Difference between revisions of "Orcrist"

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   |name=Orcrist
 
   |name=Orcrist
 
   |base=elven broadsword
 
   |base=elven broadsword
   |smalldmg=1d6+1d4 '''x2'''
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   |smalldmg=1d6+1d4 '''×2'''
   |largedmg=1d6+1 '''x2'''
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   |largedmg=1d6+1 '''×2'''
 
   |tohit='''+1d5'''
 
   |tohit='''+1d5'''
   |bonusversus=[[orc]]s
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   |bonusversus=[[Orc (monster attribute)|orcs]]
 
   |skill=broadsword
 
   |skill=broadsword
 
   |affiliation=<ul><li>[[chaotic]]</li><li>[[elf (starting race)|elven]]</li></ul>
 
   |affiliation=<ul><li>[[chaotic]]</li><li>[[elf (starting race)|elven]]</li></ul>
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}}
 
}}
  
'''Orcrist''' is a chaotically aligned elven broadsword. It is one of two [[artifact]]s in the game that can be created by [[name|#name]]-ing them, along with [[Sting]]. To do so type in #name, select a normal elven broadsword, and name it Orcrist. To make sure you did it correctly, you may now try to name the sword into something completely different&mdash;all artifacts resist naming. The Orcrist gives a +d5 to hit and [[double damage]] against all [[orcs]].  
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'''Orcrist''' is an [[artifact weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is [[chaotic]], and its [[base item]] is an [[elven broadsword]].
  
Orcrist can also be given as a gift by sacrificing. This can be useful for elven priests or rangers who want to get [[Stormbringer]]: if they name both Orcrist and [[Sting]] before sacrificing, they are guaranteed Stormbringer as their first sacrifice gift (provided it hasn't already been generated). [[Orc (starting race)|Orcish]] players will never receive Orcrist as a gift.{{refsrc|artifact.c|140}}
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==Generation==
 +
Any randomly generated elven broadsword has a base {{frac|20}} chance of being made into Orcrist, depending on how many artifacts are generated. Orcrist may be given as a [[sacrifice gift]] to chaotic, non-[[Orc (starting race)|orcish]] players.{{refsrc|src/artifact.c|156|nethack=3.6.7}}
  
For a [[Tourist]], a named Orcrist provides a way for you to viably train to basic in a medium-damage weapon early in the game thanks to its to-hit bonus, since orcs are usually plentiful and not particularly hard to hit.
+
Orcrist is one of two [[artifact]]s in the game that can be [[name]]d, which is a property shared with [[Sting]]: naming any elven broadsword Orcrist will transform it into the artifact, breaking [[illiterate]] [[conduct]].
  
== History ==
+
==Description==
 +
Orcrist grants a +d5 [[to-hit]] bonus and deals [[double damage]] against all [[Orc (monster attribute)|orcish]] monsters, and like Sting it [[Warned of monster type|warns of orcs]] while [[wield]]ed, glowing blue when any orcs are present on the level.
  
In [[Hack 1.0]] and [[Hack 1.0.1]], any weapon can be named Orcrist and do extra damage against orcs; there can even be more than one Orcrist.
+
Also like Sting, Orcrist will not [[artifact blast]] you unless you are an orc (including via [[polyself]]), and will not do so otherwise regardless of [[alignment]] or [[alignment record]]. Unlike most artifact weapons, Orcrist does not resist the effects of a cursed [[scroll of enchant weapon]].
  
[[Hack 1.0.2]] restricted this advantage to [[two-handed sword]]s. Other weapons could still be named Orcrist, but would do no extra damage.
+
==Strategy==
 +
Orcrist is generally not of much use for most roles, unless they lack a solid weapon ''and'' are able to advance their [[skill]] in [[broadsword]]. Orcs are usually plentiful and also not particularly hard to hit for more combat-proficient roles, even before the +5 to-hit bonus of Orcrist is applied. Those who lack experience dealing with groups of orcs may find it a useful supplement, provided they can find an altar or an elven broadsword to name early enough. A role without a reliable weapon such as a [[Tourist]] may consider naming Orcrist to get an early medium-damage weapon.
  
