not artifacts in general.
−
The average damage calculations in the following table do not include bonuses from [[Skill|weapon skills]], [[strength]], or from using a [[blessed]] weapon against [[undead]] or [[demon]]s. Also, they do not include the 5% chance of either instantly killing the target (if it is a small monster) or doing double the damage (if it is a large monster).  Furthermore, the [[twoweapon]] skill bonuses are not included for the damage calculations when using Excalibur with a Katana.
 
  
−
One thing most samurai will have to consider is two-weaponing vs the Tsurugi. As it is very easy to get Excalibur via dipping, it is worth noting that using Excalibur with the starting Katana does roughly the same amount of damage ( minus 5% bisection bonus ) as the Tsurugi. This benefits the player by not having to deal the detrimental aspects of the Tsurugi, and still doing very good damage.
+
Unfortunately for Samurai themselves, that it uses the two-handed sword skill may prove a deterrent for those looking to [[twoweapon]] or use a [[shield]]. While they can attain Expert level in the skill, most samurai may already be comfortable with the easier-obtained [[Excalibur]] or [[Snickersnee]] as their main weapon and their starting [[katana]] or another [[long sword]] as their off-hand weapon. In addition to dealing roughly similar damage outside of the Tsurugi's bisection, there is a much less significant risk of item curses welding both weapons to your hands.
 +
 
 +
===Average damage calculation===
 +
The base damage range of the Tsurugi of Muramasa is 2–24 against small monsters, and 4–28 against large monsters before doubling damage. The average damage calculations in the following table do not include bonuses from [[Skill|weapon skills]], [[strength]], or from using a [[blessed]] weapon against [[undead]] or [[M2_DEMON|demons]]. Also, they do not include the 5% chance of either instantly killing the target (if it is a small monster) or doing double the damage (if it is a large monster). Furthermore, the [[twoweapon]] skill bonuses are not included for the damage calculations when using Excalibur with a [[katana]].
  
 
{|class="wikitable"
 
{|class="wikitable"
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|-
 
|-
 
| +0 Tsurugi of Muramasa
 
| +0 Tsurugi of Muramasa
−
|<math>\frac{1+16}{2}+\frac{1+8}{2}=\bold{13}</math>
+
|{{sfrac|1+16|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+8|2}}&nbsp;=&nbsp;'''13'''
−
|<math>\frac{1+8}{2}+\frac{2+12}{2}+\frac{1+8}{2}=\bold{16}</math>
+
|{{sfrac|1+8|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|2+12|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+8|2}}&nbsp;=&nbsp;'''16'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
| +7 Tsurugi of Muramasa
 
| +7 Tsurugi of Muramasa
−
|<math>\frac{1+16}{2}+\frac{1+8}{2}+7=\bold{20}</math>
+
|{{sfrac|1+16|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+8|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;7&nbsp;=&nbsp;'''20'''
−
|<math>\frac{1+8}{2}+\frac{2+12}{2}+\frac{1+8}{2}+7=\bold{23}</math>
+
|{{sfrac|1+8|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|2+12|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+8|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;7&nbsp;=&nbsp;'''23'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
| +0 Excalibur and +0 Katana
 
| +0 Excalibur and +0 Katana
−
| <math>\frac{1+8}{2}+\frac{1+10}{2}+\frac{1+10}{2}=\bold{15.5}</math>
+
| {{sfrac|1+8|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+10|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+10|2}}&nbsp;=&nbsp;'''15.5'''
−
| <math>\frac{1+12}{2}+\frac{1+10}{2}+\frac{1+12}{2}=\bold{18.5}</math>
+
| {{sfrac|1+12|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+10|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+12|2}}&nbsp;=&nbsp;'''18.5'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
| +7 Excalibur and +7 Katana
 
| +7 Excalibur and +7 Katana
−
| <math>\frac{1+8}{2}+\frac{1+10}{2}+7+\frac{1+10}{2}+7=\bold{29.5}</math>
+
| {{sfrac|1+8|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+10|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;7&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+10|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;7&nbsp;=&nbsp;'''29.5'''
−
| <math>\frac{1+12}{2}+\frac{1+10}{2}+7+\frac{1+12}{2}+7=\bold{32.5}</math>
+
| {{sfrac|1+12|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+10|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;7&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+12|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;7&nbsp;=&nbsp;'''32.5'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
| +9 Excalibur and +7 Katana
 
| +9 Excalibur and +7 Katana
−
| <math>\frac{1+8}{2}+\frac{1+10}{2}+9+\frac{1+10}{2}+7=\bold{31.5}</math>
+
| {{sfrac|1+8|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+10|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;9&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+10|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;7&nbsp;=&nbsp;'''31.5'''
−
| <math>\frac{1+12}{2}+\frac{1+10}{2}+9+\frac{1+12}{2}+7=\bold{34.5}</math>
+
| {{sfrac|1+12|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+10|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;9&nbsp;+&nbsp;{{sfrac|1+12|2}}&nbsp;+&nbsp;7&nbsp;=&nbsp;'''34.5'''
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
==SLASH'EM==
+
==History==
 +
The Tsurugi of Muramasa was introduced along with most of the other quest artifacts in [[NetHack 3.1.0]].
 +
 
