Valkyrie - Revision history

Netzhack: /* Encyclopedia entry */ line breaks

2026-05-26T10:48:01Z

‎Encyclopedia entry: line breaks

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ similarly adjust everything above it...

2026-05-09T15:54:17Z

‎Strategy: similarly adjust everything above it...

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ tweak this - honestly I think this is fine for the template, still open to prettying it up later

2026-05-09T15:52:49Z

‎Strategy: tweak this - honestly I think this is fine for the template, still open to prettying it up later

Umbire the Phantom: keyboard may be dead so sending what I got lol

2026-05-09T01:02:38Z

keyboard may be dead so sending what I got lol

Show changes

Umbire the Phantom: /* Early game */ rephrase this bit

2026-05-08T11:02:59Z

‎Early game: rephrase this bit

Umbire the Phantom: rework things up to midgame to further incorporate current version information

2026-05-08T11:01:43Z

rework things up to midgame to further incorporate current version information

Umbire the Phantom: work my way through this up to exactly the early game section

2026-05-08T09:25:33Z

work my way through this up to exactly the early game section

Darth l33t: start of 5.0.0 update

2026-05-07T17:20:27Z

start of 5.0.0 update

Umbire the Phantom: Undo revision 197623 by Umbire the Phantom (talk) per my talk page

2026-01-14T23:57:39Z

Undo revision 197623 by Umbire the Phantom (talk) per my talk page

Umbire the Phantom: /* Attributes */ table-ify hp/pw

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‎Attributes: table-ify hp/pw

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 ==Encyclopedia entry==
 {{encyclopedia|
-The Valkyries were the thirteen choosers of the slain, the
+The Valkyries were the thirteen choosers of the slain, the beautiful warrior-maids of Odin who rode through the air and over the sea.  They watched the progress of the battle and selected the heroes who were to fall fighting.  After they were dead, the maidens rewarded the heroes by kissing them and then led their souls to Valhalla, where the warriors lived happily in an ideal existence, drinking and eating without restraint and fighting over again the battles in which they died and in which they had won their deathless fame.
 |[ The Encyclopaedia of Myths and Legends of All Nations, by Herbert Robinson and Knox Wilson ]
 }}

@@ Line 85: / Line 85: @@
 ==Strategy==
-While ''NetHack'' is still an overall difficult game, Valkyries are often considered to be among the [[Role difficulty|easiest roles]] available, if not ''the'' easiest outright. The role is heavily tailored towards melee combat by its attributes and starting inventory, which includes one of the strongest starting melee weapons in the +1 long sword&mdash;their heavy [[spellcasting]] penalty for [[metallic]] armor also means that a player can freely wear whatever armor they determine to be non-cursed and best for the hero. This straightforward focus on melee combat allows new players to more readily grasp the basic goals that a hero must meet to progress, and gives them room to develop a sense of when their melee strengths are not enough and when to resort to [[ranged attack]]s (e.g., [[dagger]]s and attack [[wand]]s).
+While ''NetHack'' is still an overall difficult game, Valkyries are often considered to be among the [[Role difficulty|easiest roles]] available, if not ''the'' easiest outright. The role is heavily tailored towards melee combat by their attributes and starting inventory, which includes one of the stronger starting melee weapons in the +1 spear (or dwarvidh spear)&mdash;their heavy [[spellcasting]] penalty for [[metallic]] armor also means that a hero can freely wear whatever armor they determine to be non-cursed and best for them. This straightforward focus also allows new players to more readily grasp the basic goals that a hero must meet to progress, and gives them room to develop a sense of when their melee strengths are not enough and when to resort to [[ranged attack]]s (e.g., [[dagger]]s and attack [[wand]]s).
 {{recent|NetHack 5.0.0|Strategy developments still in progress.}}

