Difference between revisions of "Lich"

From NetHackWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(move background to origin session; disambiguate teleportation and covetous warping; Elbereth never stops a covetous monster from warping to the up stairs (and doesn't work in Gehennom anyway))
(And finally...)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{wikipedia|Lich}}
 
−
A '''lich''' (not to be confused with a [[lichen]]) is a [[monster class|class]] of [[monster]] in [[NetHack]] represented by the overall symbol {{white|L}}.  All the liches are powerful spell-casters, and the more powerful ones have the ability to cast destroy [[armor]], [[touch of death]] and most other spells, and [[teleport]] away when attacked; they are thus a frequent target of [[blessed]] [[genocide]].  All liches crumble to dust when killed and therefore do not leave corpses. The two most powerful kinds [[Monster_starting_inventory|can be generated with]] [[athame]]s, useful [[engraving]] weapons that are not normally generated.
 
−
 
−
{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|[[Zombie]]s and liches can now raise monsters killed by them without a weapon as zombies, unless they are [[cancelled]]. The corpse will rise 5-20 turns after death if it has a corresponding zombie type. [[You]] can also do this if polymorphed into a zombie or lich. Zombies and liches will now fight ([[grudge]]) living monsters that can be turned into zombies.}}
 
−
{{clear}}
 
−
<p>
 
−
==Lich==
 
 
{{monster
 
{{monster
 
  |name=lich
 
  |name=lich
Line 28: Line 21:
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line1514]]
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line1514]]
 
}}
 
}}
−
The '''lich''', {{monsym|lich}}, is the least powerful monster of this class.  It is slower than its brethren and usually not a significant threat.  At the experience levels it is normally encountered, its complement of spells include [[healing]] itself, [[speed|hasting]] itself, [[stun]]ning you, turning [[invisibility|invisible]], draining your [[strength]], [[Destroy armor (monster spell)|destroying your armor]], [[curse items|cursing]] your items and [[aggravate monster|aggravating monsters]] (awakening monsters on the level and drawing them to you). It is possible for a lich to be generated with a high enough level (16) to cast [[summon nasties]]; however, this will not happen in the [[Castle]] unless you reach it at a much higher experience level than normal.
 
−
{{clear}}
 
  
−
==Demilich==
+
A '''lich''', {{monsym|lich}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is the most basic member of the [[Lich (monster class)|lich]] [[monster class]], and ideally the first of them that [[you]] will encounter.
−
{{monster
 
−
|name=demilich
 
−
|difficulty=18
 
−
|level=14
 
−
|experience=378
 
−
|speed=9
 
−
|AC=-2
 
−
|MR=60
 
−
|align=-12
 
−
|frequency=1
 
−
|genocidable=Yes
 
−
|attacks=Touch 3d4 [[cold]], [[monster spell|Spell-casting]]
 
−
|weight=1200
 
−
|nutr=100
 
−
|size=Medium
 
−
|resistances=Cold, Sleep, Poison
 
−
|resistances conveyed=Cold
 
−
|attributes={{attributes|A demilich|
 
−
|nocorpse=1|breathless=1|humanoid=1|pois=1|regen=1|=
 
−
|undead=1|hostile=1|magic=1|infravision=1}}
 
−
|reference=[[monst.c#line1520]]
 
−
}}
 
−
In addition to the spells the normal lich can cast, the '''demilich''', {{monsym|demilich}}, can often cast [[summon nasties]]; if you encounter one at the Castle, it is certain that it can cast this spell. It is possible for a demilich to be generated at a high enough level (21) to cast [[touch of death]]; however, this is almost impossible before reaching Gehennom.
 
−
{{clear}}
 
−
 
 
−
==Master lich==
 
−
{{monster
 
−
|name=master lich
 
−
|difficulty=21
 
−
|level=17
 
−
|experience=494
 
−
|speed=9
 
−
|AC=-4
 
−
|MR=90
 
−
|align=-15
 
−
|frequency=1
 
−
|genocidable=Yes
 
−
|attacks=Touch 3d6 [[cold]], spell-casting
 
−
|weight=1200
 
−
|nutr=100
 
−
|size=Medium
 
−
|resistances=Cold, Sleep, Poison, Fire
 
−
|resistances conveyed=Cold
 
−
|attributes={{attributes|A master lich|
 
−
|nocorpse=1|hell=1|breathless=1|humanoid=1|pois=1|=
 
−
|regen=1|undead=1|hostile=1|magic=1|wantsbook=1|infravision=1}}
 
−
|reference=[[monst.c#line1527]]
 
−
}}
 
−
Master liches and arch-liches (usually referred to as "the purple L") can warp to the player, then to the upstairs to heal and back again, like a [[demon lords and princes|demon lord/prince]]. This form of movement is unaffected by no-teleport levels. While master liches at their base level cannot cast touch of death, if your experience level and/or dungeon level is high enough, they will be generated with the ability to cast that spell. Master liches [[Monster_starting_inventory|are generated with]] a 7% chance of either an [[athame]] (86% chance) or a [[wand of nothing]], but no random [[offensive item]]s.
 
