The Sceptre of Might - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-01-15T00:42:42Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: other touches

2025-04-08T11:19:25Z

other touches

Umbire the Phantom: /* SLASH'EM */ let's split this to

2025-04-08T11:09:06Z

‎SLASH'EM: let's split this to

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ evil

2025-02-04T22:27:31Z

‎Variants: evil

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2024-12-17T21:01:35Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ Fourk, etc.

2024-10-15T10:43:58Z

‎Variants: Fourk, etc.

Umbire the Phantom: FCU pass

2024-10-15T10:22:12Z

FCU pass

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2024-02-11T11:18:42Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: per talk page

2024-02-05T16:40:07Z

per talk page

Umbire the Phantom at 10:44, 23 July 2022

2022-07-23T10:44:02Z

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    |material=iron
 }}
 '''The Sceptre of Might''' is the [[Caveperson]] [[quest artifact]]. It is the prize for completing the [[Caveman quest]], and its default alignment is [[lawful]]. Its base item type is a [[mace]].
@@ Line 78: / Line 77: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], The Sceptre of Might has its base item type changed to a [[rod]], which is made of gemstone and deals slightly more base damage against large monsters (d8 versus a mace's d6), making the artifact a significantly better weapon.
+In [[EvilHack]], The Sceptre of Might has its base item type changed to a [[Rod (EvilHack)|rod]], which is made of gemstone and deals slightly more base damage against large monsters (d8 versus a mace's d6), making the artifact a significantly better weapon.
 If The Sceptre of Might is [[wish]]ed for by a non-Caveperson hero, there is a {{frac|x}} chance (where ''x'' is the amount of previous [[artifact]] wishes) of it being created successfully&mdash;if successful, [[Shaman Karnov]] will generate as the hostile owner of the artifact, placed adjacent to the hero with the artifact in his possession.

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 ==Generation==
-For Cavepeople, The Sceptre of Might always generates blessed on the Caveman quest goal level, where it is always placed on the square of the [[Chromatic Dragon]] at level creation.
+For Cavepeople, The Sceptre of Might always generates blessed on the Caveman quest goal level, where it is always placed on the square of the [[Chromatic Dragon]] at level creation. If a Caveperson loads a [[bones]] level containing the quest artifact, it will always be reverted to its base item.
 ==Description==
@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 ==History==
-The Sceptre of Might is introduced along with most of the other quest artifacts in [[NetHack 3.1.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.1.3]], its base item type is a [[quarterstaff]] - the Sceptre of Might is changed to its current base item in [[NetHack 3.2.0]].
+The Sceptre of Might is introduced along with most of the other quest artifacts in [[NetHack 3.1.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.1.3]], including some variants based on those versions, its base item type is a [[quarterstaff]]&mdash;the Sceptre of Might is changed to its current base item in [[NetHack 3.2.0]].
 From NetHack 3.1.0 to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including some variants based on those versions, The Sceptre of Might grants magic resistance while carried.

@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], The Sceptre of Might grants its magic resistance while carried as in NetHack 3.4.3 and previous versions, but its bonuses are significantly lowered to +3 to-hit and +5 bonus damage versus cross-aligned monsters, making it much weaker as a weapon.{{refsrc|artilist.h|331|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} [[Artifact blast]]s also do far more damage, dealing 8d10 to a hero that is not lawful or a Caveperson (or 6d10 with magic resistance).
+{{main|The Sceptre of Might (SLASH'EM)}}
 In [[SLASH'EM]], The Sceptre of Might grants its magic resistance while carried as in NetHack 3.4.3 and previous versions, but its bonuses are significantly lowered to +3 to-hit and +5 damage versus cross-aligned monsters.{{refsrc|artilist.h|331|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 ===NetHack Fourk===

@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 ===NetHack Fourk===
 In [[NetHack Fourk]], The Sceptre of Might is replaced by the [[Big Stick]] as the quest artifact for Cavepeople: it grants magic resistance while wielded, has +d5 to-hit and +d12 damage against all monsters, and can be invoked for conflict akin to the Sceptre. [[The Sceptre of Might (Fourk)|The Sceptre of Might]] is made into the [[Priest]] quest artifact and changed accordingly.
 ===xNetHack===
-In [[xNetHack]], The Sceptre of Might is replaced by the [[Big Stick]] as in NetHack Fourk, and [[The Sceptre of Might (xNetHack)|The Sceptre of Might]] is made into the Cleric quest artifact and changed accordingly.
+{{main|The Sceptre of Might (xNetHack)}}
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], The Sceptre of Might has its base item type changed to a [[rod]], which is made of gemstone and deals slightly more damage against large monsters (d8 versus a mace's d6), making the artifact a significantly better weapon.
+In [[EvilHack]], The Sceptre of Might has its base item type changed to a [[rod]], which is made of gemstone and deals slightly more base damage against large monsters (d8 versus a mace's d6), making the artifact a significantly better weapon.
-If The Sceptre of Might is [[wish]]ed for by a non-Caveperson hero, there is a {{frac|x}} chance (where ''x'' is the amount of previous [[artifact]] wishes) of it being created successfully, and an effective {{frac|x|(x+1)²}} chance of a hostile [[Shaman Karnov]] generating adjacent to the character with the artifact in his possession.
+If The Sceptre of Might is [[wish]]ed for by a non-Caveperson hero, there is a {{frac|x}} chance (where ''x'' is the amount of previous [[artifact]] wishes) of it being created successfully&mdash;if successful, [[Shaman Karnov]] will generate as the hostile owner of the artifact, placed adjacent to the hero with the artifact in his possession.
 Of note is that the Wizard of Yendor has a weapon attack in EvilHack, and will use the Sceptre against the hero should he steal it.

