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| − | '''Ants''' are a group of [[insect]]oid [[monster]]s in ''[[NetHack]]'' represented by the overall symbol {{white|a}}. Due to their high intrinsic [[speed]] and somewhat powerful attacks, as well as appearing in small [[groups]], they result in the deaths of many inexperienced players, leading to their proverbial nickname of Team Ant. | + | On [[NetHackWiki]], '''ants''' may refer to any or all of the following [[insect]]oid [[monster]]s in ''[[Nethack]]'' and its variants: |
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| − | [[Aligned priest]]s often [[summon insects]] such as ants and bees in combat. If the entire [[a]] monster class is [[genocide]]d, [[aligned priest|angry priests and priestesses]] will summon [[snake]]s instead of insects. | + | * The {{monsymlink|giant ant}}. |
| | + | * The {{monsymlink|soldier ant}}. |
| | + | * The {{monsymlink|fire ant}}. |
| | + | * The {{monsymlink|snow ant}} found in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SporkHack]] and [[UnNetHack]]. |
| | + | * The {{cyan|a}} [[queen ant]] found in [[EvilHack]] and [[Hack'EM]]. |
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| − | ==Team Ant== | + | ==Common traits== |
| − | Team Ant is comprised of giant ants, soldier ants, and fire ants. Whether [[killer bee]]s, [[queen bee]]s, and [[giant beetle]]s are a member of Team Ant is a point of contention; while they share the {{white|a}} glyph, they aren't actually ants. Furthermore, killer bees appear in huge swarms and are at least as formidable as giant ants, who are usually seen in smaller groups outside of an [[special room|ant hole]].
| + | ''NetHack'' ants are [[neutral]] [[animal]]s that are [[carnivorous]] and [[oviparous]], and have [[limb]]s but no [[hand]]s. They are generally very fast monsters that attack using bites - the vanilla ants all have 18 [[speed]] and a bite attack, and are a frequent game-ending menace for early characters - this has earned them the nickname "'''Team Ant'''". |
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| − | Since soldier ants are [http://alt.org/nethack/topdeaths.html the second highest single cause] of [[Death (character)|death]] on [[nethack.alt.org]], it has become something of a cliche to say "Go team a!" or "Go Team Ant!" on [[nethack (IRC)|#nethack]] on irc.freenode.net, NAO's channel, and other areas whenever [[Rodney (bot)|Rodney]] announces a death by the hands of a soldier ant.
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| − | ===Giant ants===
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| − | {{monster
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| − | |name=giant ant
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| − | |difficulty=4
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| − | |level=2
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| − | |experience=20
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| − | |speed=18
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| − | |AC=3
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| − | |MR=0
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| − | |align=0
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| − | |frequency=3
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| − | |genocidable=yes
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| − | |attacks=Bite 1d4
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| − | |weight=10
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| − | |nutr=10
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| − | |size=tiny
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| − | |resistances=none
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| − | |resistances conveyed=none
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| − | |attributes={{attributes|A giant ant|=
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| − | |sgroup=1|animal=1|nohands=1|oviparous=1|carnivore=1|
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| − | |hostile=1}}
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| − | |reference=[[monst.c#line104]]
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| − | }}
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| − | {{alternate tilesets|giant ant}}
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| − | The '''giant ant''', {{monsym|giant ant}}, is the weakest of the ants, but still a frequent cause of early deaths due to its speed and tendency to appear in groups.
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| − | {{clear}}
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| − | ===Soldier ant===
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| − | {{monster
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| − | |name=soldier ant
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| − | |difficulty=6
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| − | |level=3
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| − | |experience=37
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| − | |speed=18
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| − | |AC=3
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| − | |MR=0
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| − | |align=0
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| − | |frequency=2
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| − | |genocidable=Yes
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| − | |attacks=Bite 2d4, Sting 3d4 [[poison]]
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| − | |weight=20
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| − | |nutr=5
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| − | |size=Tiny
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| − | |resistances=Poison
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| − | |resistances conveyed=Poison (20%)
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| − | |attributes={{attributes|A soldier ant|=
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| − | |sgroup=1|animal=1|nohands=1|oviparous=1|pois=1|carnivore=1|hostile=1}}
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| − | |reference=[[monst.c#line116]]
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| − | }}
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| − | The '''soldier ant''', {{monsym|soldier ant}}, is very deadly and [[poison]]ous, and can deal severe damage even to characters with [[poison resistance]], as they share the giant ant's intrinsic speed and tendency to appear in groups. As mentioned previously, they are one of the top causes of death on the NAO server.
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| − | Soldier ants are poisonous to eat.