−
{{clear}}
 
  
−
==Arch-lich==
+
Liches are [[breathless]], [[poisonous]], and have enhanced [[regeneration]] and [[infravision]], along with resistance to [[cold resistance|cold]], [[sleep resistance|sleep]] and [[poison resistance|poison]] like most undead. A lich has a [[cold]] touch attack and the ability to cast mage [[monster spell]]s.
−
{{monster
 
−
|name=arch-lich
 
−
|difficulty=29
 
−
|level=25
 
−
|experience=915
 
−
|speed=9
 
−
|AC=-6
 
−
|MR=90
 
−
|align=-15
 
−
|frequency=1
 
−
|genocidable=Yes
 
−
|attacks=Touch 5d6 [[cold]], [[monster spell|Spell-casting]]
 
−
|weight=1200
 
−
|nutr=100
 
−
|size=Medium
 
−
|resistances=Fire, Cold, Sleep, Shock, Poison
 
−
|resistances conveyed=Fire, Cold
 
−
|attributes={{attributes|An arch-lich|
 
−
|nocorpse=1|hell=1|breathless=1|humanoid=1|pois=1|=
 
−
|regen=1|undead=1|hostile=1|magic=1|wantsbook=1|infravision=1}}
 
−
|reference=[[monst.c#line1536]]
 
−
}}
 
−
The '''arch-lich''', {{monsym|arch-lich}}, is the most powerful form of lich.  In fact, it has the highest [[difficulty]] of all randomly generated monsters.  Next to the [[Wizard of Yendor]], it is one of the most powerful spell-casting monsters in the game. In addition to the spells its weaker brethren can cast, it is guaranteed to be able to cast [[touch of death]], bringing [[instadeath]] to the unprepared.
 
  
−
Arch-liches have a 33% chance of [[Monster_starting_inventory|getting]] either an [[athame]] (66%) or a non-negatively enchanted [[quarterstaff]]. There is a very small (1/260) chance the athame is [[Magicbane]].
+
{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Liches that are not [[cancelled]] can now raise monsters killed by them as [[Zombie (monster class)|zombies]] of the corresponding type; if they have one, they will be raised 5-20 turns after they are initially killed. This also applies to [[you]] if you are polymorphed into a lich. They will also [[grudge]] living monsters that can be turned into zombies.
  
−
If you [[teleportation|teleport]], a pet arch-lich will warp to your new location.  They will [[pick up]] and wear [[armor]], but not wield [[weapon]]s.  You do not need to feed it.
+
Monsters with [[digestion]] attacks can gain [[intrinsic]]s from swallowing monsters whole, making it possible for them to gain cold resistance from a lich that is digested.}}
−
{{clear}}
 
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
 +
It is possible for a lich to be generated with a high enough level (16) to cast [[summon nasties]]; however, this will not happen in the [[Castle]] unless you reach it at a much higher experience level than normal.
  
−
<div class="caption" style="float:right; clear:right;"><div class="captioninner"><div class="ttymap"><replacecharsblock>
+
[[Magic resistance]] makes fighting against liches much more bearable, since it protects you against [[Destroy armor (monster spell)|destroy armor]] and [[drain strength]], and weakens the impact of the [[curse item]]s spell some higher-level liches may have.
−
default={{lightgray|$1}}
 
−
newline=<br>
 
−
|={{lightgray|&#124;}}
 
−
={{lightgray|&nbsp;}}
 
−
^=[[fire trap|{{red|^}}]]
 
−
1=[[Warning|{{red|1}}]]
 
−
2=[[Warning|{{red|2}}]]
 
−
3=[[Warning|{{red|3}}]]
 
−
F=[[imp|{{red|i}}]]
 
−
i=[[Lemure|{{brown|i}}]]
 
−
%=[[corpse|{{green|%}}]]
 
−
L={{monsym|arch-lich}}
 
−
)=[[weapon|{{brown|)}}]]
 
−
@={{white|@}}
 
−
 
 
−
|  223Fii  i iF 1322
 
−
|        ------------3
 
−
|  2    ..L@...    |
 
−
|------------------ |
 
−
|  )    %        | |
 
−
|^--------------- |)|
 
−
 
 
−
</replacecharsblock></div><div class="captiontext">An arch-lich in action.</div></div></div>
 
−
 
 
−
Since the more powerful liches are covetous (warping back and forth from the up stairs), the general [[Covetous#Strategy|strategy]] for dealing with covetous monsters applies here. If you have [[teleport control]], you can teleport to the up stairs before it does.
 
