Shield of reflection
[ shield of reflection 
| |
|---|---|
| Appearance | polished silver shield |
| Slot | shield |
| AC | 2 |
| Special | |
| Base price | 50 zm |
| Weight | 50 |
| Material | silver |
A shield of reflection is type of shield that appears in NetHack, and is the sole magical shield in the game. It is made of silver and appears as a polished silver shield when unidentified, and is referred to as a smooth shield if the item cannot be seen (e.g., the hero is blind or sees a monster pick it up from a distance).
Contents
Generation
The statue of Perseus on Medusa's Island has a chance of containing a cursed +0 shield of reflection: the chance is 1⁄4 on the second 'titan' map, and 3⁄4 on all other maps.[1][2][3][4]
Archons are always generated with a shield of reflection, and Angels and Aleaxes have a 1⁄4 chance of being generated with a shield of reflection, including the tame guardian Angel that is generated when the hero enters the Astral Plane and conflict is not active.[5]
Description
When worn, the shield of reflection provides 2 base AC and conveys extrinsic reflection. It gains a damage bonus against against silver-hating monsters if wielded as a weapon.
The shield will auto-identify if it is seen reflecting a ray or gaze attack.[6]
Strategy
Although reflection is a crucial property, shields inhibit both twoweaponing and spellcasting, making the shield of reflection a somewhat unpopular choice for the ascension kit of a hero that is built to focus on either. Conversely, the shield is more ideal for the ascension kits of heroes that cannot or do not wish to twoweapon (such as Cavemen and Rangers), and will not urgently need spellcasting outside of situations where the shield can quickly be removed at will. Ascension kits that frequently use the shield often pair it with gray dragon scale mail to keep their amulet and cloak slots free, e.g. for a cloak of protection and/or an amulet of life saving - kits that use shields and have reflection covered via silver dragon scale mail or an amulet will instead opt for an elven shield or even a small shield.
Even heroes that want to twoweapon or cast spells may consider it a solid find in the early to mid-game if they do not yet plan to rely exclusively on either, or else have not discovered the amulet of reflection. Spare shields of reflection are quite good for powerful humanoid pets to protect them against rays from random wands or breath weapons (e.g. from dragons). Centaurs are notably among the few eligible steeds that can also wear armor, including shields of reflection.
History
The shield of reflection first appears in NetHack 3.0.0.
Origin
The shield of reflection found in the statue of Perseus is based on the shield used by the Perseus of classical folklore: he beheads and kills Medusa by using his polished shield to view her reflection, in order to avoid meeting her gaze directly and aim his sword strikes.
Variants
In variants with object materials systems, the shield of reflection may appear as a polished shield when unidentified.
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, Devas have a 1⁄4 chance of being generated with a shield of reflection, and Planetars and Solars always generate with shields of reflection. One-eyed Sam is always generated with a shield of reflection.
Mirrorbright is a neutral artifact shield of reflection that is the first guaranteed sacrifice gift for Healers. While worn, it grants hallucination resistance in addition to reflection.
UnNetHack
In UnNetHack, One-eyed Sam is always generated with a shield of reflection. Durin's Bane has a 1⁄3 chance of generating with a shield of reflection.
The shield of reflection is non-magical, which makes it a viable candidate for a wish obtained from any source including a wand of wishing (which can also create magical items).
UnNetHack incorporates the Itlachiayaque patch, which replaces The Orb of Detection with the artifact shield of reflection Itlachiayaque as the Archeologist quest artifact.
dNetHack
In dNetHack, a shield of reflection grants 2 base AC, 0 DR and reflection while worn, its weight is increased to 60 aum, and it appears as a "polished shield" when unidentified (though it is always made of silver).
Argenach Rilmani that generate with a broadsword have a 1⁄6 chance of generating with a shield of reflection.
The minor spires encountered in the Outlands of the Neutral Quest may contain a shield of reflection and a silver wand. It may also contain a silver long sword and a shield of reflection if Mirror Brand has already been generated.
xNetHack
In xNetHack, the shield of reflection appears as a "polished shield" when unidentified.
xNetHack incorporates Itlachiayaque, but does so much differently compared to other variants.
SpliceHack
In SpliceHack, One-eyed Sam is always generated with a shield of reflection.
A small shield or large shield can be combined with an amulet of reflection at a furnace to create a shield of reflection.
notdNetHack
In notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack, in addition to dNetHack details, Ose generates with a shield of reflection when summoned by an Illithanachronounbinder.
EvilHack
In EvilHack, the Paladin and Graz'zt are always generated with a shield of reflection.
A shield of reflection can be combined with barding at a forge to create barding of reflection.
SlashTHEM
In addition to SLASH'EM details, SlashTHEM incorporates the Itlachiayaque patch, with Itlachiayaque serving as the Archeologist's first sacrifice gift.
