Bow - Revision history

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

2025-11-14T20:44:59Z

‎Hack'EM: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: word choice, potholes

2025-11-14T20:39:45Z

word choice, potholes

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ ugh

2025-11-14T20:21:57Z

‎Generation: ugh

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ ghost themed room commit

2025-11-13T16:48:02Z

‎Generation: ghost themed room commit

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ pothole

2025-09-02T20:30:49Z

‎Strategy: pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ more touch-ups

2025-09-02T20:26:28Z

‎Variants: more touch-ups

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ word choice

2025-09-02T20:24:29Z

‎History: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2025-09-02T10:22:34Z

copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ pothole

2025-07-08T08:06:25Z

‎History: pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ touch-ups

2025-07-08T08:06:05Z

‎History: touch-ups

@@ Line 104: / Line 104: @@
 In [[Hack'EM]], bows are two-handed as they are in SLASH'EM and EvilHack.
-Upgrading a bow can produce an elven bow, and upgrading an orcish bow can produce a bow.
+Upgrading a regular bow successfully will produce an elven bow, and upgrading an orcish bow successfully will produce a regular bow.
 ==Encyclopaedia entry==

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
    |material=wood
 }}
-A '''bow''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a [[one-handed]] [[launcher]] that is designed for [[arrows]], and is made of [[wood]]. There are also [[elven bow]]s, [[orcish bow]]s and Japanese-style bows known as [[yumi]], and each have their own arrow [[projectile]]s that they are designed to use.
+A '''bow''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a [[one-handed]] [[launcher]] that is designed for [[arrow]]s, and is made of [[wood]]. There are also [[elven bow]]s, [[orcish bow]]s and Japanese-style bows known as [[yumi]], and each have their own arrow [[projectile]]s that they are designed to use.
 The bow is the [[base item]] for the [[artifact]] [[The Longbow of Diana]].
@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 * [[Gnoll hunter]]s always generate with a bow and arrows.
-* [[Dwarf (monster attribute)|Dwarven]] and [[Human (monster attribute)|human]] [[Sergeant (monster)|sergeants]] and [[lieutenant]]s that are generated in the [[Castle]] at level creation will each have a bow and arrows.
+* [[Dwarf (monster attribute)|Dwarven]] and [[Human (monster attribute)|human]] [[Sergeant (monster)|sergeants]] and [[lieutenant]]s that are generated in [[Castle (EvilHack)|the Castle]] at level creation will each have a bow and arrows.
-* Human or [[Centaur (monster attribute)|centaur]] [[Player monster (EvilHack)|player monster]] [[Ranger (EvilHack monster)|rangers]] are generated with two stacks of arrows for their bows.
+* Human and [[Centaur (monster attribute)|centaur]] [[Player monster (EvilHack)|player monster]] [[Ranger (EvilHack monster)|rangers]] are generated with two stacks of arrows for their bows.
 ===SlashTHEM===

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 [[Human (starting race)|Human]] [[Ranger]]s start the game with a +1 bow and two separate stacks of +0 and +2 arrows.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|115|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-Bows make up {{frac|3|125}} (2.4%) of all bows randomly generated on the ground, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can also stock bows.
+Bows make up {{frac|3|125}} (2.4%) 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 bows.
 [[Forest centaur]]s have a {{frac|2}} chance of being [[generated with]] a bow and a stack of arrows.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|464|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Hunter]]s are always generated with a set of bow and arrows, and [[chieftain]]s, [[page]]s, [[roshi]], and [[warrior]]s have a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with a set of bow and arrows.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|298|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|308|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 [[Human (starting race)|Human]] [[Ranger]]s start the game with a +1 bow and two separate stacks of +0 and +2 arrows.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|115|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-Bows make up {{frac|3|125}} (2.4%) of all armor randomly generated on the ground, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can also stock bows.
+Bows make up {{frac|3|125}} (2.4%) of all bows randomly generated on the ground, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can also stock bows.
 [[Forest centaur]]s have a {{frac|2}} chance of being [[generated with]] a bow and a stack of arrows.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|464|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Hunter]]s are always generated with a set of bow and arrows, and [[chieftain]]s, [[page]]s, [[roshi]], and [[warrior]]s have a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with a set of bow and arrows.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|298|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|308|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 One of the weapons in the item pile guarded by the [[ghost]] on the [[Rogue level]] is a +1 bow with an accompanying stack of arrows, each of which have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of being [[cursed]].{{refsrc|src/extralev.c|334|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|The [[themed room]] containing the ghost of an adventurer and their "bones" pile has an independent {{frac|9|20}} chance of including a bow and arrows in the pile.}}
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|76381815f333e1cfe5d2c503a504b1f3e6551945}}, the [[themed room]] containing the ghost of an adventurer and their "bones" pile has an independent {{frac|9|20}} chance of including a bow and arrows in the pile.}}
 ==Bow skill==

