Spellbook of remove curse
| spellbook of + remove curse 
| |
|---|---|
| Appearance | random |
| Abundance | 2.5% |
| Base price | 300 zm |
| Weight | 50 |
| Turns to read | 12 |
| Ink to write | 15–29 |
| Spell type | clerical |
| Level | 3 |
| Power cost | 15 Pw |
| Direction | non-directional |
| Equivalent | scroll of remove curse |
| Special for | priest |
In NetHack, the spellbook of remove curse can be read to learn the spell of remove curse. It is a level 3 clerical spell, and the spellbook takes 12 actions to read.
The spell of remove curse is an emergency spell, and is the only one not directly categorized as a healing spell.[1] It is the special spell for Priests.
Contents
Generation
Priests can be given a spellbook of remove curse as either of the two initial spellbooks in their starting inventory.[2][3][4] Wizards can be given a spellbook of remove curse as the secondary spellbook in their starting inventory.[5][3]
Spellbooks of remove curse make up 1⁄40 (2.5%) of all randomly-generated spellbooks. General stores, second-hand bookstores and rare books stores can stock spellbooks of remove curse.
An aligned priest can be generated with the spellbook of remove curse as one of their spellbooks.[6]
Writing a spellbook of remove curse with a magic marker uses up 15 to 29 charges.
Description
The spell of remove curse behaves identically to reading a scroll of remove curse:[7] when successfully cast, the spell replicates the effects of the scroll depending on the skill level it is cast at.[8][9]
Casting the spell at Basic skill or lower behaves the same as reading the uncursed scroll, uncursing all cursed items from the hero's applicable worn items, wielded weapons, quivered projectile ammunition or weapons (e.g. spears, daggers, arrows, or flint stones), tied leashes, and carried loadstones.[10][11][12] Casting the spell at Skilled or higher behaves the same as reading the blessed scroll, and uncurses all cursed items in a hero's open inventory. Successfully casting the spell at any skill level also frees the hero from punishment by removing the iron chain attaching a heavy iron ball to them.[13]
Strategy
The spell of remove curse is a very useful utility spell that can reverse the detrimental effects of the curse items monster spell and similar hazards (e.g. the curses that can result when quaffing from a fountain), and makes use-testing certain items less dangerous—even at Basic skill, you can uncurse most necessary items within your inventory by wielding or wearing them and successfully casting the spell, finding a relatively isolated spot to remove metallic armor if necessary. Priests have innate knowledge of each item's beatitude, and combined with the emergency spell and special spell bonuses, they excel sorting through any bones files they encounter, as they can efficiently prioritize and uncurse loot using the spell to preserve precious holy water.
Roles intending to make frequent use of the spell should train clerical spells to a minimum of Skilled in order to save energy—remember to stash or drop any items that you intended to keep cursed in order to take advantage of their different effects. Additionally, remember that you cannot uncurse a saddle while it is worn by a steed, regardless of if you are stuck on it at the time: you will need the knock spell or wand of opening to loosen the saddle off the monster.
One important drawback of the spell of remove curse compared to the scroll is that the hero must not be stunned or unable to speak and must have at least one free hand in order to cast[14]—this means that wearing cursed metallic armor can cause major setbacks for casting the spell, as can autocursing helms like the dunce cap, and it is even more of a bad idea to wield cursed two-handed weapons or wield a cursed weapon with a cursed shield, or else wear an amulet of strangulation. Of course, accidents and misfortune can befall even the most skilled player: heroes of all types will want a few blessed scrolls of remove curse tucked away for emergencies involving these, and they are best kept within a container to #tip out should you be prevented from casting. The hazard of items being cursed by liches, some quest nemeses and the Wizard of Yendor also make this and other means of curse removal wise countermeasures to invest in.
The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that the information below is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate it.
Per commit cf626876, a steed's saddle is treated as part of the hero's inventory while they are riding, and so can be uncursed by the spell.
Per commit 42a6a5df, a cursed wielded quarterstaff does not block spellcasting, so the spell can be used to uncurse one—this has the effect of making The Staff of Aesculapius much more viable to wield for Healers and other primary casters.History
The spellbook of remove curse and its spell are introduced in NetHack 1.3d.
The vocal requirement for spellcasting is introduced in NetHack 3.6.1.
Messages
- You feel like someone is helping you.
- You successfully cast the spell of remove curse.
- You feel in touch with the Universal Oneness.
- As above, while hallucinating.
Variants
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, the spell of remove curse is re-categorized to a level 5 protection spell.
GruntHack
In GruntHack, some monsters can use the same set of spells as the hero, including the remove curse spell.
dNetHack
In dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack, the spell of remove curse is also a special spell for elven heroes. Drow Healers of both genders can start the game having forgotten the spell of remove curse.
Successfully casting the spell can cure weeping angel contamination, abnormal bleeding and mummy rot in addition to its normal effects.
A hero that has the spirit Marionette bound will unbind them if they cast the spell.
FIQHack
In FIQHack, monsters can use the same set of spells as the hero, with skill levels to match, and can learn and utilize the remove curse spell.
xNetHack
In xNetHack, successfully casting the spell at any skill level will also uncurse all cursed items made of gold in the hero's open inventory, since gold items behave the same as a loadstone does when cursed and cannot be dropped or stashed normally.
Hack'EM
In Hack'EM, the spell of remove curse is re-categorized to a level 3 enchantment spell.
References
- ↑ src/spell.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1752: list of emergency spells
- ↑ src/u_init.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 107
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 src/u_init.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1020
- ↑ src/u_init.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1050
- ↑ src/u_init.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 169
- ↑ src/priest.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 264
- ↑ src/zap.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1143: the spell code directly calls the scroll effects
- ↑ src/zap.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1149
- ↑ src/read.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1270
- ↑ src/read.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1281
- ↑ src/read.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1293
- ↑ src/read.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1318
- ↑ src/read.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1341
- ↑ src/spell.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 641
