There is a theory held by certain wizards at Unseen University that the power of words can fundamentally alter reality. This theory is frequently tested when the Archchancellor bellows at apprentices who have accidentally turned their own feet into tentacles.
It is, however, rarely as effectively demonstrated as by the Braggart’s Roar Ash of War, which transforms perfectly sensible weapons into instruments of auditory devastation. The Tarnished, like many heroes before them, have discovered that sometimes the best way to defeat an enemy is to shout at them very loudly while waving a sharp object in their general direction.
Today we examine this curious marriage of intimidation and steel, and determine whether it’s worth the breath required to use it.
The Basics (But Not Really)
The Braggart’s Roar can be obtained by killing Blackguard Big Boggart and looting his Iron Ball weapon. Alternatively, for those of a more patient and calculating disposition, waiting until the Dung Eater’s questline results in poor Boggart’s untimely demise will achieve the same end. Either way, one must loot a corpse, which is generally considered poor etiquette in polite society but perfectly acceptable in the Lands Between.
The Ash can be applied to most melee armaments (swords, axes, hammers, etc.), though conspicuously excluding daggers, thrusting swords, and whips. One imagines it would be rather pointless on a bow. Arrows, after all, make their own distinctive sounds without needing additional vocal accompaniment.
The Ash bestows the skill upon one’s weapon, allowing the Tarnished to release a mighty shout that increases attack power, defense, and stamina recovery speed while simultaneously sending forth a wave of force that staggers enemies. In layman’s terms, you yell very loudly, become temporarily stronger, tougher, more energetic, and push people over with your voice. It’s the combat equivalent of winning an argument at the pub while simultaneously being served the best pint of the evening.
The Science of Slaughter
From a purely numerical perspective, Braggart’s Roar increases physical attack power by 10%, boosts damage negation by 10% for all types, and improves stamina recovery speed by a substantial 20% for a generous duration of 60 seconds. It also deals modest damage and staggers foes within its conical area of effect. The shockwave extends roughly 5 meters forward at a 45-degree angle and deals physical damage.
When active, it also changes the moveset for two-handed heavy and charged attacks, much like how Nanny Ogg’s personality fundamentally changes after the fourth drink.
It bears similar effectiveness to Nanny Ogg singing “The Hedgehog Can Never Be Buggered At All” after her third flask of scumble – startling enough to make people step back, but rarely fatal on its own. The damage scaling improves with Strength, making it particularly effective for builds that focus on hitting things very hard with very large objects.
Practical Applications for the Discerning Tarnished
The Braggart’s Roar excels in scenarios where one finds oneself surrounded by multiple smaller enemies, much like being in a room full of the Watch’s newest recruits when someone mentions free donuts. The shockwave can interrupt enemy attacks and create space, while the attack boost ensures that follow-up strikes carry additional weight.
It is particularly effective against:
- Godrick Soldiers, who tumble backward like bowling pins arranged specifically for your amusement
- Noble zombies, who already move with the grace and speed of bureaucracy in action
- Dogs, who generally reconsider their life choices and back away as any sensible creature would when confronted with a screaming person holding a broadsword
One memorable encounter involved using the Roar against a group of five Albinaurics, resulting in a domino effect as they toppled into each other and slid down a nearby incline. They appeared as surprised about this development as the Tarnished was pleased by it.
The Economics of Devastation
At an FP cost of 16 points, Braggart’s Roar still represents excellent value for money. It’s the C.M.O.T. Dibbler special of Ashes of War – surprisingly effective despite appearances, though unlikely to contain actual lion. The 60-second duration of the various boosts means you can get considerable mileage from each activation, assuming you don’t immediately fall off a cliff after using it – a fate that befalls many Tarnished who become overly excited about their temporary power increase.
There are, however, certain limitations one should be aware of. The buff is removed if you swap weapons – a bit like how the Librarian’s good mood instantly vanishes if someone uses the M-word. It’s affected by the Roar Medallion and Axe Talisman for additional potency, but curiously not by the Shard of Alexander. Also worth noting is that using this skill can aggro nearby enemies in PvE, similar to how shouting “Free drinks!” in the Mended Drum inevitably draws attention you may not have wanted.
When considering FP-to-damage efficiency, it outperforms many flashier skills that consume three times the resources for merely twice the impact. As any Ankh-Morpork resident knows, the truly wealthy aren’t those who spend extravagantly, but those who know the value of a penny. In this case, 16 FP can be worth hundreds of points of damage across multiple enemies.
The Truth
Braggart’s Roar earns a remarkable 8.5 out of 10 Librarian Ooks on our highly scientific evaluation scale. It combines utility, efficiency, and the simple joy of watching enemies fall over because you shouted at them. When combined with other buffs like the Roar Medallion, Axe Talisman and Flame Grant Me Strength, it becomes what the faculty of Unseen University would classify as “potentially capable of removing the building’s foundations if used indoors.” Some might even whisper the forbidden word: overpowered.
In the grand tradition of Discworld’s greatest philosophers, we can conclude that Braggart’s Roar teaches us an important lesson: sometimes in life, as in the Lands Between, the most effective approach is simply to make a lot of noise and then hit things while they’re confused. It’s a strategy that has served barbarian heroes, university administrators and politicians equally well throughout history.
Let’s not forget to mention that we have plenty of other Guides & Tips to improve your quality of life in the Lands Between.
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