Difference between revisions of "Brand"

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''[[Armour]] brands are also called egos. See the [[ego]] page for armour brands.''
 
''[[Armour]] brands are also called egos. See the [[ego]] page for armour brands.''
  
A [[brand]] is a special enhancement that a [[weapon]] can have, affecting its damage output, giving it a particular [[Damage Type|damage type]], or causing effects. Weapons can have at most one brand, and [[randart]]s are guaranteed a brand, although some [[unrandart]]s do not have one. Brands are auto-identified when a weapon is wielded. Missile brands are known on sight. If you use branded ammo with a branded launcher, only the ammo brand will take effect. Exceptions include launchers with the [[vorpal]] or [[speed]] brands, which stack with their ammo's brands, and launchers of [[flaming]] and missiles of [[frost]] (or vice versa) will cancel each other out, resulting in an unbranded missile.
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A '''brand''' is a special enhancement that [[weapon]]s can have, granting them additional effects. Usually, these effects amount to increasing the damage they deal, but other effects do exist.
  
Aside from the permanently-branded weapons found in the dungeon, two spells provide temporary brands to weapons: [[Warp Weapon]] ([[distortion]]) and [[Excruciating Wounds]] ([[pain (brand)|pain]]). The [[Blade card]] likewise provides a (random) temporary brand. Each of these will override a weapon's current brand (if any).
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These are separate from [[scroll of enchant weapon|enchantment]] levels (the -X or +X before a weapon's name), and much harder to modify. While you can increase a weapon's enchantment level by reading a [[scroll of enchant weapon]], you can only add or modify a weapon's brand through the following methods:
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*Reading a [[scroll of brand weapon]] will give a weapon a randomly selected brand, replacing any existing brand if there is one.
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*Casting [[Excruciating Wounds]] will temporarily give your currently wielded non-artefact weapon the [[pain (brand)|pain]] brand.
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*Worshipers of [[the Shining One]], [[Kikubaaqudgha]], and [[Lugonu]] can have one weapon "blessed" per game, resulting in a permanently branded weapon of [[holy wrath]], [[Pain (brand)|pain]], or [[distortion]], respectively.
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*Worshipers of [[Xom]] may randomly "receive" [[chaos]]-branded weapons. However, they usually arrive in the hands of enemies in your [[line of sight]].
  
There are two ways to '''create''' weapons with a permanent brand. First, a [[scroll of brand weapon]] will apply a brand to one of the non-artefact weapons you are carrying, overwriting the previous brand, if any. The second means of creating a branded weapon is through the act of a [[god]]. [[The Shining One]], [[Lugonu]], and [[Kikubaaqudgha]] will grant especially pious worshipers permanent [[holy wrath]], [[distortion]], and [[pain (brand)|pain]] brands, respectively. Divine branding will ''replace'' any previous brand the weapon held. Note that this still does not work on artefacts. As for the chaos brand, [[Xom]] may randomly place that on an unbranded weapon, most often one in a monster's inventory.
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Under no circumstances can a normal weapon have more than one brand, however the unrandart [[Maxwell's Thermic Engine]] has both the flaming and freezing brands. All [[randart]]s are guaranteed to have a brand, as do almost all [[unrandart]]s. Brands are always identified as soon as you, or an enemy in your line of sight, wields a weapon.
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Brands are one of the biggest differences between [[unarmed combat]] and armed combat: an unarmed fighter can never benefit from brands (although certain [[mutation]]s may augment them).
  
