Demon lords and princes - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: per my talk, was incorrect - worth noting the specifics anyway, idr the exact locations of the magic traps in each lair

2026-05-19T12:34:04Z

per my talk, was incorrect - worth noting the specifics anyway, idr the exact locations of the magic traps in each lair

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ also that's because it doesn't wake monsters at all

2026-05-19T10:38:09Z

‎Strategy: also that's because it doesn't wake monsters at all

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-05-19T00:31:15Z

pothole

Tomsod: /* Strategy */ actually, upon a source + wizmode check, the trap didn't wake up the &, I was just slightly unlucky

2026-05-18T21:18:33Z

‎Strategy: actually, upon a source + wizmode check, the trap didn't wake up the &, I was just slightly unlucky

Tomsod: /* Strategy */ this just almost happened to me

2026-05-18T21:04:37Z

‎Strategy: this just almost happened to me

Umbire the Phantom: lede

2024-02-11T13:13:57Z

lede

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2022-12-16T20:16:32Z

potholes

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy /

2022-12-12T09:21:50Z

‎Strategy: *

Umbire the Phantom: cat (again)

2022-10-08T00:26:12Z

cat (again)

Umbire the Phantom: Formatting + copyedit + cat

2022-10-08T00:25:32Z

Formatting + copyedit + cat

@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 Those playing for a [[speed ascension]] will generally elect to bribe Asmodeus and Beelzebub, and with a [[unicorn horn]] or other cure for illness Juiblex can be disposed of easily (with a [[wand of digging]] expediting the process), leaving Orcus as the most difficult remaining ruler to face. [[Pacifist]]s generally have trouble finding [[pet]]s willing to attack such high-level creatures, especially since all demons are drain-resistant, and generally have to resort to bribery for similar reasons. A blessed [[figurine]] of an [[Archon]] is usually a go-to pacifist [[wish]] for this among many other reasons: they can reach level 28 with little effort, become immune to [[conflict]] at level 25, and can also be given a powerful kit and potions of {{! of|gain level}} in order to deal with demon lords and princes, as well as other higher-level monsters like the [[Wizard of Yendor]].
-If you intend to bribe Asmodeus or Beelzebub, be extra careful of the "deafening roar" effect from the [[magic trap]]s in their lairs since the bribe attempt will always fail if you are [[deafen]]ed{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3218|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;applying a unicorn horn can cure this deafness.
+If you intend to bribe Asmodeus or Beelzebub, be extra careful of the "deafening roar" effect from the [[magic trap]]s in their lairs since the bribe attempt will always fail if you are [[deafen]]ed{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3218|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;the trap itself will not awaken them directly, though, and applying a unicorn horn can cure this deafness.{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3229|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==References==

@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 Those playing for a [[speed ascension]] will generally elect to bribe Asmodeus and Beelzebub, and with a [[unicorn horn]] or other cure for illness Juiblex can be disposed of easily (with a [[wand of digging]] expediting the process), leaving Orcus as the most difficult remaining ruler to face. [[Pacifist]]s generally have trouble finding [[pet]]s willing to attack such high-level creatures, especially since all demons are drain-resistant, and generally have to resort to bribery for similar reasons. A blessed [[figurine]] of an [[Archon]] is usually a go-to pacifist [[wish]] for this among many other reasons: they can reach level 28 with little effort, become immune to [[conflict]] at level 25, and can also be given a powerful kit and potions of {{! of|gain level}} in order to deal with demon lords and princes, as well as other higher-level monsters like the [[Wizard of Yendor]].
-If you intend to bribe Asmodeus or Beelzebub, be extra careful of the [[magic trap]]s in their lairs, since being [[deaf]] will cause the bribe to fail.  Thankfully, the "deafening roar" will not wake the prince up by itself.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3065|nethack=3.6.7}}
+If you intend to bribe Asmodeus or Beelzebub, be extra careful of the "deafening roar" effect from the [[magic trap]]s in their lairs since the bribe attempt will always fail if you are [[deafen]]ed{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3218|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;applying a unicorn horn can cure this deafness.
 ==References==

