Difference between revisions of "Quarterstaff"

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A '''quarterstaff''' is a kind of [[two-handed]] [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. When unidentified, it simply appears as a '''staff'''. Quarterstaves are made of [[wood]], and thus susceptible to [[Erosion|burning and rotting]].
+
A '''quarterstaff''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is [[two-handed]] and made of [[wood]], and simply appears as a [[staff]] when unidentified.
 +
 
 +
[[The Staff of Aesculapius]] is an [[artifact weapon|artifact]] quarterstaff.
  
 
==Generation==
 
==Generation==
All [[Wizard]]s start with a [[blessed]] +1 quarterstaff.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|162|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} Quarterstaves make up about 1.1% of randomly generated weapons (on the floor, as [[death drop]]s, or in [[shop]]s).
+
All [[Wizard]]s start with a [[blessed]] +1 quarterstaff.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|162|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 +
 
 +
Quarterstaves make up about 1.1% of randomly generated weapons (on the floor, as [[death drop]]s, or in [[shop]]s). [[Arch-lich]]es have a {{frac|2|9}} chance of being generated with a quarterstaff, but lack any weapon attacks and so will not use it in combat.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|727|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/monst.c|1538|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 +
 
 +
[[Player monster]]s, including those on the [[Astral Plane]], have a chance slightly lower than 1% of generating with a quarterstaff as their initial weapon before role-based replacements.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|155|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment={{frac|2}} to get a random weapon - the designated range of objects covers weapons from the spear to the bullwhip inclusively in objects.c, and uses normal generation odds}} [[Healer (player monster)|Healers]] have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of their initial weapon being made into a quarterstaff, while [[Wizard (player monster)|wizards]], including Newt from the [[Wizard quest]], have a {{frac|3|8}} chance for their weapon to be a quarterstaff.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|188|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|245|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
[[Arch-lich]]es have a {{frac|2|9}} chance to be generated with a quarterstaff, but lack any weapon attacks and so will not use it in combat.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|727|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}{{refsrc|src/monst.c|1538|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} [[Player monster]] [[Healer (player monster)|healers]] have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of their initial weapon being made into a quarterstaff;{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|188|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} [[Wizard (player monster)|wizards]], including Newt from the [[Wizard quest]], have a {{frac|3|8}} chance for their weapon to be a quarterstaff.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|245|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
+
[[Wood golem]]s leave behind a pile of 2-8 quarterstaves as a special [[death drop]] instead of a [[corpse]].{{refsrc|src/mon.c|400|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
[[Wood golem]]s leave behind a pile of 2-8 quarterstaves as a special [[death drop]] instead of a [[corpse]].{{refsrc|src/mon.c|400|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
+
{{upcoming|3.7.0|Wood golems can also drop other wooden items alongside quarterstaves.}}
  
== Quarterstaff skill ==
+
==Quarterstaff skill==
 
{{quarterstaff skill table}}
 
{{quarterstaff skill table}}
  
In vanilla, only quarterstaves themselves use the quarterstaff skill. [[The Staff of Aesculapius]] is an [[artifact weapon|artifact]] quarterstaff.
+
Only quarterstaves use the quarterstaff skill.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
The quarterstaff is a more than adequate starting weapon for a Wizard, but is much less effective than other two-handed weapons for general combat (e.g., a [[battle-axe]] or [[two-handed sword]]); a Wizard in the early game may still consider enchanting theirs to survive.
+
The quarterstaff is a more than adequate starting weapon for a Wizard, but at 1d6 damage it is much less effective for combat than other two-handed weapons (e.g., a [[battle-axe]] or [[two-handed sword]]). A Wizard in the early game may still consider enchanting theirs to survive.
 +
 
 +
{{upcoming|3.7.0|As of {{commit|780d30eca99a607fefee8e0fc8e66692d06dfea5}}, a cursed quarterstaff does not block spellcasting. As of {{commit|780d30eca99a607fefee8e0fc8e66692d06dfea5}}, they also provide a small spellcasting bonus while wielded.}}
  
== History ==
+
==History==
The quarterstaff is introduced in [[NetHack 3.0.0]].
+
The quarterstaff first appears in [[NetHack 3.0.0]].
  