 
==List of Brands==
 
==List of Brands==
 
===Melee Weapons===
 
===Melee Weapons===
*'''[[Antimagic]]''' (causes monster spell failure and reduces the player's maximum MP)
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{| class="prettytable" style="border:none; margin:auto; padding:0;
*'''[[Chaos]]''' ([[Xom]]'s special brand; can inflict different brand effects per attack)
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! Brand !! Description
*'''[[Disruption]]''' (found only on the artifact [[great mace]], [[Undeadhunter]])
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|-
*'''[[Distortion]]''' ([[Lugonu]]'s special brand; can have multiple damaging and Translocation related effects upon a successful hit, including [[Banishment]] to the [[Abyss]])
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| [[Antimagic]] || [[Trog]]'s special brand; causes monsters to fail their spells and temporarily reduces the player's maximum MP
*'''[[Dragon slaying]]''' (found only on the artefact lance, [[Wyrmbane]])
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|-
*'''[[draining (brand)|Draining]]''' (reduces monster [[HD]] per hit)
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| [[Chaos]] || [[Xom]]'s special brand; can inflict different brand effects with each attack.
*'''[[Electrocution]]''' (inflicts additional electrical attack upon a successful attack)
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|-
*'''[[Flaming]]''' (average 25% extra fire damage per attack, less on resistant creatures)
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| [[Disruption]] || Inflicts extra damage to undead. Found only on the unrandart [[great mace]] [[Undeadhunter]]
*'''[[Freezing]]''' (average 25% extra freezing damage, can temporarily slow [[cold-blooded]] monsters)
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|-
*'''[[Holy wrath]]''' ([[The Shining One]]'s special brand; average 75% extra damage to [[demon]]ic and [[undead] monsters)
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| [[Distortion]] || [[Lugonu]]'s special brand. Can have multiple damaging and [[Translocations]]-related effects upon a successful hit, including [[Banishment]] to [[the Abyss]].
*'''[[pain (brand)|Pain]]''' ([[Kikubaaqudgha]]'s special brand; inflicts additional damage based on the player's [[Necromancy]])
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|-
*'''[[Protection]]''' (+5 [[AC]] when wielded)
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| [[Dragon slaying]] || Inflicts extra damage to dragons and dragon-like monsters. Found only on the unrandart lance [[Wyrmbane]].
*'''[[Reaping]]''' (raises an allied [[zombie]] of slain creature if it produces a corpse; found only on the [[unrandart]]s [[Spear of the Botono]] and the [[Sword of Zonguldrok]])
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|-
*'''[[speed (brand)|Speed]]''' (increases attack speed; found only on [[Short Blades|short blades]], [[staves]], and some artefacts)
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| [[draining (brand)|Draining]] || Adds an average 25% extra [[negative energy]] damage per attack, as well as [[draining]] the monster if susceptible.
*'''[[Vampiricism]]''' (heals the player for a portion of his or her inflicted damage)
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|-
*'''[[Venom]]''' (inflicts damage over time to affected monsters)
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| [[Electrocution]] || Inflicts additional [[electricity]] damage upon a successful attack (independent of the damage dealt).
*'''[[Vorpal]]''' (average 16.67% extra damage per attack; described as Chopping, Slicing, Piercing, Crushing, Slashing, or Piercing, depending on the branded weapon)
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|-
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| [[Flaming]] || Adds an average 25% extra [[fire]] damage per attack. Good against [[hydra]]s.
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|-
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| [[Freezing]] || Adds an average 25% extra [[cold]] damage per attack. Can temporarily slow [[cold-blooded]] monsters.
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|-
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| [[Holy wrath]] || [[The Shining One]]'s special brand. Inflicts an average of 75% extra damage to [[demon]]ic and [[undead]] monsters.
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|-
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| [[pain (brand)|Pain]] || [[Kikubaaqudgha]]'s special brand. Inflicts additional [[negative energy]] damage based on the player's [[Necromancy]] skill.
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|-
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| [[Protection]] || Gives +7 [[AC]] for a short period after hitting with the weapon.
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|-
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| [[Reaping]] || Raises an allied [[zombie]] of slain creature if it produces a [[corpse]]. Found only on the unrandart [[Sword of Zonguldrok]].
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|-
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| [[speed (brand)|Speed]] || Reduces weapon attack delay by 50%. Found only on [[Short Blades|short blades]], [[staves]], and some artefacts.
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|-
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| [[Vampiricism]] || When attacking enemies that bleed, heals the player for a portion of the inflicted damage on 60% of attacks.
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|-
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| [[Venom]] || Inflicts [[poison]] damage over time to affected monsters.
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|-
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| [[Vorpal]] || Adds an average 16.67% untyped extra damage per attack. Described as Chopping, Slicing, Piercing, Crushing, or Slashing, depending on the weapon's base type.
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|}
  
