Scimitar - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2026-05-28T15:57:23Z

potholes

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ extra word

2026-05-28T12:03:16Z

‎dNetHack: extra word

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ I swear these weapon updates were just to bother me specifically

2026-05-28T11:15:19Z

‎dNetHack: I swear these weapon updates were just to bother me specifically

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ mention recent addition...

2026-05-28T11:12:51Z

‎dNetHack: mention recent addition...

Umbire the Phantom: more variant copyedit

2026-05-15T19:10:33Z

more variant copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: druid

2026-05-15T18:47:42Z

druid

Umbire the Phantom: variant pass for skills

2026-05-15T18:45:02Z

variant pass for skills

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ thanks ais

2026-05-15T02:24:41Z

‎Strategy: thanks ais

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ hack'em, debold all but first

2026-05-15T02:20:10Z

‎Variants: hack'em, debold all but first

Umbire the Phantom: proper nh5 updates

2026-05-15T02:16:22Z

proper nh5 updates

@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 In variants that incorporate the [[Pirate]] role patch (particularly the second patch by [[User:Chris|Chris]]), Pirates [[Alternate item names|know the scimitar]] as a '''cutlass'''. [[Reaver]] is an artifact cutlass that serves as the Pirate [[crowning]] gift.
-[[Mayor Cummerbund]], the [[Quest leader|leader]] for the [[Pirate quest]], has a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with a rustproof cutlass, and [[quest guardian]] [[pirate brother]]s each generate with a cutlass. [[Skeletal pirate]]s are generated with rusted cutlasses.
+[[Mayor Cummerbund]], the [[Quest leader|leader]] for the [[Pirate quest]], has a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with a rustproof cutlass, and [[quest guardian]] [[Pirate brother (Pirate patch)|pirate brothers]] always generate with a cutlass. [[Skeletal pirate (Pirate patch)|Skeletal pirates]] are generated with rusted cutlasses.
 ===SLASH'EM===

@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 The [[Spirit (dNetHack)|spirit]] [[Dantalion]] grants skill in scimitars while bound.
-dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack variants also add the [[elven scimitar]], [[Cutlass (dNetHack)|cutlass]], [[high-elven warsword]], and [[bow-blade]] as weapons that use the scimitar skill.
+dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack also add the [[elven scimitar]], [[Cutlass (dNetHack)|cutlass]], [[high-elven warsword]], and [[bow-blade]] as weapons that use the scimitar skill.
 Scimitars themselves are slightly less common, making up {{frac|13|1000}} (1.3%) of all weapons that are randomly generated on the floor, in general shops or as death drops. They also deal more damage, with 1d12 damage against small monsters and the same 1d8 damage against large monsters. A hero that wields a scimitar while they are at Skilled or better in scimitars gains the "long slash" and "striking" [[expert trait]]s.

@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 The [[Spirit (dNetHack)|spirit]] [[Dantalion]] grants skill in scimitars while bound.
-dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack variants also add the [[elven scimitar]], [[Cutlass (dNetHack)|cutlass]], [[high-elven warsword]], and [[bow-blade]] as weapons that use the scimitar skill. Scimitars themselves are slightly less common, making up {{frac|13|1000}} (1.3%) of all weapons that are randomly generated on the floor, in general shops or as death drops.
+dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack variants also add the [[elven scimitar]], [[Cutlass (dNetHack)|cutlass]], [[high-elven warsword]], and [[bow-blade]] as weapons that use the scimitar skill.
-A hero that wields a scimitar while they are at Skilled or better in scimitars gains the "long slash" [[expert trait]].
+Scimitars themselves are slightly less common, making up {{frac|13|1000}} (1.3%) of all weapons that are randomly generated on the floor, in general shops or as death drops. They also deal more damage, with 1d12 damage against small monsters and the same 1d8 damage against large monsters. A hero that wields a scimitar while they are at Skilled or better in scimitars gains the "long slash" and "striking" [[expert trait]]s.
 ===SpliceHack===

