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{{otheruses|the attack type|the anatomical claw|body parts}}
A '''claw attack''' is a [[melee]] [[attack type]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is primarily used by [[monster]]s. The attack type is defined by the '''<tt>AT_CLAW</tt>''' flag within <tt>[[monattk.h]]</tt> in the [[source code]].{{refsrc|include/monattk.h|13|nethack=3.6.7}}

==Description==
A monster that has a claw attack, including a [[hero]] [[polymorph]]ed into such a monster, performs the attack by attempting to strike the target using their hands, foreclaws or equivalent [[body parts]]. Claw attacks account for the attacker's [[worn]] [[gloves]] and/or any [[silver]] [[ring]]s (or lack thereof) on their hands, and a hero performing a claw attack will also use their [[wielded]] [[weapon]](s) and appropriate [[skill]]s (including [[bare hands]] or [[martial arts]] for unarmed combat).{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|315|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2450|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2488|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1769|nethack=3.6.7}} Performing multiple claw attacks in a round will alternate between the rings on the right and left hands for this check.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2365|nethack=3.6.7}}

[[Thick-skinned]] monsters take halved damage (rounded up) from claw attacks.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1682|nethack=3.6.7}} A claw attack will cause [[passive attack]]s from the defender to trigger.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2771|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2794|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2830|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2841|nethack=3.6.7}}

If an [[engulfing]] attack is landed during the grace period where a hero or monster cannot be re-engulfed, and that engulfing attack does ''not'' deal [[acid]], [[Fire (element)|fire]], [[shock]], or [[cold]] damage, the engulfing attack is converted to a 1d6 claw attack of the same damage type.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|319|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|326|nethack=3.6.7}}

[[Magic cancellation]] can block claw attacks if they use [[damage type]]s that are also blocked by magic cancellation. Using a claw attack on a [[cockatrice]] or [[chickatrice]] without wearing gloves (or wielding a weapon, for the hero) will turn the attacker to stone{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|977|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|981|nethack=3.6.7}}—monsters will avoid doing so against such targets when possible, with the exception of a hero in the form of either monster.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|383|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|673|nethack=3.6.7|comment=monster claw versus hero}}

===List of monsters===
The following monsters have claw attacks:

* {{monclass|f}}
** {{monsymlink|jaguar}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|lynx}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|panther}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|tiger}} (2x physical)
* all {{monclass|g}}
** {{monsymlink|gremlin}} (2x physical, one [[intrinsic theft]])
** {{monsymlink|gargoyle}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|winged gargoyle}} (2x physical)
* {{monclass|i}}
** {{monsymlink|manes}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|imp}}
** {{monsymlink|lemure}}
** {{monsymlink|quasit}} (2x poisonous and drains [[dexterity]])
* {{monsymlink|leprechaun}} ([[steal gold]])
* all {{monclass|m}}
** {{monsymlink|small mimic}}
** {{monsymlink|large mimic}} ([[sticky]])
** {{monsymlink|giant mimic}} (2x [[sticky]])
* all {{monclass|n}} (one that can [[steal item]]s, one that seduces)
* {{monclass|q}}
** {{monsymlink|rothe}}
** {{monsymlink|leocrotta}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|titanothere}}
** {{monsymlink|baluchitherium}} (2x physical)
* {{monsymlink|scorpion}} (2x physical)
* {{monsymlink|zruty}} (2x physical)
* {{monclass|A}}
** {{monsymlink|Angel}}
** {{monsymlink|Archon}}
* {{monsymlink|raven}}
* all adult {{monclass|D}}s other than quest nemeses (2x physical; quest nemesis attacks are listed further below)
* all {{monclass|E}}s except the {{monsymlink|air elemental}}
** {{monsymlink|stalker}}
** {{monsymlink|fire elemental}} (fire)
** {{monsymlink|earth elemental}}
** {{monsymlink|water elemental}}
* {{monsymlink|minotaur}} (2x physical)
* all {{white|M}} [[mummies]]; {{monsymlink|human mummy}}, {{monsymlink|ettin mummy}} and {{monsymlink|giant mummy}} have two physical claw attacks
* {{monsymlink|quantum mechanic}} ([[Teleportation]])
* {{monsymlink|disenchanter}} ([[disenchant]]ing)
* all {{monclass|T}}s; {{monsymlink|ice troll}} has cold claw
* {{monsymlink|umber hulk}} (2x physical)
* {{monclass|V}}
** {{monsymlink|vampire}}
** {{monsymlink|vampire lord}}
* {{monsymlink|barrow wight}}
* {{monsymlink|xorn}} (3x physical)
* all {{monclass|Y}}s; {{monsymlink|monkey}} has single claw attack that can steal items, while all others have two physical claw attacks
* all {{monclass|Z}}s except the {{monsymlink|skeleton}}; zombies have a single claw attack with the following exceptions:
** {{monsymlink|ettin zombie}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|ghoul}} (one that [[paralyze]]s, one physical)
** {{monsymlink|giant zombie}} (2x physical)
* all {{monclass|'}}s except the {{monsymlink|iron golem}}
** {{monsymlink|straw golem}}, {{monsymlink|rope golem}}, {{monsymlink|gold golem}}, {{monsymlink|leather golem}}, {{monsymlink|flesh golem}}, and {{monsymlink|glass golem}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|paper golem}}, {{monsymlink|wood golem}}, {{monsymlink|clay golem}}, and {{monsymlink|stone golem}} (1x physical)
* {{monclass|@}}
** {{monsymlink|nurse}} (healing)
** {{monsymlink|Medusa}}
** {{monsymlink|Wizard of Yendor}} ([[Amulet theft]])
** {{monsymlink|monk|variant=player monster}}
** {{monsymlink|Grand Master}}
** {{monsymlink|abbot}}
* {{monclass|&}}
** {{monsymlink|water demon}}
** {{monsymlink|incubus}} / succubus (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|horned devil}}
** {{monsymlink|barbed devil}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|marilith}} (4x physical)
** {{monsymlink|vrock}} (4x physical)
** {{monsymlink|hezrou}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|ice devil}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|nalfeshnee}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|Yeenoghu}} (paralysis)
** {{monsymlink|Orcus}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|Geryon}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|Asmodeus}}
** {{monsymlink|Demogorgon}} (2x [[illness]])
* {{monsymlink|kraken}} (2x physical)
* {{monsymlink|crocodile}}
* all [[quest nemeses]] (Amulet theft)
** {{monsymlink|Ixoth}} (one Amulet theft, one physical)
** {{monsymlink|Master Kaen}} (one Amulet theft, 2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|Scorpius}} (one Amulet theft, one physical)
* [[Defunct features|Defunct]] and [[deferred]] monsters
** {{monsymlink|shimmering dragon}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|vorpal jabberwock}} (2x physical)
** {{monsymlink|vampire mage}}

