Penetration

Version 0.24: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

Weapon: Ammo fired by it will pass through the targets it hits, potentially hitting all targets in its path until it reaches maximum range. Ammo: It will pass through any targets it hits, potentially hitting all targets in its path until it reaches its maximum range.

Penetration is a brand which causes your ranged attacks to act like bolt spells, hitting all monsters along the path of your shot. To make the best use of this, fire at large clusters of enemies, especially ones following you through long hallways. Penetrating weapons cannot be blocked by shields apart from the Warlock's mirror.

Be sure to aim carefully to make the maximum use of your attacks when fighting enemies that aren't conveniently lined up along a hallway. Also, if you don't want your projectile to travel the full distance (either because there's an ally behind your target or because it would land in impassable terrain), you can choose a specific tile for the attack to end on by pressing . (period).

Javelins inherently have the penetration property, and artefact crossbows may generate with the penetration brand. The unrandart Storm bow gives arrows fired from it penetration.

History

• Prior to 0.24, javelins did not inherently have the penetration property, but could generate with it as a brand. Additionally, penetration was in the pool of brands available to enchanted crossbows instead of only appearing on artefacts.
• Bolts of penetration were removed in 0.18.
• Prior to 0.14, penetrating projectiles could be blocked by shields.