@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 The [[Spirit (dNetHack)|spirit]] [[Dantalion]] grants skill in scimitars while bound.
-dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack variants also add the [[elven scimitar]], [[high-elven warsword]] and [[bow-blade]] as weapons that use the scimitar skill. Scimitars themselves are slightly less common, making up {{frac|13|1000}} (1.3%) of all weapons that are randomly generated on the floor, in general shops or as death drops.
+dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack variants also add the [[elven scimitar]], [[Cutlass (dNetHack)|cutlass]], [[high-elven warsword]], and [[bow-blade]] as weapons that use the scimitar skill. Scimitars themselves are slightly less common, making up {{frac|13|1000}} (1.3%) of all weapons that are randomly generated on the floor, in general shops or as death drops.
-A hero that wields a scimitar while they are at Skilled or better in scimitars gains the "long slash" [[expert trait]]. As in the original Pirate patch, Pirates know the scimitar as a "cutlass".
+A hero that wields a scimitar while they are at Skilled or better in scimitars gains the "long slash" [[expert trait]].
 ===SpliceHack===

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 ===Pirate patch===
-In variants that incorporate the [[Pirate]] role patch, Pirates [[Alternate item names|know the scimitar]] as a '''cutlass'''.
+In variants that incorporate the [[Pirate]] role patch (particularly the second patch by [[User:Chris|Chris]]), Pirates [[Alternate item names|know the scimitar]] as a '''cutlass'''. [[Reaver]] is an artifact cutlass that serves as the Pirate [[crowning]] gift.
-[[Mayor Cummerbund]], the Pirate [[quest leader]], has a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with a rustproof cutlass, and [[quest guardian]] [[pirate brother]]s each generate with a cutlass. [[Reaver]] is an artifact cutlass that serves as the Pirate [[crowning]] gift. [[Skeletal pirate]]s are generated with rusted cutlasses.
+[[Mayor Cummerbund]], the [[Quest leader|leader]] for the [[Pirate quest]], has a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with a rustproof cutlass, and [[quest guardian]] [[pirate brother]]s each generate with a cutlass. [[Skeletal pirate]]s are generated with rusted cutlasses.
 ===SLASH'EM===
@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 {{Scimitar skill table (dNetHack)}}
-These variants also add the [[elven scimitar]], [[high-elven warsword]] and [[bow-blade]] as weapons that use the scimitar skill. Scimitars themselves are slightly less common, making up {{frac|13|1000}} (1.3%) of all weapons that are randomly generated on the floor, in general shops or as death drops.
+The [[Spirit (dNetHack)|spirit]] [[Dantalion]] grants skill in scimitars while bound.
-As in the original Pirate patch, [[Pirate/dNetHack|Pirates]] know the scimitar as a "cutlass".
+dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack variants also add the [[elven scimitar]], [[high-elven warsword]] and [[bow-blade]] as weapons that use the scimitar skill. Scimitars themselves are slightly less common, making up {{frac|13|1000}} (1.3%) of all weapons that are randomly generated on the floor, in general shops or as death drops.
-A hero that wields a scimitar while they are at Skilled or better in scimitars gains the "long slash" [[expert trait]].
+A hero that wields a scimitar while they are at Skilled or better in scimitars gains the "long slash" [[expert trait]]. As in the original Pirate patch, Pirates know the scimitar as a "cutlass".
 ===SpliceHack===
@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 ===EvilHack===
 [[EvilHack]] consolidates scimitars into the saber skill group and adds the [[orcish scimitar]], which uses the saber skill and replaces the standard scimitar in the inventory of non-undead orcs.
 [[Druid]]s have a {{frac|2}} chance of starting the game with a +1 scimitar as their weapon.
 A scimitar can be created at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] by combining a [[short sword]] and a [[knife]]. Scimitars can be used at a forge to create various weapons:
@@ Line 101: / Line 105: @@
 [[Hack'EM]] adds the falchion from SpliceHack and the orcish scimitar from EvilHack, and the scimitar skill is merged into the saber skill as in EvilHack. As in the original Pirate patch, [[Pirate/Hack'EM|Pirates]] know the scimitar as a "cutlass".
-[[Barbarian/Hack'EM|Barbarians]] can start with a falchion and scimitar as in SpliceHack.
+[[Barbarian/Hack'EM|Barbarians]] have a {{frac|2}} chance of starting with a falchion and scimitar as in SpliceHack. Pirates start each game with a +0 scimitar.
 A falchion can be created at a forge by combining two scimitars.

