Difference between revisions of "Stethoscope"
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| − | + | The '''stethoscope''' is a [[tool]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is used to determine the status of a [[monster]] and listen to dungeon acoustics. | |
| + | |||
| + | ==Generation== | ||
| + | All [[Healer]]s start the game with a stethoscope. | ||
==Usage== | ==Usage== | ||
| + | The stethoscope can be [[applied]] in any direction, including up, down, or at yourself; applying it to a monster will show you their name, [[alignment]], [[experience level]], [[hit points]], [[armor class]], and miscellaneous attributes of the target. Such attributes are generally impairments, but can be any of the following:{{reffunc|src/priest.c|mstatusline|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} | ||
| − | + | *[[tame]] | |
| + | *[[peaceful]] | ||
| + | *eating | ||
| + | *[[cancelled]] | ||
| + | *[[confused]] | ||
| + | *[[blind]] | ||
| + | *[[stunned]] | ||
| + | *[[asleep]] | ||
| + | *can't move | ||
| + | *[[meditating]] | ||
| + | *[[scare]]d | ||
| + | *[[trap]]ped | ||
| + | *[[fast]]/[[slow]] | ||
| + | *[[Hiding|concealed]] | ||
| + | *[[invisible]] | ||
| + | *[[Holding|held]] by you/holding you | ||
| + | *[[digest]]ing you | ||
| + | *[[engulfing]] you | ||
| + | *[[Riding|carrying]] you. | ||
| + | *[[shapeshifter]] | ||
| − | + | In [[wizard mode]], applying a stethoscope to a [[pet]] displays its [[tameness]], hunger, and [[apport]]. Werecreatures will not display the 'shapeshifter' attribute;{{refsrc|src/priest.c|966|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} [[mimic]]s that are disguised as other objects will be revealed and uncloaked. | |
| − | When applied to yourself, you are given an accurate appraisal of your [[alignment]], your | + | When applied to yourself, you are given an accurate appraisal of your [[alignment]], your [[experience level]], [[HP]], and [[AC]], and any of the following [[properties]]:{{reffunc|src/priest.c|ustatusline|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} |
| − | + | *dying from [[food poisoning]] | |
| + | *dying from [[illness]] | ||
| + | *[[stoning|solidifying]] | ||
| + | *becoming [[sliming|slimy]] | ||
| + | *being strangled | ||
| + | *[[nausea]]ted | ||
| + | *confused | ||
| + | *blind/blinded by sticky goop/covered by sticky goop | ||
| + | *stunned | ||
| + | *[[wounded legs|injured leg(s)]] | ||
| + | *[[slippery fingers|slippery hands]] | ||
| + | *trapped | ||
| + | *fast/very fast | ||
| + | *concealed | ||
| + | *invisible | ||
| + | *holding <monster> | ||
| + | *held by <monster> | ||
| − | + | The stethoscope's use is free once per action, meaning that it doesn't count as your action for that turn;{{refsrc|src/apply.c|325|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} applying one twice in a row will increment the turn counter, and this does not stack with multiple stethoscopes. A cursed stethoscope has a 50% chance of just sounding your own heartbeat.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|358|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} Stethoscopes will also not function while you are [[deafness|deaf]]. | |
| − | == | + | Applying a stethoscope to a tile with a secret door or [[Secret passage|passage]] reveals it.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|417|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} This does not exercise [[wisdom]].{{refsrc|src/detect.c|1625|version=NetHack 3.6.1|comment=Finding these by [[searching]] in particular exercises wisdom.}} |
| + | |||
| + | ==Strategy== | ||
| + | Although a stethoscope is not essential for survival, it becomes an excellent source of tactical data when used early and often, and is thus one of the most frequently used tools. It may be a good idea to #[[adjust]] the stethoscope's inventory letter to something memorable, like the letter '''s'''. | ||
| − | + | Unlike [[Magicbane]] and the [[wand of probing]], a stethoscope does not show items in the monster's inventory; however, the stethoscope has an unlimited amount of uses, and the monster's AC may provide a vague hint as to what armor they are wearing depending on how different it is from their base AC. | |
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| − | + | An important use of the stethoscope is monitoring your pet's health. Consistently using the stethoscope allows you to gauge their [[experience level]], which is invaluable when attempting the [[protection racket]]. The stethoscope will also indicate when its [[hit points]] are critically low, and you can then heal it or else escort it away from danger. | |
| − | + | The stethoscope is also fine for revealing hidden passageways and doors; manually [[searching]] via {{kbd|s}} is preferable if you wish to exercise Wisdom, but using the stethoscope is often much faster. It can also be used to safely decloak mimics, especially in [[shop]]s. | |
| − | + | Blind heroes (or those without [[see invisible]]) can use it to remove {{gray|I}} symbols; searching or running into one normally uses up an action. | |
| − | + | == Variants == | |
| − | + | In [[Slash'EM Extended]], a stethoscope may randomly break upon use. If it's blessed, it will also display extra information including [[apport]], [[hunger]] level and [[tame]]ness of pets, like in wizard mode in Vanilla. The bug that allows players to use it without losing a turn after restoring the game has been fixed. | |
| − | + | In [[SporkHack]] and [[UnNetHack]], a stethoscope can be used to open an [[iron safe]]. | |
| − | [[ | + | ==Origin== |
| + | {{wikipedia|stethoscope}} | ||
