The Tavern

So, my character (level 9 minotaur fighter of Okawaru) just picked up a mace of distortion. The text about there being a possibility of being banished to the abyss when you unwield the weapon sounds very, very scary. Is it scary? If so, what should I do?

(I am using maces, so I guess I could use this thing, but I'm pretty sure I'll want to get rid of it at some point... especially because I would also like to use my randart sling!)

Eh some people like it, but most don't recommend using distortion. If you aren't sure, it's best to not equip it at all, so you don't have to unequip it and deal with the possibility of the abyss.

Not worth the risk for a mace. You'll have to unwield every time you go to butcher, which means it will get you eventually.

Just wait for Oka to provide something nicer.

Ok, but what do I do right now? Just unequip it and hope for the best? Is there something I can do to lower whatever risk there may be?

Pretty much. Then inscribe it with !w and never touch it again.

I would use it until you need to butcher something. You might gain a level or two and have a better chance in the abyss.

Question - is it a good weapon to use IN the abyss? Just make sure to unwield it before you leave.

I really dislike the abyss result of distortion. All of the other mishaps I can handle, but sometimes the RNG sometimes just decides to kill your character. Sure, sometimes you'll survive the Abyss, but it's tough at low-mid levels.

Sometimes it gives me pause when testing weapons with the threat of distortion Abyss banishment looming over my head, even if it is a small chance.

Quivering and throwing distortion weapons does not cause unwielding effects, so I always throw them into lava or deep water.

If you plan on doing extended endgame, you'd better inscribe it with !w and stash it. It's useful to get out of Pan or Zig.

I'd never even reached D:20 until my current game - this after hundreds of tries - so "endgame" has not been a word in my vocabulary. I appreciate the advice though.

In a game with lots of things that can easily kill you, Distortion is far too dangerous to fool around with...especially if the RNG decides not to fool around with Abyss and simply kills you via "space horribly distorts around you!" I recommend other weapons, because switching can often be useful.