User:Umbire the Phantom/Weapon size
In NetHack, weapons and many other items used by the hero and monsters require either one or both of their hands to be free in order to wield them, and each weapon size has different advantages and tradeoffs to them.
Contents
One-handed
A one-handed weapon requires a free hand to wield. A hero wielding a weapon in one hand can use their other free hand to either wear a shield for additional defense, or to wield another non-artifact weapon simultaneously and perform two weapon combat.
Monsters with a free hand can wield any one-handed weapon.
Two-handed
A two-handed weapon requires both hands free to wield: the hero cannot engage in two-weapon combat or wear a shield while wielding a two-handed weapon, and a monster must have a weapon attack, the strong attribute and no shield worn in order to wield a two-handed weapon.
A hero hitting a monster with a two-handed weapon has a 1⁄20 chance of performing a shattering blow that destroys the monster's wielded weapon.
A hero that has their hands welded to a cursed two-handed weapon cannot perform many actions, including looting or applying containers, casting spells, and removing armor, rings or amulets.
List of two-handed weapons
The weapons listed below are two-handed - all other weapons are one-handed. Note that while all polearms are two-handed, they are designed for pounding and thus not as useful when handled as melee weapons.
| Weapon | Skill | Cost | Weight | Prob (‰) | Dam. (S) | Dam. (L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| battle-axe | axe | 40 zm | 120 | 10 | 7 | 8.5 |
| dwarvish mattock | pick-axe | 50 zm | 120 | 13 | 6.5 | 11.5 |
| two-handed sword | two-handed sword | 50 zm | 150 | 22 | 6.5 | 10.5 |
| tsurugi | two-handed sword | 500 zm | 60 | 0 | 8.5 | 11.5 |
| quarterstaff | quarterstaff | 5 zm | 40 | 11 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| unicorn horn | unicorn horn | 100 zm | 20 | 0 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| halberd | polearm | 10 zm | 150 | 8 | 5.5 | 7 |
| bardiche | polearm | 7 zm | 120 | 4 | 5 | 7.5 |
| bill-guisarme | polearm | 7 zm | 120 | 4 | 5 | 5.5 |
| ranseur | polearm | 6 zm | 50 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| voulge | polearm | 5 zm | 125 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| guisarme | polearm | 5 zm | 80 | 6 | 5 | 4.5 |
| lucern hammer | polearm | 7 zm | 150 | 5 | 5 | 3.5 |
| spetum | polearm | 5 zm | 50 | 5 | 4.5 | 7 |
| bec de corbin | polearm | 8 zm | 100 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| glaive (naginata) | polearm | 6 zm | 75 | 8 | 3.5 | 5.5 |
| fauchard | polearm | 5 zm | 60 | 6 | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| partisan | polearm | 10 zm | 80 | 5 | 3.5 | 4.5 |
Strategy
Two-handed weapons are generally more damaging on average than one-handed weapons, but having a wielded two-hander cursed is notoriously detrimental: the inability for the hero to use either hand if this happens makes it hard to get at curse removal items, since they cannot cast spells and their uncursing items will usually be safely in a bag. Spellcasting monsters that cast curse items, including the Wizard of Yendor, are often the most notorious culprits.
Prayer to your god can uncurse a cursed two-handed weapon: your god treats having both hands welded to cursed weapons and/or shields as a major trouble. You can also use the #tip extended command to empty your bag on the floor and get at your curse removal tools - it is best to prepare a bag of such items in advance for when prayer is inconvenient or unavailable (e.g. in Gehennom). Some players also drop holy water on the ground in places that they can easily branchport or level teleport to.
Variants
Variants based on NetHack 3.4.3 and earlier versions may lack the #tip command, which is introduced in NetHack 3.6.0 - this makes wielding a cursed two-handed weapon a much more serious problem in those games, and players may choose to avoid these weapons entirely.
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, bows and crossbows are two-handed, and more two-handed weapons are added, including some firearms.
dNetHack
In dNetHack, notdNetHack, and notnotdNetHack, whether or not a weapon is one-handed or two-handed depends on its size relative to the size of its wielder - furthermore, upgrade kits can be used to resize weapons and other items.
Two-handed weapons get double the damage bonus from strength.
