Difference between revisions of "Cornuthaum"
EasterlyIrk (talk | contribs) m (clarify enchantment) |
(Added missing info to infobox; various cleanup throughout article) |
||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
|slot=helm | |slot=helm | ||
|ac=0 | |ac=0 | ||
| − | |special=<ul><li>[[magic cancellation|MC1]]</li><li>[[clairvoyance]]<br>''(Wizards only)''</li><li>+1 [[charisma]]<br>''(Wizards only)''</li></ul> | + | |special=<ul><li>[[magic cancellation|MC1]]</li><li>[[clairvoyance]]<br>''(Wizards only)''</li><li>+1 [[charisma]]<br>''(Wizards only)''</li><li>blocks clairvoyance<br>''(non-Wizards)''</li><li>−1 charisma<br>''(non-Wizards)''</li></ul> |
|cost=80 | |cost=80 | ||
|weight=4 | |weight=4 | ||
|material=cloth | |material=cloth | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | A '''cornuthaum''' is a type of [[helm]] | + | A '''cornuthaum''' is a type of [[helm]] that provides [[magic cancellation|MC1]]. [[Wizard]]s wearing a cornuthaum gain 1 point of [[charisma]] and extrinsic [[clairvoyance]]; non-Wizards lose 1 point of charisma and have all instances of clairvoyance blocked (whether by intrinsic or by [[spellbook of clairvoyance|spell]]). Wizards can enchant cornuthaums to +7, but others can only enchant them to +5. |
| − | + | ==Strategy== | |
| − | + | Cornuthaums are one of the best helms for a Wizard to use, since they can be enchanted higher than other (non-elven) helms. The clairvoyance property is also quite useful and can't be permanently gained via any other method besides the [[Amulet of Yendor]] itself. However, a [[helm of brilliance]] is usually a better choice. | |
| − | + | A cornuthaum is not a hard helmet and does not protect you from [[falling rock trap]]s, a consideration only when your HP is low (for this reason, early in the game even an [[orcish helm]] is likely better than a cornuthaum). Also, although a cornuthaum's +1 to charisma may help a little in [[foocubus]] encounters, a helm of brilliance's potential +4 or +5 to [[intelligence]] helps a lot more. An [[Orc (starting race)|orcish]] Wizard will require a helm of brilliance to achieve [[hungerless casting]]. The additional possible enchantment of the cornuthaum is a benefit, but by the time you have enough [[scroll of enchant armor|scrolls of enchant armor]] to enchant your helm to +7, you will probably have enough AC that this advantage is not particularly important; for a high-level Wizard with time on their hands, an overenchanted helm of brilliance can be created by [[polypiling]] +6 or +7 elven armor. Additionally, a cornuthaum has 0 base AC, so the +2 bonus safe enchantment is actually only worth 1 additional point of AC. | |
| − | + | Sometimes, however, a cornuthaum is better. In the early game, Wizards often have enough innate intelligence to cast low-level useful spells, especially [[elf (starting race)|elven]] Wizards (or those who have [[alchemy|alchemized]] some [[potion of gain ability|potions of gain ability]]). High-level spells are usually too expensive in terms of [[energy]] regeneration before you have [[the Eye of the Aethiopica]]. Therefore, the intelligence bonus is not very useful here, and [[clairvoyance]] can make dark mines levels safer. | |
| − | + | Although it is a very powerful helm, a cornuthaum is not worth [[wish]]ing for by powerful Wizards. If you can polymorph items, consider [[polypiling]] instead. It probably shouldn't be in the [[ascension kit]]. | |
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | Cornuthaums and [[dunce cap]]s are both [[conical hat]]s. They can be distinguished by price or wearing, though wearing a dunce cap is dangerous. They are otherwise identical until identified. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | Prior to version 3.6.0, | + | |
| + | Prior to version 3.6.0, cornuthaums had an [[MC]] of 2, rather than 1. | ||
==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | "Cornuthaum" seems to be a | + | "Cornuthaum" seems to be a term coined in ''NetHack'' for folklore's "wizard hat". ''Cornu'' is Latin for "horn", and ''thauma'' (θαῦμα) is Greek for "miracle, wonder". |
| − | The stereotypical wizard hat | + | The stereotypical wizard hat is a conical blue hat with yellow stars and crescent moons; these shapes are possibly derived from old cabalistic symbols. Variations are seen in folklore, but the hat stays at least vaguely conical. The notion of a thinking hat possibly derives from ceremonial conical hats, or even true thinking hats, making it only natural that wizards wear one. |
| − | + | ==Variants== | |
| − | + | In variants derived from [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including [[SLASH'EM]], cornuthaums generally provide [[MC|MC2]]. | |
| − | In variants, including [[SLASH'EM]], | ||
| − | In general, a cornuthaum makes excellent [[pet]] care | + | In general, a cornuthaum makes excellent [[pet]] care; it generally grants the highest level of magic cancellation of all armor a large- or huge-sized pet would fit into, and magic cancellation partly substitutes for any intrinsic resistances your pet cannot acquire. |
| − | == | + | ==Encyclopedia entry== |
{{encyclopedia| | {{encyclopedia| | ||
Revision as of 06:35, 22 February 2020
[ cornuthaum 
| |
|---|---|
| Appearance | conical hat |
| Slot | helm |
| AC | 0 |
| Special |
|
| Base price | 80 zm |
| Weight | 4 |
| Material | cloth |
A cornuthaum is a type of helm that provides MC1. Wizards wearing a cornuthaum gain 1 point of charisma and extrinsic clairvoyance; non-Wizards lose 1 point of charisma and have all instances of clairvoyance blocked (whether by intrinsic or by spell). Wizards can enchant cornuthaums to +7, but others can only enchant them to +5.
