Chain mail - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: update variants

2026-06-11T22:18:48Z

update variants

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ forgot this lol

2026-06-11T22:06:18Z

‎dNetHack: forgot this lol

Umbire the Phantom: nh5 updates, eye variants next

2026-06-11T22:04:19Z

nh5 updates, eye variants next

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ dwaknight

2025-10-08T08:42:10Z

‎dNetHack: dwaknight

Umbire the Phantom: *dnh + evil + hackem

2024-07-20T14:40:06Z

*dnh + evil + hackem

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2024-07-20T14:07:31Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2024-05-24T18:47:34Z

copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: word choice, correct not-so-clever commenting on my part

2024-03-20T10:12:53Z

word choice, correct not-so-clever commenting on my part

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

2024-03-16T21:20:21Z

‎Hack'EM: tortle

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit + update pass

2024-03-16T20:44:13Z

copyedit + update pass

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
    |slot=body armor
    |ac=5
-   |special=<ul><li>[[magic cancellation|MC1]]</li></ul>
+   |special=<ul><li>[[MC1]]</li></ul>
    |cost=75
    |weight=300
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], the [[Undead Slayer]] has a {{frac|4}} chance of starting with chain mail as their body armor. Orcish Undead Slayers that would start with chain mail as their body armor receive orcish chain mail instead, making use of the existing substitution code.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], the [[Undead Slayer]] has a {{frac|4}} chance of starting with chain mail as their body armor.{{refsrc|u_init.c|220|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} Orcish Undead Slayers that would start with chain mail as their body armor receive orcish chain mail instead, making use of the existing substitution code from ''NetHack''.{{refsrc|u_init.c|342|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
-A set of chain mail appears on the goal level of the [[Yeoman quest]], placed on the [[altar]] of the lawful [[temple]].
+A set of chain mail appears on the goal level of the [[Yeoman quest]], where it is placed on the [[altar]] of the lawful [[temple]] during level creation.
-[[Upgrading]] orcish chain mail will produce regular chain mail, and vice versa.
+[[Upgrading]] orcish chain mail will produce regular chain mail, and vice versa.{{refsrc|potion.c|2289|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 ===dNetHack===
 In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], chain mail grants 2 base AC, 3 [[DR]] and MC1 while worn, and its weight is reduced to 150 aum.
-[[Dwarf (starting race)|Dwarven]] [[Binder]]s always start with [[Erosion|thoroughly rusty]] chain mail, while dwarven and female [[Half-dragon (starting race)|half-dragon]] [[Noble]]s will always start with standard chain mail. All non-[[Incantifier (dNetHack starting race)|Incantifier]] Knights start the game with chain mail, including [[dwarf Knight]]s&mdash;incantifier Knights are given a [[robe]] instead.
+[[Dwarf (starting race)|Dwarven]] [[Binder]]s always start with uncursed and [[Erosion|thoroughly rusty]] +0 chain mail, while dwarven [[Noble (dNetHack)|Nobles]] start with non-cursed +1 chain mail, and [[Half-dragon (starting race)|half-dragon]] Noblewomen start with blessed +1 chain mail. All non-[[Incantifier (dNetHack starting race)|Incantifier]] Knights start the game with non-cursed +1 chain mail, including [[dwarf Knight]]s&mdash;incantifier Knights are given a [[robe]] instead.
-[[Soldier ant]]s and [[queen bee]]s generated on the [[Law quest (dNetHack)|Lawful Quest]] have an effective {{frac|3|25}} chance of generating with chain mail.
+[[Soldier ant]]s and [[queen bee]]s that are generated on the [[Law quest (dNetHack)|Lawful Quest]] have an effective {{frac|3|25}} chance of generating with chain mail.
 ===xNetHack===
-In [[xNetHack]], [[Croesus]] has a {{frac|7|8}} chance of generating with [[Gold (material)|gold]] chain mail.
+In [[xNetHack]], [[Croesus]] has a {{frac|7|8}} chance of generating with [[golden]] chain mail.
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], [[Champion (monster)|aligned champions]] and [[ronin]] have a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with chain mail. Chain mail may also be generated as part of various kits for player monsters, including [[Centaur (monster attribute)|centaurs]] (who can wear body armor in EvilHack).
+In [[EvilHack]], chain mail can be generated as part of various kits for player monsters, including [[Centaur (monster attribute)|centaurs]] (who can wear body armor in EvilHack). [[Champion (monster)|aligned champions]] and [[ronin]] have a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with chain mail. [[Skeleton warrior]]s have an effective {{frac|2|5}} chance of generating with chain mail.
 Chain mail can be created at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] by combining two sets of [[ring mail]]. Chain mail can be used to forge a few items:

