Smoky and milky potions - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: genuinely forgot, thanks

2024-07-12T03:53:59Z

genuinely forgot, thanks

Ion frigate: mention that free action does not help

2024-07-11T16:54:47Z

mention that free action does not help

Umbire the Phantom: I sincerely don't think the risk of a ghost = instant auto-dilute

2024-07-11T13:47:26Z

I sincerely don't think the risk of a ghost = instant auto-dilute

MrSurvivor1997: Oops, meant to get that into strategy, my bad…

2024-07-11T12:37:58Z

Oops, meant to get that into strategy, my bad…

MrSurvivor1997: /* Strategy */ It is better to dip milky potions into fountains to turn them into water.

2024-07-11T12:37:10Z

‎Strategy: It is better to dip milky potions into fountains to turn them into water.

Umbire the Phantom: slight copyedit

2022-09-02T14:15:07Z

slight copyedit

Cathartes: update refs, add a few details for milky

2022-08-29T17:53:01Z

update refs, add a few details for milky

Umbire the Phantom at 06:33, 29 December 2021

2021-12-29T06:33:36Z

Danpritts: djinn won't give you a magical item for a wish

2021-12-28T05:46:22Z

djinn won't give you a magical item for a wish

Ardub23: /* Smoky potions and wishing */ Made table sortable and improved formatting; removed useless "Weight" column

2020-06-17T02:21:05Z

‎Smoky potions and wishing: Made table sortable and improved formatting; removed useless "Weight" column

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ==Milky potions==
-Milky potions have a chance of containing a hostile ghost; unless you are blind when you quaff the milky potion, you will be "are frightened to death, and unable to move" for three turns.{{refsrc|src/potion.c|465|nethack=3.6.6}} Notably, [[free action]] will not protect against this paralysis. As with djinn, the probability of a milky potion generating a ghost is based on the number of ghosts already generated by any means: {{sfrac|1|13 + 2<var>n</var>}}, where <var>n</var> is the number of ghosts already generated. Since there will always be a large number of ghosts in the [[Valley of the Dead]], the chance of getting a ghost from a potion decreases significantly after that point.
+Milky potions have a chance of containing a hostile ghost; unless you are [[blind]] when you quaff the milky potion, you will also be rendered immobile for 3 turns, which notably ignores [[free action]].{{refsrc|src/potion.c|465|nethack=3.6.6}} As with djinn, the probability of a milky potion generating a ghost is based on the number of ghosts already generated by any means: {{sfrac|1|13 + 2<var>n</var>}}, where <var>n</var> is the number of ghosts already generated. Since there will always be a large number of ghosts in the [[Valley of the Dead]], the chance of getting a ghost from a potion decreases significantly after that point.
 A monster quaffing a milky potion can also summon a ghost, paralyzing them for 3 turns.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|80|nethack=3.6.6}}

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ==Milky potions==
-Milky potions have a chance of containing a hostile ghost; unless you are blind when you quaff the milky potion, you will be "are frightened to death, and unable to move" for three turns.{{refsrc|src/potion.c|465|nethack=3.6.6}} As with djinn, the probability of a milky potion generating a ghost is based on the number of ghosts already generated by any means: {{sfrac|1|13 + 2<var>n</var>}}, where <var>n</var> is the number of ghosts already generated. Since there will always be a large number of ghosts in the [[Valley of the Dead]], the chance of getting a ghost from a potion decreases significantly after that point.
+Milky potions have a chance of containing a hostile ghost; unless you are blind when you quaff the milky potion, you will be "are frightened to death, and unable to move" for three turns.{{refsrc|src/potion.c|465|nethack=3.6.6}} Notably, [[free action]] will not protect against this paralysis. As with djinn, the probability of a milky potion generating a ghost is based on the number of ghosts already generated by any means: {{sfrac|1|13 + 2<var>n</var>}}, where <var>n</var> is the number of ghosts already generated. Since there will always be a large number of ghosts in the [[Valley of the Dead]], the chance of getting a ghost from a potion decreases significantly after that point.
 A monster quaffing a milky potion can also summon a ghost, paralyzing them for 3 turns.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|80|nethack=3.6.6}}