| + | The stethoscope is a [[real life]] medical instrument used by doctors to examine a patient's heartbeat, hence its primary usage and appearance in the Healer's starting inventory. Its other uses, especially in SporkHack and UnNetHack, are inspired by the pop cultural trope of stethoscopes being used as a safe-cracking aid. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
| Line 61: | Line 89: | ||
These bugs were fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.0]]. | These bugs were fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.0]]. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Messages== |
| − | + | {{message|You hear your heart beat.|You applied a cursed stethoscope; this replaces the normal message half the time.}} | |
| − | + | {{message|You can't hear anything!|You applied a stethoscope while [[deafness|deaf]].}} | |
| − | + | {{message|The <floor> seems healthy enough.|You applied a stethoscope down.}} | |
| − | + | {{message|You barely hear faint splashing.|You applied a stethoscope up or down while underwater.}} | |
| + | {{message|You hear the crackling of hellfire.|You applied a stethoscope to the floor of the [[castle]], beneath which lies [[Gehennom]].}} | ||
| + | {{message|You hear a faint typing noise.|You applied a stethoscope to the edge of the map.}} | ||
| + | {{message|You hear a hollow sound. This must be a secret <door/passage>!|You applied a stethoscope to a wall concealing a [[secret door]] or [[Secret passage|passage]]; this will instantly reveal it.}} | ||
| + | {{message|The <monster> interferes.|You applied a stethoscope to yourself while engulfed by a [[whirly]] monster. This happens {{frac|3}} of the time, or {{frac|10}} if you are a Healer.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|309|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} The engulfing monster is examined instead.}} | ||
| + | {{message|The invisible monster must have moved.|You applied a stethoscope to an {{gray|I}} which represented a monster that is no longer there.}} | ||
| + | {{message|You determine that <this/that> unfortunate being is dead.|You applied a stethoscope to a [[corpse]]; the message will use "this" if the corpse is at your feet, and "that" if it is on an adjacent square.)}} | ||
| + | {{message|You hear a voice say, "It's dead, Jim."|As above, while hallucinating.}} | ||
| + | {{message|You determine that <this/that> unfortunate being is mostly dead.|As a Healer, you examined a corpse that will revive.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|263|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}}} | ||
| + | {{message|The <monster> appears to be in fine health for a statue.|You applied a stethoscope to a statue.}} | ||
| + | {{message|The <monster> appears to be in remarkable health for a statue.|As above, but you are a Healer and the statue contains items.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|286|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}}} | ||
| + | {{message|The <monster> appears to be in extraordinary health for a statue.|As above, but you are a Healer and the statue is on a [[statue trap]], as a Healer.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|284|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}}} | ||
| + | {{message|You hear a voice say, "You're both stoned, Jim."|You applied a stethoscope to a statue while hallucinating.}} | ||
| + | {{message|You hear nothing special.|You applied a stethoscope to something else (such as a [[boulder]]).}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | |||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Tools]] | [[Category:Tools]] | ||
| − | {{nethack- | + | {{nethack-364}} |
Revision as of 05:24, 17 February 2020
( 
| |
|---|---|
| Name | stethoscope |
| Appearance | stethoscope |
| Base price | 75 zm |
| Weight | 4 |
| Material | iron |
| Monster use | Will not be used by monsters. |
The stethoscope is a tool that appears in NetHack, and is used to determine the status of a monster and listen to dungeon acoustics.
Generation
All Healers start the game with a stethoscope.
Usage
The stethoscope can be applied in any direction, including up, down, or at yourself; applying it to a monster will show you their name, alignment, experience level, hit points, armor class, and miscellaneous attributes of the target. Such attributes are generally impairments, but can be any of the following:[1]
- tame
- peaceful
- eating
- cancelled
- confused
- blind
- stunned
- asleep
- can't move
- meditating
- scared
- trapped
- fast/slow
- concealed
- invisible
- held by you/holding you
- digesting you
- engulfing you
- carrying you.
- shapeshifter
In wizard mode, applying a stethoscope to a pet displays its tameness, hunger, and apport. Werecreatures will not display the 'shapeshifter' attribute;[2] mimics that are disguised as other objects will be revealed and uncloaked.
When applied to yourself, you are given an accurate appraisal of your alignment, your experience level, HP, and AC, and any of the following properties:[3]
- dying from food poisoning
- dying from illness
- solidifying
- becoming slimy
- being strangled
- nauseated
- confused
- blind/blinded by sticky goop/covered by sticky goop
- stunned
- injured leg(s)
- slippery hands
- trapped
- fast/very fast
- concealed
- invisible
- holding <monster>
- held by <monster>
The stethoscope's use is free once per action, meaning that it doesn't count as your action for that turn;[4] applying one twice in a row will increment the turn counter, and this does not stack with multiple stethoscopes. A cursed stethoscope has a 50% chance of just sounding your own heartbeat.[5] Stethoscopes will also not function while you are deaf.
