Wand of lightning - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: clean this up a little

2025-11-19T04:55:35Z

clean this up a little

Ais523: /* Description */ clarify my recent edit

2025-11-19T00:21:05Z

‎Description: clarify my recent edit

Ais523: /* Description */ broken /oLightning does charges × 16 damage, not charges × d16

2025-11-19T00:19:22Z

‎Description: broken /oLightning does charges × 16 damage, not charges × d16

Umbire the Phantom: variant stuff

2025-02-08T02:30:52Z

variant stuff

Umbire the Phantom: only one pasto!

2025-02-08T02:19:49Z

only one pasto!

Umbire the Phantom: formatting, copyedit, updating, detailing

2025-02-08T02:19:33Z

formatting, copyedit, updating, detailing

JASON10668: Add languages template.

2025-02-06T11:25:09Z

Add languages template.

Umbire the Phantom: refsrc

2023-03-21T04:29:19Z

refsrc

Umbire the Phantom: history, strategy

2023-03-21T03:58:10Z

history, strategy

Cathartes: amulets aren't destroyed by shock

2023-03-21T03:41:46Z

amulets aren't destroyed by shock

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
   |muse=off
 }}
 A '''wand of lightning''' is a type of [[wand]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.
@@ Line 14: / Line 13: @@
 [[Wizard]]s may be given a wand of lightning as the random wand in their starting inventory.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|164|nethack=3.6.7}}
-Wands of lightning make up {{frac|25}} (4%) of all randomly-generated wands. General [[store]]s and "quality apparel and accessories" shops can sell wands of lightning.
+Wands of lightning make up {{frac|25}} (4%) of all wands randomly generated on the ground, in general [[shop]]s or as [[death drop]]s. Quality apparel and accessories stores can also stock wands of lightning.
 The [[Cyclops]] will always be generated with a wand of lightning on his square.{{refsrc|dat/Healer.des|239|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
@@ Line 23: / Line 22: @@
 ==Description==
-[[Zapping]] the wand in a given direction shoots a ray of lightning that deals 6d6 [[shock]] damage to targets without [[shock resistance]] that it hits, [[blind]]ing them for up to 50 turns and potentially destroying monsters any [[ring]]s and [[wand]]s in their inventory.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3065|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>nd</code> is 6}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3711|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3716|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>zhitm()</tt> function}} Monsters can use this wand, and hostile ones will zap it at the [[hero]]. A hero that zaps a wand of lightning directly at themselves is blinded for up to 100 turns, [[abuse]]s [[constitution]], takes 12d6 damage unless they are shock resistant, and wands and rings in their inventory may be destroyed.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2295|nethack=3.6.7}} The wand of lightning is immune to destruction by shock damage.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|5112|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Zapping]] the wand in a given direction shoots a ray of lightning that deals 6d6 [[shock]] damage to targets without [[shock resistance]] that it hits, [[blind]]ing them for up to 50 turns and potentially destroying monsters any [[ring]]s and [[wand]]s in their inventory.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3065|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>nd</code> is 6}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3711|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3716|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>zhitm()</tt> function}} Monsters can use this wand, and hostile ones will zap it at the [[hero]]. A hero that zaps a wand of lightning directly at themselves is blinded for up to 100 turns, [[abuse]]s their [[constitution]], and takes 12d6 damage unless they are shock resistant, and wands and rings in their inventory may also be destroyed.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2295|nethack=3.6.7}} The wand of lightning is immune to destruction by shock damage.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|5112|nethack=3.6.7}}
