Difference between revisions of "Psi bolt"
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| − | '''Psi bolt'''{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|10|nethack=3.6.7|comment=the spell's name is never used in-game}} is a [[monster spell]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'' | + | '''Psi bolt'''{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|10|nethack=3.6.7|comment=the spell's name is never used in-game}} is a [[monster spell]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | The psi bolt spell deals damage depending on the caster's level | + | The psi bolt spell is a melee-range spell that inflicts direct damage, and can be by any [[monster]] that casts [[mage spells]]. It deals damage depending on the caster's level as with most standard calculations for monster spell damage: the damage is ({{frac|''ML''|2}} + 1)d6 of damage unless the monster's casting attack specifies any dice, in which can it deals ({{frac|''ML''|2}} + x)dy damage, where (x, y) is the amount and size of the damage dice.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|288|nethack=3.6.7|name=damnd|comment=calculations for monster spells cast with damage dice}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|290|nethack=3.6.7|name=damxx|comment=calculations for monsters spells cast without dice}} Psi bolt's damage is halved if you have either [[half spell damage]] or [[magic resistance]], and is reduced to {{frac|4}} if you have both properties (rounded up in both cases).{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|292|nethack=3.6.7|comments=half spell damage works for all monster spells}} |
| − | The higher the casting monster's level, the less likely that monster is to randomly select that spell: from levels 1 to 23, the odds decrease significantly from 100% to 4.3%. At level 24 and above, however, there is a chance that the [[touch of death]] monster spell will be replaced with a psi bolt if the player is immune to the former spell - this results in a ''slight'' bias of spell choice towards psi bolt, raising the chance to to 12% at level 25 in those cases and then to about 18% <!-- rough (and somewhat incorrect) estimate: p ~= 1/25 + 24/25*(p+3/25)/2, thus p ~= 61/325 ~= 18.8%, but actually it's lower than that --> at level 50.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|87|nethack=3.6.7}} | + | The higher the casting monster's level, the less likely that monster is to randomly select that spell: from levels 1 to 23, the odds decrease significantly from 100% to 4.3%. At level 24 and above, however, there is a chance that the [[touch of death]] monster spell will be replaced with a psi bolt if the player is immune to the former spell - this results in a ''slight'' bias of spell choice towards psi bolt, raising the chance to to 12% at level 25 in those cases, and then to about 18%<!-- rough (and somewhat incorrect) estimate: p ~= 1/25 + 24/25*(p+3/25)/2, thus p ~= 61/325 ~= 18.8%, but actually it's lower than that --> at level 50.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|87|nethack=3.6.7}} |
===Damage calculation=== | ===Damage calculation=== | ||
| − | Since most monsters have either zero damage dice or 6-sided damage dice for their spellcasting attacks, the "base" damage of this spell can reliably be expressed as {{frac|'''ml'''|2}}d6 damage, with additional damage based on the monster that cast the spell: +8d6 for [[Orcus]] and [[Demogorgon]], +6d6 for [[Dispater]], +4d6 for [[Archon]]s and [[golden naga]], +2d6 for [[ki-rin]] and +1d6 for other monsters. [[Neferet the Green]] is the one exception, with her psi bolt dealing damage equal to ({{frac|'''ml'''|2}} + 2)d8 damage. | + | Since most monsters have either zero damage dice or 6-sided damage dice for their spellcasting attacks, the "base" damage of this spell can reliably be expressed as {{frac|'''ml'''|2}}d6 damage, with additional damage based on the monster that cast the spell: +8d6 for [[Orcus]] and [[Demogorgon]], +6d6 for [[Dispater]], +4d6 for [[Archon]]s and [[golden naga]], +2d6 for [[ki-rin]] and +1d6 for other monsters. [[Neferet the Green]] is the one exception, with her psi bolt dealing damage equal to ({{frac|'''ml'''|2}} + 2)d8 damage. |
==Strategy== | ==Strategy== | ||
| − | Psi bolts from high-level spellcasters can prove to be a major threat in the late game. Though the [[touch of death]] is more [[Instadeath|immediately]] | + | Psi bolts from high-level spellcasters can prove to be a major threat in the late game. Though the [[touch of death]] is more [[Instadeath|immediately run-threatening]], a strong enough psi bolt can still deal significant damage through magic resistance that would nullify the former spell completely. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| + | In [[NetHack 3.3.1]] and earlier versions, including some various based on those versions, magic resistance reduced damage from the attack to 1, according to a comment in the code. | ||
| + | |||
In [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and earlier versions, including some various based on those versions, the relative frequency of the psi bolt spell would rapidly increase starting at level 24, passing 50% at level 44.{{refsrc|mcastu.c|83}} Spellcasting monsters with a very high level would use this spell very often, which could be a high-damage hazard to a player character (e.g. 33d6 base damage for a psi bolt from [[Demogorgon]]). | In [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and earlier versions, including some various based on those versions, the relative frequency of the psi bolt spell would rapidly increase starting at level 24, passing 50% at level 44.{{refsrc|mcastu.c|83}} Spellcasting monsters with a very high level would use this spell very often, which could be a high-damage hazard to a player character (e.g. 33d6 base damage for a psi bolt from [[Demogorgon]]). | ||
Revision as of 13:39, 22 January 2024
Psi bolt[1] is a monster spell that appears in NetHack.
