Maxwell's thermic engine

Template:Version031 Template:Flavour File:Maxwells thermic engine.png the +2 Maxwell's thermic engine

+2 double sword

Simultaneous Flaming and Freezing brands (applies both)
Enchantment increases as you land hits and decreases over time

Mechanics

The engine's enchantment increases by 1 or 2 each time its wielder lands a hit (including those from ripostes from the fencer's gloves), up to a maximum of +14. It decreases by 1 for each turn spent not hitting a creature (i.e. not attacking, moving, waiting, missed swings, etc.), but will not decrease past the base level of +2. The enchantment immediately drops to +2 if the sword is unwielded.

This weapon will cauterize a hydra's heads like any other edged weapon of flaming, then apply freezing for the chance to slow (without cutting another head).

Desirability

High. Double swords are one of the best one-handed Long Blades, and flaming and freezing are great brands on their own. So, as a double sword with both brands, and the potential for high enchant, Maxwell's thermic engine<ref>Template:Source ref</ref> is among the strongest one-handers before extended. (As extended is filled with evil, a holy wrath weapon will usually come out ahead.)

Do note that, in order to increase the enchantment, you actually need to hit. If you're facing high-EV creatures, it can take a while to get this sword going; a more conventionally enchanted sword may perform better in this circumstance.

History

• Prior to 0.22, Maxwell's thermic engine gave its wielder rF- and rC-.
• Maxwell's thermic engine was added in 0.20, replacing both the Dagger of Chilly Death and Scimitar of Flaming Death.

References

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