 +
The Tsurugi of Muramasa gained extrinsic protection while wielded in [[NetHack 3.6.0]].
 +
 
 +
==Origin==
 +
{{wikipedia|Muramasa}}
 +
Muramasa Sengo (千子 村正) was a famous Japanese swordsmith who founded the Muramasa school and lived during the Muromachi period (14th to 16th centuries) in Kuwana of Ise Province. They were originally reputed as fine blades favored by the shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu and his vassals, but gradually became a symbol of the anti-Tokugawa movement.
 +
 
 +
The idea of Muramasa's swords being bloodthirsty and compelling the wielders to murder or suicide is a product of both the aforementioned political shift and of 18th century Japanese lore and popular culture, such as ''kabuki'' dramas - this is also likely the source for the idea that Muramasa passed his own violence and bloodlust on to the blades he forged.
  
−
In [[SLASH'EM]], the Tsurugi of Muramasa doesn't provide protection or magic cancellation. Keep in mind that slash'em doesn't have the "tip" command, so wielding a cursed two handed weapon is much more serious. As is true of any artifact weapon that simply does extra damage in slashem, it has been considerably improved. The Tsurugi does +8 extra damage instead of +1d8.  Moreover, the bisection effect activates 10% of the time, as opposed to 5%.
+
==Variants==
 +
===SLASH'EM===
 +
In [[SLASH'EM]], the Tsurugi of Muramasa doesn't provide protection or magic cancellation. Keep in mind that SLASH'EM doesn't have the #tip command, so wielding a cursed two handed weapon is much more serious. As is true of any artifact weapon that simply does extra damage in slashem, it has been considerably improved. The Tsurugi does +8 extra damage instead of +1d8.  Moreover, the bisection effect activates 10% of the time, as opposed to 5%.
  
−
However, the ability in [[SLASH'EM]] to [[twoweapon|dual-wield]] artifact weapons diminishes the Tsurugi's appeal considerably. Combining [[Excalibur]] and [[Snickersnee]] is an excellent option for Samurai, since both weapons are easily available to them, use the same weapon skill, and both have a flat damage bonus against all monsters.  On average this will do much more damage than the Tsurugi, although it lacks the instakill chance against small monsters. A Samurai who can get his hands on one of the better lawful swords, such as [[Fire Brand]], [[Frost Brand]], [[Grayswandir]], or the SLASH'EM-specific [[Sword of Justice]] can be even more powerful.
+
However, the ability in SLASH'EM to [[twoweapon|dual-wield]] artifact weapons diminishes the Tsurugi's appeal considerably. Combining [[Excalibur]] and [[Snickersnee]] is an excellent option for Samurai, since both weapons are easily available to them, use the same weapon skill, and both have a flat damage bonus against all monsters.  On average this will do much more damage than the Tsurugi, although it lacks the instakill chance against small monsters. A Samurai who can get his hands on one of the better lawful swords, such as [[Fire Brand]], [[Frost Brand]], [[Grayswandir]], or the SLASH'EM-specific [[Sword of Justice]] can be even more powerful.
  
 
The following table summarizes the best-case scenario average damage for the Tsurugi of Muramasa versus two-weaponing the most powerful one-handed lawful swords. The following table does not include applicable strength or ring-based damage bonuses.
 
The following table summarizes the best-case scenario average damage for the Tsurugi of Muramasa versus two-weaponing the most powerful one-handed lawful swords. The following table does not include applicable strength or ring-based damage bonuses.
Line 116: Line 131:
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
Note: Best case for all listed weapons assumes expert in the relevant skill ([[two-handed sword]] or [[two-weapon combat]] and [[long sword]] and/or [[saber]]), attacking an [[undead]] or [[demon]] with a [[blessed]] weapon, enchanted to +7, and the following additional restrictions apply to each weapon:
+
Note: Best case for all listed weapons assumes expert in the relevant skill ([[two-handed sword]] or [[two-weapon combat]] and [[long sword]] and/or [[saber]]), attacking an undead monster or demon with a blessed weapon, enchanted to +7, and the following additional restrictions apply to each weapon:
 
