# Magic whistle

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Name

magic whistle

Appearance

whistle

Base price

10 zm

Weight

3

Material

metal

Monster use

Will not be used by monsters.

A magic whistle is a tool that appears in NetHack. It appears as a whistle when unidentified.  

Contents

1 Description
2 Strategy
3 Messages
4 Variants

4.1 NetHack Brass
4.2 FIQHack

5 References

Description
Applying a magic whistle will warp any pets on the level next to you, even if teleporting is otherwise not possible; this includes sessile pets. This will auto-identify the whistle. Applying a cursed magic whistle has a 50% chance to instead awaken monsters on the same floor.

Strategy
Whistles are one of the few items that are safe to use test, so simply apply them to distinguish between magic and tin whistles. In most cases, it is even safe to apply a whistle found in a shop before buying it, with the exception of stronger pets that may attack the shopkeeper. You may also want to avoid them stealing any items and/or conserve their apport for when you find a shop you want to steal from.
Magic whistles can 'save' pets that accidentally step on a polymorph trap and turns into an immobile monster - whistling the pet onto the trap can polymorph it again, ideally into a form that can move.
If you discover a tin whistle first, name it accordingly - a whistle that does not share the given name will be readily identifiable as a magic whistle. Players having trouble finding one can apply a blessed eucalyptus leaf for the same effect, although this will eventually unbless it. Since they are magical tools, it may be a good idea to collect them and try to polypile your surplus ones into magic markers.

Messages
You produce a strange whistling sound.
You applied a non-cursed magic whistle, or a cursed magic whistle (50% chance). If you are underwater, the whistling sound is also described as "high-pitched".[1]
You produce a strange, sharp vibration.
As above, while deaf.
You produce a high-pitched humming noise.
You applied a cursed magic whistle (50% chance). If underwater, it will be described as "very high-pitched".
You produce a high-frequency vibration.
As above, while deaf.
You produce a normal whistling sound.
You applied a magic whistle while hallucinating.
Variants
Many variants such as SLASH'EM and UnNetHack add pet stores, which can sell magic whistles.

NetHack Brass
In NetHack brass, magic whistles are now tools with limited charges. This change lessens their dependability, and forces players to be more cautious in deciding when to use them.

FIQHack
In FIQHack, a magic whistle will not recall pets on a non-teleport level unless the whistle is blessed.

References

↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 482