Difference between revisions of "Trident"

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A '''trident''' is a kind of [[weapon]]. It has a special +4 [[to-hit]] bonus against [[swimmer|swimming monsters]] that are in [[water]]. If the monster is not in water, there is still a +2 to-hit bonus if it belongs to the {{monclass|S}} or {{monclass|;}} [[Monster class|class]].{{refsrc|src/weapon.c|170|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
+
A '''trident''' is a kind of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It has a special +4 [[to-hit]] bonus against [[swimmer|swimming monsters]] that are in [[water]], and a secondary +2 to-hit bonus against any {{monclass|S}} or {{monclass|;}} that are not in water.{{refsrc|src/weapon.c|170|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
  
Tridents are significant as a popular choice for the secondary weapon in [[twoweapon]]ing.
+
If you [[eat]] a trident while while [[polymorph]]ed into a [[metallivore]], you get [[YAFM]] and exercise [[wisdom]].{{refsrc|src/eat.c|2018|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
 
 
== Trident skill ==
 
 
 
{{trident skill table}}
 
 
 
Tridents are the only weapon to use the trident skill. There are no [[artifact weapon|artifact]] tridents.
 
  
 
==Generation==
 
==Generation==
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* [[Horned devil]]: {{frac|3|4}}, or 75%.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|448|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
 
* [[Horned devil]]: {{frac|3|4}}, or 75%.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|448|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
  
==Messages==
+
== Trident skill ==
{{message|That was pure chewing satisfaction!|[[YAFM]] for [[eat]]ing a trident while [[polymorph]]ed into a [[metallivore]]. (Advertising slogan for [[wikipedia:Trident (gum)|Trident]] sugar-free chewing gum.)  This [[exercise]]s [[wisdom]].{{refsrc|src/eat.c|2018|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}}}
+
{{trident skill table}}
{{message|Four out of five dentists agree.|Alternate message if [[hallucinating]].}}
+
 
 +
Tridents are the only weapon to use the trident skill. There are no [[artifact weapon|artifact]] tridents.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
A trident averages 7.5 damage versus large monsters, one point more than a [[katana]], making it the most damaging one-handed non-artifact weapon versus large monsters. Along with [[silver saber]]s, [[crysknife|crysknives]], and [[katana]]s, tridents are one of the best choices for [[twoweapon]]ing.
+
Tridents are significant as a popular choice for the secondary weapon in [[twoweapon]]ing. A trident averages 7.5 damage versus large monsters, one point more than a [[katana]], making it the most damaging one-handed non-artifact weapon versus large monsters. Along with [[silver saber]]s, [[crysknife|crysknives]], and [[katana]]s, tridents are one of the best choices for [[twoweapon]]ing.
  
 
===Average damage calculation===
 
===Average damage calculation===
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| <math>\frac{3+12}{2}+7=\bold{14.5}</math>
 
| <math>\frac{3+12}{2}+7=\bold{14.5}</math>
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
== History ==
 +
Tridents were present in the first public release of ''Hack'', [[Hack 1.0.3]].
  
 
==Origin==
 
==Origin==
 +
{{wikipedia|Trident}}
 
[[Image:Trident, Burmese, 18th century.JPG|thumb|A real world trident]]
 
[[Image:Trident, Burmese, 18th century.JPG|thumb|A real world trident]]
Tridents and [[wikipedia:Military fork|military forks]] were seen in real-life warfare, with a trident's tines often affixed with barbs to assist it in its primary peacetime use: fishing. In ''NetHack'', this is referenced with the fact that it has a bonus when facing water creatures (though this point is mostly academic, as coming into melee range with a water carries a risk of [[drowning attack|being drowned]]).
+
Tridents have origins dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, and have been used for both fishing and combat historically and in modern times; the trident is also the divine instrument of the Greek god [[Poseidon]], as indicated by the encyclopedia entry. Both these facts also explain the to-hit bonus against sea monsters and swimmers. The word "trident" originates from the Latin ''tridentis'' which literally means "three teeth", referring to the tines; tridents designed primarily for fishing usually have barbed tines, which may be the basis for the 3 dice used to calculate damage versus large monsters.
  
In warfare, tridents were favored for their long reach and ability to disarm and dismount a horse-riding combatant. In the world of ''NetHack'', tridents have no particular benefit against the [[Riders]], nor is it possible to disarm an opponent with them. Oddly, it ''is'' possible to disarm them with a [[battle-axe]] or other two-handed weapon, by sundering the monster's weapon, or with a [[bullwhip]]. Military forks, in the real world, furthermore had abilities as a tool, such as raising siege ladders, and would work in a pinch for most things a pitchfork would; they enjoy no special benefits as a tool in ''NetHack''.
+
In warfare, tridents were favored for their long reach and ability to disarm and dismount horse-riding combatants. The trident also sees use often in heraldry and military emblems. In ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', [http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Trident tridents] deal 1d8 base damage versus opponents, but have a lower critical hit multiplier than the the similar 1d8 [http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Spear long spear]. This results in lower average damage, but they are one-handed, allowing for use a shield or an off-hand weapon.
  
