Potion of oil - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ tweaks

2026-03-14T01:35:29Z

‎dNetHack: tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: tweaks

2026-01-10T18:28:42Z

tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ copyedit, cites

2025-08-07T18:35:10Z

‎Description: copyedit, cites

Umbire the Phantom: /* SLASH'EM */ wiz et. al.

2025-06-24T09:56:03Z

‎SLASH'EM: wiz et. al.

Umbire the Phantom: *dnh

2025-05-08T21:55:28Z

*dnh

Umbire the Phantom: /* SLASH'EM */ starting inv

2025-02-10T08:30:07Z

‎SLASH'EM: starting inv

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ monster use

2025-02-10T07:34:14Z

‎Description: monster use

Umbire the Phantom: forgot a store

2025-02-10T07:31:58Z

forgot a store

Umbire the Phantom: finish expanding

2025-02-10T07:27:09Z

finish expanding

Umbire the Phantom: formatting, copyedit, updating, detailing

2025-02-10T06:06:50Z

formatting, copyedit, updating, detailing

@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], [[Clockwork Automaton (starting race)|clockwork automaton]] heroes in roles that start with food and drink items (e.g. [[potions of booze]]) will have most of them replaced with potions of oil, except for [[apple]]s (as seen with clockwork [[Monk/dNetHack|Monks]]). Clockwork automata gain HP and nutrition from quaffing potions of oil, and can use an [[upgrade kit]] to enable the "oil stove" upgrade and gain nutrition from drinking oil in combination with water.
-A [[club]] can be dipped into a potion of oil to turn it into a [[Torch (dNetHack)|torch]], while dipping a [[shadowlander's torch]] abuses wisdom and causes the potion to explode.
+A [[club]] can be dipped into a potion of oil to turn it into a [[Torch (dNetHack)|torch]]&mdash;dipping a [[shadowlander's torch]] in oil abuses wisdom and causes the potion to explode.
 ===xNetHack===

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
    |cost=250
 }}
 A '''potion of oil''' is a type of non-[[Magical item|magical]] [[potion]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The default [[randomized appearance]] associated with the potion is a "murky potion".{{refsrc|src/objects.c|817|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="objlist"}}
@@ Line 12: / Line 11: @@
 Potions of oil make up {{frac|3|100}} (3%) of all randomly generated potions. General [[store]]s, liquor emporiums and lighting shops can sell potions of oil.
-[[Applying]] a [[charged]] [[horn of plenty]] has a {{frac|100}} chance (1%) of generating 1-2 uncursed potions of oil.{{refsrc|src/mkobj.c|2212|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=chooses a random potion, discarding magical potions; <tt>rnd_class(POT_BOOZE, POT_WATER)</tt> chooses from all non-magical potions in <tt>objects.c</tt><ref name="objlist"/>}}
+[[Applying]] a charged [[horn of plenty]] has a {{frac|100}} chance (1%) of generating 1-2 uncursed potions of oil.{{refsrc|src/mkobj.c|2212|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=chooses a random potion, discarding magical potions; <tt>rnd_class(POT_BOOZE, POT_WATER)</tt> chooses from all non-magical potions in <tt>objects.c</tt><ref name="objlist"/>}}
 ==Description==
@@ Line 39: / Line 38: @@
 Lit potions of oil are decent improvised weapons against hostile monster groups and fire-[[vulnerable]] opponents, and can also be used to cure sliming if they are thrown upward&mdash;quaffing a lit potion of oil does '''not''' cure sliming. Spare potions of oil can be used to repair weapons as well, which saves [[scrolls of enchant weapon]].
-If the potion of oil has the random appearance of a [[smoky potion]], a blessed horn of plenty combined with a source of repeated charging (usually the [[Platinum Yendorian Express Card]]) can serve as a slow wish engine.
+If the potion of oil has the random appearance of a [[smoky potion]], a blessed horn of plenty combined with a source of repeated charging (usually [[the Platinum Yendorian Express Card]]) can serve as a slow wish engine.
 ==History==

