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 a level 5 [[matter spell]], and the [[spellbook]] takes 32 actions to read. It is the [[special spell]] for [[Cavemen]].
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==Generation==
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2.03% of all randomly-generated spellbooks will be a spellbook of dig.
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The [[Wizard of Yendor]] will have a spellbook of dig with him when he makes his guaranteed reappearance on the [[Plane of Earth]].
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==Effect==
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When cast, it has a similar effect to [[zap]]ping a [[wand of digging]] - it fires a ray in a selected direction that digs through walls and can create holes in the floor.
  
 
==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 sharing most of the same uses as the wand of digging, the spell is quite high-level and [[power]]-intensive for the utility it provides - especially when the more-common wand grants the same benefits and the ability to engrave [[Elbereth]] in exchange for limited charges per wand. For training matter spells to eventually cast the [[spell of polymorph]], the {{spell of|knock|and=1|wizard lock}} spells are better due to their lower power cost and comparatively wider use cases. By the time you reach [[Gehennom]], you should typically have a large supply of digging wands and can obtain more from [[minotaur]]s and other hostiles, so it is typically not worth learning at that point unless you need a forgettable spell for quick [[confusion]].
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The spell is almost guaranteed to be useless to Cavemen, especially considering the availability of wands of digging - even with the special spell bonus and a robe, Cavemen have the second-highest spellcasting penalty among all vanilla roles, which compounds the above already-existing issues with the spell.
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The guaranteed spellbook of dig you can obtain from the Wizard of Yendor on the Plane of Earth is intended to be a backup in the event you have no other sources of digging—this is also the case for the accompanying minotaur and [[Elvenking]], who provide the faster wand of digging and a chance for a [[pick-axe]], respectively. Even so, you should still have plenty of your own wands at this point, along with a means of [[charging]] them if needed.
  
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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==History==
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All spellbooks are introduced in [[NetHack 1.3d]].
  
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==xNetHack==
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In [[xNetHack]], the spell of dig is lowered to a level 3 spell. Both this and overall changes to the casting system make it much less unwieldy to cast, though the wand of digging may still be preferable in many scenarios.
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Spellbooks|Dig]]
 
[[Category:Spellbooks|Dig]]
{{nethack-343}}
 

Latest revision as of 03:29, 3 June 2023

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 a level 5 matter spell, and the spellbook takes 32 actions to read. It is the special spell for Cavemen.

Generation

2.03% of all randomly-generated spellbooks will be a spellbook of dig.

The Wizard of Yendor will have a spellbook of dig with him when he makes his guaranteed reappearance on the Plane of Earth.

Effect

When cast, it has a similar effect to zapping a wand of digging - it fires a ray in a selected direction that digs through walls and can create holes in the floor.

Strategy

While sharing most of the same uses as the wand of digging, the spell is quite high-level and power-intensive for the utility it provides - especially when the more-common wand grants the same benefits and the ability to engrave Elbereth in exchange for limited charges per wand. For training matter spells to eventually cast the spell of polymorph, the knock and wizard lock spells are better due to their lower power cost and comparatively wider use cases. By the time you reach Gehennom, you should typically have a large supply of digging wands and can obtain more from minotaurs and other hostiles, so it is typically not worth learning at that point unless you need a forgettable spell for quick confusion.

The spell is almost guaranteed to be useless to Cavemen, especially considering the availability of wands of digging - even with the special spell bonus and a robe, Cavemen have the second-highest spellcasting penalty among all vanilla roles, which compounds the above already-existing issues with the spell.

The guaranteed spellbook of dig you can obtain from the Wizard of Yendor on the Plane of Earth is intended to be a backup in the event you have no other sources of digging—this is also the case for the accompanying minotaur and Elvenking, who provide the faster wand of digging and a chance for a pick-axe, respectively. Even so, you should still have plenty of your own wands at this point, along with a means of charging them if needed.

History

All spellbooks are introduced in NetHack 1.3d.

xNetHack

In xNetHack, the spell of dig is lowered to a level 3 spell. Both this and overall changes to the casting system make it much less unwieldy to cast, though the wand of digging may still be preferable in many scenarios.