Difference between revisions of "Spear"

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A '''spear''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a type of one-handed weapon that can be used in [[melee]] or [[thrown]] as a [[projectile]], and is made of [[iron]].
+
A '''spear''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a [[stackable]] one-handed weapon that can be used in [[melee]] or [[thrown]] as a [[projectile]], and is made of [[iron]].
 +
 
 +
==Generation==
 +
Ordinary spears make up about 5% of randomly generated weapons (on the ground, as [[death drop]]s, and in [[shop]]s).
 +
 
 +
[[Watchmen]] and [[soldier]]s in the [[Yendorian army]] have a {{frac|3}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being generated with]] a spear.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|179|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Salamander]]s have a {{frac|6|7}} chance of generating with a spear.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|485|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Ice devil]]s have a {{frac|4}} chance of generating with a spear.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|770|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
 
==Spear skill==
 
==Spear skill==
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* [[javelin]]
 
* [[javelin]]
  
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Spears have an additional +2 [[to-hit]] bonus against all monsters when thrown, and have a separate +2 to-hit bonus against [[kebabable]] [[monster class]]es.
+
Spears of all kinds make up about 9.7% of randomly generated weapons (on the ground, as death drops, and in shops). Spears have an additional +2 [[to-hit]] bonus against all monsters when thrown, and have a separate +2 to-hit bonus against [[kebabable]] [[monster class]]es.
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In versions of NetHack prior to 3.6.0, [[javelin]]s had their own ''javelin'' skill that consisted solely of javelins, but it has since been merged into the spear skill. When unidentified, a [[javelin]] appears as a 'throwing spear'.
 
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There are no [[artifact weapon|artifact]] spears in vanilla NetHack.
 
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==Types of spear==
 
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===Spear===
 
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{{weapon
 
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  |color=metal color
 
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  |name=spear
 
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  |tile=[[image:spear.png]]
 
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  |smalldmg=1d6
 
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  |largedmg=1d8
 
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  |skill=spear
 
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  |cost=3
 
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  |weight=30
 
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  |material=iron
 
−
}}
 
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Ordinary spears make up about 5.0% of randomly generated weapons (on the ground, as [[death drop]]s, and in [[shop]]s).
 
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Spears of this kind are made of [[iron]] and susceptible to [[erosion|corrosion]] from [[acid]]ic monsters and [[erosion|rusting]] from [[rust monster]]s and [[water]].
 
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{{clear}}
 
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===Dwarvish spear===
 
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{{main|Dwarvish spear}}
 
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===Elven spear===
 
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{{main|Elven spear}}
 
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===Orcish spear===
 
−
{{main|orcish spear}}
 
  
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===Silver spear===
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Spears can be [[multishot]], and [[Cavepeople]] get a +1 [[multishot]] bonus for throwing spears of any kind.{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|138|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Caveman multishot}}{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1065|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
−
{{main|Silver spear}}
 
  
−
==Generation==
+
There are no [[artifact weapon]]s that use the spear skill.
−
Spears of all kinds make up about 9.7% of randomly generated weapons (on the ground, as [[death drop]]s, and in [[shop]]s).  In addition, [[watchmen]], [[soldier]]s in the [[Yendorian army]],{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|199|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=mercenary spears}} [[salamander]]s,{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|436|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=salamander spears}} and [[ice devil]]s{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|694|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=ice devil spears}} may be generated with a spear.  
 
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
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In the absence of [[dagger]] skills, a small stack of spears is a powerful [[ranged weapon]] for any [[Caveman]] or [[Priest]] lucky enough to find more than one. Generally you need to encounter a large [[shop|antique weapons outlet]] to find them in any number. However, spears are quite heavy (three spears weigh more than a [[pick-axe]]), so they have a tendency to cause [[encumbrance]] problems.
+
In the absence of [[dagger]] skills, a small stack of spears is a powerful [[ranged weapon]] for any Caveperson or [[Priest]] lucky enough to find more than one: most characters will require an antique weapons outlet to amass multiple spears in any timely manner. They are also quite heavy, with four spears outweighing a single [[pick-axe]].
  
