Spellcasting - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: move TO strategy - rest of article is still dated so tackling that should come first

2026-07-08T14:59:01Z

move TO strategy - rest of article is still dated so tackling that should come first

Darth l33t: 5.0.0 update

2026-05-12T20:42:41Z

5.0.0 update

Umbire the Phantom: /* Spell effects */ re-organize, section off range...

2026-02-15T03:19:22Z

‎Spell effects: re-organize, section off range...

Umbire the Phantom: /* Spell effects */ further tweaks

2026-02-15T00:15:42Z

‎Spell effects: further tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: /* Effects */ adjust section to accommodate clipping from spellbook article

2026-02-15T00:15:18Z

‎Effects: adjust section to accommodate clipping from spellbook article

Umbire the Phantom: reorganize, variant lede, slash'em

2026-01-14T23:19:35Z

reorganize, variant lede, slash'em

Tomsod: /* Messages */ add messages for spell memory feedback

2025-11-14T21:42:52Z

‎Messages: add messages for spell memory feedback

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ note 3.4.3 spell damage bonus

2025-07-01T15:13:26Z

‎History: note 3.4.3 spell damage bonus

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2025-06-29T11:12:42Z

potholes

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2025-04-11T09:54:40Z

word choice

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 [[Healer]]s, [[Monk]]s, [[Priest]]s and [[Wizard]]s begin the game with knowledge of one or more spells, whose corresponding spellbooks appear in their initial [[inventory]]; other [[role]]s must find at least one [[spellbook]] and successfully [[read]] it first.
 ==Basics==
@@ Line 436: / Line 434: @@
 ==Strategy==
 The three primary methods to improve your spellcasting rates are:

