Difference between revisions of "Magic resistance"

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(→‎Strategy: Add PR to the important properties. (I have never heard of an ascension without poison resistance.))
 
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* Death magic from external sources:
 
* Death magic from external sources:
 
** [[instadeath]] effect of [[Riders#Death|Death]]'s [[Touch_of_death|touch attacks]]
 
** [[instadeath]] effect of [[Riders#Death|Death]]'s [[Touch_of_death|touch attacks]]
−
** zapped [[wand of death]] and [[spellbook of finger of death|finger of death]]
+
** zapped [[wand of death]] and {{spell of|finger of death}}
 
** the [[touch of death]] [[monster spell]]
 
** the [[touch of death]] [[monster spell]]
 
* Polymorph magic from external sources:
 
* Polymorph magic from external sources:
Line 13: Line 13:
 
** [[polymorph traps]]
 
** [[polymorph traps]]
 
* Damage from pure magic:
 
* Damage from pure magic:
−
** [[magic missile]] attacks of [[angel]]s, [[gray dragon]]s, [[Yeenoghu]], [[Chromatic Dragon|the Chromatic Dragon]], and [[Oracle|the Oracle]]
+
** [[magic missile]] attacks of [[Angel]]s, [[gray dragon]]s, [[Yeenoghu]], the [[Chromatic Dragon]], and the [[Oracle]]
−
** zapped or broken wands of [[wand of striking|striking]] or [[wand of magic missile|magic missile]]
+
** the magic explosion from [[breaking wands|breaking]] any wand, but not necessarily the wand specific special effect
−
** zapped spells of [[spellbook of force bolt|force bolt]] or [[spellbook of magic missile|magic missile]]
+
** zapped or broken wands of {{of|wand|striking|or=1|magic missile}}
−
** broken wands of [[wand of cancellation|cancellation]], [[wand of create monster|create monster]], [[wand of digging|digging]], [[wand of light|light]], [[wand of make invisible|make invisible]], [[wand of polymorph|polymorph]], [[wand of sleep|sleep]], [[wand of slow monster|slow monster]], [[wand of speed monster|speed monster]], [[wand of teleportation|teleportation]], and [[wand of undead turning|undead turning]]
+
** zapped spells of {{spell of|force bolt}} or {{spell of|magic missile}}
 
** damage from exploding [[spellbook]]s
 
** damage from exploding [[spellbook]]s
−
* [[anti-magic field|anti-magic]], [[teleport trap|teleport]], and [[level teleport trap|level teleport]] traps
+
* [[Teleportation trap|Teleport]] and [[level teleport trap|level teleport]] traps
−
* the [[Destroy_armor_(monster_spell)|destroy armor]], [[drain strength]], and [[Confuse_(monster_spell)|confuse]] [[monster spell]]s
+
* [[Energy]] drain from [[anti-magic field]]s; they cause damage instead
−
* effect of the [[Paralyze_(monster_spell)|paralyze]] and [[Stun_(monster_spell)|stun]] [[monster spell]]s is reduced to one turn
+
* Being [[scare]]d by [[Magicbane]], and the chance of its other effects is reduced
−
* damage from the [[psi bolt]] and [[open wounds]] [[monster spell]]s is halved
+
* The [[Destroy armor (monster spell)|destroy armor]], [[drain strength]], and [[Confuse (monster spell)|confuse]] [[monster spell]]s
−
* damage from [[artifact blast]] is halved
+
* The effect of the [[Paralyze (monster spell)|paralyze]] and [[Stun (monster spell)|stun]] [[monster spell]]s is reduced to one turn
−
* number of items cursed by [[curse items]] from any source is halved
+
* Damage from the [[psi bolt]] and [[open wounds]] [[monster spell]]s is halved
−
* [[Magicbane]] cannot [[scare]] you, chance of other effects is reduced
+
* Damage from [[artifact blast]]s is halved
 +
* The number of items cursed by [[curse items]] from any source is halved
  
 
Magic resistance does '''not''' protect against:
 
Magic resistance does '''not''' protect against:
 +
* [[Magic trap]]s
 
* Death magic that you pointed at yourself:
 
