Difference between revisions of "Unicorn horn"

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A '''unicorn horn''' (or '''unihorn''') is an important [[tool]] for curing your [[adventurer]]. You can also wield a unicorn horn as a two-handed melee [[weapon]] doing d12 damage; it makes a great non-[[artifact]] weapon for [[role]]s who are not restricted in the "unicorn horn" skill. You can also use a unicorn horn to help [[Unicorn_horn#Potion_identification|identify potions]]. Further, it is a decent light-weight backup fighting monsters that may otherwise harm your main weapon.
+
A '''unicorn horn''', sometimes called a '''unihorn''', is a [[weapon-tool]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is made of [[bone]].
  
−
Thus, a unicorn horn is an important part of almost any [[ascension kit]].
+
==Generation==
 +
Unicorn horns are not randomly generated and can only be obtained from a [[unicorn]], which leaves an uncursed +0 unicorn horn behind if killed in a way that leaves a [[corpse]]. Horns obtained from unicorns that were not revived via [[undead turning]] or [[polymorph]]ed are considered [[magical item]]s.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|1405|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} Revived or polymorphed unicorns only have a 50% chance of leaving one upon death; the rest of the time, its horn will crumble to dust.{{refsrc|mon.c|322|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}
  
−
==For medical application==
+
[[Healer (player monster)|Healer]] [[player monster]]s have a {{frac|16}} to be generated with a unicorn horn in place of their melee weapon.
  
−
===Cures from uncursed and blessed application===
+
==Unicorn horn skill==
−
An [[uncursed]] or [[blessed]] unicorn horn can cure:
+
{{unicorn horn skill table}}
 +
 
 +
As a weapon, the unicorn horn has a dedicated weapon skill which only it uses. It is [[two-handed]] with +1 to-hit, and deals d12 damage to small and large monsters.
 +
 
 +
==Description==
 +
As a tool, [[apply]]ing a noncursed unicorn horn can cure multiple negative status properties:
 +
 
 +
* [[Blindness]], except from [[cream pie]]s and [[venom]]
 +
* [[Deafness]]
 +
* [[Confusion]]
 +
* [[Hallucination]]
 +
* [[Stun]]ning
 +
* [[Sickness]]
 +
* [[Nausea]] (from eating tripe/eggs)
 +
* Lost [[attribute]] points
 +
 
 +
A unicorn horn cannot cure:
 +
 
 +
* [[Stoning]]
 +
* [[Sliming]]
 +
* [[Lycanthropy]]
 +
* [[Wounded legs]]
 +
* [[Amnesia]]
 +
 
 +
Applying an uncursed unicorn horn will fix (d(2d2) - 1) ailments, whilst a blessed one can heal (d(2d4) - 1) ailments.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1997|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} A cursed unicorn horn will instead cause one or more of the applicable ailments listed above.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1885|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} If you are wearing a [[ring of sustain ability]], a unicorn horn will not affect your attributes. When used by an [[intelligent]] monster with hands, noncursed unicorn horns are guaranteed to work on the first try; monsters will not use cursed unicorn horns.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|322|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}{{refsrc|src/muse.c|623|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}
 +
 
 +
[[Dip]]ping a noncursed unicorn horn into certain potions can "cure" them as well: dipping one into a [[potion of sickness]] changes it to a [[potion of fruit juice]], and dipping one into a [[potion of blindness]], [[potion of confusion|confusion]], or [[potion of hallucination|hallucination]] will turn it into a [[potion of water]].
 +
 
 +
Unicorns can use their own horn to heal status effects, as can a player polymorphed into a unicorn via the [[Monster (command)|#monster]]; these produce the same effect as applying an uncursed unicorn horn.
 +
 
 +
{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Unicorn horns can no longer restore reduced attributes. Alternatives include [[Potion of restore ability|potions of restore ability]], the [[Spellbook of restore ability|restore ability spell]], [[prayer]], or [[gain ability]].
 +
 
 +
Cursed unicorn horns also no longer reduce attributes. Instead, they can induce nausea; currently, this gives no message.}}
 +
 
 +
==Strategy==
 +
The unicorn horn is an important [[tool]] for almost any [[ascension kit]] - not only for its restorative abilities, but for its potential as a solid backup weapon and an aid in [[#Potion identification|potion identification]].
 +
 
 +
===Obtaining and maintaining horns===
 +
{{main|Unicorn#Strategy}}
 +
Unicorns that generate as hostile can be somewhat difficult foes to deal with early on, due to their movement patterns, speed and teleportation ability. Most such unicorns will be cross-aligned, although circumstances involving bones or polymorphing can result in a hostile co-aligned unicorn; in either case, a thrown [[gem]] (ideally ones you suspect to be [[worthless glass]]) can pacify them.
 +
 
 +
Decently strong [[pet]]s can be used to run down a unicorn without incurring Luck penalties, though the pet will be in danger from counterattacks. Once a player has solid [[AC]], they can approach hostiles unicorn in melee or make use of tools such as [[invisibility]], [[displacement]], [[trap]]s, and even [[rebound]]s from spells and wands to dispatch them. As you kill more unicorns, it will be worth carrying a couple of backup horns with you, [[#Monsters and pets|handing spare ones to humanoid pets]], and [[stash]]ing others in the event you need to retrieve a spare later
 +
 
 +
If you informally identify a noncursed unicorn horn, especially from a bones pile, be sure to formally identify its [[beatitude]] as soon as possible so you will know if it becomes cursed later on. It is also advised to bless your unicorn horn the first chance you get; in addition to reliability, blessing it will provide extra protection against becoming cursed by hostile spellcasters, as with most items. Some players may consider wielding it during prayer - your god may bless your wielded weapon as a successful prayer boon.
  