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Spears can be [[multishot]] as of NetHack 3.6.0.  [[Cavemen]] get a +1 multishot bonus for throwing spears.{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|138|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=Caveman multishot}}
+
==History==
 +
The spear first appears in Hack 1.21 and Hack for PDP-11, which are based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial item list for [[Hack 1.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.3.1]], including variants based on those versions, [[Knight]]s start the game with a +2 spear.
  
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The silver spear does only one point less damage on average against small or medium monsters than a [[silver saber]], and deals the same damage against large monsters (which includes most [[major demon]]s), making it an attractive option for roles restricted in saber, such as [[Cavemen]], [[Priest]]s, and especially [[Monk]]s. [[Valkyrie]]s and [[Samurai]] might also consider this weapon for two-weaponing as they can be skilled in spear versus basic in saber, overcoming the damage difference.
+
From Hack 1.0 to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including variants based on those versions, spears cannot be multishot, and the javelin has its own separate skill in its appearances. [[NetHack 3.6.0]] merges the javelin skill into the spear skill and makes all spear weapons eligible for multishot.
  
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===Average damage calculation===
+
==Origin==
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The average damage calculations in the following table do not include bonuses from [[Skill|weapon skills]], [[strength]], or from using a [[blessed]] weapon against [[undead]] or demons.
+
The spear is a weapon designed for thrusting. Chimpanzees use very rudimentary spears, so it is likely that humans have used spears for an extremely long time.
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{|class="wikitable"
 
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!rowspan="2"|Weapon
 
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!colspan="2"|Not silver-hating
 
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!colspan="2"|Silver-hating
 
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|-
 
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! Small monster
 
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! Large monster
 
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! Small monster
 
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! Large monster
 
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|-
 
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| +0 silver spear
 
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|<math>\frac{1+6}{2}=\bold{3.5}</math>
 
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|<math>\frac{1+8}{2}=\bold{4.5}</math>
 
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|<math>\frac{1+6}{2}+\frac{1+20}{2}=\bold{14}</math>
 
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|<math>\frac{1+8}{2}+\frac{1+20}{2}=\bold{15}</math>
 
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|-
 
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| +7 silver spear
 
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|<math>\frac{1+6}{2}+7=\bold{10.5}</math>
 
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|<math>\frac{1+8}{2}+7=\bold{11.5}</math>
 
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|<math>\frac{1+6}{2}+\frac{1+20}{2}+7=\bold{21}</math>
 
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|<math>\frac{1+8}{2}+\frac{1+20}{2}+7=\bold{22}</math>
 
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|}
 
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
 
===SLASH'EM===
 
===SLASH'EM===
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[[SLASH'EM]] introduces the <nowiki>#</nowiki>name-able [[artifact weapon|artifact]] [[orcish spear]] [[Elfrist]], the anti-elven counterpart to [[Orcrist]], and the artifact [[silver spear]] [[Holy Spear of Light]], which functions much like [[Sunsword]].
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In [[SLASH'EM]], non-[[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarven]] [[Valkyrie]]s start the game with a +1 spear.{{refsrc|u_init.c|229|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=Valkyrie spear}} [[Lycanthrope (starting race)|Lycanthropic]] characters in any role that start with a silver spear (i.e. [[Undead Slayer]]) will instead receive a regular spear.{{refsrc|u_init.c|217|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=Undead Slayer spear}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|351|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=lycanthrope-safe spears}}
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In [[SLASH'EM]] the [[Valkyrie]]'s starting +1 [[long sword]] has been replaced with a +1 spear.{{refsrc|u_init.c|229|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=Valkyrie spear}} For [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarvish]] Valkyries, the spear will be a dwarvish spear.{{refsrc|u_init.c|343|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=dwarvish Valkyrie spear}}
 
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A +0 silver spear is part of one of four starting weapon combinations for [[Undead Slayer]]s.{{refsrc|u_init.c|217|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=Undead Slayer spear}} For [[Lycanthrope (starting race)|Lycanthrope]]s, it will be an ordinary spear.{{refsrc|u_init.c|351|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=lycanthrope-safe spears}}
 
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===UnNetHack, SporkHack and SLASH'EM===
 
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In [[UnNetHack]], [[SporkHack]], and [[SLASH'EM]], [[Dragonbane]] is a dwarvish spear.
 
