Grayswandir - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Origin */ adjust paragraphing

2026-06-17T09:14:40Z

‎Origin: adjust paragraphing

Umbire the Phantom: nh5 updates

2026-06-17T08:10:58Z

nh5 updates

Tomsod: /* SLASH'EM */ worth mentioning that it's no longer "the strongest weapon" there

2026-06-14T04:17:04Z

‎SLASH'EM: worth mentioning that it's no longer "the strongest weapon" there

Umbire the Phantom: upcoming

2025-04-09T12:20:40Z

upcoming

Umbire the Phantom: workshop this up

2025-04-07T08:56:02Z

workshop this up

Ion frigate: as many a random cat or dog tamed for the purpose of stealing it can attest; it's not required or anything on the lawful quest, but not having to worry about 20 black lights exploding in your face is nice

2025-04-06T06:07:08Z

as many a random cat or dog tamed for the purpose of stealing it can attest; it's not required or anything on the lawful quest, but not having to worry about 20 black lights exploding in your face is nice

Netzhack: /* Origin */ Missing space

2025-03-28T11:23:29Z

‎Origin: Missing space

Noisytoot: /* dNetHack */ s/\./,/

2024-05-17T17:54:55Z

‎dNetHack: s/\./,/

Noisytoot: /* dNetHack */ 3.23.0

2024-05-17T17:52:40Z

‎dNetHack: 3.23.0

Umbire the Phantom: /* SlashTHEM */ word choice

2024-02-29T12:56:13Z

‎SlashTHEM: word choice

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 ==Origin==
 {{wikipedia}}
-Grayswandir is a weapon from ''[[Wikipedia:Chronicles of Amber|Chronicles of Amber]]'' book series by [[wikipedia:Roger Zelanzy|Roger Zelanzy]]. Also known as the Night Blade, Grayswandir is the silver sword of the protagonist, Corwin, and has a twin called Brand's Werewindle, the Day Sword. Both swords are inscribed with portions of the Pattern of Amber, granting them some power over Shadow, and Corwin is able to summon Grayswandir to him while travelling in the region. The sword also enables him to speak to the shades of Tir-na Nog'th and inflict damage on the hostile ones he fights.
+Grayswandir is a weapon from ''[[Wikipedia:Chronicles of Amber|Chronicles of Amber]]'' book series by [[wikipedia:Roger Zelanzy|Roger Zelanzy]]: also known as the Night Blade, Grayswandir is the silver sword of the protagonist, Corwin, and has a twin called Brand's Werewindle, the Day Sword. Both swords are inscribed with portions of the Pattern of Amber, granting them some power over Shadow, and Corwin is able to summon Grayswandir to him while travelling in the region.
-The weapon's name and its abilities echo that of Graywand, the longsword of Fafhrd in the [[Fritz Leiber]] tales of ''[[wikipedia:Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser|Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser]]'': Fafhrd naming consecutive swords Graywand after losing the previous one may be the inspiration for Grayswandir reappearing to Corwin even after being lost.
+The sword Grayswandir enables Corwin to speak to the shades of Tir-na Nog'th and inflict damage on the hostile ones he fights. The weapon's name and its abilities echo that of Graywand, the longsword of Fafhrd in [[Fritz Leiber]]'s tales of ''[[wikipedia:Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser|Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser]]''&mdash;Fafhrd naming consecutive swords Graywand after losing the previous one may be the inspiration for Grayswandir reappearing to Corwin even after being lost.
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
    |material=silver
 }}
+'''Grayswandir''' is an [[artifact]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. Its default [[alignment]] is lawful, and its [[base item]] is a [[silver saber]].
 ==Generation==
-A randomly generated silver saber has a base {{frac|20}} chance of being generated as an artifact, which has a {{frac|2}} chance of being Grayswandir (and will otherwise be [[Werebane]], the other artifact silver saber) if no artifacts have already been generated. Lawful [[hero]]es may receive Grayswandir as a [[sacrifice gift]].
+A randomly generated silver saber has a base {{frac|20}} chance of being generated as an artifact, which has a {{frac|2}} chance of being Grayswandir (and will otherwise be [[Werebane]], the other artifact silver saber) if no artifacts have already been generated. Lawful [[heroes]] may receive Grayswandir as a [[sacrifice gift]] for a sacrifice with a value of 10 or higher{{refsrc|include/artilist.h|172|nethack=5.0.0}}&mdash;Grayswandir will not have any value added to its [[enchantment]] when randomly generated or gifted.
-Grayswandir requires a sacrifice of at least 10 value, and will not have anything added to its enchantment when randomly generated or given as a sacrifice gift.}}