@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 |}
-Probably the worst of these is the potion of polymorph, since its effect is not easily resisted and can be quite devastating if proper precautions are not taken. Unchanging is preferable to polymorph control: controlled polymorph into your own race will shuffle your stats, while choosing to polymorph into another monster may keep your stats the same but will break polyselfless conduct.  With unchanging, neither of these is an issue.
+Probably the worst of these is the potion of polymorph, whose effect is not easily resisted and can be quite devastating without precautions. Unchanging is preferable to polymorph control for this case, since it avoids breaking polyselfless conduct ''and'' shuffling stats from polymorph into your own race.
 In the case of potions of sleep and paralysis, a locked closet with a burned Elbereth square or scroll of scare monster is a reasonably secure substitute: almost all phasing, digging or door-destroying monsters respect Elbereth, although the latter two may open the way for non-Elbereth respecting monsters. A [[sanctuary]] is an even better substitute, although still not as good as free action since [[angelic being]]s may still attack you.
@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 ===Combat===
-Both of these potions can be dangerous to players in tense situations. The milky potion effect is far worse across the board: three turns of paralysis can be deadly against particularly nasty monsters, particularly if the potion was full healing. The paralysis effect can be avoided by [[blind]]ing yourself. The smoky potion effect, while beneficial on paper, robs you of that potion's effect, which can be fatal - e.g., at low health, your only smoky potion of full healing produces a wish-less djinni instead.
+Both of these potions can be dangerous to players in tense situations:
-===Milky potions===
+* Being paralyzed for three turns from a milky potion producing a ghost can be deadly against particularly nasty monsters, though the effect can be avoided by [[blind]]ing yourself.
-As there is no benefit to summoning ghosts, and ghosts can be hard to defeat for most players, it is better to dip milky potions into a fountain to turn them into [[potions of water]], which can then be blessed at an [[altar]].
+* The smoky potion has obvious benefits of a potential wish, but you still miss out on that potion's effect, which can be fatal if trying to quaff your only smoky potion of full healing at low health produces a tame djinni instead.
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
 Both of these potions can be dangerous to players in tense situations. The milky potion effect is far worse across the board: three turns of paralysis can be deadly against particularly nasty monsters, particularly if the potion was full healing. The paralysis effect can be avoided by [[blind]]ing yourself. The smoky potion effect, while beneficial on paper, robs you of that potion's effect, which can be fatal - e.g., at low health, your only smoky potion of full healing produces a wish-less djinni instead.
-==Milky potions==
+===Milky potions===
 As there is no benefit to summoning ghosts, and ghosts can be hard to defeat for most players, it is better to dip milky potions into a fountain to turn them into [[potions of water]], which can then be blessed at an [[altar]].