The Wizard's starting weapon was changed to a quarterstaff in [[NetHack 3.3.0]] as part of the process of merging of the influential [[Wizard Patch]] against 3.2.X versions into mainline NetHack;{{refsrc|u_init.c|161|version=NetHack 3.3.0}} in [[NetHack 3.2.3]] and previous versions, their starting weapon is instead a +1 [[athame]].{{refsrc|u_init.c|156|comment=no source for 3.2.3 on the wiki|version=NetHack 3.2.0}} This was likely intended to compensate for increased power from the redesigned spellcasting system, which allows virtually unlimited casting of spells; it also indirectly nerfed their ability to make a reliably-engraved [[Elbereth]] (which could still be done, but required starting with an appropriate wand and was limited by its charges).
+
The Wizard's starting quarterstaff is introduced in [[NetHack 3.3.0]], which merged the influential [[Wizard Patch]] against 3.2.X versions into the mainline game;{{refsrc|u_init.c|161|version=NetHack 3.3.0}} in [[NetHack 3.2.3]] and previous versions, their starting weapon was a +1 [[athame]].{{refsrc|u_init.c|156|comment=no direct source for 3.2.3 on the wiki|version=NetHack 3.2.0}} This was likely intended to counterbalance their increased power from the redesigned spellcasting system, which allows virtually unlimited casting of spells; it also indirectly nerfed their ability to make a reliably-engraved [[Elbereth]] (which can still be done, but requires an appropriate wand and is limited by its charges).
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
===Noble Patch===
 
In the [[Noble|Noble Patch]] and variants that incorporate it, the [[adventuring wizard]] always generates with a quarterstaff.
 
 
 
===SLASH'EM===
 
===SLASH'EM===
 
In [[SLASH'EM]], [[Flame Mage]]s, [[Ice Mage]]s and [[Necromancer]]s also start with a blessed +1 quarterstaff.
 
In [[SLASH'EM]], [[Flame Mage]]s, [[Ice Mage]]s and [[Necromancer]]s also start with a blessed +1 quarterstaff.
  
 
The [[lightsaber|double lightsaber]] is a new weapon that uses the quarterstaff skill. SLASH'EM's version of the [[Lethe patch]], [[SLethe]], also adds a [[silver-capped staff]] that deals additional damage against [[silver-hating]] monsters.
 
The [[lightsaber|double lightsaber]] is a new weapon that uses the quarterstaff skill. SLASH'EM's version of the [[Lethe patch]], [[SLethe]], also adds a [[silver-capped staff]] that deals additional damage against [[silver-hating]] monsters.
 +
 +
===SporkHack===
 +
In [[SporkHack]], there are [[spell staves]] for every school of magic except [[enchantment spells]]. These staves are all made of wood, and boost the cast rates of spells for their respective spell schools - this is done to make certain types of magic more viable for various casting playstyles that would have difficulty using them otherwise. The bonus given is a flat +50% spell success chance, applied after all other checks besides the check for body armor.
 +
 +
* [[Staff of divination|Staves of divination]] aid in the casting of [[divination spell]]s while wielded.
 +
* [[Staff of escape|Staves of escape]] aid in the casting of [[escape spell]]s while wielded.
 +
* [[Staff of healing|Staves of healing]] aid in the casting of [[healing spell]]s while wielded.
 +
* [[Staff of holiness|Staves of holiness]] aid in the casting of [[clerical spell]]s while wielded.
 +
* [[Staff of matter|Staves of matter]] aid in the casting of [[matter spell]]s while wielded.
 +
* [[Staff of battle|Staves of battle]] aid in the casting of [[attack spell]]s while wielded.
  
 
===UnNetHack===
 
===UnNetHack===
In [[UnNetHack]], cutting down a tree will leave behind 1 to 3 quarterstaves and/or [[club]]s.
+
In [[UnNetHack]], cutting down a tree will leave behind 1-3 quarterstaves and/or [[club]]s.
  
