Difference between revisions of "Potion of polymorph"

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{{potion|name=polymorph|cost=200}}
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{{potion
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[[Quaff]]ing this potion will make you [[polymorph]]. Without [[polymorph control]], this will likely destroy your armor. Therefore it is usually a bad potion to quaff.
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|name=polymorph
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|cost=200
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|muse=misc
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}}
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A '''potion of polymorph''' is a type of [[potion]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.
  
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[[Throw]]ing this potion at a [[monster]] will cause it to polymorph.
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==Generation==
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Randomly generated monsters with a [[monster difficulty]] of 5 or less have a {{frac|30}} chance of receiving a potion of polymorph as a [[miscellaneous item]], with a {{frac|5|6}} chance of one appearing in a monster's [[monster starting inventory|starting inventory]] if a polymorph item is chosen.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|2024|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
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[[Dip]]ping an [[item]] into this potion will polymorph the item. The usual checks for golem creating, items vanishing, artifacts resisting, etc. are skipped, but large stacks still merge to small ones.<ref>
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[[Wizard]]s may be given a potion of polymorph as one of the three random potions in their starting inventory, though they will never start with the potion and a [[ring of polymorph control]] simultaneously.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|166|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|1041|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|1044|nethack=3.6.7}}
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[[Potion.c#line1647]]</ref> There is a chance that the item will polymorph to itself -- the message "Nothing seems to happen" will appear in place of the "Interesting..." that usually appears when nothing actually happens after dipping, and the potion will be consumed. This also will not identify the potion.
 
  
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Although these potions are rare, dip-testing to these will result the loss of polypiling objects conduct. Because of this, some conduct players try to price-id the potions and identify the 200 zm potions otherwise.
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==Description==
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The potion has various effects depending on its use, and can [[polymorph]] items, [[monster]]s or the player. Potions of polymorph cannot be polymorphed themselves.
  
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Potions of polymorph are tricky to use-test in a fully conduct-proof way. Besides [[Identification#Magical_identification|formal identification]], one such way is monster inventory. Only three types of price-200 potions can be generated on random monsters: [[Potion of full healing|full healing]], [[potion of speed|speed]], and polymorph. Polymorph is by far the least common one. [[Death drop]]s and items picked up by monsters complicate the picture, but a [[farming#throne farming|throne farming]] [[pacifist]] will reliably isolate all three. The other two can be eliminated by [[alchemy]] output and monster usage, or you could throw the potion upward - the [[vapors]] will have no visible effect. You could dip a known wand of polymorph into potions - only a potion of polymorph will give "Nothing happens."
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===Quaffing, throwing and wielding===
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{{main|Polymorph}}
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[[Quaff]]ing this potion will cause you to polymorph unless you have [[unchanging]], [[auto-identify]]ing. Monsters can also quaff this potion - mercifully, this will not generate out-of-depth monsters.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|1747|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Throw]]ing this potion at a [[monster]] will cause it to polymorph, as will [[wield]]ing the potion and smashing it on them. Inhaling the [[vapors]] from a potion of polymorph abuses [[constitution]].
  
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Note that you can also cause a monster to polymorph by wielding the potion and smashing it on them, but this is not advised because if by an unlucky chance that monster becomes a cockatrice, you will be petrified.
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{{upcoming|3.7.0|Quaffing a blessed potion of polymorph will give you a [[polymorph control|controlled]] polymorph.}}
  
