Question regarding weapons in Angband.

[Berserker]

I normally play Sangband, but recently I've been playing the latest version of Angband (which I am really enjoying). I am playing a HE Ranger, to get myself familiarized with the differences between Angband and Sangband, and I have two questions at the moment.

Does my character benefit from using a specific melee weapon type (swords, blunt weapons, etc)? In Sangband there are 3 melee weapon types that you can put skill points into. In Angband if I use a sword for the beginning of the game, when I switch to say, a whip, am I already proficient in it? Am I less proficient with it than I am with swords as I've used them for a while and have grown more experienced with them? I am unsure how the game works as far as weapon skills.

Also, what is the command to check my resistances to acid, fire, etc? And also, is there a way I can check my max damage with a particular weapon as well, aside from just checking what the weapon itself does for damage, ex: 2d5 (+1, +0)? What factors into damage exactly?

Please let me know, thank you!

[will_asher]

Specfic weapon or weapon type skills in vanilla are nonexistant. You are exactly as skilled in any given weapon as you are with any other weapon. The only weapon slills are the to-hit modifiers decided by your race and class, and your skill in picking the weapon with the most damage with the highest number of blows.

To check your resistances, press "C" to go to the character screen, and then "h" to change mode, and it'll show you all your current resistances (or lack thereof).

[Berserker]

Excellent, thank you.

[Garrie]

it is worth noting that priests get a penalty for the D&D concept of "non-priestly" (ie: edged) weapons. So, no swords just maces, flails etc. Unless it does 4d5...
don't know what the penalty is, but you will see "you don't feel comfortable with your weapon" or similar.

it's pretty much as bad as wielding one that is too heavy for you.

but it is all taken into consideration when you look at the character sheet screen (C).

[Faust]

The penalty isn't huge.

From the spoiler
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F. Edged weapon penalty

The gods of the world of Angband generally dislike the shedding of
blood. Hence their priests are uncomfortable with the use of edged
weapons or polearms, with the exception of blessed weapons which are
approved for holy war. (Apart from generic Blessed Weapons, blessed
weapons also include Holy Avengers, weapons of *Slay* Evil, and some
artifacts.) If a priest is wielding an unblessed edged weapon/polearm,
subtract 2 from his or her bonus to combat skill.

[Macavenger]

It doesn't have much of an effect on your attack, true, but according to the magic spoiler, its effect on your casting is rather more serious.

Finally, if you are a priest wielding an
edged weapon, another 25% is added to the chance of failure, unless
the weapon is blessed.

[Whelk]

Gods: "Oh my, our priests shouldn't be using swords ... that could cut someone and cause them to bleed! Yes, let's only let them use things like maces, with which to cave in enemy skulls and break their bones. That's much less violent and gorey than cutting someone with a sharp edge."

Never did understand the whole "blunts are less offensive than edged weapons in combat" philosophy. At least, not when the intention is to kill.