Strategy
Cornuthaums are one of the best helms for a Wizard to use, since they can be enchanted higher than other (non-elven) helms. The clairvoyance property is also quite useful and can't be permanently gained via any other method besides the Amulet of Yendor itself. However, a helm of brilliance is usually a better choice.
A cornuthaum is not a hard helmet and does not protect you from falling rock traps, a consideration only when your HP is low (for this reason, early in the game even an orcish helm is likely better than a cornuthaum). Also, although a cornuthaum's +1 to charisma may help a little in foocubus encounters, a helm of brilliance's potential +4 or +5 to intelligence helps a lot more. An orcish Wizard will require a helm of brilliance to achieve hungerless casting. The additional possible enchantment of the cornuthaum is a benefit, but by the time you have enough scrolls of enchant armor to enchant your helm to +7, you will probably have enough AC that this advantage is not particularly important; for a high-level Wizard with time on their hands, an overenchanted helm of brilliance can be created by polypiling +6 or +7 elven armor. Additionally, a cornuthaum has 0 base AC, so the +2 bonus safe enchantment is actually only worth 1 additional point of AC.
Sometimes, however, a cornuthaum is better. In the early game, Wizards often have enough innate intelligence to cast low-level useful spells, especially elven Wizards (or those who have alchemized some potions of gain ability). High-level spells are usually too expensive in terms of energy regeneration before you have the Eye of the Aethiopica. Therefore, the intelligence bonus is not very useful here, and clairvoyance can make dark mines levels safer.
Although it is a very powerful helm, a cornuthaum is not worth wishing for by powerful Wizards. If you can polymorph items, consider polypiling instead. It probably shouldn't be in the ascension kit.
Identification
Cornuthaums and dunce caps are both conical hats. They can be distinguished by price or wearing, though wearing a dunce cap is dangerous. They are otherwise identical until identified.
History
Prior to version 3.6.0, cornuthaums had an MC of 2, rather than 1.
Origin
"Cornuthaum" seems to be a term coined in NetHack for folklore's "wizard hat". Cornu is Latin for "horn", and thauma (θαῦμα) is Greek for "miracle, wonder".
The stereotypical wizard hat is a conical blue hat with yellow stars and crescent moons; these shapes are possibly derived from old cabalistic symbols. Variations are seen in folklore, but the hat stays at least vaguely conical. The notion of a thinking hat possibly derives from ceremonial conical hats, or even true thinking hats, making it only natural that wizards wear one.
Variants
In variants derived from NetHack 3.4.3, including SLASH'EM, cornuthaums generally provide MC2.
In general, a cornuthaum makes excellent pet care; it generally grants the highest level of magic cancellation of all armor a large- or huge-sized pet would fit into, and magic cancellation partly substitutes for any intrinsic resistances your pet cannot acquire.
Encyclopedia entry
He was dressed in a flowing gown with fur tippets which had
the signs of the zodiac embroidered over it, with various
cabalistic signs, such as triangles with eyes in them, queer
crosses, leaves of trees, bones of birds and animals, and a
planetarium whose stars shone like bits of looking-glass with
the sun on them. He had a pointed hat like a dunce's cap, or
like the headgear worn by ladies of that time, except that
the ladies were accustomed to have a bit of veil floating
from the top of it.
"A wizard!" Dooley exclaimed, astounded.
"At your service, sirs," said the wizard. "How
perceptive of you to notice. I suppose my hat rather gives me
away. Something of a beacon, I don't doubt." His hat was
pretty much that, tall and cone-shaped with stars and crescent
moons all over it. All in all, it couldn't have been more
wizardish.
This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.
It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.6.0. Information on this page may be out of date.
Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-360}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.
