diff --git a/src/mhitm.c b/src/mhitm.c
index 3427645fe..ee7dc0448 100644
--- a/src/mhitm.c
+++ b/src/mhitm.c
@@ -412,8 +412,9 @@ register struct monst *magr, *mdef;
             if (strike) {
                 res[i] = hitmm(magr, mdef, mattk);
                 if ((mdef->data == &mons[PM_BLACK_PUDDING]
-                     || mdef->data == &mons[PM_BROWN_PUDDING]) && otmp
-                    && objects[otmp->otyp].oc_material == IRON
+                     || mdef->data == &mons[PM_BROWN_PUDDING])
+                    && (otmp && (objects[otmp->otyp].oc_material == IRON
+                                 || objects[otmp->otyp].oc_material == METAL))
                     && mdef->mhp > 1
                     && !mdef->mcan) {
                     if (clone_mon(mdef, 0, 0)) {
@@ -908,10 +909,17 @@ register struct attack *mattk;
             tmp = 0;
         } else if (mattk->aatyp == AT_WEAP) {
             if (otmp) {
+                struct obj *marmg;
+
                 if (otmp->otyp == CORPSE
                     && touch_petrifies(&mons[otmp->corpsenm]))
                     goto do_stone;
                 tmp += dmgval(otmp, mdef);
+                if ((marmg = which_armor(magr, W_ARMG)) != 0
+                    && marmg->otyp == GAUNTLETS_OF_POWER)
+                    tmp += rn1(4, 3); /* 3..6 */
+                if (tmp < 1) /* is this necessary?  mhitu.c has it... */
+                    tmp = 1;
                 if (otmp->oartifact) {
                     (void) artifact_hit(magr, mdef, otmp, &tmp, dieroll);
                     if (mdef->mhp <= 0)
diff --git a/src/mhitu.c b/src/mhitu.c
index fb483b811..8bd4c33e1 100644
--- a/src/mhitu.c
+++ b/src/mhitu.c
@@ -972,6 +972,7 @@ register struct attack *mattk;
             struct obj *otmp = mon_currwep;
 
             if (mattk->aatyp == AT_WEAP && otmp) {
+                struct obj *marmg;
                 int tmp;
 
                 if (otmp->otyp == CORPSE
@@ -983,6 +984,9 @@ register struct attack *mattk;
                         goto do_stone;
                 }
                 dmg += dmgval(otmp, &youmonst);
+                if ((marmg = which_armor(mtmp, W_ARMG)) != 0
+                    && marmg->otyp == GAUNTLETS_OF_POWER)
+                    dmg += rn1(4, 3); /* 3..6 */
                 if (dmg <= 0)
                     dmg = 1;
                 if (!(otmp->oartifact
@@ -1003,7 +1007,10 @@ register struct attack *mattk;
                     tmp -= rnd(-u.uac);
                 if (tmp < 1)
                     tmp = 1;
-                if (u.mh - tmp > 1 && objects[otmp->otyp].oc_material == IRON
+                if (u.mh - tmp > 1
+                    && (objects[otmp->otyp].oc_material == IRON
+                        /* relevant 'metal' objects are scalpel and tsurugi */
+                        || objects[otmp->otyp].oc_material == METAL)
                     && (u.umonnum == PM_BLACK_PUDDING
                         || u.umonnum == PM_BROWN_PUDDING)) {
                     if (tmp > 1)
diff --git a/src/mplayer.c b/src/mplayer.c
index ec895546c..dfb97ab85 100644
--- a/src/mplayer.c
+++ b/src/mplayer.c
@@ -285,7 +285,9 @@ register boolean special;
             mk_mplayer_armor(mtmp, cloak);
             mk_mplayer_armor(mtmp, helm);
             mk_mplayer_armor(mtmp, shield);
-            if (rn2(8))
+            if (weapon == WAR_HAMMER) /* valkyrie: wimpy weapon or Mjollnir */
+                mk_mplayer_armor(mtmp, GAUNTLETS_OF_POWER);
+            else if (rn2(8))
                 mk_mplayer_armor(mtmp, rnd_class(LEATHER_GLOVES,
                                                  GAUNTLETS_OF_DEXTERITY));
             if (rn2(8))
@@ -337,7 +339,7 @@ boolean special;
         int tryct = 0;
 
         /* roll for character class */
-        pm = PM_ARCHEOLOGIST + rn2(PM_WIZARD - PM_ARCHEOLOGIST + 1);
+        pm = rn1(PM_WIZARD - PM_ARCHEOLOGIST + 1, PM_ARCHEOLOGIST);
         set_mon_data(&fakemon, &mons[pm], -1);
 
         /* roll for an available location */