Arc Blade

Version 0.30: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

A blade somehow crafted from pure electricity. It arcs wildly between the wielder and their foes as it strikes. It occasionally unleashes powerful arcs of lightning upon striking a foe. These may arc to other adjacent creatures (including the wielder, but dealing reduced damage to them) before grounding out.

the +8 arc blade

+8 rapier
33.3% chance: Casts Static Discharge at 99 + 2d(100)/2 spellpower, average 150. (Average damage 1 + 1d15.5, or 9.25, per proc)
rElec

Desirability

Against single targets, the arc blade has roughly the same damage as a normal rapier of electrocution (slightly weaker), making it a good weapon in its own right. Since the arc blade deals electric damage, you may want a different weapon against those resistant/immune to electricity.

Compared to normal electrocution, Static Discharge will arc out to monsters adjacent to the target, making it particularly effective against crowds. It's doubly effective against crowds stuck in a hallway, as you can hit them without being hit back. Unfortunately, the discharges will deal some slight damage to you, though it's greatly reduced by this artefact's rElec.

The arc blade has an anti-synergy with most allies, as they are not exempt from the discharges. The game will prompt you whenever an ally could be hit.

History

• Prior to 0.30, Static Discharge was stronger (the arc blade dealt 2 + 1d21.75 per proc).
• Prior to 0.29, Static Discharge was slightly stronger on cast (the arc blade dealt 2 + 1d(22.5) per proc), but the arcs would reduce in power.
• Prior to 0.23, the arc blade would cast Static Discharge multiple times, but at much lower spellpower, 75 + 2d(75)/2. The weapon's enchantment was +4.
• Prior to 0.16, it was a cutlass.
• Prior to 0.15, it was a +3, +5 weapon.
• The arc blade was introduced in 0.14.