Difference between revisions of "Touch of death"

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The '''touch of death''' is a [[monster spell]] cast by powerful spell-casting [[monsters]] (of level 21 or higher) in the game, such as [[arch-lich]]es and the [[Wizard of Yendor]]. It has no effect if you are [[magic resistance|magic resistant]] or [[hallucinating]], or [[polymorph]]ed into an [[undead]] monster or a [[demon]]; it can otherwise fail on a (13 in monster's level) chance. If the spell succeeds, as the name suggests, you [[instadeath|die instantly]].
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{{languages}}
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The '''touch of death''' is a [[monster spell]] in ''[[NetHack]]'' that is cast by some of the most powerful spell-casting [[monsters]] in the game, such as [[arch-lich]]es and the [[Wizard of Yendor]].
  
== Death's "deadly touch" ==
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==Description==
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The touch of death can be used by any monster that can cast [[mage spell]]s and is at least [[Monster level|level]] 21.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|99|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} As indicated, you [[Instadeath|die instantly]] if a monster casts the touch of death spell on you.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|378|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=case <code>MGC_DEATH_TOUCH</code>}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|385|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} The spell will fail if you have [[magic resistance]], are [[hallucinating]], or are [[polymorph]]ed into an [[undead]] monster or a [[M2_DEMON|demon]]{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|380|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} - otherwise, it can fail with a chance dependent on the monster's level, where the chance is {{frac|13|ML}} (i.e. a minimum of {{frac|8|21}}).{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|382|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
The [[Rider]] known as Death has a "deadly touch" as its sole attack. This touch is different from the "touch of death" possessed by some non-Rider monsters in several ways. Unfortunately, the [[source code]] confuses the two attacks, often calling Death's attack a "touch of death" as well.
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The Rider [[Death (monster)|Death]] has a "deadly touch" attack, which is unrelated other than the same possibility of instadeath and an identical message if it fails.
  
If you are [[undead]], and Death attacks you, you see the message "Was that the touch of death?" and the attack does ordinary physical damage only. Otherwise, the following effects may appear:
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{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|16105ad0d5d3a4ba32c46a9b0eaff31e1a1e3ce9|commit 16105ad}}: The touch of death now does 8d6+50 damage and reduces your maximum HP by half of the damage dealt; this also applies to Death's deadly touch if it would have had the instadeath effect. However, if the resulting damage would reduce both your maximum and current HP to zero, you die immediately (with no maximum hp reduction); this is an important distinction for cases such as [[polyself]].}}
  
{| class="wikitable"
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==Messages==
!Probability!!Message!!Effect
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{{message|Oh no, (s)he's using the touch of death!|The monster casts the spell. If the spell succeeds, there are no further messages; you see the standard life saving messages if you wore an [[amulet of life saving]], or "[[Do you want your possessions identified?]]" otherwise.}}
|-
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{{message|You seem no deader than before.|The spell failed because you are undead or a demon.}}
|15%||As below if magic resistant; else no special message||If you have [[magic resistance]], this effect is the same as the one below. Otherwise, you [[instadeath|die instantly]].
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{{message|You have an out of body experience.|The spell was countered by hallucination.}}
|-
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{{message|Lucky for you, it didn't work!|The spell was countered by magic resistance or failed by random chance.}}
|60%||"You feel your life force draining away..."||Does physical damage and also reduces ''maximum'' [[hit points]].
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{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|{{message|You feel drained...|You were affected by a touch of death.}}}}
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|25%||"Lucky for you, it didn't work!"||No effect.
 
|}
 
  
The deadly touch ''cannot'' be countered by [[hallucination]], nor by [[polymorph]] except into [[undead]].
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==Variants==
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===dNetHack===
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In [[dNetHack]], the touch of death has different effects based on the target's current HP: if the target monster is under 100 HP and is not otherwise immune, they die instantly, with the same chance for the spell to fail as in ''NetHack'' - otherwise, they take 8d8 damage. Magic resistance prevents the instadeath effect as before, with the damage taken reduced to 8.
  