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 [[Healer]]s, [[Monk]]s, [[Priest]]s and [[Wizard]]s begin the game with knowledge of one or more spells, whose corresponding spellbooks appear in their initial [[inventory]]; other [[role]]s must find at least one [[spellbook]] and successfully [[read]] it first.
 ==Basics==
@@ Line 22: / Line 24: @@
 * You must also be capable of physically vocalizing the spell to cast it{{refsrc|src/spell.c|644|nethack=3.6.6}} – [[strangulation]] and polyforms that are headless, only make animal sounds or are otherwise incapable of speaking (e.g., [[grid bug]], [[jabberwock]], [[mimic]], [[jaguar]]) will stop you from casting spells.
 * You must also have at least one free hand to direct the energy – this means you cannot cast if there are [[cursed]] weapons or [[shield]]s in both hands.
 ** This only applies if you are in a form that has hands; polyforms that lack hands do not prevent you from casting.
 * If [[confused]], you can attempt to cast spells, but they will always fail with the same effects as random spell failure.
 While using [[teleport at will]] is also considered to be a cast of a spell, and follows many of the same rules as casting {{spell of|teleport away}}, there are a few notable differences - teleport at will ignores failure rates, for instance.
 ==Spellcasting costs==
@@ Line 70: / Line 71: @@
 * Start with the "base" value associated with your role.
 * Each role also has an "Emergency" modifier for [[emergency spell]]s - specifically, {{spell of|remove curse}} and all [[healing spells]] except for {{spell of|stone to flesh}} - that is applied when casting such a spell.{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1618|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=List of emergency spells.}}
-* If you are wearing any [[shield]], add the amount in the "shield" field. Though these amounts are small, note that wearing any shield other than a [[small shield]] also incurs a severe penalty later in the success chance calculation.
+* If you are wearing any [[shield]], add the amount in the "shield" field. Though these amounts are small, note that wearing any heavy shield also incurs a severe penalty later in the success chance calculation.
 * If you are wearing [[metallic]] [[armor|body armor]], add the amount in the "Suit" field.
 ** If you are also wearing a [[robe]], only add half the amount (rounded down).{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1601|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=[[Robe]] worn over metallic armor halves the spellcasting penalty of the armor.}}
 ** If you are wearing a robe ''without'' metallic armor, then ''subtract'' the amount in the "Suit" field. {{refsrc|src/spell.c|1603|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=Robe worn without metallic body armor increases spellcasting chance.}}
-* If you are wearing a metallic [[helmet]] other than the [[helm of brilliance]], add 4.{{refsrc|src/spell.c|95|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=Metal helmets interfere with the mind.}}{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1608|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=[[Helm of brilliance]] imposes no spellcasting penalty.}}
+** If you are a [[Knight]] casting a [[clerical spell]], metallic body armor is ignored, including when determining the robe bonus.
 * If you are wearing metallic [[gloves]], add 6.{{refsrc|src/spell.c|96|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=Casting channels through the hands.}}
 * If you are wearing metallic [[boots]], then add 2.{{refsrc|src/spell.c|97|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=All metal interferes to some degree.}}
-* If you are casting the corresponding special spell for your role (also listed in the table), ''subtract'' 4.
+* If you are wielding a quarterstaff, ''subtract'' 3.
 {| class="prettytable striped"
@@ Line 192: / Line 195: @@
 | {{spell of|Magic missile}}
 |}
 Next, calculate your base chance of success, which is 5.5 times either your intelligence or wisdom depending on your role (see the "Stat" field). The maximum natural human Int/Wis of 18 gives a 99% base success rate. This chance is modified by the following factors:
@@ Line 211: / Line 210: @@
 the base chance. A level 1 spell therefore achieves the full 20% bonus with a difficulty of -2. A level 7 spell cannot achieve a better difficulty than -5, which gives a bonus of 10%.
-The resulting chance is clipped to the range of 0% to 120% success. If you are wearing a shield larger than a small shield, the chance is then reduced to {{frac|4}} of the amount, or else halved if it is the special spell for your role{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1673|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=Big shields significantly impair spellcasting.}} Finally, the chance of success is adjusted by your total penalty using the following formula:
+The resulting chance is clipped to the range of 0% to 120% success. If you are wearing a heavy shield, the chance is then reduced to {{frac|4}} of the amount, or else halved if it is the special spell for your role{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1673|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=Big shields significantly impair spellcasting.}} A heavy shield is any other than a [[small shield]], [[shield of drain resistance]], or [[shield of shock resistance]]. Finally, the chance of success is adjusted by your total penalty using the following formula:
 :<math>\text{actual chance} = \frac{\text{chance} \times (20-\text{penalty})}{15} - \text{penalty}</math>
 The result is clipped to the range of 0% to 100% success.
@@ Line 251: / Line 250: @@
 ===Minimum spell failure rates===
-Because "chance" in the above section is capped at 120%, there is a point where improving your skill, spellcasting stat, or level will not decrease spellcasting failure rates. The only way to decrease failure rates below the listed minimum is to reduce your spellcasting penalty (by putting on a robe or removing penalizing armor). The following table shows the minimum spell failure rates for a given penalty, not including the penalty change of -4 from your special spell:
+Because "chance" in the above section is capped at 120%, there is a point where improving your skill, spellcasting stat, or level will not decrease spellcasting failure rates. The only way to decrease failure rates below the listed minimum is to reduce your spellcasting penalty (by wielding a quarterstaff, putting on a robe, or removing penalizing armor). The following table shows the minimum spell failure rates for a given penalty, not including the penalty change of -4 from your special spell:
 {|class="prettytable"
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 Each point of your spellcasting attribute up to 16 is significant in determining your success chance with "easy" spells. Roles with lower base spellcasting penalties (i.e. "base" values of 5 or lower) may be able to get by with fewer points in that attribute, but tend to start with that attribute at the racial maximum in any case. An intelligence or wisdom score of 17-18 is significant for roles with higher base penalties or low-penalty roles wearing metallic armor; score of 19-22 are significant for high-level spells that the 20-point "easy" bonus does not apply to; and scores of 23 or higher are only significant for "difficult" spells, which generally have low success chances regardless.
-With a base success chance of 120%, your spellcasting penalty (Base modified by armor) must be 6 or less to achieve an overall 100% success chance. Roles that can achieve this without a [[robe]] are [[Archeologist]], [[Healer]], [[Priest]], [[Tourist]], and [[Wizard]]. Roles that can achieve this when casting emergency spells or their special spell are [[Knight]] and [[Monk]]. Roles that can achieve this with their special spell only are [[Ranger]], [[Samurai]], [[Rogue]], and [[Valkyrie]]. The remaining two roles, [[Barbarian]] and [[Caveman]], cannot achieve 100% success chance in any spell without a robe.
+With a base success chance of 120%, your spellcasting penalty (Base modified by armor) must be 6 or less to achieve an overall 100% success chance. Roles that can achieve this without assistance from equipment are [[Archeologist]], [[Healer]], [[Priest]], [[Tourist]], and [[Wizard]]. Roles that can achieve this when casting their special spell or with a quarterstaff are [[Knight]], [[Monk]], [[Ranger]], and [[Rogue]]; the former two can also reach 100% success rate with emergency spells without a staff. Roles that can achieve this with their special spell only are [[Samurai]] and [[Valkyrie]]. The remaining two roles, [[Barbarian]] and [[Caveman]], cannot achieve 100% success chance in any spell without a robe.
 ===Skill and experience strategy===
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 In NetHack 3.6.0 and previous versions, including some variants based on these versions, the Amulet of Yendor would increase the cost of casting a spell, instead of draining energy as you tried to cast it. This meant that it would also increase the nutrition cost, and it would not prevent emergency uses of a spell. In the example above of casting a level 3 spell, if you had only 16 energy left, you could still try again and again, without using any time, until the random penalty is rolled as 1. This is fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.1]] via {{commit|8ff02c11d9979497396d4921bf0d7cf81808c5d1}}.
 ==Messages==
@@ Line 536: / Line 537: @@
 ==External links==
-* [http://nethack.gridbug.de/spells.html NetHack Spell Failure Rate Calculator] (JavaScript)
+* [http://nethack.gridbug.de/spells.html NetHack Spell Failure Rate Calculator] (JavaScript) -- not updated for 5.0.0
 ** [http://nethack.gridbug.de/SpellFailureRates.html Older version of the above]
@@ Line 542: / Line 543: @@
 <references/>
 {{DOD}}
-{{nethack-366}}
+{{nethack-500}}
 [[Category:Spellcasting]]
 [[Category:Commands]]