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Monsters can quaff this potions. Mercifully, this will not generate out-of-depth monsters.{{refsrc|Muse.c|1794}}
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===Dipping===
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{{main|polypiling}}
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[[Dip]]ping an [[item]] into this potion may polymorph the item - this cannot polymorph [[invocation items]], the [[Amulet of Yendor]], a [[spellbook of polymorph]], [[wand of polymorph]], or another potion(s) of polymorph. [[Artifact]]s have a {{frac|19|20}} chance of resisting, while other items have a {{frac|20}} chance of resisting.{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1965|nethack=3.6.7}} The usual checks for golem creation, items vanishing, artifacts resisting, etc. are skipped, but large stacks will still merge to small ones.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|1984|nethack=3.6.7}} Dipping this potion into another, non-{{! of|water}} potion will similarly polymorph the other potion, rather than resulting in random [[alchemy]].
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Items that resist polymorphing will not use up the potion or break [[polypileless]] conduct - however, an item may accidentally polymorph into itself, which uses up the potion and breaks polypileless. In both cases, the potion of polymorph is not auto-identified.
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==Strategy==
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Wielding the potion and hitting a monster is not advised because if by an unlucky chance that monster becomes a [[footrice]], you will be [[petrified]].
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===Identification===
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Most players can easily identify the potion by dipping an item into it, especially as quaffing may destroy some of your armor. Some conduct players prefer [[price identification]] or other means of identifying 200zm potions to avoid breaking polyselfless or polypileless conducts. Here are a few other methods that do not require magical identification:
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* Dipping a resistant item, such as a wand of polymorph or the [[Bell of Opening]], is always safe and doesn’t use up the tested potions.
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** A non-resistant item that polymorphs into itself will use up the potion, but also confirms its identity to [[name]] later, since the message for this is different from the one given when nothing actually happens after dipping an item in a potion.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|1990|nethack=3.6.7|comment="Nothing seems to happen", versus "Interesting..." for a potion with no actual effect}}
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* Quaffing while wearing an [[amulet of unchanging]] uses up the potion, but prevents it from taking effect; fortunately, all the other 200 zm potions are safe to drink as well (although you may want to bless them first).
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* Quaffing with a source of [[polymorph control]] will pull up a prompt; you can then choose to [[Polymorph#Polymorphing into your own race|polymorph into your own race]], which doesn't break the conduct, but may have other undesired effects.
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* Monsters with a difficulty of 5 or less are occasionally generated with one as their miscellaneous item, and watching one drink the potion will identify it. You could also try leaving 200 zm potions in the path of intelligent monsters.
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* If you are not observing polypileless conduct, then [[Potion#Unicorn horn dipping|dip-testing]] with a [[unicorn horn]] is a suitable method, provided you are not using your only unicorn horn - this will usually yield another [[magical tool]] unless the horn was regrown from a [[revive]]d unicorn.
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===Smoky potions===
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A potion of polymorph with the [[randomized appearance]] of a [[smoky potion]] can be quite the inconvenience to any wish-hunters, as it will require unchanging to quaff safely - polymorph control can also prevent the polymorph from breaking or dropping armor, though it can still end up lowering your level or shuffling your attributes.
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==History==
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The potion of polymorph first appears in [[NetHack-- 3.0.10]], and makes its vanilla debut in [[NetHack 3.3.0]].
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==Variants==
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===SLASH'EM===
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In SLASH'EM, the Chamber of Junk in the [[Lawful Quest]] has two separate {{frac|2|5}} chances to contain a cursed potion of polymorph.
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===EvilHack===
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In [[EvilHack]], monsters may throw a potion of polymorph rather than quaff it, polymorphing any monster that it hits (including you) unless they have [[magic resistance]] or [[unchanging]]; if a monster's attempt to polymorph you has no effect, they will refrain from attempting to polymorph you further.
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===SlashTHEM===
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In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, the [[Undertaker quest]] has two separate {{frac|2|5}} chances to contain a cursed potion of polymorph on the goal level, which is a copy of the Lawful Quest.
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===Hack'EM===
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In [[Hack'EM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelgangers]] start the game with knowledge of items that can polymorph monsters, including the potion of polymorph.
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Monsters may throw potions of polymorph rather than quaff them, with the same behavior as in EvilHack. Monsters cannot be created with a potion of polymorph and a ring of polymorph control simultaneously, which is mostly relevant for generating [[Wizard (player monster)|wizard]] [[player monster]]s.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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{{nethack-367}}
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{{stub}}
 
 
[[Category:Potions|Polymorph]]
 
[[Category:Potions|Polymorph]]

Latest revision as of 07:25, 29 October 2023

! Pink potion.png
Name polymorph
Appearance random
Base price 200 zm
Weight 20
Monster use May be used by monsters as misc items.

A potion of polymorph is a type of potion that appears in NetHack.

Generation

Randomly generated monsters with a monster difficulty of 5 or less have a 1⁄30 chance of receiving a potion of polymorph as a miscellaneous item, with a 5⁄6 chance of one appearing in a monster's starting inventory if a polymorph item is chosen.[1]

Wizards may be given a potion of polymorph as one of the three random potions in their starting inventory, though they will never start with the potion and a ring of polymorph control simultaneously.[2][3][4]

Description

The potion has various effects depending on its use, and can polymorph items, monsters or the player. Potions of polymorph cannot be polymorphed themselves.