== See also ==
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===SporkHack===
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In [[SporkHack]], the touch of death instead deals 8d6 damage and drains maximum HP, and the damage can be reduced by magic resistance and/or [[half spell damage]].
  
*[[mcastu.c#line332]] &ndash; The ordinary touch of death spell.
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===EvilHack===
*[[mhitu.c#line1485]] &ndash; Death's deadly touch.
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In [[EvilHack]], the touch of death is guaranteed to succeed unless the target has [[death resistance]] or is hallucinating. Magic resistance is no longer complete protection against the touch of death: while it will still prevent the instadeath effect, the target will still take 8d6 damage and lose some maximum HP. Half spell damage combined with magic resistance can reduce the effects further - the [[Gauntlets of Purity]] grant complete protection against death magic while worn.
*[[Yeenoghu]] &ndash; shared Death's attack in [[NetHack 3.1.0]] through [[NetHack 3.3.1|3.3.1]] due to a bug.
 
  
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Spellcasting monsters can use the touch of death and other monster spells against other monsters, making high-level spellcasting pets much better at handling hostiles in comparison to vanilla ''NetHack''. You can also use the spell randomly if you attack while polymorphed into a spellcasting monster with a high enough level to cast it, and you have the [[power]] required.
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==References==
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<references/>
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Monster spells]]
 
[[Category:Monster spells]]
 
[[Category:Instadeath]]
 
[[Category:Instadeath]]
{{nethack-343}}
 

Latest revision as of 01:41, 30 March 2024

The touch of death is a monster spell in NetHack that is cast by some of the most powerful spell-casting monsters in the game, such as arch-liches and the Wizard of Yendor.

Description

The touch of death can be used by any monster that can cast mage spells and is at least level 21.[1] As indicated, you die instantly if a monster casts the touch of death spell on you.[2][3] The spell will fail if you have magic resistance, are hallucinating, or are polymorphed into an undead monster or a demon[4] - otherwise, it can fail with a chance dependent on the monster's level, where the chance is 13ML (i.e. a minimum of 821).[5]

The Rider Death has a "deadly touch" attack, which is unrelated other than the same possibility of instadeath and an identical message if it fails.

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.

Per commit 16105ad: The touch of death now does 8d6+50 damage and reduces your maximum HP by half of the damage dealt; this also applies to Death's deadly touch if it would have had the instadeath effect. However, if the resulting damage would reduce both your maximum and current HP to zero, you die immediately (with no maximum hp reduction); this is an important distinction for cases such as polyself.

Messages

Oh no, (s)he's using the touch of death!
The monster casts the spell. If the spell succeeds, there are no further messages; you see the standard life saving messages if you wore an amulet of life saving, or "Do you want your possessions identified?" otherwise.
You seem no deader than before.
The spell failed because you are undead or a demon.
You have an out of body experience.
The spell was countered by hallucination.
Lucky for you, it didn't work!
The spell was countered by magic resistance or failed by random chance.

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.


You feel drained...
You were affected by a touch of death.

Variants

dNetHack

In dNetHack, the touch of death has different effects based on the target's current HP: if the target monster is under 100 HP and is not otherwise immune, they die instantly, with the same chance for the spell to fail as in NetHack - otherwise, they take 8d8 damage. Magic resistance prevents the instadeath effect as before, with the damage taken reduced to 8.

SporkHack

In SporkHack, the touch of death instead deals 8d6 damage and drains maximum HP, and the damage can be reduced by magic resistance and/or half spell damage.

EvilHack

In EvilHack, the touch of death is guaranteed to succeed unless the target has death resistance or is hallucinating. Magic resistance is no longer complete protection against the touch of death: while it will still prevent the instadeath effect, the target will still take 8d6 damage and lose some maximum HP. Half spell damage combined with magic resistance can reduce the effects further - the Gauntlets of Purity grant complete protection against death magic while worn.

Spellcasting monsters can use the touch of death and other monster spells against other monsters, making high-level spellcasting pets much better at handling hostiles in comparison to vanilla NetHack. You can also use the spell randomly if you attack while polymorphed into a spellcasting monster with a high enough level to cast it, and you have the power required.

References