Dwarvish iron helm
[ dwarvish iron helm 
| |
|---|---|
| Appearance | hard hat |
| Slot | helm |
| AC | 2 |
| Special | (none) |
| Base price | 20 zm |
| Weight | 40 |
| Material | iron |
A dwarvish iron helm is a type of helm that appears in NetHack. It is made of iron, and appears as a hard hat when unidentified.
Contents
Generation
Dwarven characters start the game with knowledge of the dwarvish iron helm, and any dwarven character in a role that starts the game with a helmet will start with a dwarvish iron helm instead, though there are no applicable roles where this substitution occurs.[1]
In addition to random generation, armor shops and general stores can stock dwarvish iron helms.
Live dwarves have a 1⁄4 chance of being generated with a dwarvish iron helm.[2]
Description
While worn, a dwarvish iron helm grants a base AC of 2.
Strategy
The dwarvish iron helm is the only helm with 2 AC, and is usually the best helm available in the early- and mid-game for builds that are not significantly reliant on spellcasting. It is also among heavy and susceptible to rust traps and rust monsters, making rustproofing necessary to preserve its AC.
In the mid-game, the dwarvish iron helm is often discarded in favor of other helms that provide additional benefits beyond the basics, especially for ascension kits: the helm of telepathy and the helm of brilliance are particular candidates. The elven leather helm is also a somewhat common replacement - while it does not protect your head from falling objects, they do not interfere with spellcasting and can safely be enchanted to +7; falling objects are also rarely a concern beyond the early game.
History
The dwarvish iron helm first appears in NetHack 3.0.0.
Variants
In variants with object materials systems, a dwarvish iron helm is sometimes called a dwarvish helm, with iron as its base material - they may also have their material appended within the name, depending on the variant (e.g., "a +0 dwarvish mithril helm").
Some variants may give dwarves (including the player character) an AC bonus for wearing a dwarvish iron helm.
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, dwarven Knights that start the game with a helmet will instead start with a +0 dwarvish iron helm, making use of the existing substitution.
A dwarvish iron helm can be upgraded to a helm of telepathy or a helm of brilliance. Upgrading an orcish helm, helm of telepathy or helm of brilliance will produce a dwarvish iron helm.
UnNetHack
In UnNetHack, the dwarvish iron helm grants +1 AC to dwarves that wear them, including player dwarves.
dNetHack
In dNetHack, a dwarvish helm grants 1 AC and 1 DR while worn, and has a built-in lantern that can be turned on or off by applying the helm. Dwarves that generate in dark levels within the Gnomish Mines will have their helm's lantern lit.
EvilHack
In EvilHack, the dwarvish helm grants +1 AC to dwarves that wear them, including player dwarves. Dwarven Knights start the game with a +0 dwarvish helm in place of the standard helmet.
Croesus has a 1⁄2 chance of generating with a golden dwarvish helm.
A dwarvish helm can be created at a forge by combining a dwarvish short sword and a helmet; a dwarvish helm can also be combined with a large shield to create a dwarvish roundshield.
SlashTHEM
In SlashTHEM, in addition to SLASH'EM details, dwarven Paladins start the game with a +0 dwarvish iron helm in place of the standard helmet.
Hack'EM
In Hack'EM, the dwarvish iron helm grants +1 AC to dwarves that wear them, including player dwarves. Dwarven Undead Slayers that start the game with a helmet will instead start with a +0 dwarvish iron helm.
Upgrading an orcish helm will produce a dwarvish helm as in SLASH'EM, but upgrading a dwarvish helm will only produce an orcish helm. Forging recipes and other details are the same as in SLASH'EM and EvilHack.
References
- ↑ src/u_init.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 226: Race-based substitutions for initial inventory
- ↑ src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 381: default dwarvish armor
