Difference between revisions of "Scroll of earth"

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{{scroll|name=earth|cost=200|ink=4–7|muse=off}}
 
{{scroll|name=earth|cost=200|ink=4–7|muse=off}}
  
A '''scroll of earth''' creates [[boulders]] when read.
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A '''scroll of earth''' is a type of [[scroll]] the appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It creates [[boulder]]s when read.
  
== Generation ==
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==Generation==
 +
The first level of [[Sokoban]] always has two guaranteed scrolls of earth in the lower-left corner.
  
The first level of [[Sokoban]] has two guaranteed scrolls of earth in the lower-left corner.
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==Effects==
 +
Reading an uncursed scroll of earth will create 9 boulders - 8 around the reader and one on top of their head. A blessed scroll will create 8 boulders around the player without dropping one on them, and a cursed scroll will create a single boulder over the character's head. If there is a wall where a boulder would normally fall, that boulder will not be created. The scroll has no effect on the [[Rogue level]] and the [[Elemental Planes]], except for the [[Plane of Earth]].{{refsrc|read.c|1154}} Reading one on a Sokoban level before solving its puzzle will decrease [[Luck]] by 1.{{refsrc|read.c|1167}}
  
== Effects ==
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Intelligent monsters can read this scroll for offensive purposes, but monsters without a hard helmet will only read them 10% of the time.{{refsrc|muse.c|1072}}
  
Reading an uncursed scroll will create 9 boulders: 8 around the player and one on top of their head. A blessed scroll will create 8 boulders around the player without dropping one on them, and a cursed scroll will create a single boulder over the character's head. If there is a wall where a boulder would normally fall, that boulder will not be created. If read while confused, the scroll will create [[rock]]s instead of boulders, using the same pattern based on the [[beatitude]] of the scroll.
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A boulder that falls on a monster's head does 1d20 points of damage - if they are wearing a hard helmet, it bounces off and deals just 2 points of damage. A scroll of earth does no damage to amorphous, phasing, noncorporeal, and unsolid monsters.{{refsrc|read.c|1191}}
  
A boulder that falls on the player's head does 1d20 points of damage; if they are wearing a hard helmet, it bounces off and deals just 2 points of damage. A scroll of earth does no damage to amorphous, phasing, noncorporeal, and unsolid monsters.{{refsrc|read.c|1191}}
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If read while confused, the scroll will create [[rock]]s instead of boulders, using the same pattern based on the [[beatitude]] of the scroll.
  
The scroll has no effect on the [[Rogue level]] and the [[Elemental Planes]] (except the [[Plane of Earth]]),{{refsrc|read.c|1154}} and reading one on a Sokoban level before solving its puzzle will decrease [[Luck]] by 1.{{refsrc|read.c|1167}}
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==Strategy==
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The scroll of earth can be used to create a "[[boulder fort]]". This is a relatively safe way to deal with a dangerous monster or horde of monsters - monsters will not be able to attack a player they cannot see, and the boulders prevent most monsters from approaching them. While within this "fort", the player can use [[telepathy]] to detect them and attack with missile weapons and spells. Be careful of {{Spell of|force bolt}}s and {{wand of|striking}} wands, as they will destroy boulders.
  
== Strategy ==
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Alternately, you can use the boulders to create your own choke point by carefully moving a single boulder to allow only one monster through. This is best done on a staircase, a [[scroll of scare monster]] and/or a permanent [[Elbereth]] square to allow a means of escape if things go poorly. You can also use the boulders to block off up [[stair]]s or [[ladder]]s to prevent [[demon lord]]s and other [[covetous]] monsters from warping and fleeing to another floor.
The scroll of earth can be used to create a "[[boulder fort]]". This is a relatively safe way to deal with a dangerous monster or horde of monsters; monsters will not be able to attack a player they cannot see, and the boulders prevent most monsters from approaching them while the player uses [[telepathy]] to detect them and attack with missile weapons and spells. Be careful of {{Spell of|force bolt}}s and [[wand of striking|wands of striking]], as they will destroy boulders.  
 
  
It's also possible to create a fort and then carefully move a single boulder so as to allow only one monster to reach you at a time. This is best done on a staircase and/or a permanent [[Elbereth]] square, so as to allow some means of escape if things go poorly.
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Scrolls of earth can be used to fill [[trapdoor]]s, [[hole]]s, and [[moat]]s - if you lack a source of [[levitation]], this can be another way to cross large bodies of water, such as [[Medusa's Island]] or the moat at the [[Castle]]. While you can use them to fill the Castle trap doors, keep in mind that filling all of them means you would need to dig one out again to reach Gehennom.
  
Scrolls of earth can be used as a convenient source of boulders to fill [[trapdoor]]s, [[hole]]s, and [[moat]]s; if you lack a source of [[levitation]], this can be another way to cross the water at [[Medusa's Island]] or the moat and trap doors at the [[Castle]]. It's best not to fill all the Castle's trap doors, as you would need to dig one out again to reach Gehennom.
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===Sokoban===
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The scrolls of earth found in Sokoban are intended as backups in case boulders are destroyed or additional pits need to be filled, and can be used to informally identify any other scrolls you may have picked up previously. Remember that reading any scroll of earth on an unsolved level will incur a Luck penalty, and try to identify their [[beatitude]] if possible beforehand - for example, a blessed scroll will leave more boulders free to move, and there are situations where a single boulder from a cursed scroll is preferable. You may also want to position yourself before reading depending on how many boulders are actually needed.
  
