Normalised Item Magic

 Unfortunately, the two properties are intertwined in the damage modification code and not easily separated. Fixing this issue requires a bigger hack, preferably one that allows the damage modification code to accept a byte as input, check each bit individually, and turn off or on the 7 different properties of damage modification accordingly. Then we could have attacks that ignore row, but not defense, or any other combination. Some day I may tackle that kind of hack...

I've always thought that such an engine hack would be a worthwhile endeavor. Since there are 7 sub-steps in damage modification, I was envisioning using a byte; bit #$80 being a quick check to jump over all of it, but then each of the other bits corresponding to one of the sub-steps. It would be handy for future hackers to build from such a hack, but without the tools and/or application of its features, it's hard to get motivated to make such a function.