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], chain mail grants 2 base AC, 3 [[DR]] and MC1 while worn, and its weight is reduced to 150 aum.
-[[Dwarf (starting race)|Dwarven]] [[Binder (dNetHack role)|Binders]] always start with [[Erosion|thoroughly rusty]] chain mail, while dwarven and female [[Half-dragon (starting race)|half-dragon]] [[Noble]]s will always start with standard chain mail. All non-[[Incantifier (dNetHack starting race)|Incantifier]] Knights start the game with chain mail, including [[dwarf Knight]]s&mdash;incantifier Knights are given a [[robe]] instead.
+[[Dwarf (starting race)|Dwarven]] [[Binder]]s always start with [[Erosion|thoroughly rusty]] chain mail, while dwarven and female [[Half-dragon (starting race)|half-dragon]] [[Noble]]s will always start with standard chain mail. All non-[[Incantifier (dNetHack starting race)|Incantifier]] Knights start the game with chain mail, including [[dwarf Knight]]s&mdash;incantifier Knights are given a [[robe]] instead.
 [[Soldier ant]]s and [[queen bee]]s generated on the [[Law quest (dNetHack)|Lawful Quest]] have an effective {{frac|3|25}} chance of generating with chain mail.

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
    |material=iron
 }}
 '''Chain mail''' is a type of [[body armor]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is made of [[iron]].
 ==Generation==
-[[Orc (starting race)|Orcish]] characters in a role that starts with chain mail receive [[orcish chain mail]] instead{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|221|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} - currently, there are no roles that make use of this substitution, as no roles start with chain mail.
+[[Orc (starting race)|Orcish]] [[heroes]] in [[role]]s that start with chain mail will receive [[orcish chain mail]] of the same enchantment instead, though no roles start with chain mail for this substitution to apply.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|243|nethack=5.0.0}}
-In addition to random generation, general [[store]]s, used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can sell chain mail.
+Chain mail makes up {{frac|33|500}} (6.6%) of all armor that is randomly generated on the ground, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can also stock chain mail.
-[[Chieftain]]s, [[page]]s, [[roshi]], and [[warrior]]s have a {{frac|2|3}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|generating with]] chain mail.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|288|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Some monsters can be [[generated with]] chain mail:
-[[Player monster]] [[Barbarian (player monster)|barbarians]], [[Knight (player monster)|knights]], [[Priest (player monster)|priests]], and [[Valkyrie (player monster)|valkyries]] have an effective {{frac|18|155}} chance (roughly ~11.61%) of forcing chain mail in place of their initial body armor.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|174|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment={{frac|2}} for barbarians and other mentioned roles to get random body armor within the range of objects from plate mail to chain mail in objects.c, using normal generation odds}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|201|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=body armor for knights}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|215|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=body armor for priests}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|242|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=body armor for valkyries}}
+* [[Chieftain]]s, [[page]]s, [[roshi]], and [[warrior]]s have a {{frac|2|3}} chance of generating with chain mail.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|297|nethack=5.0.0}}
+* [[Pelias]], the [[quest leader]] for the [[Barbarian quest]], is always generated with +5 chain mail.{{refsrc|dat/Bar-strt.lua|74|nethack=5.0.0}}
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|As part of {{commit|20cbadcf85544cf9d0c3f4e4200b2800bab49c8e}} - which strengthens [[quest leader]]s and makes it so that killing them no longer makes the game [[unwinnable]] - the [[Barbarian quest]] leader [[Pelias]] generates with +5 chain mail.}}
