Quick blade

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Name	Quick blade
Skill	Short Blades
Damage	5
Accuracy	+6
Base delay (%)	7 (70%)
Min delay	3 at skill 8
Hands	1H
Size	One-handed
Ranged?	No

A carefully wrought dagger which is preternaturally well-balanced, making it much easier for even inexperienced handlers to attack with it quickly. "He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword... -Julia Ward Howe, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". 1861

The quick blade is the fastest weapon in the game, and the only weapon which can reach an unhasted attack delay of 3 without a speed brand. Finesse or Haste can lower the attack delay to 2. As such, a quick blade with a pain, electrocution, or distortion brand is a very effective vehicle for damage, especially when coupled with high slaying bonuses. However, like any other short blade, its damage against armored opponents is underwhelming.

Quick blades are rare, and are most commonly obtained by way of Trog and Okawaru's weapon acquirements. Failing this, a character with Short Blades skill will often receive one upon reading a scroll of acquirement. Deep elf blademasters have a 1/26 chance of receiving twin quick blades; since a couple of them can spawn in the Elf:3 treasure vault, an Elf run has a good chance of producing quick blades. Some of the more powerful spriggans also carry them on occasion. Quick blades can be found on the ground at deeper dungeon levels, often with good enchantments, but rarely branded.

	Quick blades
Mundane
Magical
Artifact
	Unrandarts
Gyre and Gimble
Vampire's Tooth