Broadsword - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ mention runesword

2026-07-14T11:22:18Z

‎dNetHack: mention runesword

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ snip and move a detail

2026-06-26T15:27:02Z

‎dNetHack: snip and move a detail

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ adjustments

2026-06-26T15:19:48Z

‎dNetHack: adjustments

Umbire the Phantom: /* Origin */ copyedit

2026-06-03T13:31:35Z

‎Origin: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: nh5 + *dnh

2026-06-03T11:28:51Z

nh5 + *dnh

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-05-14T21:57:33Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2026-04-20T18:12:36Z

word choice

Umbire the Phantom: last tweaks for today I swear

2026-04-20T10:08:54Z

last tweaks for today I swear

Umbire the Phantom: encyc

2026-04-20T10:07:30Z

encyc

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ grammar too

2026-04-20T07:38:51Z

‎dNetHack: grammar too

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 ===dNetHack===
 {{main|Broadsword (dNetHack)}}
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], the broadsword is significantly changed and made more similar to its historical counterpart. dNetHack and its variants also add some weapons that use the broadsword skill, including making a separate weapon out of the ninja-to:
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], the broadsword is significantly changed and made more similar to its historical counterpart, while the nearly-identical runesword is differentiated into [[Runesword (dNetHack)|a more distinct item]]. dNetHack and its variants also add some weapons that use the broadsword skill, including making a separate weapon out of the ninja-to:
 * [[isamusei]]

@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 Some [[dNetHack artifacts|artifacts]] use the broadsword skill:
-* [[Fire Brand (dNetHack)|Fire Brand]] and [[Frost Brand (dNetHack)|Frost Brand]] can be generated, [[wished]] for or gifted in broadsword form, and can also be reshaped into a broadsword by dipping the artifact into a [[Forge (dNetHack)|forge]] or [[fountain]] respectively, which requires the hero to either have a broadsword in their inventory or be at least Skilled in broadswords.
+* [[Fire Brand (dNetHack)|Fire Brand]] and [[Frost Brand (dNetHack)|Frost Brand]] can be generated, [[wished]] for or gifted in broadsword form, and can be reshaped into a broadsword.
 * The [[Fuma-itto no Ken (dNetHack)|Fuma-itto no Ken]] is a chaotic broadsword that is permanently poisoned, grants +1 [[to-hit]] and +1d8 damage bonuses versus cross-aligned targets, and can be [[invoked]] to [[Create ammo|create a stack of]] [[shuriken]].
 * The [[dNetHack artifacts#Atma Weapon|Atma Weapon]] is an unaligned beamsword that can be [[applied]] to turn it on and off, and follows [[lightsaber]] rules with the following exceptions:

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 ===dNetHack===
 {{main|Broadsword (dNetHack)}}
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], the broadsword is made more similar to its historical counterpart. dNetHack and its variants also add some weapons that use the broadsword skill, including making a separate weapon out of the ninja-to:
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], the broadsword is significantly changed and made more similar to its historical counterpart. dNetHack and its variants also add some weapons that use the broadsword skill, including making a separate weapon out of the ninja-to:
 * [[isamusei]]
@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 [[The Water Crystal]] increases a hero's skill cap for broadswords by 1 while carried.
-Several artifacts in dNetHack and its variants use the broadsword skill:
+Some [[dNetHack artifacts|artifacts]] use the broadsword skill:
-* [[Fire Brand]] and [[Frost Brand]] can generate in broadsword form, and can also be reshaped into a broadsword by dipping the artifact into a [[Forge (dNetHack)|forge]] or [[fountain]] respectively, which requires the hero to either have a broadsword in their inventory or be at least Skilled in broadswords.
+* [[Fire Brand (dNetHack)|Fire Brand]] and [[Frost Brand (dNetHack)|Frost Brand]] can be generated, [[wished]] for or gifted in broadsword form, and can also be reshaped into a broadsword by dipping the artifact into a [[Forge (dNetHack)|forge]] or [[fountain]] respectively, which requires the hero to either have a broadsword in their inventory or be at least Skilled in broadswords.
 * The [[Fuma-itto no Ken (dNetHack)|Fuma-itto no Ken]] is a chaotic broadsword that is permanently poisoned, grants +1 [[to-hit]] and +1d8 damage bonuses versus cross-aligned targets, and can be [[invoked]] to [[Create ammo|create a stack of]] [[shuriken]].
 * The [[dNetHack artifacts#Atma Weapon|Atma Weapon]] is an unaligned beamsword that can be [[applied]] to turn it on and off, and follows [[lightsaber]] rules with the following exceptions:
@@ Line 89: / Line 89: @@
 ** If wielded without [[drain resistance]], Atma Weapon adds +1dx damage (where ''x'' is the wielder's current experience level) while severely reducing the wielder's natural healing rate, and scales its damage with their current HP percentage. Additionally, if Atma Weapon wielded while cursed and activated, or else it is activated while cursed or uncharged, it will drain an experience level and uncurse and/or charge itself.
 ** If wielded with drain resistance, its base damage is decreased to 2d10+(2x enchantment) against all monsters.
-* [[Glamdring (dNetHack)|Glamdring]] is a lawful elven broadsword that favors [[Noble/dNetHack|Nobles]] and is the first sacrifice gift for [[Dwarf Knight]]s. It has +1d5 to-hit and deals +1d10 damage versus all monsters, along with dealing an additional +1d20 to [[Orc (monster attribute)|orcs]] and [[MA_DEMON|demons]] and [[Warned of monster type|warning of both monster types]] while wielded. Glamdring cannot be knocked out of the hero's hands while wielded.
+* [[Glamdring (dNetHack)|Glamdring]] is a lawful elven broadsword that favors [[Noble/dNetHack|Nobles]] and is the first sacrifice gift for [[Dwarf Knight]]s.
 * [[dNetHack artifacts#The Rod of the Elvish Lords|The Rod of the Elvish Lords]] is a lawful [[Elf (starting race)|elven]] Noble-favoring artifact that can take the form of an elven broadsword, and engraves at the same quality as an [[athame]] in this form.

