Difference between revisions of "Beholder (monster)"

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The '''beholder''' is a [[deferred feature]] in [[NetHack 3.6.0]], a powerful monster in the eye/sphere class. Code for the creature appears in the [[source code]] but as of version 3.6.0 is commented out, so the monster will not be encountered in the Mazes of Menace.
 
−
[[Category:Deferred features]]
 
−
 
−
Beholders are implemented in the variants [[SLASH'EM]] (as a [[unique monster]]) and [[dNetHack]] (as a non-unique but rare monster), with some distinct properties in each.
 
−
 
−
== SLASH'EM ==
 
−
 
−
{{ monster
 
−
|name=Beholder
 
−
|symbol={{gray|e}}
 
−
|difficulty=24
 
−
|level=15
 
−
|experience=538
 
−
|speed=9
 
−
|AC=-4
 
−
|MR=70
 
−
|align=0
 
−
|frequency=Unique
 
−
|genocidable=No
 
−
|attacks=Gaze 1d4 [[Catoblepas|Death]], Gaze 3d8, Gaze 1d3 [[stun]], Gaze 1d3 [[confusion]], Gaze 1d4 [[sleep]]
 
−
|resistances conveyed=None
 
−
|resistances=None
 
−
|attributes={{attributes|The  Beholder|fly=1|nolimbs=1|nohead=1|regen=1|nopoly=1|neuter=1|hostile=1|nasty=1|stalk=1|infravisible=1|waitforu=1|wantsall=1|nocorpse=1}}
 
−
|size=Large
 
−
|nutr=100
 
−
|weight=500
 
−
|reference=[[SLASH'EM_0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line4590]]
 
−
}}The '''Beholder''' is the quest nemesis for the [[Neutral Quest]]. It holds the [[Key of Neutrality]], one of the three [[Alignment key]]s; you need two of these keys to unlock the indestructible doors in [[Vlad's Tower]]. 
 
−
 
−
If the Beholder is killed by means that would not prevent it from leaving a [[corpse]]—in other words, not by [[Petrification|stoning]], [[Green slime|sliming]], or [[disintegration]]—it leaves behind [[the Eye of the Beholder]] instead of a regular corpse. Since the Beholder is not difficult to kill by physical or magical means, it should be easy to kill it in such a way as to get the Eye.
 
−
 
−
The Beholder combines the [[gaze]] attacks of various creatures: the [[catoblepas]] (instant death), [[bloodshot eye]] (stun), [[umber hulk]] (confusion), and [[chasme]] (sleep). It also has a damaging gaze attack which deals up to 24 damage. 
 
−
 
−
Despite its description, it does not have a [[bite]] attack and is, in fact, possibly the easiest [[alignment quest]] nemesis.
 
−
 
−
=== Strategy ===
 
−
The easiest way to defeat the Beholder is to put on a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]] before entering its room, which will block all of its attacks.  Even if you don't have [[telepathy]], the Beholder is easy to find if you close the door behind you.  [[Reflection]] will only protect against the gaze of death: blinding yourself is almost always preferable.
 
−
 
−
'''Important Note:''' There is an interesting quirk (possibly bug) about the Beholder's death gaze attack when you have reflection - it will not be reflected '''at all''' if the Beholder cannot see you (for example, if you are invisible). With other gaze attacks what usually happens is that you are protected from the effects of the gaze but the monster is not hit by it (because it can't see the reflection), but in the case of the Beholder's death gaze, it simply bypasses reflection entirely if it cannot see you. This means that if you are invisible, reflection will not protect you from instant death.{{refsrc|mhitu.c|2451|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 
−
 
−
You'll know it has been defeated when the game says "All that remains is a single eye..."
 
−
 
−
=== Encyclopedia entry ===
 
−
 
−
{{encyclopedia|
 
−
The beholder (A.K.A the eye tyrant, the sphere of many eyes)
 
−
is most frequently found deep underground, although infrequently
 
−
it will lair in desolate wilderness.  The globular body of this
 
−
monster is supported by levitation, and it floats slowly about
 
−
as it wills.  Atop the sphere are ten eyestalks, while in its
 
−
central area are a great eleventh eye and a large mouth filled
 
−
with pointed teeth.  Each of the eyes is said to have a different
 
−
magical property, all of which are deadly or malicious.  The
 
−
beholder is hateful, tricky, and avaricious and is known to have
 
−
a fondness for both traps and artifacts.
 
