Difference between revisions of "Fly swatter"

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{{wikipedia|Flyswatter}}
 
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{{weapon
 
{{weapon
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| color=green
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|color=green
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| name=fly swatter
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|name=fly swatter
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| smalldmg=1d10
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|smalldmg=1d10
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| largedmg=1d2
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|largedmg=1d2
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| tohit=<nowiki>+2</nowiki>
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|tohit=<nowiki>+2</nowiki>
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| skill=paddle
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|skill=paddle
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| cost=3
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|cost=3
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| weight=10
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|weight=10
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| material=plastic
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|material=plastic
 
}}
 
}}
  
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The '''fly swatter''' is a [[melee]] weapon in [[SLASH'EM]]. It uses a new [[skill]], called '''paddle''', which it is the only weapon to use.
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A '''fly swatter''' is a type of [[melee]] [[weapon]] that appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]] and [[Hack'EM]]. It is [[one-handed]] and made of [[plastic]].
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The fly swatter uses the [[#Paddle skill|paddle skill]] in SLASH'EM and SlashTHEM, and uses the [[whip]] skill in Hack'EM.
  
 
==Generation==
 
==Generation==
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In addition to random generation, fly swatters are often found in large weapon [[shop]]s.
  
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Fly swatters are randomly generated with a fairly low frequency.  They are most commonly found in large weapon [[shop]]s.
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The Chamber of Junk in the [[Lawful Quest]] has a {{frac|2|5}} chance of containing a cursed -2 fly swatter [[named]] Bugsmasher among its fake [[artifact]]s.
  
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==Properties==
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===SlashTHEM===
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In [[SlashTHEM]], the [[Undertaker quest]] goal level is a near-exact copy of the Lawful Quest, including the same chance of containing a cursed -2 flyswatter named Bugsmasher.
  
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At ''1d10'', fly swatters have excellent base damage against small monsters: among one-handed weapons, only [[elven broadsword]]s and [[crysknife]]s exceed them.  Unfortunately, they only do ''1d2'' base damage against large monsters, making them one of the weakest weapons against creatures of such size.  They do have an excellent ''+2'' to-hit bonus, equivalent to a [[dagger]].
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===Hack'EM===
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In Hack'EM, fly swatters instead generate in junk shops.
  
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Being made of [[plastic]], they are not susceptible to [[rust]], [[rot]], or [[corrosion]], but can be [[burnt]].  As with [[wood]]en elven weapons, this makes them nearly erodeproof naturally, as there are very few effects that will burn a player's weapon.
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==Paddle skill==
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{{Paddle skill table (SLASH'EM)}}
  
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==Paddle skill==
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The fly swatter is the only weapon in SLASH'EM that uses the paddle skill. All roles except [[Ice Mage]]s, [[Necromancer]]s, [[Ranger]]s, and [[Valkyrie]]s can reach at least Basic in the skill; [[Priest]]s can reach Expert skill.
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==Strategy==
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Overall, the fly swatter is a very situational weapon: as a one-handed weapon, it has excellent damage against small monsters that is matched or surpassed only by [[elven broadsword]]s and [[crysknives]], and their +2 to-hit bonus makes using one while [[unskilled]] somewhat less cumbersome. Unfortunately, the penalty is usually enough to offset those positive qualities early on - its poor damage against large monsters makes it non-viable in the long run, and most roles already start with viable weapon choices that deal far more damage.
  
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All roles except [[Ice mage]]s, [[Necromancer]]s, [[Ranger]]s, and [[Valkyrie]]s can become attain at least Basic proficiency in the paddle skill. Somewhat amusingly, [[Priest]]s can become expert, which evokes images of a strict theological school for children.
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[[Tourist]]s are the exception, starting with only Basic skill in [[dart]]s: they may consider keeping a fly swatter on hand to deal with smaller monsters, while using their darts or any other weapons against large monsters such as [[baby dragon]]s.
  
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{{Paddle skill table (SLASH'EM)}}
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==Origin==
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{{wikipedia|Fly-killing device}}
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A fly swatter (also "fly-swat" or "flyswatter") is a type of fly-killing device used for pest control of flying insects. A flyswatter usually consists of a small rectangular or round sheet of lightweight, flexible, vented material attached to a handle made of wire, wood, plastic, metal, or another lightweight material. The vents reduce air resistance and minimize the disruption of air currents, making it harder for the insect to detect and escape.
  
