it doesn't, if that were allowed it would create ambiguity since '*' is a valid character in a variable name. see:

Code:
//var %c_ = 3 | echo -a $calc(%c_ * 2) - $calc(%c_* 2) - $calc($null 2)


%c_* is quite clearly being treated as $null there since, presumably, a variable named %c_* doesn't exist.

chacha: there's also /filter -wlfc # tmpfile which, since we're already straying from the original script by omitting the (<nick> != $me) check, will include the status prefix of each nickname (@%+ etc.) if there is one to include. it saves us having to resort to such measures as a $regsubex() loop which are all but overused these days :P

there's also the possibly of receiving a * Line too long: $regsubex error with a suitably massive nicklist

"The only excuse for making a useless script is that one admires it intensely" - Oscar Wilde