−
|[ Adapted by Ben Lehman from Monstrous Manual, by TSR, Inc. ]
 
−
}}
 
−
 
−
{{clear}}
 
−
== dNethack ==
 
−
 
 
{{monster
 
{{monster
 
  |name=beholder
 
  |name=beholder
−
  |symbol={{gray|e}}
+
  |symbol={{brown|e}}
−
  |tile=[[File:Beholder (dnethack).png]]
+
  |tile=  
−
  |difficulty=10
+
  |difficulty=13
 
  |level=6
 
  |level=6
−
  |experience=97
+
  |experience=?
 
  |speed=3
 
  |speed=3
 
  |AC=4
 
  |AC=4
−
  |MR=50
+
  |MR=0
−
  |align=-10
+
  |align=−10
−
  |frequency=1
+
  |frequency=2
 
  |genocidable=Yes
 
  |genocidable=Yes
−
  |attacks=Gaze attack 4d6 [[random gaze type]], Gaze attack 4d6 [[random gaze type]], Passive 1d100 [[paralysis]]
+
  |attacks=Gaze 0d0 [[slow]], Gaze 2d25 [[sleep]], Gaze 0d0 [[disintegrate]], Gaze 0d0 [[petrification]], Gaze 2d4 [[cancellation]], Bite 2d4 physical
−
  |weight=1000
+
  |weight=10
−
  |nutr=1000
+
  |nutr=10
 
  |size=medium
 
  |size=medium
−
  |resistances=[[fire]], [[cold]], [[shock]]
+
  |resistances=[[cold resistance]]
−
  |resistances conveyed=
+
  |resistances conveyed=none
−
  |attributes={{attributes
+
  |attributes={{attributes|A beholder|fly=1|breathless=1|mindless=1|nohands=1|nolimbs=1|nohead=1|nopoly=1|neuter=1|hostile=1|infravisible=1}}
−
|A beholder|=
+
  |reference=[[monst.c#line337]]
−
|fly=1
 