Quaffing, throwing and wielding

Main article: Polymorph

Quaffing this potion will cause you to polymorph unless you have unchanging, auto-identifying. Monsters can also quaff this potion - mercifully, this will not generate out-of-depth monsters.[5] Throwing this potion at a monster will cause it to polymorph, as will wielding the potion and smashing it on them. Inhaling the vapors from a potion of polymorph abuses constitution.

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.

Quaffing a blessed potion of polymorph will give you a controlled polymorph.

Dipping

Main article: polypiling

Dipping an item into this potion may polymorph the item - this cannot polymorph invocation items, the Amulet of Yendor, a spellbook of polymorph, wand of polymorph, or another potion(s) of polymorph. Artifacts have a 19⁄20 chance of resisting, while other items have a 1⁄20 chance of resisting.[6] The usual checks for golem creation, items vanishing, artifacts resisting, etc. are skipped, but large stacks will still merge to small ones.[7] Dipping this potion into another, non-water potion will similarly polymorph the other potion, rather than resulting in random alchemy.

Items that resist polymorphing will not use up the potion or break polypileless conduct - however, an item may accidentally polymorph into itself, which uses up the potion and breaks polypileless. In both cases, the potion of polymorph is not auto-identified.

Strategy

Wielding the potion and hitting a monster is not advised because if by an unlucky chance that monster becomes a footrice, you will be petrified.

Identification

Most players can easily identify the potion by dipping an item into it, especially as quaffing may destroy some of your armor. Some conduct players prefer price identification or other means of identifying 200zm potions to avoid breaking polyselfless or polypileless conducts. Here are a few other methods that do not require magical identification:

  • Dipping a resistant item, such as a wand of polymorph or the Bell of Opening, is always safe and doesn’t use up the tested potions.
    • A non-resistant item that polymorphs into itself will use up the potion, but also confirms its identity to name later, since the message for this is different from the one given when nothing actually happens after dipping an item in a potion.[8]
  • Quaffing while wearing an amulet of unchanging uses up the potion, but prevents it from taking effect; fortunately, all the other 200 zm potions are safe to drink as well (although you may want to bless them first).
  • Monsters with a difficulty of 5 or less are occasionally generated with one as their miscellaneous item, and watching one drink the potion will identify it. You could also try leaving 200 zm potions in the path of intelligent monsters.
  • If you are not observing polypileless conduct, then dip-testing with a unicorn horn is a suitable method, provided you are not using your only unicorn horn - this will usually yield another magical tool unless the horn was regrown from a revived unicorn.

Smoky potions

A potion of polymorph with the randomized appearance of a smoky potion can be quite the inconvenience to any wish-hunters, as it will require unchanging to quaff safely - polymorph control can also prevent the polymorph from breaking or dropping armor, though it can still end up lowering your level or shuffling your attributes.

History

The potion of polymorph first appears in NetHack-- 3.0.10, and makes its vanilla debut in NetHack 3.3.0.

Variants

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, the Chamber of Junk in the Lawful Quest has two separate 2⁄5 chances to contain a cursed potion of polymorph.

EvilHack

In EvilHack, monsters may throw a potion of polymorph rather than quaff it, polymorphing any monster that it hits (including you) unless they have magic resistance or unchanging; if a monster's attempt to polymorph you has no effect, they will refrain from attempting to polymorph you further.

SlashTHEM

In SlashTHEM, in addition to SLASH'EM details, the Undertaker quest has two separate 2⁄5 chances to contain a cursed potion of polymorph on the goal level, which is a copy of the Lawful Quest.

Hack'EM

In Hack'EM, in addition to SLASH'EM details, doppelgangers start the game with knowledge of items that can polymorph monsters, including the potion of polymorph.

Monsters may throw potions of polymorph rather than quaff them, with the same behavior as in EvilHack. Monsters cannot be created with a potion of polymorph and a ring of polymorph control simultaneously, which is mostly relevant for generating wizard player monsters.

References

  1. ↑ src/muse.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 2024
  2. ↑ src/u_init.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 166
  3. ↑ src/u_init.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1041
  4. ↑ src/u_init.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1044
  5. ↑ src/muse.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1747
  6. ↑ src/potion.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1965
  7. ↑ src/muse.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1984
  8. ↑ src/muse.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1990: "Nothing seems to happen", versus "Interesting..." for a potion with no actual effect
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