Bugbear
h bugbear 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 5 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 2d4 |
| Base level | 3 |
| Base experience | 33 |
| Speed | 9 |
| Base AC | 5 |
| Base MR | 0 |
| Alignment | -6 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 1 (Very rare) |
| Genocidable | Yes |
| Weight | 1250 |
| Nutritional value | 250 |
| Size | Large |
| Resistances | None |
| Resistances conveyed |
None |
|
A bugbear:
| |
| Reference | monst.c#line454 |
A bugbear, h, is a type of humanoid monster that appears in NetHack.
Bugbears are the source of a couple of unique messages.
Contents
Generation
Bugbears tend to appear fairly early in the dungeon, and are often first seen past the entrance to the Gnomish Mines; within the Mines themselves, a bugbear may be the random humanoid monster generated on floors outside of Minetown and Mines' End. They may generate as peaceful towards chaotic characters, and can be generated with a random offensive item, miscellaneous item and/or defensive item.
Bugbears are among the more common monsters encountered in throne rooms - sitting on a throne or else looting it while confused may also generate one or more bugbears; this does not respect extinction.[1]
Bugbears are the first quest monster for Cavemen, and 55% of the randomly generated monsters in the Caveman quest branch will be bugbears; the humanoid monster class is also the first quest class and makes up 14% of randomly generated monsters, some of which may be bugbears. Twelve bugbears are distributed among the four eastern chambers of the home floor at level creation, and seventeen bugbears are generated on the locate floor at level creation; five bugbears are generated in the upper filler levels upon their creation, and four bugbears are generated in the lower filler levels upon their creation.
Strategy
Bugbears usually do not pose a significant threat, though early characters should keep an eye out in case they pick up any armor, weapons or items.
Origin
The bugbear is a classic Dungeons & Dragons monster that debuts in Greyhawk, the game's first supplement. The monster takes its name from a folkloric creature that is similar to the boogeyman (or bogeyman), particularly featuring in tales told by some cultures to frighten disobedient children; the name is derived from similar roots to the word "boogeyman" as well, and in a modern context is used to describe a pet peeve. In medieval England, the bugbear was depicted as a creepy bear that lurked in the woods to scare children.
Dungeons & Dragons popularized the depiction of bugbears as large, hairy beings that are either goblinoids or distantly related to them; they are usually chaotic evil and may additionally have other bear-like traits such as clawed hands. Bugbears were as likely to make their homes above-ground as they were below it compared to the more subterranean goblins, and some live in loose bands of at least a dozen members; bugbears generally arm themselves with second-hand gear, and despite seeming clumsy, they are capable of moving stealthily and quickly if the situation calls for it.
Messages
- You hear the roaring of a confused bear!
- An unseen bugbear got stuck in a web.
- You hear the roaring of an angry bear!
- An unseen bugbear got stuck in a bear trap.
Variants
Some variants make bugbears members of the orc monster class.
UnNetHack
In UnNetHack, tigers replace bugbears as the first quest monster for the Caveman quest.
SlashTHEM
SlashTHEM adds the huge bugbear and bugbear chieftain, which first appeared in NetHack-- 3.0.10 and NetHack-- 3.1.3 but were not carried forward to SLASH 6.
xNetHack
In xNetHack, bugbears are part of the orc monster class, o. Like other orcish monsters, they have poison resistance and immune to the shrieks of Nazgul, and share a mutual grudge with elves.
EvilHack
In EvilHack, bugbears are part of the orc monster class, o. Like other orcish monsters, they have an aversion to mithril and share a mutual grudge with elves.
Encyclopedia entry
Bugbears are relatives of goblins, although they tend to be
larger and more hairy. They are aggressive carnivores and
sometimes kill just for the treasure their victims may be
carrying.