 Like most rays, a wand of lightning's rays will bounce when it hits walls or targets with [[reflection]], and destroys [[door]]s hit by the blast. If a bolt of lightning from the wand passes through the hero's square, they are blinded for 6d50 turns unless they are already blind or have [[blindness resistance]], even if it misses or is rebounded by their reflection{{refsrc|src/zap.c|4233|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2646|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>flashburn()</tt> calls <tt>resists_blnd()</tt> which returns <code>TRUE</code> for a blind hero or a resistant one.}} this is not applied to monsters unless the ray hits them.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|4127|nethack=3.6.7|comment=the code calls <tt>zhitm()</tt> only on a non-reflected hit}}
@@ Line 29: / Line 28: @@
 [[Engraving]] with a wand of lightning will burn text into the ground and [[auto-identify]] it, as well as blinding the hero for d50 turns if applicable.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|791|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|1162|nethack=3.6.7}}
-[[Breaking wands|Breaking]] a wand of lightning by [[applying]] it will create a damaging magical explosion of shock in a 3×3 square centered on the hero, auto-identifying the wand and dealing shock damage equal to (remaining charges)×16 (the damage to the hero is potentially modified by their role), while also potentially destroying wands and rings in the open inventory of affected monsters.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3365|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Breaking wands|Breaking]] a wand of lightning by [[applying]] it will create a damaging magical explosion of shock in a 3×3 square centered on the hero, auto-identifying the wand and dealing shock damage equal to the remaining charges times 16 (before role-based reductions), while also potentially destroying wands and rings in the open inventory of affected monsters.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3365|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 [[Engraving]] with a wand of lightning will burn text into the ground and [[auto-identify]] it, as well as blinding the hero for d50 turns if applicable.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|791|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|1162|nethack=3.6.7}}
-[[Breaking wands|Breaking]] a wand of lightning by [[applying]] it will create a damaging magical explosion of shock in a 3×3 square centered on the hero, auto-identifying the wand and dealing shock damage equal to (remaining charges)×16 (potentially modified by the hero's role), while also potentially destroying wands and rings in the open inventory of affected monsters.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3365|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Breaking wands|Breaking]] a wand of lightning by [[applying]] it will create a damaging magical explosion of shock in a 3×3 square centered on the hero, auto-identifying the wand and dealing shock damage equal to (remaining charges)×16 (the damage to the hero is potentially modified by their role), while also potentially destroying wands and rings in the open inventory of affected monsters.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3365|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 [[Engraving]] with a wand of lightning will burn text into the ground and [[auto-identify]] it, as well as blinding the hero for d50 turns if applicable.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|791|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|1162|nethack=3.6.7}}
-[[Breaking wands|Breaking]] a wand of lightning by [[applying]] it will create a damaging magical explosion of shock in a 3×3 square centered on the hero, auto-identifying the wand and dealing shock damage equal to (remaining charges)*d16, while also potentially destroying wands and rings in the open inventory of affected monsters.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3365|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Breaking wands|Breaking]] a wand of lightning by [[applying]] it will create a damaging magical explosion of shock in a 3×3 square centered on the hero, auto-identifying the wand and dealing shock damage equal to (remaining charges)×16 (potentially modified by the hero's role), while also potentially destroying wands and rings in the open inventory of affected monsters.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3365|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 {{message|You hear crackling!|As above, while already blind.}}
 {{message|Your hair stands up!|As above while blind and [[deaf]].}}
 ==References==