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| − | {{clear}}
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| − | ===Fire ant===
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| − | | |
| − | {{monster
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| − | |name=fire ant
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| − | |difficulty=6
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| − | |level=3
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| − | |experience=34
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| − | |speed=18
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| − | |AC=3
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| − | |MR=10
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| − | |align=[[neutral|0]]
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| − | |frequency=1
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| − | |genocidable=yes
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| − | |attacks=2d4 bite; 2d4 [[fire]]
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| − | |weight=30
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| − | |nutr=10
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| − | |size=tiny
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| − | |resistances=[[fire resistance|fire]]
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| − | |resistances conveyed=[[fire resistance|fire]] (20%)
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| − | |attributes={{attributes|A fire ant|=
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| − | |sgroup=1|animal=1|nohands=1|oviparous=1|carnivore=1|hostile=1|infravisible=1}}
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| − | |reference=[[monst.c#line122]]
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| − | }}
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| − | The '''fire ant''', {{monsym|fire ant}}, is another member of Team Ant that causes the deaths of many an inexperienced player due to its high intrinsic speed and fire attacks; although not as immediately deadly as the [[soldier ant]], the fire damage poses a threat to the player's inventory and armor as well.
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| − | {{clear}}
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| − | == Strategy ==
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| − | There are several strategies for players who encounter ant swarms early in the game:
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| − | * Ants are much faster than most low-level characters, so try to get into a [[corridor]] as soon as possible so you don't get surrounded.
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| − | ** Use a long-range weapon (such as a [[wand of magic missile]]) because it has a chance of killing more than one of the now lined-up monsters.
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| − | ** If you are skilled enough with a [[ranged weapon]], firing multiple projectiles also has a chance of killing multiple lined-up ants.
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| − | * Run to the [[stairway]] (hopefully, the stairway up) as soon as the ant is spotted.
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| − | ** If possible, disable the ant (perhaps with a [[wand of sleep]]) before fleeing.
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| − | ** Since ants are very [[fast]], use any [[escape item]]s or spells that will help you get to the stairs more quickly.
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| − | ** Close [[door]]s to block the ants, if you are strong. Weak characters might not be able to close the door in time.
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| − | * Another option is to [[engrave]] [[Elbereth]]. Ants are frightened by Elbereth.
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| − | ** A fleeing ant is less deadly than one attacking you.
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| − | ** With Elbereth, you can use the spare turns to attack the ant in melee, throw weapons, cast spells, or find an escape route.
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| − | * If you must fight them, attack the ant with your best items or spells.
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| − | ** Now might be the time to use your offensive [[wand]]s against the ant. (A [[wand of striking]] is likely to miss the ant; it is a poor choice.)
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| − | ** [[Zap]]ping an unidentified wand at a monster can be risky, but might pay off if you can use it to attack or get away.
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| − | ** If you've exhausted all possible options, try reading an unknown [[scroll]]. It may be a [[scroll of teleportation]] or [[scroll of earth|earth]]. This is even riskier. Cursed scrolls and [[spellbooks]] can sometimes cause teleportation, but cannot be relied upon to do so. Use this strategy only as a last resort.
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| − | * If you get away, don't return to the area until you're confident you can survive the conflict.
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| − | == Eating the corpses ==
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| − | Giant ant corpses are non-poisonous. Soldier ant corpses are poisonous and can grant [[poison resistance]]. Eating the corpse of a fire ant has a 20% chance of giving you the [[fire resistance]] [[intrinsic]], and is a common source in the absence of [[red dragon]]s and [[fire giant]]s.
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| − | == SLASH'EM ==
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| − | SLASH'EM adds the [[snow ant]], the cold-based version of the fire ant.
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| − | ==Origin==
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| − | The soldier ant is a nickname given to [[Wikipedia:army ant|army ant]]s in [[real life]]. Although it is possible that [[human (monster)|human]]s have been killed by army or driver ants, it is extremely unlikely, as they are little bigger than ordinary ants. They do, however, travel in very large groups.
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| − | Fire ants are real ants. They are many species of fire ants. They are usually red/reddish, very aggressive and their sting (from their abdomen) feels like a burn.
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| − | == Encyclopedia entry ==
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| | + | ==Encyclopedia entry== |
| | {{encyclopedia|<poem> | | {{encyclopedia|<poem> |
| | This giant variety of the ordinary ant will fight just as | | This giant variety of the ordinary ant will fight just as |
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| | persecution of their victims. | | persecution of their victims. |
| | </poem>}} | | </poem>}} |
| − | | + | {{nethack-367}} |
| − | {{nethack-362}} | |
| | [[Category:Monsters]] | | [[Category:Monsters]] |
