Difference between revisions of "Expensive camera"

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An '''expensive camera''' is a [[tool]]. When [[apply|applied]] in the direction of a monster that has eyes, it will be blinded and will often [[scare|turn to flee]]. Affected monsters will be blinded, permanently if adjacent, or for up to 13 turns, depending on the distance, if they are farther away from you.{{refsrc|uhitm.c|2836|nethack=3.6.1|comment=minimum non-adjacent dist2() is 4, so no more than 1 + 50/4 turns}}  They will also flee with 75% chance, provided they're no more than 2 squares away from you.{{refsrc|uhitm.c|2833|nethack=3.6.1}}  Shopkeepers will never flee.  The flash will also cause 1d4 damage to [[gremlin]]s (this will never kill them).  Sleeping monsters will be awakened instead, with no further effects.
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An '''expensive camera''' is a type of [[tool]] that appears in ''[[Nethack]]''. It is [[fragile]] and made of [[plastic]].
  
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A cursed camera will  blind you half of the time (for 1d25 turns). This is probably only a concern for cameras found in [[bones]] piles, as like most other tools cameras are never randomly generated cursed.
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==Generation==
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Randomly generated expensive cameras are always uncursed, with 30 to 99 charges.
  
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Cameras are generated with 30 to 99 charges, and like other tools can be [[charging|recharged]] indefinitely.
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All [[Tourist]]s start the game with an expensive camera.  
  
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The expensive camera is one of the items that is completely incapable of doing damage when wielded but instead is lost during an attack; the other such item is the [[cream pie]].
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==Description==
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When [[applied]] in the direction of a monster that has eyes, the flash of an expensive camera (whose beam is represented by {{white|[[!]]}}) will [[blind]] that monster, as well as typically [[scaring]] it - applying a cursed camera has a 50% chance of blinding you for 1d25 turns instead when applied. Applying a camera at a [[sleeping]] monster will wake it up with no further effects.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|3119|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Gremlin]]s will take d4 damage from the flash, and cannot die as a result of this damage.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|3126|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Applying the camera at yourself with {{kbd|.}} will blind yourself for up to 25 turns.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2489|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
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[[Tourist]]s start with a camera.
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Affected monsters that are adjacent are blinded permanently, while monsters that are farther away are blinded for up to 13 turns, depending on the distance.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|3121|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=minimum non-adjacent dist2() is 4, so no more than 1 + 50/4 turns}} Monsters hit by the flash will also flee with a {{frac|3|4}} chance, provided they are not [[shopkeeper]]s and no more than 2 squares away from you.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|3135|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
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As of NetHack 3.6.0, breaking a camera has a 33% chance of releasing "The picture-painting demon", which will be a [[homunculus]] 2/3 of the time and an [[imp]] the remaining 1/3. The creature so generated will be peaceful unless the camera was cursed{{refsrc|dothrow.c|1746|nethack=3.6.0}}. This is a reference to how cameras work in the Discworld series of novels.
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If wielded and used to attack, the expensive camera will break and do no damage; it shares this property with the [[cream pie]].{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|892|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=attacking with a wielded camera}} Breaking a camera in any way has a {{frac|3}} chance of releasing a "picture-painting demon", which will be a [[homunculus]] {{frac|2|3}} of the time and an [[imp]] the remaining {{frac|3}} - the resulting demon will be peaceful unless the camera is cursed.{{refsrc|src/dothrow.c|1943|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=<code>release_camera_demon</code> is described here}}
  
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== Strategy ==
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Applying an unpaid expensive camera induces a 10% [[usage fee]]. Like most other tools, a camera has no limit on [[charging]].
  
