Difference between revisions of "Spellbook of create monster"

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{{spellbook|name=create monster|level=2|type=clerical|turns=3|direction=non-directional|equiv=[[scroll of create monster]]<br />[[wand of create monster]]|abundance=3.56%}}
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{{spellbook
The '''spellbook of create monster''' allows you to learn the create monster spell, which creates random monsters.
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|name=create monster
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|level=2
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|type=clerical
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|turns=3
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|direction=non-directional
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|equiv=[[scroll of create monster]]<br />[[wand of create monster]]
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|abundance=3.56%
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}}
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In ''[[NetHack]]'', the '''spellbook of create monster''' allows you to learn the '''spell of create monster'''.
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==Generation==
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Randomly generated spellbooks have a ~3.56% chance of being a spellbook of create monster. [[Aligned priest]]s have a chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being generated with one]] among their set of spellbooks.
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[[Priest]]s may begin the game with a spellbook of create monster as one of their two starting spellbooks, while [[wizard]]s have a chance to receive this as their starting non-{{spellbook of|force bolt}} spellbook.
  
 
== Effects ==
 
== Effects ==
 
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The spell of create monster is a [[clerical spell]]; when cast, it has a 72/73 chance of creating a single monster or horde, and a 1/73 chance of creating 2-5 miscellaneous monsters, as with an [[uncursed]] [[scroll of create monster]]. The monsters will ''almost'' always have a difficulty level at or below your current level, and a monsters normally generated in groups (such as [[orc]]s or [[ant]]s) will count as a single monster for the purposes of this spell.
Casting this spell has the same effect as reading an [[uncursed]] [[scroll of create monster|scroll of create monster]]; it has a 72/73 chance of creating a single monster, and a 1/73 chance of creating 2-5 monsters. The monsters will ''almost'' always have a difficulty level at or below your current level.  A group of monsters normally generated in groups (such as [[orc]]s or [[ant]]s) will count as a single monster for the purposes of this spell, so it is occasionally possible that many more than 5 monsters will be generated.
 
  
 
== Strategy ==
 
== Strategy ==
[[File:Extin.png|thumb|right|An extinctionist wizard has filled an entire level with monsters by repeatedly casting create monster.]]
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:''See also: [[farming]]''
Create monster is a very useful utility spell.
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Create monster is a very useful utility spell, and is primarily employed for various types of [[farming]]. The most common such use by far is [[altar farming|farming]] at [[altar]]s: using repeated [[sacrifice]]s, a player can drive up their [[Luck]], obtain [[sacrifice gift]]s, and/or gather divine favors through [[pray]]er. While much more reusable compared to the scroll, spells cannot be cast while confused to create hordes of non-threatening [[acid blob]]s.
* By far the most common use is to create monsters for [[sacrificing]]. As you can generate an unlimited number of corpses to sacrifice (although you may have to wait for your power to recover in the middle), you can make yourself [[luck|extremely lucky]], and receive [[Altar#Gifts|weapons]] or [[Pray#Favors_and_gifts|favors]].
 
* It mostly removes the threat of death by [[starvation]]; summoned monsters may leave [[corpses]], allowing you to cast the spell to generate food (although it still requires nutrition to cast if you do not have hungerless casting, and generated monsters are not guaranteed to leave corpses, so you should not wait until you are weak before trying this). You can also create a corpse to feed or tame a pet this way.
 
* In the same vein, summoned monsters' corpses will also grant intrinsics. Thus the spell can be farmed for useful corpses, like [[giant]]s, [[wraith]]s, [[lizard]]s, [[dragon|black dragon]]s, [[floating eye]]s, and [[tengu]], as well as for other monsters that grant an intrinsic you do not yet have. However, note that it may take a lot of farming to generate the corpse that you want.
 
* They can be farmed for XP and/or items: for instance, to reach level 14 just before the quest level, or to generate elves for their [[elven leather helm]]s.
 
* This is the central spell for [[extinction]]ist players, as it is by far the most reliable method to create large amounts of monsters for the challenge.
 
  
The one downside is that, since spells cannot be cast while confused, you cannot use this spell to create hordes of [[acid blob]]s as you can with the [[scroll of create monster]].
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If you plan to farm in place, a coaligned [[temple]] with the door locked is often best to prevent the summoned monsters from escaping; for lone altars, a lasting (usually burnt) [[Elbereth]] is highly recommended, as well as a means of [[teleportation]] or other on-command escape. Be sure not to trap yourself in a corner, especially with the chance of summoning hordes or groups granting high [[YASD]] potential! Lower-level players can also use this spell to farm for experience and/or items, e.g. to reach experience level 14 for the quest, or to procure spare armor (such as [[elven leather helm]]s) and/or [[polyfodder]].
  
