Difference between revisions of "Ward (dNetHack)"
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(Finishing up this page: Removed reference to learning wards from the ground only being useful in certain cases, since I didn't want to go into what those certain cases were in this spoiler free page. Removed like to outdated google doc spoiler.) |
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=== Learning wards === | === Learning wards === | ||
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Wards are learned from spellbooks. All spellbooks contain mystic energy corresponding to the spell they teach; this is why they fade after being read too many times. The energy is held in the book by magical wards on the inside covers, and sometimes these wards incorporate symbols that can be used to directly ward off monsters. The symbol used is not dependent on the type of spellbook; two spellbooks of fireball, for instance, may be warded by two different wards. To study a spellbook's ward, press {{kbd|r}} to bring up the read prompt, select the desired spellbook, and choose {{kbd|s}}, study ward. Studying a ward is much like reading a [[spellbook]]; however, the character receives a +10 (+50%) bonus to their reading skill, making failures much less likely. If the character does fail to safely study the ward, the book is treated as one level lower when determining the consequences. | Wards are learned from spellbooks. All spellbooks contain mystic energy corresponding to the spell they teach; this is why they fade after being read too many times. The energy is held in the book by magical wards on the inside covers, and sometimes these wards incorporate symbols that can be used to directly ward off monsters. The symbol used is not dependent on the type of spellbook; two spellbooks of fireball, for instance, may be warded by two different wards. To study a spellbook's ward, press {{kbd|r}} to bring up the read prompt, select the desired spellbook, and choose {{kbd|s}}, study ward. Studying a ward is much like reading a [[spellbook]]; however, the character receives a +10 (+50%) bonus to their reading skill, making failures much less likely. If the character does fail to safely study the ward, the book is treated as one level lower when determining the consequences. | ||
Characters who begin the game with spellbooks also begin the game knowing wards. It is intended that the character will know a number of wards equal to the number of spellbooks he or she begins with; however, there is currently a glitch that makes it so a character sometimes starts knowing extra wards. | Characters who begin the game with spellbooks also begin the game knowing wards. It is intended that the character will know a number of wards equal to the number of spellbooks he or she begins with; however, there is currently a glitch that makes it so a character sometimes starts knowing extra wards. | ||
| − | A character may also learn wards by finding an intact copy engraved on the ground | + | A character may also learn wards by finding an intact copy engraved on the ground. |
Finally, a character may be granted knowledge of wards by their god. | Finally, a character may be granted knowledge of wards by their god. | ||
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=== Carving a stave === | === Carving a stave === | ||
| − | To carve a stave [[apply]] ({{kbd|a}}) a [[knife]] or [[dagger]] (ie, any [[weapon]] that uses the knife or dagger [[skill]]s). You will then be prompted to select the stave you wish to carve (or told that you don't know any staves). | + | To carve a stave [[apply]] ({{kbd|a}}) a [[knife]] or [[dagger]] (ie, any [[weapon]] that uses the knife or dagger [[skill]]s). You will then be prompted to select the stave you wish to carve (or told that you don't know any staves). Next you will be prompted to select a wooden weapon to carve it into (or told that you don't have anything suitable for carving). If you choose to re-carve a weapon that already has a stave, you will chip off the existing stave before carving the new one. This process damages the weapon, and adds a turn to the time required to carve the stave. |
A weapon with a stave carved into it can be read with the read command ({{kbd|r}}). | A weapon with a stave carved into it can be read with the read command ({{kbd|r}}). | ||
To use the stave, drop it at your feet. Some staves grant special effects when a carved weapon is wielded. | To use the stave, drop it at your feet. Some staves grant special effects when a carved weapon is wielded. | ||
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== List of wards == | == List of wards == | ||
| + | The following pages list the properties of all the wards and staves. Note that they are spoilers, as these properties may be learned in-game via experimentation and hearing true rumors. | ||
=== Written Wards === | === Written Wards === | ||
*[[User:Chris/dNetHack/dnethack_elbereth|Elbereth]] | *[[User:Chris/dNetHack/dnethack_elbereth|Elbereth]] | ||
Revision as of 21:31, 11 June 2013
The ward system replaces and expands on the protective powers of Elbereth in vanilla NetHack. Wards are based primarily on character knowledge, rather than player knowledge. If your character knows any warding signs, you will be asked if you wish to engrave a warding sign whenever you engrave. You may also press ctrl + q to directly engrave a warding sign, skipping the initial prompt.
