Scalpel - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: similar tidying pass

2026-04-22T17:34:01Z

similar tidying pass

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ copyedit

2025-07-25T01:16:41Z

‎Variants: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: sp

2025-01-07T00:22:37Z

Netzhack: /* Encyclopaedia entry */ Line breaks

2025-01-06T16:15:37Z

‎Encyclopaedia entry: Line breaks

Umbire the Phantom: formatting + copyedit pass

2024-03-31T07:29:35Z

formatting + copyedit pass

JASON10668: Add languages template.

2024-02-20T07:06:09Z

Add languages template.

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2024-02-07T11:03:30Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* Origin */ punc

2023-10-07T09:31:23Z

‎Origin: punc

Umbire the Phantom: /* SlashTHEM */ rephrase

2023-10-07T09:30:15Z

‎SlashTHEM: rephrase

Mobileuser: slash'em carried scalpel for surgery

2023-10-06T12:26:54Z

slash'em carried scalpel for surgery

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
    |material=metal
 }}
-{{for|the artifact weapon named "Scalpel" in [[SlashTHEM]]|Mouser's Scalpel}}
+{{otheruses|the mundane weapon|the artifact weapon named "Scalpel" in [[SlashTHEM]]|Mouser's Scalpel}}
 A '''scalpel''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a one-handed [[melee]] weapon that uses the [[knife]] [[skill]], and is made of [[metal]].
 ==Generation==
-Scalpels are not randomly generated on the dungeon floor, in [[shop]]s, or as a [[death drop]].
+All [[Healer]]s start each game with a [[Enchantment|+0]] scalpel as their weapon.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|60|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-All [[Healer]]s start each game with a [[Enchantment|+0]] scalpel as their weapon.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|60|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Scalpels are not randomly generated, though they can be [[wished]] for or found in [[bones]].
 [[Player monster]] [[Healer (player monster)|healers]], including those on the [[Astral Plane]], have an effective {{frac|16}} chance (6.25%) of [[monster starting inventory|generating with]] a scalpel in lieu of their initial weapon.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|192|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 ==Description==
-Scalpels are not suitable for [[throw]]ing like other knives and have a -2 [[to-hit]] penalty when thrown, though they can still be [[multishot]].{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|117|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1066|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1674|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+A scalpel has a +2 [[to-hit]] bonus. Scalpels are not suitable for [[throwing]] like other knives and have a -2 [[to-hit]] penalty when thrown, though they can still be [[multishot]].{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|117|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1066|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1674|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==
-Scalpels are very poor weapons roughly on par with [[orcish dagger]]s, with the only real advantage being their inherently [[erosion]]-proof material. However, knives tend to be sparse compared to other projectile weapons like [[dagger]]s, and are slightly worse melee weapons themselves.
+Scalpels are very poor weapons that are roughly on par with [[orcish dagger]]s, with their only real advantage lying in metal being inherently [[erosion]]-proofed. While actual knives are better as melee weapon and projectiles, they tend to be sparsely generated compared to other projectiles like [[dagger]]s, and are not especially strong themselves.
-In any case, the starting scalpel for Healers may be worth keeping as a backup weapon against monsters such as [[acid blob]]s that can corrode or rust weapons; you can stash or simply ditch it once you gather a decent stack of knives and/or obtain a primary weapon that is either non-iron or erode-proofed. Early-game Healers can also use their scalpel to train the knife skill on [[gas spore]]s, monitoring their HP with the [[stethoscope]] and healing it when it gets low to prevent the spore from dying and exploding.
+In any case, the starting scalpel for Healers may be worth keeping as a backup weapon against monsters such as [[acid blob]]s that can corrode or rust weapons: you can stash or simply ditch it once you either gather a decent stack of knives or obtain a primary weapon that is either non-iron or erode-proofed. Early-game Healers can also use their scalpel to train the knife skill on [[gas spore]]s, monitoring their HP with the [[stethoscope]] and healing it when it gets low to prevent the spore from dying and exploding.
 ==History==
 The scalpel first appears in [[NetHack 3.0.0]].
-A bug caused player monster healers to receive stacks of scalpels during monster generation; this was fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.2]] via {{commit|c056ca1b359097fc27c8bf3def07065993e4bdfa|commit c056ca1}}.
+A bug caused player monster healers to receive stacks of scalpels during monster generation; this was fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.2]] via {{commit|c056ca1b359097fc27c8bf3def07065993e4bdfa}}.
 ==Origin==
@@ Line 49: / Line 48: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]], and [[notnotdNetHack]], Healers gain to-hit and damage bonuses from their skill in [[healing spells]] when attacking with scalpels: +0 at Basic, +2 at Skilled, +3 at Expert).
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]], and [[notnotdNetHack]], scalpels have weaker base damage, with the same 1d3 slashing damage against small monsters and only 1d1 damage versus large monsters, but their to-hit bonus is raised to +3. Like all slashing weapons, scalpels can be [[Poisoned weapon#dNetHack|poisoned]] by [[dipping]] them in an appropriate [[potion]].
-All [[nurse]]s in dNetHack are generated with scalpels, as are some [[deminymph]]s. [[Nurse (dNetHack)|Nurses]] in the [[Madman quest]] are generated wielding [[filth-encrusted]] scalpels.
+[[Nurse (dNetHack)|Nurses]] are always generated with scalpels, and those generated in the [[Madman quest]] are given [[filth-encrusted]] scalpels. Deminymphs that are given healer kits will always generate with scalpels, and those generated on the [[Drow Healer quest]] will have scalpels made of [[Obsidian (material)|obsidian]].
-At Expert skill in healing spells and at least Basic in knives, a scalpel is roughly equivalent to other starting weapons when in the hands of a Healer, though it is still outperformed by a [[unicorn horn]] or [[quarterstaff]] at high [[strength]].
+[[Healer/dNetHack|Healers]] gain to-hit and damage bonuses from their skill in [[healing spells]] when attacking with scalpels: +0 at Basic, +2 at Skilled, +3 at Expert). At Expert skill in healing spells and at least Basic in knives, a scalpel is roughly equivalent to other starting weapons when in the hands of a Healer, though it is still outperformed by a [[unicorn horn]] or [[quarterstaff]] at high [[strength]].
 ===xNetHack===
 In [[xNetHack]], scalpels are made stronger, and deal 1d5 damage versus small monsters and 1d7 damage versus large ones.
-Nurses have a {{frac|5}} chance of generating with a scalpel.
+[[Nurse]]s have a {{frac|5}} chance of generating with a scalpel.
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], a scalpel can be made at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] by combining a knife and a [[stiletto]].
+In [[EvilHack]], a scalpel can be created at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] by combining a knife and a [[stiletto]].
 ===SlashTHEM===
@@ Line 69: / Line 68: @@
 ==Encyclopedia entry==
-{{encyclopedia|A scalpel is a very sharp knife used for surgery ... Merely touching a medical scalpel with bare hands to test it will cut through the skin. ... Medical scalpel blades are gradually curved for greater precision when cutting through tissue.
+{{encyclopedia|
-|[ Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ]}}
+A scalpel is a very sharp knife used for surgery ... Merely touching a medical scalpel with bare hands to test it will cut through the skin. ... Medical scalpel blades are gradually curved for greater precision when cutting through tissue.
 ==References==

