Difference between revisions of "Racial equipment"

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The array of weapons, armor, and other items available in ''[[NetHack]]'' and its [[variant]]s include many items that are associated with one of the starting [[race]]s, and may be infomally considered '''racial equipment'''. Items may be linked to a specific race because:
+
The array of weapons, armor, and other items available in ''[[NetHack]]'' include many items that are associated with one of the starting [[race]]s, and may be infomally considered '''racial equipment'''.
 +
 
 +
==Description==
 +
In ''NetHack'', items may be linked to a specific race because:
  
 
#They are described as belonging to (made/used by) that race (e.g. dwarvish and elven [[mithril-coat]]s), or
 
#They are described as belonging to (made/used by) that race (e.g. dwarvish and elven [[mithril-coat]]s), or
 
#They are more likely to appear in the inventory of [[monster]]s and players of that race (e.g. the [[aklys]] and [[crossbow]] for [[gnome]]s) than other pieces of equipment, often because of the first point.
 
#They are more likely to appear in the inventory of [[monster]]s and players of that race (e.g. the [[aklys]] and [[crossbow]] for [[gnome]]s) than other pieces of equipment, often because of the first point.
  
In [[Source:NetHack_3.6.0/src/objects.c|the objects code]], there are no variables (besides the object names) that mark items as belonging to any particular race. Racial associations only impact gameplay during character generation, where some roles may receive racial substitutes for standard items (e.g. an [[elven dagger]] or [[orcish dagger]] instead of a regular [[dagger]]), and when calculating bonuses such as for example, [[to-hit]], [[damage]] or [[multishot]] when using a matching bow and arrows. While there is no in-game incentive to use racial equipment, players may choose to do so out of either personal preference or adherence to an [[Unofficial conduct#Racial|unofficial "racial" conduct]]; beyond this, most players will use the best options available to them.
+
Racial associations only impact gameplay during character generation, where some roles may receive racial substitutes for standard items (e.g. an [[elven dagger]] or [[orcish dagger]] instead of a regular [[dagger]]), and when calculating bonuses such as for example, [[to-hit]], [[damage]] or [[multishot]] when using a matching bow and arrows. In [[Source:NetHack_3.6.0/src/objects.c|the objects code]], there are no variables (besides the object names) that mark items as belonging to any particular race.
  
Some variants (e.g. [[UnNetHack]]) add other incentives to use race-specific equipment. Wearing your race's armor may grant an extra point of [[AC]] per article, or give you a bonus to [[charisma]].
+
While there is no in-game incentive to use racial equipment, players may choose to do so out of either personal preference or adherence to an [[Unofficial conduct#Racial|unofficial "racial" conduct]]; beyond this, most players will use the best options available to them.
 +
 
 +
==List of equipment by race==
 +
Below is a concise list of weapons and other equipment sorted by their associated race.
  
==Human==
+
===Humans===
No items in NetHack are specifically said to be unique to the [[Human (starting race)|human]] race. Perhaps humans make the items that are not specifically described as elven, dwarvish, gnomish, or orcish.
+
No items in ''NetHack'' are specifically said to be unique to the [[Human (starting race)|human]] race. Perhaps humans make the items that are not specifically described as elven, dwarvish, gnomish, or orcish.
  
The fact that human craftsmanship in NetHack does not seem worth mentioning might be in keeping with humans' general averageness as a starting race.
+
The fact that human craftsmanship in NetHack does not seem worth mentioning might be in keeping with humans being generally "average" as a starting race.
  
==Elf==
+
===Elves===
Elven weapons are described as "runed" and are made of [[wood]], which does not rust or corrode, but are instead vulnerable to burning by [[passive attack#Fire|passive fire attacks]]. As a general rule, elven armor has lower [[AC]] values than its dwarven equivalents, but all types of elven armor can be safely enchanted to +7. With the exception of the mithril-coat, all elven armor is non-metal and susceptible to [[rot]]ting and [[fire]].
+
Elven weapons are described as "runed" and are made of [[wood]], which does not rust or corrode but are vulnerable to [[rot]]ting or [[burn]]ing by [[passive attack#Fire|passive fire attacks]], with the exception of the mithril-coat. As a general rule, elven armor has slightly lower [[AC]] values than its dwarven equivalents, but all types of elven armor can be safely enchanted to +7.
  