* Death magic that you pointed at yourself:
−
** zapped [[wand of death]] or [[spellbook of finger of death|finger of death]] aimed at yourself
+
** zapped [[wand of death]] or {{spell of|finger of death}} aimed at yourself
−
** broken [[wand of death]]
+
* [[Polymorph]] magic that you directed at yourself:
−
* Polymorph magic that you pointed at yourself:
+
** zapped [[wand of polymorph|wand]] or [[spellbook of polymorph|spell]] of polymorph aimed at yourself
−
** zapped [[wand of polymorph|wand]] or [[spellbook of polymorph|spell]] of [[polymorph]] aimed at yourself
 
 
** broken [[wand of polymorph]]
 
** broken [[wand of polymorph]]
 
** quaffed [[potion of polymorph]]
 
** quaffed [[potion of polymorph]]
 +
** eating a [[chameleon]] corpse
  
 
== Obtaining ==
 
== Obtaining ==
  
−
'''Magic resistance''' is granted by wielding [[Magicbane]], wearing a [[cloak of magic resistance]], [[gray dragon scales]], or [[gray dragon scale mail]], polymorphing into a [[gray dragon|(baby) gray dragon]], or carrying certain [[Quest artifact]]s.
+
'''Magic resistance''' is granted by wielding [[Magicbane]], wearing a [[cloak of magic resistance]], [[gray dragon scales]], or [[gray dragon scale mail]], polymorphing into a [[gray dragon|(baby) gray dragon]], or carrying, wearing or wielding certain [[Quest artifact]]s.
  
 
{| class="prettytable"
 
{| class="prettytable"
−
! colspan="3" | Quest artifacts granting magic resistance when carried
+
! colspan="4" | Quest artifacts granting magic resistance
 
|-
 
|-
 
!Role
 
!Role
 
!Artifact
 
!Artifact
 +
!When
 
!Alignment
 
!Alignment
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Archeologist]] || [[the Orb of Detection]] || Lawful
+
| [[Archeologist]] || [[the Orb of Detection]] || Carried || Lawful
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Caveman]] || [[the Sceptre of Might]] || Lawful
+
| [[Caveman]] || [[the Sceptre of Might]] || Wielded || Lawful
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Knight]] || [[the Magic Mirror of Merlin]] || Lawful
+
| [[Knight]] || [[the Magic Mirror of Merlin]] || Carried || Lawful
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Monk]] || [[the Eyes of the Overworld]] || Neutral
+
| [[Monk]] || [[the Eyes of the Overworld]] || Worn || Neutral
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Tourist]] || [[the Platinum Yendorian Express Card]] || Neutral
+
| [[Tourist]] || [[the Platinum Yendorian Express Card]] || Carried || Neutral
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [[Wizard]] || [[the Eye of the Aethiopica]] || Neutral
+
| [[Wizard]] || [[the Eye of the Aethiopica]] || Worn || Neutral
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
== Monsters ==
 
== Monsters ==
−
Magic resistance is intrinsically possessed by monsters with a [[magic missile]] attack or a random breath weapon, and baby gray dragons<ref>[[mondata.c#resists_magm]].</ref>  In vanilla, [[Angel]]s, [[Yeenoghu]], [[gray dragon]]s, and the [[Oracle]] all have magic missile attacks, while a random breath weapon is only possessed by the [[Chromatic Dragon]]. In SLASH'EM, [[Golem (SLASH'EM)|diamond and crystal golems]], as well as adult [[Shimmering dragon (SLASH'EM)|shimmering dragons]], having random or magic missile breath attacks, are magic resistant. Anybody seeking to write code for their own monsters should be careful when giving them magic missile or random breath attacks, as such monsters will be magic resistant as a side effect.
+
In addition to [[Magic resistance (monster)|monster-type magic resistance]], some monsters have player-style magic resistance: those with a [[magic missile]] attack or a random breath weapon, plus [[baby gray dragon]]s.{{reffunc|mondata.c|resists_magm}} In vanilla, this means [[Angel]]s, [[Yeenoghu]], [[gray dragon]]s, the [[Oracle]], and the [[Chromatic Dragon]]. Anyone coding new monsters should be aware of this somewhat counter-intuitive means of granting intrinsic magic resistance to monsters.
 +
 
