Crossbow bolt - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: tweaks

2026-04-20T01:05:50Z

tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ ditto

2025-05-27T14:31:41Z

‎Description: ditto

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ copyedit

2025-04-05T14:48:06Z

‎dNetHack: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit and detailing

2025-04-01T01:44:55Z

copyedit and detailing

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ oop

2025-03-05T07:14:16Z

‎Generation: oop

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2025-03-05T06:56:45Z

copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: potholes, forging

2024-04-26T05:05:43Z

potholes, forging

Umbire the Phantom: formatting + copyedit pass

2024-04-25T02:03:49Z

formatting + copyedit pass

Umbire the Phantom: /* SpliceHack */ copyedit

2024-04-24T23:36:23Z

‎SpliceHack: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ pothole

2024-04-24T23:32:08Z

‎dNetHack: pothole

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 All [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomish]] [[hero]]es that would start the game with a [[bow]] and [[arrow]]s instead receive a crossbow and crossbow bolts{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|743|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}&mdash;in practice, gnomish [[Ranger]]s are the only case where this substitution applies, and they start with a +1 crossbow and stacks of +0 and +2 crossbow bolts.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|110|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|231|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-Stacks of crossbow bolts make up {{frac|11|200}} (5.5%) of all randomly-generated weapons. General [[store]]s, used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can stock crossbow bolts. Crossbow bolts have a {{frac|100}} chance of generating as [[poisoned]].{{refsrc|include/obj.h|201|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=specified range covers all projectile weapons from arrows to shuriken in <tt>objects.c</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/mkobj.c|813|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Stacks of crossbow bolts make up {{frac|11|200}} (5.5%) of all randomly-generated weapons. General [[store]]s, used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can stock crossbow bolts. Crossbow bolts have a {{frac|100}} chance of generating as [[Poisoned weapon|poisoned]].{{refsrc|include/obj.h|201|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=specified range covers all projectile weapons from arrows to shuriken in <tt>objects.c</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/mkobj.c|813|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 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 crossbow and a set of bolts, unless they are being generated on the [[Rogue level]]:{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|526|version=NetHack 3.6.7|common=Case for crossbows in "default" monster weapon generation}} 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.
@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
 In [[EvilHack]], [[bolt trap]]s fire crossbow bolts at monsters that trigger them, and a bolt trap that a hero successfully [[untrap]]s will leave behind several crossbow bolts.
-Gnomish and [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbit]] Rangers have their quest artifact changed to [[The Crossbow of Carl]], an artifact crossbow that mirrors The Longbow of Diana and can be [[invoked]] to [[Create ammo|create crossbow bolts]]: this allows them to preserve their multishot bonuses and maintain a supply of bolts while also committing to training only the crossbow skill.
+Gnomish and [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbit]] Rangers have their quest artifact changed to [[The Crossbow of Carl]], an artifact crossbow that mirrors The Longbow of Diana and can be [[invoked]] to [[Create ammo|create crossbow bolts]]: this allows them to preserve their multishot bonuses and maintain a supply of bolts while also committing to training only the crossbow skill. The created bolts may also be poisoned and/or given [[object properties]].
 Crossbow bolts can be used to create many items at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]]:

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 Like some other [[missile]] weapons, [[throwing]] or [[firing]] crossbow bolts may cause them to [[mulch]] upon hitting a monster, and bolts that are cursed or shot from a cursed crossbow will misfire and fly in a different direction or simply hit the ground. Crossbow bolts can be poisoned by dipping them in a [[potion of sickness]].
-Crossbow bolts launched from a crossbow will always fire at their maximum range of 8 squares, but are subject to a [[multishot]] penalty if their user is below a certain [[strength]] level&mdash;gnomish heroes only need must have at least 16 strength to obtain full [[multishot]] bonuses, while other races require at least 18 strength in order to avoid multishot penalties. All gnomes, including a gnomish hero in a role other than [[Healer]]s and [[Wizard]], gain a +1 multishot racial bonus when firing bolts from a crossbow.
+Crossbows bolts always fire from a crossbow at their maximum range of 8 squares, rather than their range being determined by [[strength]]do&mdash;{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1207|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1230|nethack=3.6.7}}however, they are subject to [[multishot]] penalty if their user is below a certain strength threshold:{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|191|nethack=3.6.7}} gnomish heroes must have at least 16 strength to obtain full multishot bonuses, while other races require 18 strength. All gnomes gain a +1 multishot racial bonus when firing bolts from a crossbow, and any hero that can reach Skilled in crossbows gains a +1 multishot bonus, as can any hero that reaches Expert skill.{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|124|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|127|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>weakmultishot</tt> has no roles that can reach Skilled or better in crossbows{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|116|nethack=3.6.7}}}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|177|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 * Expert: 3x(bolt+enchantment) damage
-The extra damage is precision-based and does not apply against monsters that are amorphous or stationary, or ones that are incorporeal (as they are assumed to lack discernible weak-points).
+The extra damage is precision-based and does not apply against monsters that are [[amorphous]], [[stationary]] or [[noncorporeal]] (as they are assumed to lack discernible weak-points).
 Some artifacts, usually artifact crossbows, have various effects related to crossbow bolts:
-* [[Hellfire (dNetHack)|Hellfire]] causes bolts that it fires to explode in a 3x3 radius for 6d6 fire damage if they hit a monster, consuming the bolts in the process.
+* [[Hellfire (dNetHack)|Hellfire]] is an artifact crossbow that causes bolts fired from it to explode in a 3x3 radius for 6d6 fire damage if they hit a monster, consuming the bolts in the process.
-* [[dNetHack artifacts#The Unstoppable|The Unstoppable]] causes fired bolts to pierce through hostile monsters on hit, and bolts that miss will continue flying until they hit a wall.
+* [[dNetHack artifacts#The Unstoppable|The Unstoppable]] is an artifact crossbow causes fired bolts to pierce through hostile monsters on hit, and such bolts will continue flying until they hit a wall.
-* [[dNetHack artifacts#Wrathful Spider|Wrathful Spider]] fires 1d8 bolts in a single volley: each bolt gains {{frac|2}} of the normal damage bonus, bringing the total damage of a volley to twice the base damage in practice. (As with normal projectiles, using the number prefix via {{kbd|n}} when shooting can control the maximum amount of bolts in a volley.)
+* [[dNetHack artifacts#Wrathful Spider|Wrathful Spider]] is an artifact [[droven crossbow]] that fires 1d8 bolts in a single volley: each bolt gains {{frac|2}} of the normal damage bonus, bringing the total damage of a volley to twice the base damage in practice. (As with normal projectiles, using the number prefix via {{kbd|n}} when shooting can control the maximum amount of bolts in a volley.)
-* [[The Rogue Gear-spirits]] fires two crossbow bolts at minimum instead of one, and will automatically create and fire +0 crossbow bolts if there is no ammo quivered.
+* [[The Rogue Gear-spirits]] is an artifact crossbow that fires two crossbow bolts at minimum instead of one, and will automatically create and fire +0 crossbow bolts if there is no ammo quivered.
-* [[dNetHack artifacts#Sansara Mirror|Sansara Mirror]] grants doubled multishot with any projectile, including crossbow bolts fired from a crossbow, whhile it is wielded or in the off-hand - this does not stack with the effect of The Rogue Gear-spirits.
+* [[dNetHack artifacts#Sansara Mirror|Sansara Mirror]] is an artifact [[mirrorblade]] that grants doubled multishot with any projectile, including crossbow bolts fired from a crossbow, while it is wielded or in the off-hand&mdash;this does not stack with the effect of The Rogue Gear-spirits.
 ===SpliceHack===