@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 ===Combat===
 Both of these potions can be dangerous to players in tense situations. The milky potion effect is far worse across the board: three turns of paralysis can be deadly against particularly nasty monsters, particularly if the potion was full healing. The paralysis effect can be avoided by [[blind]]ing yourself. The smoky potion effect, while beneficial on paper, robs you of that potion's effect, which can be fatal - e.g., at low health, your only smoky potion of full healing produces a wish-less djinni instead.
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 Milky potions have a chance of containing a hostile ghost; unless you are blind when you quaff the milky potion, you will be "are frightened to death, and unable to move" for three turns.{{refsrc|src/potion.c|465|nethack=3.6.6}} As with djinn, the probability of a milky potion generating a ghost is based on the number of ghosts already generated by any means: {{sfrac|1|13 + 2<var>n</var>}}, where <var>n</var> is the number of ghosts already generated. Since there will always be a large number of ghosts in the [[Valley of the Dead]], the chance of getting a ghost from a potion decreases significantly after that point.
-A monster quaffing a milky potion can also summon a ghost, and be paralyzed for 3 turns.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|80|nethack=3.6.6}}
+A monster quaffing a milky potion can also summon a ghost, paralyzing them for 3 turns.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|80|nethack=3.6.6}}
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 ==Smoky potions==
-Quaffing a smoky potion has a {{sfrac|1|13 + 2<var>n</var>}} chance of producing a djinni, where <var>n</var> is the number of djinn that have been created in this game.{{refsrc|potion.c|364}} This djinni might grant you a [[wish]], become [[tame]], be peaceful, vanish instantly, or turn hostile; the chances of each outcome depend on the [[beatitude]] of the potion and are identical to the chances for [[magic lamp]]s. Blessed smoky potions are the most likely to give a wish.
+Quaffing a smoky potion has a {{sfrac|1|13 + 2<var>n</var>}} chance of producing a djinni, where <var>n</var> is the number of djinn that have been created in this game.{{refsrc|src/potion.c|553|nethack=3.6.6}}{{refsrc|include/hack.h|440|nethack=3.6.6}} This djinni might grant you a [[wish]], become [[tame]], be peaceful, vanish instantly, or turn hostile; the chances of each outcome depend on the [[beatitude]] of the potion and are identical to the chances for [[magic lamp]]s. Blessed smoky potions are the most likely to give a wish.{{refsrc|src/potion.c|2321|nethack=3.6.6}}
 The effect of quaffing a smoky potion does ''not'' depend on whether or not you have [[identification|identified]] that type of potion. If you have identified smoky potions but have forgotten which ones they are, you can use {{kbd|\}} or {{kbd|`}} to check your current identification knowledge.
-Djinn can also be summoned when a monster quaffs a smoky potion. The djinni will disappear 50% of the time; the other 50% it will be peaceful. In neither case will it grant wishes, though it does count toward the total number of djinn created.{{refsrc|muse.c|97}}
+Djinn can also be summoned when a monster quaffs a smoky potion. The djinni will disappear 50% of the time; the other 50% it will be peaceful. In neither case will it grant wishes, though it does count toward the total number of djinn created.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|106|nethack=3.6.6}}
 ===Chance of producing a djinni===
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ==Milky potions==
-Milky potions have a chance of containing a hostile ghost; unless you are blind when you quaff the milky potion you will be "terrified, and unable to move" for three turns. As with djinn, the probability of a milky potion generating a ghost is based on the number of ghosts already generated by any means. Since there will always be a large number of ghosts in the [[Valley of the Dead]], the chance of getting a ghost from a potion decreases significantly after that point.
+Milky potions have a chance of containing a hostile ghost; unless you are blind when you quaff the milky potion, you will be "are frightened to death, and unable to move" for three turns.{{refsrc|src/potion.c|465|nethack=3.6.6}} As with djinn, the probability of a milky potion generating a ghost is based on the number of ghosts already generated by any means: {{sfrac|1|13 + 2<var>n</var>}}, where <var>n</var> is the number of ghosts already generated. Since there will always be a large number of ghosts in the [[Valley of the Dead]], the chance of getting a ghost from a potion decreases significantly after that point.
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 '''Smoky and milky potions''' are two of the randomly generated colors of [[potion]]; they can be any type. However, they are noteworthy because they have a chance of summoning a monster  upon [[quaff]]ing: the smoky potion may summon a [[djinni]] and the milky potion may summon a [[ghost]].  If the monster appears, the potion does not have its normal effect.
-== Smoky potions ==
+==Smoky potions==
 Quaffing a smoky potion has a {{sfrac|1|13 + 2<var>n</var>}} chance of producing a djinni, where <var>n</var> is the number of djinn that have been created in this game.{{refsrc|potion.c|364}} This djinni might grant you a [[wish]], become [[tame]], be peaceful, vanish instantly, or turn hostile; the chances of each outcome depend on the [[beatitude]] of the potion and are identical to the chances for [[magic lamp]]s. Blessed smoky potions are the most likely to give a wish.
