Wand of light - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-05-07T12:22:41Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-01-10T18:54:14Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* NetHack Fourk */ word choice

2025-07-06T15:31:03Z

‎NetHack Fourk: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2025-07-06T14:32:07Z

copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* Messages */ fill out messages

2025-07-04T21:05:19Z

‎Messages: fill out messages

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ word choice

2025-05-06T22:36:54Z

‎Strategy: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ tenebrous

2025-05-06T22:32:18Z

‎dNetHack: tenebrous

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ lighting details

2025-05-06T22:26:40Z

‎Description: lighting details

Umbire the Phantom: *dnh freq

2025-05-06T22:25:10Z

*dnh freq

Umbire the Phantom: /* EvilHack */ word choice

2025-05-06T21:51:04Z

‎EvilHack: word choice

@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], the non-cursed wand behaves as in SporkHack, and angering peacefuls and abusing pets contributes to [[alignment abuse]], making it imperative for a hero to pay attention to their surroundings.
+In [[EvilHack]], the non-cursed wand behaves as in SporkHack, and angering peacefuls and abusing pets contributes to [[Alignment abuse#EvilHack|alignment abuse]], making it imperative for a hero to pay attention to their surroundings.
 A cursed wand of light will instead darken the same radius around the hero as a non-cursed wand when zapped, and can be of great use to a [[Drow (starting race)|drow]] hero in particular.

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   |spell=light
 }}
 A '''wand of light''' is a type of [[wand]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.
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 The wand 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]], zapping the wand in an unlit room will always light the entire room.{{refsrc|src/read.c|1983|nethack=3.6.7}}
-[[Breaking wands|Breaking]] a [[charged]] wand of light by [[applying]] it&ndash;or else wresting one last charge from an applied wand&ndash;will cause an explosion that deals anywhere between 1 and (4&times;<charges>) damage, lights the same area as zapping the wand, deals up to 20 damage to gremlins, and [[blind]]s the hero and other monsters caught in the explosion for (<charges>+1)d25 turns.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3353|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2481|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2614|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2623|nethack=3.6.7}} This auto-identifies the wand.
+[[Breaking wands|Breaking]] a charged wand of light by [[applying]] it&ndash;or else wresting one last charge from an applied wand&ndash;will cause an explosion that deals anywhere between 1 and (4&times;<charges>) damage, lights the same area as zapping the wand, deals up to 20 damage to gremlins, and [[blind]]s the hero and other monsters caught in the explosion for (<charges>+1)d25 turns.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3353|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2481|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2614|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2623|nethack=3.6.7}} This auto-identifies the wand.
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 ===NetHack Fourk===
-In [[NetHack Fourk]], which implements the [[Wands Balance Patch]], the wand of light's effects depend on the user's wand [[skill]]: at Unskilled, the wand lights a small radius equal to a lit lamp, while at Basic it behaves as in vanilla ''NetHack''; at Skilled, it lights a 9-square radius as a blessed [[scroll of light]] does in Fourk, at Expert it lights a 15-square radius, and at Master it lights the entire level. This also applies to [[FIQHack]].
+In [[NetHack Fourk]], which implements the [[Wands Balance Patch]], the wand of light's effects depend on the user's wand [[skill]]: at Unskilled, the wand lights a small radius equal to a lit lamp, while at Basic it behaves as in vanilla ''NetHack''; at Skilled, it lights a 9-square radius as a blessed scroll of light does, at Expert it lights a 15-square radius, and at Master it lights the entire level. This also applies to [[FIQHack]].
 ===SpliceHack===

