Difference between revisions of "Sling"

From NetHackWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Strategy)
(formatting + copyedit pass)
 
(23 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{languages}}
 
{{weapon
 
{{weapon
 
   |color=leather color
 
   |color=leather color
Line 11: Line 12:
 
}}
 
}}
  
A '''sling''' is a [[weapon]] that allows you to [[throw]] projectiles such as [[rock]]s, [[gem]]s, and [[gray stone]]s. Slings are often dropped by [[hobbit]]s; in addition, the [[Caveman]] [[role]] starts with one.
+
A '''sling''' is a type of [[weapon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is a [[launcher]] designed for [[rock]]s, [[gem]]s, and [[gray stone]]s; these projectiles can be [[multishot]] when [[fire]]d from a sling.
  
[[Gem]]s, pieces of [[glass]], and [[rock]]s can be [[multishot]] with a sling.
+
==Generation==
 +
[[Cavemen]] start with a +2 sling and a stack of rocks and [[flint stone]]s to use as ammo.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|53|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
== Sling skill ==
+
Slings make up 4% of all randomly-generated weapons. [[Hobbit]]s have a {{frac|3}} chance of [[monster starting inventory|being generated with]] a sling.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|360|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
 +
==Sling skill==
 
{{sling skill table}}
 
{{sling skill table}}
  
The sling is the only [[launcher]] to use sling skill. The following types of ammo use it:
+
The sling is the only weapon that uses the '''sling [[skill]]'''. The following types of ammo use this skill as well:
 +
 
 +
* all gems
 +
* all gray stones
 +
* rocks
 +
 
 +
There are no [[artifact weapon|artifact]] slings; of note is that [[the Heart of Ahriman]] is slightly more effective than a regular [[luckstone]] when slung.
 +
 
 +
==Strategy==
 +
While actively training the sling skill is generally a waste of slots, players may wish to use one as a form of ranged attack early on - ammunition for it is thankfully plentiful, though most slung projectiles will [[mulch]] when they hit [[monster]]s, with the exception of non-flint [[gray stone]]s. None of these [[projectile]]s can be enchanted, but blessing them grants a [[Luck]]-based bonus to avoid breaking - even so, their usefulness overall tapers off well before the mid-game.
  
* all [[gem]]s
+
Flint stones are the best projectiles by far due to their 1d6 damage (averaging 3.5), but are difficult to take advantage of multishot with since they are quite rare outside of [[bones]]; rocks deal lower damage in comparison, but can be readily made and found everywhere. [[Worthless glass]] deals the same damage as rocks when slung, but weigh only 1 [[aum]] to a single rock's 10.
* all [[gray stone]]s
 
* [[rock]]s
 
  
There are no [[artifact weapon|artifact]] slings, but [[the Heart of Ahriman]] is slightly more effective than a regular [[luckstone]] when slung.
+
Caveman that avoid using their starting flint stones until they have maximum Luck can bless them and have them last for a significant portion of the game, while [[Rangers]] can use a sling on less threatening monsters in the early game to preserve their [[arrow]]s or [[crossbow bolt]]s until they find a means of enchanting them and boosting their [[Luck]]. However, these are incredibly niche approaches - Cavemen can get incredible mileage out of an aklys, Rangers have better projectile options, and generally the average player will prefer using their better ammo or weapons over an early-game death.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Slings appear in all editions of [[D&D]], where they're a common ranged weapon of clerics (who are not allowed to shed blood) and wizards (who are limited in non-simple weapons). The corresponding bullets deal ''1d4'' base damage.<ref>http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Sling</ref>
+
The sling first appears in Hack 1.21, a variant of [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial item list for [[Hack 1.0]]. In these versions, slings can be used to fire [[sling bullet]]s<ref>[http://homepages.cwi.nl/~aeb/games/hack/1.0.2-part1 Hack 1.0.2 partl] (objects.h, line 620), Andries Brouwer @ cwi.nl</ref> - rocks did not yet exist in Hack 1.21, and were first included as objects in Hack 1.0.
  
Slings existed in version three of [[Rogue]], with its corresponding [[rock]] dealing ''1d4'' damage when slung, as in D&D.<ref>http://rogue.rogueforge.net/vade-mecum/</ref>
+
In [[NetHack 3.0.0]], the sling bullet is removed from the list of objects in [[Source:NetHack_3.0.0/objects.c|objects.c]], and rocks effectively take over their role as sling ammo, while [[NetHack 3.2.0]] introduces the flint stone as additional ammo and moves both to the "Gems/Stones" section of the [[inventory]].
  