==History==
The claw attack type is formally defined in [[NetHack 3.0.0]].

==Messages==
Claw attacks generally use the same messages as weapon attacks performed without a wielded weapon.

==Variants==
[[Variant]]s of ''NetHack'' may add new monsters with claw attacks, as well as different types of claw attacks.

==References==
<references/>
{{nethack-367}}
[[Category:Attack types]]

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 ** {{monsymlink|large mimic}} ([[sticky]])
 ** {{monsymlink|giant mimic}} (2x [[sticky]])
-* all {{monclass|n}} (one that can [[steal item]]s, one that seduces)
+* all {{monclass|n}} (one [[item theft]], one [[seduction theft]])
 * {{monclass|q}}
 ** {{monsymlink|rothe}}

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 A monster that has a claw attack, including a [[hero]] [[polymorph]]ed into such a monster, performs the attack by attempting to strike the target using their hands, foreclaws or equivalent [[body parts]]. Claw attacks account for the attacker's [[worn]] [[gloves]] and/or any [[silver]] [[ring]]s (or lack thereof) on their hands, and a hero performing a claw attack will also use their [[wielded]] [[weapon]](s) and appropriate [[skill]]s (including [[bare hands]] or [[martial arts]] for unarmed combat).{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|315|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2450|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2488|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1769|nethack=3.6.7}} Performing multiple claw attacks in a round will alternate between the rings on the right and left hands for this check.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2365|nethack=3.6.7}}
-[[Thick-skinned]] monsters take halved damage (rounded up) from claw attacks.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1682|nethack=3.6.7}} A claw attack will cause [[passive attack]]s from the defender to trigger.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2771|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2794|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2830|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2841|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Thick-skinned]] monsters take halved damage (rounded up) from claw attacks.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1682|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Magic cancellation]] can block claw attacks if they use [[damage type]]s that are also blocked by magic cancellation.
 If an [[engulfing]] attack is landed during the grace period where a hero or monster cannot be re-engulfed, and that engulfing attack does ''not'' deal [[acid]], [[Fire (element)|fire]], [[shock]], or [[cold]] damage, the engulfing attack is converted to a 1d6 claw attack of the same damage type.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|319|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|326|nethack=3.6.7}}
-[[Magic cancellation]] can block claw attacks if they use [[damage type]]s that are also blocked by magic cancellation. Using a claw attack on a [[cockatrice]] or [[chickatrice]] without wearing gloves (or wielding a weapon, for the hero) will turn the attacker to stone{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|977|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|981|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;monsters will avoid doing so against such targets when possible, with the exception of a hero in the form of either monster.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|383|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|673|nethack=3.6.7|comment=monster claw versus hero}}
+A claw attack will cause [[passive attack]]s from the defender to trigger.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2771|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2794|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2830|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2841|nethack=3.6.7}} Using a claw attack on a [[cockatrice]] or [[chickatrice]] without wearing gloves (or wielding a weapon, for the hero) will turn the attacker to stone{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|977|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|981|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;monsters will avoid doing so against such targets when possible, with the exception of a hero in the form of either monster.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|383|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|673|nethack=3.6.7|comment=monster claw versus hero}}
 ===List of monsters===