+[[Player monster]]s on the [[Astral Plane]] that generate with a silver saber have a {{frac|2}} chance of that saber being turned into a compatible artifact, with a subsequent {{frac|2}} chance of Grayswandir being chosen as above if no artifact silver sabers have been generated, resulting in an effective {{frac|4}} chance of a player monster's silver saber becoming Grayswandir.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|264-L266|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Artifact generation for Astral Plane player monsters}}
 ==Description==
-While [[wielded]], Grayswandir grants [[hallucination resistance]], and has +1d5 [[to-hit]] and [[double damage]] bonuses against all monsters: the bonus is applied to the weapon's base dice and its [[enchantment]] before silver damage and other bonuses are factored.
+While [[wielded]], Grayswandir grants [[hallucination resistance]], and has +1d5 [[to-hit]] and [[double damage]] bonuses against all monsters: the bonus is applied to the weapon's base dice and its [[enchantment]] before silver damage and other bonuses are factored in.
 ==Strategy==
-Grayswandir is one of the most sought-after artifact weapons in ''NetHack'', both for general use and [[two weapon combat]]: while Grayswandir lacks utilities outside of resistance to a status [[property]] that most players can avoid by selectively [[blind]]ing themselves, and can also be cured with a [[unicorn horn]], it more than makes up for this with sheer damage output, especially with high skill in sabers and when used against silver-hating monsters like [[Vampire (monster class)|vampires]] and [[major demon]]s. It is also not [[intelligent]] and can be used by non-lawful heroes, with the only risk being a {{frac|4}} chance of 4d4 damage each time they touch the artifact.
+Grayswandir is one of the most sought-after artifact weapons in ''NetHack'', both for general use and [[two weapon combat]]: while Grayswandir's only "utility" is suppressing [[hallucination]]&ndash;a status [[property]] that can be cured with a [[unicorn horn]], and which most players can avoid by selectively [[blinding]] themselves against [[black light]]s and not drinking unidentified potions&ndash;it more than makes up for this with sheer damage output, especially with high skill in sabers and against silver-hating monsters like [[Vampire (monster class)|vampires]] and [[major demon]]s. It is also not [[intelligent]] and can be [[wished]] for or picked up by non-lawful heroes, with the only risk being a {{frac|4}} chance of 4d4 damage each time they touch the artifact.
-Due to damage calculation, Grayswandir shines most when it is [[Scroll of enchant weapon|heavily-enchanted]], and is arguably most useful in the late game, when heroes are guaranteed to encounter several silver haters and will have enchanted the weapon a reasonable amount&mdash;ironically, this is also where artifact weapon selection ''matters'' less: hit points, magic defenses, evasion strategies, and armor class are each just as valuable as weapon damage at this stage, if not more so, and many 'lesser' artifact weapons are more than capable of doing the job. Heroes in the early game should prioritize survival and a consistent source of damage, while late-game heroes can easily stay the course with their primary artifact weapon of choice, e.g. [[Excalibur]] or [[Stormbringer]], unless they really want the extra damage.
+Due to damage calculations, Grayswandir shines most when it is [[Scroll of enchant weapon|heavily-enchanted]], and is arguably most useful in the late game, when heroes are guaranteed to encounter several silver haters and will have enchanted the weapon a reasonable amount. Ironically, this is also the stage where artifact weapon selection ''matters'' much less: hit points, magic defenses, evasion strategies, healing, and armor class are each just as valuable as weapon damage at this stage, if not more so, and many 'lesser' artifact weapons are more than capable of doing the job&mdash;several of those artifacts are also of low enough "value" to be more easily obtained through sacrifice gifts. As such, players should only seek out Grayswandir if they really want the artifact and its extra damage: heroes in the early game should ideally prioritize survival and a consistent source of damage, while late-game heroes can easily stay the course if they have already obtained a high-quality artifact weapon, e.g. [[Excalibur]] or [[Stormbringer]].
 ===Average damage calculation===
@@ Line 51: / Line 46: @@
 ==History==
 Grayswandir first appears in [[NetHack 3.1.0]].
 ==Origin==
@@ Line 84: / Line 81: @@
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-367}}
+{{nethack-500}}
 [[Category:Artifact weapons]]