@@ Line 376: / Line 376: @@
 ==Spell effects==
-Spells are generally classified by their effective range: non-directional, beam, ray, and distant. The first three types behave like [[Wand#Direction, beams, and rays|wands]] do, with rays being capable of bouncing and reflecting while beams are not.
+Once successfully cast, the spell will prompt the player for a [[direction]] or target square to cast it towards if applicable, and the spell's effects are then applied. Spells are generally classified by their effective range: non-directional, beam, ray, and distant. The first three types behave like [[Wand#Direction, beams, and rays|wands]] do, with rays being capable of bouncing and reflecting while beams are not&mdash;for a distant spell, the caster designates a target tile, and the spell takes effect in an area on and around that tile.
-The distance of a [[beam]]-type spell ranges from 6–13 squares.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2849|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=beam spell range}} The distance of the [[ray]] from a spell of {{spell of|dig}} ranges from 8–25 squares;{{refsrc|src/dig.c|1442|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=dig spell range}} all other ray-type spells have a range of 7–13 squares.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3846|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=ray spell range}} For a distant spell, the caster designates a target tile, and the spell takes effect in an area on and around that tile.
+Unlike a wand, if a spell asks you for a direction and you do not answer a valid direction, then the game will cast the spell and pick a direction for you. This will be the most recent valid direction given for the most recent direction prompt, no matter what command that was for!{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1114|nethack=3.6.7}} This is often a [[bad idea]]. For example, if you apply a [[stethoscope]] to your [[pet]], then cast an attack spell, and do not answer a valid direction, the attack spell will go in the direction you applied the stethoscope.
-Unlike a wand, if a spell asks you for a [[direction]] and you do not answer a valid direction, then the game will cast the spell and pick a direction for you. This will be the most recent valid direction given for the most recent direction prompt, no matter what command that was for!{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1114|nethack=3.6.7}} This is often a [[bad idea]]. For example, if you apply a [[stethoscope]] to your [[pet]], then cast an attack spell, and do not answer a valid direction, the attack spell will go in the direction you applied the stethoscope.
+===Range===
 ===To-hit===

@@ Line 376: / Line 376: @@
 ==Spell effects==
-Spells are generally classified by their effective range: non-directional, beam, ray, and distant. The first three types behave like [[Wand#Direction, beams, and rays|wands]] do, with rays being capable of bouncing and reflecting while beams are not. For a distant spell, the caster designates a target tile, and the spell takes effect in an area on and around that tile.
+Spells are generally classified by their effective range: non-directional, beam, ray, and distant. The first three types behave like [[Wand#Direction, beams, and rays|wands]] do, with rays being capable of bouncing and reflecting while beams are not.
 Unlike a wand, if a spell asks you for a [[direction]] and you do not answer a valid direction, then the game will cast the spell and pick a direction for you. This will be the most recent valid direction given for the most recent direction prompt, no matter what command that was for!{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1114|nethack=3.6.7}} This is often a [[bad idea]]. For example, if you apply a [[stethoscope]] to your [[pet]], then cast an attack spell, and do not answer a valid direction, the attack spell will go in the direction you applied the stethoscope.
 ===To-hit===