@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 While ''NetHack'' is still an overall difficult game, Valkyries are often considered to be among the [[Role difficulty|easiest roles]] available, if not ''the'' easiest outright. The role is heavily tailored towards melee combat by its attributes and starting inventory, which includes one of the strongest starting melee weapons in the +1 long sword&mdash;their heavy [[spellcasting]] penalty for [[metallic]] armor also means that a player can freely wear whatever armor they determine to be non-cursed and best for the hero. This straightforward focus on melee combat allows new players to more readily grasp the basic goals that a hero must meet to progress, and gives them room to develop a sense of when their melee strengths are not enough and when to resort to [[ranged attack]]s (e.g., [[dagger]]s and attack [[wand]]s).
-{{recent|NetHack 5.0.0|Strategy still in progress.}}
+{{recent|NetHack 5.0.0|Strategy developments still in progress.}}
 ===Character creation===

@@ Line 97: / Line 97: @@
 ===Early game===
-A Valkyrie's starting +1 spear meets the mass majority their melee weapon needs throughout the early game, which is especially true of the dwarven valkyrie's +1 dwarvish spear&mdash;multiple spears offer a strong ranged option, though they are much heavier compared to a stack of daggers (which Valkyries can train to Expert). Such ranged weapons are handy for wearing down particularly strong monsters, eliminating ones with annoying [[passive attacks]] or shooting past [[boulder]]s while in [[Sokoban]]. The starting spear will likely be exchanged for a long sword, which trades the ability to throw one for better base damage against large monsters and a gateway to many artifact weapons.
+A Valkyrie's starting +1 spear meets the mass majority their melee weapon needs throughout the early game, which is especially true of the dwarven valkyrie's +1 dwarvish spear&mdash;multiple spears offer a strong ranged option, though they are much heavier compared to a stack of daggers (which Valkyries can train to Expert). Such ranged weapons are handy for wearing down particularly strong monsters, eliminating ones with annoying [[passive attacks]] or shooting past [[boulder]]s while in [[Sokoban]]. The starting spear will likely be exchanged for a long sword down the line, which trades the ability to throw the primary weapon for one with better base damage against large monsters and a gateway skill to many artifact weapons.
 The +3 [[small shield]] is extremely useful [[armor]] that is incredibly light for its [[AC]], and can be supplemented with any armor that isn't cursed or too cumbersome. This leaves a Valkyrie player somewhat more room to focus on obtaining resistance properties, including [[poison resistance]] to avoid possible deaths from [[trap]]s. A Valkyrie's combat prowess should not be taken for granted: smart retreating and [[Elbereth]] usage can prevent [[YASD]] and save a Valkyrie's life many times over, especially against groups of monsters such as [[soldier ant]]s and [[Mordor orc]]s.

