Spellbook of force bolt - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Hack'EM */ word choice

2025-07-10T13:55:13Z

‎Hack'EM: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ rosp

2025-07-10T08:09:13Z

‎dNetHack: rosp

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ copyedit

2025-07-10T08:05:46Z

‎dNetHack: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: correction

2025-07-10T05:01:30Z

correction

Umbire the Phantom: /* SLASH'EM */ word choice

2025-07-10T04:52:09Z

‎SLASH'EM: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: correction

2025-07-02T19:40:07Z

correction

Umbire the Phantom: variant bits

2025-06-27T20:23:18Z

variant bits

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ knights

2025-06-27T20:08:00Z

‎Strategy: knights

Umbire the Phantom: grunt et. al.

2025-06-27T11:39:22Z

grunt et. al.

Umbire the Phantom: misplaced the resist cite

2025-06-27T10:54:48Z

misplaced the resist cite

@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 ===Hack'EM===
-In [[Hack'EM]], the spell will knock any monster it hits one space back if it deals 16 or more damage, as in EvilHack, and iron bars can also be broken with the spell.
+In [[Hack'EM]], the spell of force bolt will knock any monster it hits one space back if it deals 16 or more damage as it does in EvilHack, and iron bars can also be broken with the spell.
 ==References==

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:09, 10 July 2025
Line 60:		Line 60:

	[[Iron bars]] can be broken by zapping the force bolt spell at them, producing one or more [[iron bar]] items.		[[Iron bars]] can be broken by zapping the force bolt spell at them, producing one or more [[iron bar]] items.
		+
		+	One of the [[invoke]] effects for [[the Rod of Seven Parts]] casts both the force bolt and {{+ of\|slow monster}} spells simultaneously in a prompted direction followed by casting the {{+ of\|cause fear}} spell, which uses up 2 points from the [[artifact]]'s current [[enchantment]] and requires a minimum enchantment of +2.

	A hero wielding [[the Annulus]] in [[chakram]] form can cast force bolt with a 0% chance of failure, and the spell deals +1d12 bonus damage for each two experience levels they have (i.e., {{sfrac\|XL\|2}} rounded up).		A hero wielding [[the Annulus]] in [[chakram]] form can cast force bolt with a 0% chance of failure, and the spell deals +1d12 bonus damage for each two experience levels they have (i.e., {{sfrac\|XL\|2}} rounded up).

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], [[iron bars]] can be broken by zapping the force bolt spell at them, producing one or more [[iron bar]] items.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], female [[Drow (starting race)#dNetHack|drow]] [[Anachrononaut]]s always start the game with a spellbook of force bolt. [[Incantifier (starting race)|Incantifier]] heroes always start the game with a spellbook of force bolt, unless they are [[Wizard/dNetHack|Wizards]]: the Wizard starts with the spellbook by default as in ''NetHack'', so incantifier Wizards will have their race's force bolt spellbook replaced with another eligible spellbook for the role. Male [[drow Healer]]s (or hedrow Healers) start the game having forgotten the spell of force bolt.
-Female [[Drow (starting race)#dNetHack|drow]] [[Anachrononaut]]s always start the game with a spellbook of force bolt. [[Incantifier (starting race)|Incantifier]] heroes always start the game with a spellbook of force bolt, unless they are [[Wizard/dNetHack|Wizards]]: the Wizard starts with the spellbook by default as in ''NetHack'', so incantifier Wizards will have their race's force bolt spellbook replaced with another eligible spellbook for the role.
+[[Iron bars]] can be broken by zapping the force bolt spell at them, producing one or more [[iron bar]] items.
-Male [[drow Healer]]s (or hedrow Healers) start the game having forgotten the spell of force bolt.
+A hero wielding [[the Annulus]] in [[chakram]] form can cast force bolt with a 0% chance of failure, and the spell deals +1d12 bonus damage for each two experience levels they have (i.e., {{sfrac|XL|2}} rounded up).
 While the "work of patience" [[zerth mantra]] is active, a hero at experience level 30 deals +10d12 damage with force bolts.

