Difference between revisions of "Kobold"

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{{Wikipedia|Kobold}}
 
Members of the '''kobold''' [[monster class]] are represented by {{white|k}}. This class has four members, described below.
 
 
All kobolds are [[poisonous]] to eat, but do ''not'' convey [[poison resistance]]. Each kobold has a 25% probability of being [[Monster_starting_inventory|generated with]] 3-14 [[dart]]s.{{refsrc|makemon.c|369}} In German mythology, Kobolds normally start out as benevolent nix, but are either ignored or angered by humans, causing them to act out, or in this case, attack.
 
 
Kobolds will "grunt" when #[[chat]]ted to, and will pick up and equip appropriate [[weapon]]s and [[armor]].
 
 
{{clear}}
 
==Kobold==
 
 
{{monster
 
{{monster
 
  |difficulty=1
 
  |difficulty=1
Line 24: Line 15:
 
  |resistances=Poison
 
  |resistances=Poison
 
  |resistances conveyed=None
 
  |resistances conveyed=None
  |attributes={{attributes|A kobold|
+
  |attributes={{attributes|A kobold|humanoid=1|pois=1|omnivore=1|hostile=1|collect=1|infravisible=1|infravision=1}}
|humanoid=1|pois=1|omnivore=1|hostile=1|collect=1|infravisible=1|infravision=1}}
 
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line569]]
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line569]]
 
}}
 
}}
An ordinary '''kobold''' is one of the easiest monsters in the game.
+
A '''kobold''', {{monsym|kobold}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is the most basic type of [[Kobold (monster class)|kobold]], and  one of the earliest monsters that you will encounter in the dungeon. A kobold has a single weapon attack and [[poison resistance]].
{{clear}}
+
 
==Large kobold==
+
A kobold [[corpse]] is [[poison]]ous to eat.
{{monster
+
 
|name=large kobold
+
==Generation==
|difficulty=2
+
Randomly-generated kobolds are always hostile. A kobold can [[grow up]] into a [[large kobold]].
|level=1
+
 
|experience=13
+
Kobolds may appear among the hostile {{white|k}} that generate in [[throne room]]s, as well as the various monsters that can be randomly generated by [[looting]] a throne while [[confused]] and carrying gold (provided there is no [[chest]] on the level).{{refsrc|src/mkroom.c|757|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
|speed=6
+
 
|AC=10
+
A kobold has a {{frac|4}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|generating with]] a stack of [[dart]]s.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|456|nethack=3.6.7}}
|MR=0
+
 
|align=-3
+
[[Kobold zombie]]s and [[kobold mummies]] leave behind aged kobold corpses upon death, and reviving the corpse will not produce a live kobold.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|147|nethack=3.6.7|name="undead_to_corpse"|comment=Converting monster index of undead to corpses of their living counterparts}}{{refsrc|src/mon.c|372|nethack=3.6.7|name="make_corpse"|comment=Undead corpses and their ages are handled with other "special" death drops}}
|frequency=1
+
 
|genocidable=Yes
+
==Strategy==
|attacks=Weapon 1d6
+
Kobolds are among the earliest-encountered monsters that can wear armor, wield weapons and use items, which already makes them more of a danger compared to [[newt]]s or [[sewer rat]]s. While a kobold is not an especially tough monster overall, they can be quite troublesome to starting characters in roles that are not martial-based or at least immediately melee-capable. Even combat-ready roles should treat kobolds with some caution when starting out - the darts they generate with may be enchanted or even poisoned, and a kobold that happens upon an attack [[wand]] of any kind can spell doom, similar to the dreaded [[gnome with the wand of death]].
|weight=450
+
 
|nutr=150
+
Also of note is that the kobold is one of the earliest monsters whose corpse is harmful to consume for most characters - conversely, roles and races that begin the game with poison resistance can use kobold corpses as an additional minor source of nutrition that will not be readily snapped up by [[pet]]s.
|size=Small
+
 
