Soldier ant

a soldier ant
Difficulty	6
Attacks	2d4 bite, poison which drains strength

a soldier ant
Difficulty	6
Attacks	2d4 bite, poison which drains strength
Base level	{{{level}}}
Base experience	{{{experience}}}
Speed	18
Base AC	{{{AC}}}
Base MR	{{{MR}}}
Alignment	{{{align}}}
Frequency (by normal means)	Quite rare, normally appears in small groups
Genocidable	yes
Weight	20
Nutritional value	{{{nutr}}}
Size	tiny
Resistances	poison
Resistances conveyed	{{{resistances conveyed}}}

A soldier ant is a fast, very deadly ant.

Soldier ants are a major cause of early death for most players. This is because of their high intrinsic speed, and tendency to appear in packs. (Some players die to giant ants, but those deaths occur less often as soldier ants can do significantly more damage.)

There are two strategies for players who encounter soldier ants early in the game.

• Run away to the stairway (hopefully, the stairway up) as soon as the ant is spotted. If possible, disable the ant (with a wand of sleep) before fleeing. Soldier ants are very fast, so deploy any item that speeds you or slows the ant. Close doors to block the ant, but not if the door might resist until the ant enters the doorway.
• Attack the ant with your best items. Use your best offensive wands against the ant. (A wand of striking is liable to miss the ant; it is a poor choice.)

Origin

Soldier ants are a nickname for army ants in real life. Although it is possible that humans 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.

Team Ant

Since soldier ants are the highest single cause of death on nethack.alt.org, it has become something of a cliche to say "Go team a!" on #nethack on irc.freenode.net, NAO's channel, whenever Rodney announces a death.