Globe of Invulnerability?

[kuniqs]

Hello,

I'm a very green 4.x Angband version player. I've heard tales of the Globe of Invulnerability spell existing in ancient versions and making the PC pretty much invincible. I'm curious what exactly this spell did? Did it make you immune to enemy spells? I can't find any source online, and I'm not confident about source code diving.

If there is a player who remembered using this spell, I'd be thankful for their input.

Second question: how does Blackguard's taunting spell work? Does it make monsters twice less likely to use spells? Thrice? I'm interested in exact mechanics, or at least a pointer to source code.

Thank you in advance.

[Cryomaniac]

Not sure how it worked in base Angband, but in Zangband and derived variants it made you invulnerable to any kind of damage, though there was a 1/13 chance of a source of damage still getting through.

[Thraalbee]

It is a very strong spell but you can't rely entirely on it. Duration is short (d4+4) and once you have it you'll probably be up against magically strong opponents that can dispel it along with any other buff. And you lose a turn when it ends. Also rare attacks like psycho spear (?) will go right through it and I believe *extreme* damage will be much reduced but not to zero.

[HallucinationMushroom]

I can't say from experience, I never played casters. But, probably it worked like the potions of invulnerability that are in Moria. Basically, you are immune to damage for 'a few turns'... I forget the exact formula, a mix of a few guaranteed turns plus a randomly generated extra amount. Probably it was ported over because you practically couldn't beat the Balrog in Moria without invulnerability. I beat the Balrog of Moria as a rogue and I think it would have been impossible without potions of invulnerability. Take with a grain of salt my memory is swiss cheese.

[Nick]

Second question: how does Blackguard's taunting spell work? Does it make monsters twice less likely to use spells? Thrice? I'm interested in exact mechanics, or at least a pointer to source code.

The chance of casting a spell is cut in half, and they also always try to get right next to the player (as opposed to hanging back to cast or shoot or breathe as some monsters do). If you want more detail, look for TMD_TAUNT in the source.