Difference between revisions of "Helm"
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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. | 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== |
| + | [[Wear]]ing a [[metallic]] helm reduces damage from falling objects and monsters, such as: | ||
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* [[falling rock trap]]s | * [[falling rock trap]]s | ||
* boulders or rocks from a [[scroll of earth]] | * boulders or rocks from a [[scroll of earth]] | ||
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* falling [[piercer]]s. | * falling [[piercer]]s. | ||
| − | However, metallic helms also increase [[spellcasting]] failure rates, with the exception of the [[helm of brilliance]]. | + | 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]] | + | 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. |
| − | Any | + | ===Use by monsters=== |
| + | 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}} | ||
| − | + | [[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}} | |
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| + | ==List of helms== | ||
{|class="prettytable sortable" | {|class="prettytable sortable" | ||
!|Name | !|Name | ||
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| [[Fedora]] || 1 || 3 || 0 || [[cloth]] || || | | [[Fedora]] || 1 || 3 || 0 || [[cloth]] || || | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Dunce cap]] || 1 || 4 || 0 || [[cloth]] || conical hat || [[Autocursing]]. Sets [[ | + | | [[Dunce cap]] || 1 || 4 || 0 || [[cloth]] || conical hat || [[Autocursing]]. Sets [[Int]] and [[Wis]] to 6. |
|- | |- | ||
| [[Cornuthaum]] || 80 || 4 || 0 || [[cloth]] || conical hat || [[Magic cancellation|MC1]]. Special benefits for [[wizard]]s and penalties for non-wizards. | | [[Cornuthaum]] || 80 || 4 || 0 || [[cloth]] || conical hat || [[Magic cancellation|MC1]]. Special benefits for [[wizard]]s and penalties for non-wizards. | ||
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| [[Helmet|Helmet (kabuto)]] || 10 || 30 || 1 || [[iron]] || ''(randomized)'' || | | [[Helmet|Helmet (kabuto)]] || 10 || 30 || 1 || [[iron]] || ''(randomized)'' || | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Helm of brilliance]] || 50 || 50 || 1 || [[iron]] || ''(randomized)'' || [[Enchantment]] adds to [[ | + | | [[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 opposite alignment]] || 50 || 50 || 1 || [[iron]] || ''(randomized)'' || [[Autocursing]]. Changes alignment of [[hero]]. No effect on a [[monster]]. | ||
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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}} | 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}} | ||
| − | + | {{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== | |
| + | 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; | + | 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. |
For the [[ascension kit]], popular choices are: | For the [[ascension kit]], popular choices are: | ||
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* [[helm of telepathy]] for detecting hostile monsters | * [[helm of telepathy]] for detecting hostile monsters | ||
* [[helm of brilliance]] for spellcasting | * [[helm of brilliance]] for spellcasting | ||
| − | * [[elven leather helm]] for | + | * [[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. | |
| − | + | 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== | ||
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:
- falling rock traps
- boulders or rocks from a scroll of earth
- objects thrown upward by the hero
- falling piercers.
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 2⁄3 chance, and the grease has a 1⁄2 chance of wearing off after each blocked attack. Any helm (including a cursed greased helm that fails to provide grease protection) then has a 7⁄8 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:
- helm of telepathy for detecting hostile monsters
- helm of brilliance for spellcasting
- elven leather helm for light weight and the ability to be safely enchanted to +7.
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.