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ==Generation==
-[[Wizard]]s may be given a wand of fire as the random wand in their starting inventory.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|164|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Wizard]]s may be given a wand of lightning as the random wand in their starting inventory.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|164|nethack=3.6.7}}
 Wands of lightning make up {{frac|25}} (4%) of all randomly-generated wands. General [[store]]s and "quality apparel and accessories" shops can sell wands of lightning.

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 }}
-The '''wand of lightning''' is a [[wand]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.
+A '''wand of lightning''' is a type of [[wand]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.
 ==Generation==
-A [[Wizard]] may receive a wand of lightning as part of their starting inventory.
+[[Wizard]]s may be given a wand of fire as the random wand in their starting inventory.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|164|nethack=3.6.7}}
-There is a 4% chance that a [[Wand#Generation|randomly-generated wand]] within the dungeon and its branches will be a wand of lightning. Monsters may generate with the wand as a random [[offensive item]].
+Wands of lightning make up {{frac|25}} (4%) of all randomly-generated wands. General [[store]]s and "quality apparel and accessories" shops can sell wands of lightning.
-The [[Cyclops]], the [[Healer]] [[quest nemesis]], will always be generated with a wand of lightning on his square.{{refsrc|dat/Healer.des|239|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+The [[Cyclops]] will always be generated with a wand of lightning on his square.{{refsrc|dat/Healer.des|239|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 ==Description==
-[[Zap]]ping the wand in a given direction shoots a ray of lightning, dealing 6d6 damage to targets without [[shock resistance]] (including [[you]] if you are hit by one);{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3065|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>nd</code> is 6}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3711|nethack=3.6.7}} monsters hit by the ray are [[blind]]ed for d50 turns, and the ray may destroy any [[rings]] and [[wands]] in the inventory of monsters that it hits (including you) unless they have [[reflection]].{{refsrc|src/zap.c|nethack=3.6.7|3716|comment=in <code>zhitm()</code>.  Despite code to add d50 turns of blindness capped at 127, no additional turns of blindness are actually added to already-blind monsters, because blinded monsters resist further blindness.}} Monsters that the ray misses are not blinded, nor are those that reflect the ray.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|nethack=3.6.7|4127|comment=the code calls <code>zhitm()</code> only on a non-reflected hit}} The ray bounces when it hits walls or targets with reflection.
+[[Zapping]] the wand in a given direction shoots a ray of lightning that deals 6d6 [[shock]] damage to targets without [[shock resistance]] that it hits, [[blind]]ing them for up to 50 turns and potentially destroying monsters any [[ring]]s and [[wand]]s in their inventory.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3065|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>nd</code> is 6}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3711|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3716|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>zhitm()</tt> function}} Monsters can use this wand, and hostile ones will zap it at the [[hero]]. A hero that zaps a wand of lightning directly at themselves is blinded for up to 100 turns, [[abuse]]s [[constitution]], takes 12d6 damage unless they are shock resistant, and wands and rings in their inventory may be destroyed.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2295|nethack=3.6.7}} The wand of lightning is immune to destruction by shock damage.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|5112|nethack=3.6.7}}
-If a bolt of lightning passes through your square, you are blinded for 6d50 turns unless you are already blind or resistant to blindness, even if it misses you or you have reflection.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|4233|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2646|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>flashburn()</code>; note that it calls <code>resists_blnd()</code>, which returns <code>TRUE</code> if you are already blind or otherwise resist blindness.}} If you zap a wand of lightning directly at yourself, you are blinded for 1&ndash;100 turns unless you are already blind or resist blindness, and take 12d6 damage unless shock resistant.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2295|nethack=3.6.7}} Being hit by a bolt of lightning [[abuse]]s [[constitution]].
+Like most rays, a wand of lightning's rays will bounce when it hits walls or targets with [[reflection]], and destroys [[door]]s hit by the blast. If a bolt of lightning from the wand passes through the hero's square, they are blinded for 6d50 turns unless they are already blind or have [[blindness resistance]], even if it misses or is rebounded by their reflection{{refsrc|src/zap.c|4233|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2646|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>flashburn()</tt> calls <tt>resists_blnd()</tt> which returns <code>TRUE</code> for a blind hero or a resistant one.}} this is not applied to monsters unless the ray hits them.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|4127|nethack=3.6.7|comment=the code calls <tt>zhitm()</tt> only on a non-reflected hit}}