−
 
 
−
Liches can be prevented from warping by wielding a [[potion of paralysis]], and hitting them with it while wearing a [[ring of free action]]. This should provide enough time to be able to dispose of them while they are paralyzed.
 
−
 
 
−
The best way to deal with a lich is to wield Magicbane to prevent the lich from cursing your inventory and make you resistant to the [[touch of death]]. Another way is to use [[Elbereth]] or a scroll of [[scare monster]] to prevent the lich from touching you. These strategies will still leave you potentially open to attacks from the nasties that the liches summon. However, summoning is not always bad. A strong character wielding Magicbane might allow liches to continuously summon nasties to kill for gear, exp, or a full-on extinction run.
 
−
 
 
−
Because the three lower lich types don't resist shock damage, [[Mjollnir]] is an excellent weapon to deal with them. If Mjollnir is not available, the [[Fire Brand]] will work on them as well. Arch-liches resist most elements, so there is no quick way to take them down, except by hitting them with a [[cockatrice]] or chickatrice corpse (don't forget to wear gloves), which will turn them to stone immediately. All liches can also be [[disintegration|disintegrated]] by [[black dragon]] [[breath]] or [[digestion|digested]] by a [[purple worm]].
 
−
 
 
−
All types of lich are [[undead]] and can be pacified by reading the blessed [[Book of the Dead]]. If you're [[chaotic]], the lower two ranks can also be tamed this way.
 
−
 
 
−
==As pets==
 
−
 
 
−
Liches can make acceptable pets, but have their disadvantages. They are essentially useless against cold resistant monsters and are dangerous to abandon. The stronger versions will also always stay next to the player, which is useful if you don't have a [[magic whistle]] but also can be a nuisance by them getting in the way, and makes it difficult to stop them from killing [[aligned priest]]s and [[shopkeepers]]. Master liches and arch-liches cannot be tamed directly due to their [[covetous]] nature, but it's possible to [[polymorph]] another pet into one, or to tame a lich or demilich and have it [[Growing_up|grow up]].
 
  
 
==Origin==
 
==Origin==
−
 
+
{{wikipedia|Lich}}
 
Liches are powerful spellcasters, often magicians or kings, who seek to defy death by magical means. They are depicted as being clearly cadaverous, bodies desiccated or completely skeletal, with glowing lights in place of their eyes.
 
Liches are powerful spellcasters, often magicians or kings, who seek to defy death by magical means. They are depicted as being clearly cadaverous, bodies desiccated or completely skeletal, with glowing lights in place of their eyes.
  
−
Lich means "corpse" or "body" in several Germanic languages (compare e.g. Dutch ''lichaam'' and German ''Leiche''), and survives in Modern English in the word "lichgate" (or "lych-gate", etc.), a covered entranceway to a churchyard. Nothing to do with "leech".
+
Lich means "corpse" or "body" in several Germanic languages (compare e.g. Dutch ''lichaam'' and German ''Leiche''), and survives in Modern English in the word "lichgate" (or "lych-gate", etc.), a covered entranceway to a churchyard.
−
 
 
−
== Encyclopedia entry ==
 
  
 +
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
But on its heels ere the sunset faded, there came a second apparition, striding with incredible strides and halting when it loomed almost upon me in the red twilight-the monstrous mummy of some ancient king still crowned with untarnished gold but turning to my gaze a visage that more than time or the worm had wasted. Broken swathings flapped about the skeleton legs, and above the crown that was set with sapphires and orange rubies, a black something swayed and nodded horribly; but, for an instant, I did not dream what it was.  Then, in its middle, two oblique and scarlet eyes opened and glowed like hellish coals, and two ophidian fangs glittered in an ape-like mouth.  A squat, furless, shapeless head on a neck of disproportionate extent leaned unspeakably down and whispered in the mummy's ear. Then, with one stride, the titanic lich took half the distance between us, and from out the folds of the tattered sere-cloth a gaunt arm arose, and fleshless, taloned fingers laden with glowering gems, reached out and fumbled for my throat . . .
 