@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 If you are polymorphed into any {{monclass|&}}, the prince won't ask for a bribe, but will remain on the map, peaceful, until you deal with it.
-Wielding [[Excalibur]] causes lawful princes to be generated hostile, so they won't ask for a bribe. They will turn hostile if you wield Excalibur when they would demand a bribe, or if fooled by your [[displacement]].
+Wielding [[Excalibur]] causes lawful princes to be generated hostile, so they won't ask for a bribe. They will turn hostile if you wield Excalibur when they would demand a bribe, or if fooled by your [[Displacement (property)|displacement]].
 Chaotic demons are always generated hostile (except when summoned by a chaotic character's same-race [[sacrifice]]), and will attack on sight.

@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 Those playing for a [[speed ascension]] will generally elect to bribe Asmodeus and Beelzebub, and with a [[unicorn horn]] or other cure for illness Juiblex can be disposed of easily (with a [[wand of digging]] expediting the process), leaving Orcus as the most difficult remaining ruler to face. [[Pacifist]]s generally have trouble finding [[pet]]s willing to attack such high-level creatures, especially since all demons are drain-resistant, and generally have to resort to bribery for similar reasons. A blessed [[figurine]] of an [[Archon]] is usually a go-to pacifist [[wish]] for this among many other reasons: they can reach level 28 with little effort, become immune to [[conflict]] at level 25, and can also be given a powerful kit and potions of {{! of|gain level}} in order to deal with demon lords and princes, as well as other higher-level monsters like the [[Wizard of Yendor]].
-If you intend to bribe Asmodeus or Beelzebub, be extra careful of the [[magic trap]]s in their lairs, since they're likely to wake the prince up ''and'' make you [[deaf]] at the same time, causing the bribing attempt to fail.
+If you intend to bribe Asmodeus or Beelzebub, be extra careful of the [[magic trap]]s in their lairs, since being [[deaf]] will cause the bribe to fail.  Thankfully, the "deafening roar" will not wake the prince up by itself.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3065|nethack=3.6.7}}
 {{nethack-366}}
 [[Category:Unique monsters]]
 [[Category:Demon lords and princes]]

@@ Line 98: / Line 98: @@
 Those playing for a [[speed ascension]] will generally elect to bribe Asmodeus and Beelzebub, and with a [[unicorn horn]] or other cure for illness Juiblex can be disposed of easily (with a [[wand of digging]] expediting the process), leaving Orcus as the most difficult remaining ruler to face. [[Pacifist]]s generally have trouble finding [[pet]]s willing to attack such high-level creatures, especially since all demons are drain-resistant, and generally have to resort to bribery for similar reasons. A blessed [[figurine]] of an [[Archon]] is usually a go-to pacifist [[wish]] for this among many other reasons: they can reach level 28 with little effort, become immune to [[conflict]] at level 25, and can also be given a powerful kit and potions of {{! of|gain level}} in order to deal with demon lords and princes, as well as other higher-level monsters like the [[Wizard of Yendor]].
 {{nethack-366}}
 [[Category:Unique monsters]]
 [[Category:Demon lords and princes]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:13, 11 February 2024
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−	In ''[[NetHack]]'', several [[Unique monster\|unique]], named '''demon lords and princes''' sit above the ranks of the ~~minor and major~~ [[demon]]s in [[Gehennom]]. Demon princes are of higher rank than demon lords.	+	In ''[[NetHack]]'', several [[Unique monster\|unique]], named '''demon lords and princes''' sit above the ranks of the [[major demon]]s in [[Gehennom]]. Demon princes are of higher rank than demon lords.

	==List of demon rulers==		==List of demon rulers==

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:16, 16 December 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	In ''NetHack'', several unique, named '''demon lords and princes''' sit above the ranks of the minor and major [[demon]]s in [[Gehennom]]. Demon princes are of higher rank than demon lords.	+	In ''[[NetHack]]'', several [[Unique monster\|unique]], named '''demon lords and princes''' sit above the ranks of the minor and major [[demon]]s in [[Gehennom]]. Demon princes are of higher rank than demon lords.