 
The properties of elven weapons suggest they may be either made of or at least inspired by [[D&D]]'s [http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Ironwood ironwood].
 
The properties of elven weapons suggest they may be either made of or at least inspired by [[D&D]]'s [http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Ironwood ironwood].
  
===Elven weapons===
+
====Elven weapons====
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
!| Type
 
!| Type
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All runed weapons are elven except for [[Stormbringer]] and its base weapon, the [[runesword]]. Basic runeswords are never randomly generated.
 
All runed weapons are elven except for [[Stormbringer]] and its base weapon, the [[runesword]]. Basic runeswords are never randomly generated.
  
===Elven armor===
+
====Elven armor====
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
!| Type
 
!| Type
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The elven cloak replaces the starting [[cloak of displacement]] for elven [[Ranger]]s.
 
The elven cloak replaces the starting [[cloak of displacement]] for elven [[Ranger]]s.
  
===Other elven items===
+
====Other elven items====
 
* [[Lembas wafer]]s replace the stack of [[cram ration]]s for Rangers.
 
* [[Lembas wafer]]s replace the stack of [[cram ration]]s for Rangers.
 
* Elven [[Priest]]s and [[Wizard]]s start with a nonmagical [[musical instrument]].
 
* Elven [[Priest]]s and [[Wizard]]s start with a nonmagical [[musical instrument]].
  
==Dwarf==
+
===Dwarves===
 
Dwarvish armor options generally offer some of the highest base AC values in the game. The dwarvish mithril-coat is inferior only to the [[plate mail|iron]] and [[crystal plate mail]]s, and [[dragon scale mail]], but its good weight-to-AC ratio gives it an advantage over the plate mails. The dwarvish cloak is a possible exception to the advantages of dwarvish armor, with its base AC of zero. The dwarvish mattock is one of the most powerful non-artifact weapons.
 
Dwarvish armor options generally offer some of the highest base AC values in the game. The dwarvish mithril-coat is inferior only to the [[plate mail|iron]] and [[crystal plate mail]]s, and [[dragon scale mail]], but its good weight-to-AC ratio gives it an advantage over the plate mails. The dwarvish cloak is a possible exception to the advantages of dwarvish armor, with its base AC of zero. The dwarvish mattock is one of the most powerful non-artifact weapons.
  
===Dwarvish weapons===
+
====Dwarvish weapons====
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
!| Type
 
!| Type
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|}
 
|}
  
===Dwarvish armor===
+
====Dwarvish armor====
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
!| Type
 
!| Type
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While not explicitly described as dwarvish, [[iron shoes]] are often worn by [[dwarf (monster)|dwarves]].
 
While not explicitly described as dwarvish, [[iron shoes]] are often worn by [[dwarf (monster)|dwarves]].
  
==Gnome==
+
===Gnomes===
There are no "gnomish" items; however, there are weapons that gnomes are often found carrying:
+
There are no "gnomish" items as defined above - gnomes have a roughly {{frac|9|25}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being given]] any one of the default weapon sets given to weapon-wielding monsters that are not [[strong]]: a stack of [[darts]], a [[crossbow]] and some [[crossbow bolts]], a [[bow]] and 3-14 [[arrow]]s, a stack of [[dagger]], or an [[aklys]].{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|535|version=NetHack 3.6.6|common=Default set of cases for generating weapons on "normal" monsters}} Most players associate the aklys with gnomes due to this, as they are usually the first monsters seen with one; as a result, the aklys is often considered the only suitable melee weapon for a gnomish racial ascension.
 
 
* [[Aklys]]  
 
* [[Crossbow]]
 
* [[Crossbow bolt]]
 
  
 
Gnomes receive +1 [[multishot]] bonus when firing bolts out of a crossbow, and require less [[strength]] than other races to guarantee full amount of shots from it, making it something akin to a racial item. Indeed, gnomish [[Ranger]]s will start with crossbow and bolts.
 
Gnomes receive +1 [[multishot]] bonus when firing bolts out of a crossbow, and require less [[strength]] than other races to guarantee full amount of shots from it, making it something akin to a racial item. Indeed, gnomish [[Ranger]]s will start with crossbow and bolts.
  