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 * A potion of oil can be used to [[untrap]] a [[squeaky board]].
-A potion of oil that is either subjected to [[Fire (element)|fire]] damage or lit and [[thrown]] will [[Explosion#Fiery explosion|explode]], dealing 4d4 fire damage and burning the inventory of a hero or any [[monster]]s caught in the explosion, while also curing [[sliming]]. Monsters will not use this potion.
+A potion of oil that is either subjected to [[Fire (element)|fire]] damage or lit and [[thrown]] will [[Explosion#Fiery explosion|explode]], dealing 4d4 fire damage and burning the inventory of a hero or [[monster]] caught in the explosion, while also curing [[sliming]] for an affected hero. Monsters will not use this potion.
-Potions of oil subjected to [[cancellation]] only have their [[beatitude]] set to uncursed.
+Potions of oil subjected to [[cancellation]] will not be turned into water, only having their [[beatitude]] set to uncursed. Potions of oil also cannot be shattered as a result of [[cold]] damage.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|4828|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|5069|nethack=3.6.7}}
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|3fac63749a399f9fadfecce7ccd6599efdba0866}}, dipping a potion of oil in a [[sink]] will leave an oily film and auto-identify the potion.}}

@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], [[Flame Mage]]s, [[Ice Mage]]s and [[Necromancer]]s may be given a potion of oil as any of the random potions in their starting inventories.{{refsrc|u_init.c|66|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|96|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|137|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
+In [[SLASH'EM]], [[Flame Mage]]s, [[Ice Mage]]s, [[Necromancer]]s, and [[Wizard/SLASH'EM|Wizards]] may be given a potion of oil as any of the random potions in their starting inventories.{{refsrc|u_init.c|66|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|96|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|137|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|246|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
-Untrapping and disarming a [[fire trap]] with a non-cursed [[potion of water]] generates 1-4 potions of oil, with the amount influenced by [[luck]].{{refsrc|trap.c|3507|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|trap.c|3520|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|trap.c|3525|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
+Untrapping and disarming a [[fire trap]] with a non-cursed [[potion of water]] generates up to 4 potions of oil, with the amount being influenced by the hero's [[luck]].{{refsrc|trap.c|3507|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|trap.c|3520|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|trap.c|3525|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 ===AceHack===

@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], [[Clockwork Automaton (starting race)|clockwork automaton]] heroes in roles that start with food and drink items (e.g. [[potions of booze]]) will have most of them replaced with potions of oil, except for [[apple]]s (as seen with clockwork [[Monk/dNetHack|Monks]]). Clockwork automatons gain HP and nutrition from quaffing potions of oil, and can use an [[upgrade kit]] to enable the "oil stove" upgrade and gain nutrition from drinking oil in combination with water.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], [[Clockwork Automaton (starting race)|clockwork automaton]] heroes in roles that start with food and drink items (e.g. [[potions of booze]]) will have most of them replaced with potions of oil, except for [[apple]]s (as seen with clockwork [[Monk/dNetHack|Monks]]). Clockwork automata gain HP and nutrition from quaffing potions of oil, and can use an [[upgrade kit]] to enable the "oil stove" upgrade and gain nutrition from drinking oil in combination with water.
-A [[club]] can be dipped into a potion of oil to turn it into a [[torch]].
+A [[club]] can be dipped into a potion of oil to turn it into a [[Torch (dNetHack)|torch]], while dipping a [[shadowlander's torch]] abuses wisdom and causes the potion to explode.
 ===xNetHack===

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 [[Wizard]]s may be given a potion of oil as any of the three random potions in their starting inventory.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|166|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Hero]]es that start the game with an [[oil lamp]] will know the potion of oil's randomized appearance.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|1111|nethack=3.6.7}}
-Potions of oil make up {{frac|3|100}} (3%) of all randomly generated potions. General [[store]]s and lighting shops can sell potions of oil.
+Potions of oil make up {{frac|3|100}} (3%) of all randomly generated potions. General [[store]]s, liquor emporiums and lighting shops can sell potions of oil.
 [[Applying]] a [[charged]] [[horn of plenty]] has a {{frac|100}} chance (1%) of generating 1-2 uncursed potions of oil.{{refsrc|src/mkobj.c|2212|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=chooses a random potion, discarding magical potions; <tt>rnd_class(POT_BOOZE, POT_WATER)</tt> chooses from all non-magical potions in <tt>objects.c</tt><ref name="objlist"/>}}