|resistances=Poison
+
==History==
|resistances conveyed=None
+
The kobold first appears in Hack 1.21, a port of [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and also appears in Hack for PDP-11. It is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]].
|attributes={{attributes|A large kobold|
+
 
|humanoid=1|pois=1|omnivore=1|hostile=1|collect=1|infravisible=1|infravision=1}}
+
==Origin==
|reference=[[monst.c#line576]]
+
{{Wikipedia|Kobold (Dungeons & Dragons)}}
}}
+
Kobolds are creatures that appear in many fantasy-themed works and media, which often borrow significantly from Germanic folklore - Germanic kobolds are a form of sprite that are generally benevolent if treated with kindness, but will respond to disrespect with anything ranging from pranks to even outright attacking and killing offenders.
Kobolds can [[grow up]] into '''large kobolds'''.{{refsrc|mondata.c|562}}
 
{{clear}}
 
==Kobold lord==
 
{{monster
 
|name=kobold lord
 
|difficulty=3
 
|level=2
 
|experience=22
 
|speed=6
 
|AC=10
 
|MR=0
 
|align=-4
 
|frequency=1
 
|genocidable=Yes
 
|attacks=Weapon 2d4
 
|weight=500
 
|nutr=200
 
|size=Small
 
|resistances=Poison
 
|resistances conveyed=None
 
|attributes={{attributes|A kobold lord|
 
|humanoid=1|pois=1|omnivore=1|hostile=1|lord=1|=
 
|male=1|collect=1|infravisible=1|infravision=1}}
 
|reference=[[monst.c#line583]]
 
}}
 
Large kobolds can grow up into '''kobold lords'''.{{refsrc|mondata.c|562}}
 
{{clear}}
 
==Kobold shaman==
 
{{monster
 
|name=kobold shaman
 
|difficulty=4
 
|level=2
 
|experience=27
 
|speed=6
 
|AC=6
 
|MR=10
 
|align=-4
 
|frequency=1
 
|genocidable=Yes
 
|attacks=Magic [[monster spell|spell-casting]]
 
|weight=450
 
|nutr=150
 
|size=Small
 
|resistances=Poison
 
|resistances conveyed=None
 
|attributes={{attributes|A kobold shaman|
 
|humanoid=1|pois=1|omnivore=1|hostile=1|magic=1|infravisible=1|infravision=1}}
 
|reference=[[monst.c#line591]]
 
}}
 
'''Kobold shamans''' are among the lowest-level spellcasting monsters in NetHack. Typically, they can only cast [[psi bolt]], [[cure self]], and [[haste self]].
 
{{clear}}
 
  
 +
''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' in particular - and by extension, ''NetHack'' and many of its variants - depicts the kobold as a race of small reptilian humanoids with long tails, distantly related to dragons; earlier editions gave kobolds more dog-like features, which lead to many depictions of kobolds in Japanese media leaning harder in that direction after the popularity of the anime franchise ''Record of Lodoss War''. Fantasy kobolds are often considered weak "cannon fodder" monsters that can be cunning and strong in groups, similar to goblins.
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
 
===SLASH'EM===
 
===SLASH'EM===
{{main|Kobold (SLASH'EM)}}
+
In [[SLASH'EM]], thirty kobolds are generated scattered across the level in the "town" variant of the [[kobold level]] at level creation.
[[SLASH'EM]] introduces several new kobolds:
 
  
*{{monsymlink|swamp kobold}}
+
===GruntHack===
*{{monsymlink|rock kobold}}
+
{{main|Kobold (starting race)}}
*{{monsymlink|kobold warrior}}
+
In [[GruntHack]], kobolds are a playable race. They are also eligible to appear as various [[racial monster]]s within the dungeon, and are generally the weakest of those types.
*{{monsymlink|Kroo the Kobold King}}
 
  
=== UnNetHack ===
+
===UnNetHack===
In [[UnNetHack]], kobolds will attack any [[Elf (monster attribute)|elves]] they see, and vice versa, as part of Nephi's [[grudge]] patch.
+
In [[UnNetHack]], kobolds have a mutual [[grudge]] with [[Elf (monster attribute)|elves]].
  