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==Strategy==
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Flyswatters are ideally light and stiff, allowing quick acceleration to overcome the insect's reaction time and making it easier to hit a fast-moving target without damaging other objects. Typically, the flyswatter is used to crush the fly or insect against a hard surface once it has landed somewhat; users can also injure or stun an airborne insect mid-flight by whipping the swatter through the air at an extreme speed.
  
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Overall, this is a very situational weapon.  Its poor damage against large monsters makes it non-viable in the long run, and early on the penalty for using it [[unskilled]] usually offsets its positive qualities.  The most likely users of fly swatters would be early [[Tourist]]s: they can attain Basic proficiency, and unlike other roles they don't start with Basic skill in any other melee weapon.  Those Tourists who elect to use a fly swatter will definitely want to use their darts against large monsters, such as [[baby dragon]]s.
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The Priest's ability to reach Expert in paddles is designed to evoke images of a [[Wikipedia:Paddle (spanking)|spanking paddle]] used at strict theological children's schools.
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{{slashem-7E7}}
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{{slashem-7E7|offset=1}}
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[[Category:SLASH'EM items]]
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{{variant-343}}<!--{{variant-36X}}-->
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[[Category:SLASH'EM weapons]]
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[[Category:SlashTHEM weapons]]
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[[Category:Hack'EM weapons]]

Latest revision as of 01:48, 29 March 2024

) Fly swatter.png
Name fly swatter
Appearance fly swatter
Damage vs. small 1d10
Damage vs. large 1d2
To-hit bonus +2
Weapon skill paddle
Size one-handed
Base price 3 zm
(+10/positive
enchant)
Weight 10
Material plastic

A fly swatter is a type of melee weapon that appears in SLASH'EM, SlashTHEM and Hack'EM. It is one-handed and made of plastic.

The fly swatter uses the paddle skill in SLASH'EM and SlashTHEM, and uses the whip skill in Hack'EM.

Generation

In addition to random generation, fly swatters are often found in large weapon shops.

The Chamber of Junk in the Lawful Quest has a 2⁄5 chance of containing a cursed -2 fly swatter named Bugsmasher among its fake artifacts.

SlashTHEM

In SlashTHEM, the Undertaker quest goal level is a near-exact copy of the Lawful Quest, including the same chance of containing a cursed -2 flyswatter named Bugsmasher.

Hack'EM

In Hack'EM, fly swatters instead generate in junk shops.

Paddle skill

Paddle
Max Role
Basic
Skilled
Expert

The fly swatter is the only weapon in SLASH'EM that uses the paddle skill. All roles except Ice Mages, Necromancers, Rangers, and Valkyries can reach at least Basic in the skill; Priests can reach Expert skill.

Strategy

Overall, the fly swatter is a very situational weapon: as a one-handed weapon, it has excellent damage against small monsters that is matched or surpassed only by elven broadswords and crysknives, and their +2 to-hit bonus makes using one while unskilled somewhat less cumbersome. Unfortunately, the penalty is usually enough to offset those positive qualities early on - its poor damage against large monsters makes it non-viable in the long run, and most roles already start with viable weapon choices that deal far more damage.

Tourists are the exception, starting with only Basic skill in darts: they may consider keeping a fly swatter on hand to deal with smaller monsters, while using their darts or any other weapons against large monsters such as baby dragons.

Origin

Wikipedia
Wikipedia has an article about:

A fly swatter (also "fly-swat" or "flyswatter") is a type of fly-killing device used for pest control of flying insects. A flyswatter usually consists of a small rectangular or round sheet of lightweight, flexible, vented material attached to a handle made of wire, wood, plastic, metal, or another lightweight material. The vents reduce air resistance and minimize the disruption of air currents, making it harder for the insect to detect and escape.

Flyswatters are ideally light and stiff, allowing quick acceleration to overcome the insect's reaction time and making it easier to hit a fast-moving target without damaging other objects. Typically, the flyswatter is used to crush the fly or insect against a hard surface once it has landed somewhat; users can also injure or stun an airborne insect mid-flight by whipping the swatter through the air at an extreme speed.

The Priest's ability to reach Expert in paddles is designed to evoke images of a spanking paddle used at strict theological children's schools.

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