Difference between revisions of "Spellbook of dig"

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{{spellbook|name=dig|level=5|type=matter|turns=30|direction=ray|equiv=[[wand of digging]]|abundance=2.03%|role=caveman}}
 
{{spellbook|name=dig|level=5|type=matter|turns=30|direction=ray|equiv=[[wand of digging]]|abundance=2.03%|role=caveman}}
  
The '''spellbook of dig''' allows a player to learn the "dig" spell, which does the same as [[zap]]ping a [[wand of digging]] when cast.  It is the [[spellcasting#Role penalties|special spell]] for [[caveman|cavemen]].
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In ''NetHack'', the '''spellbook of dig''' allows you to learn the '''spell of dig'''.  It is the [[special spell]] for [[Cavemen]].
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==Generation==
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The [[Wizard of Yendor]] has a spellbook of dig in his inventory when he makes his guaranteed reappearance on the [[Plane of Earth]].
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==Effect==
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When cast, it has the same effect as [[zap]]ping a [[wand of digging]], which is used to dig through walls and create holes in floors.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
This is an obviously useful spell in the [[matter spells|matter]] branch of spells, but is also quite high-level compared to its effect. Zapping it upwards hits you on the head with a rock (not recommended). Zapping it downwards is more useful, causing you (except on undiggable levels) to drop through the floor to the next level. This can be useful as an emergency escape, except against monsters that [[follow]]. Zapping directionally will allow you to dig through walls. However, you will typically have a large supply of wands of digging by the time it becomes very useful in [[Gehennom]], so it is probably not worth learning specifically for that area. While it is the special spell for cavemen, it is almost guaranteed to be useless to them, given the spell's high level and the role's high spellcasting penalty.
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While an obviously useful [[matter spell]], it is also quite high-level compared to its effect. A wand of digging provides the same benefits, e.g. digging shortcuts through maze levels and functioning as an emergency escape by digging downward to escape non-[[follower]] monsters, without the immense power cost. By the time you reach [[Gehennom]], you should typically have a large supply of such wands and can obtain more from the various enemies, especially [[minotaurs]], so it is probably not worth learning specifically for that area.
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Despite being the special spell for cavemen, so it is almost guaranteed to be useless to them, especially considering the availability of wands. Even with a robe and the ability to actually train levels in matter spells as of [[3.6.2]], Cavemen have the second-highest spellcasting penalty of all starting classes, and the spell is too-high level to be practical for even the most outside use.
  
There is a guaranteed spellbook of dig on the [[Plane of Earth]] (in the [[Wizard of Yendor]]'s inventory), but by the time you get that far, it is probably not worth the time it takes to read the spellbook unless you have a severe shortage of other digging sources.
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The guaranteed spellbook of dig you obtain from killing the Wizard of Yendor on the Plane of Earth is all but intended to be a backup in the event you have no other sources of digging, as are the minotaur and [[pick-axe]]-wielding [[Elvenking]] that will also be generated nearby; even so, it is much more preferable to bring your own wands of digging and a means of [[charging]] for them.
  
 
[[Category:Spellbooks|Dig]]
 
[[Category:Spellbooks|Dig]]
{{nethack-343}}
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{{nethack-364}}

Revision as of 19:49, 12 January 2020

spellbook of
+   dig   Light green spellbook.png
Appearance random
Abundance 2.03%
Base price 500 zm
Weight 50
Turns to read 30
Ink to write 25–49
Spell type matter
Level 5
Power cost 25 Pw
Direction ray
Equivalent wand of digging
Special for caveman

In NetHack, the spellbook of dig allows you to learn the spell of dig. It is the special spell for Cavemen.

Generation

The Wizard of Yendor has a spellbook of dig in his inventory when he makes his guaranteed reappearance on the Plane of Earth.

Effect

When cast, it has the same effect as zapping a wand of digging, which is used to dig through walls and create holes in floors.

Strategy

While an obviously useful matter spell, it is also quite high-level compared to its effect. A wand of digging provides the same benefits, e.g. digging shortcuts through maze levels and functioning as an emergency escape by digging downward to escape non-follower monsters, without the immense power cost. By the time you reach Gehennom, you should typically have a large supply of such wands and can obtain more from the various enemies, especially minotaurs, so it is probably not worth learning specifically for that area.

Despite being the special spell for cavemen, so it is almost guaranteed to be useless to them, especially considering the availability of wands. Even with a robe and the ability to actually train levels in matter spells as of 3.6.2, Cavemen have the second-highest spellcasting penalty of all starting classes, and the spell is too-high level to be practical for even the most outside use.

The guaranteed spellbook of dig you obtain from killing the Wizard of Yendor on the Plane of Earth is all but intended to be a backup in the event you have no other sources of digging, as are the minotaur and pick-axe-wielding Elvenking that will also be generated nearby; even so, it is much more preferable to bring your own wands of digging and a means of charging for them.

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

It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.6.4. Information on this page may be out of date.

Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-364}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.