-The wand of lightning is itself immune to destruction by lightning rays and sources of shock damage (e.g. chest traps, a returning [[Mjollnir]], [[energy vortices]] or [[electric eel]]s), and the [[ring of shock resistance]] is also immune to rays of lightning.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|5112|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Engraving]] with a wand of lightning will burn text into the ground and [[auto-identify]] it, as well as blinding the hero for d50 turns if applicable.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|791|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|1162|nethack=3.6.7}}
-Like a [[wand of fire]], [[engraving]] with a wand of lightning will burn text into the ground and [[auto-identify]] it; however, doing so will blind you for d50 turns unless you are already blind or resist blindness.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|791|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|1162|nethack=3.6.7}} You can avoid this by cancelling the prompt when asked what to engrave.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|1034|nethack=3.6.7|comment=cancelling the prompt causes <code>doengrave()</code> to return early}}
+[[Breaking wands|Breaking]] a wand of lightning by [[applying]] it will create a damaging magical explosion of shock in a 3×3 square centered on the hero, auto-identifying the wand and dealing shock damage equal to (remaining charges)*d16, while also potentially destroying wands and rings in the open inventory of affected monsters.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3365|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==
-Wands of lightning are a powerful offensive item through much of the game, since very few monsters resist shock; however, it is just as devastating to you should you encounter one in the hands of [[GWTWOD|an early-game monster]], and can prove to be an annoyance later on if a [[soldier]] or another monster surprises you with a bolt that destroys valuable rings such as {{= of|slow digestion}}. [[Reflection]] is naturally the best defense after shock resistance against monsters with wands of lightning, but it also helps to have a means of curing blindness (e.g. a [[unicorn horn]]) and a way to safely stash your magical items.
+Wands of lightning are a powerful offensive item through much of the game, since very few monsters resist shock damage&mdash;however, it is just as devastating to you should you encounter one in the hands of [[GWTWOD|an early-game monster]], and can prove to be an annoyance later on if a [[soldier]] or another monster surprises you with a bolt that destroys valuable rings such as {{= of|slow digestion|and=1|free action}}. Reflection is naturally the best defense after shock resistance against monsters with wands of lightning, but both properties are quite rare early on outside of a [[wish]] or a it also helps to have a means of curing blindness (e.g. a [[unicorn horn]]) and a way to safely stash your magical items.
-A wand of lightning can be useful to blast apart annoying wands in a hostile monster's inventory, such as a [[wand of digging]] used by a constantly-fleeing opponent; conversely, avoid using the wand on monsters that have wands and rings you wish to preserve, such as a [[wand of death]] or rings of {{= of|levitation|and=1|free action}}.
+A wand of lightning can be useful to blast apart annoying wands in a hostile monster's inventory, such as a [[wand of digging]] used by a constantly-fleeing opponent; conversely, avoid using the wand on monsters that have wands and rings you wish to preserve, such as a [[wand of death]]. Breaking a wand of lightning can be powerful as a means of crowd control, but will also deal immense damage to you unless you are shock-resistant, and will also endanger valuable rings and wands in your inventory. If doing so, be sure to briefly stash whatever vulnerable items you have in a bag or other container, ''unless'' you either have none or are otherwise [[Things To Do If You're Going to Die Next Turn|going to die soon]].
-Breaking a wand of lightning can be powerful as a means of crowd control, but will also deal immense damage to you unless you are shock-resistant, and will also endanger valuable rings and wands in your inventory. If doing so, be sure to briefly stash whatever vulnerable items you have in a bag or other container, ''unless'' you either have none or are otherwise [[Things To Do If You're Going to Die Next Turn|going to die soon]].
+The wand of lightning is also a very useful tool to engrave a durable [[Elbereth]] well into even the late-game, particularly for [[pacifist]] [[conduct]] where you will be reliant on such engravings to deter hostile monsters. If engrave-testing to identify the wand, you can avoid blinding yourself with the wand by cancelling the prompt when asked what to engrave.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|1034|nethack=3.6.7|comment=cancelling the prompt causes <code>doengrave()</code> to return early}}
 ==History==
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 ==Messages==
-{{message|You are blinded by the flash!|You were blinded by a bolt of lightning.}}
+{{message|You are blinded by the flash!|You were blinded by a zapped bolt of lightning from the wand.}}
-{{message|Your arm tingles.|While blinded, a bolt of lightning was fired at you and missed.}}
+{{message|Your arm tingles.|While already blind, a zapped bolt of lightning from the wand missed you.}}
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-366}}
+{{nethack-367}}
 [[Category:Wands|Lightning]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:25, 6 February 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
		+	{{languages}}
	{{wand		{{wand
	\|name=lightning		\|name=lightning