*Excalibur: none
 
*Excalibur: none
 
*Snickersnee: none
 
*Snickersnee: none
Line 122: Line 137:
 
*Fire Brand: not [[fire resistant]]
 
*Fire Brand: not [[fire resistant]]
 
*Frost Brand: not [[cold resistant]]
 
*Frost Brand: not [[cold resistant]]
−
*Grayswandir: [[silver-hating]] (only [[demon]]s are both silver-hating and suffer blessed damage
+
*Grayswandir: [[silver-hating]] (only demons are both silver-hating and suffer blessed damage)
−
 
 
−
==Origin==
 
−
 
 
−
A [[tsurugi]] is just a Japanese straight double-edged sword.
 
  
−
Muramasa Sengo (千子 村正), was a famous swordsmith of 15th century Japan. He was reputed violent and a bit mad, a trait that supposedly passed on to his blades. It was believed that Muramasa blades were bloodthirsty and compelled the wielders to murder or suicide. Not the best choice of a name for a lawful weapon in Nethack.
+
===UnNetHack===
 +
In [[UnNetHack]], the Tsurugi of Muramasa confers [[half physical damage]] while wielded.
  
−
== Encyclopedia entry ==
+
===FIQHack===
 +
In [[FIQHack]], the Tsurugi of Muramasa does double damage rather than +1d8, and can be invoked to uncurse itself.
  
 +
===EvilHack===
 +
In [[EvilHack]], the Tsurugi of Muramasa confers [[half physical damage]] while wielded.
 +
 +
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
This most ancient of swords has been passed down through the
 
This most ancient of swords has been passed down through the
Line 140: Line 157:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{nethack-360}}
+
{{nethack-366}}
 
[[Category:Quest artifacts|Tsurugi of Muramasa]]
 
[[Category:Quest artifacts|Tsurugi of Muramasa]]
 
[[Category:Artifact weapons|Tsurugi of Muramasa]]
 
[[Category:Artifact weapons|Tsurugi of Muramasa]]
 +
[[Category:Luck items|Tsurugi of Muramasa]]

Latest revision as of 03:46, 30 March 2024

)   The Tsurugi of Muramasa   Tsurugi.png
Base item tsurugi
Damage vs. small 1d16 +1d8
Damage vs. large 1d8+2d6 +1d8
To-hit bonus +2
Bonus versus (any)
Weapon skill two-handed sword
Size two-handed
Affiliation
When carried
When wielded
When invoked

(none)

Base price 4500 zm
Weight 60
Material metal

The Tsurugi of Muramasa is the Samurai quest artifact. It is the prize for completing the samurai quest, and is lawful for wishing purposes. Its base item is a tsurugi, a type of two-handed sword.

Description

The Tsurugi has +2 to-hit and deals +d8 bonus damage. It has a 5% chance of bisecting and instantly killing medium-size or smaller monsters that it hits, as well as any monster engulfing you; large-or-bigger monsters instead take double damage. When carried, it acts as a luckstone, and when wielded, it provides extrinsic protection, augmenting your magic cancellation as with a ring of protection, but not cumulative with one. Unlike most other quest artifacts, it cannot be invoked or applied.

Strategy

The chance of bisection makes it dangerous for Samurai to face their quest nemesis Ashikaga Takauji in melee. Those facing him may employ ranged attacks, controlled polymorph, a boulder fort, or a wand of death to liberate the artifact from him.

As a two-handed weapon, if the Tsurugi becomes cursed, you will need to #tip an uncursing item out of your bag to regain use of your hands. However, as an intelligent artifact it resists the curse items monster spell 80% of the time, making it much safer than most other two-handed weapons. Beyond that, the Tsurugi's extra Luck and protection renders it barely noteworthy among lawful artifacts for non-Samurai, if not artifacts in general.

Unfortunately for Samurai themselves, that it uses the two-handed sword skill may prove a deterrent for those looking to twoweapon or use a shield. While they can attain Expert level in the skill, most samurai may already be comfortable with the easier-obtained Excalibur or Snickersnee as their main weapon and their starting katana or another long sword as their off-hand weapon. In addition to dealing roughly similar damage outside of the Tsurugi's bisection, there is a much less significant risk of item curses welding both weapons to your hands.

Average damage calculation

The base damage range of the Tsurugi of Muramasa is 2–24 against small monsters, and 4–28 against large monsters before doubling damage. The average damage calculations in the following table do not include bonuses from weapon skills, strength, or from using a blessed weapon against undead or demons. Also, they do not include the 5% chance of either instantly killing the target (if it is a small monster) or doing double the damage (if it is a large monster). Furthermore, the twoweapon skill bonuses are not included for the damage calculations when using Excalibur with a katana.

