Curse items - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ pothole

2025-04-12T08:29:39Z

‎Description: pothole

Umbire the Phantom: "up to 6 random items" = 1d6 but without the reader mentally fussing about with d notation

2025-04-11T07:59:32Z

"up to 6 random items" = 1d6 but without the reader mentally fussing about with d notation

Nethacker: /* Description */ added link about saddle

2025-04-10T23:16:00Z

‎Description: added link about saddle

Nethacker: /* Description */ added info about saddle

2025-04-10T23:14:43Z

‎Description: added info about saddle

Nethacker: /* Description */

2025-04-10T23:04:46Z

‎Description

Nethacker: /* Description */ made the description more clear (what is "up to six items"?)

2025-04-10T23:02:52Z

‎Description: made the description more clear (what is "up to six items"?)

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ word choice

2024-12-15T11:45:37Z

‎Description: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ bit more detail

2024-12-15T11:44:52Z

‎Description: bit more detail

Umbire the Phantom: much of the details from that last edit were not only already present, some of the introduced stuff was wrong

2024-12-15T11:18:11Z

much of the details from that last edit were not only already present, some of the introduced stuff was wrong

Umbire the Phantom: retain details and re-oragnize properly, trim redundancies, move tangential subjects that have their own articles and can be described there

2024-12-15T11:09:21Z

retain details and re-oragnize properly, trim redundancies, move tangential subjects that have their own articles and can be described there

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 ==Description==
-Curse items is a melee-range spell that can be used by any [[monster]] of a sufficient [[Monster level|level]] that can cast spells: monsters that cast [[mage spell]]s must be at least level 10, and monsters that cast [[clerical spell]]s must be at least level 9.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|17|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|32|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|112|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell cases}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|158|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell cases}}
+Curse items is a melee-range spell that can be used by any [[monster]] of a sufficient [[Monster level|level]] that can cast spells: monsters that cast [[mage spell]]s must be at least level 10, and monsters that cast [[Clerical monster spell|clerical spells]] must be at least level 9.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|17|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|32|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|112|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell cases}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|158|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell cases}}
 When cast, it selects up to 6 random items if the hero's inventory, which is reduced to a maximum of 3 items if a hero has either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]] and a maximum of 2 items if a hero has both.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|356|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Targeted items that are blessed become uncursed, while targeted items that are uncursed become cursed.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|368|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|377|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} If the hero is [[riding]] upon a steed when they are targeted, there is a {{frac|4}} chance that the saddle becomes cursed if it was uncursed, or uncursed if it was blessed.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|386|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

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 Curse items is a melee-range spell that can be used by any [[monster]] of a sufficient [[Monster level|level]] that can cast spells: monsters that cast [[mage spell]]s must be at least level 10, and monsters that cast [[clerical spell]]s must be at least level 9.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|17|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|32|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|112|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell cases}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|158|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell cases}}
-When cast, it selects 1d6 random items if the hero's inventory, which is reduced to 1d3 items if a hero has either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]] and 1d2 items if a hero has both.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|356|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Targeted items that are blessed become uncursed, uncursed items become cursed{{refsrc|src/sit.c|377|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}, and cursed items are not affected{{refsrc|src/sit.c|368|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}.  If the hero is mounted, and the saddle is not cursed, there is a separate {{frac|1|4}} chance that the saddle becomes cursed if it was uncursed, or uncursed if it was blessed.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|386|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+When cast, it selects up to 6 random items if the hero's inventory, which is reduced to a maximum of 3 items if a hero has either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]] and a maximum of 2 items if a hero has both.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|356|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Targeted items that are blessed become uncursed, while targeted items that are uncursed become cursed.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|368|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|377|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} If the hero is [[riding]] upon a steed when they are targeted, there is a {{frac|4}} chance that the saddle becomes cursed if it was uncursed, or uncursed if it was blessed.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|386|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 [[Intelligent artifact]]s each have a {{frac|4|5}} chance of individually resisting the effect of the spell, and wielding [[Magicbane]] has a {{frac|19|20}} chance of the artifact absorbing the spell's effect and nullifying it entirely.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|339|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|371|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

