Boomerang - Revision history

Quietust: /* Description */ the Projectile article explicitly calls out boomerangs as NOT breaking, and the 3.6.7 sources confirm this - (objects[otyp].oc_skill < P_NONE && objects[otyp].oc_skill > -P_BOOMERANG)

2026-03-21T15:51:42Z

‎Description: the Projectile article explicitly calls out boomerangs as NOT breaking, and the 3.6.7 sources confirm this - (objects[otyp].oc_skill < P_NONE && objects[otyp].oc_skill > -P_BOOMERANG)

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ tweak upcoming

2026-03-19T05:11:27Z

‎Generation: tweak upcoming

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2025-08-13T21:19:48Z

copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* Hack'EM */ tweaks

2025-08-13T20:55:33Z

‎Hack'EM: tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ detail

2025-08-13T20:13:26Z

‎Description: detail

Umbire the Phantom: /* Boomerang skill */ I lied

2025-07-31T06:12:30Z

‎Boomerang skill: I lied

Umbire the Phantom: one last bit

2025-07-31T06:09:03Z

one last bit

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ detail

2025-07-31T06:07:32Z

‎Description: detail

Umbire the Phantom: /* SlashTHEM */ had a brainshart

2025-07-31T06:07:03Z

‎SlashTHEM: had a brainshart

Umbire the Phantom: /* SlashTHEM */ spacing

2025-07-31T06:05:08Z

‎SlashTHEM: spacing

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 ==Description==
-When [[thrown]], a boomerang will travel in {{sa|Flight patterns|a counterclockwise circular path}} from the direction thrown and hit anything in its path, alternating between [[Left parenthesis|left and]] [[right parenthesis]] glyphs ({{brown|(}} {{brown|)}} {{brown|(}}) as it flies to simulate spinning.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3531|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Boomerangs have a luck-dependent chance of [[mulch]]ing upon hitting a monster. If a boomerang thrown by the [[hero]] makes its way back to them, they have a {{sfrac|[[DEX]]|20}} chance of catching the boomerang safely (i.e. a hero with 20 dexterity or more will always catch it){{refsrc|src/zap.c|3570|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3577|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}&mdash;if this chance fails, the hero throws a boomerang while [[fumbling]], or else the thrown boomerang is [[cursed]], it will hit the hero upon returning.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3573|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+When [[thrown]], a boomerang will travel in {{sa|Flight patterns|a counterclockwise circular path}} from the direction thrown and hit anything in its path, alternating between [[Left parenthesis|left and]] [[right parenthesis]] glyphs ({{brown|(}} {{brown|)}} {{brown|(}}) as it flies to simulate spinning.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3531|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Unlike most other projectile weapons, boomerangs do ''not'' [[mulch]] upon hitting a monster. If a boomerang thrown by the [[hero]] makes its way back to them, they have a {{sfrac|[[DEX]]|20}} chance of catching the boomerang safely (i.e. a hero with 20 dexterity or more will always catch it){{refsrc|src/zap.c|3570|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3577|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}&mdash;if this chance fails, the hero throws a boomerang while [[fumbling]], or else the thrown boomerang is [[cursed]], it will hit the hero upon returning.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3573|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 Boomerangs will not return if their path is blocked by a [[wall]], closed [[door]] or a set of [[iron bars]], or if they move over a [[sink]].{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3585|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mthrowu.c|476|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=calls <tt>hits_bars</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/mthrowu.c|1172|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=<code>hits_bars()</code> does not include boomerang weapons}} Boomerangs can be "[[multishot]]" by throwing them multiple times in one action, which will be aborted if a returning boomerang hits the hero.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3575|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

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 Boomerangs make up {{frac|3|200}} (1.5%) of all weapons randomly generated on the ground, in general [[shop]]s, or as [[death drop]]s. Used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can also stock boomerangs.
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|e5c73d01fefff13d49d9af83a52615dfe20e2699}}, [[wood golem]]s have a chance of leaving boomerangs among the wooden items generated as a special [[death drop]] in lieu of a [[corpse]].}}
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|e5c73d01fefff13d49d9af83a52615dfe20e2699}}, [[wood golem]]s have a chance of leaving boomerangs among the wooden items generated as a special [[death drop]] in lieu of a [[corpse]].}}
 ==Boomerang skill==