Contents
Drawing wards
Each square can contain up to one type of ward in addition to a normal text engraving. Wards and engravings may be engraved by different methods (ie, you can have a burned-in ward and a dust-engraved message in the same square). Altering the ward or the text engraving obscures both, making you vulnerable until you finish the alteration.
The amount of time it takes to engrave a ward is dependent on the number of strokes required to draw it. One stroke takes the same time as one character in a text engraving. The number of strokes required to draw a given ward can be learned from the encyclopedia.
Wards can be reinforced up to a limit determined by the type of ward (typically seven). This works much the same way as engraving 'Elbereth' multiple times: if one of the wards gets scuffed, you will still be protected. If you begin drawing a ward on a square already containing a ward, you will be asked if you want to reinforce the existing ward or wipe it out and draw a different ward. Some wards will gain additional powers if reinforced.
Wards are degraded in a slightly different way than text engravings. A ward may be 10% degraded, 25% degraded, or 50% degraded. If you choose to reinforce a ward in a square that contains degraded copies of the ward, you will repair one of the degraded copies rather than engraving a new ward from scratch.
Learning wards
Wards are learned from spellbooks. All spellbooks contain mystic energy corresponding to the spell they teach; this is why they fade after being read too many times. The energy is held in the book by magical wards on the inside covers, and sometimes these wards incorporate symbols that can be used to directly ward off monsters. The symbol used is not dependent on the type of spellbook; two spellbooks of fireball, for instance, may be warded by two different wards. To study a spellbook's ward, press r to bring up the read prompt, select the desired spellbook, and choose s, study ward. Studying a ward is much like reading a spellbook; however, the character receives a +10 (+50%) bonus to their reading skill, making failures much less likely. If the character does fail to safely study the ward, the book is treated as one level lower when determining the consequences.
Characters who begin the game with spellbooks also begin the game knowing wards. It is intended that the character will know a number of wards equal to the number of spellbooks he or she begins with; however, there is currently a glitch that makes it so a character sometimes starts knowing extra wards.
A character may also learn wards by finding an intact copy engraved on the ground.
Finally, a character may be granted knowledge of wards by their god.
Icelandic magical staves
Magical staves are a special type of ward that is carved into a piece of wood rather than engraved on the ground. They are learned in the same way that regular wards are learned.
Carving a stave
To carve a stave apply (a) a knife or dagger (ie, any weapon that uses the knife or dagger skills). You will then be prompted to select the stave you wish to carve (or told that you don't know any staves). Next you will be prompted to select a wooden weapon to carve it into (or told that you don't have anything suitable for carving). If you choose to re-carve a weapon that already has a stave, you will chip off the existing stave before carving the new one. This process damages the weapon, and adds a turn to the time required to carve the stave.
A weapon with a stave carved into it can be read with the read command (r).
To use the stave, drop it at your feet. Some staves grant special effects when a carved weapon is wielded.
List of wards
The following pages list the properties of all the wards and staves. Note that they are spoilers, as these properties may be learned in-game via experimentation and hearing true rumors.
Written Wards
Drawn Wards
- Gorgoneion
- Heptagram
- Hexagram
- Pentagram
- Hamsa
- Circle of Acheron
- Elder Sign
- Elder Elemental Eye
- Sign of the Scion Queen Mother
- Cartouche of the Cat Lord
- The Wings of Garuda
Magical Staves
Legendary Drawn Wards
Drawing a seal
Press ctrl + s to be told that you don't know any seals. This feature is related to the partially-implemented Binder role.