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 Curse items is a melee-range spell that can be used by any [[monster]] of a sufficient [[Monster level|level]] that can cast spells: monsters that cast [[mage spell]]s must be at least level 10, and monsters that cast [[clerical spell]]s must be at least level 9.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|17|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|32|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|112|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell cases}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|158|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell cases}}
-When cast, it selects 1d6 random items if the hero's inventory, which is reduced to 1d3 items if a hero has either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]] and 1d2 items if a hero has both.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|356|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Targeted items that are blessed become uncursed, uncursed items become cursed{{refsrc|src/sit.c|377|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}, and cursed items are not affected{{refsrc|src/sit.c|368|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}.  If the hero is mounted, and the saddle is not cursed, there is a separate {{frac|1|4}} chance that the saddle becomes cursed if it was uncursed, or uncursed if it was blessed.
+When cast, it selects 1d6 random items if the hero's inventory, which is reduced to 1d3 items if a hero has either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]] and 1d2 items if a hero has both.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|356|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Targeted items that are blessed become uncursed, uncursed items become cursed{{refsrc|src/sit.c|377|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}, and cursed items are not affected{{refsrc|src/sit.c|368|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}.  If the hero is mounted, and the saddle is not cursed, there is a separate {{frac|1|4}} chance that the saddle becomes cursed if it was uncursed, or uncursed if it was blessed.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|386|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 [[Intelligent artifact]]s each have a {{frac|4|5}} chance of individually resisting the effect of the spell, and wielding [[Magicbane]] has a {{frac|19|20}} chance of the artifact absorbing the spell's effect and nullifying it entirely.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|339|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|371|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

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 Curse items is a melee-range spell that can be used by any [[monster]] of a sufficient [[Monster level|level]] that can cast spells: monsters that cast [[mage spell]]s must be at least level 10, and monsters that cast [[clerical spell]]s must be at least level 9.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|17|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|32|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|112|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell cases}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|158|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell cases}}
-When cast, it selects 1d6 random items if the hero's inventory, which is reduced to 1d3 items if a hero has either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]] and 1d2 items if a hero has both.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|356|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|386|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Targeted items that are blessed become uncursed, uncursed items become cursed{{refsrc|src/sit.c|377|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}, and cursed items remain unchanged{{refsrc|src/sit.c|368|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}.
+When cast, it selects 1d6 random items if the hero's inventory, which is reduced to 1d3 items if a hero has either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]] and 1d2 items if a hero has both.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|356|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Targeted items that are blessed become uncursed, uncursed items become cursed{{refsrc|src/sit.c|377|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}, and cursed items are not affected{{refsrc|src/sit.c|368|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}.  If the hero is mounted, and the saddle is not cursed, there is a separate {{frac|1|4}} chance that the saddle becomes cursed if it was uncursed, or uncursed if it was blessed.
 [[Intelligent artifact]]s each have a {{frac|4|5}} chance of individually resisting the effect of the spell, and wielding [[Magicbane]] has a {{frac|19|20}} chance of the artifact absorbing the spell's effect and nullifying it entirely.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|339|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|371|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 Curse items is a melee-range spell that can be used by any [[monster]] of a sufficient [[Monster level|level]] that can cast spells: monsters that cast [[mage spell]]s must be at least level 10, and monsters that cast [[clerical spell]]s must be at least level 9.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|17|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|32|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell list}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|112|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=mage spell cases}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|158|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=clerical spell cases}}
-When cast, it selects 1d6 random items if the hero's inventory, which is reduced to 1d3 items if a hero has either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]] and 1d2 items if a hero has both.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|368|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|356|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|386|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Targeted items that are blessed become uncursed, uncursed items become cursed, and cursed items remain unchanged.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|377|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+When cast, it selects 1d6 random items if the hero's inventory, which is reduced to 1d3 items if a hero has either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]] and 1d2 items if a hero has both.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|356|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|386|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Targeted items that are blessed become uncursed, uncursed items become cursed{{refsrc|src/sit.c|377|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}, and cursed items remain unchanged{{refsrc|src/sit.c|368|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}.
 [[Intelligent artifact]]s each have a {{frac|4|5}} chance of individually resisting the effect of the spell, and wielding [[Magicbane]] has a {{frac|19|20}} chance of the artifact absorbing the spell's effect and nullifying it entirely.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|339|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|371|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

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 When cast, the spell targets up to to 6 non-cursed item slots in the [[hero]]'s open inventory with the exception of their [[gold]], with a separate {{frac|4}} of affecting a steed's [[saddle]] if the hero is mounted:{{refsrc|src/sit.c|368|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|356|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|386|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} this is reduced to a maximum of three items a hero that has either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]], or two for a hero with both properties. Targeted items that are blessed will become uncursed, and uncursed items will become cursed.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|377|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-[[Intelligent artifact]]s each have a {{frac|4|5}} chance of individually resisting the effect, and wielding [[Magicbane]] has a {{frac|19|20}} chance of the artifact absorbing the effect and nullifying it entirely.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|339|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|371|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+[[Intelligent artifact]]s each have a {{frac|4|5}} chance of individually resisting the effect of the spell, and wielding [[Magicbane]] has a {{frac|19|20}} chance of the artifact absorbing the spell's effect and nullifying it entirely.{{refsrc|src/sit.c|339|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/sit.c|371|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==

