The Orb of Detection
| ( The Orb of Detection (No tile) | |
|---|---|
| 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 its default alignment is lawful. Its base item type is a crystal ball.
Contents
Generation
For Archeologists, The Orb of Detection is always generated on the goal level of the Archeologist quest, where it is placed on the same square as the Minion of Huhetotl.
Description
While carried, The Orb of Detection grants magic resistance, telepathy and half spell damage. Applying the Orb has the same effect as applying any crystal ball of the same beatitude, and invoking the Orb toggles intrinsic invisibility on or off unless the hero has permanent invisibility.
The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that the information below is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate it.
The intelligence check when applying an artifact crystal ball now uses a d8 instead of d20 if it is the hero's own quest artifact, or d16 for other quest artifacts.
For crystal balls in general: A hero can search for dungeon features by entering any of < > _ \ # {. Doing so will find all of these features regardless of the specific feature entered.
Crystal balls are 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, and 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.Strategy
- For optimized invocation, see Invoke#Optimum invocation schedule.
An Archaeologist's typically high intelligence lets them make more consistent use of the Orb of Detection for detecting magic portal, though they will still need an enchanted helm of brilliance to guarantee success. The invoke effect is not especially useful, since sources of invisibility are commonplace.
As an artifact wish for other lawful roles, The Orb of Detection has a more useful base type than the Magic Mirror of Merlin and provides half spell damage, but is much heavier. For other roles electing to carry the artifact for its magic resistance, it is recommended to find a second source of worn magic resistance before challenging the Wizard of Yendor, since he can steal it.
The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that the information below is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate it.
The changes to the intelligence check for crystal balls guarantees that an Archeologist of any race can reliably use their quest artifact.History
The Orb of Detection is introduced along with most of the other quest artifacts in NetHack 3.1.0.
Variants
Many variants implement L's Itlachiayaque Patch, which replaces the Orb of Detection with Itlachiayaque.
UnNetHack
UnNetHack replaces The Orb of Detection with Itlachiayaque as of version 5.1.0, and its implementation is the closest to that of the initial patch.
EvilHack
EvilHack replaces The Orb of Detection with Xiuhcoatl, a lawful atlatl.
xNetHack
xNetHack replaces The Orb of Detection with Itlachiayaque, and its implementation allows the artifact to be used like a crystal ball as with the former quest artifact.
Hack'EM
Hack'EM replaces The Orb of Detection with Itlachiayaque.
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.