@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 ===EvilHack===
 [[EvilHack]] consolidates scimitars into the saber skill group and adds the [[orcish scimitar]], which uses the saber skill and replaces the standard scimitar in the inventory of non-undead orcs.
 A scimitar can be created at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] by combining a [[short sword]] and a [[knife]]. Scimitars can be used at a forge to create various weapons:
@@ Line 94: / Line 96: @@
 Of the roles retained from SLASH'EM, Ice Mages are restricted in the skill in SlashTHEM, while the skill caps of all other SLASH'EM roles are unchanged. [[Orc (starting race)|Orcish]] heroes can always reach a minimum of Skilled in scimitars.
-[[Corsair]]s start the game with a +1 scimitar, and use the same alternate item names as Pirates do.
+Corsairs start the game with a +1 scimitar, and use the same alternate item names as Pirates do.
 ===Hack'EM===

@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 [[Mayor Cummerbund]], the Pirate [[quest leader]], has a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with a rustproof cutlass, and [[quest guardian]] [[pirate brother]]s each generate with a cutlass. [[Reaver]] is an artifact cutlass that serves as the Pirate [[crowning]] gift. [[Skeletal pirate]]s are generated with rusted cutlasses.
 ===NetHack brass===
@@ Line 58: / Line 62: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-[[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]] retain the scimitar as a separate weapon skill, and add the [[elven scimitar]], [[high-elven warsword]] and [[bow-blade]] as weapons that use the scimitar skill.
+[[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]] retain the scimitar skill as a separate weapon skill, and the caps of that skill per role are as follows:
 As in the original Pirate patch, [[Pirate/dNetHack|Pirates]] know the scimitar as a "cutlass".
 ===SpliceHack===
@@ Line 70: / Line 79: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-[[EvilHack]] consolidates scimitars into the saber skill group and adds the [[orcish scimitar]], which uses the saber skill and replaces the standard scimitar for the starting inventory of non-undead orcs.
+[[EvilHack]] consolidates scimitars into the saber skill group and adds the [[orcish scimitar]], which uses the saber skill and replaces the standard scimitar in the inventory of non-undead orcs.
 A scimitar can be created at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] by combining a [[short sword]] and a [[knife]]. Scimitars can be used at a forge to create various weapons:
@@ Line 80: / Line 89: @@
 ===SlashTHEM===
-In [[SlashTHEM]], the scimitar skill and saber skill are separate.
+[[SlashTHEM]] retains the separate scimitar and saber skills as SLASH'EM does, and the skill caps for the roles added in SlashTHEM are as follows:
-[[Corsair]]s start the game with a +1 cutlass, and use the same alternate item names as [[Pirate/SlashTHEM|Pirates]] do.
+[[Corsair]]s start the game with a +1 scimitar, and use the same alternate item names as Pirates do.
 ===Hack'EM===
-[[Hack'EM]] adds the falchion from SpliceHack and the orcish scimitar from EvilHack, and the scimitar skill is merged into the saber skill. As in the original Pirate patch, [[Pirate/Hack'EM|Pirates]] know the scimitar as a "cutlass".
+[[Hack'EM]] adds the falchion from SpliceHack and the orcish scimitar from EvilHack, and the scimitar skill is merged into the saber skill as in EvilHack. As in the original Pirate patch, [[Pirate/Hack'EM|Pirates]] know the scimitar as a "cutlass".
 [[Barbarian/Hack'EM|Barbarians]] can start with a falchion and scimitar as in SpliceHack.

