Elven leather helm
[ elven leather helm 
| |
|---|---|
| Appearance | leather hat |
| Slot | helm |
| AC | 1 |
| Special | (none) |
| Base price | 8 zm |
| Weight | 3 |
| Material | leather |
An elven leather helm is a type of helm.
Generation
Elves are often generated with this item.
Effects
The elven leather helm grants 1 AC when worn. Being a non-metal helm, it doesn't interfere with spellcasting; however, it also provides no protection from falling rock traps or scrolls of earth.
Like all elven armor, the elven leather helm can be enchanted from as high as +5, whereas most other armor can be destroyed if enchanted while above +3.
Strategy
Early in the game, when falling rock traps are a significant threat, a metal helm of some sort is usually preferable for non-spellcasters. Monks and Priests can also get away with metal helms thanks to the spellcasting bonus from their robes, but Healers and Wizards might find the elven leather helm their best option for a long time.
Spellcasters often use this helm from the mid-game onwards, since a helm of brilliance or cornuthaum (for Wizards) are difficult to find, and all other useful helms interfere with spellcasting.
Later in the game, it is likely to be burnt in Gehennom, but is likely not worth fireproofing due to its low base AC.
