Spellbook of remove curse

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spellbook of
+   remove curse   Light green spellbook.png
Appearance random
Abundance 2.54%
Base price 300 zm
Weight 50
Turns to read 10
Ink to write 15–29
Spell type clerical
Level 3
Power cost 15 Pw
Direction non-directional
Equivalent scroll of remove curse
Special for priest

In NetHack, a spellbook of remove curse allows you to learn the spell of remove curse. It is an emergency spell, and is the special spell for Priests.

Effects

At unskilled or basic level, this spell acts similar to an uncursed scroll of remove curse; at skilled or expert, it is similar to a blessed scroll.

Limitations

The spell is much more limited than the scroll, because you cannot cast a spell under any of the following circumstances:

  • You are confused
  • You are being strangled
  • You are wielding a cursed two-handed weapon or two cursed weapons
  • You are wielding a cursed weapon and wearing a cursed shield
  • You are wearing enough cursed metal armor (and/or a dunce cap) to prevent the spell from succeeding

Strategy

Remove curse is a very useful utility spell, allowing you to pick items up and try non-metallic armor on liberally (other than dunce caps); if it turns out to be cursed, just uncurse it and take it off. This will not work to remove an amulet of strangulation, which prevents spellcasting as of NetHack 3.6.1. However, remove curse is mostly outclassed as a utility spell by identify, which you can cast beforehand to check items' BUC status (as well as identifying it). Because remove curse can counteract the curse items monster spell, it becomes useful again late in the game for uncursing items cursed by the Wizard of Yendor, liches, and other high-level spellcasters.

To uncurse any item within your inventory, wield the cursed item and then cast the spell. The wielded item will then be uncursed. Only weapons and weapon-tools can weld themselves to your hands when wielded, so wielding other cursed items is safe. As a result, enhancing clerical spells from Basic to Skilled if you need to uncurse more than one item at a time, which uses less power, or if you want to uncurse a cursed two-handed weapon (since you can't cast if you wield it).

Because of the limitations of spellcasting, it's a good idea to keep at least one scroll of remove curse, especially in the late game. Even if your spell failure wearing the cursed piece of armor or clothing is well below 100%, waiting to recharge your power between tries is annoying.

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.