23a:Weapon skill

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There are several similar terms in Dwarf Fortress that are used to describe both the Template:L used to wield a Template:L and the wielder themselves. All weapon skills determine in large part the accuracy and the damage inflicted when using a weapon of that type (along with the Template:L and Template:L of that weapon).

Different races use different but similar terms for identical weapon skills. These terms, like "axedwarf" or "spearman", may vary between Template:L and Template:L, but are the same skills except for the race of the creature wielding the weapon. However, whether macedwarf, maceman, macegoblin, mace-elf, or macewombat, they all refer to the same skill - in this case, with a mace or "mace-type" weapon. There is absolutely no difference in the skill itself, except that it seems odd to refer to a sword-wielding dwarf as a "swordsman". Especially in Fortress Mode, Dwarf Fortress is (oddly enough) heavily prejudiced in favour of dwarves, proudly so and unashamed of it, and so often the skills are all informally used in the ____-dwarf form. Formally or informally, any other race could be inserted - hammergoblins or markselves, etc.

Note that when Activated as a Template:L, a dwarf will be called a recruit if they have no weapon (or Template:L) skill of 1 or greater, but otherwise will be called by their highest weapon skill regardless of what weapon they are actually carrying.

There are six weapon skills in Template:L, and several more in Template:L. Each skill covers a small group of similar Template:Ls and/or Template:Ls.

Different races are sometimes restricted to which weapons within a group they can use. Dwarves in Fortress Mode are limited to only using Template:Ls; dwarfs in Adventurer Mode can use a much wider variety of Template:Ls with the same skill. (See specific weapons for more info.)

The weapon skills are:

• Axeman - using an Template:L-type weapon. This skill is separate from Template:L.
• Hammerman - using a Template:L-type weapon. Crossbows are considered a "hammer-type weapon" only when used in melee, rather than firing at range.
• Maceman - using a Template:L-type weapon
• Crossbowman - using Template:Ls*. See Template:L for more details.
• Spearman - using a Template:L (and only a spear)
• Swordsman - using a Template:L, of any type. A melee attack with a Template:L or Template:L also uses this "sword-type" skill.

Adventurer mode (and invaders in Fortress mode includes:

• Bowman - using a Template:L*
• Pikeman - using a Template:L (which is distinct from a spear)
• Lasher - using a Template:L or scourge
• Knife User - using a Template:L

(* The Template:L and Template:L are sufficiently different as a weapon and skill to deserve their own article - See Template:L, Template:L & related articles for a full discussion.)

Also, theoretically:

• Blowgunner - using Template:Ls. However, no player-race in Dwarf Fortress begins able to learn skill nor the ability to make the weapon nor the ammo, so it has to be Template:L into the game.

Special:

• Mining - using a Template:L. Since Template:Ls typically reach Legendary skill rather quickly, this makes them a very effective fighting force early on despite a pick being an "inferior" weapon, as (as was mentioned above) Template:L level heavily influences damage.

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See Also:

• Template:L for a discussion of unarmed combat.
• Template:L
• Template:Ls
• Template:Ls
• Template:L
• Template:L
• Template:L

V · T · E Skills
Miner	Miner
Carpenter	Bowyer · Carpenter · Engineer · Wood cutter
Mason	Engraver · Mason
Trapper	Ambusher · Animal caretaker · Animal dissector · Animal trainer · Trapper
Farmer	Brewer · Butcher · Cheese maker · Cook · Dyer · Grower · Herbalist · Lye maker · Milker · Miller · Potash maker · Soaper · Tanner · Thresher · Wood burner
Fisherdwarf	Fish cleaner · Fish dissector · Fisherdwarf
Metalsmith	Armorsmith · Furnace operator · Metal crafter · Metalsmith · Weaponsmith
Jeweler	Gem cutter · Jeweler
Craftsdwarf	Bone carver · Clothes maker · Glassmaker · Leatherworker · Stone crafter · Weaver · Wood crafter
Mechanic	Mechanic
Military	General Armor user · Shield user · Wrestler Dwarven Axeman · Crossbowman · Hammerman · Maceman · Spearman · Swordsman Other Blowgunner · Bowman · Knife user · Lasher · Pikeman
Other/Peasant	Adamantine extractor · Adamantine smelter · Adamantine weaver · Adamantine worker · Building designer · Operator · Thrower
Unused	Alchemist · Druid