Difference between revisions of "Cornuthaum"
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The '''cornuthaum''' is a magical [[helm]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. When unidentified, it appears as a [[conical hat]], an appearance it shares with the [[dunce cap]]. | The '''cornuthaum''' is a magical [[helm]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. When unidentified, it appears as a [[conical hat]], an appearance it shares with the [[dunce cap]]. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Description== |
| − | 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 | + | When worn, a cornuthaum provides [[magic cancellation|MC1]] but no base [[AC]]. [[Wizard]]s wearing a cornuthaum gain 1 point of [[charisma]] and extrinsic [[clairvoyance]]; non-Wizards lose 1 point of charisma and have all sources of clairvoyance blocked (whether from the intrinsic or the [[spellbook of clairvoyance|spell]]). Wizards can enchant cornuthaums to +7, but others can only enchant them to +5. |
| − | == | + | ==Strategy== |
| − | + | Cornuthaums are among the best helms for Wizards, being the only permanent source of clairvoyance outside of the [[Amulet of Yendor]]. They are are often overlooked in favor of the [[helm of brilliance]], since a potential +4 or +5 bonus to [[intelligence]] and [[wisdom]] has far more applications in most situations than the cornuthaum's +1 charisma bonus. Wizards finding a cornuthaum close to the start of the game may even prefer an [[orcish helm]] for protection from [[falling rock trap]]s, at least until they can gain a few levels and raise their HP. | |
| − | + | From the point that most Wizards are prepared to delve deeper into the dungeon, a cornuthaum is generally preferable by far for navigating the [[Gnomish Mines]] and other dark areas, even for races with [[infravision]] - most Wizards start with more than enough innate intelligence to cast low-level spells often (especially [[elf (starting race)|elven]] Wizards), and can raise their intelligence via [[alchemy|alchemized]] [[potion of gain ability|potions of gain ability]] if necessary. [[Orc (starting race)|Orcish]] Wizards may occasionally prefer the helm of brilliance for fully [[hungerless casting]], but their normal cap of 16 Int will suffice for a majority of standard scenarios. | |
| − | + | While Wizards can safely enchant a cornuthaum to +7 similar to an [[elven leather helm]], the [[scroll of enchant armor|scrolls of enchant armor]] required are better spent elsewhere in their mid-to-late game, especially once they obtain [[The Eye of the Aethiopica]] and gain the [[power]] regeneration necessary to make frequent use of higher-level spells. A +5 helm of brilliance can provide the benefits of boosted intelligence and wisdom at only 1 less point of AC than 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. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | The cornuthaum is the only MC-granting armor that is not worn on the torso, and is the only source of MC for an intelligent [[humanoid]] [[pet]] that is [[Physical size|too large]] to wear body armor, e.g. a [[titan]] or [[Centaur (monster class)|centaur]] - monsters such as [[Archon]]s that inherently have MC1 gain no further protection from a cornuthaum outside of its enchantment. | |
| − | + | {{upcoming|3.7.0|Large humanoid Giants and other similar monsters can now wear [[mummy wrapping]]s, which also grant MC1.}} | |
| − | + | ===Identification=== | |
| + | As the cornuthaum and the [[autocursing]] dunce cap are both conical hats, picking up and wear-testing a conical hat at random is a [[Bad Idea]]. They can easily be [[price identification|distinguished by price]]: the cornuthaum has a base cost of 80 zorkmids. | ||
| − | + | {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|For a [[Tourist]], {{frac|3}} of conical hats can be read. A cornuthaum will be labeled "WIZZARD".}} | |
==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | "Cornuthaum" is a term coined by DevTeam member Janet Walz<ref> | + | "Cornuthaum" is a term coined by ''NetHack'' [[DevTeam]] member Janet Walz to describe the stereotypical wizard hat<ref>{{commit|c155d238236f320ee1e0bd5f1b5b882db6f0b8a5|Commit c155d23}} adds the origin of the term alongside the entry for the [[stethoscope]].</ref> - ''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. |
| − | |||
| − | 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. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The cornuthaum is introduced in [[NetHack 3.2.0]]. | + | The cornuthaum is introduced in [[NetHack 3.2.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including variants derived from those versions, cornuthaums granted MC2 when worn, making them more useful as MC sources for pets and as Archon hats in particular. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Variants== | ==Variants== | ||
| − | In variants | + | In variants based on NetHack 3.4.3, and earlier versions, cornuthaums generally provide MC2. |
==Encyclopedia entry== | ==Encyclopedia entry== | ||
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{{right-align|[ The Elfin Ship, James P. Blaylock ]}} | {{right-align|[ The Elfin Ship, James P. Blaylock ]}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | + | {{nethack-367|offset=1}} | |
[[Category:Helms]] | [[Category:Helms]] | ||
| − | |||
Revision as of 08:10, 17 August 2023
[ cornuthaum 
| |
|---|---|
| Appearance | conical hat |
| Slot | helm |
| AC | 0 |
| Special |
|
| Base price | 80 zm |
| Weight | 4 |
| Material | cloth |
The cornuthaum is a magical helm that appears in NetHack. When unidentified, it appears as a conical hat, an appearance it shares with the dunce cap.
