Difference between revisions of "Telepathy"

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(xNetHack grants intrinsic telepathy from gnomish wizards & more)
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'''Telepathy''', sometimes referred to as '''ESP''', is a passive property in ''[[NetHack]]'' that allows [[you]] to detect non-[[mindless]] [[monster]]s, regardless of whether or not you can physically see them.
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==Description==
 
[[Image:Telepathy vs warning.png|300px|right|thumb|The range of unblind extrinsic telepathy is indicated by flags. In comparison, the range of [[warning]] is slightly greater, and is indicated by question marks.]]
 
[[Image:Telepathy vs warning.png|300px|right|thumb|The range of unblind extrinsic telepathy is indicated by flags. In comparison, the range of [[warning]] is slightly greater, and is indicated by question marks.]]
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Telepathy can be acquired as both an intrinsic and extrinsic property through various means, and function somewhat differently depending on their source. It is possible to have both forms of telepathy independent of each other, with the extrinsic property taking priority over the intrinsic.
  
'''Telepathy''' is a passive ability that allows [[player]]s and [[monster]]s to detect non-[[mindless]] creatures, regardless of whether or not they can be seen visually. Telepathy comes in two types: the less powerful '''intrinsic telepathy''' and the more powerful '''extrinsic telepathy'''.
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* Intrinsic telepathy allows you to detect all non-mindless monsters on the current level, but only while you are [[blind]].{{refsrc|src/display.h|30|nethack=3.6.7}}
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* Extrinsic telepathy allows you to detect all non-mindless monsters within a radius of 8 squares, and additionally displays all non-mindless monsters on the current level while you are blind.{{refsrc|src/hack.h|18|nethack=3.6.7|comment=An 8-square range is define in the code for various uses, e.g. determining whether a monster is close enough to shoot at you}}
  
[[Intrinsic]] telepathy only works when you are [[blind]], and detects all non-[[mindless]] creatures on the level. [[Extrinsic]] telepathy does the same thing as intrinsic telepathy, but additionally works to a lesser degree while unblind, to a maximum range of 8 squares.{{refsrc|display.h|33}}{{refsrc|hack.h|21}} Because intrinsic telepathy is typically acquired before extrinsic telepathy, some players mistakenly think extrinsic telepathy does not show the whole level while blind.
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Only three monsters have intrinsic telepathy:
  
== Sources ==
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* {{monsymlink|floating eye}}
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* {{monsymlink|mind flayer}}
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* {{monsymlink|master mind flayer}}
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If a mind flayer or master mind flayer is near you while you possess either form of telepathy, they can detect you and will attack you with a long-distance psionic blast for d15 damage; [[polymorph]]ing into a mind flayer allows you to use this ability with the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]].
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===Intrinsic sources===
 
Intrinsic telepathy can be acquired through the following methods:
 
Intrinsic telepathy can be acquired through the following methods:
  
* Eating the corpse of a [[floating eye]] (100% chance) or a [[mind flayer|(master) mind flayer]] (50%)
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* Eating the corpse of a floating eye (100% chance) or a (master) mind flayer (50%)
 
* [[Eating jewelry|Eating]] an [[amulet of ESP]]
 
* [[Eating jewelry|Eating]] an [[amulet of ESP]]
* [[Polymorph]]ing into a monster with telepathy (i.e. a floating eye or mind flayer)
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* [[Polymorph]]ing into a monster with telepathy (i.e., a floating eye or either mind flayer)
 
* [[Praying]] to your god under certain circumstances
 
* [[Praying]] to your god under certain circumstances
  
Intrinsic telepathy can be lost through the [[gremlin]]'s intrinsic-stealing attack at night, or else by committing [[murder]] as a [[lawful]] or [[neutral]] character.
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Intrinsic telepathy can be lost if you are either hit by the [[gremlin]]'s intrinsic-stealing attack at night, or else commit [[murder]] as a [[lawful]] or [[neutral]] character.
  
