Difference between revisions of "Singing Sword"

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(0.14 update, add strategy tip)
(Major rewrite for 0.14)
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==Desirability==
 
==Desirability==
At high [[tension]], its name changes to the Screaming Sword and starts screaming instead of singing. Its ear-splitting shrieks do minor damage to all nearby monsters, including allies (in addition to waking and attracting even more monsters than usual). When you are within the range of [[Silence]], its name changes to Sulking Sword. At low tension (i.e. when no monsters are in sight) it does not alert nearby monsters to your presence: technically, they won't actually be in-game noise at all. So there is no need to unwield the thing when you're not actually fighting.
+
The '''Singing Sword''' is, admittedly, a fairly powerful weapon; in spite of its lack of a brand, a +7 [[bastard sword]] is still quite effective in the hands of a skilled [[Long Blades]]-user, though perhaps not end-game quality. Its [[noise]]-generating properties are also not so terrible. So long as no monsters are visible, it generates no actual noise; it only begins singing loudly enough to attract attention when tension begins to rise. This makes it a dreadful choice for a [[stabber]], and may result in enemies nearby waking up and joining the fight on occasion, but it by no means rules the weapon out as dangerously unusable.
  
Despite what one might think from its description, this weapon is not [[holy wrath]] branded or even holy; "blessed" is merely a sarcastic synonym for "accursed" (i.e. annoying).
+
At high tension levels (40+), the sword's name changes to the Screaming Sword, and it begins emitting massive amounts of noise each turn. This deals a small amount of irresistible damage to all monsters in your [[line of sight]] (including allies!), softening up hordes and potentially helping you take down powerful foes. Admittedly, this only triggers in irresponsibly dangerous situations, and thus shouldn't be a major deciding factor in whether or not you wield this artefact, but it bears mentioning.
  
==Screaming mechanics==
+
When [[silence]]d, the sword's name instead changes to the Sulking Sword. This has no further effect.
When tension is greater than 40, the sword will become the Screaming Sword, and periodically scream, dealing minor but irresistible damage to all monsters in sight. These screams deal ((1d2)*(1d2)*(1d3) + 1d3 + 1)*(XL/27) damage. In theory, this can deal up to 16 damage, but is far more likely to be around 5-10 at XL27, and even less for earlier characters. There is a 10% chance per scream that the damage will be doubled; however, damage is still capped at 16. Furthermore, damage is also capped at 3/10 of the monster's max HP, or at 5/10 for doubled screams.
+
 
 +
Despite what one might think from its flavour text, this weapon is not a [[blessed blade]], [[holy wrath]]-[[brand]]ed, or even considered [[holy]]; "blessed" is merely a sarcastic synonym for "accursed" (i.e. annoying).
 +
 
 +
===Screaming Mechanics===
 +
When tension is greater than 40, the sword will become the Screaming Sword, and periodically scream, dealing minor but irresistible damage to all monsters in sight. These screams deal ((1d2)*(1d2)*(1d3) + 1d3 + 1)*(XL/27) damage. In theory, this can deal up to 16 damage, but is far more likely to be around 5-10 at XL27, and even less for earlier characters. There is a 10% chance per scream that the damage will be doubled; however, damage is still capped at 16. Furthermore, damage is also capped at 30% of the monster's max HP, or at 50% for doubled screams.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Prior [[0.14]], the sounds it made at low tension attracted nearby monsters, so the optimal strategy was to unwield the thing when player is not actually fighting. It also was a [[long sword]].
+
Prior to [[0.14]], this weapon was significantly worse; its base type was a [[long sword]] and it generated significant amounts of noise regardless of the presence of monsters.
  
 
[[Category:Unrands]]
 
[[Category:Unrands]]
 
[[Category:Long blades]]
 
[[Category:Long blades]]

Revision as of 23:12, 29 April 2014

Version 0.14: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
This blessed weapon loves nothing more than to sing to its owner, whether they want it to or not.

Singing sword.png the +7,+7 Singing Sword

+7, +7 bastard sword

Makes noise

Desirability

The Singing Sword is, admittedly, a fairly powerful weapon; in spite of its lack of a brand, a +7 bastard sword is still quite effective in the hands of a skilled Long Blades-user, though perhaps not end-game quality. Its noise-generating properties are also not so terrible. So long as no monsters are visible, it generates no actual noise; it only begins singing loudly enough to attract attention when tension begins to rise. This makes it a dreadful choice for a stabber, and may result in enemies nearby waking up and joining the fight on occasion, but it by no means rules the weapon out as dangerously unusable.

At high tension levels (40+), the sword's name changes to the Screaming Sword, and it begins emitting massive amounts of noise each turn. This deals a small amount of irresistible damage to all monsters in your line of sight (including allies!), softening up hordes and potentially helping you take down powerful foes. Admittedly, this only triggers in irresponsibly dangerous situations, and thus shouldn't be a major deciding factor in whether or not you wield this artefact, but it bears mentioning.

When silenced, the sword's name instead changes to the Sulking Sword. This has no further effect.

Despite what one might think from its flavour text, this weapon is not a blessed blade, holy wrath-branded, or even considered holy; "blessed" is merely a sarcastic synonym for "accursed" (i.e. annoying).

Screaming Mechanics

When tension is greater than 40, the sword will become the Screaming Sword, and periodically scream, dealing minor but irresistible damage to all monsters in sight. These screams deal ((1d2)*(1d2)*(1d3) + 1d3 + 1)*(XL/27) damage. In theory, this can deal up to 16 damage, but is far more likely to be around 5-10 at XL27, and even less for earlier characters. There is a 10% chance per scream that the damage will be doubled; however, damage is still capped at 16. Furthermore, damage is also capped at 30% of the monster's max HP, or at 50% for doubled screams.

History

Prior to 0.14, this weapon was significantly worse; its base type was a long sword and it generated significant amounts of noise regardless of the presence of monsters.