−
*[[blindness]] except from [[cream pie]]s and [[venom]]
+
===Monsters and pets===
−
*[[deafness]]
+
[[Intelligent]] monsters with hands can use unicorn horns, including [[pet]]s 0 they will keep the first unicorn horn that they pick up in their inventory, and use them immediately when [[confusion#Monster confusion|confused]] or [[stunned#Monsters|stunned]]; [[hallucination]] that affects monsters is treated as confusion instead.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1167|version=NetHack 3.6.1|comment=[[Black light]]s are the only source of hallucination that can affect monsters.}} Monsters may optionally even wield the unicorn horn as a weapon, if it is their best available option and they are not wearing a [[shield]].
−
*[[confusion]]
 
−
*[[hallucination]]
 
−
*[[stun]]
 
−
*[[sickness]]
 
−
*nausea (from eating tripe/eggs)
 
−
*lost [[attribute]] points (as of [[NetHack 3.6.0]], [[ring of sustain ability|sustain ability]] will prevent this).
 
  
−
[[Sickness]] is normally fatal, and the unicorn horn is the easiest way to cure sickness (you might not have the right [[potion]] or [[spell]], and you might not be able to safely [[pray]]). The other ailments, such as blindness and confusion, normally time out, but a unicorn horn removes them faster. Repeatedly [[apply]] the horn until you are completely cured.
+
Be sure to give applicable pets any spare unicorn horns you find - a black light sneaking up on you and confusing your pet is a potential worst-case scenario, leaving you immediately adjacent to danger with little warning unless they can use the horn to immediately cure themselves. Remember that tame monsters do not respect [[Elbereth]], but can be scared by other means.
  
−
Applying an uncursed unicorn horn will fix (d(2d2) - 1) ailments, whilst a blessed one can heal (d(2d4) - 1) ailments{{refsrc|src/apply.c|1997|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}.
+
===As a curative item===
 +
A unicorn horn is among one of the most valuable general assets in terms of healing status effects: though even a blessed one is not 100% guaranteed to cure at least one status affliction on use, it is the most reliable such item accessible to any character and role. As a reusable cure, the unicorn horn can also help preserve magic power, [[prayer]], and other resources for later use. Most of what outmatches a blessed unicorn horn in reliability is dependent on the character in some manner, e.g., [[healing spell]]s such as [[cure sickness]] cast at 0% failure rate are reliant on the caster - [[Spellcasting|innate ability]], wisdom/intelligence, skill level, [[armor]] selection, etc.
  
−
The approximate cumulative odds of curing a single ailment:<ref>http://www.steelypips.org/nethack/343/tool-343.html#unicorn_horn</ref> Each line in the list above counts as one trouble, except that each attribute counts as a separate ailment.
+
The approximate cumulative odds of curing a single ailment are listed below; each status property counts as one ailment, and each lowered attribute is counted as a separate ailment.<ref>http://www.steelypips.org/nethack/343/tool-343.html#unicorn_horn</ref>  
  
 
'''Uncursed'''
 
'''Uncursed'''
Line 61: Line 101:
 
|}
 
|}
  
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===What it cannot cure===
+
===As a weapon===
−
A unicorn horn cannot cure:
+
The unicorn horn is respectable as a weapon&mdash;it is a good lightweight, non-[[artifact]] option, especially for [[role]]s not restricted in the skill, and may occasionally even be a primary choice for certain characters such as [[Healer]]s. Unenchanted unicorn horns are especially handy as a backup against monsters such as [[rust monster]]s or [[disenchanter]]s that you do not want to risk your main weapon against.
−
 
 
−
*[[stoning]]
 
−
*[[sliming]]
 
−
*[[lycanthropy]]
 
−
*[[wounded legs]]
 
−
 
 
−
It also cannot:
 
−
*restore [[health]]
 
−
*restore magic [[power]]
 
−
*undo [[amnesia]]
 
−
*fix [[fainting]].
 
−
 
 
−
In addition, if you have the [[ring of sustain ability|sustain ability]] property, a unicorn horn cannot restore lost attribute points.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Messages ===
 
−
{|class=prettytable
 
−
!Message!!Meaning
 
−
|-
 
−
|"Nothing happens."
 
−
|You have no conditions the unicorn horn can fix.
 
−
|-
 
−
|"Nothing seems to happen."
 
−
|You have a condition that could be fixed, but it wasn't.
 
−
|-
 
−
|"This makes you feel great!"
 
−
|You had [[attribute]] points restored, and you have no other conditions.
 
−
|-
 
−
|"This makes you feel better!"
 
−
|You had attribute points restored, but you still have other conditions.
 
−
(Possibly something like [[wounded legs]] that the horn can't fix.)
 
−
|-
 
−
|"What a relief!"
 
−
|The unicorn horn cured you of food poisoning or illness.
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
==Cursed unicorn horns==
 
−
 
 
−
A cursed unicorn horn will cause, rather than cure, a myriad of status ailments. For this reason, you should not attempt to use a unicorn horn for healing if it was found in a bones pile, at least until you have dipped it in holy water or BUC tested it.
 
−
 
 
−
If your only unicorn horn is cursed and you lack sources of remove curse but you know that you are in good standing with your god, you can wield the horn and #pray &ndash; having no free hands counts as a major trouble, and an unicorn horn is 2-handed, and praying successfully will uncurse it. However, should this process fail, you're in serious trouble, so you should only do this if you're certain that the prayer will succeed.
 