The scrolls found in [[Sokoban]] are intended as backups in case boulders are destroyed or additional pits need to be filled; reading the scroll on an unsolved level will incur a [[Luck]] penalty. Be careful not to let [[nymph]]s or other intelligent monsters steal the Sokoban scrolls and use them—breaking boulders of any kind on an unsolved level also incurs a Luck penalty. However, monsters that don't have a hard helmet will only read them 10% of the time,{{refsrc|muse.c|1072}} so it is rare for this to become a problem if you kill them fast enough.
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Breaking boulders on unsolved levels also incurs a Luck penalty - as such, try not to let any intelligent monsters (e.g., [[nymph]]s) steal and use scrolls of earth in Sokoban, or you may be forced to repair your Luck ''and'' their mess. Thankfully, since monsters will hesitate to read the scroll unless they have a hard helm, you will usually be able kill them fast enough.
 
 
You can use the scrolls to block off [[stair]]s leading up to prevent monsters from fleeing up them, particularly [[Demon prince]]s and [[covetous|others]] who teleport to the up stairs.
 
  
 
==UnNetHack==
 
==UnNetHack==
 
In [[UnNetHack]]'s [[Black market (UnNetHack)|black market]], scrolls of earth have no effect 50% of the time.
 
In [[UnNetHack]]'s [[Black market (UnNetHack)|black market]], scrolls of earth have no effect 50% of the time.
  
== References ==
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==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
{{nethack-343}}
 
[[Category:Scrolls|Earth]]
 
[[Category:Scrolls|Earth]]
{{nethack-343}}
 

Revision as of 23:08, 21 September 2021

? Scroll.png
Name earth
Appearance random
Base price 200 zm
Weight 5
Ink to write 4–7
Monster use May be used offensively by monsters.

A scroll of earth is a type of scroll the appears in NetHack. It creates boulders when read.

Generation

The first level of Sokoban always has two guaranteed scrolls of earth in the lower-left corner.

Effects

Reading an uncursed scroll of earth will create 9 boulders - 8 around the reader and one on top of their head. A blessed scroll will create 8 boulders around the player without dropping one on them, and a cursed scroll will create a single boulder over the character's head. If there is a wall where a boulder would normally fall, that boulder will not be created. The scroll has no effect on the Rogue level and the Elemental Planes, except for the Plane of Earth.[1] Reading one on a Sokoban level before solving its puzzle will decrease Luck by 1.[2]

Intelligent monsters can read this scroll for offensive purposes, but monsters without a hard helmet will only read them 10% of the time.[3]

A boulder that falls on a monster's head does 1d20 points of damage - if they are wearing a hard helmet, it bounces off and deals just 2 points of damage. A scroll of earth does no damage to amorphous, phasing, noncorporeal, and unsolid monsters.[4]

If read while confused, the scroll will create rocks instead of boulders, using the same pattern based on the beatitude of the scroll.

Strategy

The scroll of earth can be used to create a "boulder fort". This is a relatively safe way to deal with a dangerous monster or horde of monsters - monsters will not be able to attack a player they cannot see, and the boulders prevent most monsters from approaching them. While within this "fort", the player can use telepathy to detect them and attack with missile weapons and spells. Be careful of force bolts and striking wands, as they will destroy boulders.

Alternately, you can use the boulders to create your own choke point by carefully moving a single boulder to allow only one monster through. This is best done on a staircase, a scroll of scare monster and/or a permanent Elbereth square to allow a means of escape if things go poorly. You can also use the boulders to block off up stairs or ladders to prevent demon lords and other covetous monsters from warping and fleeing to another floor.

Scrolls of earth can be used to fill trapdoors, holes, and moats - if you lack a source of levitation, this can be another way to cross large bodies of water, such as Medusa's Island or the moat at the Castle. While you can use them to fill the Castle trap doors, keep in mind that filling all of them means you would need to dig one out again to reach Gehennom.

Sokoban

The scrolls of earth found in Sokoban are intended as backups in case boulders are destroyed or additional pits need to be filled, and can be used to informally identify any other scrolls you may have picked up previously. Remember that reading any scroll of earth on an unsolved level will incur a Luck penalty, and try to identify their beatitude if possible beforehand - for example, a blessed scroll will leave more boulders free to move, and there are situations where a single boulder from a cursed scroll is preferable. You may also want to position yourself before reading depending on how many boulders are actually needed.

Breaking boulders on unsolved levels also incurs a Luck penalty - as such, try not to let any intelligent monsters (e.g., nymphs) steal and use scrolls of earth in Sokoban, or you may be forced to repair your Luck and their mess. Thankfully, since monsters will hesitate to read the scroll unless they have a hard helm, you will usually be able kill them fast enough.

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack's black market, scrolls of earth have no effect 50% of the time.

References

This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.

It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.4.3. Information on this page may be out of date.

Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-343}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.