Difference between revisions of "Shield of the gong"

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==Desirability==
 
==Desirability==
Despite first appearances, the '''shield of the gong'''<ref>{{source ref|0.29.1|art-data.txt|1051}}</ref> is actually incredibly dangerous to use. Admittedly, its excellent enchantment level makes it very effective at defending against pure melee opponents, but its EV penalty renders you much more vulnerable to enemy [[bolt spells]] and other attacks that can't be blocked. Also, the intensity 40 noise it makes every time it blocks something is as loud as the [[Singing Sword]] at its loudest, and much louder than shouting (normally 12); using it will attract everything nearby to your position. Unless you're playing a brute force caster who's already making enough noise to wake the entire Dungeon, it is best to use this shield situationally, such as when facing dangerous sources of [[electricity]] damage.
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The '''shield of the gong'''<ref>{{source ref|0.29.1|art-data.txt|1051}}</ref> is an incredibly loud, and incredibly dangerous, artefact. While a +18 kite shield ''is'' good at blocking melee and ranged attacks, keep in mind it does nothing against [[piercing]] attacks like [[bolt spell]]s and [[javelin]]s. And time you get hit, you make an intensity 40 noise. This is as loud as an [[alarm trap]], and much louder than both [[Qazlal]]'s shield (~20 noise) or regular shouting (12 noise). Using it will attract everything nearby to your position.  
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That being said, there ''are'' characters who would like to use this. Qazlal worshippers attract lots of monsters to them, anyway, and a "little" more noise can't hurt. Blasters with spells like [[Fire Storm]] will wake the entire dungeon up, anyways. Has potential use for [[Necromancer]]s. And there are characters which are just plain weak - if the player is very very careful, they can use the shield to overcome enemies they otherwise wouldn't. [[Stair dancing]] is heavily recommended.
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You can also use it as a swapout. Clear the whole level, then use this shield to take out a [[ghost vault]]. Or use it to lure enemies from the [[Elf]]:3 vault from a distance.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==

Revision as of 01:21, 9 May 2023

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
A heavy bronze gong that can be worn as a shield. Locked away in a temple for many years, its bearer is shielded by decades of accumulated prayer.

Shield of the Gong.png the +18 shield of the gong

+18 kite shield

-5 EV
rCorr
rN+
+40 Will
Makes very loud noise (intensity 40) whenever you block

Desirability

The shield of the gong[1] is an incredibly loud, and incredibly dangerous, artefact. While a +18 kite shield is good at blocking melee and ranged attacks, keep in mind it does nothing against piercing attacks like bolt spells and javelins. And time you get hit, you make an intensity 40 noise. This is as loud as an alarm trap, and much louder than both Qazlal's shield (~20 noise) or regular shouting (12 noise). Using it will attract everything nearby to your position.

That being said, there are characters who would like to use this. Qazlal worshippers attract lots of monsters to them, anyway, and a "little" more noise can't hurt. Blasters with spells like Fire Storm will wake the entire dungeon up, anyways. Has potential use for Necromancers. And there are characters which are just plain weak - if the player is very very careful, they can use the shield to overcome enemies they otherwise wouldn't. Stair dancing is heavily recommended.

You can also use it as a swapout. Clear the whole level, then use this shield to take out a ghost vault. Or use it to lure enemies from the Elf:3 vault from a distance.

History

References