Difference between revisions of "Cornuthaum"
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| − | + | The '''cornuthaum''' is a type of [[helm]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. When unidentified, it appears as a [[conical hat]], an appearance shared with the [[dunce cap]]. | |
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| + | ==Effects== | ||
| + | When worn, a cornuthaum 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== | ==Strategy== | ||
| + | Since the cornuthaum and the [[autocursing]] dunce cap share the same appearance, it is dangerous to blindly wear-test for; the cornuthaum can easily be distinguished in [[shop]] using its [[price identification|base price]] of 80 zm (compare to 1 zm for dunce caps). | ||
| − | Cornuthaums are | + | Cornuthaums are among the best helms for a Wizard to use, but are often overlooked in favor of the [[helm of brilliance]], since a potential +4 or +5 bonus to [[intelligence]] has far more applications in most situations than the cornuthaum's +1 charisma bonus. As a cornuthaum is made of cloth and does not protect you from [[falling rock trap]]s, Wizards finding one close to the start of the game may even prefer an [[orcish]] helm until they can gain a few levels and raise their HP. |
| − | + | However, from that point and up to the mid-game, a cornuthaum may be much more preferable over a helm of brilliance, since the clairvoyance property is quite useful for navigating the [[Gnomish Mines]] and quite difficult to obtain on a permanent basis. Most early game Wizards already have enough innate intelligence to cast low-level spells often (especially [[elf (starting race)|elven]] Wizards), and will lack the [[power]] regeneration to make much higher-level spells viable for frequent use before obtaining [[The Eye of the Aethiopica]]. They may also be able to raise their intelligence via [[alchemy|alchemized]] [[potion of gain ability|potions of gain ability]] if necessary; conversely, an [[Orc (starting race)|orcish]] Wizard will prefer the helm of brilliance from the beginning, as it is needed to boost their intelligence past their racial maximum and achieve [[hungerless casting]]. | |
| − | + | While the ability for Wizards to safely enchant a cornuthaum to +7 similar to an [[elven leather helm]] makes it more enticing, the [[scroll of enchant weapon|scrolls of enchant weapon]] required are better spent elsewhere in their mid-to-late game, especially after obtaining the Eye. The cornuthaum's lack of base AC means that a helm of brilliance, at its highest safe enchantment, can provide the benefits of boosted intelligence and wisdom at an effective cost of only 1 AC versus a +7 cornuthaum; patient wizards can also [[polypile]] their way to a +6 or +7 helm of brilliance using the aforementioned scrolls and readily-available elven armor. | |
| − | + | ==History== | |
| + | Prior to version 3.6.0, cornuthaums had an [[MC]] of 2, rather than 1. | ||
| − | == | + | ==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. | |
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
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"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". | "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. | + | 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. |
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==Encyclopedia entry== | ==Encyclopedia entry== | ||
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[[Category:Helms]] | [[Category:Helms]] | ||
| − | {{nethack- | + | {{nethack-364|offset=1}} |
Revision as of 10:37, 22 February 2020
[ cornuthaum 
| |
|---|---|
| Appearance | conical hat |
| Slot | helm |
| AC | 0 |
| Special |
|
| Base price | 80 zm |
| Weight | 4 |
| Material | cloth |
The cornuthaum is a type of helm that appears in NetHack. When unidentified, it appears as a conical hat, an appearance shared with the dunce cap.
Effects
When worn, a cornuthaum 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
Since the cornuthaum and the autocursing dunce cap share the same appearance, it is dangerous to blindly wear-test for; the cornuthaum can easily be distinguished in shop using its base price of 80 zm (compare to 1 zm for dunce caps).
Cornuthaums are among the best helms for a Wizard to use, but are often overlooked in favor of the helm of brilliance, since a potential +4 or +5 bonus to intelligence has far more applications in most situations than the cornuthaum's +1 charisma bonus. As a cornuthaum is made of cloth and does not protect you from falling rock traps, Wizards finding one close to the start of the game may even prefer an orcish helm until they can gain a few levels and raise their HP.
However, from that point and up to the mid-game, a cornuthaum may be much more preferable over a helm of brilliance, since the clairvoyance property is quite useful for navigating the Gnomish Mines and quite difficult to obtain on a permanent basis. Most early game Wizards already have enough innate intelligence to cast low-level spells often (especially elven Wizards), and will lack the power regeneration to make much higher-level spells viable for frequent use before obtaining The Eye of the Aethiopica. They may also be able to raise their intelligence via alchemized potions of gain ability if necessary; conversely, an orcish Wizard will prefer the helm of brilliance from the beginning, as it is needed to boost their intelligence past their racial maximum and achieve hungerless casting.
While the ability for Wizards to safely enchant a cornuthaum to +7 similar to an elven leather helm makes it more enticing, the scrolls of enchant weapon required are better spent elsewhere in their mid-to-late game, especially after obtaining the Eye. The cornuthaum's lack of base AC means that a helm of brilliance, at its highest safe enchantment, can provide the benefits of boosted intelligence and wisdom at an effective cost of only 1 AC versus a +7 cornuthaum; patient wizards can also polypile their way to a +6 or +7 helm of brilliance using the aforementioned scrolls and readily-available elven armor.
History
Prior to version 3.6.0, cornuthaums had an MC of 2, rather than 1.
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.
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.
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 3.6.4. Information on this page may be out of date.
Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-364}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.