−
 
 
−
===Messages===
 
−
{|class=prettytable
 
−
!Message!!Meaning
 
−
|-
 
−
|"You feel deathly sick."
 
−
|You became [[ill]]; you have between 20 and (19+Con) turns left to live.
 
−
|-
 
−
|"You feel much worse / even worse".
 
−
|You were already ill; your turns to live have been reduced to 1/3 of their value.
 
−
|-
 
−
|"A cloud of darkness falls upon you".
 
−
|You were [[blind|blinded]].
 
−
|-
 
−
|"You suddenly feel confused."
 
−
|You became [[confused]].
 
−
|-
 
−
|"You stagger..."
 
−
|You became [[stunned]].
 
−
|-
 
−
|"Oh wow! Everything looks so cosmic!"
 
−
|You started [[hallucinating]].
 
−
|-
 
−
|"You are unable to hear anything."
 
−
|You became [[deaf]]. This outcome is half as likely as the others.
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Random attribute-loss message''
 
−
|You lost one point from an attribute.
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
===Uses===
 
−
Because the negative effects from a cursed unicorn horn can be cured without too much trouble by a non-cursed one, cursed horns may be useful as a source of status afflictions. In particular, they are a reliable source of [[confusion]] that preserves the [[illiterate]] conduct (not relying on forgotten spells or a cursed scroll of confuse monster). This can be useful when [[throne farming]], for example.
 
−
 
 
−
You can curse a horn without breaking any [[conducts]] by dipping it in a fountain and use-testing it to see if any negative effects happen (cursed horns always apply a negative effect).
 
−
 
 
−
==Potion identification==
 
−
 
 
−
Once you possess a (non-cursed) unicorn horn, you can use one to help identify potions. [[Dip]]ping a unicorn horn into a [[potion of sickness]] changes the potion to [[fruit juice]], and dipping it into [[potion of blindness|blindness]], [[potion of confusion|confusion]], or [[potion of hallucination|hallucination]] turns those harmful potions into [[potion of water|water]]. More detail at the [[Potion#Identification|potions]] article.
 
−
 
 
−
Some things to have in mind about dipping the horn into potions:
 
−
 
 
−
#Dipping a unicorn horn into a cursed [[potion of water]] will curse the horn. You shouldn't try it anyway, since potions of water are always clear in appearance.
 
−
# Potions of polymorph present a special problem: dipping a unicorn horn in one will polymorph the horn.  This presents several considerations:
 
−
##You can dip a [[wand of polymorph|wand]] or [[spellbook of polymorph|spellbook]] of polymorph first – you'll get the message "nothing happens" if the potion is polymorph. A ring of polymorph will ''not'' have this effect but will polymorph instead.
 
−
## Players without a spare unicorn horn may want to dip junk items into un-ID'd potions.  Dipping ammunition (such as [[arrow]]s) has the added benefit of identifying potions of sickness, since they will poison the item.
 
−
## Players adhering to polypileless conduct will want to refrain from dipping anything but polymorph wands and spellbooks into potions until they have potions of polymorph identified. Polymorphing in this manner breaks the conduct.
 
−
## Conversely, players with spare unicorn horns may want to use potions of polymorph on unicorn horns: since they are magical tools, polymorph has a small chance of producing something useful, such as a [[magic marker]].
 
−
 
 
−
==As a weapon==
 
−
 
 
−
===Unicorn horn skill===
 
−
 
 
−
{{unicorn horn skill table}}
 
−
 
 
−
Only unicorn horns use the unicorn horn skill, and there are no [[artifact weapon|artifact]] unihorns.
 
  
−
Even with the unskilled, a unicorn horn is a popular weapon against [[rust monster]]s and [[disenchanter]]s. Be careful not to use it in presence of [[Monster spell|spellcaster]]s, however, because it is [[two-handed]].
+
The average damage calculations in the following table do not include bonuses from [[Skill|weapon skills]], [[strength]], or from using a [[blessed]] weapon against [[undead]] or [[M2_DEMON|demons]].
−
 
 
−
===Average damage calculation===
 
−
The average damage calculations in the following table do not include bonuses from [[Skill|weapon skills]], [[strength]], or from using a [[blessed]] weapon against [[undead]] or [[demon]]s.
 
  
 
{|class="wikitable"
 
{|class="wikitable"
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|}
 
|}
  
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== Obtaining a unicorn horn ==
+
===Potion identification===
−
There are a few ways to obtain a unicorn horn; for example, you can find one in a [[bones]] level. However, by far the most common method is to kill a [[unicorn]] and take its horn.
+
Once you possess a noncursed unicorn horn, you can use one to identify potions as described above; if you have enough spare horns, you can also use them to dip-test for other potions. The [[potion of polymorph]] in particular requires certain considerations: players without a spare horn will want to use junk items to dip-test first and identify it beforehand. Dipping ammunition such as [[dart]]s and [[arrow]]s this way has the added benefit of potentially identifying potions of sickness (which will poison the item).
  
−
When you encounter a unicorn, you might encounter any of the three varieties: [[black unicorn]], [[gray unicorn]], and [[white unicorn]] (representing [[chaotic]], [[neutral]], and [[lawful]] [[alignment]]). A unicorn that matches your alignment will be [[peaceful]]; killing it directly will incur a severe (-5) [[Luck]] penalty, on top of the usual penalty for attacking peaceful monsters. Any other unicorn is hostile; if you can kill it, it will drop its horn. On a bones level, the hostile/peaceful status of unicorns may not follow the usual rule. The Luck penalty applies whenever you kill a unicorn of your own alignment, even if it was hostile. However, throwing gems, even worthless glass, will calm it down.
+
Players with spare unicorn horns can freely use them to dip-test for polymorph unless they are adhering to [[polypileless]] conduct, and may receive another useful magical tool out of the deal.
  