Extrinsic telepathy can be acquired by:
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===Extrinsic sources===
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Extrinsic telepathy can be acquired through the following methods:
  
 
* Wearing an amulet of ESP, including [[the Eye of the Aethiopica]], or a [[helm of telepathy]]
 
* Wearing an amulet of ESP, including [[the Eye of the Aethiopica]], or a [[helm of telepathy]]
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** [[The Platinum Yendorian Express Card]]
 
** [[The Platinum Yendorian Express Card]]
  
It is possible to have both intrinsic and extrinsic telepathy simultaneously; in this case, the more powerful extrinsic telepathy takes priority.
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==Strategy==
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Intrinsic telepathy is among the more useful methods of detecting monsters, although it cannot be used to spot mindless monsters - for this reason, it is best supplemented with other forms of [[monster detection]], such as [[warning]], in order to detect dangerous mindless monsters such as [[golem]]s and [[green slime]]s.  
  
==Strategy==
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Players very often keep a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]] on hand so they can blind and unblind at will to scan the level for specific monsters as necessary; telepathy also allows for much safer movement if blinded by other means, such as an exploding [[yellow light]]. As both forms of telepathy display monsters while blind, some players may mistake this as being exclusive to the intrinsic property.
Intrinsic telepathy can be a useful substitute for other methods of [[monster detection]], although it cannot be used to spot mindless monsters; over-reliance on intrinsic telepathy to detect danger while blind may result in something such as a [[golem]] sneaking up on an unsuspecting player. Using a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]] to blind and unblind yourself at will, as well as using an item such as a [[unicorn horn]] to cure any other sight impairments (e.g., exploding [[yellow light]]s) can mitigate the worst of this.
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The mental blasts of mind flayers can be counteracted if you have extrinsic telepathy by temporarily removing or stashing your source of telepathy; this is often unnecessary in practice, since the damage is usually negligible outside of scenarios involving early [[minesflayer]]s or else escaping from other monsters while at low [[HP]]. See the article on mind flayers for other strategies dedicated to handling them in combat.
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==Origin==
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{{Wikipedia|Telepathy}}
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{{Wikipedia|Extrasensory Perception}}
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Telepathy is the ability to transmit information from one person's mind to another's without using any known human sensory channels or physical interaction. The term was first coined in 1882 by Frederic W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), and is among the more popular concepts of thought-reading; the concept emerged in the context of significant advances in physical sciences of the era, where scientific concepts were applied to mental phenomena in the hopes of understanding other events considered paranormal (i.e. beyond the understanding of science at that time). As the scientific disciplines progressed in development, telepath experiments have been criticized for a lack of proper controls and repeatability, and the topic is generally considered pseudoscience due to lack of good evidence.
  
Possessing telepathy allows [[mind flayer]]s to detect your location and hit you with a long-distance psionic attack for d15 damage. You can counteract this by temporarily removing or stashing your source of telepathy if it is extrinsic, but the damage is usually negligible outside of some early scenarios, possibly involving [[minesflayer]]s; in any case, be prepared to deal with the mind flayer in question (see their article for more information).
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ESP is an abbreviation for ''E''xtra''S''ensory ''P''erception, which refers to any perception not gained through the body's physical senses. The term was coined by parapsychologist Joseph Banks Rhine in his 1934 book (also titled ''Extrasensory Perception''), and encompasses a number of purported psychic abilities, including telepathy and [[clairvoyance]], among others.  
  
 
==Messages==
 
==Messages==
 
{{message|You feel a strange mental acuity.|You gained intrinsic telepathy from eating a corpse.}}
 
{{message|You feel a strange mental acuity.|You gained intrinsic telepathy from eating a corpse.}}
 
{{message|You feel in touch with the cosmos.|As above while [[hallucinating]].}}
 
{{message|You feel in touch with the cosmos.|As above while [[hallucinating]].}}
{{message|A wave of psychic energy pours over you! It locks onto your telepathy!|A mind flayer is on the same level as you and attacking you via telepathy.}}
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{{message|A wave of psychic energy pours over you! It locks onto your telepathy!|A (master) mind flayer is on the same level as you and attacking you via telepathy.}}
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
 
 
===xNetHack===
 
===xNetHack===
 
In [[xNetHack]], gnomish wizards, kobold shamans, and orc shamans are telepathic, and may infrequently grant intrinsic telepathy when eaten.
 