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Though scimitars deal respectable damage, many [[role]]s that have access to the saber skill may prefer the upgrade paths afforded by the [[long sword]] or [[silver saber]], the versatility of [[dagger]]s, or the sheer power of the [[unicorn horn]] or [[dwarvish mattock]]. [[Heroes]] such as [[Archeologist]]s, [[Healer]]s or [[Tourist]]s that have poor starting weapons or melee skills, might consider using a scimitar early on until they can gain access to an artifact weapon or a stronger mundane weapon.
+Though scimitars deal respectable damage, many [[role]]s that have access to the saber skill may prefer the upgrade paths afforded by the [[long sword]], the versatility of [[dagger]]s, or the sheer power of the [[unicorn horn]] or [[dwarvish mattock]]. [[Heroes]] such as [[Archeologist]]s, [[Healer]]s or [[Tourist]]s that have poor starting weapons or melee skills, might consider using a scimitar early on until they can gain access to an artifact weapon or a stronger mundane weapon.
 [[Illiterate]] and [[wishless]] [[conduct]] players might consider making use of a scimitar until they gain access to an [[altar]] or other means of obtaining artifact weapons&mdash;a few especially needy characters (conduct play and otherwise) might find Perseus' scimitar to be the best one-handed non-[[artifact]] weapon that is guaranteed to be available.
 ==History==