−
During your first encounter with a hostile unicorn, you will probably not be strong enough to fight it in melee; a unicorn is fast and can hit you multiple times per turn. Let your [[pet]] attack it, and hit with ranged attacks. If you lack [[Speed#Intrinsic|speed]], unicorns will usually avoid being [[Movement tactics#Roguespace cardinal directions|in line]] with your character, but using [[Wand#Direction.2C_beams.2C_and_rays|ray-based]] attack [[wands]] you can hit the unicorn by reflecting rays off walls. When it dies, it is guaranteed to leave a [[corpse]] and a horn. If you can get to the corpse before your pet does, there is a chance that eating it will grant [[poison resistance]].
+
===Polypiling===
 +
Spare unicorn horns also make great fodder for [[polypiling]], as long as they did not come from a revived or polymorphed unicorn. However, polypiling with many horns and other bone items in a single pile may generate a [[skeleton]]; this is best avoided by spreading them between the piles prior to polymorphing.
  
−
Even if the unicorn is of the same alignment as you, there is no penalty to your character if your pet succeeds in killing the unicorn. If you have no pet and no unicorn horn, you may wish to kill a coaligned unicorn yourself: if so, it's a good idea to throw it some valuable [[gem]]s beforehand to offset the Luck penalty for killing it. Even better, after killing the coaligned unicorn, zap it with a wand of undead turning and throw some more gems at it, completely offsetting the luck penalty. Note that a resurrected unicorn has only a 50% chance of dropping a second horn; the rest of the time, its horn will crumble to dust.{{refsrc|mon.c|322|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} Additionally, as of [[NetHack 3.6.0]], any extra horns obtained from a revived unicorn will not be considered [[magical item]]s for [[polymorph]]ing purposes.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|1405|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}
+
===Cursed unicorn horns===
 +
A unicorn horn found in a [[bones]] pile is very likely to be cursed, and ideally should not be used until you can #[[dip]] it in [[holy water]], find an [[altar]] or otherwise test its beatitude. With some luck, you may be able to liberate any spare ones the former character had from a container(s) within the pile; you can also use a noncursed [[scroll of remove curse]] or cast [[spell of remove curse|the spell]] in order to restore the horn. Otherwise, you can group it with the other bones items you wish to uncurse or blank and zap a [[wand of cancellation]] at the pile.
  
−
=== Is it cursed? ===
+
If your only unicorn horn is cursed and you lack a source of curse removal or spare horns, you can wield it and pray after it welds to your hands &ndash; having no free hands counts as a major trouble, and praying successfully will uncurse the horn. However, be absolutely sure that you are in good standing with your god beforehand!
−
A unicorn horn which you have obtained yourself by killing a unicorn will always be uncursed and +0, but if you found it on a bones pile, it is important to
 
−
''check if the horn is [[cursed]]''. Test it with your pet, or drop it on an [[altar]], or use some [[Curse-testing|other method]].  (If you do the pet test, you should later drop it on an altar or [[identify]] it so you know the actual [[BUC]] status and can notice if it later becomes cursed.) A cursed unicorn horn will never cure anything, and can even cause harm; some use it to [[confuse]] themselves before reading scrolls or looting [[throne]]s. If your only unicorn horn is cursed, and you cannot fix it, you will want to kill another unicorn.
 
  
−
Bless your unicorn horn as soon as possible, both because a blessed unicorn horn is more reliable and because it provides extra protection against it becoming cursed later on. Consider wielding it during [[Prayer]], as your god may bless a weapon as a boon.
+
Cursed unicorn horns may be useful as a source of status afflictions - negative effects from a cursed unicorn horn can be cured without too much trouble by a non-cursed one, and spare non-cursed unicorn horns are not hard to obtain once you and/or your pet are capable of reliably killing unicorns. In particular, cursed unicorn horns are a source of [[confusion]] that preserves the [[illiterate]] [[conduct]] for purposes such as [[throne farming]] - especially if you are playing a role with no starting spells.
  
−
=== Save extra horns ===
+
In addition to the standard methods of cursing items, you can also curse a unicorn horn without breaking any conducts by dipping it in a [[fountain]] - this has a {{frac|30}} chance of cursing the dipped item.
−
As you kill more unicorns, you will obtain more of their horns. Save them in your [[stash]] or remember their locations so you can retrieve a spare. You might lose your horn, or something might polymorph your unicorn horn or make it cursed. You can also give them to [[intelligent]] pets.
 
  
−
If you have several spares, you might consider trying to polymorph some of them.  As long as they did not come from a unicorn that was revived at least once, unicorn horns count as [[magical tool]]s, which means they have a good chance of becoming a useful [[magic marker]]. However, [[polypiling]] many horns may generate a [[skeleton]].
+
==History==
 +
The unicorn horn is introduced in [[NetHack 3.0.6]].
  
−
==Unicorn horns and pets==
+
==Origin==
 +
{{wikipedia|Unicorn}}
 +
{{wikipedia}}
 +
The unicorn's horn, also known as an "alicorn", is a legendary object in antiquity-era folktalkes - many healing powers and curative qualities were attributed to it that made it one of the most expensive and reputable remedies during Renaissance times, which is the primary reason that unicorns were such sought-after creatures. Belief in the power of the alicorn persisted until the 16th century, when it was discovered that in truth the horn was that of the [[Wikipedia:Narwhal|narwhal]], and was actually an extended tooth formed in the mouth of males and some females of the species.
  