 +
Monsters gain player-style resistance from a worn [[cloak of magic resistance]], gray dragon scales or scale mail, or from wielding a co-aligned artifact: neutral [[Magicbane]], lawful [[Sceptre of Might]]. Carrying quest artifacts also works (especially important in the case of your quest nemesis and the [[Wizard of Yendor]]), but tame monsters will not keep them unless worn or wielded.
 +
 
 +
This provides most of the same protections to monsters as it does to the player, e.g. death rays, magic missiles and involuntary polymorphs. It does not make them resist taming or [[conflict]], as monster-style magic resistance would, nor against [[level teleporter]] traps, as player magic resistance does.
  
 
== Strategy ==
 
== Strategy ==
 +
Magic resistance, [[poison resistance]], and [[reflection]] are the most important properties to get, closely followed by [[magic cancellation]]. Generally, you should [[wish]] to get them or [[Dragon scale mail#Acquiring scales and scale mail|make gray dragon scale mail]] if you cannot get them otherwise, ideally before the [[Castle]].
 +
 +
Relying only on a quest artifact for magic resistance is dangerous in the endgame, because the [[Wizard of Yendor]] can [[Covetous|steal it from you]] and become magic resistant himself. He will then absorb any death rays or magic missiles unharmed, while you are left quite vulnerable to his [[touch of death]]. As of Nethack 3.6.1, the Wizard can steal any quest artifact, not just your own.
 +
 +
Player-style magic resistance is good in a pet, as death rays and polymorph traps lose their threat. If you want to make your pet magic resistant, gray dragon scale mail (or the cloak) are usually best. If you go the artifact weapon route, make sure your pet is carrying as few objects as possible and disarm it with a [[bullwhip]] beforehand to keep it from wielding any different artifact it may encounter. Unfortunately, the most useful pet, an [[Archon]], cannot be made magic resistant&mdash;pets will not wield quest artifacts (ruling out the Sceptre of Might) or cross-aligned artifacts (preventing Magicbane from working). Thus, only intelligent neutral pets can be made magic-resistant with an artifact weapon.
  
−
Relying only on your own Quest artifact for magic resistance is dangerous in the endgame, because the [[Wizard of Yendor]] can [[Covetous|steal it from you]] and become magic resistant himself.  He will now absorb any death rays or magic missiles unharmed, but you are now quite vulnerable to his [[touch of death]].  A Quest artifact of another role, obtainable only by [[Wish|wishing]], is safe from this kind of theft (but not from that of [[nymph|nymphs]], of course).
+
==Messages==
 +
{{message|Boing!|You or a monster resisted a force bolt or wand of striking due to magic resistance.}}
  
−
Magic resistance is a good property to have in a pet, as it provides all the same protections to monsters as it does to the player.  If your pet has magic resistance, you need not worry about the odd death ray, polytrap, or levelport trap removing your pet from you.  In the case of non-eating pets, this can be a lifesaver, as one that hits a levelport trap will often go feral before you can find it again.  The best way to give your pet magic resistance is to have it wear a spare cloak of magic resistance or GDS(M).  Unfortunately, the most useful pet, the [[Archon]], cannot wear cloaks or body armor.  Magic resistance can still be given to them by having them wield [[Magicbane]], although this may not be possible or desirable in every game.  Use a [[bullwhip]] to steal their current weapon, and curse Magicbane to make sure they don't unwield it.  Unfortunately, monsters will not carry a quest artifact for very long unless they wear or wield it, which is only possible with the Sceptre of Might.
+
==Variants==
 +
===SLASH'EM===
 +
New monsters with player-style magic resistance are [[Golem (SLASH'EM)|diamond and crystal golems]] and adult [[Shimmering dragon (SLASH'EM)|shimmering dragons]]. In addition, there are many more useful pets capable of wearing body armor, including [[astral deva]]s and [[Vampire mage (SLASH'EM)|vampire mages]].
  
−
<references/>
+
Also, magic resistance is granted by carrying [[the Great Dagger of Glaurgnaa]], [[the Stake of Van Helsing]], or [[the Crown of Saint Edward]]. The Crown will always be lawful, and the Stake is lawful if wished for or if obtained by a lawful Undead Slayer, so they can both be used to give a pet [[Solar]] magic resistance.
  