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], Grayswandir's to-hit bonus is a flat +5 as with other artifacts, and it can be used in the offhand when twoweaponing.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], Grayswandir's to-hit bonus is a flat +5 as with other artifacts, and it can be used in the offhand when twoweaponing.  However, unlike many others, its damage is not improved from vanilla NetHack, and as such it's only about as strong as Excalibur against most monsters, with several artifacts (such as the [[Bat from Hell]]) being significantly more powerful.
 As silver sabers are generated much more frequently in SLASH'EM, Grayswandir is also a more common sight, particularly in weapon shops. Its hallucination resistance can prove very useful on the [[Lawful Quest]], particularly for characters who lack a well-enchanted unicorn horn.

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 A randomly generated silver saber has a base {{frac|20}} chance of being generated as an artifact, which has a {{frac|2}} chance of being Grayswandir (and will otherwise be [[Werebane]], the other artifact silver saber) if no artifacts have already been generated. Lawful [[hero]]es may receive Grayswandir as a [[sacrifice gift]].
-[[Player monster]]s on the [[Astral Plane]] that generate with a silver saber have a {{frac|2}} chance of that saber being turned into a compatible artifact that is not yet generated, resulting in an effective {{frac|4}} chance of the saber becoming Grayswandir if no artifact saber are generated.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|270|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Artifact generation for Astral Plane player monsters}}
+[[Player monster]]s on the [[Astral Plane]] that generate with a silver saber have a {{frac|2}} chance of that saber being turned into a compatible artifact that is not yet generated, resulting in an effective {{frac|4}} chance of the saber becoming Grayswandir if no artifact sabers are generated.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|270|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Artifact generation for Astral Plane player monsters}}
 ==Description==
@@ Line 64: / Line 68: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]], [[notnotdNetHack]], Grayswandir grants [[warning]] while carried, always hits [[non-corporeal]] monsters and deals an additional +9 damage against non-lawful monsters.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], Grayswandir grants [[warning]] while carried, always hits [[non-corporeal]] monsters and deals an additional +9 damage against non-lawful monsters.
 ===EvilHack===