@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 ==Strategy==
 While ''NetHack'' is still an overall difficult game, Valkyries are often considered to be among the [[Role difficulty|easiest roles]] available, if not ''the'' easiest outright. The role is heavily tailored towards melee combat by its attributes and starting inventory, which includes one of the strongest starting melee weapons in the +1 long sword&mdash;their heavy [[spellcasting]] penalty for [[metallic]] armor also means that a player can freely wear whatever armor they determine to be non-cursed and best for the hero. This straightforward focus on melee combat allows new players to more readily grasp the basic goals that a hero must meet to progress, and gives them room to develop a sense of when their melee strengths are not enough and when to resort to [[ranged attack]]s (e.g., [[dagger]]s and attack [[wand]]s).
 ===Character creation===
 The dwarven Valkyrie is both frequently recommended for new players and employed for [[speed ascension]]s by more experienced players. The always-lawful dwarves are most suited for a role with such physical prowess, especially with their generous [[HP]] growth, and [[infravision]] is a major boon for finding distant targets to storm with [[dagger]]s or strike with a thrown [[Mjollnir]]; they are also guaranteed to have a very peaceful [[Gnomish Mines]]. The dwarvish spear does more damage than the human variety against small targets, although many Valkyries will discard the spear as soon as they find a [[long sword]], which has superior base damage to both weapons but cannot be thrown and requires more training in the skill.
-For a human Valkyrie, being lawful makes the Mines somewhat safe since most of the dwarves will be peaceful, though fewer hostile dwarves does mean that it will be comparatively more difficult to acquire their gear without the hero losing [[alignment record]] or risking their pet's safety. Later in the game, several powerful [[Monster spell|spellcasting]] monsters like [[titan]]s and [[golden naga]]s are often peaceful to lawful heroes. This is especially important for Valkyries, who often have difficulty dealing with casters outside of melee range without [[wand]]s or a stack of projectiles, since hostile spellcasters are at their most dangerous up close. Lawful [[sacrifice gift]]s are generally better, since they include [[Grayswandir]] and several long swords, and dipping for [[Excalibur]] is also an option.
+For a human Valkyrie, being lawful makes the Mines somewhat safe since most of the dwarves will be peaceful, though fewer hostile dwarves does mean that it will be comparatively more difficult to acquire their gear without the hero losing [[alignment record]] or risking their pet's safety. Later in the game, several powerful [[Monster spell|spellcasting]] monsters like [[titan]]s and [[golden naga]]s are often peaceful to lawful heroes. This is especially important for Valkyries, who often have difficulty dealing with casters outside of melee range without [[wand]]s or a stack of projectiles, since hostile spellcasters are at their most dangerous up close. Lawful [[sacrifice gift]]s are generally better and include [[Grayswandir]] along with several artifact long swords&mdash;while dipping for [[Excalibur]] is also an option, it is much less reliable to obtain unless the hero is a [[Knight]].
 The neutral alignment has different upsides: In the early game, neutral Valkyries will encounter more hostile monsters, but can more reliably obtain armor and weapons from them, while in the mid-to-late game they benefit from a better selection of [[Wish#Quest artifacts|artifact wishes]] than than their lawful counterparts, and the [[mysterious force]] is less punitive for them on the [[ascension run]]. In particular, players aiming for a spellcasting Valkyrie build will likely favor neutral humans, especially because of the benefits provided by [[The Eye of the Aethiopica]].
 ===Early game===