 +
==References==
 +
<references />
 
{{DOD}}
 
{{DOD}}
 +
{{nethack-361}}
 
[[Category:Resistances]]
 
[[Category:Resistances]]

Latest revision as of 00:43, 25 March 2024

This article is about the magic resistance property. For monsters' magic resistance, see Magic resistance (monster).

Magic resistance is an extrinsic property which protects against many annoying magical attacks and effects. It is part of most ascension kits, and is generally considered a high priority to obtain as soon as possible.

Effect

Magic resistance protects against:

Magic resistance does not protect against:

Obtaining

Magic resistance is granted by wielding Magicbane, wearing a cloak of magic resistance, gray dragon scales, or gray dragon scale mail, polymorphing into a (baby) gray dragon, or carrying, wearing or wielding certain Quest artifacts.

Quest artifacts granting magic resistance
Role Artifact When Alignment
Archeologist the Orb of Detection Carried Lawful
Caveman the Sceptre of Might Wielded Lawful
Knight the Magic Mirror of Merlin Carried Lawful
Monk the Eyes of the Overworld Worn Neutral
Tourist the Platinum Yendorian Express Card Carried Neutral
Wizard the Eye of the Aethiopica Worn Neutral

Monsters

In addition to monster-type magic resistance, some monsters have player-style magic resistance: those with a magic missile attack or a random breath weapon, plus baby gray dragons.[1] In vanilla, this means Angels, Yeenoghu, gray dragons, the Oracle, and the Chromatic Dragon. Anyone coding new monsters should be aware of this somewhat counter-intuitive means of granting intrinsic magic resistance to monsters.

Monsters gain player-style resistance from a worn cloak of magic resistance, gray dragon scales or scale mail, or from wielding a co-aligned artifact: neutral Magicbane, lawful Sceptre of Might. Carrying quest artifacts also works (especially important in the case of your quest nemesis and the Wizard of Yendor), but tame monsters will not keep them unless worn or wielded.

This provides most of the same protections to monsters as it does to the player, e.g. death rays, magic missiles and involuntary polymorphs. It does not make them resist taming or conflict, as monster-style magic resistance would, nor against level teleporter traps, as player magic resistance does.

Strategy

Magic resistance, poison resistance, and reflection are the most important properties to get, closely followed by magic cancellation. Generally, you should wish to get them or make gray dragon scale mail if you cannot get them otherwise, ideally before the Castle.

Relying only on a quest artifact for magic resistance is dangerous in the endgame, because the Wizard of Yendor can steal it from you and become magic resistant himself. He will then absorb any death rays or magic missiles unharmed, while you are left quite vulnerable to his touch of death. As of Nethack 3.6.1, the Wizard can steal any quest artifact, not just your own.

Player-style magic resistance is good in a pet, as death rays and polymorph traps lose their threat. If you want to make your pet magic resistant, gray dragon scale mail (or the cloak) are usually best. If you go the artifact weapon route, make sure your pet is carrying as few objects as possible and disarm it with a bullwhip beforehand to keep it from wielding any different artifact it may encounter. Unfortunately, the most useful pet, an Archon, cannot be made magic resistant—pets will not wield quest artifacts (ruling out the Sceptre of Might) or cross-aligned artifacts (preventing Magicbane from working). Thus, only intelligent neutral pets can be made magic-resistant with an artifact weapon.

Messages

Boing!
You or a monster resisted a force bolt or wand of striking due to magic resistance.

Variants

SLASH'EM

New monsters with player-style magic resistance are diamond and crystal golems and adult shimmering dragons. In addition, there are many more useful pets capable of wearing body armor, including astral devas and vampire mages.

Also, magic resistance is granted by carrying the Great Dagger of Glaurgnaa, the Stake of Van Helsing, or the Crown of Saint Edward. The Crown will always be lawful, and the Stake is lawful if wished for or if obtained by a lawful Undead Slayer, so they can both be used to give a pet Solar magic resistance.

References

  1. ↑ resists_magm in mondata.c

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