+* [[Player monster]] [[Barbarian (player monster)|barbarians]], [[Knight (player monster)|knights]], [[Cleric (player monster)|clerics]], and [[Valkyrie (player monster)|valkyries]] each have an effective {{frac|33|287}} chance (roughly ~11.5%) of being given chain mail in place of their initial body armor.{{refsrc|include/objects.h|556-L579|nethack=5.0.0|comment={{frac|2}} for barbarians and other mentioned roles to get random body armor within the range of objects from plate mail to chain mail in <tt>objects.h</tt>, using normal generation odds}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|169-L170|nethack=5.0.0|comment=body armor for barbarians}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|195-L196|nethack=5.0.0|comment=body armor for knights}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|208-L209|nethack=5.0.0|comment=body armor for clerics}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|235-L236|nethack=5.0.0|comment=body armor for valkyries}}
 ==Description==
-While worn, chain mail provides 5 base [[AC]] and [[MC1]].
+While [[worn]], chain mail provides 5 base [[AC]] and [[MC1]].
 ==Strategy==
-Chain mail is a decent set of armor, though it is heavy and blocks [[spellcasting]]. Roles looking to shore up their AC early can make good use of a set of chain mail until they can obtain [[dragon scale mail]] or else find other armor that is lighter (e.g., [[dwarvish mithril-coat]] and [[elven mithril-coat]]) or more conducive to spellcasting (e.g., [[studded leather armor]]).
+Chain mail is a decent set of armor, though it is heavy and blocks [[spellcasting]]. Roles looking to shore up their AC early can make good use of a set of chain mail until they can either obtain some form of [[dragon scale mail]] or else find other armor that is lighter (e.g., [[dwarvish mithril-coat]] and [[elven mithril-coat]]) or more conducive to spellcasting (e.g., enchanted [[studded leather armor]]).
 ==History==
-Chain mail 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 list of armor for [[Hack 1.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.2.3]], the [[Priest]] role starts with +0 chain mail - [[NetHack 3.3.0]] and later versions replace this with the [[robe]].
+Chain mail 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 list of armor for [[Hack 1.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.2.3]], the [[Cleric]] role (then known as the Priest) starts with +0 chain mail&mdash;beginning in [[NetHack 3.3.0]], Priests start each game with a [[robe]] instead.
 ==Origin==
 {{wikipedia|Mail (armour)}}
-Chain mail is made of small metal rings interlocked to form a mesh, and was widely used in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, from pre-Roman times until as late as the 19th century. In medieval sources, this type of armor was described simply as "mail" - the use of the term to describe other types of armor (and the invention of "chain mail" to distinguish it from those) began in 19th-century historical fiction.
+Chain mail is made of small metal rings interlocked to form a mesh, and was widely used in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, from pre-Roman times until as late as the 19th century. In medieval sources, this type of armor was described simply as "mail"&mdash;the use of the term to describe other types of armor (and the invention of "chain mail" to distinguish it from those) began in 19th-century historical fiction.
 The stats for chain mail in ''NetHack'' are derived from its appearance in ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''.
@@ Line 41: / Line 42: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], the [[Undead Slayer]] has a {{frac|4}} chance of starting with chain mail as their body armor. Orcish Undead Slayers that would start with chain mail as their body armor receive orcish chain mail instead, making use of the existing substitution.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], the [[Undead Slayer]] has a {{frac|4}} chance of starting with chain mail as their body armor. Orcish Undead Slayers that would start with chain mail as their body armor receive orcish chain mail instead, making use of the existing substitution code.
 A set of chain mail appears on the goal level of the [[Yeoman quest]], placed on the [[altar]] of the lawful [[temple]].
@@ Line 74: / Line 75: @@
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-367}}
+{{nethack-500}}
 [[Category:Body armor]]