Some brands are more desirable on certain melee weapons than others. For example, brands such as [[flaming]] or [[freezing]] add a percentage damage bonus dependent on the weapon's base damage. Others add a special effect that triggers on a successful attack, such as [[distortion]], [[electrocution]], or [[pain]].
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Some brands are more desirable on certain melee weapons than others. For example, brands such as [[flaming]] or [[freezing]] add a percentage damage bonus dependent on the weapon's base damage. Others add a special effect that triggers on a successful attack, such as [[distortion]], [[electrocution]], or [[pain]]. As such, a flaming [[executioner's axe]] is generally superior to a flaming [[dagger]] because of its high base damage, while electrocution triggers far more often on a  [[quickblade]] than a [[bardiche]] because of its low base delay. Choose branded weapons accordingly.
 
 
As such, a flaming [[Executioner's Axe]] is generally superior to a flaming [[dagger]] because of its high base damage, while an electrocution [[quickblade]] is far better than an electrocution [[Bardiche]] because of its low base delay. Choose branded weapons accordingly.
 
  
 
All added brand damage is calculated after AC reduction, and does not get further reduced by AC.
 
All added brand damage is calculated after AC reduction, and does not get further reduced by AC.
  
 
===Launchers===
 
===Launchers===
*[[Electrocution]]
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The following brands can be found on launchers:
*[[evasion (brand)|Evasion]]
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* [[Flaming]] (normal, [[artefact]] and from [[scroll of brand weapon|scrolls of brand weapon]])
*[[Flame]]
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* [[Freezing]] (normal, artefact and from scrolls of brand weapon)
*[[frost (brand)|Frost]]
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* [[Vorpal]] (always called Velocity) (normal, artefact and from scrolls of brand weapon)
*[[Penetration]]
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* [[Speed]] (artefacts only)
*[[Speed (brand)|Speed]]
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* [[Venom]] (artefacts and from scrolls of brand weapon only)
*[[Venom]]
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* [[Chaos]] (from scrolls of brand weapon only)
*[[Vorpal]] ("Velocity")
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* [[Electrocution]] (from scrolls of brand weapon and artefact [[crossbows]] only)
*[[Chaos]]
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* [[Penetration]] (artefact crossbows only)
 
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* [[Holy wrath]] (branding through [[the Shining One]] only)
Crossbows can have flame, frost, evasion, chaos and vorpal. Artifact crossbows can also have penetration, electrocution, venom and speed.
 
 
 
Bows, longbows and slings can have flame, frost, evasion and vorpal. Speed and venom are possible on artifacts (the Bow of Krishna "[[Sharnga]]" has the speed brand).
 
  
Blowguns can only be generated with evasion. Artifact blowguns can have speed.
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Note that ranged weapons cannot be branded with pain or distortion through Kikubaaqudgha or Lugonu.
  
===Missiles===
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===Thrown Weapons===
 
*[[dispersal (brand)|Dispersal]]
 
*[[dispersal (brand)|Dispersal]]
 
*[[Exploding]]
 
*[[Exploding]]
*[[Flame]]
 
*[[frost (brand)|Frost]]
 
 
*[[Penetration]]
 
*[[Penetration]]
 
*[[Poisoned]]  
 
*[[Poisoned]]  
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*[[Steel]]
 
*[[Steel]]
  
Flame, frost, and poisoned can all be found on arrows and crossbow bolts. Poisoned javelins are also possible. Silver and steel can be found on crossbow bolts, sling bullets, tomahawks, and javelins. Dispersal can be found on arrows and tomahawks. Exploding can be found only on sling bullets. Penetration can be found on crossbow bolts or javelins. Returning can be found on tomahawks and javelins. Stones, large rocks, and nets are never generated with a brand, though branded large rocks may occasionally be found in ammo shops. (Exception: one of the [[Dungeon Sprint]] maps offers a large rock of returning. Naturally, it's being used ''against'' you.).
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In general, only [[tomahawk]]s and [[javelin]]s may be randomly generated with brands. (Exception: one of the [[Dungeon Sprint]] maps offers a large rock of returning. Naturally, it's being used ''against'' you.). Dispersal and Exploding only show up on tomahawks, while Penetration is only available on javelins.
  
