Difference between revisions of "Black light"

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  |frequency=2
 
  |frequency=2
 
  |genocidable=Yes
 
  |genocidable=Yes
  |attacks=Explode [[hallucination|hallucinate]]
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  |attacks=Explode 10d12 [[hallucination|hallucinate]]
 
  |weight=0
 
  |weight=0
 
  |nutr=0
 
  |nutr=0
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  |resistances=Fire, Cold, Shock, Disintegration, Sleep, Poison, Acid, Stoning
 
  |resistances=Fire, Cold, Shock, Disintegration, Sleep, Poison, Acid, Stoning
 
  |resistances conveyed=None
 
  |resistances conveyed=None
  |attributes={{attributes|A black light|
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  |attributes={{attributes|A black light
  |nocorpse=1|fly=1|breathless=1|amorphous=1|noeyes=1|nolimbs=1|nohead=1|=
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  |nocorpse=1|fly=1|breathless=1|amorphous=1|noeyes=1|nolimbs=1|nohead=1|mindless=1|unsolid=1|seeinvis=1|notake=1|hostile=1|neuter=1|light=1}}
|mindless=1|unsolid=1|seeinvis=1|notake=1|hostile=1|neuter=1|light=1}}
 
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line1047]]
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line1047]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
A '''black light''' is always generated [[invisibility|invisible]],{{refsrc|makemon.c|969}} but illuminates its surroundings in a 3x3 area centered on itself. Black lights attack by exploding (destroying themselves in the process), causing 10d12 turns of hallucination if the target is the hero, and [[Impaired|confusion]] if the target is a monster.{{refsrc|mhitm.c|924}} Unlike a [[gas spore]] explosion, the explosion of a light only affects the square targeted.
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A '''black light''', {{monsym|black light}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is the only other member of the [[Light (monster class)|light]] [[monster class]] along with the [[yellow light]]. A black light can [[fly]] and flow under [[door]]s, [[see invisible|detect invisible monsters]], and possesses every resistance [[property]] minus [[magic resistance]].
  
Black lights may attack [[pet]]s if angered by them, or if the hero is [[displacement|displaced]] and the pet is at the hero's perceived location{{fact}}, so it may be advisable to keep strong pets away from black lights, if possible. Monsters don't have a confusion timer; instead, they have a 2% chance of recovering on each of their moves.{{refsrc|monmove.c|339}}
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Like yellow lights, a black light [[Light|illuminates]] its surroundings in a 3x3 area centered on itself, but it is always [[invisible]]{{refsrc|makemon.c|969}} - also like yellow lights, they attack using an [[explosion]] directed at the square of their target. This destroys the black light and causes several turns of hallucination if it hits [[you]], while monsters are [[confused]] instead if a black light explosion hits them.{{refsrc|mhitm.c|924}} A black light's explosion will wake nearby [[sleeping]] monsters.
  
The explosion of a black light will wake nearby sleeping monsters.
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==Generation==
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Black lights are always generated invisible and hostile. [[Read]]ing a cursed [[scroll of light]] while confused has a {{frac|5}} chance of generating a black light.
  
It is possible to create a black light by reading a cursed [[scroll of light]] while [[confusion|confused]], with a 20% chance of creation. The black light will be invisible as usual.  
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{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Reading a cursed scroll of light while confused instead summons 3–4 [[tame]] [[cancelled]] black lights unless they are [[genocide]]d.}}
  
== Strategy ==
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==Strategy==
The best course of action is to put on a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]] and wait for it to explode, or to have a [[potion of full healing]] or a [[unicorn horn]] handy. In a large unlit area, such as is common in the [[Gnomish Mines]], the presence of a black light can be detected as a moving but invisible source of [[light|illumination]]. [[Grayswandir]] negates the effects of hallucination, but only as long as it is wielded.
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Black lights can be spotted by the illumination they emit in dark areas, especially if the light seems to come from nowhere. They are most easily dealt with by [[blind]]ing yourself using a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]] and waiting for it to explode harmlessly at you, then remove the blindfold or towel after. You can also take the brunt of the explosion and apply an immediate cure, such as a [[unicorn horn]] - though a [[potion of full healing]] can also cure hallucination, this is best saved for more dire scenarios. Wielding [[Grayswandir]] if you have the [[artifact weapon]] provides [[hallucination resistance]], but does not cure the status and only suppresses its effects.
  
== Encyclopedia entry ==
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Try to avoid leaving strong [[pet]]s near black lights, since they may turn on you in their confusion and [[YASD|batter you to death]]; this can also happen if you have [[displacement]] and the black light targets a displaced image on your pet's square. Once you have the see invisible property, you can reliably detect and intercept black lights before they explode, or even kill them if you have the means to.
  
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Monsters have a {{frac|50}} chance of recovering from confusion on each of their moves{{refsrc|monmove.c|339}} - intelligent pets will cure their confusion using a unicorn horn, making it vital that you equip them with spare ones as soon as possible.
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==History==
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The black light first appears in [[NetHack 3.2.0]].
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==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
Strange creatures formed from energy rather than matter, lights are given to self-destructive behavior when battling foes.}}
 
Strange creatures formed from energy rather than matter, lights are given to self-destructive behavior when battling foes.}}

Revision as of 07:27, 4 July 2023

A black light, y, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. It is the only other member of the light monster class along with the yellow light. A black light can fly and flow under doors, detect invisible monsters, and possesses every resistance property minus magic resistance.

Like yellow lights, a black light illuminates its surroundings in a 3x3 area centered on itself, but it is always invisible[1] - also like yellow lights, they attack using an explosion directed at the square of their target. This destroys the black light and causes several turns of hallucination if it hits you, while monsters are confused instead if a black light explosion hits them.[2] A black light's explosion will wake nearby sleeping monsters.

Generation

Black lights are always generated invisible and hostile. Reading a cursed scroll of light while confused has a 15 chance of generating a black light.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Reading a cursed scroll of light while confused instead summons 3–4 tame cancelled black lights unless they are genocided.

Strategy

Black lights can be spotted by the illumination they emit in dark areas, especially if the light seems to come from nowhere. They are most easily dealt with by blinding yourself using a blindfold or towel and waiting for it to explode harmlessly at you, then remove the blindfold or towel after. You can also take the brunt of the explosion and apply an immediate cure, such as a unicorn horn - though a potion of full healing can also cure hallucination, this is best saved for more dire scenarios. Wielding Grayswandir if you have the artifact weapon provides hallucination resistance, but does not cure the status and only suppresses its effects.

Try to avoid leaving strong pets near black lights, since they may turn on you in their confusion and batter you to death; this can also happen if you have displacement and the black light targets a displaced image on your pet's square. Once you have the see invisible property, you can reliably detect and intercept black lights before they explode, or even kill them if you have the means to.

Monsters have a 150 chance of recovering from confusion on each of their moves[3] - intelligent pets will cure their confusion using a unicorn horn, making it vital that you equip them with spare ones as soon as possible.

History

The black light first appears in NetHack 3.2.0.

Encyclopedia entry

Strange creatures formed from energy rather than matter, lights are given to self-destructive behavior when battling foes.

References

This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.

It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.4.3. Information on this page may be out of date.

Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-343}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.