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], chain mail grants 2 base AC, 3 [[DR]] and MC1 while worn, and its weight is reduced to 150 aum.
-[[Dwarf (starting race)|Dwarven]] [[Binder (dNetHack role)|Binders]] always start with [[Erosion|thoroughly rusty]] chain mail, while Dwarven and female [[Half-dragon (starting race)|half-dragon]] [[Noble]]s will always start with standard chain mail. All non-[[Incantifier (dNetHack starting race)|Incantifier]] Knights start the game with chain mail - incantifier Knights are given a [[robe]] instead.
+[[Dwarf (starting race)|Dwarven]] [[Binder (dNetHack role)|Binders]] always start with [[Erosion|thoroughly rusty]] chain mail, while dwarven and female [[Half-dragon (starting race)|half-dragon]] [[Noble]]s will always start with standard chain mail. All non-[[Incantifier (dNetHack starting race)|Incantifier]] Knights start the game with chain mail, including [[dwarf Knight]]s&mdash;incantifier Knights are given a [[robe]] instead.
 [[Soldier ant]]s and [[queen bee]]s generated on the [[Law quest (dNetHack)|Lawful Quest]] have an effective {{frac|3|25}} chance of generating with chain mail.

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], chain mail grants 2 base AC, 3 [[DR]] and MC1 while worn, and its weight is reduced to 150 aum.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], chain mail grants 2 base AC, 3 [[DR]] and MC1 while worn, and its weight is reduced to 150 aum.
 [[Dwarf (starting race)|Dwarven]] [[Binder (dNetHack role)|Binders]] always start with [[Erosion|thoroughly rusty]] chain mail, while Dwarven and female [[Half-dragon (starting race)|half-dragon]] [[Noble]]s will always start with standard chain mail. All non-[[Incantifier (dNetHack starting race)|Incantifier]] Knights start the game with chain mail - incantifier Knights are given a [[robe]] instead.
@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], [[Champion (monster)|aligned champions]] and [[ronin]] have a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with chain mail. Chain mail may also be generated as part of various kits for player monsters, including [[Centaur (EvilHack)|centaurs]].
+In [[EvilHack]], [[Champion (monster)|aligned champions]] and [[ronin]] have a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with chain mail. Chain mail may also be generated as part of various kits for player monsters, including [[Centaur (monster attribute)|centaurs]] (who can wear body armor in EvilHack).
 Chain mail can be created at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] by combining two sets of [[ring mail]]. Chain mail can be used to forge a few items:
@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 In [[Hack'EM]], [[Giant (starting race)|giant]] Undead Slayers that would start with chain mail start with [[low boots]] instead, while [[Tortle (starting race)|tortle]] Undead Slayers receive [[leather gloves]] in place of chain mail.
-In addition to EvilHack forging recipes, upgrading orcish chain mail will produce regular chain mail and vice versa, as in SLASH'EM.
+In addition to EvilHack details and forging recipes, upgrading orcish chain mail will produce regular chain mail and vice versa, as in SLASH'EM.
 ==References==

@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 ===Hack'EM===
-In [[Hack'EM]], [[Giant (starting race)|giant]] Undead Slayers that would start with the chain mail equipment set have the chain mail replaced with [[low boots]].
+In [[Hack'EM]], [[Giant (starting race)|giant]] Undead Slayers that would start with the chain mail equipment set have the chain mail replaced with [[low boots]], while [[Tortle (starting race)|tortle]] Undead Slayers receive [[leather gloves]] as their replacement.
 In addition to EvilHack forging recipes, upgrading orcish chain mail will produce regular chain mail and vice versa, as in SLASH'EM.