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 All [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomish]] [[hero]]es that would start the game with a [[bow]] and [[arrow]]s instead receive a crossbow and crossbow bolts{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|743|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}&mdash;in practice, gnomish [[Ranger]]s are the only case where this substitution applies, and they start with a +1 crossbow and stacks of +0 and +2 crossbow bolts.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|110|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|231|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-Stacks of crossbow bolts make up {{frac|11|200}} (5.5%) of all randomly-generated weapons. General [[store]]s, used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can stock crossbow bolts.
+Stacks of crossbow bolts make up {{frac|11|200}} (5.5%) of all randomly-generated weapons. General [[store]]s, used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can stock crossbow bolts. Crossbow bolts have a {{frac|100}} chance of generating as [[poisoned]].{{refsrc|include/obj.h|201|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=specified range covers all projectile weapons from arrows to shuriken in <tt>objects.c</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/mkobj.c|813|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 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 crossbow and a set of bolts, unless they are being generated on the [[Rogue level]]:{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|526|version=NetHack 3.6.7|common=Case for crossbows in "default" monster weapon generation}} 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.
@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 ==Description==
-Like some other [[missile]] weapons, [[throwing]] or [[firing]] crossbow bolts may cause them to [[mulch]] upon hitting a monster, and cursed bolts will misfire and fly in a different direction or simply hit the ground. Crossbow bolts can be [[poison]]ed by dipping them in a [[potion of sickness]].
+Like some other [[missile]] weapons, [[throwing]] or [[firing]] crossbow bolts may cause them to [[mulch]] upon hitting a monster, and bolts that are cursed or shot from a cursed crossbow will misfire and fly in a different direction or simply hit the ground. Crossbow bolts can be poisoned by dipping them in a [[potion of sickness]].
-Crossbow bolts launched from a crossbow will always fire at their maximum range of 8 squares, but are subject to a [[multishot]] penalty if their user is below a certain [[strength]] level - gnomes only need must have at least 16 strength to obtain full [[multishot]] bonuses, while other races require at least 18 strength in order to avoid multishot penalties. Gnomes who are not [[Healer]]s or [[Wizard]]s also gain a +1 [[multishot]] racial bonus when firing bolts from a crossbow.
+Crossbow bolts launched from a crossbow will always fire at their maximum range of 8 squares, but are subject to a [[multishot]] penalty if their user is below a certain [[strength]] level&mdash;gnomish heroes only need must have at least 16 strength to obtain full [[multishot]] bonuses, while other races require at least 18 strength in order to avoid multishot penalties. All gnomes, including a gnomish hero in a role other than [[Healer]]s and [[Wizard]], gain a +1 multishot racial bonus when firing bolts from a crossbow.
 ==Strategy==
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 High-strength heroes lacking a ranged weapon may choose to retrieve a crossbow and bolts from the [[Gnome (monster class)|gnomes]] in the [[Gnomish Mines]]; bolts are somewhat scarce compared to the various arrows that can be found in several monster inventories and [[arrow trap]]s. As with most launchers, the bolts themselves should be enchanted rather than the crossbow in order to increase their damage.
-[[Monk]]s looking to maintain [[weaponless]] conduct may elect to carry a crossbow and bolts on hand; Rogues can also get Expert in crossbow, though they are an uncommon choice of long-term ranged weapon. Gnomish rangers may have to rely on their [[pet]] in the early game to kill their fellow gnomes for additional bolts - the [[Ranger quest]] provides a plentiful source as early as the midgame, though they will also have to look out for attack [[wand]]s while there; their [[quest artifact]], [[The Longbow of Diana]], also forces them to switch launcher and ammo types as well.
+[[Monk]]s looking to maintain [[weaponless]] conduct may elect to carry a crossbow and bolts on hand; Rogues can also get Expert in crossbow, though they are an uncommon choice of long-term ranged weapon. Gnomish Rangers may have to rely on their [[pet]] in the early game to kill their fellow gnomes for additional bolts&mdash;the [[Ranger quest]] provides a plentiful source as early as the midgame, though they will also have to look out for attack [[wand]]s while there, and their [[quest artifact]] [[The Longbow of Diana]] also forces them to switch launcher and ammo types if they plan to utilize it at all.
 ==History==
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 ===SpliceHack===
-In [[SpliceHack]], [[merfolk (starting race)|merfolk]] heroes in roles that would start the game with a bow and arrows receive a crossbow and bolts instead.
+In [[SpliceHack]], [[Merfolk (starting race)|merfolk]] heroes in roles that would start the game with a bow and arrows receive a crossbow and bolts instead.
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], [[bolt trap]]s appear in the dungeon that can be [[untrap]]ped to obtain their crossbow bolts.
+In [[EvilHack]], [[bolt trap]]s fire crossbow bolts at monsters that trigger them, and a bolt trap that a hero successfully [[untrap]]s will leave behind several crossbow bolts.
-Gnomish Rangers have their quest artifact changed to [[The Crossbow of Carl]], an artifact crossbow that mirrors The Longbow of Diana and can be [[invoked]] to [[Create ammo|create crossbow bolts]] - this allows them to preserve their multishot bonuses and maintain a supply of bolts.
+Gnomish and [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbit]] Rangers have their quest artifact changed to [[The Crossbow of Carl]], an artifact crossbow that mirrors The Longbow of Diana and can be [[invoked]] to [[Create ammo|create crossbow bolts]]: this allows them to preserve their multishot bonuses and maintain a supply of bolts while also committing to training only the crossbow skill.
 Crossbow bolts can be used to create many items at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]]:
@@ Line 82: / Line 82: @@
 * 2 crossbow bolts can be combined with an [[orcish dagger]] to create an [[orcish short sword]].
 * 2 crossbow bolts can be combined with 2 arrows to create a [[club]].
 ===SlashTHEM===