In the first version of [[Hack]], slings instead fired ''sling bullets'', which dealt ''1d4'' versus large monsters, and ''1d6'' versus small<ref>http://homepages.cwi.nl/~aeb/games/hack/1.0.2-part1</ref> (compared to the ''d6'' in all cases of the [[arrow]]). In this release the [[rock]] item did not exist, and these sling bullets would weigh seven units (the same as arrows and bolts). Sling bullets no longer exist in the [[3.4.3]] release, incidentally making slings a useless weapon.
+
==Origin==
 +
{{wikipedia|Sling (weapon)}}
 +
[[File:Weapon Sling 1.jpg|thumb|150px|Shepherd's sling]]
 +
The sling is a widespread weapon dating back to Neolithic cultures (if not still-older ones), and was typically used for hunting and combat - it is incredibly inexpensive and easy to build and use, and was thus incredibly common among shepherds, hunters and other "common" folk. As a result, while man-made sling bullets and rocks used as sling ammunition are frequently salvaged during archeological expeditions, intact slings are much harder to find. Slinging is a tradition among the peoples of the Balearic Islands, who are known since classical times as proficient mercenaries.
  
Canonical D&D does have a rule that improvised stones (that is, non-bullets) do a size category less damage--which is to say, ''1d3'' instead of ''1d4''. This may explain the damage reduction in the current version.
+
Slinging as a sport is still practiced in the Balearic Islands and other areas in modern times, and the sling is also used as an improvised weapon for wildnerness survival, hurling incendiary devices such as [[wikipedia:Molotov cocktail|Molotov cocktails]] and [[wikipedia:Grenade|grenades]] with additional range, and other more hobby-oriented purposes. A skilled slinger can fire projectiles at distances upwards of 450 meters (1500 feet) at speeds over 250 miles per hour.<ref>http://www.slinging.org/</ref>
  
==Generation==
+
Slings appear in all editions of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' as a common ranged weapon for clerics ([[Priest|Priest(esse)s]] in ''NetHack''), who cannot use other non-blunt projectiles, due to being forbidden from shedding blood. Their corresponding [[sling bullets]] deal ''1d4'' base damage.<ref>http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Sling</ref> ''Dungeons & Dragons'' also has a rule that improvised stones do one size category less in damage, i.e. ''1d3'' instead of ''1d4'' - this may be reflected by the lower damage in modern ''NetHack''. Slings also appear in the third version of ''[[Rogue]]'', with its corresponding rock dealing the same damage as in ''D&D''.<ref>http://rogue.rogueforge.net/vade-mecum/</ref> The usefulness of slings in other media tends to vary, but it tends to be considered somewhat more useful than it is perceived as in ''NetHack''.
Weapons comprise 10% of all randomly-generated items in the main dungeon, 0% in containers, 12% on the [[Rogue level]], and 20% in [[Gehennom]]. There is a 4% chance that a randomly spawned weapon object will be a sling.
 
* [[Hobbit]]s have a unique 1 in 3 chance of a sling in their [[monster starting inventory]].
 
  
==Strategy==
+
==Variants==
''Improving sling skill is generally a waste of [[skill]] slots.''
+
Some [[variant]]s aim to make slings more viable as a weapon.
* [[Gem]]s and [[glass]] deal the same damage as ''1d3'' (avg. 2) rocks, and weigh only 1 unit, compared to the 10 units of rocks. By the time the player has access to enough gemstones to make this feasible, they've no doubt already moved on to the ''1d3'' (avg. 2) of [[dart]]s, or the ''1d6'' (avg. 3.5) of [[arrow]]s, as these items can be [[Scroll of enchant weapon|enchanted]] and [[poisoned]]—making slings even more of a waste.
 
* [[Rock]]s, [[gem]]s, and [[flint stone]]s can disappear when they hit [[monster]]s, but other [[gray stone]]s cannot.
 
* [[Flint stone]]s deal ''1d6'' (avg. 3.5), on par with arrows; despite this, due to their great rarity, and that they still have considerable [[weight]], this is not advisable, and slings remain a generally worthless weapon.
 
* [[Cavemen]] start with a sling and a goodly sized stack of [[flint stone]]s. Despite the fact that flint stones deal d6 damage, and that Cavemen can advance in sling skill, and that [[rock]]s are the most plentiful [[projectile]], this is still a waste.
 
:* It can be a life saver in the very early dungeon, however, though the sling should be ditched as early as the [[Gnomish Mines]].
 
