The Orb of Detection
( The Orb of Detection 
| |
|---|---|
| Base item | crystal ball |
| Affiliation | |
| When carried | |
| When applied | |
| When invoked |
|
| Base price | 2500 zm |
| Weight | 150 |
The Orb of Detection is the Archeologist quest artifact. It is the prize for completing the Archeologist quest, and is lawful for wishing purposes. Its base item type is a crystal ball.
Effects
While carried, the Orb of Detection confers magic resistance, telepathy and half spell damage; invoking the Orb toggles invisibility on or off. The Orb of Detection can also be applied like any crystal ball for the same effects.
Strategy
- See also: Invoke § Optimum invocation schedule
Like The Orb of Fate, the Orb of Detection is prohibitively heavy; unlike the former artifact, it is somewhat more likely to see use as an actual crystal ball, as Archeologists start with higher intelligence on average. Unfortunately, the Orb is also riskier to keep in open inventory - not only can the Wizard of Yendor potentially steal it and obtain magic resistance, but it will more than likely leave the player encumbered and hamper their natural speed. Of note is that the Platinum Yendorian Express Card confers the same properies when carried, but only weighs 1 aum as opposed to the Orb's 150.
The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.
For crystal balls in general: You can now search for dungeon features by entering any of < > _ \ # {. Doing so will find all of these features regardless of which one you entered.
The intelligence check when applying a crystal ball now uses a d8 instead of d20 if it is your own quest artifact, or d16 for other blessed crystal balls.
Crystal balls are now generated with 3-7 charges. Uncursed charging adds 1-2 charges up to the maximum of 7. Blessed charging increases the number of charges to 7 and also blesses the ball. Cursed charging removes all charges and curses the ball.
Applying a cancelled crystal ball now destroys it, regardless of whether or not it is an artifact.Variants
Many variants implement L's Itlachiayaque Patch, which has the Orb of Detection replaced by Itlachiayaque, a lawful-aligned shield of reflection with some similar properties. xNetHack implements this patch, but additionally allows Itlachiayaque to be invoked and used like a crystal ball; EvilHack instead replaces the Orb with Xiuhcoatl, a lawful atlatl.
Encyclopedia entry
This Orb is a crystal ball of exceptional powers. When
carried, it grants ESP, limits damage done by spells, and
protects the carrier from magic missiles. When invoked it
allows the carrier to become invisible.