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 ==Generation==
-All [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomish]] [[hero]]es that would start the game with a [[bow]] and [[arrow]]s instead receive a crossbow and crossbow bolts, rather than a [[bow]] and [[arrow]]s{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|743|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}&mdash;in practice, gnomish [[Ranger]]s are the only case where this substitution applies, and they start with a +1 crossbow and stacks of +0 and +2 crossbow bolts.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|110|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|231|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+All [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomish]] [[hero]]es that would start the game with a [[bow]] and [[arrow]]s instead receive a crossbow and crossbow bolts{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|743|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}&mdash;in practice, gnomish [[Ranger]]s are the only case where this substitution applies, and they start with a +1 crossbow and stacks of +0 and +2 crossbow bolts.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|110|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|231|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 Stacks of crossbow bolts make up {{frac|11|200}} (5.5%) of all randomly-generated weapons. General [[store]]s, used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can stock crossbow bolts.

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 ==Generation==
-All [[Gnome (starting race)|Gnomish]] [[Ranger]]s start the game with a +1 crossbow and stacks of +0 and +2 crossbow bolts, rather than a bow and arrows;{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|110|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|743|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} crossbows and crossbow bolts are considered [[racial equipment]] for gnomes, though gnomish Rangers are the only case where this substitution applies.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|231|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+All [[Gnome (starting race)|Gnomish]] [[Ranger]]s start the game with a +1 crossbow and stacks of +0 and +2 crossbow bolts, rather than a [[bow]] and [[arrow]]s;{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|110|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|743|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} crossbows and crossbow bolts are considered [[racial equipment]] for gnomes, though gnomish Rangers are the only case where this substitution applies.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|231|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 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 crossbow and a set of bolts, unless they are being generated on the [[Rogue level]]: the base odds are {{frac|14}} for normal monsters, {{frac|12}} for a monster that is a [[M2 LORD|lord]] or [[nasty]], {{frac|10}} for a monster that is an [[M2_PRINCE|overlord]] or both a lord and nasty, and {{frac|8}} for a monster that is both nasty and an overlord.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|526|version=NetHack 3.6.7|common=Case for crossbows in "default" monster weapon generation}}
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 Gnomish Rangers have their quest artifact changed to [[The Crossbow of Carl]], an artifact crossbow that mirrors The Longbow of Diana and can be [[invoked]] to [[Create ammo|create crossbow bolts]] - this allows them to preserve their multishot bonuses and maintain a supply of bolts.
 {{upcoming|EvilHack|In EvilHack 0.9.0, The Crossbow of Carl is also the [[Hobbit (starting race)|Hobbit]] Ranger quest artifact.}}

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
    |material=iron
 }}
-A '''crossbow bolt''' is a type of [[stackable]] [[projectile]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. They are designed for use with a [[crossbow]], and are made of [[iron]].
+A '''crossbow bolt''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. Crossbow bolts are [[stackable]] [[projectile]]s designed for use with a [[crossbow]], and are made of [[iron]].
 ==Generation==
@@ Line 23: / Line 21: @@
 ==Description==
-Crossbow bolts launched from a crossbow will always fire at their maximum range of 8 squares, but are subject to a [[multishot]] penalty if their user is below a certain [[strength]] level - gnomes must have at least 16 strength to obtain full [[multishot]] bonuses, while other races require at least 18 strength in order to avoid multishot penalties. Gnomes who are not [[Healer]]s or [[Wizard]]s also gain a +1 [[multishot]] racial bonus when firing bolts from a crossbow.
+Like some other [[missile]] weapons, [[throw]]ing or [[firing]] crossbow bolts may cause them to [[mulch]] upon hitting a monster, and cursed bolts will misfire and fly in a different direction or simply hit the ground. Crossbow bolts can be [[poison]]ed by dipping them in a [[potion of sickness]].
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 ===SpliceHack===
-In [[SpliceHack]], [[merfolk (starting race)|merfolk]] in roles that would start the game with a bow and arrows receive a crossbow and bolts instead.
+In [[SpliceHack]], [[merfolk (starting race)|merfolk]] characters in roles that would start the game with a bow and arrows receive a crossbow and bolts instead.
 ===EvilHack===