Cloak of magic resistance
[  [  [  [  cloak of magic resistance | |
|---|---|
| Appearance | random |
| Slot | cloak |
| AC | 1 |
| Special | |
| Base price | 60 zm |
| Weight | 10 |
| Material | cloth |
The cloak of magic resistance (commonly abbreviated CoMR) is an item that appears in NetHack. It is made of cloth, and has a randomized appearance; the default one associated with it is an ornamental cope.[1]
Contents
Generation
All Wizards start the game with a cloak of magic resistance.
Aligned priests - including high priests and the Arch Priest, the Priest quest leader - have a 1⁄21 chance of being generated with a cloak of magic resistance.[2] Master Kaen, the Monk quest nemesis, has a 1⁄11 chance of being generated with a cloak of magic resistance, and will otherwise have a robe.[3]
Most non-monk player monsters on the Astral Plane have a 87.5% chance of receiving a random magical cloak, and a further 12.5% chance of that cloak being a cloak of magic resistance - effectively ~10.94% to receive one.[4][5] For priests, there is a 75% chance that the cloak will be made into a robe instead, reducing this effective chance to ~2.73%;[6] Wizards similarly have a 1⁄2 chance of forcing a cloak of magic resistance, resulting in an effective chance of 43.75%.[7]
Effects
When worn, the cloak simply provides 1 AC, MC1, and magic resistance. Its non-AC effects are not affected by burning.
Strategy
The cloak of magic resistance is considered a near-ubiquitous part of many ascension kits, and is frequently paired with silver dragon scale mail (or another source of reflection) for combined protection from most attacks (e.g., preventing melee-range spells such as curse items while reflecting wands and breath attacks). SDSM/CoMR is also one of the more conducive combinations for certain late-game playstyles since it leaves slots free for other purposes: a worn amulet of life saving, a hand free for twoweaponing and/or two-handed weapons, or a lightweight small shield for casters going without a robe or protection. It also serves as a backup source of magic resistance if a quest artifact with the property is stolen.
Monks may consider seeking out a cloak of magic resistance if they are going wishless, avoiding artifacts, or are committed to not using body armor.
Identification
The cloak of magic resistance is the only randomized cloak that does not auto-identify on wearing or when taking effect, making it relatively trivial to informally identify. Invisible characters testing for one will want to revert to normal - a cloak of invisibility will not auto-identify if you are already invisible. Bones left behind by a dead Wizard very frequently have a cloak of magic resistance somewhere within the item pile.
Some of the riskier methods removing, stashing or disabling all other sources of magic resistance, then stepping onto an anti-magic field or teleportation trap; unless you currently have poor AC, giving a hostile monster a wand of striking can also work. If you have magic resistance, the effect of the trap or wand will be nullified. Using a potion or wand of enlightenment is far safer, but may not be as available due to item rarity.
Combat
The chance of a hostile aligned priest spawning with this cloak poses a potentially aggravating threat to players trying to avoid their spells, reducing the amount of effective ranged options; pets and thrown potions are still useful.
Similarly, if Master Kaen generates with this cloak, he will prove a major inconvenience to most Monks as it nullifies the wand of death. However, it does not offer full protection against elemental attacks that Kaen lacks resistances to, and he is still vulnerable to disintegration from a polyselfed or pet black dragon.
For many players, the High Priest(ess) of Moloch generating with one is a worst-case scenario - most will save a wand of death charge for them, and being forced to fight them is very risky, especially in melee.
History
In NetHack 3.4.3 and earlier versions, the cloak gives MC3.
Variants
In general, variants based on version 3.4.3 and earlier retain the cloak of magic resistance's MC3.
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, the cloak of magic resistance is the same as it was in NetHack 3.4.3 and earlier versions.
Undead vampires are often generated with opera cloaks, providing a reliable source if it is randomized to be the cloak of magic resistance; however, this will also give more spellcasting-reliant characters significant trouble, especially in the case of already-powerful vampire mages.
A cloak of magic resistance can be created by upgrading an elven cloak or oilskin cloak.
UnNetHack
In UnNetHack, Sokoban offers a cloak as one of the three types of prizes, which has a 50% chance of being a cloak of magic resistance. The Executioner will always be generated with one.
NetHack brass
In NetHack brass, a cloak of magic resistance is one of the three possible Sokoban prize items.
dNetHack
In dNetHack, the cloak no longer grants any AC, nor does it increase your defense rating, but still provides MC3.
The Mantle of Heaven and The Vestment of Hell are artifact cloaks that always appear as ornamental copes, making it possible for them to be cloaks of magic resistance.
FIQHack
In FIQHack, the cloak of magic resistance gives MC2.
xNetHack
In xNetHack, Anaraxis the Black (the renamed Wizard quest nemesis) always generates wearing a cloak of magic resistance.
EvilHack
In EvilHack, giant Wizards no longer start with one as of v0.5 (being too large for cloaks), and are given an amulet of magic resistance instead. As of version 0.7, and like xNetHack, The Dark One will always generate wearing a cloak of magic resistance.
References
- ↑ src/objects.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 470
- ↑ src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 693
- ↑ src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 696
- ↑ src/mplayer.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 157
- ↑ src/mplayer.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 207
- ↑ src/mplayer.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 217
- ↑ src/mplayer.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 248