==== Needles====
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=== Needles===
 
[[Needle]]s have their own brand selection; most often poisoned, but they can instead bear one of the following unique brands:
 
[[Needle]]s have their own brand selection; most often poisoned, but they can instead bear one of the following unique brands:
 
*[[confusion (brand)|Confusion]]
 
*[[confusion (brand)|Confusion]]
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*[[frenzy (brand)|Frenzy]]
 
*[[frenzy (brand)|Frenzy]]
 
*[[paralysis (brand)|Paralysis]]
 
*[[paralysis (brand)|Paralysis]]
*[[sleep (brand)|Sleep]]
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*[[sleep (brand)|Sleeping]]
*[[slowing (brand)|Slowing]]
 
  
==Needle brands==
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There is a saving throw for monsters: if 2 + 1d(4 + your throwing skill + your blowgun’s enchantment) is greater than the monster’s hit dice, the effect will be applied. You also have a straight 2% chance of succeeding for monsters with a [[hit dice]] of 14 or below.
All needle types except "poisoned" were introduced in version [[0.6]]. There's a saving throw for monsters: if 1 + 1d(4 + your throwing skill + your blowgun’s enchantment) is greater than the monster’s hit dice, the effect will be applied. You also have a straight 2% chance of succeeding for monsters with a [[hit dice]] of 14 or below.
 
  
 
Some statistics: with no skill you’re still at 100% to succeed on HD1 or HD2 (gnoll, D1 monsters), 75% on HD3 (Sigmund), 50% on HD4 (Duvessa), and 25% on HD5 (ogre). With 4 skill as an early Assassin, you’re up to 56% on an Ogre, or 33% on a Yak.
 
Some statistics: with no skill you’re still at 100% to succeed on HD1 or HD2 (gnoll, D1 monsters), 75% on HD3 (Sigmund), 50% on HD4 (Duvessa), and 25% on HD5 (ogre). With 4 skill as an early Assassin, you’re up to 56% on an Ogre, or 33% on a Yak.
  
==Notes==
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==History==
As of [[0.10]] all [[Polearms]] have [[Reaching]].
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*Prior to [[0.18]], ranged weapon ammo could have brands, but they would be overridden by launcher brands other than Vorpal, Speed, or Penetration.
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*Prior to [[0.16]], drawing a [[Blade card]] would apply one of several temporary brands to your weapon.
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*Prior to [[0.14]], there was a [[reaching]] brand for [[whip]]s and [[demon whip]]s, allowing them to make reaching attacks.
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*Prior to [[0.10]], [[polearms]] needed the reaching brand to make reaching attacks.
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*All needle types except "poisoned" were introduced in version [[0.6]].
  
 
{{brands}}
 
{{brands}}
[[Category:Item]] [[Category:Weapons]] [[Category:Brands]]
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[[Category:Items]] [[Category:Weapons]] [[Category:Brands]]

Revision as of 22:44, 26 March 2019

Version 0.22: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

Armour brands are also called egos. See the ego page for armour brands.

A brand is a special enhancement that weapons can have, granting them additional effects. Usually, these effects amount to increasing the damage they deal, but other effects do exist.

These are separate from enchantment levels (the -X or +X before a weapon's name), and much harder to modify. While you can increase a weapon's enchantment level by reading a scroll of enchant weapon, you can only add or modify a weapon's brand through the following methods:

Under no circumstances can a normal weapon have more than one brand, however the unrandart Maxwell's Thermic Engine has both the flaming and freezing brands. All randarts are guaranteed to have a brand, as do almost all unrandarts. Brands are always identified as soon as you, or an enemy in your line of sight, wields a weapon.

Brands are one of the biggest differences between unarmed combat and armed combat: an unarmed fighter can never benefit from brands (although certain mutations may augment them).