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* Cameras are useful against the [[Riders]], as they are the only method that will make them flee from you.
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==Strategy==
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* If you find a camera before you find a blindfold or towel, it can be useful to blind yourself (apply it at {{kbd|.}}) in order to use intrinsic [[telepathy]]. Since the d25 turns you will be blinded for is ordinarily much less than the 10d20 turns that a [[yellow light]] will blind you, it can be useful to blind yourself before one explodes as well.
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An expensive camera is a solid [[escape item]] and scaring tool, and is the only known item that can cause the [[Riders]] to flee from you. Cameras are also the only way to permanently blind a monster, which is useful if you need it alive, but are unable to render it peaceful and don't want it to chase you (often the case with [[foocubi]]) – remember that blinded hostile monsters will not respect [[Elbereth]] and may still attack you in melee while fleeing, particularly in closed spaces where they may not be able to get clear of you.
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* Blinding a monster will negate its fear of [[Elbereth]]. Therefore, it is generally not a good idea to use a camera on monsters that respect Elbereth if there is any chance that you may need to use Elbereth before killing the monster. (While a camera will make the monster turn to flee, methods of causing fear other than Elbereth do not completely prevent monsters from attacking you in melee.)
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* In a pinch, you can use a camera to wake up a [[sleep]]ing pet or other monster.  (It won't work on [[paralyzed]] monsters, though.)  Conversely, avoid using the camera around the monsters you don't want to wake up prematurely, e.g. in [[barracks]].
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If you find an expensive camera early in the game before you have a [[blindfold]], it can be a viable method for blinding yourself, e.g. in order to use your intrinsic [[telepathy]], or to avoid the longer blinding from a [[yellow light]] when it explodes (which blinds you for 10d20 turns); it can also be used to blind yourself and safely attack a [[floating eye]] in melee. You could blind the floating eye with the camera instead: although there is a 0.2% chance of losing a point of [[Luck]] for attacking a blinded eye, this happens so rarely that it is not a significant risk. The risk of ''accidentally'' blinding yourself with a cursed camera is usually only a concern for cameras found in [[bones]] piles.
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You can use a camera to wake up a sleeping monster, including your [[pet]], making it useful for [[Knight]]s in particular; this does not work on [[paralyzed]] monsters, and should be avoided around rooms of monster that you don't want to wake up prematurely, e.g. in [[barracks]]. [[Pacifist]] and [[illiterate]] [[conduct]] players will appreciate having an expensive camera to scare monsters, as will players attempting a [[protection racket]].
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==History==
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The expensive camera first appears in [[Hack 1.0]], introduced as part of the Tourist role's starting inventory and the TOURIST [[compile-time option]].
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 +
==Origin==
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The "picture-painting demon" generated from a broken camera is based on how cameras work in [[Terry Pratchett]]'s ''[[Discworld]]'' series of novels.
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==Messages==
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{{message|You succeed in destroying the expensive camera. Congratulations!|You broke a wielded expensive camera by attacking a monster with it.}}
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{{message|The picture-painting demon is released!|You generated an imp or homunculus by breaking an expensive camera.}}
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==Variants==
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Many variants incorporate the [[advent calendar]] room, which may have an expensive camera as the Christmas present in the 24th room.
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===SpliceHack===
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In [[SpliceHack]], [[Cartomancer]]s know the expensive camera as a '''holographic card'''. Their [[quest nemesis]], [[Dal Zethire]], also generates with an expensive camera.
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===SlashTHEM===
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[[SlashTHEM]] incorporates the [[photography patch]] created by Nephi, allowing you to take [[photograph]]s of various things and store them in a [[photo album]].
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Graduates start the game with an expensive camera.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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<references />
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<references/>
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Tools]]
 
[[Category:Tools]]
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{{nethack-343}}
 

Latest revision as of 03:40, 10 December 2023

( Expensive camera.png
Name expensive camera
Appearance expensive camera
Base price 200 zm
Weight 12
Material plastic
Monster use Will not be used by monsters.

An expensive camera is a type of tool that appears in Nethack. It is fragile and made of plastic.

Generation

Randomly generated expensive cameras are always uncursed, with 30 to 99 charges.