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], Healers also apply their [[healing spell]] skill level as bonuses to to-hit and damage when attacking with scalpels (+0 at Basic, +2 at Skilled, +3 at Expert). At maximum skill, a scalpel is roughly equivalent to other starting weapons in the hands of a Healer, though it is still outperformed by a [[unicorn horn]] or [[quarterstaff]] at high [[strength]].
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]], and [[notnotdNetHack]], Healers gain to-hit and damage bonuses from their skill in [[healing spells]] when attacking with scalpels: +0 at Basic, +2 at Skilled, +3 at Expert).
-All [[nurse]]s in dNetHack are generated with scalpels, as are some [[deminymph]]s. Several hostile nurses in the [[Madman quest]] are generated wielding [[sickness]]-poisoned scalpels.
+All [[nurse]]s in dNetHack are generated with scalpels, as are some [[deminymph]]s. [[Nurse (dNetHack)|Nurses]] in the [[Madman quest]] are generated wielding [[filth-encrusted]] scalpels.
 ===xNetHack===
-In [[xNetHack]], scalpels are made stronger and deal 1d5 damage versus small monsters and 1d7 damage versus large one. Nurses have a {{frac|5}} chance of generating with a scalpel.
+In [[xNetHack]], scalpels are made stronger, and deal 1d5 damage versus small monsters and 1d7 damage versus large ones.
 ===EvilHack===
@@ Line 60: / Line 64: @@
 ===SlashTHEM===
-In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM changes, the [[Undertaker]] role starts with a +2 scalpel as their weapon. Player monster undertakers are always generated with scalpels.
+In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, the [[Undertaker]] role starts with a +2 scalpel as their weapon.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM changes, the [[Undertaker]] role starts with a +2 scalpel as their weapon. Player monster undertakers are always generated with scalpels.
-==Encyclopaedia entry==
+==Encyclopedia entry==
 {{encyclopedia|A scalpel is a very sharp knife used for surgery ... Merely touching a medical scalpel with bare hands to test it will cut through the skin. ... Medical scalpel blades are gradually curved for greater precision when cutting through tissue.
 |[ Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ]}}