@@ Line 375: / Line 375: @@
 |}
-== Effects ==
+==Spell effects==
-Many spells have a corresponding wand, scroll or potion whose effects are similar or exactly the same.{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1044|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=wand similar}}{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1096|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=scroll similar}}{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1112|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=potion similar}}
+Spells are generally classified by their effective range: non-directional, beam, ray, and distant. The first three types behave like [[Wand#Direction, beams, and rays|wands]] do, with rays being capable of bouncing and reflecting while beams are not. For a distant spell, the caster designates a target tile, and the spell takes effect in an area on and around that tile.
 The distance of a [[beam]]-type spell ranges from 6–13 squares.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2849|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=beam spell range}} The distance of the [[ray]] from a spell of {{spell of|dig}} ranges from 8–25 squares;{{refsrc|src/dig.c|1442|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=dig spell range}} all other ray-type spells have a range of 7–13 squares.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3846|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=ray spell range}}

@@ Line 481: / Line 481: @@
 In the early game, even Wizards will sometimes wear metal armor; any hero who has depleted their energy may as well wear metal armor while they regain energy. In the late game, most of the [[ascension kit]] armor items, e.g. [[speed boots]], [[helms of brilliance]] and [[dragon scale mail]], do not hinder spellcasting anyway. Depending on the role, high-level and high-intelligence characters often have good spellcasting success rates, even if they wear [[gauntlets of power]] and/or a [[small shield]].
 ==Messages==
 {{message|The magical energy is released!|You cast a directional spell, but did not answer a valid direction.}}
 {{message|Your knowledge of this spell is twisted.  It invokes nightmarish images in your mind...|You attempted to cast a forgotten spell.{{refsrc|src/spell.c|912|nethack=3.6.7}}}}
@@ Line 490: / Line 496: @@
 {{message|Your knowledge of this spell is growing faint.|The spell you just cast will become forgotten in 501-1000 turns.}}
 {{message|Your recall of this spell is gradually fading.|The spell you just cast will become forgotten in 1001-2000 turns.}}
 ==Variants==
-Many variants of ''NetHack'' end up making changes to the spellcasting system in some manner.
+Many ''NetHack'' variants make significant changes to the base spellcasting system.
 ===SLASH'EM===
 {{main|Spellcasting (SLASH'EM)}}
-[[SLASH'EM]] makes several changes to NetHack's spellcasting: New spells have been added, and several existing ones have been reshuffled. SLASH'EM roles also tend to be more proficient in spell skills than their vanilla counterparts.
+[[SLASH'EM]] adds several new spells and changes the mechanics of existing spells, including adding and altering spell schools from ''NetHack'', while also altering the mechanics of spellbooks. Roles in SLASH'EM tend to be somewhat more proficient in spell skills than their ''NetHack'' counterparts.
 ===FIQHack===

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:42, 14 November 2025
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	{{message\|The magical energy is released!\|You cast a directional spell, but did not answer a valid direction.}}		{{message\|The magical energy is released!\|You cast a directional spell, but did not answer a valid direction.}}
		+	{{message\|Your knowledge of this spell is twisted. It invokes nightmarish images in your mind...\|You attempted to cast a forgotten spell.{{refsrc\|src/spell.c\|912\|nethack=3.6.7}}}}
		+	{{message\|You strain to recall the spell.\|The spell you just cast will become forgotten in 1-100 turns.}}
		+	{{message\|You have difficulty remembering the spell.\|The spell you just cast will become forgotten in 101-500 turns.}}
		+	{{message\|Your knowledge of this spell is growing faint.\|The spell you just cast will become forgotten in 501-1000 turns.}}
		+	{{message\|Your recall of this spell is gradually fading.\|The spell you just cast will become forgotten in 1001-2000 turns.}}