If you plan on using this spell heavily, account for the fact that it may generate up to 5 monsters immediately next to you, which is potentially very dangerous and can result in [[YASD]]. Thus, always have a backup plan (a [[wand of teleportation]] or [[scroll of teleportation]] being the best choices), and if you are planning to farm in place, be sure to burn [[Elbereth]] before continuing.
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Though much less reliable, the spell can also be used are a source of food and intrinsics. Freshly generated monsters can be killed and served to a hungry [[pet]] (or pet-to-be); keep carnivorous pets away from [[shapeshifter]] corpses unless you're fine with allowing them to [[polymorph]], and be mindful of monsters with passives. While it can also provide food for the caster, casting the spell still uses up nutrition, and not all generated monsters will leave suitable corpses if they leave one at all; using this for intrinsic gain is similarly unreliable. However, this is dependent on the role, particularly due to the mechanics of [[quest]] [[branch]] monster generation.
 
 
Also, if you have pets, be careful of any [[doppelganger]]s or [[chameleon]]s, which will change your pet in an undesirable way if they eat their corpses. This is not a problem if they do not eat corpses (i.e. are vegetarian or do not eat).
 
  
 
{{upcoming|3.7.0|Pets will no longer eat shapeshifter corpses unless they are starving or on the verge of untaming.}}
 
{{upcoming|3.7.0|Pets will no longer eat shapeshifter corpses unless they are starving or on the verge of untaming.}}
  
Also watch out for monsters with dangerous [[passive attack]]s, which may kill a pet before you can kill them.
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===Extinction===
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[[File:Extin.png|thumb|right|An extinctionist wizard has filled an entire level with monsters by repeatedly casting create monster.]]
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The spell of create monster is the central spell for [[extinction]]ist players, as it is by far the most reliable method to create large amounts of monsters for the challenge. [[Wizard]]s and [[Priest]]s are not only the most adept casters for the spell by far, but can also farm [[wraith]]s with some reliably in order to increase their level and [[power]] reserves.
  
==FIQHack==
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==Variants==
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===FIQHack===
 
In [[FIQHack]], this spellbook is replaced with the [[spellbook of summoning]].
 
In [[FIQHack]], this spellbook is replaced with the [[spellbook of summoning]].
  
 
[[Category:Spellbooks|Create monster]]
 
[[Category:Spellbooks|Create monster]]
{{nethack-343}}
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{{nethack-366}}

Revision as of 06:39, 1 May 2021

spellbook of
+   create monster   Light green spellbook.png
Appearance random
Abundance 3.56%
Base price 200 zm
Weight 50
Turns to read 3
Ink to write 10–19
Spell type clerical
Level 2
Power cost 10 Pw
Direction non-directional
Equivalent scroll of create monster
wand of create monster

In NetHack, the spellbook of create monster allows you to learn the spell of create monster.

Generation

Randomly generated spellbooks have a ~3.56% chance of being a spellbook of create monster. Aligned priests have a chance of being generated with one among their set of spellbooks.

Priests may begin the game with a spellbook of create monster as one of their two starting spellbooks, while wizards have a chance to receive this as their starting non-force bolt spellbook.

Effects

The spell of create monster is a clerical spell; when cast, it has a 72/73 chance of creating a single monster or horde, and a 1/73 chance of creating 2-5 miscellaneous monsters, as with an uncursed scroll of create monster. The monsters will almost always have a difficulty level at or below your current level, and a monsters normally generated in groups (such as orcs or ants) will count as a single monster for the purposes of this spell.

Strategy

See also: farming

Create monster is a very useful utility spell, and is primarily employed for various types of farming. The most common such use by far is farming at altars: using repeated sacrifices, a player can drive up their Luck, obtain sacrifice gifts, and/or gather divine favors through prayer. While much more reusable compared to the scroll, spells cannot be cast while confused to create hordes of non-threatening acid blobs.

If you plan to farm in place, a coaligned temple with the door locked is often best to prevent the summoned monsters from escaping; for lone altars, a lasting (usually burnt) Elbereth is highly recommended, as well as a means of teleportation or other on-command escape. Be sure not to trap yourself in a corner, especially with the chance of summoning hordes or groups granting high YASD potential! Lower-level players can also use this spell to farm for experience and/or items, e.g. to reach experience level 14 for the quest, or to procure spare armor (such as elven leather helms) and/or polyfodder.

Though much less reliable, the spell can also be used are a source of food and intrinsics. Freshly generated monsters can be killed and served to a hungry pet (or pet-to-be); keep carnivorous pets away from shapeshifter corpses unless you're fine with allowing them to polymorph, and be mindful of monsters with passives. While it can also provide food for the caster, casting the spell still uses up nutrition, and not all generated monsters will leave suitable corpses if they leave one at all; using this for intrinsic gain is similarly unreliable. However, this is dependent on the role, particularly due to the mechanics of quest branch monster generation.

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.

Pets will no longer eat shapeshifter corpses unless they are starving or on the verge of untaming.

Extinction

An extinctionist wizard has filled an entire level with monsters by repeatedly casting create monster.

The spell of create monster is the central spell for extinctionist players, as it is by far the most reliable method to create large amounts of monsters for the challenge. Wizards and Priests are not only the most adept casters for the spell by far, but can also farm wraiths with some reliably in order to increase their level and power reserves.

Variants

FIQHack

In FIQHack, this spellbook is replaced with the spellbook of summoning.