A very burnt quarterstaff can be found on the corpse of a wizard, along with a burnt [[robe]], on the second level of the [[Ruins of Moria]] (clearly intended to be a reference to Gandalf).
+
A very burnt quarterstaff can be found along with the corpse of a wizard and a burnt [[robe]] on the second level of the [[Ruins of Moria]]; this is a clear homage to the wizard Gandalf from [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s works set in Middle-Earth.
  
===Slash'EM Extended===
+
===dNetHack===
In [[Slash'EM Extended]], the [[Death Eater]], [[Acid Mage]], and [[Electric Mage]] also start with a blessed +1 quarterstaff; the [[Cellar Child]] starts with a sticky cursed +3 quarterstaff. The Death Eater quest artifact, [[The Elder Staff]], is a quarterstaff. Several new types of staff weapons are added as well, such as the silver-capped staff from SLethe and the battle staff.
+
[[dNetHack]] adds additional weapons that use the quarterstaff skill:
  
[[Binder (role in Slash'em Extended)|Binders]] that reach Skilled in quarterstaff gain intrinsic [[speed]], and attaining Expert skill unlocks the [[critical strike]] [[technique]].
+
* The [[khakkhara]] does less base damage against large monsters, but is made of silver; khakkharas additionally deal more damage to holy- and unholy-haters (depending on [[beatitude]]): the bonus damage is rolled [[D notation|1d3]] times.
 +
* The [[iron bar]] does more base damage to small monsters, but is not randomly generated and only appears upon destroying a set of [[iron bars]].
 +
* The double lightsaber is somewhat similar to its appearance in SLASH'EM, and is also known as a double force-blade.
  
===SlashTHEM===
+
The [[Spirits (dNetHack)|spirit]] [[Naberius]] grants skill in quarterstaff while bound.
In [[SlashTHEM]], the Death Eater role reappears along with their starting weapon and quest artifact. SlashTHEM also retains the the silver-capped staff and battle staff, and introduces new artifact staves as well:
 
  
* [[Shimmerstaff]] (artifact silver-capped staff, first [[sacrifice gift]] for [[Bard]])
+
The [[adventuring wizard]] of the enemy party that collectively acts as the default [[Noble]] quest nemesis will always generates with a quarterstaff.
* [[Cudgel of Cuthbert]] (artifact quarterstaff, [[Chevalier]] quest artifact)
 
* [[The Staff of Withering]] (artifact quarterstaff, [[Lunatic]] quest artifact)
 
  
 
===NetHack Fourk===
 
===NetHack Fourk===
Line 64: Line 79:
  
 
===FIQHack===
 
===FIQHack===
In [[FIQHack]], in addition to improving spellcasting, a cursed quarterstaff that is welded to your hands does not block spellcasting.
+
In [[FIQHack]], a wielded quarterstaff improves spellcasting, and a cursed quarterstaff that is welded to a character's hands does not block spellcasting.
 +
 
 +
===The November NetHack Tournament===
 +
In [[The November NetHack Tournament]], the [[deathmatch]] opponent will always generate with a blessed and erodeproof +5 to +7 quarterstaff if they represent a healer or wizard character that does not have a weapon.
  
 
===xNetHack===
 
===xNetHack===
In [[xNetHack]], the quarterstaff provides the same benefits as in FIQHack, improving spellcasting success rates and not blocking casting if wielded while cursed. This effect does not stack with other items that provide the same benefit, i.e., the robe and the [[wand of nothing]].
+
In [[xNetHack]], the quarterstaff provides the same benefits as in FIQHack, improving spellcasting success rates and not blocking casting if wielded while cursed. This effect does not stack with other items that provide the same benefit (i.e., the robe and the [[wand of nothing]]).
 +
 
 +
===SpliceHack===
 +
In pre-[[SpliceHack-Rewrite|Rewrite]] [[SpliceHack]], [[The Power Pole]] is an artifact quarterstaff that acts as the [[Dancer]] quest artifact.
 +
 
 +
===notdNetHack===
 +
In addition to dNetHack details, [[notdNetHack]] adds [[the Poplar Punisher]], an artifact quarterstaff that has +1d4 to-hit and +2d6 damage.
  