−
Monsters can become [[confusion#Monster confusion|confused]] or [[stunned#Monsters|stunned]] (for monsters, hallucination is simply replaced with confusion{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1167|version=NetHack 3.6.1|comment=[[Black light]]s are the only source of hallucination that can affect monsters.}}). In this state your pets will attack you. However, unlike truly hostile monsters they do not fear [[Elbereth]], and you will still be penalized for killing them. They are also likely to be both better equipped and higher level than a normal monster of their type. In addition, while you might see a normal hostile monster coming; a black light can sneak up on you and confuse your pet, leaving you immediately adjacent to danger with no warning. Your pet might even be of a type you wouldn't normally encounter at your depth, e.g. an [[Archon]] or [[titan]]. Not to mention that having your pet attack you instead of any nearby enemies means your offensive power has been reduced. These factors combined can make an ailing pet quite dangerous.
+
Purported unicorn horns were given as diplomatic gifts, and horn chips and dust could be purchased at apothecaries as universal antidotes until the 18th century. Sections of horns were displayed in cabinets of curiosities, and they were used to create sceptres and other royal objects across European history. The unicorn horn has since been mentioned in various fantasy works, role-playing games, and video games, which make use of its legendary symbolism.
  
−
Fortunately, [[intelligent]] handed pets will make use of a unicorn horn to cure ailments. A pet will not use a cursed unicorn horn,{{refsrc|src/muse.c|322|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} but since pets won't pick up cursed items, and no items can be cursed while a pet is carrying them, this situation probably can't arise in vanilla. Both uncursed and blessed unicorn horns are guaranteed to work on the first try for pets.{{refsrc|src/muse.c|623|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}
+
==Messages==
 +
===Unicorns===
 +
{{message|The tip of the <color> unicorn's horn glows!|A unicorn cured a status problem using its horn.}}
 +
{{message|The <color> unicorn's recently regrown horn crumbles to dust.|A revived unicorn died, but did not drop a unicorn horn.}}
  
−
Drop a unicorn horn on the ground in front of your pet, the pet should eventually pick it up. Your pet may choose to wield the horn as a weapon, or they may simply hold it. Your pet will carry it around and use it to cure its ailments regardless.
+
===Non-cursed unicorn horns===
 +
{{message|Nothing happens.|You have no conditions that the unicorn horn can fix.}}
 +
{{message|Nothing seems to happen.|You have a condition that could be fixed by the horn, but it was not cured.}}
 +
{{message|This makes you feel great!|You had [[attribute]] points restored, and you have no other conditions.}}
 +
{{message|This makes you feel better!|You had attribute points restored, but you still have other conditions (not necessarily ones that the horn can cure).}}
 +
{{message|What a relief!|The unicorn horn cured you of sickness.}}
  
−
==Size==
+
===Cursed unicorn horns===
−
From the d12 damage, and the fact that it's a [[two-handed]] weapon, it is implied that a unicorn horn is quite large.
+
{{message|You feel deathly sick.|You became [[ill]]; you have between 20 and (19+Con) turns left to live.}}
 +
{{message|You feel <much/even> worse.|You were already ill; your turns to live have been reduced to 1/3 of their value.}}
 +
{{message|A cloud of darkness falls upon you.|You were [[blind]]ed.}}
 +
{{message|You suddenly feel confused.|You became [[confused]].}}
 +
{{message|You stagger...|You became [[stunned]].}}
 +
{{message|Oh wow! Everything looks so cosmic!|You started [[hallucinating]].}}
 +
{{message|You are unable to hear anything.|You became [[deaf]]. This outcome is half as likely as the others.}}
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
 +
Many variants remove or weaken the unicorn horn's ability to restore attributes in order to lower reliance on the item and make other options for restoring stats more viable.
  
−
=== SLASH'EM ===
+
In the [[Advent calendar]] patch and variants that incorporate it, a unicorn horn is one of the possible Christmas presents that may be found in room 24, and may appear very rarely in any of the other rooms.
  
−
SLASH'EM adds an artifact unicorn horn, [[Nighthorn]]. It is [[lawful]] and confers [[reflection]] when wielded. One obtains Nighthorn by killing [[Nightmare]] at the end of the [[Lawful Quest]]. More details at the respective articles.
+
===SLASH'EM===
−
 
+
In [[SLASH'EM]], the probability of a unicorn horn curing ailments is changed. Blessed horns try to fix all problems, each with the given probability, and uncursed horns try to fix a single problem, with the same probability.<ref>http://www.statslab.cam.ac.uk/~eva/slashem/tools.html</ref>
−
SLASH'EM also changes the chances of curing ailments. Blessed horns try to fix all problems, each with the given probability, and uncursed horns try to fix a single problem, with the same probability.<ref>http://www.statslab.cam.ac.uk/~eva/slashem/tools.html</ref>
 
  
 
{|class="prettytable"
 
{|class="prettytable"
Line 233: Line 191:
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
=== Slash'EM Extended ===
+
SLASH'EM also adds an artifact unicorn horn, [[Nighthorn]]. It is [[lawful]] and confers [[reflection]] when wielded, and is obtained by killing [[Nightmare]] at the end of the [[Lawful Quest]].
−
 
 
−
The same rules and numbers from [[SLASH'EM]] also apply to [[Slash'EM Extended]] but applying a unicorn horn carries a 1% risk of the horn crumbling to dust if it is +0 or lower, or losing enchantment points if +1 or higher. If the horn got degraded but didn't turn to dust, it has a further chance of degrading in BUC, going from blessed to uncursed and then cursed. Therefore, it's advisable to enchant it up to +6 or +7 if possible and also bless it, reducing the amount of times it has to be used in order to cure an affliction, as every use can cause the horn to get disenchanted, whether it did fix a status problem or not. However, lost attribute points don't always get restored. There is a risk of about 33% that the message "Damn! It didn't work!" appears, indicating that a lost attribute point is now lost permanently so the player has to get it back the hard way. This means that a [[potion of restore ability]] may be more than just dilution fodder now.
 
