View source for Scroll of confuse monster

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{{scroll|name=confuse monster|cost=100|ink=6-11}}

A '''scroll of confuse monster''' is a type of [[scroll]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.

==Generation==
5.3% of all randomly generated scrolls will be a scroll of confuse monster.

Writing a scroll of confuse monster with a [[magic marker]] takes up 6 to 11 charges.

==Description==
Reading a non-cursed scroll of confuse monster causes your hands to glow red, signifying that that your next non-lethal hit will [[confuse]] the target monster unless you are in a form that lacks hands, and will prompt you to name the scroll - the effect stacks with other non-cursed scrolls as well as casts of the [[spell of confuse monster]] (depending on your skill level in [[enchantment spells]]), with the intensity of the glow representing how many uses of the ability you have. A blessed scroll adds 2-9 more uses, or only one more use if you have at least 40 stored, while an uncursed scroll adds one more use.{{refsrc|src/read.c|1231|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=a comment above notes "after a while, repeated uses become less effective"}}

Reading a cursed scroll of confuse monster will instead confuse you for up to 100 more turns, and the same occurs if you read a non-blessed scroll while already confused; reading a blessed scroll while confused will instead cure your confusion. If you are [[polymorph]]ed into any non-{{mcsl|@}} monster form, reading a scroll of any [[beatitude]] will also confuse you for up to 100 more turns.

Upon hitting a monster with your hands or a wielded weapon while "charges" of confuse monster are stored, a use is consumed and the monster must pass a check against its [[Magic resistance (monster)|magic resistance]], becoming confused if they fail the check. This does not occur if the target monster is already confused.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|3090|nethack=3.6.7}}

{{upcoming|3.7.0|As of {{commit|13ad9561f38b48c95a87bb58ebf8a297e1462e3d|commit 13ad956}}, reading an uncursed scroll of confuse monster adds 3 charges if you do not currently have any.}}

==Strategy==
{{main|Confusion#Monster confusion}}
The scroll of confuse monster can be a decent early-game supplement: confused monsters will fail to cast [[monster spells|spells]] properly, move erratically, and may even attack other hostile monsters nearby; they will also experience [[Confusion#Confused scroll effects|alternate effects]] from reading scrolls. Confusing a monster generally makes it much less likely to attack you directly, and ranged abilities will often fire in the wrong direction, but a confused monster should not be taken lightly, especially if the confusion expires without you noticing.

The scroll typically sees very limited use after that point, especially in the late game: The monster magic resistance of hostile monsters generally increases as you progress, making them generally less effective, and while it can still be somewhat useful, confusion usually takes a backseat to other incapacitating spells and effects. A cursed scroll (or any scroll for non-{{white|@}} polyforms) can still serve as a source of confusion if you lack potions of {{! of|booze|confusion}} or a forgotten [[spell]]. Conversely, the confusion-removal effect of a blessed scroll that is read while confused is situational at best, and is often superseded by a [[unicorn horn]]; non-cursed scrolls are thus good candidates for [[blanking]].

==History==
The scroll of confuse monster first appears in Hack 1.21, a variant of [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial item list for [[Hack 1.0]].

==Messages==
{{message|Your hands begin to glow red <even more>.|You read an uncursed scroll of confuse monster, with the latter appended if you already have uses stored.}}
{{message|Your hands begin to tingle <even more>.|As above, while [[blind]]; this also applies if you are blind and confused.}}
{{message|You are going to confuse monsters.|You are viewing the status gained from reading a non-cursed scroll via [[enlightenment]].}}

{{message|Your hands glow a brilliant red.|You read a blessed scroll of confuse monster.}}
{{message|Your hands tingle very sharply.|As above, while blind.}}
{{message|Your hands glow an even more brilliant red.|You read a blessed scroll with at least one use in store.}}
{{message|Your hands tingle even more.|As above, while blind.}}

{{message|Your hands no longer glow so brightly red.|You hit a monster in melee and consumed a usage of the ability, and you still have uses remaining.}}
{{message|The tingling in your hands lessens.|As above, while blind.}}
{{message|Your hands stop glowing red.|You hit a monster in melee and consumed your remaining use of the ability.}}
{{message|Your hands stop tingling.|As above, while blind.}}
{{message|<target> appears confused.|Your attack successfully confused the hit monster.}}

{{message|You feel confused.|You read a cursed scroll of confusion, or a scroll of any beatitude when polymorphed into a non-{{white|@}} monster form.}}
{{message|Your hands begin to glow purple.|You read an uncursed scroll while confused.}}
{{message|A red glow surrounds your head.|You read a blessed scroll while confused and cured your confusion.}}
{{message|A faint buzz surrounds your head.|As above, while blind.}}

==References==
<references/>
{{nethack-367}}
[[Category:Scrolls|Confuse monster]]