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 }}
-A '''potion of oil''' is a type of [[potion]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.
+A '''potion of oil''' is a type of non-[[Magical item|magical]] [[potion]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The default [[randomized appearance]] associated with the potion is a "murky potion".{{refsrc|src/objects.c|817|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="objlist"}}
 ==Generation==
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 Potions of oil make up {{frac|3|100}} (3%) of all randomly generated potions. General [[store]]s and lighting shops can sell potions of oil.
 ==Description==
@@ Line 19: / Line 21: @@
 * Dipping a weapon that is [[rusty]] or corroded into a non-cursed potion of oil uses up the potion to repair one level of erosion.
 * Dipping anything into a lit potion of oil uses up the potion and will burn the dipped item(s) if possible.
-* [[Applying]] a potion of oil will light it, [[auto-identify]]ing the potion if applicable, and applying a lit potion of oil will snuff it. Doing so with a potion belonging to a shop will incur a [[Yendorian Fuel Tax]] surcharge added to the price of the potion.
+* Applying a potion of oil will light it, [[auto-identify]]ing the potion if applicable, and applying a lit potion of oil will snuff it. Doing so with a potion belonging to a shop will incur a [[Yendorian Fuel Tax]] surcharge added to the price of the potion.
 * [[Quaffing]] an unlit potion of oil [[abuse]]s [[wisdom]] and identifies the potion&mdash;quaffing a lit potion additionally deals 3d4 fire damage, which is reduced to 1d4 if the hero has [[fire resistance]]. Quaffing a lit potion of oil while in the form of a [[fiery]] monster deals no damage and exercises wisdom.
 * Doing anything with a [[cursed]] potion of oil may cause the oil to spill and give the hero [[slippery fingers]].
@@ Line 27: / Line 29: @@
 Potions of oil subjected to [[cancellation]] only have their [[beatitude]] set to uncursed.
 ==Strategy==
@@ Line 33: / Line 37: @@
 The [[scroll of fire]], [[spellbook of fireball]] and other [[fireproof]]ed items can potentially be identified by dipping into a lit potion of oil, but this method is ultimately a waste of items and is not recommended.
-Lit potions of oil can be used to cure sliming if they are thrown upward&mdash;quaffing a lit potion of oil does '''not''' cure sliming. Spare potions of oil can be used to repair weapons as well, which saves [[scrolls of enchant weapon]].
+Lit potions of oil are decent improvised weapons against hostile monster groups and fire-[[vulnerable]] opponents, and can also be used to cure sliming if they are thrown upward&mdash;quaffing a lit potion of oil does '''not''' cure sliming. Spare potions of oil can be used to repair weapons as well, which saves [[scrolls of enchant weapon]].
 ==History==
-The potion of oil first appears in [[NetHack 3.2.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including some variants based on those versions, it is possible to indirectly identify the potion without actually applying it, by dropping everything else that could be applied, then hitting {{kbd|a}}. If the potion was a potion of oil, the hero is asked what they want to apply; otherwise, they will be told they have nothing that can be applied. In [[NetHack 3.6.0]], the applying prompt always appears as long as the hero has at least one potion in their inventory, regardless of whether it can be applied or not.
+The potion of oil first appears in [[NetHack 3.2.0]]&mdash;Hack 1.21, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], has the similar "flask of oil" as an item.
 ==Messages==
@@ Line 46: / Line 54: @@
 ===SLASH'EM===
 In [[SLASH'EM]], untrapping and disarming a [[fire trap]] with a non-cursed [[potion of water]] generates 1-4 potions of oil, with the amount influenced by [[luck]].{{refsrc|trap.c|3507|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|trap.c|3520|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|trap.c|3525|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 ===EvilHack===
 In [[EvilHack]], intelligent monsters can light potions of oil to throw at the hero.
 ==References==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{languages}}
-{{potion|name=oil|cost=250}}
+{{potion
 A '''potion of oil''' is a type of [[potion]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.
 ==Generation==
-Characters that start the game with an oil lamp will have potions of oil already identified in the discoveries section.
+[[Wizard]]s may be given a potion of oil as any of the three random potions in their starting inventory.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|166|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Hero]]es that start the game with an [[oil lamp]] will know the potion of oil's randomized appearance.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|1111|nethack=3.6.7}}
-The lighting [[shop]] found in [[Minetown]] will occasionally have a potion of oil among its wares.
+Potions of oil make up {{frac|3|100}} (3%) of all randomly generated potions. General [[store]]s and lighting shops can sell potions of oil.