Applying a stethoscope to a tile with a secret door or passage reveals it.[6] This does not exercise wisdom.[7]
Strategy
Although a stethoscope is not essential for survival, it becomes an excellent source of tactical data when used early and often, and is thus one of the most frequently used tools. It may be a good idea to #adjust the stethoscope's inventory letter to something memorable, like the letter s.
Unlike Magicbane and the wand of probing, a stethoscope does not show items in the monster's inventory; however, the stethoscope has an unlimited amount of uses, and the monster's AC may provide a vague hint as to what armor they are wearing depending on how different it is from their base AC.
An important use of the stethoscope is monitoring your pet's health. Consistently using the stethoscope allows you to gauge their experience level, which is invaluable when attempting the protection racket. The stethoscope will also indicate when its hit points are critically low, and you can then heal it or else escort it away from danger.
The stethoscope is also fine for revealing hidden passageways and doors; manually searching via s is preferable if you wish to exercise Wisdom, but using the stethoscope is often much faster. It can also be used to safely decloak mimics, especially in shops.
Blind heroes (or those without see invisible) can use it to remove I symbols; searching or running into one normally uses up an action.
Variants
In Slash'EM Extended, a stethoscope may randomly break upon use. If it's blessed, it will also display extra information including apport, hunger level and tameness of pets, like in wizard mode in Vanilla. The bug that allows players to use it without losing a turn after restoring the game has been fixed.
In SporkHack and UnNetHack, a stethoscope can be used to open an iron safe.
Origin
The stethoscope is a real life medical instrument used by doctors to examine a patient's heartbeat, hence its primary usage and appearance in the Healer's starting inventory. Its other uses, especially in SporkHack and UnNetHack, are inspired by the pop cultural trope of stethoscopes being used as a safe-cracking aid.
History
In NetHack 3.4.3 and earlier versions, applying a stethoscope to a disguised mimic would reveal its identity, but would not uncloak it. Also, unaligned monsters would be reported as chaotic. This was because unaligned monsters have an alignment of −128, which is a magic number for unaligned.[8] For other purposes, like your alignment record the code checks specifically for this number, but for the stethoscope it is just a negative number, so it reports it as chaotic. The only unaligned monster (with unaligned alignment in monst.c) is the Wizard of Yendor. Other monsters like Angels, minions, and priests of Moloch have an unaligned alignment in their EPRI or EMIN structure, which overwrites their alignment in monst.c.
These bugs were fixed in NetHack 3.6.0.
Messages
- You hear your heart beat.
- You applied a cursed stethoscope; this replaces the normal message half the time.
- You can't hear anything!
- You applied a stethoscope while deaf.
- The <floor> seems healthy enough.
- You applied a stethoscope down.
- You barely hear faint splashing.
- You applied a stethoscope up or down while underwater.
- You hear the crackling of hellfire.
- You applied a stethoscope to the floor of the castle, beneath which lies Gehennom.
- You hear a faint typing noise.
- You applied a stethoscope to the edge of the map.
- You hear a hollow sound. This must be a secret <door/passage>!
- You applied a stethoscope to a wall concealing a secret door or passage; this will instantly reveal it.
- The <monster> interferes.
- You applied a stethoscope to yourself while engulfed by a whirly monster. This happens 1⁄3 of the time, or 1⁄10 if you are a Healer.[9] The engulfing monster is examined instead.
- The invisible monster must have moved.
- You applied a stethoscope to an I which represented a monster that is no longer there.
- You determine that <this/that> unfortunate being is dead.
- You applied a stethoscope to a corpse; the message will use "this" if the corpse is at your feet, and "that" if it is on an adjacent square.)
- You hear a voice say, "It's dead, Jim."
- As above, while hallucinating.
- You determine that <this/that> unfortunate being is mostly dead.
- As a Healer, you examined a corpse that will revive.[10]
- The <monster> appears to be in fine health for a statue.
- You applied a stethoscope to a statue.
- The <monster> appears to be in remarkable health for a statue.
- As above, but you are a Healer and the statue contains items.[11]
- The <monster> appears to be in extraordinary health for a statue.
- As above, but you are a Healer and the statue is on a statue trap, as a Healer.[12]
- You hear a voice say, "You're both stoned, Jim."
- You applied a stethoscope to a statue while hallucinating.
- You hear nothing special.
- You applied a stethoscope to something else (such as a boulder).
References
- ↑ mstatusline in src/priest.c in NetHack 3.6.1
- ↑ src/priest.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 966
- ↑ ustatusline in src/priest.c in NetHack 3.6.1
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 325
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 358
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 417
- ↑ src/detect.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 1625: Finding these by searching in particular exercises wisdom.
- ↑ include/align.h in NetHack 3.6.1, line 18
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 309
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 263
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 286
- ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 284
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.
