Mace - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ word choice

2026-06-02T14:12:14Z

‎Generation: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ punctuation

2026-06-02T14:11:09Z

‎Generation: punctuation

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ word choice

2026-06-02T14:06:42Z

‎Generation: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ word choice

2026-06-02T11:43:19Z

‎Generation: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ copyedit this section

2026-06-02T11:41:41Z

‎Generation: copyedit this section

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ as thorough a pass as I can manage

2026-06-02T10:26:43Z

‎Variants: as thorough a pass as I can manage

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ pothole

2026-06-02T10:08:58Z

‎Generation: pothole

Umbire the Phantom: nh5 updates

2026-06-02T10:08:45Z

nh5 updates

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-05-20T18:37:10Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-01-15T00:42:49Z

pothole

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 * [[Sergeant (monster)|Sergeants]] have a roughly {{frac|2}} chance of generating with a mace.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|203-L205|nethack=5.0.0}}
 * The monster that rules over a [[throne room]] and is placed on the [[throne]] will always be [[generated with]] a mace.{{refsrc|src/mkroom.c|271|nethack=5.0.0}}
-* [[Player monster]]s, including those generated on the [[Astral Plane]], have a {{frac|10|291}} chance (effectively ~3.44%) of generating with a mace as their weapon before role-based replacements are applied.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|150|nethack=5.0.0|comment={{frac|2}} to get a random weapon&mdash;the designated range of objects covers weapons from the spear to the bullwhip inclusively in <tt>objects.h</tt>, and uses normal generation odds}}
+* [[Player monster]]s, including those generated on the [[Astral Plane]], have an effective {{frac|10|291}} chance (~3.44%) of generating with a mace as their weapon before role-based replacements are applied.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|150|nethack=5.0.0|comment={{frac|2}} to get a random weapon&mdash;the designated range of objects covers weapons from the spear to the bullwhip inclusively in <tt>objects.h</tt>, and uses normal generation odds}}
 ** [[Cleric (player monster)|Clerics]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of forcing a mace as their weapon, resulting in an effective ~51.72% chance of generating with one.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|175-L176|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Cleric replacements for player monster melee weapons}}
 ** [[Cave dweller (player monster)|Cave dwellers]] have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of forcing a mace, raising their effective chance to ~75.86%.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|206-L207|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Cave Dweller replacements for player monster melee weapons}}

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 * [[Sergeant (monster)|Sergeants]] have a roughly {{frac|2}} chance of generating with a mace.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|203-L205|nethack=5.0.0}}
 * The monster that rules over a [[throne room]] and is placed on the [[throne]] will always be [[generated with]] a mace.{{refsrc|src/mkroom.c|271|nethack=5.0.0}}
-* [[Player monster]]s, including those generated on the [[Astral Plane]] have a {{frac|10|291}} chance (effectively ~3.44%) of generating with a mace as their weapon before role-based replacements are applied.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|150|nethack=5.0.0|comment={{frac|2}} to get a random weapon&mdash;the designated range of objects covers weapons from the spear to the bullwhip inclusively in <tt>objects.h</tt>, and uses normal generation odds}}
+* [[Player monster]]s, including those generated on the [[Astral Plane]], have a {{frac|10|291}} chance (effectively ~3.44%) of generating with a mace as their weapon before role-based replacements are applied.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|150|nethack=5.0.0|comment={{frac|2}} to get a random weapon&mdash;the designated range of objects covers weapons from the spear to the bullwhip inclusively in <tt>objects.h</tt>, and uses normal generation odds}}
 ** [[Cleric (player monster)|Clerics]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of forcing a mace as their weapon, resulting in an effective ~51.72% chance of generating with one.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|175-L176|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Cleric replacements for player monster melee weapons}}
 ** [[Cave dweller (player monster)|Cave dwellers]] have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of forcing a mace, raising their effective chance to ~75.86%.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|206-L207|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Cave Dweller replacements for player monster melee weapons}}

