Spellbook of light - Revision history

CamelCasedSnivy: /* Description */ I meant to press the preview button

2026-03-04T22:55:58Z

‎Description: I meant to press the preview button

CamelCasedSnivy: /* Description */ another 3.7 change

2026-03-04T22:54:55Z

‎Description: another 3.7 change

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

2025-07-24T19:47:44Z

‎SLASH'EM: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ izchak upcoming

2025-07-24T19:47:22Z

‎Generation: izchak upcoming

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2025-07-06T23:05:51Z

word choice

Umbire the Phantom: missed this in all that editing

2025-07-06T17:17:31Z

missed this in all that editing

Umbire the Phantom: evil et. al.

2025-07-06T15:41:36Z

evil et. al.

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2025-07-06T13:21:20Z

copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: variants et. al., close this out

2025-07-04T22:31:24Z

variants et. al., close this out

Umbire the Phantom: establish messages

2025-07-04T21:17:21Z

establish messages

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 [[Gremlin]]s caught in the light will take up to 5 points of damage.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2161|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/read.c|2018|nethack=3.6.7}} The spell will not light anything if the hero is [[engulfed]], underwater or on the [[Plane of Water]].{{refsrc|src/read.c|1973|nethack=3.6.7}} On the [[Rogue level]], casting the spell in an unlit room will always light the entire room.{{refsrc|src/read.c|1983|nethack=3.6.7}}
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|5d3e237ffc6e39bf53ae006cd6d610973f8ffd77}}, [[Izchak]]'s lighting shop may occasionally stock spellbooks of light.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|27adb7c71db809dd9f722116cad84c0b7a41f707}}, the spell of light is a clerical spell for [[Priest]] characters.}}
 ==Strategy==

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:54, 4 March 2026
Line 28:		Line 28:

	[[Gremlin]]s caught in the light will take up to 5 points of damage.{{refsrc\|src/zap.c\|2161\|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc\|src/read.c\|2018\|nethack=3.6.7}} The spell will not light anything if the hero is [[engulfed]], underwater or on the [[Plane of Water]].{{refsrc\|src/read.c\|1973\|nethack=3.6.7}} On the [[Rogue level]], casting the spell in an unlit room will always light the entire room.{{refsrc\|src/read.c\|1983\|nethack=3.6.7}}		[[Gremlin]]s caught in the light will take up to 5 points of damage.{{refsrc\|src/zap.c\|2161\|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc\|src/read.c\|2018\|nethack=3.6.7}} The spell will not light anything if the hero is [[engulfed]], underwater or on the [[Plane of Water]].{{refsrc\|src/read.c\|1973\|nethack=3.6.7}} On the [[Rogue level]], casting the spell in an unlit room will always light the entire room.{{refsrc\|src/read.c\|1983\|nethack=3.6.7}}
		+
		+	{{upcoming\|NetHack 3.7.0\|Per {{commit\|5d3e237ffc6e39bf53ae006cd6d610973f8ffd77}}, [[Izchak]]'s lighting shop may occasionally stock spellbooks of light.
		+
		+	Per {{commit\|27adb7c71db809dd9f722116cad84c0b7a41f707}}, the spell of light is a clerical spell for Priest characters.}}

	==Strategy==		==Strategy==

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], several roles can start with the spellbook of light:
+In [[SLASH'EM]], several roles can start with a spellbook of light:
 * [[Archeologist/SLASH'EM|Archeologists]] have a {{frac|5}} chance of starting with the spellbook of light as their sole spellbook.{{refsrc|u_init.c|1019|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 Writing a spellbook of light with a [[magic marker]] uses up 5 to 9 charges.
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|319dfbdaa3e608e88e39e0a296a9c41febfc1a59}} and {{commit|495a1a9b07f0a19bddde5aecfbf43299bdaa5187}}, Wizards start each game with knowledge of the spellbook of light's appearance.}}
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|5d3e237ffc6e39bf53ae006cd6d610973f8ffd77}}, [[Izchak]]'s lighting shop may occasionally stock spellbooks of light.
 ==Description==

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 ==Description==
-At all [[skill]] levels, the spell of light has the same effect as [[zapping]] a [[wand of light]]:{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1099|nethack=3.6.7|comment=case explicitly calls <tt>weffects()</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1137|nethack=3.6.7|comment=all directional spells and wand equivalents fall through to this line}} when successfully [[cast]], the spell permanently lights a 5-square radius area around the hero.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2157|nethack=3.6.7|comment=calls <tt>litroom()</tt> in <tt>read.c</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/read.c|1930|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>litroom()</tt> function}}{{refsrc|src/read.c|1957|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>on</tt> boolean is always true for <tt>litroom()</tt> when called by the spell and wand}}{{refsrc|src/read.c|1997|nethack=3.6.7}}
+At all [[skill]] levels, the spell of light has the same effect as [[zapping]] a [[wand of light]]:{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1099|nethack=3.6.7|comment=case explicitly calls <tt>weffects()</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1137|nethack=3.6.7|comment=all spells with wand equivalents fall through to this specific line}} when successfully [[cast]], the spell permanently lights a 5-square radius area around the hero.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2157|nethack=3.6.7|comment=calls <tt>litroom()</tt> in <tt>read.c</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/read.c|1930|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>litroom()</tt> function}}{{refsrc|src/read.c|1957|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>on</tt> boolean is always true for <tt>litroom()</tt> when called by the spell and wand}}{{refsrc|src/read.c|1997|nethack=3.6.7}}
 {{lightradius|r=5}}

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
   |direction=non-directional
   |equiv=[[wand of light]]
-  |abundance=4.58%
+  |abundance=4.5%
 }}
 In ''[[NetHack]]'', the '''spellbook of light''' can be [[read]] to learn the '''spell of light'''. It is a level 1 [[divination spell]], and the [[spellbook]] takes 3 actions to read.