-A Valkyrie's starting +1 spear meets the mass majority their melee weapon needs throughout the early game; their +3 [[small shield]] is extremely useful and incredibly light for its [[AC]], and can be supplemented with any [[armor]] that isn't cursed or too cumbersome. This leaves a player somewhat more room to focus on obtaining resistance properties, including [[poison resistance]] to avoid instant deaths from [[trap]]s. A Valkyrie's combat prowess should not be taken for granted: smart retreating and [[Elbereth]] usage can prevent [[YASD]] and save a Valkyrie's life many times over, especially against groups of monsters such as [[soldier ant]]s and [[Mordor orc]]s.
+A Valkyrie's starting +1 spear meets the mass majority their melee weapon needs throughout the early game, which is especially true of the dwarven valkyrie's +1 dwarvish spear&mdash;multiple spears offer a strong ranged option, though they are much heavier compared to a stack of daggers (which Valkyries can train to Expert). Such ranged weapons are handy for wearing down particularly strong monsters, eliminating ones with annoying [[passive attacks]] or shooting past [[boulder]]s while in [[Sokoban]]. The starting spear will likely be exchanged for a long sword, which trades the ability to throw one for better base damage against large monsters and a gateway to many artifact weapons.
-The starting spear should likely be exchanged for a long sword when possible, which does more damage against large monsters and is a gateway to many artifact weapons. Collecting daggers (which Valkyries can train to Expert) can come in handy for wearing down particularly strong monsters, eliminating ones with annoying [[passive attacks]] or shooting past [[boulder]]s while in [[Sokoban]].
+The Gnomish Mines are a plentiful source of armor and weapons among other loot, and many of the typical inhabitants will be peaceful for dwarven Valkyries, making it more likely that the Mines' random items will be left untouched. Lawful Valkyries can let their pet fight to obtain armor and weapons, though they should take care not to let the pet die in the process. Conversely, human Valkyries will find some of the dwarves and gnomes (or ''all'' of them, for neutral humans) less peaceful and more willing to grab and use items against them&mdash;while this means facing more threats that can prove unexpectedly deadly, it also provides an opportunity for valuable experience, skill training and gathering equipment. An AC of roughly -5 by the end of the Gnomish Mines is a reasonable goal to shoot for, and the [[luckstone]] at [[Mines' End]] is worth going for to secure the hero's [[luck]] going forward, though they must also be prepared for the dangers of [[polymorph trap]]s and other severe pitfalls en route.
-Mjollnir is a strong first sacrifice gift that remains useful well into the late game, and neutral Valkyries will almost certainly want to go for it, while lawful Valkyries will generally prefer Excalibur or other lawful artifacts. A Valkyrie with [[gauntlets of power]] can throw Mjollnir as a powerful ranged attack, though this carries the risk of it failing to return or else hitting the hero upon returning: while the odds of each are incredibly low, the risk posed to any rings and wands in their open inventory is enough to deter most players from attempting it in the first place.
+Mjollnir is a strong first sacrifice gift that remains useful well into the late game, as few monsters have [[shock resistance]], and most Valkyries will almost certainly want to sacrifice for it when possible. Lawful Valkyries that manage to successfully create Excalibur will likely prefer it as their main artifact weapon to Mjollnir throughout the game for its better base damage, bonus damage that hits all monsters ''including'' nastier shock-resistant hostiles such as [[energy vortices]], and the [[drain resistance]] it provides that is only obtainable from a few sources otherwise.
