View source for Helm of brilliance

{{languages}}
{{armor
  |top={{helm top}}
  |name=helm of brilliance
  |appearance={{random appearance}}
  |slot=helm
  |ac=1
  |special=<ul><li>[[intelligence]] bonus</li><li>[[wisdom]] bonus</li><li>doesn't hinder<br>[[spellcasting]]</li></ul>
  |cost=50
  |weight=50
  |material=iron
}}

A '''helm of brilliance''', sometimes abreviated as '''HoB''', is a type of [[Magical item|magical]] [[helm]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is made of [[iron]] and has a [[randomized appearance]] when unidentified; the default one associated with it is an [[etched helmet]].{{refsrc|src/objects.c|358|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

The helm of brilliance is the [[base item]] for [[The Mitre of Holiness]], the [[Priest]] [[quest artifact]].

{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|The helm of brilliance is made of [[glass]] and has the fixed appearance "'''crystal helmet'''" when unidentified. It has a {{frac|19|20}} chance of resisting breakage, as does [[crystal plate mail]].}}

==Generation==
In addition to random generation, general [[shop]]s and used armor dealershops can sell helms of brilliance.

[[Player monster]]s, including those on the [[Astral Plane]], have a {{frac|21|200}} chance (10.5%) of generating with a helm of brilliance as their initial helm before role-based replacements. before any role-specific changes are made.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|159|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Default equipment; the helm is chosen from within the designated object classes inclusively in objects.c}} Player monster [[Healer (player monster)|healers]], [[Priest (player monster)|priests]] and [[Wizard (player monster)|wizards]] each have a {{frac|3|8}} chance of their initial helm being replaced with a helm of brilliance, raising their effective odds of generating with one to ~44.06%.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|193|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Helm replacement for healers}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|219|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Helm replacement for priests}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|253|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Helm replacement for wizards}} Player monster [[Barbarian (player monster)|barbarians]] and [[Caveman (player monster)|cavefolk]] will never receive a helm of brilliance.{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|176|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Helm replacement for barbarians}}{{refsrc|src/mplayer.c|185|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Helm replacement for cavefolk}}

==Description==
While worn, the helm of brilliance confers 1 base point of [[AC]] and modifies the wearer's [[intelligence]] and [[wisdom]] by its [[enchantment]]. Wearing or removing an enchanted helm of brilliance will [[auto-identify]] it, as will enchanting the worn helm at +0.

Though the helm of brilliance is iron, it does not hinder [[spellcasting]].{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1737|nethack=3.6.7}}

==Strategy==
The helm of brilliance is generally useful for spell-casting: higher intelligence and wisdom stats reduce the failure rate of high-level spells and mitigates the penalties from wearing metallic armor. In addition, wearing an enchanted helm of brilliance will slightly improve [[energy regeneration]] and may give characters a significant boost to maximum [[power]] when gaining [[experience level]]s - since both are influenced by wisdom and energy regeneration is also influenced by intelligence. Characters casting high-level spells in restricted spell schools, such as a high level Priest attempting to cast {{spell of|polymorph}}, may seek out a helm of brilliance.

For a character with already-low base spell failure rates such as a [[Wizard]], a helm of brilliance will likely not have a noticeable effect - conversely, a role with incredibly high spell-casting penalties such as a [[Valkyrie]] or [[Barbarian]] may not notice any significant gains without a [[robe]]. While the latter type of character can also use the helm for [[foocubi]] encounters, the helm may end up removed mid-interaction.

Keep in mind that the helm of brilliance does not prevent [[instadeath]] from [[brainlessness]] induced by a [[mind flayer]], which checks for a '''base''' intelligence of 3.

==History==
The helm of brilliance first appears in [[NetHack 3.0.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including some variants based on those versions, using a cursed [[scroll of destroy armor]] on a cursed helm of brilliance or a cursed pair of [[gauntlets of dexterity]] reduces the enchantment of the piece of armor without altering the stats, and removing them would permanently increase a hero's stats, allowing them to temporarily surpass their racial maximum that way. This became known as the "hobug" (since the helm of brilliance is often abbreviated to HoB).

==Variants==
===SLASH'EM===
In [[SLASH'EM]], [[upgrading]] a [[dwarvish iron helm]] has a {{frac|2}} chance of producing a helm of brilliance, and upgrading a helm of brilliance will produce a dwarvish iron helm.

[[The Mantle of Knowledge]] is a [[Defunct features (SLASH'EM)|defunct]] artifact helm of brilliance.

===dNetHack===
In [[dNetHack]], the helm of brilliance grants 1 base AC, 1 base [[DR]], and adds its enchantment to intelligence and wisdom while worn, and its weight is reduced to 30 aum. It can appear in [[Band (dNetHack)|band]] form as a "crown of cognizance".

===SlashTHEM===
In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, [[Duri]] always generates with a helm of brilliance.

===notdNetHack===
In [[notdNetHack]], in addition to dNetHack details, [[Spirits (dNetHack)#Paimon, the Fell Archivist|Paimon]] is generated with a +3 [[gemstone]] helm of brilliance when summoned by an [[Illithanachronounbinder]].

===Hack'EM===
In [[Hack'EM]], upgrading a [[helm of madness]] will produce a helm of brilliance, and vice versa.

==Encyclopedia entry==
{{encyclopedia|
A helm he set on his head, high of crystal; thereon was many
gemstone, all encompassed with gold; it was Uther's, the noble
king's; it was named Goswhit, each other unlike.
|[ Layamon's Brut, translated by Sir Frederic Madden, K.H. ]}}

==References==
<references/>
{{nethack-367}}
[[Category:Helms]]