GDSM versus SDSM - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-05-19T02:49:38Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: snip a bit

2026-01-07T16:32:12Z

snip a bit

Ais523: /* Gray dragon scale mail / so after serious experimentation in a couple of tournaments, most of the top players concluded that GDSM is better for an early wish because it protects itself* from polytraps, so emphasise this more

2025-11-12T15:23:24Z

‎Gray dragon scale mail: so after serious experimentation in a couple of tournaments, most of the top players concluded that GDSM is better for an early wish because it protects *itself* from polytraps, so emphasise this more

Umbire the Phantom: we have an upcoming for that, which we in turn have a todo for

2025-08-26T00:42:50Z

we have an upcoming for that, which we in turn have a todo for

Thidwick: GSM Buffs may favor Blue or Orange DSM

2025-08-26T00:19:45Z

GSM Buffs may favor Blue or Orange DSM

Umbire the Phantom: slight copyedit

2025-01-16T17:59:18Z

slight copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: some copyedit

2024-11-26T08:49:07Z

some copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: some copyedit to go

2024-10-11T23:08:20Z

some copyedit to go

Metanite64: minor cleanup in the SLASH'EM section

2024-06-27T20:12:26Z

minor cleanup in the SLASH'EM section

Furey: /* Silver dragon scale mail */ linkify rebound

2024-06-18T00:47:34Z

‎Silver dragon scale mail: linkify rebound

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 * Conversely, non-lawful heroes will prefer silver dragon scale mail since an [[elven cloak]] has a {{frac|4}} chance of becoming a [[cloak of magic resistance]] when [[upgraded]] by [[dipping]] into [[potion of gain level]] or using the gnome's [[tinker]] [[technique]].
-Additionally, three types of dragon scale mail become useful in the later game for heroes with has other sources of magic resistance and reflection. These are [[deep dragon scale mail]] which provides [[drain resistance]], [[yellow dragon scale mail]] which provides [[acid resistance]], and [[shimmering dragon scale mail]] which provides [[displacement]]. Drain resistance is a somewhat vital property in SLASH'EM, with [[wand of draining|wands of draining]] being a prominent factor in the late game.  However, SLASH'EM provides numerous other ways to get it, in addition to wielding [[Excalibur]] or [[Stormbringer]].  These include an [[amulet of drain resistance]], some new artifact weapons, being a lycanthrope, necromancer, or undead slayer, or wielding [[The Hand of Vecna (SLASH'EM)|the Hand of Vecna]] (which is an item all adventurers will want to get anyway). Acid resistance is more desirable in SLASH'EM because of monsters with very powerful acid attacks, including the feared [[giant shoggoth]], and the [[lab coat]] (SLASH'EM's version of the [[alchemy smock]]) doesn't provide [[MC]] 3. Finally, shimmering dragon scale mail makes it possible to get displacement without the [[cloak of displacement|cloak]], which also doesn't provide MC 3.
+Additionally, three types of dragon scale mail become useful in the later game for heroes with has other sources of magic resistance and reflection. These are [[deep dragon scale mail]] which provides [[drain resistance]], [[yellow dragon scale mail]] which provides [[acid resistance]], and [[shimmering dragon scale mail]] which provides [[Displacement (property)|displacement]]. Drain resistance is a somewhat vital property in SLASH'EM, with [[wand of draining|wands of draining]] being a prominent factor in the late game.  However, SLASH'EM provides numerous other ways to get it, in addition to wielding [[Excalibur]] or [[Stormbringer]].  These include an [[amulet of drain resistance]], some new artifact weapons, being a lycanthrope, necromancer, or undead slayer, or wielding [[The Hand of Vecna (SLASH'EM)|the Hand of Vecna]] (which is an item all adventurers will want to get anyway). Acid resistance is more desirable in SLASH'EM because of monsters with very powerful acid attacks, including the feared [[giant shoggoth]], and the [[lab coat]] (SLASH'EM's version of the [[alchemy smock]]) doesn't provide [[MC]] 3. Finally, shimmering dragon scale mail makes it possible to get displacement without the [[cloak of displacement|cloak]], which also doesn't provide MC 3.
 ===GruntHack===

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 In general, one will still want to wish for gray or silver dragon scale mail as a first wish in SLASH'EM, and all the above arguments apply similarly. However, there are additional aspects to consider:
-* Lawful heroes may prefer gray dragon scale mail since they have access to minions with reflection via prayer or sacrifice, such as [[Movanic deva (SLASH'EM)|movanic devas]] (from experience levels 7-13) and [[Monadic deva (SLASH'EM)|monadic devas]] (from experience levels 10-16)&mdash;both have a {{frac|4}} chance of being generated with a [[shield of reflection]], which can be obtained by having the minion killed (easily accomplished by bringing them near [[Oracle (monster)|the Oracle]]) or stealing it from them while polymorphed into any [[Nymph (monster class)|nymph]], including a [[pixie]], a [[quickling]] or a [[brownie]].
+* Lawful heroes may prefer gray dragon scale mail since they have access to minions with reflection via prayer or sacrifice, such as [[Movanic deva (SLASH'EM)|movanic devas]] (from experience levels 7-13) and [[Monadic deva (SLASH'EM)|monadic devas]] (from experience levels 10-16)&mdash;both have a {{frac|4}} chance of being generated with a [[shield of reflection]], which can be obtained by having the minion killed (easily accomplished by bringing them near [[Oracle (monster)|the Oracle]]) or stealing it from them while polymorphed into any [[Nymph (monster class)|nymph]].
 * Conversely, non-lawful heroes will prefer silver dragon scale mail since an [[elven cloak]] has a {{frac|4}} chance of becoming a [[cloak of magic resistance]] when [[upgraded]] by [[dipping]] into [[potion of gain level]] or using the gnome's [[tinker]] [[technique]].