-The Gnomish Mines are a plentiful source of armor and weapons among other loot: for dwarven Valkyries, many of the typical inhabitants will be peaceful, making it more likely that the Mines' random items will be left untouched. Lawful Valkyries can let their pet fight the inhabitants to get at their armor and weapons, though they should take care not to let the pet die in the process. Conversely, human Valkyries will find some of the dwarves and gnomes (or all of them, for neutral humans) less peaceful and more willing to pick up and use items against them, which also provides an opportunity for valuable experience, skill training and gathering equipment. An AC of roughly -5 by the end of the Gnomish Mines is a reasonable goal to shoot for, and the [[luckstone]] at [[Mines' End]] is worth going for to secure the hero's [[luck]] going forward, though they must also be prepared for the dangers of [[polymorph trap]]s and other severe pitfalls en route.
+A Valkyrie with [[gauntlets of power]] can throw Mjollnir as a powerful ranged attack, though this is optional and also has a {{frac|100}} chance of the artifact either failing to return or else hitting the hero upon returning: while the odds of each are incredibly low overall, the risk to any rings and wands in the open inventory is enough to deter most players from attempting it in the first place. For Valkyries willing to take that risk, finding a [[Ring of shock resistance|ring]] or [[shield of shock resistance]] randomly&ndash;or else using an early [[wish]] on an item like [[blue dragon scale mail]] (which provides shock resistance and very fast speed)&ndash;will have the already-low odds of inventory destruction reduced much further.
 ===Mid-game===
-Around the mid-game, a Valkyrie should ideally have at least one of the [[scroll of enchant weapon]] or [[scroll of enchant armor]] identified, along with some [[holy water]] to bless a few of the scrolls for reading; when enchanting and/or [[erosion]]-proofing equipment, priority should be given to the primary artifact weapon and any additional weapons armor that will remain in their kit long-term. An AC of roughly -10 is considered sufficient for the later portions of the mid-game, which can be trivialized by obtaining [[dragon scale mail]] or happening upon a [[wish]]; spellcasting Valkyries will be more hard-pressed to maintain a reasonable AC without impacting their already-limited casting ability. On the note of spells, a Valkyrie can read a [[spellbook]] or two at this point in order to have confusion on-demand if they are confident in their ability to reach the late game.
+By around the mid-game, most Valkyries should have at least one of the [[scroll of enchant weapon]] or [[scroll of enchant armor]] identified, along with some [[holy water]] to bless a few of the scrolls for reading&mdash;when enchanting and/or [[erosion]]-proofing equipment, priority should be given to the primary artifact weapon and any additional weapons or armor that will remain in their long-term kit. An AC of roughly -10 is considered sufficient for the later portions of the mid-game, which can be trivialized for a majority of builds by obtaining [[dragon scale mail]] or happening upon a wish source: spellcasting Valkyries will be more reliant on both, since high-AC armor outside of dragon scale mail will be [[metallic]] and their casting ability is already limited. On the note of spells, a melee-focused Valkyrie can read a [[spellbook]] or two at this point in order to have confusion on-demand if they are confident in their ability to reach the late game.
 Upon reaching around XL 10, a Valkyrie player should also give consideration to whether or not they want to utilize [[two-weapon combat]], which foregoes the ability to use a [[shield]] for much higher damage output. Excalibur and/or Mjollnir are the most common weapon choices in either case, and a particularly patient Valkyrie player may opt to try for [[Grayswandir]] or [[Frost Brand]]. Valkyries that favor two-weaponing long-term may further consider leaving their primary weapon's skill (usually long swords for Excalibur) at Skilled due to their twoweapon skill cap, though they normally have spare skill slots to spend on raising a skill to Expert for some short-term benefits. Common choices for the offhand when two-weaponing combat include [[long sword]]s, [[katana]]s and [[silver saber]]s.

