The Dragon's Tooth sword (DTS), also known as the non-eutactic blade (NEB), is a low-tech skill weapon in Deus Ex. The sword is a nanotechnological weapon that inflicts high damage.
Background[]
The Dragon's Tooth sword was developed in VersaLife's Hong Kong laboratories at around 2052. It was given the name "non-eutactic blade" by VersaLife's engineers. At the request of Walton Simons, initial production batches were deployed to Majestic 12's Series P agents. However, the original prototype was stolen by the Red Arrow triads, who then gave the weapon the name "Dragon's Tooth."[1]
With possession of the stolen prototype, the leader of the Red Arrow then claimed to be the inventor of the Dragon's Tooth sword.[2] The weapon would have given the Red Arrow an advantage over the Luminous Path triads. However, Maggie Chow murdered the Red Arrow leader using the weapon[3] and returned it to MJ12's possession. Chow then framed the assassination on the Luminous Path, resulting in a war between the two triad factions.
Characteristics[]
The Dragon's Tooth sword (DTS) has a base damage of 20. Each strike inflicts 5 instances of this damage, for a total of 100 damage per strike, the highest of any non-explosive weapon. Damage is enhanced by the low-tech weapon skill, and can be further enhanced by the Targeting and Combat Strength augmentations. Weapon skill, Targeting, and Combat Strength respectively provide up to +100%, +40%, and +100% additional damage, for a total of +240%, resulting in a modified damage of 68x5.
In addition to featuring high damage, the DTS has a melee reach of 6 feet, which is greater than the reach of any other melee weapons.
Another feature of the DTS is that it emits light when the weapon is drawn. This light can be used to improve visibility in dark areas, but can also potentially break stealth because it allows enemies to more easily see the player.
Notes[]
- The base damage of 20x5 is sufficient to kill any common trooper in a single hit, and any non-boss humanoid target in a single headshot (x8 multiplier) or stealth hit from behind (x10 multiplier). With a modified damage of 68x5 from the +240% bonus described above, the combination of headshot and stealth multipliers (x80 combined) allows the DTS to achieve a damage output of 27200.[4]
- At master skill level, the modified damage of 40x5 is sufficient to kill any non-boss humanoid target, including MJ12 Commandos and Men in Black, in a single torso hit.
- While the DTS is powerful against Men in Black and Women in Black, the explosion they make when they die is a hazard to the player.
- The DTS is effective against the Karkian due to its long reach and high damage per swing. The DTS kills Karkians in 4 hits at the untrained level, and 2 hits at the master level.
- The DTS is comparatively less effective against robots than against humanoids and creatures, since robots only receive 25% of incoming damage from the DTS (and most other non-explosive weapons). Additionally, robots explode when they are destroyed.
- Turrets, cameras, and alarm panels have a minimum damage threshold of 50. Therefore, master skill level alone (which raises damage to 40) is not sufficient to meet this threshold. In order to reach 50 base damage, it is necessary to use one of the following combinations of weapon skill and augmentations:
- Master skill level + tech 2 combat strength
- Master skill level + tech 1 combat strength + tech 3 targeting
- Advanced skill level + tech 4 combat strength
- Advanced skill level + tech 3 combat strength + tech 3 targeting
- The DTS is also useful for destroying breakable doors and containers. Destructible doors and containers may, on rare occasions, have a minimum damage threshold greater than 50. Since the DTS can attain a modified damage of up to 68, the DTS can destroy any object with a minimum damage threshold of up to 68.
Acquisition[]
Obtaining the Dragon's Tooth Sword is a required mission objective in Hong Kong. Afterwards, the weapon makes 7 more obtainable appearances.
- Hong Kong, Tonnochi Road - Found in the secret area in Maggie Chow's apartment. Finding the sword at this location is a required mission objective.
- Hong Kong, VersaLife's Level 1 Labs - Carried by a Woman in Black in the central lab area. Since WiBs explode on death, they can be looted only if rendered unconscious.
- Hong Kong, Nano Manufacturing (Level 2 Labs) - Carried by Maggie Chow during the confrontation at the Universal Constructor, if she was not previously killed or rendered unconscious.
- Paris, Knights Templar Cathedral - Carried by the Woman in Black Adept 34501, found in her quarters in the cathedral.
- Paris, Morgan Everett's Home - Carried by Toby Atanwe. Toby also carries the sword in the previous map, i.e., the metro station, but he is invincible at that time. Additionally, the sword is also carried by Alex Jacobson and Morgan Everett in Everett's Home, but they similarly cannot be killed.
- Ocean Lab - Carried by Walton Simons. The sword can be looted only if he is rendered unconscious.
- Area 51 Exterior - Carried by Walton Simons, if he was not previously killed or rendered unconscious at the Ocean Lab.
- Area 51, Sector 2 - Carried by a Woman in Black in the recreation area.
Notable users[]
Trivia[]
- The sword's appearance and the animation it plays when being wielded is reminiscent of the lightsaber from the Star Wars films.
- The sword also bears similarities to the TS-04 Laser Rapier from the first System Shock, another game produced by Warren Spector. Both weapons resemble a blue lightsaber and are the most powerful melee weapons in their respective games. However, while the laser rapier consumes the player's energy when used, the Dragon's Tooth doesn't require any resources to use.
- Despite being considered a low-tech weapon for purposes of the game's skill system, the sword is one of the most high-tech weapons ever created from the standpoint of the story.
- The sword uses 4x1 inventory slots even though it is clearly depicted to be ignited from the handle and unignited before being put away. This depiction suggests that the actual physical storage of the sword is just the handle and that inventory space requirements may have been set for purpose of gameplay balance rather than realism.
See also[]
- The True Way by Kishiro Yoshitaka
- Energy Blade and Dragon Tooth Sword (DXIW), similar weapons in Deus Ex: Invisible War
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ "RE: NEB Trials" (email on VersaLife Level 1 labs computer)
- ↑ Dialogue from vendor: "They murdered the Red Arrow leader to get the sword he invented."
- ↑ Dialogue from the boat person: "Cauterized. The scientific terminology. Someone cut him, but it was a weapon that cannot be explained with current technology."
- ↑ Technical details. Because no further damage is processed once the pawn reaches zero health, only the first tracer usually hits (dealing 5440 damage) unless the target resists melee damage and isn't affected by stealth multipliers, such as bots. For full tracer analysis on a target that is not intended to resist melee damage, it is required to set its health to 30000 or more. Pawns also will not be gibbed because of the damage type.
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