Difference between revisions of "Helm"

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(finish planned changes, probably circle around to list variant helms in The Future™)
(same as shield: re-org and group info; specify "safely enchanted to +7" over "+7 maximum enchantment"; try to minimize whitespace if possible)
 
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A '''helm''' is a form of [[armor]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is one of seven armor slots available to the [[hero]] and certain other [[monster]]s.
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{{tocright}}
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A '''helm''' is a form of [[armor]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is one of seven armor slots available to the [[hero]] and certain [[monster]]s.
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
Helms can be [[worn]] by any [[intelligent monster]] that has a [[head]], provided that they lack horns and/or other features that would obstruct wearing the helm:{{reffunc|mondata.h|num_horns}} horned monsters cannot wear [[metallic]] helms, and [[polymorph]]ing into such a monster will force a worn metallic helm off the monster's head.{{refsrc|do_wear.c|1293}}{{refsrc|polyself.c|624}} Monsters without [[hands]] such [[naga]]s can wear helms but cannot put them on, and a handless monster with a worn helm is typically the result of being polymorphed.
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[[Wear]]ing a [[metallic]] helm reduces damage from falling objects and monsters, such as:
  
Wearing any type of helm has a {{frac|7|8}} chance of blocking the [[intelligence]]-draining effects from the individual tentacle attacks from a [[mind flayer]] or [[master mind flayer]] - a [[greased]] helm always blocks these effects, but the grease has a {{frac|2}} chance of wearing off after each attack.
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* [[falling rock trap]]s
 +
* boulders or rocks from a [[scroll of earth]]
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* objects [[thrown]] upward by the hero
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* falling [[piercer]]s.
  
Wearing a metallic helm significantly lowers damage from falling objects, such as [[falling rock trap]]s, boulders from a [[scroll of earth]], objects [[thrown]] upward by the hero, and falling [[piercer]]s - however, metallic helms also increase [[spellcasting]] failure rates, with the exception of the [[helm of brilliance]].
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However, metallic helms also increase the hero's [[spellcasting]] failure rates, with the exception of the [[helm of brilliance]].
  
{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|The helm of brilliance now has an unidentified description of "crystal helm" and is made of [[glass]], which does not inhibit spellcasting as a material.
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A [[greased]] helm may block the [[intelligence]] drain damage type from a [[mind flayer]] or [[master mind flayer]]{{refsrc|nethack=3.6.7|src/mhitu.c|830|comment=function u_slip_free}} - a noncursed greased helm always blocks such an attack, while a cursed greased helm has only a {{frac|2|3}} chance, and the grease has a {{frac|2}} chance of wearing off after each blocked attack. Any helm (including a cursed greased helm that fails to provide grease protection) then has a {{frac|7|8}} chance of blocking this attack.
  
The [[helm of caution]] is a new helm that grants 1 AC and [[warning]] when worn.}}
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===Use by monsters===
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Any [[monster]] that can wear armor can wear a helm;{{refsrc|nethack=3.6.7|src/worn.c|496}} a monster with [[Body parts#Horns|horns]] can only wear [[flimsy]] helms.{{refsrc|nethack=3.6.7|src/worn.c|560}} If the hero or a monster is polymorphed into a form with horns while wearing a non-flimsy helm, it will be pushed off.{{refsrc|nethack=3.6.7|src/worn.c|939}}
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[[Aligned priest]]s, [[high priest]]s and [[minion]]s will not wear a [[helm of opposite alignment]].{{refsrc|nethack=3.6.7|src/worn.c|554}}
  
 
==List of helms==
 
==List of helms==
{|class="prettytable striped sortable"
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{|class="prettytable sortable"
 
!|Name
 
!|Name
 
![[Zorkmid|Cost]]
 
![[Zorkmid|Cost]]
Line 23: Line 30:
 
!|Effect
 
!|Effect
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Fedora]]
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| [[Fedora]] || 1 || 3 || 0 || [[cloth]] || ||
|1
 
|3
 
|0
 
|[[Cloth]]
 
|
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Dunce cap]]
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| [[Dunce cap]] || 1 || 4 || 0 || [[cloth]] || conical hat || [[Autocursing]]. Sets [[Int]] and [[Wis]] to 6.
|1
 
|4
 
|0
 
|Cloth
 
|[[Conical hat]]
 
|[[Autocurse]]s when worn; [[Intelligence|Int]] and [[Wisdom|Wis]] set to 6
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Cornuthaum]]
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| [[Cornuthaum]] || 80 || 4 || 0 || [[cloth]] || conical hat || [[Magic cancellation|MC1]]. Special benefits for [[wizard]]s and penalties for non-wizards.
|80
 