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 ==Encyclopaedia entry==
-{{encyclopedia|A scalpel is a very sharp knife used for surgery ... Merely
+{{encyclopedia|A scalpel is a very sharp knife used for surgery ... Merely touching a medical scalpel with bare hands to test it will cut through the skin. ... Medical scalpel blades are gradually curved for greater precision when cutting through tissue.
 |[ Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ]}}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{languages}}
 {{weapon
-| color=metal color
+  |color=metal color
-| tile=[[image:scalpel.png]]
+  |tile=[[image:scalpel.png]]
-| name=scalpel
+  |name=scalpel
-| smalldmg=1d3
+  |smalldmg=1d3
-| largedmg=1d3
+  |largedmg=1d3
-| tohit=<nowiki>+2</nowiki>
+  |tohit=<nowiki>+2</nowiki>
-| skill=knife
+  |skill=knife
-| cost=6
+  |cost=6
-| weight=5
+  |weight=5
-| material=metal
+  |material=metal
 }}
-A '''scalpel''' is a kind of [[melee]] [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It uses the [[knife]] [[skill]], and does d3 damage to both small and large [[monster]]s. It is made of [[metal]].
+{{for|the artifact weapon named "Scalpel" in [[SlashTHEM]]|Mouser's Scalpel}}
-Scalpels are not suitable for [[throw]]ing like other knives and have a -2 [[to-hit]] penalty when thrown, though they can still be [[multishot]].{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|117|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1066|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1674|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+A '''scalpel''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a one-handed [[melee]] weapon that uses the [[knife]] [[skill]], and is made of [[metal]].
 ==Generation==
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 All [[Healer]]s start each game with a [[Enchantment|+0]] scalpel as their weapon.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|60|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-[[Player monster]] [[Healer (player monster)|healer]]s on the [[Astral Plane]] have a 6.25% chance of [[monster starting inventory|generating with]] a scalpel in lieu of their initial weapon.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|192|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+[[Player monster]] [[Healer (player monster)|healers]], including those on the [[Astral Plane]], have an effective {{frac|16}} chance (6.25%) of [[monster starting inventory|generating with]] a scalpel in lieu of their initial weapon.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|192|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==
@@ Line 43: / Line 46: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], Healers can use a carried scalpel to cure [[sickness]] or [[sliming]] using the [[surgery]] [[technique]], making them a bit more useful.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], Healers can use cure [[sickness]] or [[sliming]] using the [[surgery]] [[technique]] with a carried scalpel, making them a bit more useful.
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], Healers also apply their [[healing spell]] skill level as bonuses to to-hit and damage when attacking with scalpels (+0 at Basic, +2 at Skilled, +3 at Expert). At maximum skill, a scalpel is roughly equivalent to other starting weapons in the hands of a Healer, though it is still outperformed by a [[unicorn]] horn or [[quarterstaff]] at high [[strength]].
+In [[dNetHack]], Healers also apply their [[healing spell]] skill level as bonuses to to-hit and damage when attacking with scalpels (+0 at Basic, +2 at Skilled, +3 at Expert). At maximum skill, a scalpel is roughly equivalent to other starting weapons in the hands of a Healer, though it is still outperformed by a [[unicorn horn]] or [[quarterstaff]] at high [[strength]].
 All [[nurse]]s in dNetHack are generated with scalpels, as are some [[deminymph]]s. Several hostile nurses in the [[Madman quest]] are generated wielding [[sickness]]-poisoned scalpels.

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:06, 20 February 2024
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	\| color=metal color		\| color=metal color

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 Scalpel blades are usually made of hardened and tempered steel, stainless steel, or high carbon steel; various other materials such as silver, titanium, ceramic, diamond and even obsidian are not uncommon, since steel blades are unusable when performing surgery under MRI guidance. Historically, the use of scalpels in medical contexts go back multiple millennia - there have been obsidian scalpels dated older than 2100 BC in a Bronze Age settlement located in Turkey, and skulls from the same era and location show signs of brain surgery.
-Use of scalpels and identical tools have been recorded among various other cultures: the ancient Egyptians, made incisions for embalming with scalpels of sharpened obsidian. The first medical writings of ancient Greeks indicate common use of scalpel-like tools such as the double-edged ''amphismela'', which lends its name to a similar tool used in 18th-century France, and Ancient Romans used scalpels alongside more than 150 different surgical instruments. The ''amphismela'' is likely the basis for the starting scalpel of the Healer role in ''NetHack'', which is heavily based on ancient Greece.
+Use of scalpels and identical tools have been recorded among various other cultures: the ancient Egyptians made incisions for embalming with scalpels of sharpened obsidian. The first medical writings of ancient Greeks indicate common use of scalpel-like tools such as the double-edged ''amphismela'', which lends its name to a similar tool used in 18th-century France, and Ancient Romans used scalpels alongside more than 150 different surgical instruments. The ''amphismela'' is likely the basis for the starting scalpel of the Healer role in ''NetHack'', which is heavily based on ancient Greece.
 ==Variants==