Contents
Description
The psi bolt spell is a melee-range spell that inflicts direct damage, and can be by any monster that casts mage spells. It deals damage depending on the caster's level as with most standard calculations for monster spell damage: the damage is (ML⁄2 + 1)d6 of damage unless the monster's casting attack specifies any dice, in which can it deals (ML⁄2 + x)dy damage, where (x, y) is the amount and size of the damage dice.[2][3] Psi bolt's damage is halved if you have either half spell damage or magic resistance, and is reduced to 1⁄4 if you have both properties (rounded up in both cases).[4]
The higher the casting monster's level, the less likely that monster is to randomly select that spell: from levels 1 to 23, the odds decrease significantly from 100% to 4.3%. At level 24 and above, however, there is a chance that the touch of death monster spell will be replaced with a psi bolt if the player is immune to the former spell - this results in a slight bias of spell choice towards psi bolt, raising the chance to to 12% at level 25 in those cases, and then to about 18% at level 50.[5]
Damage calculation
Since most monsters have either zero damage dice or 6-sided damage dice for their spellcasting attacks, the "base" damage of this spell can reliably be expressed as ml⁄2d6 damage, with additional damage based on the monster that cast the spell: +8d6 for Orcus and Demogorgon, +6d6 for Dispater, +4d6 for Archons and golden naga, +2d6 for ki-rin and +1d6 for other monsters. Neferet the Green is the one exception, with her psi bolt dealing damage equal to (ml⁄2 + 2)d8 damage.
Strategy
Psi bolts from high-level spellcasters can prove to be a major threat in the late game. Though the touch of death is more immediately run-threatening, a strong enough psi bolt can still deal significant damage through magic resistance that would nullify the former spell completely.
History
In NetHack 3.3.1 and earlier versions, including some various based on those versions, magic resistance reduced damage from the attack to 1, according to a comment in the code.
In NetHack 3.4.3 and earlier versions, including some various based on those versions, the relative frequency of the psi bolt spell would rapidly increase starting at level 24, passing 50% at level 44.[6] Spellcasting monsters with a very high level would use this spell very often, which could be a high-damage hazard to a player character (e.g. 33d6 base damage for a psi bolt from Demogorgon).
Messages
| Message | Damage dealt |
|---|---|
| "You get a slight <head>ache." | 0-5 |
| "Your brain is on fire!" (not to be confused with intelligence drain) | 6-10 |
| "Your <head> suddenly aches painfully!" | 11-20 |
| "Your <head> suddenly aches very painfully!" | 21+ |
Variants
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, there are many new spellcasting monsters that can cast mage spells - using the damage calculation methods described above, the additional damages values are as follows: +6d6 for ghoul mages, +5d6 for Solars, +4d6 for Planetars and ghoul queens, +2d6 for vampire mages, and +1d6 for all others.
As SLASH'EM is a 3.4.3 variant, high-level spellcasters are very likely to cast psi bolt - this includes Demogorgon and Dispater, who are guaranteed encounters alongside the other optional demon lords and princes from NetHack.
References
- ↑ src/mcastu.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 10: the spell's name is never used in-game
- ↑ src/mcastu.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 288: calculations for monster spells cast with damage dice
- ↑ src/mcastu.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 290: calculations for monsters spells cast without dice
- ↑ src/mcastu.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 292
- ↑ src/mcastu.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 87
- ↑ mcastu.c in NetHack 3.4.3, line 83