* [[Rangers]] can also benefit from a sling in the early game. As a comparison, Orc [[Rogues]] begin with a stack of d3/d3 daggers with a weight of 10 each, normally less than 16 [[strength]] and a +1 [[multishot]] bonus. These are exactly the specs of a Ranger (with the exception of an unskilled [[to-hit]] penalty) using a sling. The major difference is that the Ranger rock projectiles, while readily breakable, are totally expendable and almost infinitely replenishable. A sling can therefore help partially preserve breakable arrows or bolts for a Ranger until they can make their normal projectiles almost [[Projectile#Breakage | unbreakable]].
 
  
== Origin ==
+
===dNetHack===
{{wikipedia|Sling (weapon)}}
+
In [[dNetHack]], slings gain a [[strength]]-based bonus damage (with a maximum of +8 from 25 strength), and Cavemen gain a +1 bonus to multishot when using them. Furthermore, the [[silver slingstone]] is introduced as ammo which gives slingers options against [[silver]]-hating monsters; they can be found is small deposits within rock or in large amounts on a certain level in the [[dNetHack Neutral quest]].
[[File:Weapon Sling 1.jpg|thumb|150px|Shepherd's sling]]
 
Real-world shepherd's slings, which are the most likely type of sling the [[DevTeam]] meant, are nowhere near as dinky as ''NetHack'' would make them out to be. Slings remained an important weapon in hunting and warfare despite the advent of the [[bow]], where a skilled slinger could still easily trump the speed at which a skilled bowman could fire [[arrow]]s. The hurled [[Rock|stones]], themselves, were also nowhere near as puny as they're often portrayed—sling and bullet can often be as dangerous as bow and arrow.
 
  
This problem can be traced to most games, books, and any media, in fact, that contain a sling. Media portrayals of slings tend to greatly understate their abilities, viewing it as a pathetic weapon. This is quite far from the truth, and seen in most games that have any sort of sling weapon, least of all ''NetHack''. This misconception may have come about from the fact that slings and bullets were, indeed, a much cheaper weapon than bow and arrow, using more common materials and less intensive construction. The trade-off, here, being that a sling is actually a rather difficult weapon to use effectively.
+
Silver slingstones fired at 25 strength from a sling out-damage even +7 [[silver arrow]]s - this has earned dNetHack's slings the nickname of "portable meteor launchers".
  
A large portion of the uselessness in ''NetHack'' derives from the large [[weight]] of the [[projectile]], making it very [[Encumbrance|encumbering]] to carry the necessary ammunition. The heavy weight of the stones violates much basic sense, where a [[spear]] weighs 15 units, and a simple [[rock]] 10. The arrows used in warfare tended to be very large—a fairer weight would actually have them about the same as [[arrow]]s, [[crossbow bolt]]s, or [[dart]]s. Canonical [[D&D]], from which ''NetHack'' is based, had the weights on par with the others. Though the damage was still puny, they at least weren't a counter-productive weapon as they are in ''NetHack''.
+
===DynaHack===
 +
In [[DynaHack]], slings gain a damage bonus based on strength and the sling's enchantment, making slings much more viable as a ranged weapon.
  
Slings remain used to this day, though stones are no longer the primary fodder hurled. In the modern age, slings are instead used to hurl incendiary devices, such as [[wikipedia:Molotov cocktail|Molotov cocktails]], as well as [[wikipedia:Grenade|grenades]]. Their primary function is no longer the kinetic force, but the added range they provide.
+
===EvilHack===
 +
[[EvilHack]] reintroduces sling bullets in version 0.7.1, and Cavepeople of all types start with sling bullets. Priests are incapable of using any edged or piercing weapons, leaving slings as one of their few ranged options, and the inclusion of sling bullets and ability to [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] them can make slings quite viable.
  
== Encyclopedia entry ==
+
[[Caveman (player monster)|Cavefolk]] [[player monster]]s will generate with slings and sling bullets.
  
 +
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and
 
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and
Line 76: Line 82:
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{nethack-343}}
+
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Launchers]]
 
[[Category:Launchers]]

Latest revision as of 07:25, 6 March 2024

) Sling.png
Name sling
Appearance sling
Damage vs. small d2
Damage vs. large d2
To-hit bonus +0
Weapon skill sling
Size one-handed
Base price 20 zm
(+10/positive
enchant)
Weight 3
Material leather

A sling is a type of weapon that appears in NetHack, and is a launcher designed for rocks, gems, and gray stones; these projectiles can be multishot when fired from a sling.

Generation

Cavemen start with a +2 sling and a stack of rocks and flint stones to use as ammo.[1]

Slings make up 4% of all randomly-generated weapons. Hobbits have a 13 chance of being generated with a sling.[2]

Sling skill

Sling
Max Role
Basic
Skilled
Expert

The sling is the only weapon that uses the sling skill. The following types of ammo use this skill as well:

  • all gems
  • all gray stones
  • rocks

There are no artifact slings; of note is that the Heart of Ahriman is slightly more effective than a regular luckstone when slung.