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 * [[Sergeant (monster)|Sergeants]] have a roughly {{frac|2}} chance of generating with a mace.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|203-L205|nethack=5.0.0}}
 * The monster that rules over a [[throne room]] and is placed on the [[throne]] will always be [[generated with]] a mace.{{refsrc|src/mkroom.c|271|nethack=5.0.0}}
-* [[Player monster]]s generated on the [[Astral Plane]] have a {{frac|10|291}} chance (effectively ~3.44%) of generating with a mace as their weapon before role-based replacements are applied.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|150|nethack=5.0.0|comment={{frac|2}} to get a random weapon&mdash;the designated range of objects covers weapons from the spear to the bullwhip inclusively in <tt>objects.h</tt>, and uses normal generation odds}}
+* [[Player monster]]s, including those generated on the [[Astral Plane]] have a {{frac|10|291}} chance (effectively ~3.44%) of generating with a mace as their weapon before role-based replacements are applied.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|150|nethack=5.0.0|comment={{frac|2}} to get a random weapon&mdash;the designated range of objects covers weapons from the spear to the bullwhip inclusively in <tt>objects.h</tt>, and uses normal generation odds}}
 ** [[Cleric (player monster)|Clerics]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of forcing a mace as their weapon, resulting in an effective ~51.72% chance of generating with one.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|175-L176|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Cleric replacements for player monster melee weapons}}
 ** [[Cave dweller (player monster)|Cave dwellers]] have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of forcing a mace, raising their effective chance to ~75.86%.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|206-L207|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Cave Dweller replacements for player monster melee weapons}}

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 * [[Sergeant (monster)|Sergeants]] have a roughly {{frac|2}} chance of generating with a mace.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|203-L205|nethack=5.0.0}}
 * The monster that rules over a [[throne room]] and is placed on the [[throne]] will always be [[generated with]] a mace.{{refsrc|src/mkroom.c|271|nethack=5.0.0}}
-* [[Player monster]]s generated on the [[Astral Plane]] have a {{frac|10|291}} chance (effectively ~3.44%) of generating with a mace as their weapon before role-based replacements.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|150|nethack=5.0.0|comment={{frac|2}} to get a random weapon&mdash;the designated range of objects covers weapons from the spear to the bullwhip inclusively in <tt>objects.h</tt>, and uses normal generation odds}}
+* [[Player monster]]s generated on the [[Astral Plane]] have a {{frac|10|291}} chance (effectively ~3.44%) of generating with a mace as their weapon before role-based replacements are applied.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|150|nethack=5.0.0|comment={{frac|2}} to get a random weapon&mdash;the designated range of objects covers weapons from the spear to the bullwhip inclusively in <tt>objects.h</tt>, and uses normal generation odds}}
 ** [[Cleric (player monster)|Clerics]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of forcing a mace as their weapon, resulting in an effective ~51.72% chance of generating with one.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|175-L176|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Cleric replacements for player monster melee weapons}}
 ** [[Cave dweller (player monster)|Cave dwellers]] have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of forcing a mace, raising their effective chance to ~75.86%.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|206-L207|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Cave Dweller replacements for player monster melee weapons}}

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 Maces make up {{frac|25}} (4%) of all weapons randomly generated on the floor, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Antique weapons outlets and used armor dealerships can also stock maces.
-[[Aligned cleric]]s, [[Acolyte (quest guardian)|acolytes]], [[high cleric]]s, and the [[Arch Priest]] are always generated with maces that have an enchantment ranging from +1 to +3 and a roughly {{frac|2}} chance of being [[cursed]].{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|263-L269|nethack=5.0.0}} [[Sergeant (monster)|Sergeants]] have a roughly {{frac|2}} chance of generating with a mace.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|203-L205|nethack=5.0.0}}
+One of the weapons in the pile of objects guarded by the [[ghost]] on the [[Rogue level]] has a {{frac|2}} chance of being a mace, with an enchantment ranging from +1 to +3 and a {{frac|3|4}} chance of being [[cursed]]{{refsrc|src/extralev.c|311-L315|nethack=5.0.0}}&mdash;the mace is the starting weapon for the player character in ''[[Rogue (game)|Rogue]]''.
-The monster that rules over a [[throne room]] and is placed on the [[throne]] will always be [[generated with]] a mace.{{refsrc|src/mkroom.c|271|nethack=5.0.0}}
+Some monsters can be [[generated with]] maces:
-[[Player monster]]s generated on the [[Astral Plane]] have a {{frac|10|291}} chance (effectively ~3.44%) of generating with a mace as their weapon before role-based replacements.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|150|nethack=5.0.0|comment={{frac|2}} to get a random weapon&mdash;the designated range of objects covers weapons from the spear to the bullwhip inclusively in <tt>objects.h</tt>, and uses normal generation odds}} Player monsters [[Cleric (player monster)|clerics]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of forcing a mace as their weapon, resulting in an effective ~51.72% chance of generating with one, while player monster [[Cave dweller (player monster)|cave dwellers]] have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of forcing a mace, raising their effective chance to ~75.86%.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|175-L176|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Cleric replacements for player monster melee weapons}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|206-L207|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Cave Dweller replacements for player monster melee weapons}}
+* [[Aligned cleric]]s, [[Acolyte (quest guardian)|acolytes]], [[high cleric]]s, and the [[Arch Priest]] are always generated with maces that have an enchantment ranging from +1 to +3 and a roughly {{frac|2}} chance of being [[cursed]].{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|263-L269|nethack=5.0.0}}
 ==Mace skill==