−
|swim=
 
−
|amorphous=
 
−
|wallwalk=
 
−
|cling=
 
−
|tunnel=
 
−
|needpick=
 
−
|conceal=
 
−
|hide=
 
−
|amphibious=1
 
−
|breathless=1
 
−
|notake=
 
−
|noeyes=
 
−
|nohands=1
 
−
|nolimbs=1
 
−
|nohead=1
 
−
|mindless=
 
−
|humanoid=
 
−
|animal=
 
−
|slithy=
 
−
|unsolid=
 
−
|thick=
 
−
|oviparous=
 
−
|regen=
 
−
|seeinvis=
 
−
|tport=
 
−
|tportcntrl=
 
−
|acid=
 
−
|pois=1
 
−
|carnivore=
 
−
|herbivore=
 
−
|omnivore=
 
−
|metallivore=
 
−
|nopoly=1
 
−
|undead=
 
−
|were=
 
−
|human=
 
−
|elf=
 
−
|dwarf=
 
−
|gnome=
 
−
|orc=
 
−
|demon=
 
−
|merc=
 
−
|lord=
 
−
|prince=
 
−
|giant=
 
−
|male=
 
−
|female=
 
−
|neuter=1
 
−
|hostile=1
 
−
|peaceful=
 
−
|domestic=
 
−
|wander=
 
−
|stalk=
 
−
|nasty=
 
−
|strong=
 
−
|rockthrow=
 
−
|greedy=
 
−
|jewels=
 
−
|collect=
 
−
|magic=
 
−
|wantsamul=
 
−
|wantsbell=
 
−
|wantsbook=
 
−
|wantscand=
 
−
|wantsarti=
 
−
|wantsall=
 
−
|waitsforu=
 
−
|close=
 
−
|covetous=
 
−
|infravision=
 
−
|infravisible=1
 
−
|nohell=
 
−
|hell=1
 
−
|moria=
 
−
|sgroup=
 
−
|lgroup=
 
−
|vlgroup=
 
−
|nocorpse=
 
−
|oldcorpse=
 
−
|light=
 
−
|death=
 
−
|drain=
 
−
|plusone=
 
−
|plustwo=
 
−
|plusthree=
 
−
|plusfour=
 
−
|hitasone=
 
−
|hitastwo=
 
−
|hitasthree=
 
−
|hitasfour=
 
−
|vampire=
 
−
|traitor=
 
−
|notame=1
 
−
|light1=
 
−
|light2=
 
−
|light3=
 
−
|groupattack=
 
−
|blinker=
 
−
|noregen=
 
−
|stationary=
 
−
}}
 
−
  |refline=
 
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{for|other implementations of the monster|Beholder}}
 +
The '''beholder''', {{monsym|beholder}}, is a [[deferred feature|deferred]] [[monster]] in the [[source code]] of ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a monster that is part of the [[eye or sphere]] [[monster class]], and is [[breathless]], [[mindless]], capable of [[flight]], and can be seen via [[infravision]].{{refsrc|src/monst.c|337|nethack=3.6.7}}
 +
 +
A beholder has a [[slowing]] [[gaze attack]], a [[sleep]]-inducing gaze, a [[disintegration]] gaze, a gaze that inflicts [[stoning]], a [[cancellation]] gaze, and a bite attack. Beholders possess [[cold resistance]].
 +
 +
==Generation==
 +
As a deferred monster, beholders are not generated at all, but have rules governing their generation like any other monster.
 +
 +
Randomly generated beholders will always be created hostile, and they are not a valid target for [[polymorph]].
  
−
Beholders in dNethack attack twice per round with random gaze attacks, and share the [[floating eye]]'s paralysis gaze counterattack.
+
==History==
 +
The beholder first appears in [[NetHack-- 3.0.10]], and its vanilla data first appears in [[NetHack 3.2.0]].
  
−
Since the random gaze attacks include death and petrification gazes as well as damaging elemental gazes, it is best not to go near one without reflection AND a blindfold.
+
==Origin==
 +
The beholder is a well-known creature from ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', one of the franchise's most iconic original creations. As described in the SLASH'EM encyclopedia entry (taken from a ''D&D'' manual), beholders have spherical bodies with a single large eye, ten smaller eyes on stalks above it, and a mouth full of teeth. The smaller eyes are used for offense or defense; each one has a different magical ability. Beholders are typically hostile to other creatures, and often hostile to one another.
  
−
A beholder corpse does not rot, offers a lot of [[nutrition]], and grants [[clairvoyance]], but is very heavy.
+
==Variants==
 +
Several variants of ''NetHack'' fully implement the beholder and its gaze attacks, while granting the monster additional traits and abilities depending on the variant.
  
−
{{encyclopedia|
+
===SLASH'EM===
−
"Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them."
+
{{main|Beholder (SLASH'EM)}}
−
|[ Moral and Political, by David Hume ]
+
In [[SLASH'EM]], the Beholder is the [[quest nemesis]] for the [[Neutral Quest]].
−
}}
 
  
−
[[Category:dNethack monsters]]
+
===GruntHack===
 +
{{main|Beholder (GruntHack)}}
 +
In [[GruntHack]], beholders are randomly generated and can appear in the main dungeon, and possess some additional resistances alongside their vanilla ''NetHack'' abilities.
  
−
{{clear}}
+
===dNetHack===
−
==GruntHack==
+
{{main|Beholder (dNetHack)}}
−
{{monster
+
In [[dNetHack]] and [[notdNetHack]], beholders are much different and more dangerous than their ''NetHack'' incarnations. They are only generated in the [[Chaos Temple Quest]] and [[Gehennom]], and have two gaze attacks that can select from various damage types, along with a third paralyzing gaze as a passive similar to the [[floating eye]]. Beholder corpses, tins and blood have some useful applications as well.
−
|name=beholder
 
−
|symbol={{brown|e}}
 
−
|tile=
 
−
|difficulty=11
 
−
|level=6
 
−
|experience=?
 
