Difference between revisions of "Stethoscope"
(removed the studies (what were they anyways? surely nothing that couldn't be added to the articles about those individual monsters?), rewrote.) |
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| − | + | {{tool|name=stethoscope|cost=75|weight=4}} | |
| − | [[ | + | In [[NetHack]] a '''stethoscope''' is a tool used to probe the [[status]] of a monster and to listen to dungeon acoustics. It mimics the [[real life]] medical instrument used by doctors to examine a patients heartbeat. Hence [[Healer]]s in NetHack get a stethoscope as part of their starting inventory. |
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| + | The stethoscope is used by [[apply|applying]] it to yourself or to a monster next to you. Its use is free once per turn, meaning that it doesn't count as your action for that turn. Applying it more than once will cost you the turn. A cursed stethoscope has a 1/2 chance (50%) of just sounding your own heartbeat. | ||
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| + | When applied to a monster the stethoscope performs a probe that shows you the [[hitpoints]], [[experience level]], [[armor class]] and [[condition]] of the target. Unlike [[Magicbane]] and the [[wand of probing]] a stethoscope does not show items in the monsters inventory. However, unlike the wand, a stethoscope never runs out of charges and can be used for free. | ||
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| + | When applied to walls you listen to dungeon sounds finding the secret doors and the hollow tunnels hidden behind them. Since it uses fewer turns than the [[search]] command, this is the fastest method of searching the dungeon, second only to the automatic searching conferred by [[Excalibur]]. | ||
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| + | Although a stethoscope is not essential for survival it becomes very useful when it probes early and probes often. Therefore, it is one of the most frequently used tools and it's a good idea to #[[adjust]] the stethoscopes inventory letter to something close to the [[a]] key, like the letter '''s'''. | ||
| − | + | Since spoily information about monsters is readily available, the primary use of the stethoscope is to keep your [[pet]] healthy. Consistently using the stethoscope allows you to gauge the [[experience level]]s your pet is gaining and determine when it has reached its [[XL]] max. This information becomes invaluable when attempting the [[protection racket]] since you are completely dependant on your pet. The stethoscope also enables you to escort your pet to a [[safe area]] when its [[hit points]] are critically low, using either a [[whistle]] or a [[leash]]. | |
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Revision as of 19:25, 27 July 2006
| ( | |
|---|---|
| Name | stethoscope |
| Appearance | stethoscope |
| Base price | 75 zm |
| Weight | 4 |
| Material | [[{{{material}}}]] |
| Monster use | Will not be used by monsters. |
In NetHack a stethoscope is a tool used to probe the status of a monster and to listen to dungeon acoustics. It mimics the real life medical instrument used by doctors to examine a patients heartbeat. Hence Healers in NetHack get a stethoscope as part of their starting inventory.
The stethoscope is used by applying it to yourself or to a monster next to you. Its use is free once per turn, meaning that it doesn't count as your action for that turn. Applying it more than once will cost you the turn. A cursed stethoscope has a 1/2 chance (50%) of just sounding your own heartbeat.
When applied to a monster the stethoscope performs a probe that shows you the hitpoints, experience level, armor class and condition of the target. Unlike Magicbane and the wand of probing a stethoscope does not show items in the monsters inventory. However, unlike the wand, a stethoscope never runs out of charges and can be used for free.
When applied to walls you listen to dungeon sounds finding the secret doors and the hollow tunnels hidden behind them. Since it uses fewer turns than the search command, this is the fastest method of searching the dungeon, second only to the automatic searching conferred by Excalibur.
Although a stethoscope is not essential for survival it becomes very useful when it probes early and probes often. Therefore, it is one of the most frequently used tools and it's a good idea to #adjust the stethoscopes inventory letter to something close to the a key, like the letter s.
Since spoily information about monsters is readily available, the primary use of the stethoscope is to keep your pet healthy. Consistently using the stethoscope allows you to gauge the experience levels your pet is gaining and determine when it has reached its XL max. This information becomes invaluable when attempting the protection racket since you are completely dependant on your pet. The stethoscope also enables you to escort your pet to a safe area when its hit points are critically low, using either a whistle or a leash.