@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 In [[SLASH'EM]], The Sceptre of Might grants its magic resistance while carried as in NetHack 3.4.3 and previous versions, but its bonuses are significantly lowered to +3 to-hit and +5 bonus damage versus cross-aligned monsters, making it much weaker as a weapon.{{refsrc|artilist.h|331|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} [[Artifact blast]]s also do far more damage, dealing 8d10 to a hero that is not lawful or a Caveperson (or 6d10 with magic resistance).
-The Sceptre is still a solid artifact for its magic resistance and hunger-less conflict, but is heavily outclassed in terms of damage by other artifact weapons such as the [[Sword of Justice]] and [[The Stake of Van Helsing]]; [[The Crown of Saint Edward]] and the [[Magic Mirror of Merlin]] are also comparable candidates for lawful artifacts that grant magic resistance.
+The Sceptre is still a solid artifact for its magic resistance and hunger-less conflict, but is heavily outclassed in terms of damage by other artifact weapons such as the [[Sword of Justice]] and [[The Stake of Van Helsing (SLASH'EM)|The Stake of Van Helsing]]; [[The Crown of Saint Edward]] and the [[Magic Mirror of Merlin]] are also comparable candidates for lawful artifacts that grant magic resistance.
 ===NetHack Fourk===

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 }}
-'''The Sceptre of Might''' is the [[Caveman]] [[quest artifact]]. It is the prize for completing the [[Caveman quest]], and is [[lawful]] for [[wish]]ing purposes. Its base item type is a [[mace]].
+'''The Sceptre of Might''' is the [[Caveperson]] [[quest artifact]]. It is the prize for completing the [[Caveman quest]], and its default alignment is [[lawful]]. Its base item type is a [[mace]].
-==Effects==
+==Generation==
-When wielded, the Sceptre confers [[magic resistance]]; it has +d5 to-hit and deals double damage against monsters with a different alignment than the Sceptre. [[Invoking]] the Sceptre toggles [[conflict]] on or off; if the Sceptre leaves your main inventory, it will also stop causing conflict. Conflict caused by the Sceptre does not cause the usual [[nutrition]] drain.
+For Cavepeople, The Sceptre of Might always generates blessed on the Caveman quest goal level, where it is always placed on the square of the [[Chromatic Dragon]] at level creation.
 ==Strategy==
-:''See also: [[Invoke#Optimum invocation schedule|Invoke § Optimum invocation schedule]]''
+{{for|optimized invocation|Invoke#Optimum invocation schedule}}
-Thanks to its alignment-based [[double damage]], the Sceptre is one of the best weapons in the game versus cross-aligned monsters, and your quest artifact is always co-aligned. Since most monsters in the game are either [[neutral]] or [[chaotic]], for [[lawful]] characters the Sceptre is a great weapon, comparable even with a similarly enchanted [[Grayswandir]] against most non-silver hating monsters. However, the Sceptre is a somewhat weaker artifact for [[neutral]] Cavepeople; this becomes particularly noticeable in [[Gehennom]]. [[Erosion]]-proofing is recommended in either case, as quest artifacts are not generated damage-proof like [[sacrifice gift]]s; a backup source of magic resistance is also recommended, as the [[Wizard of Yendor]] can steal the Sceptre from you.
+Thanks to its alignment-based [[double damage]], The Sceptre of Might is one of the best weapons in the game versus cross-aligned monsters, and your quest artifact is always co-aligned. Since most monsters in the game are either [[neutral]] or [[chaotic]], for [[lawful]] characters the Sceptre is a great weapon, comparable even with a similarly enchanted [[Grayswandir]] against most non-silver hating monsters. However, the Sceptre is a somewhat weaker artifact for [[neutral]] Cavepeople; this becomes particularly noticeable in [[Gehennom]], where no lawful monsters generate. [[Erosion]]-proofing is recommended in either case, as quest artifacts are not generated damage-proof like [[sacrifice gift]]s; a backup source of magic resistance is also recommended, as the [[Wizard of Yendor]] can steal the Sceptre from you.
 The magic resistance, damage bonuses and conflict toggle also make the Sceptre of Might a viable (though optional) artifact [[wish]] for [[Knight]]s and lawful [[Priest]]s that have an early one to spare.
@@ Line 52: / Line 55: @@
 ==History==
-The Sceptre of Might is introduced along with most of the other quest artifacts in [[NetHack 3.1.0]]; from this version to [[NetHack 3.1.3]], its base item type was a [[quarterstaff]].
+The Sceptre of Might is introduced along with most of the other quest artifacts in [[NetHack 3.1.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.1.3]], its base item type is a [[quarterstaff]] - the Sceptre of Might is changed to its current base item in [[NetHack 3.2.0]].