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], [[Necromancer]]s have a {{frac|5}} chance of starting with the spellbook of force bolt as their fourth spellbook, while [[Priest/SLASH'EM|Priests]] have a {{frac|9}} chance of starting with the spellbook of force bolt as their secondary spellbook.{{refsrc|u_init.c|1121|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|1136|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} [[Wizard/SLASH'EM|Wizards]] have their starting inventory changed in SLASH'EM, and have a {{frac|2}} chance of receiving the spellbook of force bolt as their primary spellbook (with the other candidate being the [[spellbook of sleep]]).{{refsrc|u_init.c|1270|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
+In [[SLASH'EM]], [[Necromancer]]s have a {{frac|5}} chance of starting with the spellbook of force bolt as their fourth spellbook, while [[Priest/SLASH'EM|Priests]] have a {{frac|9}} chance of starting with the spellbook of force bolt as their secondary spellbook.{{refsrc|u_init.c|1121|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|1136|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} [[Wizard/SLASH'EM|Wizards]] have their starting inventory changed in SLASH'EM, and have a {{frac|2}} chance of receiving the spellbook of force bolt as their primary spellbook (with the other candidate being the [[spellbook of sleep]]).{{refsrc|u_init.c|1259|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 ===GruntHack===

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], [[Necromancer]]s have a {{frac|5}} chance of starting with the spellbook of force bolt as their fourth spellbook, while [[Priest/SLASH'EM|Priests]] have a {{frac|9}} chance of starting with the spellbook of force bolt as their secondary spellbook.{{refsrc|u_init.c|1121|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|1136|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} [[Wizard/SLASH'EM|Wizards]] have their starting inventory changed, and have a {{frac|2}} chance of receiving the spellbook of force bolt as their primary spellbook (with the other candidate being the [[spellbook of sleep]]).{{refsrc|u_init.c|1270|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
+In [[SLASH'EM]], [[Necromancer]]s have a {{frac|5}} chance of starting with the spellbook of force bolt as their fourth spellbook, while [[Priest/SLASH'EM|Priests]] have a {{frac|9}} chance of starting with the spellbook of force bolt as their secondary spellbook.{{refsrc|u_init.c|1121|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|1136|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} [[Wizard/SLASH'EM|Wizards]] have their starting inventory changed in SLASH'EM, and have a {{frac|2}} chance of receiving the spellbook of force bolt as their primary spellbook (with the other candidate being the [[spellbook of sleep]]).{{refsrc|u_init.c|1270|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 ===GruntHack===

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
   |level=1
   |type=attack
-  |turns=2
+  |turns=4
   |direction=[[beam]]
   |equiv=[[wand of striking]]
   |abundance=3.5%
 }}
-In ''[[NetHack]]'', the '''spellbook of force bolt''' can be read to learn the '''spell of force bolt'''. It is a level 1 [[attack spell]], and the [[spellbook]] takes 4 actions (roughly 2 turns) to [[read]].
+In ''[[NetHack]]'', the '''spellbook of force bolt''' can be [[read]] to learn the '''spell of force bolt'''. It is a level 1 [[attack spell]], and the [[spellbook]] takes 4 actions to read.
 ==Generation==

@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 ===FIQHack===
-In [[FIQHack]], monsters can use the same set of spells as the hero, with skill levels to match, and monsters with at least Basic in attack spells will always generate knowing the spell of force bolt.
+In [[FIQHack]], monsters can use the same set of spells as the hero, with skill levels to match, and can learn and utilize the force bolt spell: monsters with at least Basic in attack spells will always generate knowing the spell of force bolt.
 Shopkeepers will have force bolt {{frac|2|3}} of the time, while [[Dispater]], [[Thoth Amon]] and the [[Dark One]] will always have force bolt.
@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 ===Hack'EM===
-In [[Hack'EM]], the spell will knock any monster it hits one space back if it deals 16 or more damage, and iron bars can also be broken with the spell.
+In [[Hack'EM]], the spell will knock any monster it hits one space back if it deals 16 or more damage, as in EvilHack, and iron bars can also be broken with the spell.
 ==References==

