Difference between revisions of "Shield"

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(→‎Strategy: The "other shields" aren't rustproof, but neither are elven/small shields fireproof in their default state. That a small shield "doesn't provide much protection" really depends on enchantment, and 1 AC is not a huge difference.)
 
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A '''shield''' is a form of [[armor]] carried in the off-hand.  Wearing a shield of any material tends to increase spellcasting failure rates.  When using a shield, you are unable to [[wield]] two-handed weapons or use the #[[twoweapon]] skill.
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A '''shield''' is a form of [[armor]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is carried in the off-hand.
  
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{{stub}}
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Wearing any shield increases spellcasting failure rates, although the penalty is lower for a [[small shield]].{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1802|nethack=3.6.6|comment=extra shield penalty doesn't apply for small shields}} When using a shield, you are unable to [[wield]] two-handed weapons or use the #[[twoweapon]] skill.
  
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==Generation and usage==
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[[Valkyries]] start with a +3 small shield, and [[Priests]] and [[Knights]] start with a +0 small shield.
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Many humanoid monsters are generated with shields, and will pick up and use them; of specific note are [[Archon]]s, [[Angel]]s and [[Aleax]]es. All Archons are generated with a [[shield of reflection]], whereas Angels and Aleaxes have a 25% chance of having one.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|340|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
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==List of shields==
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{|class="prettytable striped"
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!|Shield
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!|Unidentified<br>Description
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!|Cost
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!|[[Weight]]
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!|[[AC]]
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!|[[Material]]
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!|Special properties
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|-
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||[[Uruk-hai shield]] || white-handed shield || 7 || 50 || 1 || iron ||
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|-
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||[[Orcish shield]] || red-eyed shield || 7 || 50 || 1 || iron ||
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|-
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||[[Large shield]] || large shield || 10 || 100 || 2 || iron ||
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|-
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||[[Dwarvish roundshield]] || large round shield || 10 || 100 || 2 || iron ||
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|-
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||[[Elven shield]] || blue and green shield || 7 || 40 || 2 || wood || can be [[Scroll_of_enchant_armor|enchanted]] to +7
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|-
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||[[Small shield]] || small shield || 3 || 30 || 1 || wood || low [[spellcasting]] penalty
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|-
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||[[Shield of reflection]] || polished silver shield || 50 || 50 || 2 || silver || provides [[reflection]]
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|}
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==Strategy==
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Shields get in the way of two-weaponing and spellcasting, making them a poor choice for some late game characters. However, in the early and middle game a few extra points of armor class can be very beneficial. Even in the late game, there are some characters that only need to spellcast in situations where they can take off their shield. There are some [[role]]s that cannot two-weapon such as [[Cavemen]] and [[Ranger]]s. Additionally, some [[conduct]]s may make it difficult to find good armor. In these cases, there are three shields that are worth the weight.
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The shield of reflection is often a candidate for [[ascension kit]]s, and is paired with a source of [[magic resistance]]. Reflection is a crucial property, but other sources of reflection would be preferable for most characters. The shield of reflection is also a good choice for pets that can equip a shield.
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The small shield is a good choice for spellcasters and characters with low [[carrying capacity]].
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The elven shield can be enchanted to +7 and is still lighter than most other shields, though it still penalizes spellcasting as a large shield.
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The various other shields in the game are usually inferior choices because they are heavy and do not provide any special properties.
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== References ==
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<references/>
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[[Category:Armor]]
 
[[Category:Shields]]
 
[[Category:Shields]]
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{{nethack-366}}

Latest revision as of 22:57, 29 November 2022

A shield is a form of armor that appears in NetHack. It is carried in the off-hand.

Wearing any shield increases spellcasting failure rates, although the penalty is lower for a small shield.[1] When using a shield, you are unable to wield two-handed weapons or use the #twoweapon skill.

Generation and usage

Valkyries start with a +3 small shield, and Priests and Knights start with a +0 small shield.

Many humanoid monsters are generated with shields, and will pick up and use them; of specific note are Archons, Angels and Aleaxes. All Archons are generated with a shield of reflection, whereas Angels and Aleaxes have a 25% chance of having one.[2]

List of shields

Shield Unidentified
Description 		Cost Weight AC Material Special properties
Uruk-hai shield white-handed shield 7 50 1 iron
Orcish shield red-eyed shield 7 50 1 iron
Large shield large shield 10 100 2 iron
Dwarvish roundshield large round shield 10 100 2 iron
Elven shield blue and green shield 7 40 2 wood can be enchanted to +7
Small shield small shield 3 30 1 wood low spellcasting penalty
Shield of reflection polished silver shield 50 50 2 silver provides reflection

Strategy

Shields get in the way of two-weaponing and spellcasting, making them a poor choice for some late game characters. However, in the early and middle game a few extra points of armor class can be very beneficial. Even in the late game, there are some characters that only need to spellcast in situations where they can take off their shield. There are some roles that cannot two-weapon such as Cavemen and Rangers. Additionally, some conducts may make it difficult to find good armor. In these cases, there are three shields that are worth the weight.

The shield of reflection is often a candidate for ascension kits, and is paired with a source of magic resistance. Reflection is a crucial property, but other sources of reflection would be preferable for most characters. The shield of reflection is also a good choice for pets that can equip a shield.

The small shield is a good choice for spellcasters and characters with low carrying capacity.

The elven shield can be enchanted to +7 and is still lighter than most other shields, though it still penalizes spellcasting as a large shield.

The various other shields in the game are usually inferior choices because they are heavy and do not provide any special properties.

References

  1. ↑ src/spell.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 1802: extra shield penalty doesn't apply for small shields
  2. ↑ src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 340
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