Iron Spikes

[Larvitz]

So... does anyone actually use these?

And if so, how effective are they?

[darkdrone]

-1 ,
havent yet found a GOOD reason to use these...

[PowerDiver]

So... does anyone actually use these?

And if so, how effective are they?

They are a truly valuable find ... for an extreme diver ... in a rare circumstance.

Suppose all you can afford at the start is an enchanted launcher and 25 ammo, and so ammo is *precious* if you plan to dive 10 to 15 levels before returning home. If you pick up iron spikes, you can throw them at a floating eye blocking a corridor, or later at a purple mushroom patch.

Other than situations like that, they are pretty much useless, but I use them more often than e.g. a potion of boldness.

[Zikke]

Squelch fodder 100% of the time for me

[TJS]

Could make them so that if they hit a monster there is a chance they'll stick in them and they'll spend a couple of turns pulling them out (provided you aren't in melee range) so you can run away.

Or could just get rid of them.

[RogerN]

The problem with iron spikes is that their intended purpose (door-jamming) is futile.

1) Almost every single monster can bash doors. Heck, most townspeople have BASH_DOOR! In my experience monsters bash door doors rather quickly, so you don't even buy yourself much time (if any). And if you have turns to spare to use multiple spikes then you're probably better off running farther away instead.

2) The few monsters which CAN'T bash doors usually can't open them either. So you're equally safe by just closing the door - there's no need to jam it.

3) You might inadvertently jam yourself "into a corner".

[Pete Mack]

They do work against groups of orcs, though I have used them that way very rarely. They certainly aren't worth anything after dl 7 or so. I agree with eddie, in that they can save an impoverished player a few resources, whether it's arrows or ?Phase

[Donald Jonker]

3) You might inadvertently jam yourself "into a corner".

This leads me to a question that's been nagging me since the very first time I fired up Angband. Does the 'B'ash command actually do anything? Despite repeated attempts I've never successfully bashed down a stuck door. And you can't bash monsters... is this command just the vestige of earlier versions?

[Faust]

Does the 'B'ash command actually do anything? Despite repeated attempts I've never successfully bashed down a stuck door.

you just need to be strong enough.

On the point of spikes they are pretty useless for there intended purpose but can be useful to throw at weak / nearly dead monster when running low on ammo.

[tigpup]

This leads me to a question that's been nagging me since the very first time I fired up Angband. Does the 'B'ash command actually do anything? Despite repeated attempts I've never successfully bashed down a stuck door. And you can't bash monsters... is this command just the vestige of earlier versions?

You're probably better trying to tunnel through a jammed door with the repeat command (if turncount is unimportant to you). Bashing can hurt

-Neil
(who can't help grinning after getting this as a 950' NPP quest reward:
i) The Small Leather Shield 'Neldadeb' [2,+17] (+7)
It increases your speed by 7. It provides resistance to acid,
lightning, fire, cold, confusion, and life draining. It
sustains your charisma. It makes you fall like a feather and
speeds your regeneration. It grants you the ability to see
invisible things. It activates for stone to mud every 5
turns. It cannot be harmed by the elements.)