Difference between revisions of "Thiefbane"

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(cats + todo)
(expanding, but also mostly removed section on acquiring - belongs more in One-eyed Sam, and also is kinda ..bad.. advice)
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'''Thiefbane''' is always generated in the inventory of [[One-Eyed Sam]] (unless wished for before Sam is generated). Thiefbane is typically generated with an [[enchantment]], but the greater prize is the [[instadeath]] by decapitation (10% chance) on monsters symbolized by [[@]]. Thiefbane also has a 1 in 6 chance of [[canceling]] whatever it hits, which is probably you.{{refsrc|src/artifact.c|1206|unnethack=1406}}
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'''Thiefbane''' is an artifact weapon in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]], [[SpliceHack]], [[Hack'EM]], and [[UnNetHack]]. Generally a [[chaotic]] [[long sword]], it is found in the possession of [[One-eyed Sam]] in the [[Black Market]].
  
Note that Thiefbane may [[Artifact blast|blast]] you, even if you are chaotic.
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==Description==
  
== Acquiring Thiefbane ==
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Against monsters represented by {{white|@}}, Thiefbane has a 10% chance of [[beheading]], causes [[level drain]] similar to [[Stormbringer]], and has +5 to hit and +1 damage. Thiefbane also has a 1 in 6 chance of [[canceling]] any {{white|@}} it hits, which is probably you.{{refsrc|src/artifact.c|1206|unnethack=1406}}
Given that One-eyed Sam is level 24 and carries most of an ascension kit, it's usually a bad idea to simply engage her in melee. A [[scroll of earth]] or [[scroll of flood]] may fix One-eyed Sam on her spot (assuming she is not flying), and highly enchanted firearms or poisoned darts work fine for the kill. More suggestions can be found at the [[black market]] page.
 
  
However, this is not neccessary to acquire Thiefbane. If you are appropriately fast, armored, brave, or stupid, and you have the [[disarm (technique)|disarm]] [[technique]] and can hit with something you are at least skilled in, you can steal Thiefbane. Be aware that you still risk decapitation. If you try that, you will need an escape plan that works despite the [[black market]]'s restrictions. One way is to apply (break) a wand of digging, trapping her (away from the door).  Note that unless you are wearing an [[amulet of life saving]], you don't really need an escape plan, since you won't be around to use it.
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Note that Thiefbane may [[Artifact blast|blast]] you, even if you are chaotic, as you are represented by {{white|@}}.
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==Generation==
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Thiefbane cannot be randomly generated; the game will always attempt to give Thiefbane to One-eyed Sam, but in [[SLASH'EM]] it is possible to [[wish]] for it before the Black Market is generated, causing her to generate with an ordinary long sword instead.
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If generated in One-eyed Sam's inventory, Thiefbane will be well-enchanted.  It is not generated [[rustproof]], as players who elect to kill Sam via controlled [[polymorph]] into a [[giant shoggoth]] will discover.
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==Strategy==
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Thiefbane is the primary reason that angering One-eyed Sam is frequently a game-ending mistake; against the player, it is easily the deadliest weapon in the game. However, in the player's hands, it is somewhat underwhelming, as for the most part non-player {{white|@}} are not particularly dangerous or common.  One possible exception is on the [[Astral Plane]], with its hordes of [[aligned priest]]s and [[player monster]]s, but even there, most players will likely prefer a weapon such as [[Vorpal Blade]] or [[Excalibur]].
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Even in variants that allow it, Thiefbane is not generally worth a wish. As mentioned, it is not a particularly outstanding weapon in player hands, and while one can indeed render One-eyed Sam less dangerous by wishing for her weapon, there are better ways of disposing of her (such as the aforementioned polymorph, or a [[boulder fort]] and well-enchanted [[firearm]]/stack of poisoned [[dart]]s) that do not require spending an early wish on a sub-optimal artifact.
  
 
== UnNetHack ==
 
== UnNetHack ==
 
In [[UnNetHack]], Thiefbane's base item class has been changed to [[two-handed sword]] and the player is in danger of being decapitated even if not in a form symbolized by {{kbd|@}}.
 
In [[UnNetHack]], Thiefbane's base item class has been changed to [[two-handed sword]] and the player is in danger of being decapitated even if not in a form symbolized by {{kbd|@}}.
  
As if that's not hard enough, UnNethack does not allow Thiefbane to be wished for (the code calls this <code>wishing abuse</code>).{{refsrc|src/objnam.c|3036|unnethack=1406}} So you're going to have to fight her ''and'' her sword.
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UnNethack does not allow Thiefbane to be wished for (the code calls this <code>wishing abuse</code>),{{refsrc|src/objnam.c|3036|unnethack=1406}} meaning it will always appear in One-eyed Sam's inventory.
 
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>

Revision as of 23:57, 10 December 2023

)   Thiefbane   Long sword.png
Base item long sword
Damage vs. small 1d8 +1 + level drain + cancellation + beheading
Damage vs. large 1d12 +1 + level drain + cancellation + beheading
To-hit bonus +5
Bonus versus @
Weapon skill long sword
Size one-handed
Affiliation

chaotic

When carried

(none)

When wielded

(none)

When invoked

(none)

Base price 1500 zm
Weight 40
Material iron

Thiefbane is an artifact weapon in SLASH'EM, SlashTHEM, SpliceHack, Hack'EM, and UnNetHack. Generally a chaotic long sword, it is found in the possession of One-eyed Sam in the Black Market.

Description

Against monsters represented by @, Thiefbane has a 10% chance of beheading, causes level drain similar to Stormbringer, and has +5 to hit and +1 damage. Thiefbane also has a 1 in 6 chance of canceling any @ it hits, which is probably you.[1]

Note that Thiefbane may blast you, even if you are chaotic, as you are represented by @.

Generation

Thiefbane cannot be randomly generated; the game will always attempt to give Thiefbane to One-eyed Sam, but in SLASH'EM it is possible to wish for it before the Black Market is generated, causing her to generate with an ordinary long sword instead.

If generated in One-eyed Sam's inventory, Thiefbane will be well-enchanted. It is not generated rustproof, as players who elect to kill Sam via controlled polymorph into a giant shoggoth will discover.

Strategy

Thiefbane is the primary reason that angering One-eyed Sam is frequently a game-ending mistake; against the player, it is easily the deadliest weapon in the game. However, in the player's hands, it is somewhat underwhelming, as for the most part non-player @ are not particularly dangerous or common. One possible exception is on the Astral Plane, with its hordes of aligned priests and player monsters, but even there, most players will likely prefer a weapon such as Vorpal Blade or Excalibur.

Even in variants that allow it, Thiefbane is not generally worth a wish. As mentioned, it is not a particularly outstanding weapon in player hands, and while one can indeed render One-eyed Sam less dangerous by wishing for her weapon, there are better ways of disposing of her (such as the aforementioned polymorph, or a boulder fort and well-enchanted firearm/stack of poisoned darts) that do not require spending an early wish on a sub-optimal artifact.

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, Thiefbane's base item class has been changed to two-handed sword and the player is in danger of being decapitated even if not in a form symbolized by @.

UnNethack does not allow Thiefbane to be wished for (the code calls this wishing abuse),[2] meaning it will always appear in One-eyed Sam's inventory.

References

A user has suggested improving this page or section as follows:

"Update to reflect THEM/Hack'EM"