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The '''cleaving''' effect, found mostly on [[Axes]], allows you to strike every adjacent opponent at the same time. Cleaving occurs each time you make a melee attack with an axe, [[lochaber axe]], while in [[Storm Form]], or during [[Xom]]'s '''Cleave''' status. While axes aren't the most ideal weapon for taking out powerful single targets, they outperform all other weapons when it comes to dealing with swarms of opponents.

==Useful Info==
Whenever you attack a target, you also attack all tiles adjacent to you with a x0.7 penalty to damage:

.....
.sPs.
.s@s.
.sss.
.....<br><br>@ = You
P = Primary target (100% damage)
s = Secondary targets (70% damage, no aux attacks)
. = Tile unaffected by your attack

In addition, you only make [[auxiliary attack]]s against the "primary" target. Each monster's damage is calculated separately: you can miss some targets while hitting others, or deal more damage to a secondary target simply due to luck.

This effect ignores friendly units, even when [[confuse]]d. Note that you can still confusedly hit an ally as a primary target. Cleaving completely ignores walls and other [[dungeon features]]; you'll always hit every tile adjacent to you.

===Reach-cleave===
When making 7 attacks in a row with the [[sundering]] brand, making a [[reach]]ing attack with Xom's Cleave status, or making an attack with the [[lochaber axe]], cleaving will hit all targets within 2 tiles:
.......
.ssPss.
.sssss.
.ss@ss.
.sssss.
.sssss.
.......<br><br>
P = Primary target (100% damage)
s = Secondary targets (70% damage)

[[Aqua Form]] does not boost cleaving range (you attack the primary target + any targets cleaving would otherwise hit; up to 9 monsters total without another source of reach). Similarly, [[Rift]] with the Cleave status only gets to hit the primary target and all monsters within range-2.

==Strategy==
Even if you have cleaving, '''it's better to fight 1v1 or in hallways than to let yourself get surrounded'''.
*When fighting 1 adjacent monster, you'll deal 100% damage, and the monster deals 100% damage.
*When fighting 2 adjacent monsters, you'll deal 170% damage, but the monsters deal 200% damage.

The more monsters adjacent, the worse the comparison gets. That being said, sometimes you can't help but be surrounded. For example, you could be swarmed by fast enemies, or encounter a pack with no nearby hallway. When you're ''forced'' to be adjacent to multiple enemies, cleaving is great to have.

===Tips & Tricks===
*For cleaving to matter, you'll need to be facing multiple opponents. As such, physical tank characters have the best time with it. Don't skimp on defenses (HP, AC, EV).
**Cleaving combos well with the [[vampiric]] brand, as well as gods that heal on kill ([[Makhleb]] against all non-summoned enemies, [[TSO]] against evil enemies).
*If a gang of opponents seems too dangerous to deal with all at once, don't be afraid to use stair dancing and corridors to limit yourself to one opponent at a time.
*While it may seem thematic to [[tab]] through monsters, it's better to manually target. Autofight's attack decision is rarely optimal.
*Cleaving can help against [[invisible]] monsters. If you don't know a monster's precise location, swing with '''v''' or '''Ctrl + direction'''. This removes the guesswork involved in attacking unseen foes.
*Unless you worship [[Fedhas]], you'll attack any [[plant]]s or [[fungi]] in your vicinity. Don't expect them to provide cover for long.

==History==
*Prior to [[0.17]], cleaving didn't work under confusion.
*Prior to [[0.16]], cleaving could not go through walls; it would rotate from the main target in both rotational directions (until the halfway point), checking walls in the way. If there was a wall in the way, you couldn't hit targets past it. Secondary targets also took 75% instead of 70% damage.
*Prior to [[0.15]], cleaving would not target the tile directly behind your primary target.
*Cleaving was implemented in [[0.12]], where it accompanied a drop in base damage for the three most powerful axes.

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Axes]]

Cleaving - Revision history

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