|4
 
|0
 
|Cloth
 
|Conical hat
 
|[[Magic cancellation|MC1]]; [[wizard]]s can [[Enchantment|enchant]] to +7; [[clairvoyance]] and [[Charisma|Ch]]+1 for [[wizard]]s; blocks clairvoyance and Ch−1 for non-wizards
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Elven leather helm]]
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| [[Elven leather helm]] || 8 || 3 || 1 || [[leather]] || leather hat || Can be [[Enchantment|enchanted]] to +7.
|8
 
|3
 
|1
 
|[[Leather]]
 
|Leather hat
 
|Can be [[Enchantment|enchanted]] to +7
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Orcish helm]]
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| [[Orcish helm]] || 10 || 30 || 1 || [[iron]] || iron skull cap ||
|10
 
|30
 
|1
 
|[[Iron]]
 
|Iron skull cap
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Dented pot]]
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| [[Dented pot]] || 8 || 10 || 1 || [[iron]] || ||
|8
 
|10
 
|1
 
|Iron
 
|
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Dwarvish iron helm]]
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| [[Dwarvish iron helm]] || 20 || 40 || 2 || [[iron]] || hard hat ||
|20
 
|40
 
|2
 
|Iron
 
|Hard hat
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Helmet|Helmet (kabuto)]]
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| [[Helmet|Helmet (kabuto)]] || 10 || 30 || 1 || [[iron]] || ''(randomized)'' ||
|10
 
|30
 
|1
 
|Iron
 
|''(randomized)''
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Helm of brilliance]]
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| [[Helm of brilliance]] || 50 || 50 || 1 || [[iron]] || ''(randomized)'' || [[Enchantment]] adds to [[Int]] and [[Wis]]. No penalty to [[spellcasting]].
|50
 
|50
 
|1
 
|Iron
 
|''(randomized)''
 
|Int and Wis +/− enchantment amount; doesn't hinder [[spellcasting]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Helm of opposite alignment]]
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| [[Helm of opposite alignment]] || 50 || 50 || 1 || [[iron]] || ''(randomized)'' || [[Autocursing]]. Changes alignment of [[hero]]. No effect on a [[monster]].
|50
 
|50
 
|1
 
|Iron
 
|''(randomized)''
 
|[[Autocurse]]s when worn; opposite [[alignment]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Helm of telepathy]]
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| [[Helm of telepathy]] || 50 || 50 || 1 || [[iron]] || ''(randomized)'' || Grants [[telepathy]].
|50
 
|50
 
|1
 
|Iron
 
|''(randomized)''
 
|Grants [[telepathy]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
The helms with [[randomized appearance]]s marked in the chart above are given one of four descriptions: "plumed helmet", "etched helmet", "crested helmet", and "visored helmet". Helms with the appearance of a visored helmet protect against the [[blind]]ing claw attack of [[raven]]s and the [[venom]]-spitting attack of [[cobra]]s.
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The helms with [[randomized appearance]]s share four descriptions: "plumed helmet", "etched helmet", "crested helmet", and "visored helmet". Helms with the appearance of "visored helmet" protect against the [[blind]]ing claw attack of [[raven]]s and the [[blinding venom]] of [[cobra]]s.{{refsrc|nethack=3.6.7|src/mondata.c|184||comment=function can_blnd}}
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{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|The helm of brilliance has a fixed unidentified description of "crystal helm" and is made of [[glass]] material, which does not inhibit spellcasting. The [[helm of caution]] is a new helm with a randomized appearance that grants 1 AC and [[warning]] when worn.}}
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
In the earliest stages of the game, any form of hard helm will suffice early on - even a simple orcish helm is enough to prevent unexpected severe damage from falling rock traps. In later stages, greasing a worn helm is vital for any character that does not elect to [[genocide]] both types of mind flayer.
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Unidentified helms are dangerous to wear, as two types of helms are [[autocursing]] and will become cursed when a hero puts them on, even if they are noncursed. You can use [[price identification]] to distinguish a [[dunce cap]] from a [[cornuthaum]], but three of the four helms with randomized appearances have the same cost, weight and AC, making it impossible to tell them apart this way.
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In the early game, any [[metallic]] helm will protect against falling rock traps. In the later game, a greased helm protects against intelligence drain attacks; mind flayers and master mind flayers are common [[Genocide#Common genocides|genocide targets]], and removing them provides absolute protection.
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For the [[ascension kit]], popular choices are:
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* [[helm of telepathy]] for detecting hostile monsters
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* [[helm of brilliance]] for spellcasting
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* [[elven leather helm]] for light weight and the ability to be safely enchanted to +7.
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For a Wizard, a [[cornuthaum]] provides [[clairvoyance]] and can be safely enchanted to +7.
  