 
===EvilHack===
 
===EvilHack===
In [[EvilHack]], there are now different spell-enhancing quarterstaves for every school of magic except [[enchantment spells]]. These staves are designed to make magic viable for non-dedicated casters where it would have been either extremely difficult or impossible to cast otherwise, and boost cast rates of spells for their school.
+
[[EvilHack]] incorporates the spell staves from SporkHack, with some changes made to a few of the staves:
 +
 
 +
* Staves of holiness are made of [[bone]].
 +
* Staves of matter are made of [[adamantine]], making them lighter compared to the other staves.
 +
* The staff of battle is renamed to the staff of war, and is now made of [[iron]] - this makes it heavier than its counterparts, but also grants it an extra +d2 to-hit.
 +
 
 +
In addition, the [[base item]] of [[Magicbane]] is changed to a quarterstaff.
 +
 
 +
EvilHack also introduces [[The Staff of the Archmagi]], an artifact [[ashwood staff]] that uses the skill and is created by combining Magicbane and [[Secespita]] at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]]. The ashwood staff as a base item deals more damage than a standard quarterstaff.
 +
 
 +
===SlashTHEM===
 +
In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, the [[Acid Mage]] and [[Electric Mage]] also start with a blessed +1 quarterstaff. SlashTHEM introduces [[artifact weapon]] quarterstaves as well:
  
* Staves of divination are made of wood and aid in the casting of [[divination spell]]s while wielded.
+
* [[Shimmerstaff]] is an artifact silver-capped staff and the first guaranteed [[sacrifice gift]] for the [[Bard]].
* Staves of healing are made of wood and aid in the casting of [[healing spell]]s while wielded.
+
* The [[Cudgel of Cuthbert]] is an artifact quarterstaff and the [[Chevalier]] quest artifact.
* Staves of holiness are made of [[bone]] and aid in the casting of [[clerical spell]]s while wielded.  
+
* [[The Staff of Withering]] is an artifact quarterstaff and the [[Lunatic]] quest artifact.
* Staves of matter are made of [[mithril]], making them lighter compared to the other staves, and aid in the casting of [[matter spell]]s while wielded.  
 
* Staves of escape are made of wood and aid in the casting of [[escape spell]]s while wielded.
 
* Staves of war are made of iron and aid in the casting of [[attack spell]]s while wielded. This makes it heavier than its counterparts, but also grants it an extra +d2 to-hit.
 
  
The bonus given is a flat +50% spell success chance, applied after all checks except the check for body armor. In addition, [[Magicbane]] is now an [[artifact]] (plain) quarterstaff; all its other properties are unchanged.
+
SlashTHEM also incorporates the Noble role, with the adventuring wizard and his party serving the same roles.
  
===SpliceHack===
+
===Hack'EM===
In [[SpliceHack]], [[The Power Pole]] is an artifact quarterstaff that acts as the [[Dancer]] quest artifact.
+
[[Hack'EM]] incorporates spell staves as implemented in EvilHack, with some additional changes made:
 +
 
 +
* Staves of matter are made of [[mithril]], as in earlier versions of EvilHack.
 +
* The staff of holiness is replaced with the [[staff of necromancy]], due to using SLASH'EM spell school categories. Staves of necromancy are made of bone.
  
===dNetHack===
+
Some artifact weapons additionally use the quarterstaff skill, and have their [[base item]] changed from other variants:
In [[dNetHack]], the [[khakkhara]] and iron bar also use the quarterstaff skill. The khakkhara does less base damage against large monsters, but is made of silver; the iron bar does more base damage to small monsters, but is not randomly generated and only appears upon destroying a set of [[iron bars]]. The double lightsaber also appears, where it is known as a double force-blade.
 