Weapon Small monsters Large monsters
+0 Tsurugi of Muramasa 1+162 + 1+82 = 13 1+82 + 2+122 + 1+82 = 16
+7 Tsurugi of Muramasa 1+162 + 1+82 + 7 = 20 1+82 + 2+122 + 1+82 + 7 = 23
+0 Excalibur and +0 Katana 1+82 + 1+102 + 1+102 = 15.5 1+122 + 1+102 + 1+122 = 18.5
+7 Excalibur and +7 Katana 1+82 + 1+102 + 7 + 1+102 + 7 = 29.5 1+122 + 1+102 + 7 + 1+122 + 7 = 32.5
+9 Excalibur and +7 Katana 1+82 + 1+102 + 9 + 1+102 + 7 = 31.5 1+122 + 1+102 + 9 + 1+122 + 7 = 34.5

History

The Tsurugi of Muramasa was introduced along with most of the other quest artifacts in NetHack 3.1.0.

The Tsurugi of Muramasa gained extrinsic protection while wielded in NetHack 3.6.0.

Origin

Wikipedia
Wikipedia has an article about:

Muramasa Sengo (千子 村正) was a famous Japanese swordsmith who founded the Muramasa school and lived during the Muromachi period (14th to 16th centuries) in Kuwana of Ise Province. They were originally reputed as fine blades favored by the shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu and his vassals, but gradually became a symbol of the anti-Tokugawa movement.

The idea of Muramasa's swords being bloodthirsty and compelling the wielders to murder or suicide is a product of both the aforementioned political shift and of 18th century Japanese lore and popular culture, such as kabuki dramas - this is also likely the source for the idea that Muramasa passed his own violence and bloodlust on to the blades he forged.

Variants

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, the Tsurugi of Muramasa doesn't provide protection or magic cancellation. Keep in mind that SLASH'EM doesn't have the #tip command, so wielding a cursed two handed weapon is much more serious. As is true of any artifact weapon that simply does extra damage in slashem, it has been considerably improved. The Tsurugi does +8 extra damage instead of +1d8. Moreover, the bisection effect activates 10% of the time, as opposed to 5%.

However, the ability in SLASH'EM to dual-wield artifact weapons diminishes the Tsurugi's appeal considerably. Combining Excalibur and Snickersnee is an excellent option for Samurai, since both weapons are easily available to them, use the same weapon skill, and both have a flat damage bonus against all monsters. On average this will do much more damage than the Tsurugi, although it lacks the instakill chance against small monsters. A Samurai who can get his hands on one of the better lawful swords, such as Fire Brand, Frost Brand, Grayswandir, or the SLASH'EM-specific Sword of Justice can be even more powerful.

The following table summarizes the best-case scenario average damage for the Tsurugi of Muramasa versus two-weaponing the most powerful one-handed lawful swords. The following table does not include applicable strength or ring-based damage bonuses.

Weapon(s) Average damage vs. small Average damage vs. large
Tsurugi of Muramasa 28 + 10% instakill 33
Snickersnee + Excalibur 49 52
Snickersnee + Sword of Justice 51 54
Snickersnee + Fire Brand or Frost Brand 51 56
Snickersnee + Grayswandir 61 62
Excalibur + Sword of Justice 52 56
Excalibur + Fire Brand or Frost Brand 52 58
Excalibur + Grayswandir 62 64
Sword of Justice + Fire Brand or Frost Brand 54 60
Sword of Justice + Grayswandir 64 66
Fire Brand + Frost Brand 53 61
Fire Brand or Frost Brand + Grayswandir 64 68

Note: Best case for all listed weapons assumes expert in the relevant skill (two-handed sword or two-weapon combat and long sword and/or saber), attacking an undead monster or demon with a blessed weapon, enchanted to +7, and the following additional restrictions apply to each weapon:

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, the Tsurugi of Muramasa confers half physical damage while wielded.

FIQHack

In FIQHack, the Tsurugi of Muramasa does double damage rather than +1d8, and can be invoked to uncurse itself.

EvilHack

In EvilHack, the Tsurugi of Muramasa confers half physical damage while wielded.

Encyclopedia entry

This most ancient of swords has been passed down through the
leadership of the Samurai legions for hundreds of years. It
is said to grant luck to its wielder, but its main power is
terrible to behold. It has the capability to cut in half any
creature it is wielded against, instantly killing them.


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