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 |}
-== Milky potions ==
+==Milky potions==
+Milky potions have a chance of containing a hostile ghost; unless you are blind when you quaff the milky potion you will be "terrified, and unable to move" for three turns. As with djinn, the probability of a milky potion generating a ghost is based on the number of ghosts already generated by any means. Since there will always be a large number of ghosts in the [[Valley of the Dead]], the chance of getting a ghost from a potion decreases significantly after that point.
 ==Strategy==
 ===Smoky potions and wishing===
 Because of the possibility of a wish, it is worth blessing and quaffing all smoky potions, even if they are an otherwise useless or harmful type, especially because harmful potions are less harmful when blessed. In some cases, however, precautions must still be taken; the table below outlines these cases and what can be done to mitigate their effects:
@@ Line 62: / Line 60: @@
 |}
-Probably the worst of these is the potion of polymorph, since its effect is not easily resisted and can be quite devastating if proper precautions are not taken.  Unchanging is preferable to polymorph control: controlled polymorph into your own race will shuffle your stats, while choosing to polymorph into another monster may keep your stats the same but will break polyselfless conduct.  With unchanging, neither of these is an issue.
+Probably the worst of these is the potion of polymorph, since its effect is not easily resisted and can be quite devastating if proper precautions are not taken. Unchanging is preferable to polymorph control: controlled polymorph into your own race will shuffle your stats, while choosing to polymorph into another monster may keep your stats the same but will break polyselfless conduct.  With unchanging, neither of these is an issue.
-In the case of potions of sleep and paralysis, a locked closet with a burned Elbereth square or scroll of scare monster is a reasonably secure substitute: almost all phasing, digging or door-destroying monsters respect Elbereth, although the latter two may open the way for non-Elbereth respecting monsters.  A [[sanctuary]] is an even better substitute, although still not as good as free action since [[angelic being]]s may still attack you.
+In the case of potions of sleep and paralysis, a locked closet with a burned Elbereth square or scroll of scare monster is a reasonably secure substitute: almost all phasing, digging or door-destroying monsters respect Elbereth, although the latter two may open the way for non-Elbereth respecting monsters. A [[sanctuary]] is an even better substitute, although still not as good as free action since [[angelic being]]s may still attack you.
 ===Alchemy===
-Another problem can occur if smoky potions are [[potion of healing|potions of healing]] or [[potion of extra healing|extra healing]].  Since one will generally want to alchemize these to [[potion of full healing|full healing]], it poses a dilemma: get more HP, or get a wish?  In this case, one should go for the alchemy - on average, for the potions required to get one wish, you will get 45 extra HP if smoky potions are extra healing, and 105 extra HP if smoky potions are healing.  The extra HP is pretty much always better in the latter case, and usually better in the former case, especially given that many items can be obtained without wishing.
+Another problem can occur if smoky potions are {{! of|healing|or=1|extra healing}}, since players generally want to alchemize these to {{! of|full healing}}. The dilemma posed is such: get more HP, or get a wish? In this case, one should go for the alchemy - on average, for the potions required to get one wish, you will get 45 extra HP if smoky potions are extra healing, and 105 extra HP if smoky potions are healing. The extra HP is pretty much always better in the latter case, and usually better in the former case, especially given that many items can be obtained without wishing.
 ===Combat===
-Both of these potions can be dangerous to use in tense situations.  The milky potion effect is far worse, though: three turns of paralysis can be deadly against particularly nasty monsters, particularly if the potion was [[potion of full healing|full healing]].  The paralysis effect of the ghost from the milky potion can be avoided it you blind yourself (Blindfold/Towel), better if you are Telepathic. The smoky potion effect can also be dangerous, however, if your only potion of full healing instead produced a djinni, particularly one which did not grant you a wish, or worse, was hostile.
+Both of these potions can be dangerous to players in tense situations. The milky potion effect is far worse across the board: three turns of paralysis can be deadly against particularly nasty monsters, particularly if the potion was full healing. The paralysis effect can be avoided by [[blind]]ing yourself. The smoky potion effect, while beneficial on paper, robs you of that potion's effect, which can be fatal - e.g., at low health, your only smoky potion of full healing produces a wish-less djinni instead.
 ==Variants==
-===Unnethack===
+===EvilHack===
+In [[EvilHack]], monsters can wish for items if the smoky potion they attempted to quaff produces a djinni that grants a wish.
 ==References==
 <references/>
+{{nethack-343}}
 [[Category:Potions]]