All Tourists start the game with an expensive camera.

Description

When applied in the direction of a monster that has eyes, the flash of an expensive camera (whose beam is represented by !) will blind that monster, as well as typically scaring it - applying a cursed camera has a 50% chance of blinding you for 1d25 turns instead when applied. Applying a camera at a sleeping monster will wake it up with no further effects.[1] Gremlins will take d4 damage from the flash, and cannot die as a result of this damage.[2] Applying the camera at yourself with . will blind yourself for up to 25 turns.[3]

Affected monsters that are adjacent are blinded permanently, while monsters that are farther away are blinded for up to 13 turns, depending on the distance.[4] Monsters hit by the flash will also flee with a 3⁄4 chance, provided they are not shopkeepers and no more than 2 squares away from you.[5]

If wielded and used to attack, the expensive camera will break and do no damage; it shares this property with the cream pie.[6] Breaking a camera in any way has a 1⁄3 chance of releasing a "picture-painting demon", which will be a homunculus 2⁄3 of the time and an imp the remaining 1⁄3 - the resulting demon will be peaceful unless the camera is cursed.[7]

Applying an unpaid expensive camera induces a 10% usage fee. Like most other tools, a camera has no limit on charging.

Strategy

An expensive camera is a solid escape item and scaring tool, and is the only known item that can cause the Riders to flee from you. Cameras are also the only way to permanently blind a monster, which is useful if you need it alive, but are unable to render it peaceful and don't want it to chase you (often the case with foocubi) – remember that blinded hostile monsters will not respect Elbereth and may still attack you in melee while fleeing, particularly in closed spaces where they may not be able to get clear of you.

If you find an expensive camera early in the game before you have a blindfold, it can be a viable method for blinding yourself, e.g. in order to use your intrinsic telepathy, or to avoid the longer blinding from a yellow light when it explodes (which blinds you for 10d20 turns); it can also be used to blind yourself and safely attack a floating eye in melee. You could blind the floating eye with the camera instead: although there is a 0.2% chance of losing a point of Luck for attacking a blinded eye, this happens so rarely that it is not a significant risk. The risk of accidentally blinding yourself with a cursed camera is usually only a concern for cameras found in bones piles.

You can use a camera to wake up a sleeping monster, including your pet, making it useful for Knights in particular; this does not work on paralyzed monsters, and should be avoided around rooms of monster that you don't want to wake up prematurely, e.g. in barracks. Pacifist and illiterate conduct players will appreciate having an expensive camera to scare monsters, as will players attempting a protection racket.

History

The expensive camera first appears in Hack 1.0, introduced as part of the Tourist role's starting inventory and the TOURIST compile-time option.

Origin

The "picture-painting demon" generated from a broken camera is based on how cameras work in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of novels.

Messages

You succeed in destroying the expensive camera. Congratulations!
You broke a wielded expensive camera by attacking a monster with it.
The picture-painting demon is released!
You generated an imp or homunculus by breaking an expensive camera.

Variants

Many variants incorporate the advent calendar room, which may have an expensive camera as the Christmas present in the 24th room.

SpliceHack

In SpliceHack, Cartomancers know the expensive camera as a holographic card. Their quest nemesis, Dal Zethire, also generates with an expensive camera.

SlashTHEM

SlashTHEM incorporates the photography patch created by Nephi, allowing you to take photographs of various things and store them in a photo album.

Graduates start the game with an expensive camera.

References

  1. ↑ src/uhitm.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 3119
  2. ↑ src/uhitm.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 3126
  3. ↑ src/zap.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 2489
  4. ↑ src/uhitm.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 3121: minimum non-adjacent dist2() is 4, so no more than 1 + 50/4 turns
  5. ↑ src/uhitm.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 3135
  6. ↑ src/uhitm.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 892: attacking with a wielded camera
  7. ↑ src/dothrow.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 1943: release_camera_demon is described here
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