Orcrist became an [[elven broadsword]] in [[NetHack 3.1.0]].
+
If [[Stormbringer]] has not been generated in a game, [[Elf (starting race)|Elven]] [[Priest]]s or [[Ranger]]s can force it as a first gift by naming both Orcrist and Sting before sacrificing: the first sacrifice gift you are given is always co-aligned. Orcish players cannot receive Orcrist this way, meaning that they will instead receive either Stormbringer or [[Grimtooth]] for their first gift.
  
== Mythology ==
+
==History==
 +
Orcrist first appears in [[Hack 1.0]], where it was the sole artifact available until the addition of [[Excalibur]] in [[NetHack 1.3d]]. In Hack 1.0, any weapon could be named Orcrist - this did not transform the weapon, but gave it extra damage against orcs, and could be done with multiple weapons; [[Hack 1.0.2]] restricted the 'creation' of Orcrist this way to [[two-handed sword]]s, though multiple copies were still possible until [[NetHack 3.0.0]].
  
This item comes from the Lord of the rings books.
+
Orcrist would remain a two-handed sword until [[NetHack 3.1.0]], where it was made an [[elven broadsword]].
  
== Variants ==
+
==Origin==
[[SLASH'EM]] changes the alignment of this artifact from [[Chaotic]] to [[Lawful]]. <ref>http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mazewest/spoilers/arti_007e6.txt</ref> Additionally, like all [[Artifact (SLASH'EM)|artifact weapons in SLASH'EM]], it grants the full +5 to hit rather than 1d5 against orcs (which are more varied and can be much more powerful than in Vanilla). It also gives a 15% chance of [[cancellation|cancelling]] any orc it hits.
+
{{wikipedia|Orcrist}}
 +
In [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s ''The Hobbit'', Orcrist (known in Sindarin as "Goblin-cleaver") was an elven sword originally forged several millennia ago by high-elven smiths in Gondolin alongside [[Glamdring]], the sword of King Turgon - like most elven blades, both swords radiated a blue glow whenever orcs were near. Orcrist has a jeweled hilt and high-quality scabbard, with runes on the sword bearing its name - it is described as killing "hundreds of goblins in its time, when the fair Elves of Gondolin hunted them in the hills or did battle before their walls", and was most likely lost during the Fall of Gondolin; it nonetheless became known as the "Biter" among goblins and orcs alike.
  
In [[SporkHack]], it is slightly less useless, since it deals an additional +d4 damage to all foes. It also warns of orcs.
+
Both swords were discovered in a troll-hoard by Thorin's group, with Elrond identifying Orcrist and Thorin promising to honor the sword by killing goblins with it. He would have his chance to do so when he and his company were captured by orcs in the Misty Mountains, who brought them to their kingdom underneath and dragged the group before their ruler, the [[Goblin King|Great Goblin]]. As he accused Thorin's group of spying, one of their captors held out Orcrist to the Great Goblin, and he and his soldiers were enraged at the sight of the "Biter" that had once felled many of their number. As he then approached Thorin, the great fire that lit the large cavern went out - the Great Goblin was quickly slain by the Glamdring-wielding Gandalf, allowing Bilbo and the dwarves to escape.
  
In [[dNethack]], it is more useful, as it also has 1d5 to-hit, warning against, and 2x damage vs demons. However, it's unlikely to be your main weapon when you'll be encountering demons.
+
==Variants==
 +
===SLASH'EM===
 +
[[SLASH'EM]] changes Orcrist's alignment from chaotic to lawful, since all elves were changed from chaotic to lawful. Additionally, its to-hit bonus is flat like all [[SLASH'EM artifacts|artifact weapons in SLASH'EM]], granting +5 against orcs along with its double damage and a 15% chance of [[cancel]]ling any orc it hits. Orcs as a monster class are more varied and can be much more powerful than in vanilla ''NetHack'', making Orcrist slightly more useful for a longer stretch of the game.
  
== Encyclopedia entry ==
+
===SporkHack===
 +
In [[SporkHack]], Orcrist deals an additional +d4 damage to all monsters.
  