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ==Starting inventory==
-Each Valkyrie starts with the following equipment:{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|160|version=NetHack 5.0.0}}
+Each Valkyrie starts with the following equipment:{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|160|nethack=5.0.0}}
-* a +1 [[spear]] ([[dwarvish spear]] if a dwarf), [[wielded]]
+* a +1 [[spear]] ([[wielded]])
 * a +0 [[dagger]] (alternate weapon)
 * a +3 [[small shield]]
 * 1-2 uncursed [[food ration]]s
-* an uncursed [[oil lamp]] ({{frac|6}} chance or 16.7%){{refsrc|src/u_init.c|783|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+* an uncursed [[oil lamp]] ({{frac|6}} chance or 16.7%){{refsrc|src/u_init.c|769|nethack=5.0.0}}
-Valkyries start with knowledge of all non-[[Magical item|magical]] weapons and armor, along with any applicable racial equipment.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|785|nethack=3.6.7}}
+Dwarven Valkyries will start with a [[dwarvish spear]] rather than a normal one.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|246|nethack=5.0.0}}
 The Valkyrie's default starting [[pet]] is a [[little dog]] or [[kitten]] with equal probability.
@@ Line 28: / Line 30: @@
 ==Attributes==
-The Valkyrie's starting [[attribute]]s are distributed as follows:{{refsrc|src/role.c|527|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Val attributes and distributions}}
+The Valkyrie's starting [[attribute]]s are distributed as follows:{{refsrc|src/role.c|518|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Val attributes and distributions}}
 {| class="prettytable"
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 The means and standard deviations were calculated via simulation, whose source code can be found on [[Talk:Role#Initial attribute simulation code|the role article's talk page]], and assumes that all given roles are played as humans&mdash;non-human races will have different attribute means as a result of different attribute maximums.
-Human Valkyries start with 16 [[HP]] and 2 [[Pw]]. Dwarven Valkyries start with 18 HP and 1 Pw.
+Human Valkyries start with 16 [[HP]] and 2 [[Pw]], and . Dwarven Valkyries start with 18 HP and 1 Pw.
 ==Skills==
-Valkyries have the following [[skill]]s available to them:{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|510|nethack=3.6.7}}
+Valkyries have the following [[skill]]s available to them:{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|518|nethack=5.0.0}}
 {{Valkyrie skill table}}
-Valkyries start with ''Basic'' skill in spears and daggers. They use the [[wisdom]] stat to cast spells, and their special spell is {{+ of|cone of cold}}.{{refsrc|src/role.c|539|nethack=3.6.7}}
+Valkyries start with ''Basic'' skill in spears and daggers. They use the [[wisdom]] stat to cast spells, and their special spell is {{+ of|cone of cold}}.{{refsrc|src/role.c|530-L531|nethack=5.0.0}}
 ==Special rules==
 Valkyries never [[fumble]] while walking on [[ice]].
-Valkyries have a +2 bonus to casting [[emergency spells]].{{refsrc|src/role.c|536|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Val emergency spell value}}
+Valkyries have a +2 bonus to casting [[emergency spells]].{{refsrc|src/role.c|527|nethack=5.0.0|comment=Val emergency spell value}}
-If the [[wield]]ed [[Mjollnir]] is thrown by a Valkyrie with 25 strength, it will return to their hand {{frac|99|100}} of the time, and the Valkyrie will catch it {{frac|99|100}} of the time unless they are [[impaired]]:{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1146|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1319|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1326|nethack=3.6.7}} if a Valkyrie fails to catch the returning Mjollnir, it has an equal chance of either landing at their feet or hitting them in the arm.{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1341|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1347|nethack=3.6.7}}
+If the [[wielded]] [[Mjollnir]] is thrown by a Valkyrie with 25 strength, it will return to their hand {{frac|99|100}} of the time, and the Valkyrie will catch it {{frac|99|100}} of the time unless they are [[impaired]]:{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|33|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|473-478|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1459-L1465|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1564|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1580-L1587|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1710-L1728|nethack=5.0.0}} if a Valkyrie fails to catch the returning Mjollnir, it has a roughly equal probability of either landing at their feet or hitting them in the arm.{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1729-L1749|nethack=5.0.0}}
 ==Rank titles==
-The [[status line]] displays one of the following ranks for the corresponding experience levels:{{refsrc|src/role.c|502|nethack=3.6.7}}
+The [[status line]] displays one of the following ranks for the corresponding experience levels, which are also used by player monsters of the same role and [[monster level]]:{{refsrc|src/role.c|494|nethack=5.0.0}}
 *XL 1-2: Stripling
@@ Line 72: / Line 74: @@
 ==Gods==
 {{main|Religion}}
-The Valkyrie pantheon is based on [[Wikipedia:Norse mythology|Norse mythology]].{{refsrc|src/role.c|511|nethack=3.6.7}} Their first [[sacrifice gift]] is [[Mjollnir]].
+The Valkyrie pantheon is based on [[Wikipedia:Norse mythology|Norse mythology]].{{refsrc|src/role.c|503|nethack=5.0.0}} Their first [[sacrifice gift]] is [[Mjollnir]].
 * Lawful: [[Tyr]]