−
 
 
−
It's advisable to carry spare unicorn horns, since it is also possible that a highly enchanted one loses several enchantment points at once when the degradation strikes. Also, if applying a wielded horn causes it to be cursed, you're in big trouble. Cursed horns will not turn to dust by repeatedly applying them so that cannot be used as a strategy to free your hands again.
 
  
−
=== UnNetHack ===
+
===UnNetHack===
 +
In [[UnNetHack]], a unicorn horn does ''not'' restore lost attribute points.<ref>http://sourceforge.net/apps/trac/unnethack/wiki/Items</ref> As a result, the potion of restore ability and [[spellbook of restore ability]] are much more useful.
  
−
In [[UnNetHack]], a unicorn horn does ''not'' restore lost attribute points.<ref>http://sourceforge.net/apps/trac/unnethack/wiki/Items</ref> As a result [[potion of restore ability]] and [[spellbook of restore ability]] are useful items.
+
===dNetHack===
 +
In [[dNetHack]], unicorn horns are one-handed weapons and do not restore lost attribute points.
  
−
=== dNetHack ===
+
A blessed [[tin]] of [[jubjub bird]] meat is an item gives 600 nutrition and acts as a single-use unicorn horn.
  
−
In [[dNetHack]], unicorn horns are one-handed weapons.  As in [[UnNetHack]], they do not restore lost attribute points.
+
Characters that have the [[Spirits (dNetHack)|spirit]] [[Echidna]] gain skill in unicorn horns.
  
−
=== FIQHack ===
+
[[Nightmare (dNetHack)|Nightmare]] and the [[ancient of corruption]] have a headbutt attack that can inflict various status conditions by replicating the effects of applying a cursed horn.
  
−
In [[FIQHack]], unicorn horns do not restore (or cause) lost attribute points. In addition, blessed unicorns horns will always restore all troubles, but have a 10% chance of becoming uncursed. Uncursed unicorn horns are far less reliable (only having a 20% of curing something per use).
+
===FIQHack===
 +
In [[FIQHack]], unicorn horns do not affect attributes in any way. In addition, uncursed unicorn horns are far less reliable, only having a 20% of curing an ailment per use; blessed unicorns horns will always cure all applicable ailments, but have a 10% chance of becoming uncursed afterward.
  
−
=== xNetHack ===
+
===xNetHack===
 +
In [[xNetHack]], unicorn horns do not restore lost attribute points; they also deal less damage when used as weapons (1d8/1d10), but are now one-handed as in dNetHack. A unicorn horn wielded in your main hand is passively auto-applied every turn if you are not wearing [[gloves]], curing status problems without using an action.
  
−
In [[xNetHack]], unicorn horns do not restore lost attribute points. They deal less damage when used as weapons (1d8/1d10), but are one-handed. A unicorn horn wielded in your main hand without gloves is passively applied every turn, curing status problems without using an action.
+
===EvilHack===
−
 
+
In [[EvilHack]], unicorn horns function as they do in xNetHack, minus the passive auto-application.
−
== Encyclopedia entry ==
 
  
 +
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia-redirect|unicorn}}
 
{{encyclopedia-redirect|unicorn}}
  
−
== References ==
+
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
−
 
 
{{featured}}
 
{{featured}}
 +
{{variant-343|offset=1}}
 +
{{nethack-366|offset=2}}
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Tools]]
 
[[Category:Tools]]
−
{{variant-343|offset=1}}
 
−
{{nethack-361|offset=2}}
 

Latest revision as of 09:04, 8 March 2024

English

 • 中文（中国大陆）‎
( Unicorn horn.png
Name unicorn horn
Appearance unicorn horn
Damage vs. small 1d12
Damage vs. large 1d12
To-hit bonus +1
Weapon skill unicorn horn
Size two-handed
Base price 100 zm
(+10/positive
enchant)
Weight 20
Material bone

A unicorn horn, sometimes called a unihorn, is a weapon-tool that appears in NetHack. It is made of bone.

Generation

Unicorn horns are not randomly generated and can only be obtained from a unicorn, which leaves an uncursed +0 unicorn horn behind if killed in a way that leaves a corpse. Horns obtained from unicorns that were not revived via undead turning or polymorphed are considered magical items.[1] Revived or polymorphed unicorns only have a 50% chance of leaving one upon death; the rest of the time, its horn will crumble to dust.[2]

Healer player monsters have a 1⁄16 to be generated with a unicorn horn in place of their melee weapon.

Unicorn horn skill

Unicorn horn
Max Role
Basic
Skilled
Expert

As a weapon, the unicorn horn has a dedicated weapon skill which only it uses. It is two-handed with +1 to-hit, and deals d12 damage to small and large monsters.

Description

As a tool, applying a noncursed unicorn horn can cure multiple negative status properties:

A unicorn horn cannot cure:

Applying an uncursed unicorn horn will fix (d(2d2) - 1) ailments, whilst a blessed one can heal (d(2d4) - 1) ailments.[3] A cursed unicorn horn will instead cause one or more of the applicable ailments listed above.[4] If you are wearing a ring of sustain ability, a unicorn horn will not affect your attributes. When used by an intelligent monster with hands, noncursed unicorn horns are guaranteed to work on the first try; monsters will not use cursed unicorn horns.[5][6]

Dipping a noncursed unicorn horn into certain potions can "cure" them as well: dipping one into a potion of sickness changes it to a potion of fruit juice, and dipping one into a potion of blindness, confusion, or hallucination will turn it into a potion of water.