	==List of demon rulers==		==List of demon rulers==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Above the ranks of the minor and major [[demon]]s are several unique, named demons. They are divided into lords and princes, the latter being of higher rank.
+In ''NetHack'', several unique, named '''demon lords and princes''' sit above the ranks of the minor and major [[demon]]s in [[Gehennom]]. Demon princes are of higher rank than demon lords.
 {| class="wikitable sortable"
 |-
@@ Line 67: / Line 68: @@
 |}
-==Traits==
+==Common traits==
 All demon lords and princes are [[covetous]], and will warp to you when they detect you, and to the up stairs to flee and heal. They will pick up the [[Amulet of Yendor]] if they can, and attack any monster carrying it other than the [[high priest]] of Moloch and the [[Wizard of Yendor]]. Orcus additionally covets the [[Book of the Dead]].
-Like their lesser brethren, unique demons nominally respect [[Elbereth]], although it has no power in their native [[Gehennom]].
+Like their lesser brethren, the unique demons have [[fire resistance]], [[poison resistance]], [[drain resistance]], and resistance to death magic including rays from the [[wand of death|wand]] or [[Finger of death|spell]]; they also nominally respect [[Elbereth]], although it has no power in their native [[Gehennom]].
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Elbereth no longer affects unique monsters.
@@ Line 76: / Line 77: @@
 Any level in Gehennom where a demon lord or prince is present is considered a [[non-teleport level]] for you and any monster that isn't a demon lord or prince.}}
-==Bribery==
+===Rank===
 Lawful demon princes are generated [[peaceful]]. When one detects you, it will warp to you and demand some portion of your carried [[gold]]. If you pay it off, it will vanish from the game; if you refuse, or have no gold, it will turn hostile. You may shortchange it up to 39 gold with a chance of success. If the demon has the Amulet, the bribe will always be more than you have, so that the demon and Amulet aren't removed from the game.
@@ Line 86: / Line 92: @@
 ==Lairs==
-Four of the demons have their own lairs in [[Gehennom]]. All four lairs are guaranteed to be generated, which means you're almost certain to see all four demons if your character gets that far. However, all four lairs can also leave [[bones]], so it's possible for a demon not to appear in its own lair if it was previously dispatched or led away. Each demon is unique, so it will also be absent if generated by other means (e.g. sacrifice or other demons).
+Four of the demons have their own lairs in [[Gehennom]]. All four lairs are guaranteed to be generated, which means you're almost certain to see all four demons if your character gets that far. However, all four lairs can also leave [[bones]], so it's possible for a demon not to appear in its own lair if it was previously dispatched or led away. As each of them are unique, they will also be absent if generated by other means (e.g. sacrifice or other demons).
 ==Strategy==
-Although some of the most powerful monsters by the numbers, most unique demons aren't a huge threat, because they appear late in the game, when players have had plenty of time to prepare for them. Asmodeus is nearly impotent against a fire- and cold-resistant character, for example, and Baalzebub's gaze won't penetrate a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]]. Characters playing for speed, who don't have good [[AC]] or all the resistances, may have more difficulty. Orcus' spells can cause trouble for even magic-resistant characters, and Demogorgon, should he appear, can kill almost anyone. [[Pacifist]]s may also have trouble finding [[pet]]s willing to attack such high-level creatures -- all demons are [[level drain]] resistant.
+Although demon lords and princes are statistically some of the most powerful monsters by the numbers, many of them are not guaranteed encounters, and most players have had plenty of time to prepare for the rest by the point that they first encounter any. Asmodeus is nearly impotent against a fire- and cold-resistant character, for example, and Baalzebub's gaze won't penetrate a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]]. At the other end of the spectrum, Orcus' spells can cause trouble for even magic-resistant characters, and Demogorgon can kill almost anyone should he appear. Players who lack good [[AC]] or essential resistances may have more difficulty.
 {{nethack-366}}
 [[Category:Monsters]]