But on its heels ere the sunset faded, there came a second apparition, striding with incredible strides and halting when it loomed almost upon me in the red twilight-the monstrous mummy of some ancient king still crowned with untarnished gold but turning to my gaze a visage that more than time or the worm had wasted. Broken swathings flapped about the skeleton legs, and above the crown that was set with sapphires and orange rubies, a black something swayed and nodded horribly; but, for an instant, I did not dream what it was.  Then, in its middle, two oblique and scarlet eyes opened and glowed like hellish coals, and two ophidian fangs glittered in an ape-like mouth.  A squat, furless, shapeless head on a neck of disproportionate extent leaned unspeakably down and whispered in the mummy's ear. Then, with one stride, the titanic lich took half the distance between us, and from out the folds of the tattered sere-cloth a gaunt arm arose, and fleshless, taloned fingers laden with glowering gems, reached out and fumbled for my throat . . .
 
|[ The Abominations of Yondo, Clark Ashton Smith, 1926 ]
 
|[ The Abominations of Yondo, Clark Ashton Smith, 1926 ]
 
}}
 
}}
−
 
+
{{nethack-367}}
−
{{nethack-366}}
 
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
−
[[Category:Monster classes]]
 

Revision as of 13:51, 29 October 2023

L lich Lich.png
Difficulty 14
Attacks

Touch 1d10 cold, Spell-casting

Base level 11
Base experience 269
Speed 6
Base AC 0
Base MR 30
Alignment -9 (chaotic)
Frequency (by normal means) 1 (Very rare)
Genocidable Yes
Weight 1200
Nutritional value 100
Size Medium
Resistances Cold, Sleep, Poison
Resistances conveyed

Cold

A lich:

Reference monst.c#line1514

A lich, L, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. It is the most basic member of the lich monster class, and ideally the first of them that you will encounter.

Liches are breathless, poisonous, and have enhanced regeneration and infravision, along with resistance to cold, sleep and poison like most undead. A lich has a cold touch attack and the ability to cast mage monster spells.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Liches that are not cancelled can now raise monsters killed by them as zombies of the corresponding type; if they have one, they will be raised 5-20 turns after they are initially killed. This also applies to you if you are polymorphed into a lich. They will also grudge living monsters that can be turned into zombies.

Monsters with digestion attacks can gain intrinsics from swallowing monsters whole, making it possible for them to gain cold resistance from a lich that is digested.

Strategy

It is possible for a lich to be generated with a high enough level (16) to cast summon nasties; however, this will not happen in the Castle unless you reach it at a much higher experience level than normal.

Magic resistance makes fighting against liches much more bearable, since it protects you against destroy armor and drain strength, and weakens the impact of the curse items spell some higher-level liches may have.

Origin

Wikipedia
Wikipedia has an article about:

Liches are powerful spellcasters, often magicians or kings, who seek to defy death by magical means. They are depicted as being clearly cadaverous, bodies desiccated or completely skeletal, with glowing lights in place of their eyes.

Lich means "corpse" or "body" in several Germanic languages (compare e.g. Dutch lichaam and German Leiche), and survives in Modern English in the word "lichgate" (or "lych-gate", etc.), a covered entranceway to a churchyard.

Encyclopedia entry

But on its heels ere the sunset faded, there came a second apparition, striding with incredible strides and halting when it loomed almost upon me in the red twilight-the monstrous mummy of some ancient king still crowned with untarnished gold but turning to my gaze a visage that more than time or the worm had wasted. Broken swathings flapped about the skeleton legs, and above the crown that was set with sapphires and orange rubies, a black something swayed and nodded horribly; but, for an instant, I did not dream what it was. Then, in its middle, two oblique and scarlet eyes opened and glowed like hellish coals, and two ophidian fangs glittered in an ape-like mouth. A squat, furless, shapeless head on a neck of disproportionate extent leaned unspeakably down and whispered in the mummy's ear. Then, with one stride, the titanic lich took half the distance between us, and from out the folds of the tattered sere-cloth a gaunt arm arose, and fleshless, taloned fingers laden with glowering gems, reached out and fumbled for my throat . . .

[ The Abominations of Yondo, Clark Ashton Smith, 1926 ]
Retrieved from "https://nethackwiki.com/index.php?title=Lich&oldid=155978"