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 Because of the possibility of a wish, it is worth blessing and quaffing all smoky potions, even if they are an otherwise useless or harmful type, especially because harmful potions are less harmful when blessed. In some cases, however, precautions must still be taken; the table below outlines these cases and what can be done to mitigate their effects:
-{|class="prettytable"
+{|class="prettytable striped sortable"
-!Potion!!Cost!!Weight!!Blessed Result!!Mitigation
+!Potion !!Cost !!class=unsortable|Blessed result !!class=unsortable|Mitigation
 |-
-|[[potion of sickness|sickness]] || 50 || 20 || Lose 1 hp, abuse Con || Quickly recovered
+|{{! of|sickness}} || 50 || Lose 1 HP, abuse Con || Quickly recovered
 |-
-|colspan="6"|
+|{{! of|confusion}} || 100 || Confusion, abuse Con || [[Unicorn horn]], or just wait (it's quite short)
 |-
-|[[potion of confusion|confusion]] || 100 || 20 || Confusion, abuse Con || [[Unicorn horn]], or just wait (it's quite short)
+|{{! of|hallucination}} || 100 || Hallucination || Unicorn horn
 |-
-|[[potion of hallucination|hallucination]] || 100 || 20 || Hallucination || Unicorn horn
+|{{! of|sleeping}} || 100 || Sleep || [[Sleep resistance]]
 |-
-|[[potion of sleeping|sleeping]] || 100 || 20 || Sleep || [[Sleep resistance]]
+|{{! of|blindness}} || 150 || Blindness || Unicorn horn
 |-
-|colspan="6"|
+|{{! of|invisibility}} || 150 || Permanent invisibility || Wear [[mummy wrapping]]
 |-
-|[[potion of blindness|blindness]] || 150 || 20 || Blindness || Unicorn horn
+|{{! of|polymorph}} || 200 || Polymorph || [[Unchanging]] or [[polymorph control]]
 |-
-|[[potion of invisibility|invisibility]] || 150 || 20 || Permanent invisibility || Wear [[mummy wrapping]]
+|{{! of|levitation}} || 200 || Levitation|| Press {{kbd|>}} to float gently to the ground
 |-
-|colspan="6"|
+|{{! of|acid}} || 250 || Lose 1&ndash;4 HP, abuse Con || [[Acid resistance]] or recover
 |-
-|[[potion of polymorph|polymorph]] || 200 || 20 || Polymorph || [[Unchanging]] or [[polymorph control]]
+|{{! of|oil}} || 250 || Abuse Wis || Quickly recovered
 |-
-|[[potion of levitation|levitation]] || 200 || 20 || Levitation|| Press ">" to float gently to the ground
+|{{! of|paralysis}} || 300 || Paralysis || [[Free action]]
 |}
 Probably the worst of these is the potion of polymorph, since its effect is not easily resisted and can be quite devastating if proper precautions are not taken.  Unchanging is preferable to polymorph control: controlled polymorph into your own race will shuffle your stats, while choosing to polymorph into another monster may keep your stats the same but will break polyselfless conduct.  With unchanging, neither of these is an issue.
-In the case of potions of sleep and paralysis, a locked closet with a burned Elbereth square or scroll of scare monster is a reasonably secure substitute: almost all phasing, digging or door-destroying monsters respect Elbereth, although the latter two may open the way for non-Elbereth respecting monsters.  A [[sanctuary]] is an even better substitute, although still not as good as free action since {{white|A}}s may still attack you.
+In the case of potions of sleep and paralysis, a locked closet with a burned Elbereth square or scroll of scare monster is a reasonably secure substitute: almost all phasing, digging or door-destroying monsters respect Elbereth, although the latter two may open the way for non-Elbereth respecting monsters.  A [[sanctuary]] is an even better substitute, although still not as good as free action since [[angelic being]]s may still attack you.
 ===Alchemy===