 +
===dNetHack===
 +
In [[dNetHack]], Orcrist has +1d5 to-hit and double damage against orcs and demons, and warns of them while wielded.
 +
 +
===FIQHack===
 +
In [[FIQHack]], your god will never give you a nameable artifact such as Orcrist as a sacrifice gift.<ref>https://github.com/FredrIQ/fiqhack/blob/33e95f977761f66186a1f9aea1ca5e5d262912a2/libnethack/src/artifact.c#L160</ref> This makes forcing Stormbringer much easier for chaotic characters.
 +
 +
===xNetHack===
 +
In [[xNetHack]], Orcrist is made of [[copper]] like all other elven weapons, and naming an elven broadsword Orcrist will convert it to copper if it is not already made of that material.
 +
 +
===EvilHack===
 +
In [[EvilHack]], Orcrist is made of [[mithril]], which deals an additional +1d8 damage to orcish monsters, including orcish players; naming an elven braodsword Orcrist will convert it to mithril if it is not already made of that material. Additionally, Orcrist has a small chance of instantly killing any orc it hits, making it very dangerous if a player orc encounters a hostile monster wielding it.
 +
 +
Orcrist can be combined with Sting at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] to create [[Glamdring (EvilHack)|Glamdring]], a mithril elven long sword that shares the orc-warning and orc-slaying abilities of its component artifacts.
 +
 +
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
{{encyclopedia|
The Great Goblin gave a truly awful howl of rage when he
+
The Great Goblin gave a truly awful howl of rage when he looked at it, and all his soldiers gnashed their teeth, clashed their shields, and stamped.  They knew the sword at once.  It had killed hundreds of goblins in its time, when the fair elves of Gondolin hunted them in the hills or did battle before their walls.  They had called it Orcrist, Goblin-cleaver, but the goblins called it simply Biter. They hated it and hated worse any one that carried it.
looked at it, and all his soldiers gnashed their teeth,
 
clashed their shields, and stamped.  They knew the sword at
 
once.  It had killed hundreds of goblins in its time, when
 
the fair elves of Gondolin hunted them in the hills or did
 
battle before their walls.  They had called it Orcrist,
 
Goblin-cleaver, but the goblins called it simply Biter.
 
They hated it and hated worse any one that carried it.
 
 
|[ The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien ]
 
|[ The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien ]
 
}}
 
}}
  
== References ==
+
==References==
<references />
+
<references/>
 
+
{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Artifact weapons]]
 
[[Category:Artifact weapons]]
{{nethack-343}}
 

Latest revision as of 12:14, 28 March 2024

)   Orcrist   Elven broadsword.png
Base item elven broadsword
Damage vs. small 1d6+1d4 ×2
Damage vs. large 1d6+1 ×2
To-hit bonus +1d5
Bonus versus orcs
Weapon skill broadsword
Size one-handed
Affiliation
When carried

(none)

When wielded
When invoked

(none)

Base price 2000 zm
Weight 70
Material wood

Orcrist is an artifact weapon that appears in NetHack. It is chaotic, and its base item is an elven broadsword.

Generation

Any randomly generated elven broadsword has a base 120 chance of being made into Orcrist, depending on how many artifacts are generated. Orcrist may be given as a sacrifice gift to chaotic, non-orcish players.[1]

Orcrist is one of two artifacts in the game that can be named, which is a property shared with Sting: naming any elven broadsword Orcrist will transform it into the artifact, breaking illiterate conduct.

Description

Orcrist grants a +d5 to-hit bonus and deals double damage against all orcish monsters, and like Sting it warns of orcs while wielded, glowing blue when any orcs are present on the level.

Also like Sting, Orcrist will not artifact blast you unless you are an orc (including via polyself), and will not do so otherwise regardless of alignment or alignment record. Unlike most artifact weapons, Orcrist does not resist the effects of a cursed scroll of enchant weapon.

Strategy

Orcrist is generally not of much use for most roles, unless they lack a solid weapon and are able to advance their skill in broadsword. Orcs are usually plentiful and also not particularly hard to hit for more combat-proficient roles, even before the +5 to-hit bonus of Orcrist is applied. Those who lack experience dealing with groups of orcs may find it a useful supplement, provided they can find an altar or an elven broadsword to name early enough. A role without a reliable weapon such as a Tourist may consider naming Orcrist to get an early medium-damage weapon.