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 Wands of light are the most common type of wand, and make up {{frac|19|200}} (9.5%) of all randomly-generated wands. General [[store]]s and "quality apparel and accessories" shops can sell wands of light.
-Wands of light are created with 8 to 15 charges.
+Wands of light are created with 8 to 15 charges, and generate as blessed {{frac|34}} of the time, cursed {{frac|34}} of the time and uncursed the remainder of the time.{{refsrc|src/mkobj.c|1022|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mkobj.c|1025|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Description==
-A [[hero]] [[zapping]] a wand of light will light the area within a 5-square radius around them, as displayed below:{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2156|nethack=3.6.7}}
+A [[hero]] [[zapping]] a wand of light will permanently light the area within a 5-square radius around them.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2156|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}} Monsters will not use this wand.
 {{lightradius|r=5}}
-The area remains lit indefinitely or until it is subjected to darkness (e.g. from [[reading]] a cursed [[scroll of light]]). [[Gremlin]]s in the illuminated area will take d5 damage, and the wand will [[auto-identify]] if the hero sees the light or hears a gremlin react to it. Monsters will not use this wand.
+[[Gremlin]]s caught in the light will take up to 5 points of damage.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2161|nethack=3.6.7|name="grempain"}}{{refsrc|src/read.c|2018|nethack=3.6.7}} The hero will [[auto-identify]] the wand if they can see the resulting light, or if they can hear a gremlin react to it.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2159|nethack=3.6.7}}<ref name="grempain"/> [[Engraving]] with a wand of light will illuminate the same area and auto-identify the wand, as with zapping it normally.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|657|nethack=3.6.7}}
-[[Engraving]] with a wand of light will light the surrounding area and auto-identify the wand, as with zapping it normally.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|657|nethack=3.6.7}} Engraving or zapping with the wand while within a dark room on the [[Rogue level]] will light the entire room.
+The wand 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]], zapping the wand in an unlit room will always light the entire room.{{refsrc|src/read.c|1983|nethack=3.6.7}}
 [[Breaking wands|Breaking]] a [[charged]] wand of light by [[applying]] it&ndash;or else wresting one last charge from an applied wand&ndash;will cause an explosion that deals anywhere between 1 and (4&times;<charges>) damage, lights the same area as zapping the wand, deals up to 20 damage to gremlins, and [[blind]]s the hero and other monsters caught in the explosion for (<charges>+1)d25 turns.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3353|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2481|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2614|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2623|nethack=3.6.7}} This auto-identifies the wand.
 ==Strategy==
-A wand of light is useful in the early game to make unlit rooms easier to navigate, as well as mapping unlit floors of the [[Gnomish Mines]], especially if the hero is a [[Human (starting race)|human]] and lacks [[infravision]]. Once a hero learns the {{+ of|light}} spell, they can reserve the wand for times when they are low on power&mdash;this is somewhat dependent on their overall [[energy]] stores, general [[spellcasting]] prowess, spell school access, and their ability to cast it reliably. Lighting areas can make [[jumping]] more useful as a general escape for heroes without a light source like an [[oil lamp]] or [[candle]].
+A wand of light is useful in the early game to make unlit rooms easier to navigate, as well as mapping unlit floors of the [[Gnomish Mines]], especially if the hero is a [[Human (starting race)|human]] and lacks [[infravision]]. Once a hero learns the {{+ of|light}} spell, they can reserve the wand for times when they are low on power&mdash;this is somewhat dependent on their overall [[energy]] stores, general [[spellcasting]] prowess, spell school access, and their ability to cast it reliably.
-Some players zap the wand to mark locations where they have been in otherwise unlit areas, and may even do so to mark the location of the [[vibrating square]] and light paths between staircases in Gehennom; this is a great boon if you happen to get [[amnesia]], but is probably not necessary in most cases.
+The wand is useful to "mark" explored locations in otherwise unlit areas, and can also aid in creating a path for [[jumping]] through dungeon levels at various stages of the game; though it takes a turn per use and is slightly less powerful than having an active [[light source]], it is a viable substitute if not light sources are available. Using the wand can also help a hero save on usage for [[oil lamp]]s and other temporary light sources during protracted battles, especially on the [[stairs]] up where [[covetous]] monsters like to retreat.
-A hero that can reliably maintain energy and cast the light spell, or else has a suitable long-term light source like a spare [[magic lamp]], can use the wand of light as [[polyfodder]] due to their higher amount of charges.
+A hero that can reliably maintain energy and cast the light spell, or else has a suitable long-term light source like a spare [[magic lamp]], can use the wand of light as [[polyfodder]] due to their high amount of charges.
 ===Identification===
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 The treasure piles generated in the [[Grue's Cavern]] at level creation will contain a wand of light.
-A hero that has the [[Spirits (dNetHack)|spirit]] [[Tenebrous]] bound must not spread light by zapping the wand or any other means in order to keep him bound.
+A hero that has the [[Spirits (dNetHack)|spirit]] [[Tenebrous]] bound will unbind it if they create permanent light by zapping the wand or any other means.
 ===NetHack Fourk===
@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 ===SlashTHEM===
-In [[SlashTHEM]], the wand of light is one of the wands whose effects can be replicated by a wand of wonder.
+In [[SlashTHEM]], zapping a wand of wonder has a {{frac|21}} chance of replicating the effects of a wand of light, permanently lighting the same area.
 ===Hack'EM===
-In [[Hack'EM]], a cursed wand of light behaves as in EvilHack.
+In [[Hack'EM]], a cursed wand of light behaves as it does in EvilHack.
 The wand of light is one of the wands whose effects can be replicated by a wand of wonder.

@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 ==Messages==
-{{message|A lit field surrounds you!|You zapped or engraved with a wand of light.}}<!--may prove redundant as light articles are brought up to snuff, but fine for now-->
+{{message|A lit field surrounds you!|You read a blessed or uncursed scroll.}}
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 ===Identification===
-Identifying the wand of light is incredibly trivial even without the wand identifying: for [[price identification]], only the [[wand of nothing]] and wand of light share their base price of 100[[zm]].
+Identifying the wand of light is incredibly trivial, even without the wand auto-identifying: for [[price identification]], only the [[wand of nothing]] and wand of light share their base price of 100[[zm]].
 ==History==

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:32, 6 May 2025
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	The treasure piles generated in the [[Grue's Cavern]] at level creation will contain a wand of light.		The treasure piles generated in the [[Grue's Cavern]] at level creation will contain a wand of light.
		+
		+	A hero that has the [[Spirits (dNetHack)\|spirit]] [[Tenebrous]] bound must not spread light by zapping the wand or any other means in order to keep him bound.

	===NetHack Fourk===		===NetHack Fourk===

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 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], the wand of light always has the appearance of a "glass wand".
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], the wand of light always has the appearance of a "glass wand", and its frequency is slightly lowered to {{frac|9|100}} (9%).
 The treasure piles generated in the [[Grue's Cavern]] at level creation will contain a wand of light.