In terms of [[ascension kit]] candidates, the helm of telepathy is a popular choice for detecting hostile monsters, while the helm of brilliance is sometimes employed as a [[spellcasting]] augment; the elven leather helm is the lightest of the helms by far at 3 [[aum]] and can be safely [[Scroll of enchant armor|enchanted to +7]]. The helm of opposite alignment may also be employed to deal with the [[mysterious force]] on the [[ascension run]], or else to ascend at the first available altar on the [[Astral Plane]].
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A helm of opposite alignment has a niche use for mitigating the [[mysterious force]] on the [[ascension run]], and is more popularly used for reducing the number of altars to visit on the [[Astral Plane]].
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
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==References==
 
==References==
<references />
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<references/>
{{nethack-343}}
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Helms]]
 
[[Category:Helms]]

Latest revision as of 05:21, 12 July 2024

A helm is a form of armor that appears in NetHack, and is one of seven armor slots available to the hero and certain monsters.

Description

Wearing a metallic helm reduces damage from falling objects and monsters, such as:

However, metallic helms also increase the hero's spellcasting failure rates, with the exception of the helm of brilliance.

A greased helm may block the intelligence drain damage type from a mind flayer or master mind flayer[1] - a noncursed greased helm always blocks such an attack, while a cursed greased helm has only a 23 chance, and the grease has a 12 chance of wearing off after each blocked attack. Any helm (including a cursed greased helm that fails to provide grease protection) then has a 78 chance of blocking this attack.

Use by monsters

Any monster that can wear armor can wear a helm;[2] a monster with horns can only wear flimsy helms.[3] If the hero or a monster is polymorphed into a form with horns while wearing a non-flimsy helm, it will be pushed off.[4]

Aligned priests, high priests and minions will not wear a helm of opposite alignment.[5]

List of helms

Name Cost Weight AC Material Appearance Effect
Fedora 1 3 0 cloth
Dunce cap 1 4 0 cloth conical hat Autocursing. Sets Int and Wis to 6.
Cornuthaum 80 4 0 cloth conical hat MC1. Special benefits for wizards and penalties for non-wizards.
Elven leather helm 8 3 1 leather leather hat Can be enchanted to +7.
Orcish helm 10 30 1 iron iron skull cap
Dented pot 8 10 1 iron
Dwarvish iron helm 20 40 2 iron hard hat
Helmet (kabuto) 10 30 1 iron (randomized)
Helm of brilliance 50 50 1 iron (randomized) Enchantment adds to Int and Wis. No penalty to spellcasting.
Helm of opposite alignment 50 50 1 iron (randomized) Autocursing. Changes alignment of hero. No effect on a monster.
Helm of telepathy 50 50 1 iron (randomized) Grants telepathy.

The helms with randomized appearances share four descriptions: "plumed helmet", "etched helmet", "crested helmet", and "visored helmet". Helms with the appearance of "visored helmet" protect against the blinding claw attack of ravens and the blinding venom of cobras.[6]

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

The helm of brilliance has a fixed unidentified description of "crystal helm" and is made of glass material, which does not inhibit spellcasting. The helm of caution is a new helm with a randomized appearance that grants 1 AC and warning when worn.

Strategy

Unidentified helms are dangerous to wear, as two types of helms are autocursing and will become cursed when a hero puts them on, even if they are noncursed. You can use price identification to distinguish a dunce cap from a cornuthaum, but three of the four helms with randomized appearances have the same cost, weight and AC, making it impossible to tell them apart this way.

In the early game, any metallic helm will protect against falling rock traps. In the later game, a greased helm protects against intelligence drain attacks; mind flayers and master mind flayers are common genocide targets, and removing them provides absolute protection.

For the ascension kit, popular choices are:

For a Wizard, a cornuthaum provides clairvoyance and can be safely enchanted to +7.

A helm of opposite alignment has a niche use for mitigating the mysterious force on the ascension run, and is more popularly used for reducing the number of altars to visit on the Astral Plane.

Variants

SporkHack

SporkHack adds three new helms in the gnomish helm, the helm of discovery and the helm of clarity, as well as three new appearances: "little red hat" (always used for gnomish helms), "viking helmet" (which is randomized and has no effect), and "tinfoil hat" (which is randomized and always blocks telepathy and psi bolts - this includes its own telepathy if it is the appearance for a helm of telepathy).

UnNetHack

UnNetHack adds a single new helm in the tinfoil hat, which is represented as its own item rather than a randomized appearance as in SporkHack.

References