== Encyclopedia entry ==
+
===dNetHack===
 +
In [[dNetHack]], kobolds may appear in the court of a [[Throne room#dNetHack|throne room]] ruled by a [[kobold lord]].
  
 +
===SlashTHEM===
 +
{{main|Kobold (starting race)}}
 +
In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, kobolds are a playable race.
 +
 +
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|<poem>
 
{{encyclopedia|<poem>
 
The race of kobolds are reputed to be an artificial creation
 
The race of kobolds are reputed to be an artificial creation
Line 130: Line 74:
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
+
{{nethack-367}}
{{nethack-343}}
 
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
[[Category:Monster classes]]
 

Latest revision as of 00:36, 17 December 2023

A kobold, k, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. It is the most basic type of kobold, and one of the earliest monsters that you will encounter in the dungeon. A kobold has a single weapon attack and poison resistance.

A kobold corpse is poisonous to eat.

Generation

Randomly-generated kobolds are always hostile. A kobold can grow up into a large kobold.

Kobolds may appear among the hostile k that generate in throne rooms, as well as the various monsters that can be randomly generated by looting a throne while confused and carrying gold (provided there is no chest on the level).[1]

A kobold has a 14 chance of generating with a stack of darts.[2]

Kobold zombies and kobold mummies leave behind aged kobold corpses upon death, and reviving the corpse will not produce a live kobold.[3][4]

Strategy

Kobolds are among the earliest-encountered monsters that can wear armor, wield weapons and use items, which already makes them more of a danger compared to newts or sewer rats. While a kobold is not an especially tough monster overall, they can be quite troublesome to starting characters in roles that are not martial-based or at least immediately melee-capable. Even combat-ready roles should treat kobolds with some caution when starting out - the darts they generate with may be enchanted or even poisoned, and a kobold that happens upon an attack wand of any kind can spell doom, similar to the dreaded gnome with the wand of death.

Also of note is that the kobold is one of the earliest monsters whose corpse is harmful to consume for most characters - conversely, roles and races that begin the game with poison resistance can use kobold corpses as an additional minor source of nutrition that will not be readily snapped up by pets.

History

The kobold first appears in Hack 1.21, a port of Jay Fenlason's Hack, and also appears in Hack for PDP-11. It is included in the initial bestiary for Hack 1.0.

Origin

Kobolds are creatures that appear in many fantasy-themed works and media, which often borrow significantly from Germanic folklore - Germanic kobolds are a form of sprite that are generally benevolent if treated with kindness, but will respond to disrespect with anything ranging from pranks to even outright attacking and killing offenders.

Dungeons & Dragons in particular - and by extension, NetHack and many of its variants - depicts the kobold as a race of small reptilian humanoids with long tails, distantly related to dragons; earlier editions gave kobolds more dog-like features, which lead to many depictions of kobolds in Japanese media leaning harder in that direction after the popularity of the anime franchise Record of Lodoss War. Fantasy kobolds are often considered weak "cannon fodder" monsters that can be cunning and strong in groups, similar to goblins.

Variants

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, thirty kobolds are generated scattered across the level in the "town" variant of the kobold level at level creation.

GruntHack

In GruntHack, kobolds are a playable race. They are also eligible to appear as various racial monsters within the dungeon, and are generally the weakest of those types.

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, kobolds have a mutual grudge with elves.

dNetHack

In dNetHack, kobolds may appear in the court of a throne room ruled by a kobold lord.

SlashTHEM

In SlashTHEM, in addition to SLASH'EM details, kobolds are a playable race.

Encyclopedia entry

The race of kobolds are reputed to be an artificial creation
of a master wizard (demi-god?). They are about 3' tall with
a vaguely dog-like face. They bear a violent dislike of the
Elven race, and will go out of their way to cause trouble
for Elves at any time.


References

  1. src/mkroom.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 757
  2. src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 456
  3. src/mon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 147: Converting monster index of undead to corpses of their living counterparts
  4. src/mon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 372: Undead corpses and their ages are handled with other "special" death drops