View source for Spetum

{{languages}}
{{weapon
 |name=spetum
 |tile=[[image:spetum.png]]
 |appearance=forked polearm
 |smalldmg=d6+1
 |largedmg=2d6
 |tohit=<nowiki>+0</nowiki>
 |skill=polearm
 |size=two-handed
 |cost=5
 |weight=50
 |material=iron
}}

A '''spetum''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a [[two-handed]] [[polearm]] that is made of [[iron]], and appears as a '''forked polearm''' when [[Identification|unidentified]].

==Generation==
In addition to random generation, general [[shop]]s and antique weapons outlets can sell spetums.

[[Watchmen]] and [[soldier]]s may [[Monster starting inventory|be generated with]] a spetum.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|194|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Troll (monster class)|Trolls]] have an effective {{frac|8}} chance of being generated with a spetum.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|451|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

==Strategy==
The spetum is the lightest of the polearms at 50 [[aum]], and deals solid damage for its weight: among polearms, it has respectable average damage versus small monsters, while its average damage against large monsters is tied for the best with the [[halberd]].

==History==
The spetum is introduced with all other polearms in [[NetHack 1.3d]].

==Origin==
{{wikipedia}}
[[Image:Spetums.png|150px|thumb|right]]
A spetum is a pole weapon that was used in Europe during the 13th century, and consists of a 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m) pole with a mounted spearhead that has two single-edged bladed "prongs" at its base; the main blade was 12–14 inches (30–36 cm) long, with the side blades about half that length and set at acute angles. This makes the ''NetHack'' description of a "forked polearm" somewhat imprecise: the phrase is more accurate for [[Wikipedia:Military fork|military "forks"]] that were derived from pitchforks used in farming - a diagram of these weapons [[:File:Forks.jpg|can be viewed here]] for comparison.

The spetum is considered a variation of the [[partisan]] according to antiquarian John Hewitt, and is typically distinguished from the partisan and [[ranseur]] by the single-edge blades that are used for slashing. The blades can also bind and disarm weapons, with their blunt backs allowing the spetum to trip enemy combatants and knock aside shields while providing far more strength to the sharpened side and points than a dual-edged blade.

==Variants==
===GruntHack===
In [[GruntHack]], [[Vlad the Impaler]] is always generated with a [[Object properties#GruntHack|thirsty]] spetum.

===xNetHack===
[[xNetHack]] removes the spetum and many other polearms.

===EvilHack===
In [[EvilHack]], a spetum can be created at a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] by combining a [[knife]] and a [[spear]]. This also applies to [[Hack'EM]].

===SlashTHEM===
In [[SlashTHEM]], [[Troll (starting race)|troll]] characters that are not [[Convict]]s have a {{frac|4}} chance of generating with a spetum as their starting polearm.

==Encyclopedia entry==
{{encyclopedia-redirect|polearm}}

==References==
<references/>
{{nethack-367}}
[[Category:Weapons]]