List of Brands

Melee Weapons

Brand Description
Antimagic Trog's special brand; causes monsters to fail their spells and temporarily reduces the player's maximum MP
Chaos Xom's special brand; can inflict different brand effects with each attack.
Disruption Inflicts extra damage to undead. Found only on the unrandart great mace Undeadhunter
Distortion Lugonu's special brand. Can have multiple damaging and Translocations-related effects upon a successful hit, including Banishment to the Abyss.
Dragon slaying Inflicts extra damage to dragons and dragon-like monsters. Found only on the unrandart lance Wyrmbane.
Draining Adds an average 25% extra negative energy damage per attack, as well as draining the monster if susceptible.
Electrocution Inflicts additional electricity damage upon a successful attack (independent of the damage dealt).
Flaming Adds an average 25% extra fire damage per attack. Good against hydras.
Freezing Adds an average 25% extra cold damage per attack. Can temporarily slow cold-blooded monsters.
Holy wrath The Shining One's special brand. Inflicts an average of 75% extra damage to demonic and undead monsters.
Pain Kikubaaqudgha's special brand. Inflicts additional negative energy damage based on the player's Necromancy skill.
Protection Gives +7 AC for a short period after hitting with the weapon.
Reaping Raises an allied zombie of slain creature if it produces a corpse. Found only on the unrandart Sword of Zonguldrok.
Speed Reduces weapon attack delay by 50%. Found only on short blades, staves, and some artefacts.
Vampiricism When attacking enemies that bleed, heals the player for a portion of the inflicted damage on 60% of attacks.
Venom Inflicts poison damage over time to affected monsters.
Vorpal Adds an average 16.67% untyped extra damage per attack. Described as Chopping, Slicing, Piercing, Crushing, or Slashing, depending on the weapon's base type.

Some brands are more desirable on certain melee weapons than others. For example, brands such as flaming or freezing add a percentage damage bonus dependent on the weapon's base damage. Others add a special effect that triggers on a successful attack, such as distortion, electrocution, or pain. As such, a flaming executioner's axe is generally superior to a flaming dagger because of its high base damage, while electrocution triggers far more often on a quickblade than a bardiche because of its low base delay. Choose branded weapons accordingly.

All added brand damage is calculated after AC reduction, and does not get further reduced by AC.

Launchers

The following brands can be found on launchers:

Note that ranged weapons cannot be branded with pain or distortion through Kikubaaqudgha or Lugonu.

Thrown Weapons

In general, only tomahawks and javelins may be randomly generated with brands. (Exception: one of the Dungeon Sprint maps offers a large rock of returning. Naturally, it's being used against you.). Dispersal and Exploding only show up on tomahawks, while Penetration is only available on javelins.

Needles

Needles have their own brand selection; most often poisoned, but they can instead bear one of the following unique brands:

There is a saving throw for monsters: if 2 + 1d(4 + your throwing skill + your blowgun’s enchantment) is greater than the monster’s hit dice, the effect will be applied. You also have a straight 2% chance of succeeding for monsters with a hit dice of 14 or below.

Some statistics: with no skill you’re still at 100% to succeed on HD1 or HD2 (gnoll, D1 monsters), 75% on HD3 (Sigmund), 50% on HD4 (Duvessa), and 25% on HD5 (ogre). With 4 skill as an early Assassin, you’re up to 56% on an Ogre, or 33% on a Yak.

History

  • Prior to 0.18, ranged weapon ammo could have brands, but they would be overridden by launcher brands other than Vorpal, Speed, or Penetration.
  • Prior to 0.16, drawing a Blade card would apply one of several temporary brands to your weapon.
  • Prior to 0.14, there was a reaching brand for whips and demon whips, allowing them to make reaching attacks.
  • Prior to 0.10, polearms needed the reaching brand to make reaching attacks.
  • All needle types except "poisoned" were introduced in version 0.6.
Brands
Melee weapons AntimagicChaosDistortionDrainingElectrocutionFlamingFreezingHeavyHoly wrathPainProtectionReachingSpectralSpeedVampiricVenom
DisruptionDragon slayingReapingSilver
Launchers AntimagicDrainingElectrocutionFlamingFreezingHeavyPenetrationSpeed
Throwing weapons AtropaCurareDaturaDispersalPoisonedSilver