Difference between revisions of "Gyre and Gimble"

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{{flavour|Two quick blades joined by a chain. Swinging one compels the wielder to swing the other, as if they have minds of their own.}}
 
{{flavour|Two quick blades joined by a chain. Swinging one compels the wielder to swing the other, as if they have minds of their own.}}
  
[[File:Gyre and Gimble.png]] '''''the +5 quick blades "Gyre" and "Gimble"'''''
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[[File:Gyre and Gimble.png]] '''''the +7 pair of quick blades "Gyre" and "Gimble"'''''
  
+5 [[quick blade]]
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+7 [[quick blade]]
  
[[Vorpal]] [[brand]]<br>
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[[Protection]] [[brand]]<br>
-3 [[dexterity]]<br>
 
 
Each swing attacks twice<br>
 
Each swing attacks twice<br>
 
Always [[handedness|two-handed]] (Except for [[formicid]]s)
 
Always [[handedness|two-handed]] (Except for [[formicid]]s)
  
 
==Desirability==
 
==Desirability==
Gyre and Gimble is an unusual weapon - thematically two separate weapons, they are treated in game as a single two-handed weapon that just happens to get twice as many attacks as a normal quick blade would. As quick blades already attack extraordinarily fast anyway, this amounts to an absurd number of hits before the enemy can react to you. At mindelay (8 [[Short Blades]] skill), you'll essentially be getting in an attack every 1.5 auts. When [[haste]]d, this goes up to an attack every aut. In short, you'll be attacking very quickly.
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'''Gyre and Gimble'''<ref>{{source ref|0.28.0|art-data.txt|1402}}</ref> are an unusual weapon - thematically two weapons, they are treated in-game as a single two-handed weapon that just so happens to get twice as many attacks as a normal quick blade would. As quick blades already attack extraordinarily fast, this amounts to an ''absurd'' number of hits before the enemy can react to you. At minimum delay (requires a paltry 8 [[Short Blades]] skill), you'll essentially be getting in an attack every 1.5 auts. When [[potion of haste|haste]]ned, this goes up to an attack every aut.
  
However, the actual effectiveness of these attacks depends on two things: your [[slaying]] bonuses and the enemy's [[AC]]. A quick blade doesn't deal very much damage per hit unless it has a set damage brand, like [[distortion]], [[electrocution]], or [[pain]]. The [[vorpal]] brand is slightly better than nothing, but still one of the worst options available for a quick blade. This issue doesn't matter much for low-AC opponents, as you'll simply spread the damage out over several attacks, but against high-AC opponents you'll be barely scratching them. Enough slaying bonuses, liberal use of [[potions of might]], and easy access to [[berserk]]ing will overcome this issue, allowing Gyre and Gimble to be effective against armoured foes and absolutely devastating against the unarmoured. Good luck finding those slaying sources, however.
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However, the actual effectiveness of these attacks depends on two things: your [[slaying]] bonuses and the enemy's [[AC]]. A quick blade doesn't deal very much damage per hit unless it has a set damage brand like [[distortion]], [[electrocution]], or [[pain]]; though the [[protection]] brand helps increase your survivability (particularly if you have low AC), it does absolutely nothing to increase your damage output.
  
Alternatively, if you happen to have a reliable, infinite source of [[invisibility]] (or [[Dazzling Spray|enemy blindness]]), Gyre and Gimble function as a phenomenally deadly source of [[stab]]bing damage. When invisi-stabbing your way through a pack of enemies that can't [[see invisible]], you'll be delivering lethal blows at terrifying speed, regardless of their AC. Again though, this is not tremendously more useful than invisi-stabbing with other short blades.
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Gyre and Gimble's rapid-fire weak attacks work just fine on low-AC opponents, as you'll simply spread your damage out over multiple hits, but you'll barely be able to scratch high-AC opponents. Enough slaying bonuses, liberal use of [[potions of might]], and easy access to [[berserk|berserk rage]] will overcome this issue, allowing Gyre and Gimble to be effective against armoured foes and absolutely devastating against the unarmoured. Finding such extensive slaying sources may be easier said than done, however.
  