  
[[Naberius]] is a [[spirit]] for [[Binder (dNetHack role)|Binders]] that grants skill in quarterstaff.
+
* [[The Staff of Rot]] is a staff of necromancy that deals [[withering]] damage actively and passively.
 +
* [[Firewall]] is a staff of divination that grants [[fire resistance]] and deals fire damage, and is the first sacrifice gift for [[Flame Mage]]s.
 +
* [[Circe's Witchstaff]] is a staff of matter that can turn enemies into pigs.
 +
* The [[Drowsing Rod]] is a staff of healing that can put enemies to [[sleep]] with its sleeping gas attack, and is the first sacrifice gift for Healers.
 +
* [[Origin]] is a staff of escape that confers [[teleport control]] and spellcasting bonuses while wielded.
  
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
Line 111: Line 149:
 
}}
 
}}
  
== References ==
+
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
{{nethack-366}}
+
{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]

Latest revision as of 07:33, 16 April 2024

) Quarterstaff.png
Name quarterstaff
Appearance staff
Damage vs. small 1d6
Damage vs. large 1d6
To-hit bonus +0
Weapon skill quarterstaff
Size two-handed
Base price 5 zm
(+10/positive
enchant)
Weight 40
Material wood

A quarterstaff is a type of weapon that appears in NetHack. It is two-handed and made of wood, and simply appears as a staff when unidentified.

The Staff of Aesculapius is an artifact quarterstaff.

Generation

All Wizards start with a blessed +1 quarterstaff.[1]

Quarterstaves make up about 1.1% of randomly generated weapons (on the floor, as death drops, or in shops). Arch-liches have a 29 chance of being generated with a quarterstaff, but lack any weapon attacks and so will not use it in combat.[2][3]

Player monsters, including those on the Astral Plane, have a chance slightly lower than 1% of generating with a quarterstaff as their initial weapon before role-based replacements.[4] Healers have a 34 chance of their initial weapon being made into a quarterstaff, while wizards, including Newt from the Wizard quest, have a 38 chance for their weapon to be a quarterstaff.[5][6]

Wood golems leave behind a pile of 2-8 quarterstaves as a special death drop instead of a corpse.[7]

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Wood golems can also drop other wooden items alongside quarterstaves.

Quarterstaff skill

Quarterstaff
Max Role
Basic
Skilled
Expert

Only quarterstaves use the quarterstaff skill.

Strategy

The quarterstaff is a more than adequate starting weapon for a Wizard, but at 1d6 damage it is much less effective for combat than other two-handed weapons (e.g., a battle-axe or two-handed sword). A Wizard in the early game may still consider enchanting theirs to survive.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

As of commit 780d30ec, a cursed quarterstaff does not block spellcasting. As of commit 780d30ec, they also provide a small spellcasting bonus while wielded.

History

The quarterstaff first appears in NetHack 3.0.0.

The Wizard's starting quarterstaff is introduced in NetHack 3.3.0, which merged the influential Wizard Patch against 3.2.X versions into the mainline game;[8] in NetHack 3.2.3 and previous versions, their starting weapon was a +1 athame.[9] This was likely intended to counterbalance their increased power from the redesigned spellcasting system, which allows virtually unlimited casting of spells; it also indirectly nerfed their ability to make a reliably-engraved Elbereth (which can still be done, but requires an appropriate wand and is limited by its charges).

Variants

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, Flame Mages, Ice Mages and Necromancers also start with a blessed +1 quarterstaff.

The double lightsaber is a new weapon that uses the quarterstaff skill. SLASH'EM's version of the Lethe patch, SLethe, also adds a silver-capped staff that deals additional damage against silver-hating monsters.

SporkHack

In SporkHack, there are spell staves for every school of magic except enchantment spells. These staves are all made of wood, and boost the cast rates of spells for their respective spell schools - this is done to make certain types of magic more viable for various casting playstyles that would have difficulty using them otherwise. The bonus given is a flat +50% spell success chance, applied after all other checks besides the check for body armor.

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, cutting down a tree will leave behind 1-3 quarterstaves and/or clubs.