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Force bolt is a great low-power spell option for both offensive and utility purposes, especially for Wizards and other dedicated casters: its 2d12 damage can generally deal with a majority of early-game hostiles with good enough rolls, and its low level and [[energy]] cost often means that characters with solid casting [[attribute]]s have a solid base chance of successfully casting the spell. As with the wand, its beam cannot be stopped by [[reflection]], though magic resistance still nullifies it. When using the spell, be careful that there are no peacefuls in the spell's path! Additionally, make sure to refrain from blasting through shop doors or using the spell within shops themselves where possible, especially if you cannot afford to pay off damage or handle an angered [[shopkeeper]], and avoid smashing down ''any'' doors within eyesight of the [[Watch]] in [[Minetown]].
+Force bolt is a great low-power spell option for both offensive and utility purposes, especially for Wizards and other dedicated casters: its 2d12 damage can generally deal with a majority of early-game hostiles with good enough rolls, and its low level and [[energy]] cost often means that characters with solid casting [[attribute]]s have a solid base chance of successfully casting the spell. As with the wand, its beam cannot be stopped by [[reflection]], though magic resistance still nullifies it. When using the spell, be careful that there are no peacefuls in the spell's path! Additionally, make sure to refrain from blasting through shop doors or using the spell within shops themselves where possible, especially if you cannot afford to pay off damage or handle an angered [[shopkeeper]], and avoid smashing down ''any'' doors within eyesight of the [[Watch]] in [[Minetown]]. [[Knight]]s in particular can use it to avoid caitiff penalties against immobile or fleeing hostiles.
 In particular, force bolts can dispatch [[floating eye]]s and other slow or [[sessile]] hostiles that block your path, and can also kill multiple monsters in quick succession if they are funneled within a hallway. Monsters with 0 or better AC, such as [[killer bee]]s and [[giant ant]]s, will prove to be much harder targets&mdash;conversely, [[Nymph (monster class)|nymphs]] are a particular concern despite their own poor AC, since they often generate with [[mirror]]s and breaking them causes a -2 penalty to the hero's [[luck]]; the spell may still be employed as a desperation measure if the nymph has stolen an especially dangerous item that it can use, e.g. a [[wand of lightning]], or else if you have gained enough good luck to offset the penalty. The spell of force bolt also falls off as a source of damage once the hero starts regularly encountering hostiles with good AC, and the {{+ of|magic missile}} spell becomes much more damaging and reliable at range upon the hero reaching [[experience level]] 6.

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 ==Description==
-Successfully [[cast]]ing the spell prompts the player for a cardinal direction to shoot the force bolt in, and behaves similarly to the [[wand of striking]]:{{refsrc|src/zap.c|160|nethack=3.6.7}} the bolt rolls a d20 against any [[monster]] in its path, skipping this check if the hero is [[engulfed]], and if the roll is lower than the target's [[AC]] plus 10, it hits and deals 2d12 damage (subject to resistance from [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]], [[half spell damage]] and spell damage bonuses).{{refsrc|src/zap.c|172|nethack=3.6.7}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|5160|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=<tt>resist()</tt> function}}} [[Magic resistance]] completely blocks the effects of being hit by the spell.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|164|nethack=3.6.7}} A [[Knight]] carrying the [[Magic Mirror of Merlin]] in open inventory deals double damage to monsters when casting the spell.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|142|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|170|nethack=3.6.7}}
+Successfully [[cast]]ing the spell prompts the player for a cardinal direction to shoot the force bolt in, and behaves similarly to the [[wand of striking]]:{{refsrc|src/zap.c|160|nethack=3.6.7}} the bolt rolls a d20 against any [[monster]] in its path, skipping this check if the hero is [[engulfed]], and if the roll is lower than the target's [[AC]] plus 10, it hits and deals 2d12 damage (subject to resistance from [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]], [[half spell damage]] and spell damage bonuses).{{refsrc|src/zap.c|172|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|5160|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=<tt>resist()</tt> function}} [[Magic resistance]] completely blocks the effects of being hit by the spell.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|164|nethack=3.6.7}} A [[Knight]] carrying the [[Magic Mirror of Merlin]] in open inventory deals double damage to monsters when casting the spell.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|142|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|170|nethack=3.6.7}}
 [[Boulder]]s and [[statue]]s in the spell's path will crumble into [[rock]]s, while [[door]]s, [[drawbridge]]s (on either square that they occupy) and [[fragile]] items are destroyed{{refsrc|src/zap.c|1951|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2867|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3316|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3452|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|4656|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;this includes any inventory from monsters killed by the spell. [[Statue trap]]s hit by the spell will instead activate.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2099|nethack=3.6.7}}