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 "Broadsword" is the modern name for the historical basket-hilted sword, a type of sword generally used for military purposes in the early modern era of the 16th century and seen as late as the early 20th. The eponymous guard used for the wielder's hand protection is developed from the standard "quillon" [[Wikipedia:Crossguard|crossguard]], and is the result of firearms rendering many forms of armor ineffective&mdash;"true" broadswords are double-edged, while those with single-edged blades and thickened backs are generally called "backswords".
-The term "broad" contrasts the cutting and thrusting weapon with the rapier, which has a more slender blade and is designed primarily for thrusting alone; some rapiers feature a broadsword-like blade paired with typical rapier hilts and sometimes with similar crossguards.
+The term "broad" contrasts the cutting and thrusting weapon with the rapier, which has a more slender blade and is designed primarily for thrusting alone; some rapiers feature a broadsword-like blade paired with typical rapier hilts and sometimes with similar crossguards. Many modern fantasy works incorrectly depict broadswords as a medieval-style weapon with a simple crossguard, similar to an [[Wikipedia:Knightly sword|arming sword]]. The weapon's presence in the hands of balrogs suggests that the developers of ''NetHack'' treat the weapon similarly, as a modern weapon like a real-world broadsword would be very out of place in [[Tolkien]]'s Middle Earth: its tile also appears to depict a simple crossguard, rather than a full basket hilt.
 The "ninja-to" or "ninjatō" is a shorter, broader sword sometimes compared to a [[katana]] that ninjas are depicted as using in popular culture. Historians doubt that it existed: it is not attested before the twentieth century, and no surviving examples from feudal Japan are known.