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], the mace deals 1d10+1 damage to small monsters and 1d10 to large monsters. Both variants add the [[elven mace]] and [[kamerel vajra]] as weapons that use the mace skill.
+[[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]] add several weapons and items that use the mace skill:
 Some artifacts use the mace skill in some manner:
@@ Line 65: / Line 74: @@
 * The [[dNetHack artifacts#Rod of the Ram|Rod of the Ram]] is a neutral mace.
 * The [[dNetHack artifacts#Field Marshal's Baton|Field Marshal's Baton]] is a lawful mace.
-* The [[dNetHack artifacts#Rod of Dis|Rod of Dis]] is a lawful intelligent mace wielded by [[Dispater]].
+* The [[dNetHack artifacts#Rod of Dis|Rod of Dis]] is a lawful intelligent mace wielded by [[Dispater (dNetHack)|Dispater]].
 * [[The Wand of Orcus (dNetHack)|The Wand of Orcus]] uses the mace skill when wielded and used as a melee weapon.
 ===xNetHack===
-In [[xNetHack]], the mace that an aligned priest generates with is never created cursed.
+In [[xNetHack]], Demonbane's base item is changed to a mace with a [[Object materials (xNetHack)|material]] of [[silver]], similar to SporkHack.
-Demonbane's base item is changed to a mace with a [[Object materials (xNetHack)|material]] of [[silver]], similar to SporkHack.
+The mace that an aligned priest generates with is never created cursed.
 ===SpliceHack===
@@ Line 79: / Line 88: @@
 [[EvilHack]] adds the [[heavy mace]], [[Rod (EvilHack)|rod]], [[dark elven mace]], and [[dark elven heavy mace]] as weapons that use the mace skill. A few artifacts use the mace skill as well:
-* Demonbane (heavy mace)
+* Demonbane (silver heavy mace)
 * The Scepter of Might (rod)
 * [[Wand of Orcus (EvilHack)|Wand of Orcus]] (rod)
@@ Line 93: / Line 102: @@
 ===SlashTHEM===
-In addition to SLASH'EM details, [[SlashTHEM]] adds the ornate mace as a weapon that uses the mace skill.
+In addition to SLASH'EM details, [[SlashTHEM]] adds the ornate mace as a weapon that uses the mace skill, which functions similarly to how it does in SpliceHack.
 ===Hack'EM===

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 ==Generation==
-[[Clerics]]s start each game with a [[blessed]] [[Enchantment|+1]] mace.{{refsrc|src/u.init|115|nethack=5.0.0}}
+[[Cleric]]s start each game with a [[blessed]] [[Enchantment|+1]] mace.{{refsrc|src/u.init|115|nethack=5.0.0}}
 Maces make up {{frac|25}} (4%) of all weapons randomly generated on the floor, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Antique weapons outlets and used armor dealerships can also stock maces.

