Difference between revisions of "Xorn"
(→Polyself) |
m (Changes to sectioning) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | {{wikipedia|Xorn (Dungeons & Dragons)}} | ||
| + | |||
{{monster | {{monster | ||
|difficulty=11 | |difficulty=11 | ||
| Line 22: | Line 24: | ||
A '''xorn''' is a [[monster]] notable for its ability to walk through [[wall]]s (often referred to as ''[[phase|phasing]]'') and [[metallivore|eat metal]]. Xorns are also fire, cold, and stoning resistant and unbreathing. | A '''xorn''' is a [[monster]] notable for its ability to walk through [[wall]]s (often referred to as ''[[phase|phasing]]'') and [[metallivore|eat metal]]. Xorns are also fire, cold, and stoning resistant and unbreathing. | ||
| − | + | The xorn is the only member of the {{monclasssym|X}} '''xorn''' [[monster class]]. | |
| + | |||
| + | == Generation == | ||
| + | |||
| + | Xorns are rarely randomly generated and typically will not be encountered until the [[Castle]]. Xorns can be generated on the [[Plane of Earth]] by digging with a [[pick-axe]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == History == | ||
| − | + | In version [[3.4.3]], xorns could be created in inaccessible areas, such as outside the Sokoban walls. This was [[Bugs in NetHack 3.4.3#C343-151|bug C343-151]]. | |
| − | + | Also in [[3.4.3]], when a player polymorphed into a xorn return to their normal form and are in open space, they will be stuck in a pit that doesn't exist; this was [[Bugs in NetHack 3.4.3#C343-17|bug C343-17]]. | |
| − | == Polyself == | + | == Strategy == |
| + | === Polyself === | ||
Due to their unusual abilities, xorns are one of the most useful monsters to [[polyself|polymorph]] into. Some applications: | Due to their unusual abilities, xorns are one of the most useful monsters to [[polyself|polymorph]] into. Some applications: | ||
| Line 38: | Line 47: | ||
Warning: When morphing into a xorn any worn armor or cloaks will likely be destroyed, so remove these items before making the transformation. | Warning: When morphing into a xorn any worn armor or cloaks will likely be destroyed, so remove these items before making the transformation. | ||
| − | + | If you return to normal form while phasing through a wall that's adjacent to open space, you will be able to move into the open space. However, if you return to normal form while phasing through the middle of solid stone with no adjacent space, you will be unable to move; you can [[teleport]] out, [[pray]] (being stuck in a wall while non-phasing is a major problem), or polymorph yourself into a xorn (or [[earth elemental]]) again. | |
| + | |||
| + | === Evasion === | ||
| + | |||
| + | Xorns have a moderately powerful attack that can be dangerous to weaker characters, especially because it is very difficult to prevent them from ganging up on you. However, they respect [[Elbereth]] and have speed 9 so are usually easy to outrun if necessary. | ||
| − | == | + | === Combat === |
Xorns are considered [[kebabable]] (able to be skewered), and you receive a +2 [[to-hit]] bonus when using a weapon that uses the [[spear]] or [[javelin]] skills. Xorns are also susceptible to [[digging]] attacks, and again you receive a +2 to-hit bonus when using [[pick-axe]]s or [[dwarvish mattock]]s. These bonuses are very rarely useful, as by the time you are fighting xorns you do not normally have trouble hitting things, and +2 is not a large bonus anyway. | Xorns are considered [[kebabable]] (able to be skewered), and you receive a +2 [[to-hit]] bonus when using a weapon that uses the [[spear]] or [[javelin]] skills. Xorns are also susceptible to [[digging]] attacks, and again you receive a +2 to-hit bonus when using [[pick-axe]]s or [[dwarvish mattock]]s. These bonuses are very rarely useful, as by the time you are fighting xorns you do not normally have trouble hitting things, and +2 is not a large bonus anyway. | ||
| Line 48: | Line 61: | ||
== Origin == | == Origin == | ||
| − | The | + | The original xorn comes from the game [[Dungeons & Dragons]]. In that game the xorn eats stone in addition to metals, which might explain the message present in the code for eating [[flint stone]]s. |
== Encyclopedia entry == | == Encyclopedia entry == | ||
Revision as of 04:11, 12 March 2020
X xorn 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 11 |
| Attacks |
Claw 1d3, Claw 1d3, Claw 1d3, Bite 4d6 |
| Base level | 8 |
| Base experience | 139 |
| Speed | 9 |
| Base AC | -2 |
| Base MR | 20 |
| Alignment | 0 (neutral) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 1 (Very rare) |
| Genocidable | Yes |
| Weight | 1200 |
| Nutritional value | 700 |
| Size | Medium |
| Resistances | Fire, Cold, Stoning |
| Resistances conveyed |
None |
|
A xorn:
| |
| Reference | monst.c#line2054 |
A xorn is a monster notable for its ability to walk through walls (often referred to as phasing) and eat metal. Xorns are also fire, cold, and stoning resistant and unbreathing.