	==History==		==History==

@@ Line 489: / Line 489: @@
 Spellcasting is introduced along with spellbooks in [[NetHack 1.3d]]. A spell first had to be learned by transcribing it from the spellbook, which would then disappear from your inventory afterward - if the transcription was successful, you could then use the #cast [[extended command]] to use the spell. Transcribing a spell would always fail and use up the spellbook if you were [[blind]] or [[confused]]. A given spell had a limited number of castings before it expired, and another spellbook is required in order to re-learn the spell. Armor interactions with spellcasting were introduced in [[NetHack 3.2.0]], and the integration of the [[Wizard Patch]] into [[NetHack 3.3.0]] marks the origin of the current spellcasting system.
-In [[NetHack 3.6.0]] and previous versions, including some variants based on these versions, the Amulet of Yendor would increase the cost of casting a spell, instead of draining energy as you tried to cast it. This meant that it would also increase the nutrition cost, and it would not prevent emergency uses of a spell. In the example above of casting a level 3 spell, if you had only 16 energy left, you could still try again and again, without using any time, until the random penalty is rolled as 1.<ref>https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/commit/8ff02c11d9979497396d4921bf0d7cf81808c5d1</ref> This was fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.1]].
+From NetHack 3.3.0 to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including some variants based on these versions, the spell damage bonus is calculated somewhat differently, with no additional cap for being under experience level 14 or additional boost for having 25 or more intelligence&mdash;both are added in [[NetHack 3.6.0]].
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 422: / Line 422: @@
 ** (XL / 2 + 1)d6 + spell damage bonus
 ** no damage if the monster has [[magic resistance]]
-* [[Cone of cold]] (below Skilled):{{reffunc|src/zap.c|zhitm|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=routine containing mm and cold damage}}
+* {{+ of|Cone of cold}} (below Skilled):{{reffunc|src/zap.c|zhitm|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=routine containing mm and cold damage}}
 ** (XL / 2 + 1)d6 + spell damage bonus; additional (XL / 2 + 1)d3 if monster has fire resistance
-* [[Fireball]] (below skilled){{refsrc|src/zap.c|4035|nethack=3.6.1}}
+* {{+ of|Fireball}} (below skilled){{refsrc|src/zap.c|4035|nethack=3.6.1}}
 ** Base 12d6 damage explosion centered at the monster; no spell damage bonus
 ** modified like Skilled below

@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 Each spell costs an amount of energy equal to 5 times the spell's level in order to cast;{{refsrc|src/spell.c|908|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=Spell cost.}} if you are carrying the [[Amulet of Yendor]], it drains an amount of energy between 1 point and 2 times the usual cost as you attempt to cast.{{refsrc|src/spell.c|952|version=NetHack 3.6.1|comment=Amulet of Yendor's penalty on spell cost.}}. If you do not have the required energy to cast the spell, nothing happens; if the Amulet drains enough energy to prevent the spell being cast, this uses up a move.{{refsrc|src/spell.c|956|version=NetHack 3.6.1|comment=Attempting to cast a remembered spell without enough energy uses a move if Amulet drain occurred.}} If you have the energy for a spell and fail to cast it correctly, only half of that spell's energy cost (rounded down) is used up.
-In addition, casting any spell other than detect food uses an amount of nutrition equal to two times the energy cost; this is usually 10 times the spell's level, before factoring in reduced-hunger casting for Wizards (hungerless casting ignores this entirely). A failed cast of a spell costs as much as a successful one, and carrying the Amulet has no impact on nutrition costs. Being weak and very close to fainting from [[hunger]] can prevent you from properly casting any spell other than detect food; fainting will outright prevent casting of those other spells, regardless of whether or not you have hungerless casting.
+In addition, casting any spell other than detect food uses an amount of nutrition equal to two times the energy cost; this is usually 10 times the spell's level, before factoring in reduced-hunger casting for Wizards (hungerless casting ignores this entirely). A failed cast of a spell costs as much as a successful one, and carrying the Amulet has no impact on nutrition costs. Being weak and very close to fainting from lack of [[nutrition]] can prevent you from properly casting any spell other than detect food; fainting will outright prevent casting of those other spells, regardless of whether or not you have hungerless casting.
 As an example, casting a level 3 spell normally requires 15 energy and 30 nutrition; if you fail to cast it, only 7 energy is used. When carrying the Amulet of Yendor, there is an energy penalty of 1 to 30 points, so the total energy cost varies from 16 to 45. The nutrition cost will always be 30 regardless of the circumstance.