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 ==Description==
-[[Zap]]ping the wand in a given direction shoots a ray of lightning, dealing 6d6 damage to targets without [[shock resistance]] (including [[you]] if you are hit by one);{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3065|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>nd</code> is 6}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3711|nethack=3.6.7}} monsters hit by the ray are [[blind]]ed for d50 turns, and the ray may destroy any [[rings]], [[wands]] or [[amulets]] in the inventory of monsters that it hits (including you) unless they have [[reflection]].{{refsrc|src/zap.c|nethack=3.6.7|3716|comment=in <code>zhitm()</code>.  Despite code to add d50 turns of blindness capped at 127, no additional turns of blindness are actually added to already-blind monsters, because blinded monsters resist further blindness.}} Monsters that the ray misses are not blinded, nor are those that reflect the ray.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|nethack=3.6.7|4127|comment=the code calls <code>zhitm()</code> only on a non-reflected hit}} The ray bounces when it hits walls or targets with reflection.
+[[Zap]]ping the wand in a given direction shoots a ray of lightning, dealing 6d6 damage to targets without [[shock resistance]] (including [[you]] if you are hit by one);{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3065|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>nd</code> is 6}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3711|nethack=3.6.7}} monsters hit by the ray are [[blind]]ed for d50 turns, and the ray may destroy any [[rings]] or [[wands]] in the inventory of monsters that it hits (including you) unless they have [[reflection]].{{refsrc|src/zap.c|nethack=3.6.7|3716|comment=in <code>zhitm()</code>.  Despite code to add d50 turns of blindness capped at 127, no additional turns of blindness are actually added to already-blind monsters, because blinded monsters resist further blindness.}} Monsters that the ray misses are not blinded, nor are those that reflect the ray.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|nethack=3.6.7|4127|comment=the code calls <code>zhitm()</code> only on a non-reflected hit}} The ray bounces when it hits walls or targets with reflection.
 If a bolt of lightning passes through your square, you are blinded for 6d50 turns unless you are already blind or resistant to blindness, even if it misses you or you have reflection.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|4233|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2646|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>flashburn()</code>; note that it calls <code>resists_blnd()</code>, which returns <code>TRUE</code> if you are already blind or otherwise resist blindness.}} If you zap a wand of lightning directly at yourself, you are blinded for 1&ndash;100 turns unless you are already blind or resist blindness, and take 12d6 damage unless shock resistant.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2295|nethack=3.6.7}} Being hit by a bolt of lightning [[abuse]]s [[constitution]].
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 Like a [[wand of fire]], [[engraving]] with a wand of lightning will burn text into the ground and [[auto-identify]] it; however, doing so will blind you for d50 turns unless you are already blind or resist blindness.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|791|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|1162|nethack=3.6.7}} You can avoid this by cancelling the prompt when asked what to engrave.{{refsrc|src/engrave.c|1034|nethack=3.6.7|comment=cancelling the prompt causes <code>doengrave()</code> to return early}}
-[[Apply]]ing a wand of lightning to break it creates an explosion that deals quadruple the normal damage of applying other wands to yourself and all monsters on surrounding squares, and may destroy rings, wand and amulets.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3367|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Apply]]ing a wand of lightning to break it creates an explosion that deals quadruple the normal damage of applying other wands to yourself and all monsters on surrounding squares, and may destroy rings and wands.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3367|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==
 Wands of lightning are a powerful offensive item through much of the game, since very few monsters resist shock; however, it is just as devastating to you should you encounter one in the hands of [[GWTWOD|an early-game monster]], and can prove to be an annoyance later on if a [[soldier]] or another monster surprises you with a bolt that destroys valuable rings such as {{= of|slow digestion}}. [[Reflection]] is naturally the best defense against monsters with wands of lightning, but it also helps to have a means of curing blindness (e.g. a [[unicorn horn]]) and a way to safely stash your magical items.
-Breaking a wand of lightning can be similarly powerful as a means of crowd control, but will also deal immense damage to you unless you are shock-resistant, and will also endanger valuable amulets, rings and wands in your inventory. If doing so, be sure to briefly stash whatever vulnerable wands and jewelry you have in a bag or other container ''unless'' you either have none or are otherwise [[Things To Do If You're Going to Die Next Turn|going to die next turn anyway]].
+Breaking a wand of lightning can be similarly powerful as a means of crowd control, but will also deal immense damage to you unless you are shock-resistant, and will also endanger valuable rings and wands in your inventory. If doing so, be sure to briefly stash whatever vulnerable wands and jewelry you have in a bag or other container ''unless'' you either have none or are otherwise [[Things To Do If You're Going to Die Next Turn|going to die next turn anyway]].
 ==Messages==