Strategy

While actively training the sling skill is generally a waste of slots, players may wish to use one as a form of ranged attack early on - ammunition for it is thankfully plentiful, though most slung projectiles will mulch when they hit monsters, with the exception of non-flint gray stones. None of these projectiles can be enchanted, but blessing them grants a Luck-based bonus to avoid breaking - even so, their usefulness overall tapers off well before the mid-game.

Flint stones are the best projectiles by far due to their 1d6 damage (averaging 3.5), but are difficult to take advantage of multishot with since they are quite rare outside of bones; rocks deal lower damage in comparison, but can be readily made and found everywhere. Worthless glass deals the same damage as rocks when slung, but weigh only 1 aum to a single rock's 10.

Caveman that avoid using their starting flint stones until they have maximum Luck can bless them and have them last for a significant portion of the game, while Rangers can use a sling on less threatening monsters in the early game to preserve their arrows or crossbow bolts until they find a means of enchanting them and boosting their Luck. However, these are incredibly niche approaches - Cavemen can get incredible mileage out of an aklys, Rangers have better projectile options, and generally the average player will prefer using their better ammo or weapons over an early-game death.

History

The sling first appears in Hack 1.21, a variant of Jay Fenlason's Hack, and is included in the initial item list for Hack 1.0. In these versions, slings can be used to fire sling bullets[3] - rocks did not yet exist in Hack 1.21, and were first included as objects in Hack 1.0.

In NetHack 3.0.0, the sling bullet is removed from the list of objects in objects.c, and rocks effectively take over their role as sling ammo, while NetHack 3.2.0 introduces the flint stone as additional ammo and moves both to the "Gems/Stones" section of the inventory.

Origin

Shepherd's sling

The sling is a widespread weapon dating back to Neolithic cultures (if not still-older ones), and was typically used for hunting and combat - it is incredibly inexpensive and easy to build and use, and was thus incredibly common among shepherds, hunters and other "common" folk. As a result, while man-made sling bullets and rocks used as sling ammunition are frequently salvaged during archeological expeditions, intact slings are much harder to find. Slinging is a tradition among the peoples of the Balearic Islands, who are known since classical times as proficient mercenaries.

Slinging as a sport is still practiced in the Balearic Islands and other areas in modern times, and the sling is also used as an improvised weapon for wildnerness survival, hurling incendiary devices such as Molotov cocktails and grenades with additional range, and other more hobby-oriented purposes. A skilled slinger can fire projectiles at distances upwards of 450 meters (1500 feet) at speeds over 250 miles per hour.[4]

Slings appear in all editions of Dungeons & Dragons as a common ranged weapon for clerics (Priest(esse)s in NetHack), who cannot use other non-blunt projectiles, due to being forbidden from shedding blood. Their corresponding sling bullets deal 1d4 base damage.[5] Dungeons & Dragons also has a rule that improvised stones do one size category less in damage, i.e. 1d3 instead of 1d4 - this may be reflected by the lower damage in modern NetHack. Slings also appear in the third version of Rogue, with its corresponding rock dealing the same damage as in D&D.[6] The usefulness of slings in other media tends to vary, but it tends to be considered somewhat more useful than it is perceived as in NetHack.

Variants

Some variants aim to make slings more viable as a weapon.

dNetHack

In dNetHack, slings gain a strength-based bonus damage (with a maximum of +8 from 25 strength), and Cavemen gain a +1 bonus to multishot when using them. Furthermore, the silver slingstone is introduced as ammo which gives slingers options against silver-hating monsters; they can be found is small deposits within rock or in large amounts on a certain level in the dNetHack Neutral quest.

Silver slingstones fired at 25 strength from a sling out-damage even +7 silver arrows - this has earned dNetHack's slings the nickname of "portable meteor launchers".

DynaHack

In DynaHack, slings gain a damage bonus based on strength and the sling's enchantment, making slings much more viable as a ranged weapon.

EvilHack

EvilHack reintroduces sling bullets in version 0.7.1, and Cavepeople of all types start with sling bullets. Priests are incapable of using any edged or piercing weapons, leaving slings as one of their few ranged options, and the inclusion of sling bullets and ability to forge them can make slings quite viable.

Cavefolk player monsters will generate with slings and sling bullets.

Encyclopedia entry

And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and
drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward
the army to meet the Philistine.
And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone,
and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that
the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face
to the earth.
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with
a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there
was no sword in the hand of David.

[ 1 Samuel 17:48-50 ]

References