I'm fairly sure KoP's BNM used a Cranium Basher late in life. Strictly speaking, it *is* against the rules. However there is a strong masochistic spirit in doing so, particularly since C-Basher won't help you with anything else - except for the aforementioned resistance problem and not being allowed to bash stuff with it. It would be a modified version of the rules, but not a modification that uglily changes the essense of the BNM, IMO.
Btw, I always thought it was the NM who could user Readers, but the BNM could not. (He *could* take off his -Magic items in town to read with his base, but can't wear +Magic to help him read.)
[o: *LEMMING* :o]