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 * Magic resistance provides protection from teleport and level-teleport traps, which can place unwary characters in dangerous situations.
 ** ''Level teleporters are more likely to take you up. Fully exploring levels top-down makes those destinations safe.''
-* Magic resistance provides full protection from [[polymorph trap]]s, and allows you to safely displace your [[pet]]s onto them.
+* Magic resistance protects you fully from [[polymorph trap]]s, and allows you to safely displace your [[pet]]s onto them.
-** ''SDSM provides partial protection against polytraps: you will turn into a [[silver dragon]], trashing your shirt and cloak but keeping your armor. This will not protect you or your armor against subsequent polymorphs while in silver dragon form. Polymorphing in this way will revert your scale mail back to scales, negating much of its AC bonus, but not the extrinsic. Also, neither suit protects against polymorphs caused by [[lycanthropy]].''
+** ''SDSM provides partial protection against polytraps: you will turn into a [[silver dragon]], trashing your shirt and cloak but keeping your armor. This will not protect you or your armor against subsequent polymorphs while in silver dragon form. Also, neither suit protects against polymorphs caused by [[lycanthropy]].''
 *** ''Low-level players will rehumanize quickly, and a silver dragon is a good fighting form until then.''
 *** ''[[Lycanthropy]] can be almost completely prevented by [[magic cancellation]], and cured e.g. by prayer.''
 * Reflection is usually easier to obtain without wishing than magic resistance, particularly because of the possible [[amulet of reflection]] in [[Sokoban]] and the possible [[shield of reflection]] on [[Medusa's Island]]. Spending a wish or genocide scroll on GDSM makes it easier to obtain both properties, since magic resistance would usually be obtained by wishing for a [[cloak of magic resistance]] or [[quest artifact]] anyway.''
 ** ''Medusa's shield only comes rather late in the game, and close to the Castle wand of wishing.''

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-In ''[[NetHack]]'', [[gray dragon scale mail]] (GDSM) and [[silver dragon scale mail]] (SDSM) have traditionally been considered the best [[armor]] in the game due to providing [[magic resistance]] and [[reflection]] respectively. Which one is more appropriate for a [[hero]], e.g. by going for an early [[wish]] or committing to [[reverse genocide]], is highly situational and depends on their role and play-style. Note that recent buffs to DSM–particularly [[blue dragon scale mail]] (extrinsic shock resistance & very fast speed) and [[orange dragon scale mail]] (free action)–have made them strong endgame choices.
+In ''[[NetHack]]'', [[gray dragon scale mail]] (GDSM) and [[silver dragon scale mail]] (SDSM) are considered the two best suits of [[armor]] in the game, due to providing [[magic resistance]] and [[reflection]], respectively&mdash;which one is more appropriate for a [[hero]] filling out their kit, e.g. by going for an early [[wish]] or committing to [[reverse genocide]], is highly situational and dependent on their role and playing style as well.
 ==Factors==
@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 Sometimes the armor that would be most useful immediately is not the one that you intend to include in your [[ascension kit]]. In this case, you must choose between maximizing immediate utility, and conserving wishes in the long run.
-{{todo|Update article in general, make sure it and any added citations are up-to-date, account for <nowiki>{{upcoming}}</nowiki> [[3.7.0]] stuff, add more variants and mention dtsund-patch.}}
+{{todo|Update article in general, make sure it and any added citations are up-to-date, account for <nowiki>{{upcoming}}</nowiki> [[3.7.0]] stuff with particular regard to {{commit|ef1eeed7550e38fa1e4ff0ef608f3c8b55eaa950}}, add more variants and mention dtsund-patch.}}
 ==Gray dragon scale mail==
 * Magic resistance protects against many [[monster spell]]s, including particularly nasty ones such as destroy armor and touch of death.
-** ''Monsters capable of casting the more dangerous spells (such as [[golden naga]]s and [[lich]]es) usually only appear relatively close to the [[castle]]. There, you will have more opportunity to wish for magic resistance.''
+** ''Monsters capable of casting the more dangerous spells (such as [[golden naga]]s and [[Lich (monster class)|liches]]) usually only appear relatively close to the [[castle]]. There, you will have more opportunity to wish for magic resistance.''
 ** ''Bear in mind that attack spells generally require the monster to be in melee range, so careful use of missile attacks and/or [[Elbereth]] can mitigate this danger to some extent.''
-* Magic resistance protects you from [[wand of striking|wands of striking]], which cannot be reflected.
+* Magic resistance protects you from [[wands of striking]], which cannot be reflected.
 ** ''Wands of striking do much less damage than the elemental wands, and will not damage your equipment.''
 * Magic resistance provides protection from teleport and level-teleport traps, which can place unwary characters in dangerous situations.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:19, 26 August 2025
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−	In ''[[NetHack]]'', [[gray dragon scale mail]] (GDSM) and [[silver dragon scale mail]] (SDSM) ~~are~~ considered the ~~two~~ best ~~suits of~~ [[armor]] in the game, due to providing [[magic resistance]] and [[reflection]], respectively ~~- which~~ one is more appropriate for a [[hero]] ~~filling out their kit~~, e.g. by going for an early [[wish]] or committing to [[reverse genocide]], is highly situational and ~~dependent~~ on their role and ~~playing~~ style ~~as well~~.	+	In ''[[NetHack]]'', [[gray dragon scale mail]] (GDSM) and [[silver dragon scale mail]] (SDSM) have traditionally been considered the best [[armor]] in the game due to providing [[magic resistance]] and [[reflection]] respectively. Which one is more appropriate for a [[hero]], e.g. by going for an early [[wish]] or committing to [[reverse genocide]], is highly situational and depends on their role and play-style. Note that recent buffs to DSM–particularly [[blue dragon scale mail]] (extrinsic shock resistance & very fast speed) and [[orange dragon scale mail]] (free action)–have made them strong endgame choices.