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 ==Strategy==
-As bows are one-handed, a hero can switch to one without removing their [[shield]], and wielding a [[cursed]] bow will still leave one hand free.
+As bows are one-handed, a [[hero]] can switch to one without removing their [[shield]], and wielding a [[cursed]] bow will still leave one hand free.
 A bow's enchantment is generally not important compared to that of the arrows fired from it.

@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-[[SLASH'EM]] makes bows two-handed weapons and adds a new type in the [[Dark elven bow (SLASH'EM)|dark elven bow]]. The [[missile flurry]] [[technique]] only works with bow weapons, and grants a bonus shot with them for several turns depending on the technique's level.
+[[SLASH'EM]] makes bows two-handed weapons and adds a new type in the [[Dark elven bow (SLASH'EM)|dark elven bow]].
 [[Upgrading]] a bow successfully can produce an elven bow, a dark elven bow or a yumi with equal probability, and upgrading an orcish bow, elven bow, dark elven bow, or yumi successfully can produce a bow.
-In the [[Yeoman quest]], several bows can be found in a 2x2 room at the north of the inner ward, each with one silver arrow.
+Several bows can be found in a 2x2 room at the north of the [[Yeoman quest]] locate level, each with one silver arrow on their square.
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[The Fire Crystal]] increases a character's skill cap for bows by 1 while carried.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[The Fire Crystal]] increases a hero's skill cap for bows by 1 while carried.
 [[Eve]] is a spirit that grants skill in bows while bound.