  
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==Origin==
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==Encyclopedia entry==
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+
{{encyclopedia|
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The spear is a weapon designed for thrusting. Chimpanzees use very rudimentary spears, so it is likely that humans have used spears for an extremely long time.
+
- they come together with great random, and a spear is brast,
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The related [[lance]] is designed for jousting and the [[javelin]] for throwing.
 
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== Encyclopedia entry ==
 
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{{encyclopedia|- they come together with great random, and a spear is brast,
 
 
and one party brake his shield and the other one goes down,
 
and one party brake his shield and the other one goes down,
 
horse and man, over his horse-tail and brake his neck, and
 
horse and man, over his horse-tail and brake his neck, and
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==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
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+
{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
−
{{nethack-360}}
 

Revision as of 12:39, 10 March 2024

) Spear.png
Name spear
Appearance spear
Damage vs. small 1d6
Damage vs. large 1d8
To-hit bonus +0
Weapon skill spear
Size one-handed
Base price 3 zm
(+10/positive
enchant)
Weight 30
Material iron

A spear is a type of weapon that appears in NetHack. It is a stackable one-handed weapon that can be used in melee or thrown as a projectile, and is made of iron.

Generation

Ordinary spears make up about 5% of randomly generated weapons (on the ground, as death drops, and in shops).

Watchmen and soldiers in the Yendorian army have a 1⁄3 chance of being generated with a spear.[1] Salamanders have a 6⁄7 chance of generating with a spear.[2] Ice devils have a 1⁄4 chance of generating with a spear.[3]

Spear skill

Spear
Max Role
Basic
Skilled
Expert

The following weapons use the spear skill:

Spears of all kinds make up about 9.7% of randomly generated weapons (on the ground, as death drops, and in shops). Spears have an additional +2 to-hit bonus against all monsters when thrown, and have a separate +2 to-hit bonus against kebabable monster classes.

Spears can be multishot, and Cavepeople get a +1 multishot bonus for throwing spears of any kind.[4][5]

There are no artifact weapons that use the spear skill.

Strategy

In the absence of dagger skills, a small stack of spears is a powerful ranged weapon for any Caveperson or Priest lucky enough to find more than one: most characters will require an antique weapons outlet to amass multiple spears in any timely manner. They are also quite heavy, with four spears outweighing a single pick-axe.

History

The spear first appears in Hack 1.21 and Hack for PDP-11, which are based on Jay Fenlason's Hack, and is included in the initial item list for Hack 1.0. From this version to NetHack 3.3.1, including variants based on those versions, Knights start the game with a +2 spear.

From Hack 1.0 to NetHack 3.4.3, including variants based on those versions, spears cannot be multishot, and the javelin has its own separate skill in its appearances. NetHack 3.6.0 merges the javelin skill into the spear skill and makes all spear weapons eligible for multishot.

Origin

The spear is a weapon designed for thrusting. Chimpanzees use very rudimentary spears, so it is likely that humans have used spears for an extremely long time.

Variants

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, non-dwarven Valkyries start the game with a +1 spear.[6] Lycanthropic characters in any role that start with a silver spear (i.e. Undead Slayer) will instead receive a regular spear.[7][8]

Encyclopedia entry

- they come together with great random, and a spear is brast,
and one party brake his shield and the other one goes down,
horse and man, over his horse-tail and brake his neck, and
then the next candidate comes randoming in, and brast his
spear, and the other man brast his shield, and down he goes,
horse and man, over his horse-tail, and brake his neck, and
then there's another elected, and another and another and
still another, till the material is all used up; and when you
come to figure up results, you can't tell one fight from
another, nor who whipped; and as a picture of living, raging,
roaring battle, sho! why it's pale and noiseless - just
ghosts scuffling in a fog. Dear me, what would this barren
vocabulary get out of the mightiest spectacle? - the burning
of Rome in Nero's time, for instance? Why, it would merely
say 'Town burned down; no insurance; boy brast a window,
fireman brake his neck!' Why, that ain't a picture!

[ A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, by Mark
  Twain ]

References

  1. ↑ src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 179
  2. ↑ src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 485
  3. ↑ src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 770
  4. ↑ src/dothrow.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 138: Caveman multishot
  5. ↑ src/dothrow.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1065
  6. ↑ u_init.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 229: Valkyrie spear
  7. ↑ u_init.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 217: Undead Slayer spear
  8. ↑ u_init.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 351: lycanthrope-safe spears
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