Difference between revisions of "Shield"
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| − | A '''shield''' is a form of [[armor]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is one of seven armor slots available to the [[hero]] and certain [[monster]]s | + | A '''shield''' is a form of [[armor]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is one of seven armor slots available to the [[hero]] and certain [[monster]]s/ |
| − | == Description == | + | ==Description== |
| + | [[Wear]]ing a shield is incompatible with wielding a [[two-handed weapon]] or performing [[two weapon combat]]; wearing a shield also prevents the hero from dealing [[staggering blow]]s, and prevents a [[Monk]] from receiving a [[to-hit]] bonus for [[martial arts]]. | ||
| − | Wearing | + | Wearing any shield reduces the hero's [[spellcasting#Calculating spell success rate|spellcasting success rate]] - the [[small shield]] has the lowest reduction. |
| − | + | Any monster with [[hands]] that can wear armor and is not wielding a two-handed weapon can wear a shield.{{refsrc|nethack=3.6.7|src/worn.c|497}} | |
| − | + | If the hero or a monster is subject to a blast of [[disintegration]] and they do not have [[reflection]], any shield they are wearing will be destroyed first without affecting them or their worn body armor. | |
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| − | If the hero or a monster is subject to a blast of [[ | ||
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| + | ==List of shields== | ||
{|class="prettytable" | {|class="prettytable" | ||
! Shield | ! Shield | ||
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| [[Small shield]] || small shield || 3 || 30 || 1 || [[wood]] || Lower [[spellcasting]] penalty than other shields. | | [[Small shield]] || small shield || 3 || 30 || 1 || [[wood]] || Lower [[spellcasting]] penalty than other shields. | ||
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| − | | [[Elven shield]] || blue and green shield || 7 || 40 || 2 || [[wood]] || Can be [[ | + | | [[Elven shield]] || blue and green shield || 7 || 40 || 2 || [[wood]] || Can be [[Scroll of enchant armor|enchanted]] to +7. |
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| [[Orcish shield]] || red-eyed shield || 7 || 50 || 1 || [[iron]] || | | [[Orcish shield]] || red-eyed shield || 7 || 50 || 1 || [[iron]] || | ||
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| − | == Strategy == | + | ==Strategy== |
| + | Any shield that is non-cursed is safe to try on. In the early game, obtaining [[armor class]] is a priority, and most shields are useful to that end: the starting +3 small shield of a [[Valkyrie]] is a significant advantage over other roles, to the point that a non-Valkyrie hero who finds Valkyrie bones often benefits from wearing the shield, even if it is cursed. Monks have more than a few advantages from ''not'' wearing shields, including better to-hit and staggering blows. | ||
| − | + | In the mid-game, the relative value of armor class declines enough that most players in roles that can two-weapon (including Valkyries) will gladly give up a few points of AC from their shield for the damage increase - spellcasters focused on constant combat or utility spells may also forgo shields as well. | |
| − | + | Popular shield choices from the mid-game to the [[ascension run]] are: | |
| − | + | * [[shield of reflection]] -- [[reflection]] is an important extrinsic property | |
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| − | * [[shield of reflection]] -- reflection is an important extrinsic property | ||
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* small shield -- minimal spellcasting hindrance | * small shield -- minimal spellcasting hindrance | ||
| − | + | * elven shield -- has a niche use for its ability to be safely enchanted to +7 | |
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Heroes who keep a strong [[pet]] often give them a shield of reflection. | Heroes who keep a strong [[pet]] often give them a shield of reflection. | ||
| − | == References == | + | ==References== |
<references/> | <references/> | ||
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{{nethack-367}} | {{nethack-367}} | ||
[[Category:Armor]] | [[Category:Armor]] | ||
[[Category:Shields| ]] | [[Category:Shields| ]] | ||
Revision as of 07:11, 11 July 2024
A shield is a form of armor that appears in NetHack, and is one of seven armor slots available to the hero and certain monsters/
Description
Wearing a shield is incompatible with wielding a two-handed weapon or performing two weapon combat; wearing a shield also prevents the hero from dealing staggering blows, and prevents a Monk from receiving a to-hit bonus for martial arts.
Wearing any shield reduces the hero's spellcasting success rate - the small shield has the lowest reduction.
Any monster with hands that can wear armor and is not wielding a two-handed weapon can wear a shield.[1]
If the hero or a monster is subject to a blast of disintegration and they do not have reflection, any shield they are wearing will be destroyed first without affecting them or their worn body armor.
List of shields
| Shield | Unidentified Description | Cost | Weight | AC | Material | Special properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small shield | small shield | 3 | 30 | 1 | wood | Lower spellcasting penalty than other shields. |
| Elven shield | blue and green shield | 7 | 40 | 2 | wood | Can be enchanted to +7. |
| Orcish shield | red-eyed shield | 7 | 50 | 1 | iron | |
| Uruk-hai shield | white-handed shield | 7 | 50 | 1 | iron | |
| Large shield | large shield | 10 | 100 | 2 | iron | |
| Dwarvish roundshield | large round shield | 10 | 100 | 2 | iron | |
| Shield of reflection | polished silver shield | 50 | 50 | 2 | silver | Provides reflection. |
Strategy
Any shield that is non-cursed is safe to try on. In the early game, obtaining armor class is a priority, and most shields are useful to that end: the starting +3 small shield of a Valkyrie is a significant advantage over other roles, to the point that a non-Valkyrie hero who finds Valkyrie bones often benefits from wearing the shield, even if it is cursed. Monks have more than a few advantages from not wearing shields, including better to-hit and staggering blows.
In the mid-game, the relative value of armor class declines enough that most players in roles that can two-weapon (including Valkyries) will gladly give up a few points of AC from their shield for the damage increase - spellcasters focused on constant combat or utility spells may also forgo shields as well.
Popular shield choices from the mid-game to the ascension run are:
- shield of reflection -- reflection is an important extrinsic property
- small shield -- minimal spellcasting hindrance
- elven shield -- has a niche use for its ability to be safely enchanted to +7
Heroes who keep a strong pet often give them a shield of reflection.