−
|speed=3
 
−
|AC=4
 
−
|MR=0
 
−
|align=-10
 
−
|frequency=2
 
−
|genocidable=Yes
 
−
|attacks=Gaze 0d0 [[slow]], Gaze 2d25 [[sleep]], Gaze 0d0 [[disintegrate]], Gaze 0d0 [[petrification]], Gaze 2d4 [[cancellation]], Bite 2d4 [[physical]]
 
−
|weight=10
 
−
|nutr=10
 
−
|size=small
 
−
|resistances=[[cold]]
 
−
|resistances conveyed=
 
−
|attributes={{attributes
 
−
|A beholder|=
 
−
|fly=1
 
−
|swim=
 
−
|amorphous=
 
−
|wallwalk=
 
−
|cling=
 
−
|tunnel=
 
−
|needpick=
 
−
|conceal=
 
−
|hide=
 
−
|amphibious=1
 
−
|breathless=1
 
−
|notake=
 
−
|noeyes=
 
−
|nohands=1
 
−
|nolimbs=1
 
−
|nohead=1
 
−
|mindless=
 
−
|humanoid=
 
−
|animal=
 
−
|slithy=
 
−
|unsolid=
 
−
|thick=
 
−
|oviparous=
 
−
|regen=
 
−
|seeinvis=
 
−
|tport=
 
−
|tportcntrl=
 
−
|acid=
 
−
|pois=
 
−
|carnivore=
 
−
|herbivore=
 
−
|omnivore=
 
−
|metallivore=
 
−
|nopoly=1
 
−
|undead=
 
−
|were=
 
−
|human=
 
−
|elf=
 
−
|dwarf=
 
−
|gnome=
 
−
|orc=
 
−
|demon=
 
−
|merc=
 
−
|lord=
 
−
|prince=
 
−
|giant=
 
−
|male=
 
−
|female=
 
−
|neuter=1
 
−
|hostile=1
 
−
|peaceful=
 
−
|domestic=
 
−
|wander=
 
−
|stalk=
 
−
|nasty=
 
−
|strong=
 
−
|rockthrow=
 
−
|greedy=
 
−
|jewels=
 
−
|collect=
 
−
|magic=
 
−
|wantsamul=
 
−
|wantsbell=
 
−
|wantsbook=
 
−
|wantscand=
 
−
|wantsarti=
 
−
|wantsall=
 
−
|waitsforu=
 
−
|close=
 
−
|covetous=
 
−
|infravision=
 
−
|infravisible=1
 
−
|nohell=
 
−
|hell=
 
−
|moria=
 
−
|sgroup=
 
−
|lgroup=
 
−
|vlgroup=
 
−
|nocorpse=
 
−
|oldcorpse=
 
−
|light=
 
−
|death=
 
−
|drain=
 
−
|plusone=
 
−
|plustwo=
 
−
|plusthree=
 
−
|plusfour=
 
−
|hitasone=
 
−
|hitastwo=
 
−
|hitasthree=
 
−
|hitasfour=
 
−
|vampire=
 
−
|traitor=
 
−
|notame=
 
−
|light1=
 
−
|light2=
 
−
|light3=
 
−
|groupattack=
 
−
|blinker=
 
−
|noregen=
 
−
|stationary=
 
−
}}
 
−
|refline=
 
−
}}
 
  
−
In GruntHack, beholders pose a significant threat. They usually generate asleep, but when awake, they can [[petrification|instapetrify]] you, disintegrate you (the same kind of disintegration as gods do) and cancel your inventory. They're prime targets for [[genocide]] in Grunt. As in other variants, covering your eyes makes it nearly harmless with the exception of a relatively weak bite attack. Note that none of its attacks respect reflection.
+
===SpliceHack===
 +
The beholder appears in older versions of [[SpliceHack]], but is not implemented in [[SpliceHack-Rewrite]].
  
−
{{clear}}
+
===EvilHack===
−
==Origin==
+
{{main|Beholder (EvilHack)}}
−
The beholder is a well-known creature from [[Dungeons and Dragons]], one of the franchise's most iconic original creations. As described in the SLASH'EM encyclopedia entry (taken from a D&D manual), beholders have spherical bodies with a single large eye, ten smaller eyes on stalks above it, and a mouth full of teeth. The smaller eyes are used for offense/defense; each one has a different magical ability. Beholders are typically hostile to other creatures, and often hostile to one another.
+
In [[EvilHack]], beholders can appear in the main dungeon as in GruntHack, but are slightly faster and resist stoning, and have a stronger cancellation gaze and a much more powerful bite. [[Tal'gath]] is a powerful unique beholder who must be killed in order to genocide beholders.
  