In [[UnNetHack]] non-player [[Gnome (monster class)|gnome]]s have a chance of being generated with a [[candle]], especially if on a dark level of the [[Gnomish Mines|mines]].  Gnomes in [[dNetHack]] may get a "gnomish pointy hat" (which appears as a [[conical hat]]) which contains a candle and can be used as a temporary light source.
+
===Orcs===
 
 
[[SlashTHEM]] adds gnomish "armor":
 
* Gnomish helm ("little red hat")
 
* Gnomish suit ("little blue vest")
 
* Gnomish boots ("little black boots")
 
 
 
These items have a low [[AC]], which is slightly higher for gnomish players.
 
 
 
==Orc==
 
 
Orcish armor and weapons are characteristically described as "crude".  The base AC of orcish armor is generally one point less than that of its generic equivalent—even [[studded leather armor]] is better than an orcish ring mail.
 
Orcish armor and weapons are characteristically described as "crude".  The base AC of orcish armor is generally one point less than that of its generic equivalent—even [[studded leather armor]] is better than an orcish ring mail.
  
===Orcish weapons===
+
====Orcish weapons====
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
!| Type
 
!| Type
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|}
 
|}
  
===Orcish armor===
+
====Orcish armor====
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
!| Type
 
!| Type
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|}
 
|}
  
 +
==Variants==
 +
Some variants (e.g. [[UnNetHack]]) add other incentives to use race-specific equipment. Wearing your race's armor may grant an extra point of [[AC]] per article, or give you a bonus to [[charisma]].
 +
 +
In [[UnNetHack]] non-player [[Gnome (monster class)|gnome]]s have a chance of being generated with a [[candle]], especially if on a dark level of the [[Gnomish Mines|mines]].  Gnomes in [[dNetHack]] may get a "gnomish pointy hat" (which appears as a [[conical hat]]) which contains a candle and can be used as a temporary light source.
 +
 +
[[SlashTHEM]] adds gnomish "armor":
 +
* Gnomish helm ("little red hat")
 +
* Gnomish suit ("little blue vest")
 +
* Gnomish boots ("little black boots")
 +
 +
These items have a low [[AC]], which is slightly higher for gnomish players.
 +
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 
{{nethack-360}}
 
{{nethack-360}}
 
[[Category:Items]]
 
[[Category:Items]]

Revision as of 14:36, 12 December 2022

The array of weapons, armor, and other items available in NetHack include many items that are associated with one of the starting races, and may be infomally considered racial equipment.

Description

In NetHack, items may be linked to a specific race because:

  1. They are described as belonging to (made/used by) that race (e.g. dwarvish and elven mithril-coats), or
  2. They are more likely to appear in the inventory of monsters and players of that race (e.g. the aklys and crossbow for gnomes) than other pieces of equipment, often because of the first point.

Racial associations only impact gameplay during character generation, where some roles may receive racial substitutes for standard items (e.g. an elven dagger or orcish dagger instead of a regular dagger), and when calculating bonuses such as for example, to-hit, damage or multishot when using a matching bow and arrows. In the objects code, there are no variables (besides the object names) that mark items as belonging to any particular race.

While there is no in-game incentive to use racial equipment, players may choose to do so out of either personal preference or adherence to an unofficial "racial" conduct; beyond this, most players will use the best options available to them.

List of equipment by race

Below is a concise list of weapons and other equipment sorted by their associated race.

Humans

No items in NetHack are specifically said to be unique to the human race. Perhaps humans make the items that are not specifically described as elven, dwarvish, gnomish, or orcish.

The fact that human craftsmanship in NetHack does not seem worth mentioning might be in keeping with humans being generally "average" as a starting race.

Elves

Elven weapons are described as "runed" and are made of wood, which does not rust or corrode but are vulnerable to rotting or burning by passive fire attacks, with the exception of the mithril-coat. As a general rule, elven armor has slightly lower AC values than its dwarven equivalents, but all types of elven armor can be safely enchanted to +7.

The properties of elven weapons suggest they may be either made of or at least inspired by D&D's ironwood.

Elven weapons

Type Name Symbol Appearance Notes
Dagger elven dagger ) runed dagger 1d5 vs. small, 1d3 vs. large
Short sword elven short sword ) runed short sword 1d8 vs. small, 1d8 vs. large
Spear elven spear ) runed spear 1d7 vs. small, 1d8 vs. large
Broadsword elven broadsword ) runed broadsword 1d6+1d4 vs. small, 1d6+1 vs. large
Bow elven bow ) runed bow Elves get +1 to-hit, multishot, and damage bonuses
Arrow elven arrow ) runed arrow 1d7 vs. small, 1d6 vs. large

All runed weapons are elven except for Stormbringer and its base weapon, the runesword. Basic runeswords are never randomly generated.