Whether or not it's worth sacrificing use of your off-hand is up to you, but a well-branded, fully-enchanted quick blade and [[buckler]] of [[resistance]] may be the smarter choice in some cases. [[Formicid]]s, of course, don't have to worry about losing their shield slot.
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Alternatively, if you happen to have a reliable, renewable source of [[invisibility]] (or [[Dazzling Flash|enemy blindness]]), Gyre and Gimble function as a phenomenally deadly source of [[stab]]bing damage. When invisi-stabbing your way through a pack of enemies that can't [[see invisible]], you'll be delivering lethal blows at terrifying speed regardless of AC. [[Confusion|Confusing]] enemies works just as well, though it's more useful for fighting single, powerful foes than for wading through a horde; [[Confusing Touch]] in particular synergizes well with Gyre and Gimble's high attack speed.
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Do note that most tactics that make the best use of Gyre and Gimble can also work adequately with any other type of short blade -- Gyre and Gimble's main advantage is simply their exceptional attack speed. Whether or not it's worth sacrificing use of your off-hand is up to you, but a well-branded, fully-enchanted quick blade and a good [[shield]] (or perhaps an [[orb]]) may be the smarter choice in some cases. [[Formicid]]s, of course, don't have to worry about losing their shield slot, though whenever they'd prefer this over a heavy, normally two-hander is another question.
  
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
Gyre and Gimble is a reference to the poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carrol.
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Gyre and Gimble are a reference to the poem "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabberwocky Jabberwocky]" by Lewis Carrol.
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==References==
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<references />
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Gyre and Gimble were added in [[0.16]].
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*Prior to [[0.24]], Gyre and Gimble had a +5 enchantment, the [[vorpal]] brand, and a -3 penalty to [[Dexterity]].
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*Gyre and Gimble were added in [[0.16]].
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[[Category:Short blades]]
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[[Category:Unrands]]

Revision as of 03:15, 16 June 2022

Version 0.28: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Two quick blades joined by a chain. Swinging one compels the wielder to swing the other, as if they have minds of their own.

Gyre and Gimble.png the +7 pair of quick blades "Gyre" and "Gimble"

+7 quick blade

Protection brand
Each swing attacks twice
Always two-handed (Except for formicids)

Desirability

Gyre and Gimble[1] are an unusual weapon - thematically two weapons, they are treated in-game as a single two-handed weapon that just so happens to get twice as many attacks as a normal quick blade would. As quick blades already attack extraordinarily fast, this amounts to an absurd number of hits before the enemy can react to you. At minimum delay (requires a paltry 8 Short Blades skill), you'll essentially be getting in an attack every 1.5 auts. When hastened, this goes up to an attack every aut.

However, the actual effectiveness of these attacks depends on two things: your slaying bonuses and the enemy's AC. A quick blade doesn't deal very much damage per hit unless it has a set damage brand like distortion, electrocution, or pain; though the protection brand helps increase your survivability (particularly if you have low AC), it does absolutely nothing to increase your damage output.

Gyre and Gimble's rapid-fire weak attacks work just fine on low-AC opponents, as you'll simply spread your damage out over multiple hits, but you'll barely be able to scratch high-AC opponents. Enough slaying bonuses, liberal use of potions of might, and easy access to berserk rage will overcome this issue, allowing Gyre and Gimble to be effective against armoured foes and absolutely devastating against the unarmoured. Finding such extensive slaying sources may be easier said than done, however.

Alternatively, if you happen to have a reliable, renewable source of invisibility (or enemy blindness), Gyre and Gimble function as a phenomenally deadly source of stabbing damage. When invisi-stabbing your way through a pack of enemies that can't see invisible, you'll be delivering lethal blows at terrifying speed regardless of AC. Confusing enemies works just as well, though it's more useful for fighting single, powerful foes than for wading through a horde; Confusing Touch in particular synergizes well with Gyre and Gimble's high attack speed.

Do note that most tactics that make the best use of Gyre and Gimble can also work adequately with any other type of short blade -- Gyre and Gimble's main advantage is simply their exceptional attack speed. Whether or not it's worth sacrificing use of your off-hand is up to you, but a well-branded, fully-enchanted quick blade and a good shield (or perhaps an orb) may be the smarter choice in some cases. Formicids, of course, don't have to worry about losing their shield slot, though whenever they'd prefer this over a heavy, normally two-hander is another question.

Trivia

Gyre and Gimble are a reference to the poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carrol.

References

History

  • Prior to 0.24, Gyre and Gimble had a +5 enchantment, the vorpal brand, and a -3 penalty to Dexterity.
  • Gyre and Gimble were added in 0.16.