Unicorns can use their own horn to heal status effects, as can a player polymorphed into a unicorn via the #monster; these produce the same effect as applying an uncursed unicorn horn.

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.

Unicorn horns can no longer restore reduced attributes. Alternatives include potions of restore ability, the restore ability spell, prayer, or gain ability.

Cursed unicorn horns also no longer reduce attributes. Instead, they can induce nausea; currently, this gives no message.

Strategy

The unicorn horn is an important tool for almost any ascension kit - not only for its restorative abilities, but for its potential as a solid backup weapon and an aid in potion identification.

Obtaining and maintaining horns

Main article: Unicorn#Strategy

Unicorns that generate as hostile can be somewhat difficult foes to deal with early on, due to their movement patterns, speed and teleportation ability. Most such unicorns will be cross-aligned, although circumstances involving bones or polymorphing can result in a hostile co-aligned unicorn; in either case, a thrown gem (ideally ones you suspect to be worthless glass) can pacify them.

Decently strong pets can be used to run down a unicorn without incurring Luck penalties, though the pet will be in danger from counterattacks. Once a player has solid AC, they can approach hostiles unicorn in melee or make use of tools such as invisibility, displacement, traps, and even rebounds from spells and wands to dispatch them. As you kill more unicorns, it will be worth carrying a couple of backup horns with you, handing spare ones to humanoid pets, and stashing others in the event you need to retrieve a spare later

If you informally identify a noncursed unicorn horn, especially from a bones pile, be sure to formally identify its beatitude as soon as possible so you will know if it becomes cursed later on. It is also advised to bless your unicorn horn the first chance you get; in addition to reliability, blessing it will provide extra protection against becoming cursed by hostile spellcasters, as with most items. Some players may consider wielding it during prayer - your god may bless your wielded weapon as a successful prayer boon.

Monsters and pets

Intelligent monsters with hands can use unicorn horns, including pets 0 they will keep the first unicorn horn that they pick up in their inventory, and use them immediately when confused or stunned; hallucination that affects monsters is treated as confusion instead.[7] Monsters may optionally even wield the unicorn horn as a weapon, if it is their best available option and they are not wearing a shield.

Be sure to give applicable pets any spare unicorn horns you find - a black light sneaking up on you and confusing your pet is a potential worst-case scenario, leaving you immediately adjacent to danger with little warning unless they can use the horn to immediately cure themselves. Remember that tame monsters do not respect Elbereth, but can be scared by other means.

As a curative item

A unicorn horn is among one of the most valuable general assets in terms of healing status effects: though even a blessed one is not 100% guaranteed to cure at least one status affliction on use, it is the most reliable such item accessible to any character and role. As a reusable cure, the unicorn horn can also help preserve magic power, prayer, and other resources for later use. Most of what outmatches a blessed unicorn horn in reliability is dependent on the character in some manner, e.g., healing spells such as cure sickness cast at 0% failure rate are reliant on the caster - innate ability, wisdom/intelligence, skill level, armor selection, etc.

The approximate cumulative odds of curing a single ailment are listed below; each status property counts as one ailment, and each lowered attribute is counted as a separate ailment.[8]

Uncursed

Attempts 1 2 3 4 5
Cures 64.6% 87.5% 95.638% 98.43% 99.44%

Blessed

Attempts 1 2 3 4 5
Cures 77.4% 94.89% 98.85% 99.74% 99.94%

As a weapon

The unicorn horn is respectable as a weapon—it is a good lightweight, non-artifact option, especially for roles not restricted in the skill, and may occasionally even be a primary choice for certain characters such as Healers. Unenchanted unicorn horns are especially handy as a backup against monsters such as rust monsters or disenchanters that you do not want to risk your main weapon against.

The average damage calculations in the following table do not include bonuses from weapon skills, strength, or from using a blessed weapon against undead or demons.

Weapon Average damage
+0 unicorn horn \frac{1+12}{2}=\bold{6.5}
+7 unicorn horn \frac{1+12}{2}+7=\bold{13.5}

Potion identification

Once you possess a noncursed unicorn horn, you can use one to identify potions as described above; if you have enough spare horns, you can also use them to dip-test for other potions. The potion of polymorph in particular requires certain considerations: players without a spare horn will want to use junk items to dip-test first and identify it beforehand. Dipping ammunition such as darts and arrows this way has the added benefit of potentially identifying potions of sickness (which will poison the item).

Players with spare unicorn horns can freely use them to dip-test for polymorph unless they are adhering to polypileless conduct, and may receive another useful magical tool out of the deal.

Polypiling

Spare unicorn horns also make great fodder for polypiling, as long as they did not come from a revived or polymorphed unicorn. However, polypiling with many horns and other bone items in a single pile may generate a skeleton; this is best avoided by spreading them between the piles prior to polymorphing.

Cursed unicorn horns

A unicorn horn found in a bones pile is very likely to be cursed, and ideally should not be used until you can #dip it in holy water, find an altar or otherwise test its beatitude. With some luck, you may be able to liberate any spare ones the former character had from a container(s) within the pile; you can also use a noncursed scroll of remove curse or cast the spell in order to restore the horn. Otherwise, you can group it with the other bones items you wish to uncurse or blank and zap a wand of cancellation at the pile.