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ==Strategy==
-The spell of light is one of the easiest to learn and cast, though unlike a [[scroll of light]] it cannot light a larger radius at higher skill levels as reading the [[blessed]] scroll can. While learning the spell is often cause for some players to reserve scrolls of light for [[blanking]] or [[polypiling]] later on, blessed scrolls of light can still be fairly useful for lighting up dark squares more quickly. Overall, the spell is a stellar utility for nearly any hero capable of casting it somewhat reliably, and has the 'side' benefit of training up skill in divination spells.
+The spell of light is one of the easiest to learn and cast, though unlike a [[scroll of light]] it cannot light a larger radius at higher skill levels as reading the [[blessed]] scroll can. While learning the spell is often cause for some players to reserve scrolls of light for [[blanking]] or [[polypiling]] later on, blessed scrolls of light can still be fairly useful for lighting up dark squares more thoroughly or quickly. Overall, the spell is a stellar utility for nearly any hero capable of casting it somewhat reliably, and has the 'side' benefit of training up skill in divination spells.
 A hero that learns the spell can light their way through the [[Gnomish Mines]] and other dark areas if they have enough [[energy]], using scrolls and wand charges to save energy where needed. The spell also serves various practical uses for specific character builds: mounted heroes can increase their practical range for [[pounding]] with [[lance]]s and [[polearms]], while casters can extend the range of their advanced {{+ of|fireball}} and/or {{+ of|cone of cold}} spells; it can also aid in creating a path for [[jumping]] through dungeon levels at various stages of the game, though due to taking a turn per use, it is slightly less powerful for this purpose than having an active [[light source]]. On the note of light sources, the spell can possibly help you save on [[oil lamp]] usage during protracted battles, especially on the [[stairs]] up where [[covetous]] monsters like to retreat.
@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], if the spell of light is cast too close to monsters that can see, the light will blind them: this has a {{frac|3}} chance of angering peaceful monsters blinded by the spell, and [[pet]]s blinded by the spell have a {{frac|2}} chance of losing a point of [[tameness]].
+In [[EvilHack]], [[Drow (starting race)#EvilHack|drow]] heroes will never start the game with a spellbook of light, though they can start with the wand or scroll since they create darkness if they are used while cursed.
 ===SlashTHEM===

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 The spell of light is one of the easiest to learn and cast, though unlike a [[scroll of light]] it cannot light a larger radius at higher skill levels akin to reading the [[blessed]] scroll. While learning the spell is often cause for some players to reserve scroll of light for [[blanking]] or [[polypiling]] later on, blessed scrolls of light can still be fairly useful for lighting up dark squares more quickly. Even so, the spell is a stellar utility for nearly any hero capable of casting it somewhat reliably, and has the 'side' benefit of training up skill in divination spells.
-A hero that learns the spell can light their way through the [[Gnomish Mines]] and other dark areas if they have enough [[energy]], using scrolls and wand charges to save energy where needed. The spell also serves various practical uses for specific character builds: mounted heroes can increase their practical range for [[pounding]] with [[lance]]s and [[polearms]], while casters can extend the range of their advanced {{+ of|fireball}} and/or {{+ of|cone of cold}} spells; it can also aid in creating a path for [[jumping]] through dungeon levels, though it is slightly less powerful than having an active [[light source]] for this purpose. On the note of light sources, the spell can possibly help you save on [[oil lamp]] usage during protracted battles, especially on the [[stairs]] up where [[covetous]] monsters like to retreat.
+A hero that learns the spell can light their way through the [[Gnomish Mines]] and other dark areas if they have enough [[energy]], using scrolls and wand charges to save energy where needed. The spell also serves various practical uses for specific character builds: mounted heroes can increase their practical range for [[pounding]] with [[lance]]s and [[polearms]], while casters can extend the range of their advanced {{+ of|fireball}} and/or {{+ of|cone of cold}} spells; it can also aid in creating a path for [[jumping]] through dungeon levels at various stages of the game, though due to taking a turn per use, it is slightly less powerful for this purpose than having an active [[light source]]. On the note of light sources, the spell can possibly help you save on [[oil lamp]] usage during protracted battles, especially on the [[stairs]] up where [[covetous]] monsters like to retreat.
 ==History==
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 ==Messages==
 {{main|Wand of light#Messages}}
 ==References==

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:17, 4 July 2025
Line 36:		Line 36:

	In [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and previous versions, including some variants based on those versions, the spell of light can be used to mark areas a hero has already searched for the [[vibrating square]].		In [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and previous versions, including some variants based on those versions, the spell of light can be used to mark areas a hero has already searched for the [[vibrating square]].
		+
		+	==Messages==
		+	{{main\|Wand of light#Messages}}

	==References==		==References==