@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 The bow first appears in Hack 1.21 and Hack for PDP-11, which are based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial item list for [[Hack 1.0]]. From Hack 1.0 to [[NetHack 3.2.3]], [[Cavemen]] start with a +1 bow and a stack of +0 arrows as their secondary weapon{{refsrc|u_init.c|53|version=NetHack 1.3d}}&mdash;[[NetHack 3.3.0]] replaces this with the modern [[sling]] and a stack each of [[flint stone]]s and [[rock]]s.{{refsrc|u_init.c|50|version=NetHack 3.3.0}}
-The [[defunct]] Elf role starts with a +1 bow and a stack of +0 arrows as their secondary weapon from [[NetHack 1.3d]] to [[NetHack 2.3e]]{{refsrc|u_init.c|78|version=NetHack 1.3d}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|83|version=NetHack 2.3e}}&mdash;from [[NetHack 3.0.0]] to [[NetHack 3.0.10]], these are replaced with a +0 elven bow and +0 elven arrows if the <tt>TOLKIEN</tt> option is defined at [[Compile-time options|compile-time]].{{refsrc|u_init.c|65|version=NetHack 3.0.0}}
+The [[defunct]] Elf role starts with a +1 bow and a stack of +0 arrows as their secondary weapon from [[NetHack 1.3d]] to [[NetHack 2.3e]]{{refsrc|u_init.c|78|version=NetHack 1.3d}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|83|version=NetHack 2.3e}}&mdash;from [[NetHack 3.0.0]] to [[NetHack 3.0.10]], these are replaced with a +0 elven bow and +0 elven arrows if the <tt>TOLKIEN</tt> [[compile-time option]] is defined.{{refsrc|u_init.c|65|version=NetHack 3.0.0}}
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
    |material=wood
 }}
-A '''bow''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a one-handed [[launcher]] designed for [[arrows]] that is made of [[wood]].
+The bow is the [[base item]] for the [[artifact]] [[The Longbow of Diana]].
 ==Generation==
 [[Human (starting race)|Human]] [[Ranger]]s start the game with a +1 bow and two separate stacks of +0 and +2 arrows.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|115|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-Bows make up {{frac|3|125}} (2.4%) of all randomly-generated weapons. General [[store]]s, used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can stock bows.
+Bows make up {{frac|3|125}} (2.4%) of all armor randomly generated on the ground, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can also stock bows.
 [[Forest centaur]]s have a {{frac|2}} chance of being [[generated with]] a bow and a stack of arrows.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|464|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Hunter]]s are always generated with a set of bow and arrows, and [[chieftain]]s, [[page]]s, [[roshi]], and [[warrior]]s have a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with a set of bow and arrows.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|298|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|308|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
@@ Line 25: / Line 24: @@
 A [[humanoid]] monster with a weapon attack, the ability to wield weapons and no other ruleset governing its monster starting inventory has a chance of generating with a bow and a stack of 3-14 arrows, unless they are created on the [[Rogue level]]: the base odds are {{frac|14}} for normal monsters, {{frac|12}} for a monster that is a [[Lord (monster attribute)|lord]] or [[Nasty (monster attribute)|nasty]], {{frac|10}} for a monster that is either an [[overlord]] or else is both a lord ''and'' nasty, and {{frac|8}} for a monster that is both nasty and an overlord.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|534|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Case for bow and arrows in "default" monster weapon generation}}
-One of the weapons guarded by the [[ghost]] on the [[Rogue level]] is a +1 bow with an accompanying stack of arrows, each of which have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of being [[cursed]].{{refsrc|src/extralev.c|334|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+One of the weapons in the item pile guarded by the [[ghost]] on the [[Rogue level]] is a +1 bow with an accompanying stack of arrows, each of which have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of being [[cursed]].{{refsrc|src/extralev.c|334|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 {{upcoming|3.7.0|The [[themed room]] containing the ghost of an adventurer and their "bones" pile has an independent {{frac|9|20}} chance of including a bow and arrows in the pile.}}
@@ Line 50: / Line 49: @@
 ==Description==
 {{main|Arrow}}
-Bows are used by [[wield]]ing them and then using {{kbd|t}} or {{kbd|f}} to shoot arrows. The enchantment of a bow contributes to its to-hit (accuracy), but not to damage; the arrows' enchantment contributes to both accuracy and damage. Wearing [[gauntlets of power]] and firing a bow gives a -2 to-hit penalty.
+Bows are used by [[wield]]ing them and then using {{kbd|t}} or {{kbd|f}} to shoot arrows from them, which is the only way to train the skill. The [[enchantment]] of a bow contributes to its [[to-hit]] value (accuracy) but not to damage, while the arrows' enchantment contributes to both accuracy and damage.
 ==Strategy==
-As bows are one-handed, a character can switch to one without removing their [[shield]], and wielding a [[cursed]] bow will still leave one hand free. Their enchantment is generally not important compared to that of the arrows fired from it.
+As bows are one-handed, a hero can switch to one without removing their [[shield]], and wielding a [[cursed]] bow will still leave one hand free.
 ==History==
@@ Line 64: / Line 67: @@
 [[SLASH'EM]] makes bows two-handed weapons and adds a new type in the [[Dark elven bow (SLASH'EM)|dark elven bow]]. The [[missile flurry]] [[technique]] only works with bow weapons, and grants a bonus shot with them for several turns depending on the technique's level.
-[[Upgrading]] a bow can produce an elven bow, a dark elven bow or a yumi, and upgrading an orcish bow, elven bow, dark elven bow, or yumi can produce a bow.
+[[Upgrading]] a bow successfully can produce an elven bow, a dark elven bow or a yumi with equal probability, and upgrading an orcish bow, elven bow, dark elven bow, or yumi successfully can produce a bow.
 In the [[Yeoman quest]], several bows can be found in a 2x2 room at the north of the inner ward, each with one silver arrow.
@@ Line 71: / Line 74: @@
 In [[dNetHack]], [[The Fire Crystal]] increases a character's skill cap for bows by 1 while carried.
-[[Spirits (dNetHack)#Eve, the First Sinner|Eve]] is a spirit that grants skill in bows while bound.
+[[Eve]] is a spirit that grants skill in bows while bound.
-dNetHack adds several artifact bows:
+dNetHack adds three artifact bows:
 * [[Plague (dNetHack)|Plague]] is a chaotic-aligned [[bone]] bow that confers [[poison resistance]] and [[sickness resistance]] while wielded; it grants +1d5 to-hit and +1d7 [[poison]] damage to arrows fired from it, and those arrows are treated as poisoned (similar to dipping in a [[potion of sickness]]). When [[invoked]], arrows fired from Plague are treated as filth-crusted instead for the next 13 turns, with the filth having a {{frac|5}} chance of instantly killing non-resistant monsters: the instakill causes a virulent explosion that deals 6d6 damage to surrounding monsters, with its size loosely dependent on the killed monster's size.
@@ Line 83: / Line 86: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], bows are two-handed as they are in SLASH'EM.
+In [[EvilHack]], bows are two-handed similar to SLASH'EM.
-[[Centaur (starting race)|centaur]] Rangers start with the same bow and arrows as human Rangers. All centaur characters start with knowledge of all bow-related weaponry, and gain a [[multishot]] bonus when firing with any type of bow.
+Some monsters can generate with bows and arrows:
-[[Gnoll hunter]]s always generate with a bow and arrows, and [[Player monster (EvilHack)|player monster]] rangers that are [[Human (monster attribute)|humans]] or [[Centaur (monster attribute)|centaurs]] will generate with two stacks of arrows for their bows. [[Sergeant]]s and [[lieutenant]]s that are [[Dwarf (monster attribute)|dwarven]] or human and generated in the [[Castle]] at level creation will each have a bow and arrows.
+* [[Gnoll hunter]]s always generate with a bow and arrows.
 ===SlashTHEM===
@@ Line 93: / Line 100: @@
 ===Hack'EM===
-In [[Hack'EM]], bows are two-handed as they are in SLASH'EM.
+In [[Hack'EM]], bows are two-handed as they are in SLASH'EM and EvilHack.
 Upgrading a bow can produce an elven bow, and upgrading an orcish bow can produce a bow.