 ==Description==
-The potion of oil has a surprisingly wide number of applications, but is primarily intended to be fuel for [[oil lamp]]s. This is done by [[dip]]ping the lamp into the potion of oil, which uses it up - if the lamp is lit and the potion is not, the potion will explode instead. [[Magic lamp]]s and oil lamps behave the same when dipped in potions of oil.
+The potion of oil has a surprisingly wide number of applications:
-Doing anything with a [[cursed]] potion of oil may cause the oil to spill and make your fingers [[slippery fingers|slippery]].
+* [[Dipping]] an [[oil lamp]] into a potion of oil uses up the potion to refuel the lamp&mdash;dipping a lit oil lamp will cause the oil to explode instead&mdash;[[magic lamp]]s and oil lamps behave the same when dipped in potions of oil.
-===Dipping other objects===
+A potion of oil that is either subjected to [[Fire (element)|fire]] damage or lit and [[thrown]] will [[Explosion#Fiery explosion|explode]], dealing 4d4 fire damage and burning the inventory of a hero or any [[monster]]s caught in the explosion, while also curing [[sliming]].
-===Lighting oil===
+Potions of oil subjected to [[cancellation]] only have their [[beatitude]] set to uncursed.
 ==Strategy==
-Identifying a potion of oil is fairly easy, as it is the only potion that you can [[apply]], and randomly testing potions using this method is generally safe - however, doing this with a potion owned by a shop will result in you being charged a [[Yendorian Fuel Tax]] along with the price for that potion.
+Identifying a potion of oil is fairly easy, as it is the only potion that you can apply, and randomly testing potions using this method is generally safe unless the potion belongs to a shop. Keeping potions of oil for oil lamps is generally sensible, though if the hero can informally identify a magic lamp, they can use it as a long-term light source until they want to try for a [[wish]] from it or else obtain other magic lamps.
-The [[scroll of fire]], [[spellbook of fireball]] and other [[fireproof]]ed items can potentially be identified by dipping into a lit potion of oil, but this method is ultimately a waste of a potion (as well as likely wasting whatever you tested with it) and is not recommended.
+The [[scroll of fire]], [[spellbook of fireball]] and other [[fireproof]]ed items can potentially be identified by dipping into a lit potion of oil, but this method is ultimately a waste of items and is not recommended.
-A lit potion of oil can be used to cure [[sliming]] if thrown upward; quaffing a lit potion of oil does '''not''' cure sliming.
+Lit potions of oil can be used to cure sliming if they are thrown upward&mdash;quaffing a lit potion of oil does '''not''' cure sliming. Spare potions of oil can be used to repair weapons as well, which saves [[scrolls of enchant weapon]].
 ==History==
-In [[NetHack 3.4.3]], it was possible to indirectly identify the potion without actually applying it (and therefore avoiding payment in shops) by dropping everything else that could be applied, then hitting {{kbd|a}}. If the potion was a potion of oil, the player was asked what they wanted to apply; otherwise, they would be told they have nothing that can be applied. As of [[NetHack 3.6.0]], the applying prompt always appears as long as the player has at least one potion in their inventory, regardless of whether it can be applied or not.
+The potion of oil first appears in [[NetHack 3.2.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including some variants based on those versions, it is possible to indirectly identify the potion without actually applying it, by dropping everything else that could be applied, then hitting {{kbd|a}}. If the potion was a potion of oil, the hero is asked what they want to apply; otherwise, they will be told they have nothing that can be applied. In [[NetHack 3.6.0]], the applying prompt always appears as long as the hero has at least one potion in their inventory, regardless of whether it can be applied or not.
 ==Messages==
 {{message|That was smooth!|You drank a non-cursed potion of oil.}}
 {{message|This tastes like castor oil.|You drank a cursed potion of oil.}}
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], it is possible to disarm a fire trap with a non-cursed [[potion of water]], similar to using a potion of oil on a squeaky board; this will also generate 1&ndash;4 potions of oil based on your [[Luck]]. Since oil can then be diluted back to water, the large number of fire traps in Gehennom offer an effective way of multiplying one's water potions.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], untrapping and disarming a [[fire trap]] with a non-cursed [[potion of water]] generates 1-4 potions of oil, with the amount influenced by [[luck]].{{refsrc|trap.c|3507|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|trap.c|3520|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|trap.c|3525|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], intelligent monsters can light potions of oil to throw at you.
+In [[EvilHack]], intelligent monsters can light potions of oil to throw at the hero.
-{{nethack-366}}
 [[Category:Potions|Oil]]