	==Factors==		==Factors==

@@ Line 184: / Line 184: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In general, one will still want to wish for GDSM or SDSM as a first wish in SLASH'EM, and all the above arguments apply much the same. However, lawful characters will prefer GDSM since they have access to minions including [[movanic deva]]s beginning at level 7 and [[monadic deva]]s beginning at level 10, both of whom have a 25% chance of being generated with a [[shield of reflection]], which can be obtained by allowing the minion to be killed (easily accomplished by bringing them near [[Oracle (monster)|the Oracle]]) or by stealing it while polymorphed into a [[nymph]], [[pixie]], [[quickling]], or [[brownie]]. Conversely, non-lawfuls will prefer SDSM as any [[elven cloak]] has a 1/4 chance of being upgraded to a [[cloak of magic resistance]] if #dipped in a [[potion of gain level]], or upgraded with the gnome's [[tinker]] technique.
+In general, one will still want to wish for gray or silver dragon scale mail as a first wish in SLASH'EM, and all the above arguments apply similarly. However, there are additional aspects to consider:
-Additionally, three types of dragon scale mail become useful in the later game, if one has other sources of magic resistance and reflection.  These are [[deep dragon scale mail]] which provides [[drain resistance]], [[yellow dragon scale mail]] which provides [[acid resistance]], and [[shimmering dragon scale mail]] which provides [[displacement]]. Drain resistance is a somewhat vital property in SLASH'EM, with [[wand of draining|wands of draining]] being a prominent factor in the late game.  However, SLASH'EM provides numerous other ways to get it, in addition to wielding [[Excalibur]] or [[Stormbringer]].  These include an [[amulet of drain resistance]], some new artifact weapons, being a lycanthrope, necromancer, or undead slayer, or wielding [[The Hand of Vecna (SLASH'EM)|the Hand of Vecna]] (which is an item all adventurers will want to get anyway). Acid resistance is more desirable in SLASH'EM because of monsters with very powerful acid attacks, including the feared [[giant shoggoth]], and the [[lab coat]] (SLASH'EM's version of the [[alchemy smock]]) doesn't provide [[MC]] 3. Finally, shimmering dragon scale mail makes it possible to get displacement without the [[cloak of displacement|cloak]], which also doesn't provide MC 3.
+* Lawful heroes may prefer gray dragon scale mail since they have access to minions with reflection via prayer or sacrifice, such as [[Movanic deva (SLASH'EM)|movanic devas]] (from experience levels 7-13) and [[Monadic deva (SLASH'EM)|monadic devas]] (from experience levels 10-16)&mdash;both have a {{frac|4}} chance of being generated with [[shield of reflection]], which can be obtained by having the minion killed (easily accomplished by bringing them near [[Oracle (monster)|the Oracle]]) or stealing it from them while polymorphed into any of the three [[nymph]]s, a [[pixie]], a [[quickling]], or a [[brownie]].
 ===GruntHack===

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 * Accidentally attacking a [[floating eye]] will not paralyze you.
 ** ''Careful play will usually prevent floating eye accidents, as will a [[ring of free action]].''
-* While both suits protect against a [[wand of death]], reflection gives a chance of killing the zapper on a rebound, preventing him from wasting valuable charges.
+* While both suits protect against a [[wand of death]], reflection gives a chance of killing the zapper on a [[rebound]], preventing him from wasting valuable charges.
 ** ''This does not apply to [[Orcus]], who is a demon and therefore immune to his own wand of death.''
 * Obtaining reflection from your suit frees up your [[amulet]] and off-hand slots. This allows you to wear another amulet (such as [[amulet of life saving|life saving]]), and potentially allows [[two weapon combat]] and combat spellcasting.