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 }}
-'''Grayswandir''' is an [[artifact weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is [[lawful]]-aligned, and its [[base item]] is a [[silver saber]].
+'''Grayswandir''' is an [[artifact]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is [[lawful]]-aligned, and its [[base item]] is a [[silver saber]].
 ==Generation==
-A randomly generated silver saber has a {{frac|20}} chance of being generated as an artifact, which has a {{frac|2}} chance of being Grayswandir (and will otherwise be [[Werebane]], the other artifact silver saber) if no artifacts have already been generated. Lawful characters may receive Grayswandir as a sacrifice gift.
+A randomly generated silver saber has a base {{frac|20}} chance of being generated as an artifact, which has a {{frac|2}} chance of being Grayswandir (and will otherwise be [[Werebane]], the other artifact silver saber) if no artifacts have already been generated. Lawful [[hero]]es may receive Grayswandir as a [[sacrifice gift]].
 [[Player monster]]s on the [[Astral Plane]] that generate with a silver saber have a {{frac|2}} chance of that saber being turned into a compatible artifact that is not yet generated, resulting in an effective {{frac|4}} chance of the saber becoming Grayswandir if no artifact saber are generated.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|270|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Artifact generation for Astral Plane player monsters}}
 ==Description==
-Grayswandir deals [[double damage]] to all targets, with the doubling applied to the weapon's base dice and any enchantment followed by silver damage and other bonuses, and confers [[hallucination resistance]] while wielded.
+While [[wielded]], Grayswandir grants [[hallucination resistance]], and has +1d5 [[to-hit]] and [[double damage]] bonuses against all monsters: the bonus is applied to the weapon's base dice and its [[enchantment]] before silver damage and other bonuses are factored.
 ==Strategy==
-Grayswandir is one of the most sought-after artifact weapons in ''NetHack'', both for general use and [[twoweapon]]: while it lacks utilities outside of resistance to a status [[property]] that characters can avoid by selectively [[blind]]ing themselves and cure with a [[unicorn horn]], it more than makes up for this with sheer damage output, especially at high skill in saber and against silver-hating monsters like [[Vampire (monster class)|vampires]] and [[major demon]]s. It is also not [[intelligent]] and so can be used by non-lawfuls, with the only risk being a {{frac|4}} chance of 4d4 damage each time they touch the artifact.
+Grayswandir is one of the most sought-after artifact weapons in ''NetHack'', both for general use and [[two weapon combat]]: while Grayswandir lacks utilities outside of resistance to a status [[property]] that most players can avoid by selectively [[blind]]ing themselves, and can also be cured with a [[unicorn horn]], it more than makes up for this with sheer damage output, especially with high skill in sabers and when used against silver-hating monsters like [[Vampire (monster class)|vampires]] and [[major demon]]s. It is also not [[intelligent]] and can be used by non-lawful heroes, with the only risk being a {{frac|4}} chance of 4d4 damage each time they touch the artifact.
-Due to damage calculation, Grayswandir shines most when it is heavily-enchanted, and is arguably most useful in the late game, when characters are guaranteed to encounter several silver haters and will have enchanted the weapon a reasonable amount - ironically, this is also where artifact weapon selection ''matters'' less: hit points, magic defenses, evasion strategies, and armor class are each just as valuable as weapon damage at this stage, if not more so. Characters in the early game should prioritize survival and a consistent source of damage before trying to maximize said damage, while late-game characters with more available artifact weapons that can do more damage at Basic skill before enchantments (such as [[Excalibur]]) should stay the course, unless they really want the extra damage.
+Due to damage calculation, Grayswandir shines most when it is [[Scroll of enchant weapon|heavily-enchanted]], and is arguably most useful in the late game, when heroes are guaranteed to encounter several silver haters and will have enchanted the weapon a reasonable amount&mdash;ironically, this is also where artifact weapon selection ''matters'' less: hit points, magic defenses, evasion strategies, and armor class are each just as valuable as weapon damage at this stage, if not more so, and many 'lesser' artifact weapons are more than capable of doing the job. Heroes in the early game should prioritize survival and a consistent source of damage, while late-game heroes can easily stay the course with their primary artifact weapon of choice, e.g. [[Excalibur]] or [[Stormbringer]], unless they really want the extra damage.
 ===Average damage calculation===
@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], Grayswandir's to-hit bonus is a flat +5 and it can be used in the offhand when twoweaponing - the artifact functions the same otherwise.  As silver sabers are generated much more frequently in SLASH'EM, Grayswandir is also a more common sight, particularly in weapon shops.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], Grayswandir's to-hit bonus is a flat +5 as with other artifacts, and it can be used in the offhand when twoweaponing.
-Its hallucination resistance can prove very useful on the [[Lawful Quest]], particularly for characters who lack a well-enchanted [[unicorn horn]].
+As silver sabers are generated much more frequently in SLASH'EM, Grayswandir is also a more common sight, particularly in weapon shops. Its hallucination resistance can prove very useful on the [[Lawful Quest]], particularly for characters who lack a well-enchanted unicorn horn.
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], Grayswandir confers [[warning]] while carried, always hits insubstantial monsters, and deals an additional +9 damage against non-lawful monsters.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]], [[notnotdNetHack]], Grayswandir grants [[warning]] while carried, always hits [[non-corporeal]] monsters and deals an additional +9 damage against non-lawful monsters.
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], Grayswandir can be combined with [[Dragonbane]] at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] to create the [[Gauntlets of Purity]].
+In [[EvilHack]], Grayswandir can be combined with [[Dragonbane]] at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] to create the [[Gauntlets of Purity]], an artifact pair of [[gauntlets of power]].
 ===SlashTHEM===
-In addition to SLASH'EM details, [[SlashTHEM]] incorporates The Forge from NetHack: The Next Generation, and Grayswandir is available there with the same base price - it is the second-most expensive artifact available there after [[Houchou]].
+In addition to SLASH'EM details, [[SlashTHEM]] incorporates The Forge from NetHack: The Next Generation, and Grayswandir is available there with the same base price&mdash;it is the second-most expensive artifact available there after [[Houchou]].
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], Grayswandir confers [[warning]] while carried and always hits insubstantial monsters.<!--Devel:deals an additional +9 damage against non-lawful monsters.-->
+In [[dNetHack]], Grayswandir confers [[warning]] while carried. always hits insubstantial monsters, and deals an additional +9 damage against non-lawful monsters.
 ===EvilHack===