Columnar crystal - Revision history

Klepto: correction regarding item class.

2026-07-07T00:22:58Z

correction regarding item class.

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2026-02-27T12:06:16Z

potholes

Klepto: added missing columnar chunk sources.

2026-02-26T22:17:49Z

added missing columnar chunk sources.

Klepto: properly link "blood".

2026-01-24T21:09:24Z

properly link "blood".

Klepto: added UH link.

2026-01-24T02:34:58Z

added UH link.

Klepto: created page.

2026-01-24T02:31:41Z

created page.

New page

{{item
|symbol=*
|name=columnar crystal rod
|cost=1
|weight=1
|color=silver color
}}
{{item
|symbol=*
|name=twin-columnar crystal
|cost=1
|weight=1
|color=silver color
}}
{{item
|symbol=*
|name=columnar chunk
|cost=1
|weight=1
|color=silver color
}}
{{item
|symbol=*
|name=columnar mass
|cost=1
|weight=1
|color=silver color
}}

A '''columnar crystal''' is a type of [[crystal]] [[gem]] that appears in [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]]. It is a [[Engraving#Quality|soft]] and has a [[Object materials (dNetHack)|base material]] of [[hemargyos]].

There are four types of columnar crystals: the '''columnar crystal rod''', '''twin-columnar crystal''', '''columnar chunk''' and '''columnar mass'''.

==Generation==
Columnar crystals do not naturally generate.
For Undead Hunters, corpses may rot away into columnar crystals:
* The [[Index Wolf|Index Wolf's]] corpse leaves behind a columnar chunk.
* [[Nitocris|Ghoul-queen Nitocris's]] corpse leaves behind a columnar mass.

All corpses with [[blood]] have a certain chance to leave behind columnar crystals:
* {{frac|20}} if the [[hero]] currently has neither the lumen nor eye [[thought]] slotted or active.
* {{frac|13}} if the hero currently has the weed thought slotted and active.
* {{frac|10}} if the hero currently has the eye thought slotted and active.
* {{frac|7}} if the hero currently has both the weed and eye thoughts slotted and active.

The type of columnar crystal created depends on the [[monster difficulty|monster's difficulty]]:
* A columnar crystal rod is created from a corpse of a monster of difficulty below 5.
* A twin-columnar crystal is created from a corpse of a monster of difficulty 5–13.
* A columnar chunk is created from a corpse of a monster of difficulty 14–19.
* A columnar mass is created from a corpse of a monster of difficulty above 19.

==Description==
Columnar crystals can be broken down by [[dip]]ping them in a [[Forge (dNetHack)|forge]] while [[wield]]ing a [[smithing hammer]]:
* Twin-columnar crystals split apart into two columnar crystal rods.
* Columnar chunks break apart into 2–3 twin-columnar crystal rods and 2–3 columnar crystal rods.
* Columnar masses break apart into 2–4 columnar chunks, 4–8 twin-columnar crystals and 4–12 columnar crystal rods.

Undead Hunters who are wielding a smithing hammer and have a columnar crystal in open inventory can improve an applicable item past their regular limit. [[Weapon]]s, [[weapon-tool]]s, [[armor]] and [[tool]]s that use a weapon skill are eligible, and can be improved by dipping them into a forge while wielding a smithing hammer:
* Columnar crystal rods allow improving an item from +1 to +3
* Twin-columnar crystals allow improving an item from +4 to +6
* Columnar chunks allow improving an item from +7 to +9
* Columnar masses allow improving an item to +10

==Strategy==
[[Chaotic]] Undead Hunters, and to a lesser extent also [[lawful]] Undead Hunters, may want to spend an early wish on the eye thought, especially if they plan to advance along the [[Rot (dnetHack)|rot]] research path to increase their chances of receiving columnar crystals.

While other roles can obtain columnar crystals ([[bones]], [[wish]]ing), they cannot make use of them, even if they have some skill in [[smithing]].

{{stub}}
{{variant-343}}
[[Category: dNetHack gems]]
[[Category: notdNetHack gems]]
[[Category: notnotdNetHack gems]]

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 * [[Baalphegor]] leaves behind a columnar mass.
 * [[Asmodeus]] leaves behind a columnar mass.
-* [[Pale night]] leaves behind a columnar mass.
+* [[Pale Night]] leaves behind a columnar mass.
 * The [[Good Neighbor]] leaves behind a columnar mass.
 * The [[Hmnyw-Pharaoh]] leaves behind a columnar mass.
@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 All corpses with [[Potion_of_blood_(dNetHack)#Monsters_with_blood|blood]] have a certain chance to leave behind columnar crystals:
-* {{frac|20}} if the [[hero]] currently has neither the lumen nor eye [[thought]] slotted or active.
+* {{frac|20}} if the [[hero]] currently has neither the lumen nor eye [[Thought (item)|thought]] slotted or active.
 * {{frac|13}} if the hero currently has the weed thought slotted and active.
 * {{frac|10}} if the hero currently has the eye thought slotted and active.

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 Columnar crystals do not naturally generate.
 For [[Undead Hunter]]s, corpses may rot away into columnar crystals:
-* The [[Index Wolf|Index Wolf's]] corpse leaves behind a columnar chunk.
+* The [[index wolf]] corpse leaves behind a columnar chunk.
 * [[Nitocris|Ghoul-queen Nitocris's]] corpse leaves behind a columnar mass.
 All corpses with [[Potion_of_blood_(dNetHack)#Monsters_with_blood|blood]] have a certain chance to leave behind columnar crystals:

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 }}
-A '''columnar crystal''' is a type of [[crystal]] [[gem]] that appears in [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]]. It is a [[Engraving#Quality|soft]] and has a [[Object materials (dNetHack)|base material]] of [[hemargyos]].
+A '''columnar crystal''' is a type of [[crystal (dNetHack)|crystal]] [[rock]] that appears in [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]]. It is a [[Engraving#Quality|soft]] and has a [[Object materials (dNetHack)|base material]] of [[hemargyos]].
 There are four types of columnar crystals: the '''columnar crystal rod''', '''twin-columnar crystal''', '''columnar chunk''' and '''columnar mass'''.