If your only unicorn horn is cursed and you lack a source of curse removal or spare horns, you can wield it and pray after it welds to your hands – having no free hands counts as a major trouble, and praying successfully will uncurse the horn. However, be absolutely sure that you are in good standing with your god beforehand!

Cursed unicorn horns may be useful as a source of status afflictions - negative effects from a cursed unicorn horn can be cured without too much trouble by a non-cursed one, and spare non-cursed unicorn horns are not hard to obtain once you and/or your pet are capable of reliably killing unicorns. In particular, cursed unicorn horns are a source of confusion that preserves the illiterate conduct for purposes such as throne farming - especially if you are playing a role with no starting spells.

In addition to the standard methods of cursing items, you can also curse a unicorn horn without breaking any conducts by dipping it in a fountain - this has a 1⁄30 chance of cursing the dipped item.

History

The unicorn horn is introduced in NetHack 3.0.6.

Origin

Wikipedia
Wikipedia has an article about:
Wikipedia
Wikipedia has an article about:

The unicorn's horn, also known as an "alicorn", is a legendary object in antiquity-era folktalkes - many healing powers and curative qualities were attributed to it that made it one of the most expensive and reputable remedies during Renaissance times, which is the primary reason that unicorns were such sought-after creatures. Belief in the power of the alicorn persisted until the 16th century, when it was discovered that in truth the horn was that of the narwhal, and was actually an extended tooth formed in the mouth of males and some females of the species.

Purported unicorn horns were given as diplomatic gifts, and horn chips and dust could be purchased at apothecaries as universal antidotes until the 18th century. Sections of horns were displayed in cabinets of curiosities, and they were used to create sceptres and other royal objects across European history. The unicorn horn has since been mentioned in various fantasy works, role-playing games, and video games, which make use of its legendary symbolism.

Messages

Unicorns

The tip of the <color> unicorn's horn glows!
A unicorn cured a status problem using its horn.
The <color> unicorn's recently regrown horn crumbles to dust.
A revived unicorn died, but did not drop a unicorn horn.

Non-cursed unicorn horns

Nothing happens.
You have no conditions that the unicorn horn can fix.
Nothing seems to happen.
You have a condition that could be fixed by the horn, but it was not cured.
This makes you feel great!
You had attribute points restored, and you have no other conditions.
This makes you feel better!
You had attribute points restored, but you still have other conditions (not necessarily ones that the horn can cure).
What a relief!
The unicorn horn cured you of sickness.

Cursed unicorn horns

You feel deathly sick.
You became ill; you have between 20 and (19+Con) turns left to live.
You feel <much/even> worse.
You were already ill; your turns to live have been reduced to 1/3 of their value.
A cloud of darkness falls upon you.
You were blinded.
You suddenly feel confused.
You became confused.
You stagger...
You became stunned.
Oh wow! Everything looks so cosmic!
You started hallucinating.
You are unable to hear anything.
You became deaf. This outcome is half as likely as the others.

Variants

Many variants remove or weaken the unicorn horn's ability to restore attributes in order to lower reliance on the item and make other options for restoring stats more viable.

In the Advent calendar patch and variants that incorporate it, a unicorn horn is one of the possible Christmas presents that may be found in room 24, and may appear very rarely in any of the other rooms.

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, the probability of a unicorn horn curing ailments is changed. Blessed horns try to fix all problems, each with the given probability, and uncursed horns try to fix a single problem, with the same probability.[9]

Enchantment Chance
0 or less 30%
1 40%
2 50%
3 60%
4 70%
5 80%
6 or more 90%

SLASH'EM also adds an artifact unicorn horn, Nighthorn. It is lawful and confers reflection when wielded, and is obtained by killing Nightmare at the end of the Lawful Quest.

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, a unicorn horn does not restore lost attribute points.[10] As a result, the potion of restore ability and spellbook of restore ability are much more useful.

dNetHack

In dNetHack, unicorn horns are one-handed weapons and do not restore lost attribute points.

A blessed tin of jubjub bird meat is an item gives 600 nutrition and acts as a single-use unicorn horn.

Characters that have the spirit Echidna gain skill in unicorn horns.

Nightmare and the ancient of corruption have a headbutt attack that can inflict various status conditions by replicating the effects of applying a cursed horn.

FIQHack

In FIQHack, unicorn horns do not affect attributes in any way. In addition, uncursed unicorn horns are far less reliable, only having a 20% of curing an ailment per use; blessed unicorns horns will always cure all applicable ailments, but have a 10% chance of becoming uncursed afterward.

xNetHack

In xNetHack, unicorn horns do not restore lost attribute points; they also deal less damage when used as weapons (1d8/1d10), but are now one-handed as in dNetHack. A unicorn horn wielded in your main hand is passively auto-applied every turn if you are not wearing gloves, curing status problems without using an action.

EvilHack

In EvilHack, unicorn horns function as they do in xNetHack, minus the passive auto-application.

Encyclopedia entry

See the encyclopedia entry for unicorn.

References

  1. ↑ src/zap.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 1405
  2. ↑ mon.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 322
  3. ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 1997
  4. ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 1885
  5. ↑ src/muse.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 322
  6. ↑ src/muse.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 623
  7. ↑ src/mhitm.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 1167: Black lights are the only source of hallucination that can affect monsters.
  8. ↑ http://www.steelypips.org/nethack/343/tool-343.html#unicorn_horn
  9. ↑ http://www.statslab.cam.ac.uk/~eva/slashem/tools.html
  10. ↑ http://sourceforge.net/apps/trac/unnethack/wiki/Items
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