# Spellbook of light

spellbook of  +   light   

Appearance

random

Abundance

4.58%

Base price

100 zm

Weight

50

Turns to read

1

Ink to write

5–9

Spell type

divination

Level

1

Power cost

5 Pw

Direction

non-directional  

Equivalent

scroll of lightwand of light

In NetHack, the spellbook of light allows you to learn the spell of light.

Effects
Casting the spell of light has the same effect as an uncursed scroll of light: a circular area with 5 squares radius around your position (while casting) is permanently made lit.

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Strategy
The spell is one of the easiest to learn and cast; being able to use it reliably usually means that scrolls of light can be saved for blanking or polypiling later on. It is especially useful to train up skill in divination spells, and can light your way through the Gnomish Mines if you have enough energy. Increasing the amount of lit squares can help you use a polearm, fireball or cone of cold; it can also aid in jumping in dark parts of the dungeon, though it is slightly less powerful since casting light takes up a turn.
Being able to cast light also helps you save lamp oil during protracted battles, especially on the stairs up where covetous monsters like to retreat. It can also be used to mark areas you have already searched for the vibrating square.

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It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.6.4. Information on this page may be out of date.
Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-364}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.