In [[xNetHack]], gnomish wizards, kobold shamans, and orc shamans are telepathic, and may infrequently grant intrinsic telepathy when eaten.
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==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Properties]]
 
[[Category:Properties]]
{{nethack-364}}
 

Revision as of 23:49, 27 May 2023

Telepathy, sometimes referred to as ESP, is a passive property in NetHack that allows you to detect non-mindless monsters, regardless of whether or not you can physically see them.

Description

The range of unblind extrinsic telepathy is indicated by flags. In comparison, the range of warning is slightly greater, and is indicated by question marks.

Telepathy can be acquired as both an intrinsic and extrinsic property through various means, and function somewhat differently depending on their source. It is possible to have both forms of telepathy independent of each other, with the extrinsic property taking priority over the intrinsic.

  • Intrinsic telepathy allows you to detect all non-mindless monsters on the current level, but only while you are blind.[1]
  • Extrinsic telepathy allows you to detect all non-mindless monsters within a radius of 8 squares, and additionally displays all non-mindless monsters on the current level while you are blind.[2]

Only three monsters have intrinsic telepathy:

If a mind flayer or master mind flayer is near you while you possess either form of telepathy, they can detect you and will attack you with a long-distance psionic blast for d15 damage; polymorphing into a mind flayer allows you to use this ability with the #monster extended command.

Intrinsic sources

Intrinsic telepathy can be acquired through the following methods:

  • Eating the corpse of a floating eye (100% chance) or a (master) mind flayer (50%)
  • Eating an amulet of ESP
  • Polymorphing into a monster with telepathy (i.e., a floating eye or either mind flayer)
  • Praying to your god under certain circumstances

Intrinsic telepathy can be lost if you are either hit by the gremlin's intrinsic-stealing attack at night, or else commit murder as a lawful or neutral character.

Extrinsic sources

Extrinsic telepathy can be acquired through the following methods:

Strategy

Intrinsic telepathy is among the more useful methods of detecting monsters, although it cannot be used to spot mindless monsters - for this reason, it is best supplemented with other forms of monster detection, such as warning, in order to detect dangerous mindless monsters such as golems and green slimes.

Players very often keep a blindfold or towel on hand so they can blind and unblind at will to scan the level for specific monsters as necessary; telepathy also allows for much safer movement if blinded by other means, such as an exploding yellow light. As both forms of telepathy display monsters while blind, some players may mistake this as being exclusive to the intrinsic property.

The mental blasts of mind flayers can be counteracted if you have extrinsic telepathy by temporarily removing or stashing your source of telepathy; this is often unnecessary in practice, since the damage is usually negligible outside of scenarios involving early minesflayers or else escaping from other monsters while at low HP. See the article on mind flayers for other strategies dedicated to handling them in combat.

Origin

Telepathy is the ability to transmit information from one person's mind to another's without using any known human sensory channels or physical interaction. The term was first coined in 1882 by Frederic W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), and is among the more popular concepts of thought-reading; the concept emerged in the context of significant advances in physical sciences of the era, where scientific concepts were applied to mental phenomena in the hopes of understanding other events considered paranormal (i.e. beyond the understanding of science at that time). As the scientific disciplines progressed in development, telepath experiments have been criticized for a lack of proper controls and repeatability, and the topic is generally considered pseudoscience due to lack of good evidence.

ESP is an abbreviation for ExtraSensory Perception, which refers to any perception not gained through the body's physical senses. The term was coined by parapsychologist Joseph Banks Rhine in his 1934 book (also titled Extrasensory Perception), and encompasses a number of purported psychic abilities, including telepathy and clairvoyance, among others.

Messages

You feel a strange mental acuity.
You gained intrinsic telepathy from eating a corpse.
You feel in touch with the cosmos.
As above while hallucinating.
A wave of psychic energy pours over you! It locks onto your telepathy!
A (master) mind flayer is on the same level as you and attacking you via telepathy.

Variants

xNetHack

In xNetHack, gnomish wizards, kobold shamans, and orc shamans are telepathic, and may infrequently grant intrinsic telepathy when eaten.

References

  1. src/display.h in NetHack 3.6.7, line 30
  2. src/hack.h in NetHack 3.6.7, line 18: An 8-square range is define in the code for various uses, e.g. determining whether a monster is close enough to shoot at you