Elven armor

Type Name Symbol Appearance Notes
Helm elven leather helm [ leather hat 1 AC
Body armor elven mithril-coat [ pre-identified 5 AC, MC2
Shield elven shield [ blue and green shield 2 AC
Cloak elven cloak [ faded pall 1 AC, MC1, stealth
Boots elven boots [ random appearance 1 AC, stealth

The elven cloak replaces the starting cloak of displacement for elven Rangers.

Other elven items

Dwarves

Dwarvish armor options generally offer some of the highest base AC values in the game. The dwarvish mithril-coat is inferior only to the iron and crystal plate mails, and dragon scale mail, but its good weight-to-AC ratio gives it an advantage over the plate mails. The dwarvish cloak is a possible exception to the advantages of dwarvish armor, with its base AC of zero. The dwarvish mattock is one of the most powerful non-artifact weapons.

Dwarvish weapons

Type Name Symbol Appearance Notes
Short sword dwarvish short sword ) broad short sword 1d7 vs. small, 1d8 vs. large
Spear dwarvish spear ) stout spear 1d8 vs. small, 1d8 vs. large
Pick axe dwarvish mattock ) broad pick 1d12 vs. small, 1d8+2d6 vs. large

Dwarvish armor

Type Name Symbol Appearance Notes
Helm dwarvish iron helm [ hard hat 2 AC
Body armor dwarvish mithril-coat [ pre-identified 6 AC, MC2, enchantable to +5
Shield dwarvish roundshield [ large round shield 2 AC
Cloak dwarvish cloak [ hooded cloak 0 AC, MC1

While not explicitly described as dwarvish, iron shoes are often worn by dwarves.

Gnomes

There are no "gnomish" items as defined above - gnomes have a roughly 925 chance of being given any one of the default weapon sets given to weapon-wielding monsters that are not strong: a stack of darts, a crossbow and some crossbow bolts, a bow and 3-14 arrows, a stack of dagger, or an aklys.[1] Most players associate the aklys with gnomes due to this, as they are usually the first monsters seen with one; as a result, the aklys is often considered the only suitable melee weapon for a gnomish racial ascension.

Gnomes receive +1 multishot bonus when firing bolts out of a crossbow, and require less strength than other races to guarantee full amount of shots from it, making it something akin to a racial item. Indeed, gnomish Rangers will start with crossbow and bolts.

Orcs

Orcish armor and weapons are characteristically described as "crude". The base AC of orcish armor is generally one point less than that of its generic equivalent—even studded leather armor is better than an orcish ring mail.

Orcish weapons

Type Name Symbol Appearance Notes
Dagger orcish dagger ) crude dagger 1d3 vs. small, 1d3 vs. large
Short sword orcish short sword ) crude short sword 1d5 vs. small, 1d8 vs. large
Spear orcish spear ) crude spear 1d5 vs. small, 1d8 vs. large
Bow orcish bow ) crude bow Orcs get +1 multishot bonus when using orcish arrows
Arrow orcish arrow ) crude arrow 1d5 vs. small, 1d6 vs. large

Orcish armor

Type Name Symbol Appearance Notes
Ring mail orcish ring mail [ crude ring mail 2 AC, MC1
Chain mail orcish chain mail [ crude chain mail 4 AC, MC1
Cloak orcish cloak [ coarse mantelet 0 AC, MC1
Helm orcish helm [ iron skull cap 1 AC
Shield [ / [ red-eyed shield / white-handed shield 1 AC

Variants

Some variants (e.g. UnNetHack) add other incentives to use race-specific equipment. Wearing your race's armor may grant an extra point of AC per article, or give you a bonus to charisma.

In UnNetHack non-player gnomes have a chance of being generated with a candle, especially if on a dark level of the mines. Gnomes in dNetHack may get a "gnomish pointy hat" (which appears as a conical hat) which contains a candle and can be used as a temporary light source.

SlashTHEM adds gnomish "armor":

  • Gnomish helm ("little red hat")
  • Gnomish suit ("little blue vest")
  • Gnomish boots ("little black boots")

These items have a low AC, which is slightly higher for gnomish players.

References

This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.

It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.6.0. Information on this page may be out of date.

Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-360}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.