If Stormbringer has not been generated in a game, Elven Priests or Rangers can force it as a first gift by naming both Orcrist and Sting before sacrificing: the first sacrifice gift you are given is always co-aligned. Orcish players cannot receive Orcrist this way, meaning that they will instead receive either Stormbringer or Grimtooth for their first gift.

History

Orcrist first appears in Hack 1.0, where it was the sole artifact available until the addition of Excalibur in NetHack 1.3d. In Hack 1.0, any weapon could be named Orcrist - this did not transform the weapon, but gave it extra damage against orcs, and could be done with multiple weapons; Hack 1.0.2 restricted the 'creation' of Orcrist this way to two-handed swords, though multiple copies were still possible until NetHack 3.0.0.

Orcrist would remain a two-handed sword until NetHack 3.1.0, where it was made an elven broadsword.

Origin

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, Orcrist (known in Sindarin as "Goblin-cleaver") was an elven sword originally forged several millennia ago by high-elven smiths in Gondolin alongside Glamdring, the sword of King Turgon - like most elven blades, both swords radiated a blue glow whenever orcs were near. Orcrist has a jeweled hilt and high-quality scabbard, with runes on the sword bearing its name - it is described as killing "hundreds of goblins in its time, when the fair Elves of Gondolin hunted them in the hills or did battle before their walls", and was most likely lost during the Fall of Gondolin; it nonetheless became known as the "Biter" among goblins and orcs alike.

Both swords were discovered in a troll-hoard by Thorin's group, with Elrond identifying Orcrist and Thorin promising to honor the sword by killing goblins with it. He would have his chance to do so when he and his company were captured by orcs in the Misty Mountains, who brought them to their kingdom underneath and dragged the group before their ruler, the Great Goblin. As he accused Thorin's group of spying, one of their captors held out Orcrist to the Great Goblin, and he and his soldiers were enraged at the sight of the "Biter" that had once felled many of their number. As he then approached Thorin, the great fire that lit the large cavern went out - the Great Goblin was quickly slain by the Glamdring-wielding Gandalf, allowing Bilbo and the dwarves to escape.

Variants

SLASH'EM

SLASH'EM changes Orcrist's alignment from chaotic to lawful, since all elves were changed from chaotic to lawful. Additionally, its to-hit bonus is flat like all artifact weapons in SLASH'EM, granting +5 against orcs along with its double damage and a 15% chance of cancelling any orc it hits. Orcs as a monster class are more varied and can be much more powerful than in vanilla NetHack, making Orcrist slightly more useful for a longer stretch of the game.

SporkHack

In SporkHack, Orcrist deals an additional +d4 damage to all monsters.

dNetHack

In dNetHack, Orcrist has +1d5 to-hit and double damage against orcs and demons, and warns of them while wielded.

FIQHack

In FIQHack, your god will never give you a nameable artifact such as Orcrist as a sacrifice gift.[2] This makes forcing Stormbringer much easier for chaotic characters.

xNetHack

In xNetHack, Orcrist is made of copper like all other elven weapons, and naming an elven broadsword Orcrist will convert it to copper if it is not already made of that material.

EvilHack

In EvilHack, Orcrist is made of mithril, which deals an additional +1d8 damage to orcish monsters, including orcish players; naming an elven braodsword Orcrist will convert it to mithril if it is not already made of that material. Additionally, Orcrist has a small chance of instantly killing any orc it hits, making it very dangerous if a player orc encounters a hostile monster wielding it.

Orcrist can be combined with Sting at a forge to create Glamdring, a mithril elven long sword that shares the orc-warning and orc-slaying abilities of its component artifacts.

Encyclopedia entry

The Great Goblin gave a truly awful howl of rage when he looked at it, and all his soldiers gnashed their teeth, clashed their shields, and stamped. They knew the sword at once. It had killed hundreds of goblins in its time, when the fair elves of Gondolin hunted them in the hills or did battle before their walls. They had called it Orcrist, Goblin-cleaver, but the goblins called it simply Biter. They hated it and hated worse any one that carried it.

[ The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien ]

References