@@ Line 80: / Line 82: @@
 ==Quest==
 {{main|Valkyrie quest}}
-The Valkyrie's quest sees them fighting [[Lord Surtur]] for [[the Orb of Fate]], an [[artifact]] [[crystal ball]]. The Orb of Fate grants [[warning]], [[half spell damage]], [[half physical damage]], and acts as a [[luckstone]] while carried. [[Invoking]] the Orb allows the hero to [[level teleport]].
+The Valkyrie's quest sees them fighting [[Lord Surtur]] for [[The Orb of Fate]], an [[artifact]] [[crystal ball]]. The Orb of Fate grants [[warning]], [[half spell damage]], [[half physical damage]], and acts as a [[luckstone]] while carried&mdash;a Valkyrie [[applying]] the Orb of Fate only needs 8 [[intelligence]] to guarantee success, compared to 16 for other roles applying an artifact crystal ball and 20 for heroes applying normal crystal balls. [[Invoking]] the Orb allows the hero to [[level teleport]].
 ==Strategy==
@@ Line 86: / Line 88: @@
 ===Character creation===
-The dwarven Valkyrie is both frequently recommended for new players and employed for [[speed ascension]]s by more experienced players. The always-lawful dwarves are most suited for a role with such physical prowess, especially with their generous [[HP]] growth, and [[infravision]] is a major boon for finding distant targets to storm with [[dagger]]s or strike with a thrown [[Mjollnir]]; they are also guaranteed to have a very peaceful [[Gnomish Mines]]. The dwarvish spear does more damage than the human variety against small targets, although most Valkyries will discard the spear as soon as they find a [[long sword]], which is superior to both.
+The dwarven Valkyrie is both frequently recommended for new players and employed for [[speed ascension]]s by more experienced players. The always-lawful dwarves are most suited for a role with such physical prowess, especially with their generous [[HP]] growth, and [[infravision]] is a major boon for finding distant targets to storm with [[dagger]]s or strike with a thrown [[Mjollnir]]; they are also guaranteed to have a very peaceful [[Gnomish Mines]]. The dwarvish spear does more damage than the human variety against small targets, although many Valkyries will discard the spear as soon as they find a [[long sword]], which has superior base damage to both weapons but cannot be thrown and requires more training in the skill.
-For a human Valkyrie, being lawful makes the Mines somewhat safer, as most of the dwarves will be peaceful. This does, however, make it more difficult to acquire their gear without losing [[alignment record]] or risking their pet. Later in the game, several powerful [[monster spell|spellcasting]] monsters are often peaceful to lawful characters. This is especially important for Valkyries, who often have difficulty dealing with casters without closing to melee range where they're the most dangerous. Lawful [[sacrifice gift]]s include [[Grayswandir]] and several long swords, and dipping for [[Excalibur]] is also an option.
+For a human Valkyrie, being lawful makes the Mines somewhat safe since most of the dwarves will be peaceful, though fewer hostile dwarves does mean that it will be comparatively more difficult to acquire their gear without the hero losing [[alignment record]] or risking their pet's safety. Later in the game, several powerful [[Monster spell|spellcasting]] monsters like [[titan]]s and [[golden naga]]s are often peaceful to lawful heroes. This is especially important for Valkyries, who often have difficulty dealing with casters outside of melee range without [[wand]]s or a stack of projectiles, since hostile spellcasters are at their most dangerous up close. Lawful [[sacrifice gift]]s are generally better, since they include [[Grayswandir]] and several long swords, and dipping for [[Excalibur]] is also an option.
-The neutral alignment has different upsides: In the early game, neutral Valkyries will be able to obtain armor and weapons somewhat more reliably due to the higher presence of hostile monsters, while in the mid-to-late game they benefit from a better selection of [[Wish#Quest artifacts|artifact wishes]] than than their lawful counterparts, and the [[mysterious force]] is less punitive for them on the [[ascension run]]. In particular, players aiming for a spellcasting Valkyrie build will likely favor neutral humans, especially because of the benefits provided by [[The Eye of the Aethiopica]].
+The neutral alignment has different upsides: In the early game, neutral Valkyries will encounter more hostile monsters, but can more reliably obtain armor and weapons from them, while in the mid-to-late game they benefit from a better selection of [[Wish#Quest artifacts|artifact wishes]] than than their lawful counterparts, and the [[mysterious force]] is less punitive for them on the [[ascension run]]. In particular, players aiming for a spellcasting Valkyrie build will likely favor neutral humans, especially because of the benefits provided by [[The Eye of the Aethiopica]].
 ===Early game===

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 The means and standard deviations were calculated via simulation, whose source code can be found on [[Talk:Role#Initial attribute simulation code|the role article's talk page]], and assumes that all given roles are played as humans&mdash;non-human races will have different attribute means as a result of different attribute maximums.
-Human Valkyries start with 16 [[HP]] and 2 [[Pw]], while dwarves have 18 HP and 1 Pw.
+The following table summarizes the starting [[HP]] and [[energy]] values for each race of Valkyrie, as well as their bonuses upon gaining an experience level:
 ==Skills==