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 Curse items one of the most despised monster spells, due to the various annoying and detrimental effects of curse items: cursed rings and armor will become welded to your finger, cursed weapons will additionally disrupt two-weaponing when welded to you, and cursed food confers less nutrition and may render you unconscious. Cursed tools also become more of a hindrance, with [[unicorn horn]]s made less effective or even harmful; a bag of holding in particular becomes much heavier if unblessed or cursed, which can slow a character down a cursed bag of holding also risks the loss of some of its contents each time you open it.
-In addition to magic resistance and half spell damage, blessing your inventory can provide a cushion of sorts against the spell, since blessed items must be unblessed before they can be made cursed. The contents of [[bag]]s and other [[container]]s are not targeted by this spell, so it is worth bagging certain items when facing spellcasters to avoid having them cursed - a [[sack]] is most ideal for quick stashing, since it has no adverse effects while cursed; an [[oilskin sack]] can also suffice, though it only prevents [[Wet|water damage]] {{frac|2|3}} of the time while cursed. Spare sacks are also useful for keeping curse removal items in, such as [[holy water]] or a blessed [[scroll of remove curse]], to pull out or [[tip]] at a moment's notice. You can also place your bag of holding in a sack if you fear it becoming unblessed or cursed, though this increases the amount of time required to grab any necessary items from it.
+In addition to magic resistance and half spell damage, blessing your inventory can provide a cushion of sorts against the spell, since blessed items must be unblessed before they can be made cursed. The contents of [[bag]]s and other [[container]]s are not targeted by this spell, so it is worth bagging certain items when facing spellcasters to avoid having them cursed - a [[sack]] is most ideal for quick stashing, since it has no adverse effects while cursed; an [[oilskin sack]] can also suffice, though it only prevents [[water damage]] {{frac|2|3}} of the time while cursed. Spare sacks are also useful for keeping curse removal items in, such as [[holy water]] or a blessed [[scroll of remove curse]], to pull out or [[tip]] at a moment's notice. You can also place your bag of holding in a sack if you fear it may be targeted by the spell and become heavier as a result, though this increases the amount of time required to grab any necessary items from it.
-Characters that can learn and reliably cast the {{spell of|remove curse}} spell will want to keep some [[energy]] available to cast it when needed, and must take care to have at least one hand free. While two-handed weapons are considered unpopular due to severely restricting options while cursed, a character using one (or else using a weapon and a shield) can still access their emergency bag's contents via the #tip [[extended command]] and pick up their curse removal to use should both hands have cursed items welded to them.
+Characters that can learn and reliably cast the {{spell of|remove curse}} spell will want to keep some [[energy]] available to cast it when needed, and must take care to have at least one hand free. Two-handed weapons are considered unpopular due in part to this mechanic, and due to severely restricting a hero's options in general if a wielded one becomes cursed&mdash;with this in mind, a character with a cursed two-handed weapon, or a cursed weapon ''and'' a cursed shield, can still access their emergency bag's contents via the #tip [[extended command]] and pick up their curse removal items to use.
-An uncommon tactic to minimize the effects of this spell is to fill up inventory slots with individual items that are light and easily obtainable in large numbers (e.g., [[arrow]]s, [[dart]]s, [[gem]]s), then name them each so that they do not stack in order to reduce the odds of a valuable item being affected. Similarly uncommon is using a hostile caster in order to deliberately curse certain items for their alternate effects, which is typically set up in a controlled environment both to avoid more dangerous spells and prevent stronger hostile monsters from appearing.
+A very uncommon tactic to minimize the effects of this spell is to fill up inventory slots with individual items that are light and easily obtainable in large numbers (e.g., [[arrow]]s, [[dart]]s, [[gem]]s), then name them each so that they do not stack in order to reduce the odds of a valuable item being affected. A similarly uncommon tactic is using a hostile caster in order to deliberately curse certain items for their alternate effects, which is typically set up in a controlled environment to both avoid more dangerous spells and prevent hostile monsters that are troublesome and/or even stronger from appearing.
 ==Messages==
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 ==Variants==
 ===UnNetHack===
-In [[UnNetHack]], an already-cursed container targeted by the spell will have one random item inside it cursed. This can theoretically happen recursively if you have nested cursed containers - if you are double-bagging to protect your bag of holding, it is important that the bag containing the bag of holding remains non-cursed.
+In [[UnNetHack]], an already-cursed container targeted by the curse items monster spell will have one random item inside it cursed. This can theoretically happen recursively if a hero has nested cursed containers&mdash;for those double-bagging to protect their bag of holding, it is important that the bag containing the bag of holding remains non-cursed.
 ===dNetHack===