A very burnt quarterstaff can be found along with the corpse of a wizard and a burnt robe on the second level of the Ruins of Moria; this is a clear homage to the wizard Gandalf from J.R.R. Tolkien's works set in Middle-Earth.

dNetHack

dNetHack adds additional weapons that use the quarterstaff skill:

  • The khakkhara does less base damage against large monsters, but is made of silver; khakkharas additionally deal more damage to holy- and unholy-haters (depending on beatitude): the bonus damage is rolled 1d3 times.
  • The iron bar does more base damage to small monsters, but is not randomly generated and only appears upon destroying a set of iron bars.
  • The double lightsaber is somewhat similar to its appearance in SLASH'EM, and is also known as a double force-blade.

The spirit Naberius grants skill in quarterstaff while bound.

The adventuring wizard of the enemy party that collectively acts as the default Noble quest nemesis will always generates with a quarterstaff.

NetHack Fourk

In NetHack Fourk, a wielded quarterstaff increases the success rate of spellcasting, similar to a robe.

FIQHack

In FIQHack, a wielded quarterstaff improves spellcasting, and a cursed quarterstaff that is welded to a character's hands does not block spellcasting.

The November NetHack Tournament

In The November NetHack Tournament, the deathmatch opponent will always generate with a blessed and erodeproof +5 to +7 quarterstaff if they represent a healer or wizard character that does not have a weapon.

xNetHack

In xNetHack, the quarterstaff provides the same benefits as in FIQHack, improving spellcasting success rates and not blocking casting if wielded while cursed. This effect does not stack with other items that provide the same benefit (i.e., the robe and the wand of nothing).

SpliceHack

In pre-Rewrite SpliceHack, The Power Pole is an artifact quarterstaff that acts as the Dancer quest artifact.

notdNetHack

In addition to dNetHack details, notdNetHack adds the Poplar Punisher, an artifact quarterstaff that has +1d4 to-hit and +2d6 damage.

EvilHack

EvilHack incorporates the spell staves from SporkHack, with some changes made to a few of the staves:

  • Staves of holiness are made of bone.
  • Staves of matter are made of adamantine, making them lighter compared to the other staves.
  • The staff of battle is renamed to the staff of war, and is now made of iron - this makes it heavier than its counterparts, but also grants it an extra +d2 to-hit.

In addition, the base item of Magicbane is changed to a quarterstaff.

EvilHack also introduces The Staff of the Archmagi, an artifact ashwood staff that uses the skill and is created by combining Magicbane and Secespita at a forge. The ashwood staff as a base item deals more damage than a standard quarterstaff.

SlashTHEM

In SlashTHEM, in addition to SLASH'EM details, the Acid Mage and Electric Mage also start with a blessed +1 quarterstaff. SlashTHEM introduces artifact weapon quarterstaves as well:

SlashTHEM also incorporates the Noble role, with the adventuring wizard and his party serving the same roles.

Hack'EM

Hack'EM incorporates spell staves as implemented in EvilHack, with some additional changes made:

  • Staves of matter are made of mithril, as in earlier versions of EvilHack.
  • The staff of holiness is replaced with the staff of necromancy, due to using SLASH'EM spell school categories. Staves of necromancy are made of bone.

Some artifact weapons additionally use the quarterstaff skill, and have their base item changed from other variants:

Encyclopedia entry

So they stood, each in his place, neither moving a finger's
breadth back, for one good hour, and many blows were given
and received by each in that time, till here and there were
sore bones and bumps, yet neither thought of crying "Enough,"
or seemed likely to fall from off the bridge. Now and then
they stopped to rest, and each thought that he never had seen
in all his life before such a hand at quarterstaff. At last
Robin gave the stranger a blow upon the ribs that made his
jacket smoke like a damp straw thatch in the sun. So shrewd
was the stroke that the stranger came within a hair's breadth
of falling off the bridge; but he regained himself right
quickly, and, by a dexterous blow, gave Robin a crack on the
crown that caused the blood to flow. Then Robin grew mad
with anger, and smote with all his might at the other; but
the stranger warded the blow, and once again thwacked Robin,
and this time so fairly that he fell heels over head into the
water, as the queen pin falls in a game of bowls.

[ The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, by Howard Pyle ]

References