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 ==Generation==
-Scimitars make up about 1.5% of randomly generated weapons (on the floor, as [[death drop]]s, or in [[shop]]s).
+The scimitar makes up {{frac|3|200}} (1.5%) of all weapons that are randomly generated on the floor, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Used armor dealerships and antique weapon outlets can also stock scimitars.
-General [[store]]s, antique weapons outlets and used armor dealerships can sell scimitars.
+Some [[Orc (monster class)|orcs]] are [[generated with]] scimitars:
-Many [[Orc (monster class)|orcish]] monsters are [[Monster starting inventory|generated with]] scimitars:
+* [[Mordor orc]]s have a {{frac|3}} chance of being generated with a scimitar.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|416|nethack=5.0.0|comment=chances of weapons for Mordor orcs}}
-* [[Hobgoblin]]s, [[Orc (monster)|orcs]] and [[hill orc]]s have a {{frac|4}} chance of generating with a scimitar.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|426|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=default orcish weapons}}
+The [[statue]] of [[Perseus]] on [[Medusa's Island]] has a {{frac|2}} chance of containing a [[blessed]] [[Enchantment|+2]] scimitar.{{refsrc|dat/medusa-1.lua|69-L71|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|dat/medusa-2.lua|64-L66|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|dat/medusa-3.lua|91-L93|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|dat/medusa-4.lua|93-L95|nethack=5.0.0}}
 ==Strategy==
-Scimitars deal respectable damage, but are not often used since most [[role]]s with the skill prefer the upgrade paths afforded by the [[long sword]] or [[silver saber]], the versatility of [[dagger]]s, or the sheer power of the [[unicorn horn]] or [[dwarvish mattock]].
+Though scimitars deal respectable damage, many [[role]]s that have access to the saber skill may prefer the upgrade paths afforded by the [[long sword]] or [[silver saber]], the versatility of [[dagger]]s, or the sheer power of the [[unicorn horn]] or [[dwarvish mattock]]. [[Heroes]] such as [[Archeologist]]s, [[Healer]]s or [[Tourist]]s that have poor starting weapons or melee skills, might consider using a scimitar early on until they can gain access to an artifact weapon or a stronger mundane weapon.
-[[Heroes]] with poor starting weapons or melee skills, such as and [[Archeologist]], [[Healer]] or [[Tourist]], might consider using a scimitar early on&mdash;a few especially needy characters might find Perseus' scimitar to be the best non-[[artifact weapon|artifact]] one-handed weapon available. [[Illiterate]] and [[wishless]] [[conduct]] players might consider making use of a scimitar until they gain access to an [[altar]] or other means of obtaining artifact weapons.
+[[Illiterate]] and [[wishless]] [[conduct]] players might consider making use of a scimitar until they gain access to an [[altar]] or other means of obtaining artifact weapons&mdash;a few especially needy characters (conduct play and otherwise) might find Perseus' scimitar to be the best one-handed non-[[artifact]] weapon that is guaranteed to be available.
 ==History==
 The scimitar first appears in [[NetHack 1.3d]].
-From the introduction of the skill system in [[NetHack 3.2.0]] to [[NetHack 3.6.7]], the scimitar had its own unique skill:
+From the introduction of the skill system in [[NetHack 3.2.0]] to [[NetHack 3.6.7]], including some variants based on those versions, the scimitar has its own weapon skill separate from the saber:
 {{scimitar skill table}}
@@ Line 48: / Line 47: @@
 ==Variants==
-Some ''NetHack'' [[variant]]s prior to the release of 5.0.0 merge the scimitar into the saber skill class.
+Some ''NetHack'' [[variant]]s created prior to the release of 5.0.0 may retain the scimitar as a separate weapon skill, while others merge the scimitar into the saber skill class themselves.
 ===Pirate patch===
-In variants that incorporate the [[Pirate]] role, Pirates [[Alternate item names|know the scimitar]] as a '''cutlass'''. [[Mayor Cummerbund]], the Pirate [[quest leader]], has a {{frac|3}} chance of generating with a rustproof cutlass, and [[quest guardian]] [[pirate brother]]s each generate with a cutlass. [[Reaver]] is an artifact cutlass that serves as the Pirate [[crowning]] gift. [[Skeletal pirate]]s are generated with rusted cutlasses.
+In variants that incorporate the [[Pirate]] role patch, Pirates [[Alternate item names|know the scimitar]] as a '''cutlass'''.
 ===NetHack brass===
@@ Line 57: / Line 58: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-[[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]] add the [[high-elven warsword]] as a weapon that uses the scimitar skill.
+[[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]] retain the scimitar as a separate weapon skill, and add the [[elven scimitar]], [[high-elven warsword]] and [[bow-blade]] as weapons that use the scimitar skill.
-Pirates know the scimitar as a '''cutlass'''.
+As in the original Pirate patch, [[Pirate/dNetHack|Pirates]] know the scimitar as a '''cutlass'''.
 ===SpliceHack===
-[[SpliceHack]] adds the [[falchion]] as a [[two-handed]] weapon that uses the scimitar skill&mdash;Barbarians may start the game with a falchion and scimitar as their weapons.
+[[SpliceHack]] adds the [[falchion]] as a [[two-handed]] weapon that uses the scimitar skill.
 The defunct [[Dancer]] role starts with a blessed +1 scimitar.
@@ Line 77: / Line 80: @@
 ===SlashTHEM===
-In [[SlashTHEM]], [[Corsair]]s start the game with a +1 cutlass, and use the same alternate item names as Pirates do.
+In [[SlashTHEM]], the scimitar skill and saber skill are separate.
 ===Hack'EM===
-[[Hack'EM]] adds the falchion from SpliceHack and the orcish scimitar from EvilHack, and the scimitar skill is merged into the saber skill. Barbarians can start with a falchion and scimitar as in SpliceHack.
+[[Hack'EM]] adds the falchion from SpliceHack and the orcish scimitar from EvilHack, and the scimitar skill is merged into the saber skill.
 A falchion can be created at a forge by combining two scimitars.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==
-{{encyclopedia|Oh, how handsome, how noble was the Vizier Ali Tebelin,
+{{encyclopedia|
 my father, as he stood there in the midst of the shot, his
 scimitar in his hand, his face black with powder!  How his
 enemies fled before him!
-|[ The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas ]}}
+|[ The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas ]
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-367}}
+{{nethack-500}}
 [[Category:Weapons]]