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 ==Generation==
-Ordinary broadswords make up about 0.8% of randomly generated weapons (on the floor, as [[death drop]]s, or in [[shop]]s).
+The broadsword makes up {{frac|125}} (0.8%) of all weapons that are randomly generated on the ground, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Used armor dealerships and antique weapons outlets can also stock broadswords.
-General [[store]]s and antique weapons outlets can sell broadswords.
+Some monsters can be [[generated with]] broadswords:
-[[Yendorian Army]] [[lieutenant]]s have a {{frac|2}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being generated with]] a broadsword.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|203|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Balrog]]s are always generated with broadswords.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|491|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+* [[Lieutenant]]s have a roughly {{frac|2}} chance of being generated with a broadsword.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|207|nethack=5.0.0}}
 ==Broadsword skill==
 {{broadsword skill table}}
-The following weapons use the '''broadsword skill''':
+The following weapons use the '''broadsword''' [[skill]]:
 * broadsword
@@ Line 37: / Line 39: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Broadswords by themselves are serviceable if unremarkable weapons, but can usually be replaced by a better weapon such as an elven broadsword in short order. The broadsword skill in general is most often relevant for [[chaotic]] [[hero]]es seeking to obtain Stormbringer as early as possible, or else using an elven broadsword as a secondary option for [[twoweapon]] combat.
+Broadswords by themselves are serviceable if unremarkable weapons, but can usually be replaced by a better weapon such as an elven broadsword in short order. The broadsword skill in general is most often relevant for [[chaotic]] [[hero]]es seeking to obtain Stormbringer as early as possible, or else using an elven broadsword as a secondary option for [[two-weapon combat]].
 ==History==
 The broadsword first appears in [[NetHack 1.3d]], where it is known as a '''broad sword'''. In [[NetHack 3.0.0]], the item's name is changed to "broadsword".
-From NetHack 3.0.0 to [[NetHack 3.0.10]], the base item of Stormbringer is a broadsword.
+From NetHack 3.0.0 to [[NetHack 3.0.10]], the base item type of Stormbringer is a broadsword&mdash;[[NetHack 3.1.0]] introduces the [[runesword]] and changes Stormbringer's base item to a runesword.
 ==Origin==
@@ Line 69: / Line 71: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-[[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]] add the [[isamusei]], the [[Ninja-to (dNetHack)|ninja-to]] (made a separate item from the standard broadsword), the [[force sword]], and the [[beamsword]] as weapons that use the broadsword skill.
+{{main|Broadsword (dNetHack)}}
-The broadsword appears as a '''basket-hilted sword''' while [[Identification|unidentified]]. A hero that wields the broadsword while they are Skilled or better in the weapon skill gains the "graze" [[expert trait]].
+* [[isamusei]]
 All broadsword-skill weapons other than force swords and beamswords can be poisoned by [[dipping]] them into appropriate [[potion]]s.
@@ Line 117: / Line 123: @@
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-367}}
+{{nethack-500}}
 [[Category:Weapons]]
 [[Category:Skills]]

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 "Broadsword" is the modern name for the historical basket-hilted sword, a type of sword generally used for military purposes in the early modern era of the 16th century and seen as late as the early 20th. The eponymous guard used for the wielder's hand protection is developed from the standard "quillon" [[Wikipedia:Crossguard|crossguard]], and is the result of firearms rendering many forms of armor ineffective&mdash;"true" broadswords are double-edged, while those with single-edged blades and thickened backs are generally called "backswords".
-The term "broad" contrasts the cutting and thrusting weapon with the [[rapier]], which has a more slender blade and is designed primarily for thrusting alone; some rapiers feature a broadsword-like blade paired with typical rapier hilts and sometimes with similar crossguards.
+The term "broad" contrasts the cutting and thrusting weapon with the rapier, which has a more slender blade and is designed primarily for thrusting alone; some rapiers feature a broadsword-like blade paired with typical rapier hilts and sometimes with similar crossguards.
 Many modern fantasy works incorrectly depict broadswords as a medieval-style weapon with a simple crossguard, similar to an [[Wikipedia:Knightly sword|arming sword]]. The weapon's presence on balrogs suggests the developers of NetHack made the same mistake: a weapon as modern as a real-world broadsword would be very out of place in Tolkien's Middle Earth. Its tile also appears to depict a simple crossguard, rather than a full basket hilt.

@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 Many modern fantasy works incorrectly depict broadswords as a medieval-style weapon with a simple crossguard, similar to an [[Wikipedia:Knightly sword|arming sword]]. The weapon's presence on balrogs suggests the developers of NetHack made the same mistake: a weapon as modern as a real-world broadsword would be very out of place in Tolkien's Middle Earth. Its tile also appears to depict a simple crossguard, rather than a full basket hilt.
-The "ninja-to" or "ninjatō" is a shorter, broader version of a [[katana]] that ninjas are depicted using in popular culture. Historians doubt that it existed: it is not attested before the twentieth century, and no surviving examples from feudal Japan are known.
+The "ninja-to" or "ninjatō" is a shorter, broader sword sometimes compared to a [[katana]] that ninjas are depicted as using in popular culture. Historians doubt that it existed: it is not attested before the twentieth century, and no surviving examples from feudal Japan are known.
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 104: / Line 104: @@
 ==Encyclopaedia entry==
-{{encyclopedia|Bring me my broadsword
+{{encyclopedia|
 And clear understanding.
 Bring me my cross of gold,
 As a talisman.
-[ "Broadsword" (refrain) by Ian Anderson ]
+|[ "Broadsword" (refrain) by Ian Anderson ]
 }}
 ==References==