-In [[NetHack 3.4.3]], earlier versions and some variants based on them, the Sceptre of Might's magic resistance was conferred when carried.
+From NetHack 3.1.0 to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including some variants based on those versions, The Sceptre of Might grants magic resistance while carried.
 ==Messages==
@@ Line 63: / Line 66: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], The Sceptre of Might confers its magic resistance while carried, but its bonuses are significantly lowered to +3 to-hit and +5 bonus damage versus cross-aligned monsters, making it much weaker as a weapon.{{refsrc|artilist.h|331|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} [[Artifact blast]]s also do far more damage at 8d10 (or 6d10 with magic resistance).
+In [[SLASH'EM]], The Sceptre of Might grants its magic resistance while carried as in NetHack 3.4.3 and previous versions, but its bonuses are significantly lowered to +3 to-hit and +5 bonus damage versus cross-aligned monsters, making it much weaker as a weapon.{{refsrc|artilist.h|331|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} [[Artifact blast]]s also do far more damage, dealing 8d10 to a hero that is not lawful or a Caveperson (or 6d10 with magic resistance).
-The Sceptre is still a solid artifact for its magic resistance and hunger-less conflict invoke, but is heavily outclassed in terms of damage by other artifact weapons such as the [[Sword of Justice]] and [[The Stake of Van Helsing]]; [[The Crown of Saint Edward]] and the [[Magic Mirror of Merlin]] are also comparable candidates for lawful artifact sources of magic resistance.
+The Sceptre is still a solid artifact for its magic resistance and hunger-less conflict, but is heavily outclassed in terms of damage by other artifact weapons such as the [[Sword of Justice]] and [[The Stake of Van Helsing]]; [[The Crown of Saint Edward]] and the [[Magic Mirror of Merlin]] are also comparable candidates for lawful artifacts that grant magic resistance.
 ===xNetHack===
-In [[xNetHack]], The Sceptre of Might is the [[Priest]] quest artifact, replacing the removed [[the Mitre of Holiness]]; it confers [[drain resistance]] when wielded, and invoking it provides an [[energy]] boost instead of toggling conflict. Cavemen have a new quest artifact called [[Big Stick]], which confers magic resistance when wielded and can be invoked for conflict akin to the vanilla Sceptre.
+In [[xNetHack]], The Sceptre of Might is replaced by the [[Big Stick]] which grants magic resistance while wielded, has +d5 to-hit and +d12 damage against all monsters, and can be invoked for conflict akin to the Sceptre. [[The Sceptre of Might (xNetHack)|The Sceptre of Might]] is made into the [[Priest]] quest artifact and changed accordingly.
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], the Sceptre of Might has its base item type changed to a [[rod]], which is made of gemstone and deals slightly more damage against large monsters than a mace (1d8), making the Sceptre a significantly better weapon. Of note is that the Wizard of Yendor is capable of weapon attacks in EvilHack, and will use the Sceptre against you should he steal it.
+In [[EvilHack]], The Sceptre of Might has its base item type changed to a [[rod]], which is made of gemstone and deals slightly more damage against large monsters than a mace (1d8), making the artifact a significantly better weapon.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ===Average damage calculation===
-The average damage calculations in the following table do not include bonuses from [[Skill|weapon skills]], [[strength]], or from using a [[blessed]] weapon against [[undead]] or [[demon]]s.
+The average damage calculations in the following table do not include bonuses from [[Skill|weapon skills]], [[strength]], or from using a [[blessed]] weapon against [[undead]] or [[M2_DEMON|demons]].
 {|class="wikitable"
 !rowspan="2"|Weapon

@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], the Sceptre of Might has its base item type changed to a [[rod]], which is made of gemstone and deals slightly more damage against large monsters than a mace (1d8); this and its base material of [[gemstone]] makes the Sceptre a significantly better weapon. Of note is that the Wizard of Yendor is capable of weapon attacks in EvilHack, and will use the Sceptre against you should he steal it.
+In [[EvilHack]], the Sceptre of Might has its base item type changed to a [[rod]], which is made of gemstone and deals slightly more damage against large monsters than a mace (1d8), making the Sceptre a significantly better weapon. Of note is that the Wizard of Yendor is capable of weapon attacks in EvilHack, and will use the Sceptre against you should he steal it.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==
@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-366}}
+{{nethack-367}}
 [[Category:Quest artifacts|Sceptre of Might]]
 [[Category:Artifact weapons|Sceptre of Might]]