The xorn is the only member of the X xorn monster class.
Contents
Generation
Xorns are rarely randomly generated and typically will not be encountered until the Castle. Xorns can be generated on the Plane of Earth by digging with a pick-axe.
History
In version 3.4.3, xorns could be created in inaccessible areas, such as outside the Sokoban walls. This was bug C343-151.
Also in 3.4.3, when a player polymorphed into a xorn return to their normal form and are in open space, they will be stuck in a pit that doesn't exist; this was bug C343-17.
Strategy
Polyself
Due to their unusual abilities, xorns are one of the most useful monsters to polymorph into. Some applications:
- Eating jewelry for intrinsics
- Phasing across difficult-to-navigate levels such as Asmodeus' Lair or the Stronghold of the Master Assassin (note that you cannot phase across the boundary between the two parts of Moloch's Sanctum, or anywhere on the Astral Plane)
- Going directly to the wand of wishing in the Castle during a speedrun or with a weak character
Warning: When morphing into a xorn any worn armor or cloaks will likely be destroyed, so remove these items before making the transformation.
If you return to normal form while phasing through a wall that's adjacent to open space, you will be able to move into the open space. However, if you return to normal form while phasing through the middle of solid stone with no adjacent space, you will be unable to move; you can teleport out, pray (being stuck in a wall while non-phasing is a major problem), or polymorph yourself into a xorn (or earth elemental) again.
Evasion
Xorns have a moderately powerful attack that can be dangerous to weaker characters, especially because it is very difficult to prevent them from ganging up on you. However, they respect Elbereth and have speed 9 so are usually easy to outrun if necessary.
Combat
Xorns are considered kebabable (able to be skewered), and you receive a +2 to-hit bonus when using a weapon that uses the spear or javelin skills. Xorns are also susceptible to digging attacks, and again you receive a +2 to-hit bonus when using pick-axes or dwarvish mattocks. These bonuses are very rarely useful, as by the time you are fighting xorns you do not normally have trouble hitting things, and +2 is not a large bonus anyway.
Monster xorns cannot cross the water in the castle level (although polymorphed heroes can). It is often enough to lure them across the drawbridge and raise it behind you. Xorns cannot be destroyed by the drawbridge under normal circumstances (they'll just phase through it), but if there are two phasing monsters on the drawbridge, one on the portcullis square and one on the moat square, one of them will be killed if the drawbridge is raised.
Origin
The original xorn comes from the game Dungeons & Dragons. In that game the xorn eats stone in addition to metals, which might explain the message present in the code for eating flint stones.
Encyclopedia entry
A distant cousin of the earth elemental, the xorn has the
ability to shift the cells of its body around in such a way
that it becomes porous to inert material. This gives it the
ability to pass through any obstacle that might be between it
and its next meal.
This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.
It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.4.3. Information on this page may be out of date.
Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-343}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.