The fact that it deals much more damage than the spear, or the literally named "forked polearm" ([[spetum]]), is rather curious, historically speaking. A trident's three tines may have inspired the DevTeam to give them 3d4 damage, as though striking with three daggers at once; this is largely incorrect. The fact that it does not use the [[polearm]] skill, and moreover, that the description "forked polearm" doesn't belong to it, as it would far more accurately describe a military fork, is similarly quite curious.
+
==Messages==
 
+
{{message|That was pure chewing satisfaction!|You ate a trident while in the form of a metallivore.}}
[http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Trident Tridents] exist in canonical ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', where they deal 1d8 base damage versus opponents, but have a lower critical hit multiplier, making them worse than the similar 1d8 [http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Spear long spear] for raw damage. As in ''NetHack'', however, they are one-handed, so a trident user can still use a shield or an off-hand weapon. A trident's 1d8, for a one-handed weapon, was still better than the 1d6 of the one-handed [http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Shortspear short spear].
+
{{message|Four out of five dentists agree.|As above, while [[hallucinating]].}}
 
 
== History ==
 
Tridents were present in the first public release of ''Hack'', [[Hack 1.0.3]].
 
  
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
Poseido(o)n, lord of the seas and father of rivers and
 
Poseido(o)n, lord of the seas and father of rivers and
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     by Herbert Robinson and Knox Wilson ]
 
     by Herbert Robinson and Knox Wilson ]
 
}}
 
}}
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
{{nethack-360}}
 
{{nethack-360}}

Revision as of 20:19, 31 July 2021

) Trident.png
Name trident
Appearance trident
Damage vs. small 1d6+1
Damage vs. large 3d4
To-hit bonus +0
Weapon skill trident
Size one-handed
Base price 5 zm
(+10/positive
enchant)
Weight 25
Material iron

A trident is a kind of weapon that appears in NetHack. It has a special +4 to-hit bonus against swimming monsters that are in water, and a secondary +2 to-hit bonus against any ​S snake or ​; sea monster that are not in water.[1]

If you eat a trident while while polymorphed into a metallivore, you get YAFM and exercise wisdom.[2]

Generation

Tridents are one of the rarer weapons in the game, making up only about 0.8% of all randomly generated weapons.

The following monsters have a unique chance of being spawned with a trident in their monster starting inventory:

Trident skill

Trident
Max Role
Basic
Skilled

Tridents are the only weapon to use the trident skill. There are no artifact tridents.

Strategy

Tridents are significant as a popular choice for the secondary weapon in twoweaponing. A trident averages 7.5 damage versus large monsters, one point more than a katana, making it the most damaging one-handed non-artifact weapon versus large monsters. Along with silver sabers, crysknives, and katanas, tridents are one of the best choices for twoweaponing.

Average damage calculation

The average damage calculations in the following table do not include bonuses from weapon skills, strength, or from using a blessed weapon against undead or demons.

Weapon Small monsters Large monsters
+0 trident \frac{1+6}{2}+1=\bold{4.5} \frac{3+12}{2}=\bold{7.5}
+7 trident \frac{1+6}{2}+1+7=\bold{11.5} \frac{3+12}{2}+7=\bold{14.5}

History

Tridents were present in the first public release of Hack, Hack 1.0.3.

Origin

A real world trident

Tridents have origins dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, and have been used for both fishing and combat historically and in modern times; the trident is also the divine instrument of the Greek god Poseidon, as indicated by the encyclopedia entry. Both these facts also explain the to-hit bonus against sea monsters and swimmers. The word "trident" originates from the Latin tridentis which literally means "three teeth", referring to the tines; tridents designed primarily for fishing usually have barbed tines, which may be the basis for the 3 dice used to calculate damage versus large monsters.

In warfare, tridents were favored for their long reach and ability to disarm and dismount horse-riding combatants. The trident also sees use often in heraldry and military emblems. In Dungeons & Dragons, tridents deal 1d8 base damage versus opponents, but have a lower critical hit multiplier than the the similar 1d8 long spear. This results in lower average damage, but they are one-handed, allowing for use a shield or an off-hand weapon.

Messages

That was pure chewing satisfaction!
You ate a trident while in the form of a metallivore.
Four out of five dentists agree.
As above, while hallucinating.

Encyclopedia entry

Poseido(o)n, lord of the seas and father of rivers and
fountains, was the son of Chronos and Rhea, brother of Zeus,
Hades, Hera, Hestia and Demeter. His rank of ruler of the
waves he received by lot at the Council Meeting of the Gods,
at which Zeus took the upper world for himself and gave
dominion over the lower world to Hades.
Poseidon is associated in many ways with horses and thus is
the god of horses. He taught men how to ride and manage the
animal he invented and is looked upon as the originator and
guardian deity of horse races.
His symbol is the familiar trident or three-pronged spear
with which he can split rocks, cause or quell storms, and
shake the earth, a power which makes him the god of
earthquakes as well. Physically, he is shown as a strong and
powerful ruler, every inch a king.

[ The Encyclopedia of Myths and Legends of All Nations,
     by Herbert Robinson and Knox Wilson ]

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.