−
The artifact [[Eye of the Beholder]] is a pun on the saying "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". (See the dNetHack encyclopedia entry, which quotes a similar phrase, though there is no artifact eye in that variant.) The word "beholder" is a less common (often poetic) synonym for "observer".
+
===Hack'EM===
 +
{{main|Beholder (Hack'EM)}}
 +
In [[Hack'EM]], the Beholder is the quest nemesis for the Neutral Quest as before, but is much more difficult.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
−
 
+
{{nethack-367}}
−
[[Category:SLASH'EM monsters]]
+
[[Category:Deferred features]]

Latest revision as of 17:20, 10 March 2024

e beholder Beholder.png
Difficulty 13
Attacks

Gaze 0d0 slow, Gaze 2d25 sleep, Gaze 0d0 disintegrate, Gaze 0d0 petrification, Gaze 2d4 cancellation, Bite 2d4 physical

Base level 6
Base experience ?
Speed 3
Base AC 4
Base MR 0
Alignment −10 (chaotic)
Frequency (by normal means) 2 (Quite rare)
Genocidable Yes
Weight 10
Nutritional value 10
Size medium
Resistances cold resistance
Resistances conveyed

none

A beholder:

Reference monst.c#line337
For other implementations of the monster, see Beholder.

The beholder, e, is a deferred monster in the source code of NetHack. It is a monster that is part of the eye or sphere monster class, and is breathless, mindless, capable of flight, and can be seen via infravision.[1]

A beholder has a slowing gaze attack, a sleep-inducing gaze, a disintegration gaze, a gaze that inflicts stoning, a cancellation gaze, and a bite attack. Beholders possess cold resistance.

Generation

As a deferred monster, beholders are not generated at all, but have rules governing their generation like any other monster.

Randomly generated beholders will always be created hostile, and they are not a valid target for polymorph.

History

The beholder first appears in NetHack-- 3.0.10, and its vanilla data first appears in NetHack 3.2.0.

Origin

The beholder is a well-known creature from Dungeons & Dragons, one of the franchise's most iconic original creations. As described in the SLASH'EM encyclopedia entry (taken from a D&D manual), beholders have spherical bodies with a single large eye, ten smaller eyes on stalks above it, and a mouth full of teeth. The smaller eyes are used for offense or defense; each one has a different magical ability. Beholders are typically hostile to other creatures, and often hostile to one another.

Variants

Several variants of NetHack fully implement the beholder and its gaze attacks, while granting the monster additional traits and abilities depending on the variant.

SLASH'EM

Main article: Beholder (SLASH'EM)

In SLASH'EM, the Beholder is the quest nemesis for the Neutral Quest.

GruntHack

Main article: Beholder (GruntHack)

In GruntHack, beholders are randomly generated and can appear in the main dungeon, and possess some additional resistances alongside their vanilla NetHack abilities.

dNetHack

Main article: Beholder (dNetHack)

In dNetHack and notdNetHack, beholders are much different and more dangerous than their NetHack incarnations. They are only generated in the Chaos Temple Quest and Gehennom, and have two gaze attacks that can select from various damage types, along with a third paralyzing gaze as a passive similar to the floating eye. Beholder corpses, tins and blood have some useful applications as well.

SpliceHack

The beholder appears in older versions of SpliceHack, but is not implemented in SpliceHack-Rewrite.

EvilHack

Main article: Beholder (EvilHack)

In EvilHack, beholders can appear in the main dungeon as in GruntHack, but are slightly faster and resist stoning, and have a stronger cancellation gaze and a much more powerful bite. Tal'gath is a powerful unique beholder who must be killed in order to genocide beholders.

Hack'EM

Main article: Beholder (Hack'EM)

In Hack'EM, the Beholder is the quest nemesis for the Neutral Quest as before, but is much more difficult.

References

  1. ↑ src/monst.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 337
Retrieved from "https://nethackwiki.com/index.php?title=Beholder_(monster)&oldid=164512"