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.}}
  
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[[File:Gyre and Gimble.png]] '''''the +12 pair of quick blades "Gyre" and "Gimble"'''''
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[[File:Gyre and Gimble.png]] '''''the +8 pair of quick blades "Gyre" and "Gimble"'''''
  
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+12 [[quick blade]]
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+8 [[quick blade]]
  
 
[[Protection]] [[brand]]<br>
 
[[Protection]] [[brand]]<br>
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Each swing attacks twice<br>
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Each swing attacks four times<br>
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Always [[handedness|two-handed]] (Except for [[formicid]]s)
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[[Handedness|Two-handed]] (except for [[Formicid]]s)
  
 
==Desirability==
 
==Desirability==
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'''Gyre and Gimble'''<ref>{{source ref|0.29.1|art-data.txt|1414}}</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.
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'''Gyre and Gimble'''<ref>{{source ref|0.30.0|art-data.txt|1431}}</ref> are an unusual weapon - thematically two weapons, they are treated as a single two-handed weapon that happens to attack four times per command (twice that of normal quick blades). With up to 8 attacks per 1 decaAut, Gyre and Gimble take the strengths of Short Blades to an extreme - they are impacted more by 'flat' bonuses and enemy [[AC]].
  
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However, the actual effectiveness of these attacks depends on two things: your [[slaying]] bonuses and the enemy's [[AC]].
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*Flat bonuses, like [[slaying]], are amplified: dealing +1 damage/hit is four times as good if you attack four times as fast. Unfortunately, Gyre and Gimble, as protection weapons, are unable to benefit from flat damage brands like [[electrocution]] or [[pain (brand)|pain]].
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*A quick blade doesn't deal very much damage per hit, unless it has a set damage brand like [[distortion]], [[electrocution]], or [[pain]]. Gyre and Gimble has [[protection]], and while it does help increase your survivability, it does absolutely nothing to increase your damage output.
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**Note that Gyre and Gimble can only perform 2 sets of [[auxiliary attack]]s per swing. Having an aux attack with G&G is as effective as any ordinary quick blade, which is still ''good'', just not twice-as-good.
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*Gyre and Gimble fires weak attacks rapidly, which works fine against low-AC, but means that high-AC opponents are difficult.  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.
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*Conversely, enemy [[AC]] reduces damage by a flat amount. You'll tear through low-AC monsters, but high-AC threats will often shrug off the blows. You can get past this by [[stab]]bing opponents or with liberal use of [[might]] and/or [[berserk]].
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Note that [[auxiliary attack]]s aren't performed any faster than with an ordinary quick blade. However, these attacks are still fired once every 3 aut, so species with aux attacks may prefer this weapon.
 
  
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Alternatively, if you happen to have a reliable, renewable way to [[stab]] enemies ([[confusion]], [[invisibility]], [[Dazzling Flash|blindness]]), it functions as a phenomenally deadly weapon.  
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As Short Blades, Gyre and Gimble are great at [[stab]]bing. A reliable, renewable way to stab ([[Hexes]], [[Mephitic Cloud]], [[Uskayaw]]...) can turn G&G into a phenomenally deadly weapon; [[Confusing Touch]] works especially well.
  
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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.
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These stratagems apply to all Short Blades, not just Gyre and Gimble. Their main advantage is doubled attack speed - more power in exchange for the shield slot. A well-branded, fully-enchanted quick blade with a [[shield]] may be the smarter choice. [[Formicid]]s, of course, don't have to worry about losing their shield slot, but whether they'd prefer Gyre and Gimble over a heavy two-handed weapon is another question.
  
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
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==History==
 
==History==
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*In [[0.29]], the enchantment was changed from +7 to +12.
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*Prior to [[0.31]], Gyre and Gimble only made 2 attacks per swing, as regular [[quick blade]]s only made 1 attack per swing. However, all quick blades (including G&G) had lower attack delays, and Gyre and Gimble had a +12 enchantment.
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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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*Prior to [[0.29]], Gyre and Gimble had a +7 enchantment.
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*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]].
 
*Gyre and Gimble were added in [[0.16]].
  

Latest revision as of 21:40, 15 January 2024

Version 0.31: This article is up to date for the latest stable release of Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.
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 +8 pair of quick blades "Gyre" and "Gimble"

+8 quick blade

Protection brand
Each swing attacks four times
Two-handed (except for Formicids)

Desirability

Gyre and Gimble[1] are an unusual weapon - thematically two weapons, they are treated as a single two-handed weapon that happens to attack four times per command (twice that of normal quick blades). With up to 8 attacks per 1 decaAut, Gyre and Gimble take the strengths of Short Blades to an extreme - they are impacted more by 'flat' bonuses and enemy AC.

  • Flat bonuses, like slaying, are amplified: dealing +1 damage/hit is four times as good if you attack four times as fast. Unfortunately, Gyre and Gimble, as protection weapons, are unable to benefit from flat damage brands like electrocution or pain.
    • Note that Gyre and Gimble can only perform 2 sets of auxiliary attacks per swing. Having an aux attack with G&G is as effective as any ordinary quick blade, which is still good, just not twice-as-good.
  • Conversely, enemy AC reduces damage by a flat amount. You'll tear through low-AC monsters, but high-AC threats will often shrug off the blows. You can get past this by stabbing opponents or with liberal use of might and/or berserk.

As Short Blades, Gyre and Gimble are great at stabbing. A reliable, renewable way to stab (Hexes, Mephitic Cloud, Uskayaw...) can turn G&G into a phenomenally deadly weapon; Confusing Touch works especially well.

These stratagems apply to all Short Blades, not just Gyre and Gimble. Their main advantage is doubled attack speed - more power in exchange for the shield slot. A well-branded, fully-enchanted quick blade with a shield may be the smarter choice. Formicids, of course, don't have to worry about losing their shield slot, but whether they'd prefer Gyre and Gimble over a heavy two-handed weapon is another question.

Trivia

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

History

  • Prior to 0.31, Gyre and Gimble only made 2 attacks per swing, as regular quick blades only made 1 attack per swing. However, all quick blades (including G&G) had lower attack delays, and Gyre and Gimble had a +12 enchantment.
  • Prior to 0.29, Gyre and Gimble had a +7 enchantment.
  • 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.

References

  1. ↑ art-data.txt:1431 (0.30.0)
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