Difference between revisions of "Boomerang"
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| − | + | A '''boomerang''' is a type of [[ranged weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is made of [[wood]], and can be stacked and [[multishot]]. | |
| + | |||
| + | == Boomerang skill == | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{boomerang skill table}} | ||
| − | + | Boomerangs are the only weapons to use '''boomerang skill'''. | |
| − | When thrown, it will travel in a circular path counterclockwise | + | ==Description== |
| + | When thrown, it will travel in a circular path counterclockwise from the direction thrown, hitting anything in its path: it will alternate with [[(]] as it flies to show spinning. If it makes its way back to you, there is a ([[dexterity]] in 20) chance of catching the boomerang - otherwise, you are hit; this always happens if the boomerang is [[cursed]] or thrown while [[fumbling]]. Well-enchanted [[gauntlets of dexterity]] might be necessary to ensure completely safe operation. | ||
| − | Boomerangs | + | Boomerangs will not return if their path is blocked by a wall, or if they move over a [[sink]].{{refsrc|zap.c|2839}} |
When used as a melee weapon rather than thrown, a boomerang has a luck-dependent chance of breaking into splinters.{{refsrc|uhitm.c|586}} | When used as a melee weapon rather than thrown, a boomerang has a luck-dependent chance of breaking into splinters.{{refsrc|uhitm.c|586}} | ||
| − | == Flight patterns == | + | {{todo|Boomerangs in 3.6.0 seem to stop whenever they pass over or hit a monster.}} |
| + | |||
| + | ===Flight patterns=== | ||
The exact path of a thrown boomerang is shown below, where {{white|@}} is the player's position; {{cyan||}}, {{cyan|/}}, {{cyan|-}}, and {{cyan|\}} show the direction the boomerang was thrown; and {{brown|(}} and {{brown|)}} show the path of the boomerang. | The exact path of a thrown boomerang is shown below, where {{white|@}} is the player's position; {{cyan||}}, {{cyan|/}}, {{cyan|-}}, and {{cyan|\}} show the direction the boomerang was thrown; and {{brown|(}} and {{brown|)}} show the path of the boomerang. | ||
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== Strategy == | == Strategy == | ||
| + | Though the boomerang has useful features, the unusual flight path tends to make it a rarely-used weapon. However, players more interested in doing damage than having the weapon return can still use this weapon effectively over a range up to four spaces: | ||
| − | + | Assume a monster is approaching you from a cardinal direction (N,S,E,W). If it approaches from the N, it can be hit at a distance of four spaces by throwing to the NW (45 degrees counter-clockwise) if there are at least two open tiles to the W. A monster at a distance of three spaces to the N can be hit by throwing to the W (90 degrees counter-clockwise) if there are three open tiles in that direction. Any monster can be hit at two spaces by throwing directly at it (the only available option in hallways). Monsters approaching from an ordinal direction (NE,NW,SE,SW) can also only be hit at two spaces. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | Boomerangs can be effective against [[unicorn]]s who will always attempt to avoid any direct line of ranged attack. | + | Boomerangs can be particularly effective against [[unicorn]]s, who will always attempt to avoid any direct line of ranged attack. They can also be especially effective in large open spaces with crowds of monsters, like the [[Big Room]]. However, as with other projectiles it is unwise to throw during [[levitation]]. |
| − | + | ==History== | |
| − | + | In [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and earlier versions, along with some variants based on those versions, boomerangs cannot be multishot and fly clockwise when thrown. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | == | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
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== Encyclopedia entry == | == Encyclopedia entry == | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
| − | + | <references/> | |
| − | <references /> | + | {{nethack-343}} |
[[Category:Weapons]] | [[Category:Weapons]] | ||
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Revision as of 23:42, 21 December 2021
) 
| |
|---|---|
| Name | boomerang |
| Appearance | boomerang |
| Damage vs. small | 1d9 |
| Damage vs. large | 1d9 |
| To-hit bonus | +0 |
| Weapon skill | boomerang |
| Size | one-handed |
| Base price | 20 zm (+10/positive enchant) |
| Weight | 5 |
| Material | wood |
A boomerang is a type of ranged weapon that appears in NetHack. It is made of wood, and can be stacked and multishot.
Contents
Boomerang skill
| Boomerang | |
|---|---|
| Max | Role |
| Basic | |
| Expert | |
Boomerangs are the only weapons to use boomerang skill.
Description
When thrown, it will travel in a circular path counterclockwise from the direction thrown, hitting anything in its path: it will alternate with ( as it flies to show spinning. If it makes its way back to you, there is a (dexterity in 20) chance of catching the boomerang - otherwise, you are hit; this always happens if the boomerang is cursed or thrown while fumbling. Well-enchanted gauntlets of dexterity might be necessary to ensure completely safe operation.
Boomerangs will not return if their path is blocked by a wall, or if they move over a sink.[1]
When used as a melee weapon rather than thrown, a boomerang has a luck-dependent chance of breaking into splinters.[2]
A user has suggested improving this page or section as follows:
"Boomerangs in 3.6.0 seem to stop whenever they pass over or hit a monster."
Flight patterns
The exact path of a thrown boomerang is shown below, where @ is the player's position; |, /, -, and \ show the direction the boomerang was thrown; and ( and ) show the path of the boomerang.
.(..\.. .)..(. ..(..).
.)...@. .(..|. .)...(.
..(..). .)..@. .(../..
...)(.. ..().. ..)@...
..(-@.. ..)()..
.)...). .(...(.
.(...(. .)...).
..)().. ..@-(..
...@).. ..)(.. ..()...
../..(. .@..). .)..(..
.(...). .|..(. .@...).
.)..(.. .(..). ..\..(.
..()... ..)(.. ...()..
Strategy
Though the boomerang has useful features, the unusual flight path tends to make it a rarely-used weapon. However, players more interested in doing damage than having the weapon return can still use this weapon effectively over a range up to four spaces:
Assume a monster is approaching you from a cardinal direction (N,S,E,W). If it approaches from the N, it can be hit at a distance of four spaces by throwing to the NW (45 degrees counter-clockwise) if there are at least two open tiles to the W. A monster at a distance of three spaces to the N can be hit by throwing to the W (90 degrees counter-clockwise) if there are three open tiles in that direction. Any monster can be hit at two spaces by throwing directly at it (the only available option in hallways). Monsters approaching from an ordinal direction (NE,NW,SE,SW) can also only be hit at two spaces.
Boomerangs can be particularly effective against unicorns, who will always attempt to avoid any direct line of ranged attack. They can also be especially effective in large open spaces with crowds of monsters, like the Big Room. However, as with other projectiles it is unwise to throw during levitation.
History
In NetHack 3.4.3 and earlier versions, along with some variants based on those versions, boomerangs cannot be multishot and fly clockwise when thrown.
Encyclopedia entry
Rincewind pulled himself up and thought about reaching for his
stick. And then he thought again. The man had a couple of spears
stuck in the ground, and people here were good at spears, because
if you didn't get efficient at hitting the things that moved fast
you had to eat the things that moved slowly. He was also holding
a boomerang, and it wasn't one of those toy ones that came back.
This was one of the big, heavy, gently curved sort that didn't
come back because it was sticking in something's ribcage. You
could laugh at the idea of wooden weapons until you saw the kind
of wood that grew here.
[ The Last Continent, by Terry Pratchett ]
References
This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.
It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.4.3. Information on this page may be out of date.
Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-343}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.