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 ==Generation==
-[[Priest]]s start each game with a [[blessed]] [[Enchantment|+1]] mace.{{refsrc|src/u.init|101|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+[[Clerics]]s start each game with a [[blessed]] [[Enchantment|+1]] mace.{{refsrc|src/u.init|115|nethack=5.0.0}}
 Maces make up {{frac|25}} (4%) of all weapons randomly generated on the floor, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Antique weapons outlets and used armor dealerships can also stock maces.
-[[Aligned priest]]s and [[high priest]]s are [[always generated with]] maces that have an enchantment ranging from +1 to +3 and a {{frac|2}} chance of being cursed.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|261|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Sergeant (monster)|Sergeants]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of generating with a mace.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|200|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+[[Aligned cleric]]s, [[Acolyte (quest guardian)|acolytes]], [[high cleric]]s, and the [[Arch Priest]] are always generated with maces that have an enchantment ranging from +1 to +3 and a roughly {{frac|2}} chance of being [[cursed]].{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|263-L269|nethack=5.0.0}} [[Sergeant (monster)|Sergeants]] have a roughly {{frac|2}} chance of generating with a mace.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|203-L205|nethack=5.0.0}}
-One of the weapons in the pile of objects guarded by the [[ghost]] on the [[Rogue level]] has a {{frac|2}} chance of being a mace, with an enchantment ranging from +0 to +3 and a {{frac|3|4}} chance of being [[cursed]]{{refsrc|src/extralev.c|323|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}&mdash;the mace is the starting weapon for the player character in ''[[Rogue (game)|Rogue]]''.
+The monster that rules over a [[throne room]] and is placed on the [[throne]] will always be [[generated with]] a mace.{{refsrc|src/mkroom.c|271|nethack=5.0.0}}
-[[Player monster]]s generated on the [[Astral Plane]] have a {{frac|29}} chance (effectively ~3.45%) of generating with a mace as their weapon before role-based replacements.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|155|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Player monsters [[Priest (player monster)|priests]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of forcing a mace as their weapon, resulting in an effective ~50.86% chance of generating with one, while player monster [[Caveman (player monster)|cavepeople]] have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of forcing a mace, raising their effective chance to ~75.43%.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|181|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|213|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+One of the weapons in the pile of objects guarded by the [[ghost]] on the [[Rogue level]] has a {{frac|2}} chance of being a mace, with an enchantment ranging from +1 to +3 and a {{frac|3|4}} chance of being [[cursed]]{{refsrc|src/extralev.c|311-L315|nethack=5.0.0}}&mdash;the mace is the starting weapon for the player character in ''[[Rogue (game)|Rogue]]''.
 ==Mace skill==
 {{mace skill table}}
-The mace is the only weapon to use the '''mace [[skill]]'''.
+The mace and the [[silver mace]] both use the '''mace''' [[skill]].
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|[[Demonbane]]'s base item is changed to use the mace skill&mdash;the base item is first changed from a [[long sword]] into a standard mace per {{commit|b1a5a9c3903a0282f82787d20fd70f13196e2465}}, and is changed to a [[silver mace]] via {{commit|67d58202ad84dd04ccfd6079fc2665e87ef80fc3}}. The latter commit enables the silver mace to be randomly generated, and the weapon uses the mace skill.}}
+Two [[artifact]]s use the mace skill: The Sceptre of Might (mace) and [[Demonbane]] (silver mace).
 ==Strategy==
-The mace is generally an unimpressive weapon, though the starting +1 mace for Priests is at least passable. It is typically worth exchanging for a more versatile weapon within the hero's skillset, such as a [[long sword]] or [[aklys]].
+The mace is generally an unimpressive weapon, though an enchanted mace like the starting +1 mace for Clerics is at least passable for the early game stages. As the hero advances, it is typically worth exchanging a mace for a more versatile weapon within the hero's skillset, such as a [[long sword]] or [[aklys]].
 ==History==
 The mace 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 item list for [[Hack 1.0]].
 ==Origin==
@@ Line 51: / Line 55: @@
 ===SporkHack===
-[[SporkHack]] adds the [[Silver mace (SporkHack)|silver mace]] as a weapon that uses the mace skill, though it cannot generate randomly (but can be [[wish]]ed for or found in [[bones]]. The base item of [[Demonbane (SporkHack)|Demonbane]] is also changed to a silver mace.
+[[SporkHack]] adds the [[Silver mace (SporkHack)|silver mace]] as a weapon that uses the mace skill, though it cannot generate randomly (but can be [[wished]] for or found in [[bones]]). The base item of [[Demonbane (SporkHack)|Demonbane]] is also changed to a silver mace.
 ===dNetHack===
@@ Line 107: / Line 111: @@
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-367}}
+{{nethack-500}}
 [[Category:Weapons]]
 [[Category:Skills]]

@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-[[EvilHack]] adds the [[heavy mace]], [[rod]], [[dark elven mace]], and [[dark elven heavy mace]] as weapons that use the mace skill. A few artifacts use the mace skill as well:
+[[EvilHack]] adds the [[heavy mace]], [[Rod (EvilHack)|rod]], [[dark elven mace]], and [[dark elven heavy mace]] as weapons that use the mace skill. A few artifacts use the mace skill as well:
 * Demonbane (heavy mace)