Contents
Description
When worn, a cornuthaum provides MC1 but no base AC. Wizards wearing a cornuthaum gain 1 point of charisma and extrinsic clairvoyance; non-Wizards lose 1 point of charisma and have all sources of clairvoyance blocked (whether from the intrinsic or the spell). Wizards can enchant cornuthaums to +7, but others can only enchant them to +5.
Strategy
Cornuthaums are among the best helms for Wizards, being the only permanent source of clairvoyance outside of the Amulet of Yendor. They are are often overlooked in favor of the helm of brilliance, since a potential +4 or +5 bonus to intelligence and wisdom has far more applications in most situations than the cornuthaum's +1 charisma bonus. Wizards finding a cornuthaum close to the start of the game may even prefer an orcish helm for protection from falling rock traps, at least until they can gain a few levels and raise their HP.
From the point that most Wizards are prepared to delve deeper into the dungeon, a cornuthaum is generally preferable by far for navigating the Gnomish Mines and other dark areas, even for races with infravision - most Wizards start with more than enough innate intelligence to cast low-level spells often (especially elven Wizards), and can raise their intelligence via alchemized potions of gain ability if necessary. Orcish Wizards may occasionally prefer the helm of brilliance for fully hungerless casting, but their normal cap of 16 Int will suffice for a majority of standard scenarios.
While Wizards can safely enchant a cornuthaum to +7 similar to an elven leather helm, the scrolls of enchant armor required are better spent elsewhere in their mid-to-late game, especially once they obtain The Eye of the Aethiopica and gain the power regeneration necessary to make frequent use of higher-level spells. A +5 helm of brilliance can provide the benefits of boosted intelligence and wisdom at only 1 less point of AC than 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.
The cornuthaum is the only MC-granting armor that is not worn on the torso, and is the only source of MC for an intelligent humanoid pet that is too large to wear body armor, e.g. a titan or centaur - monsters such as Archons that inherently have MC1 gain no further protection from a cornuthaum outside of its enchantment.
The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.
Large humanoid Giants and other similar monsters can now wear mummy wrappings, which also grant MC1.Identification
As the cornuthaum and the autocursing dunce cap are both conical hats, picking up and wear-testing a conical hat at random is a Bad Idea. They can easily be distinguished by price: the cornuthaum has a base cost of 80 zorkmids.
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.
For a Tourist, 1⁄3 of conical hats can be read. A cornuthaum will be labeled "WIZZARD".Origin
"Cornuthaum" is a term coined by NetHack DevTeam member Janet Walz to describe the stereotypical wizard hat[1] - 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.
History
The cornuthaum is introduced in NetHack 3.2.0. From this version to NetHack 3.4.3, including variants derived from those versions, cornuthaums granted MC2 when worn, making them more useful as MC sources for pets and as Archon hats in particular.
Variants
In variants based on NetHack 3.4.3, and earlier versions, cornuthaums generally provide MC2.
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.
- ↑ Commit c155d23 adds the origin of the term alongside the entry for the stethoscope.