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 ==History==
-The bow first appears in Hack 1.21 and Hack for PDP-11, which are based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial item list for [[Hack 1.0]]. From Hack 1.0 to [[NetHack 3.2.3]], [[Cavemen]] start with a +1 bow and a stack of +0 arrows as their secondary weapon{{refsrc|u_init.c|53|version=NetHack 1.3d}} - [[NetHack 3.3.0]] replaces this with the modern [[sling]] and a stack each of [[flint stone]]s and [[rock]]s.{{refsrc|u_init.c|50|version=NetHack 3.3.0}}
+The bow first appears in Hack 1.21 and Hack for PDP-11, which are based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial item list for [[Hack 1.0]]. From Hack 1.0 to [[NetHack 3.2.3]], [[Cavemen]] start with a +1 bow and a stack of +0 arrows as their secondary weapon{{refsrc|u_init.c|53|version=NetHack 1.3d}}&mdash;[[NetHack 3.3.0]] replaces this with the modern [[sling]] and a stack each of [[flint stone]]s and [[rock]]s.{{refsrc|u_init.c|50|version=NetHack 3.3.0}}
-The [[defunct]] Elf role starts with a +1 bow and a stack of +0 arrows as their secondary weapon from [[NetHack 1.3d]] to [[NetHack 2.3e]]{{refsrc|u_init.c|78|version=NetHack 1.3d}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|83|version=NetHack 2.3e}} - from [[NetHack 3.0.0]] to 3.0.10, these are replaced with a +0 elven bow and +0 elven arrows if the <tt>TOLKIEN</tt> option is defined at [[Compile-time options|compile-time]].{{refsrc|u_init.c|65|version=NetHack 3.0.0}}
+The [[defunct]] Elf role starts with a +1 bow and a stack of +0 arrows as their secondary weapon from [[NetHack 1.3d]] to [[NetHack 2.3e]]{{refsrc|u_init.c|78|version=NetHack 1.3d}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|83|version=NetHack 2.3e}}&mdash;from [[NetHack 3.0.0]] to NetHack 3.0.10, these are replaced with a +0 elven bow and +0 elven arrows if the <tt>TOLKIEN</tt> option is defined at [[Compile-time options|compile-time]].{{refsrc|u_init.c|65|version=NetHack 3.0.0}}
 ==Variants==