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 </replacecharsblock></div>
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|7d22a2c7b900b259d3aa2066353c3d974b335851}}, a boomerang's trajectory depends on whether the hero is right- or left-handed, using the groundwork laid in {{commit|fb07e9d06f244a76537f8b769c0bd4e044fa673c}} and {{commit|e4e8eea4e8a11a8dd811d74ed19d11c828b68ef1}}.}}
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|7d22a2c7b900b259d3aa2066353c3d974b335851}}, a boomerang's trajectory depends on whether the hero is right- or left-handed, using the groundwork laid in {{commit|fb07e9d06f244a76537f8b769c0bd4e044fa673c}} and {{commit|e4e8eea4e8a11a8dd811d74ed19d11c828b68ef1}}&mdash;the boomerang will either fly counter-clockwise as above, or clockwise as depicted in {{sa|History|the history section}}.}}
 ==Strategy==
 Though the boomerang has better damage than many other projectile weapons and its wooden material makes [[erosion]] somewhat less of a danger, the unusual flight path can be tricky to recall, making it a rarely-used weapon; for heroes that are not [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarves]] (who can naturally reach 20 dexterity), enchanted [[gauntlets of dexterity]] are likely necessary to ensure completely safe operation. However, players more interested in doing damage than having the weapon return can still use this weapon effectively over a range up to four spaces:
-* For these scenarios, assume a monster is approaching you from a cardinal direction (N,S,E,W).
+* For these scenarios, assume a monster is approaching you from a cardinal direction (N,S,E,W). Refer to the diagrams above as a visual aid.
 * If it approaches from the N, it can be hit at a distance of four spaces by throwing to the NW (45 degrees counter-clockwise) if there are at least two open tiles to the W.
 * A monster at a distance of three spaces to the N can be hit by throwing to the W (90 degrees counter-clockwise) if there are three open tiles in that direction.
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 * Monsters approaching from an ordinal direction (NE,NW,SE,SW) can also only be hit at two spaces.
-Boomerangs can be particularly effective against [[unicorn]]s, who will always attempt to avoid any direct line of ranged attack, and can also be especially effective in large open spaces with crowds of monsters, like the [[Big Room]]. As with other projectiles, avoiding throwing boomerangs while [[levitating]].
+Boomerangs can be particularly effective against monsters such as [[unicorn]]s that try to avoid any direct line of ranged attack, as well as [[dragon]]s and other monsters that are hazardous to face in such direct lines. It can also be especially effective in large open spaces with crowds of monsters like the [[Big Room]]. As with other projectiles, avoid throwing boomerangs while [[levitating]].
 ==History==

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 Weapons that use the boomerang skill will stop upon hitting a monster, but have a chance of "slicing" through enemies in their path that is rolled per monster and increases with the thrower's skill level:
-* At unskilled, the projectile will always stop on the first monster hit.
+* At Unskilled, the projectile will always stop on the first monster it hits.
 * At Basic, there is a {{frac|101|150}} chance of the projectile stopping upon hitting a monster.
 * At Skilled, there is a {{frac|26|75}} chance of the projectile stopping upon hitting a monster.

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 Boomerangs will not return if their path is blocked by a [[wall]], closed [[door]] or a set of [[iron bars]], or if they move over a [[sink]].{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3585|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mthrowu.c|476|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=calls <tt>hits_bars</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/mthrowu.c|1172|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=<code>hits_bars()</code> does not include boomerang weapons}} Boomerangs can be "[[multishot]]" by throwing them multiple times in one action, which will be aborted if a returning boomerang hits the hero.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3575|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-A boomerang [[wielded]] and used as a [[melee]] weapon will only inflict d2 damage and has a [[luck]]-dependent chance of breaking into splinters.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|750|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=formula is <tt>[[rnl]](4) == 3</tt>}}
+A boomerang (or stack of boomerangs) that is [[wielded]] and used as a [[melee]] weapon will only inflict d2 damage as with other objects that are not designed for melee, and each attack has a [[luck]]-dependent chance of the boomerang (or one from the wielded stack) breaking into splinters on contact.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|750|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=formula is <tt>[[rnl]](4) == 3</tt>}}
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|242a7ba796245bc30d2ea8b2eb72cba52d5b0f47}}, boomerangs create [[noise]] when hitting a sink.

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 {{boomerang skill table}}
-Boomerangs are the only weapons to use the '''boomerang skill'''. There are no [[artifact]] boomerangs.
+Boomerangs are the only weapons to use the '''boomerang''' [[skill]]. There are no [[artifact]] boomerangs.
 ==Description==

@@ Line 196: / Line 196: @@
 ===Hack'EM===
-[[Hack'EM]] adds the chakram from dNetHack as a weapon that uses the boomerang skill.
+[[Hack'EM]] adds the chakram from dNetHack as a weapon that uses the boomerang skill. [[Upgrading]] a boomerang successfully will produce a chakram, and vice versa.
 The skill distribution among roles for boomerangs is changed from SLASH'EM:

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+|
 * [[Zookeeper]]
 |}