Digestion - Revision history

Ardub23: /* Against monsters */ Fixed typo

2026-06-03T04:46:23Z

‎Against monsters: Fixed typo

Umbire the Phantom: more sensible hatnote

2026-05-24T21:34:45Z

more sensible hatnote

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit pass

2026-01-23T21:46:32Z

copyedit pass

Show changes

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ word choice

2025-04-05T15:30:27Z

‎Strategy: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ tweaks

2025-04-05T14:53:40Z

‎Variants: tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2025-04-05T14:52:49Z

copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* GruntHack */ similarly here

2025-01-30T12:31:04Z

‎GruntHack: similarly here

Umbire the Phantom: /* EvilHack */ forgot

2025-01-30T12:30:40Z

‎EvilHack: forgot

Umbire the Phantom: /* EvilHack */ copyedit

2025-01-30T12:28:34Z

‎EvilHack: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: potholes et. al.

2025-01-30T12:28:09Z

potholes et. al.

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 Against monsters, digestion attacks will instantly kill monsters of [[large]] size or smaller, with life saving causing them to be regurgitated if it triggers&mdash;larger monsters are unaffected. Monsters killed by digestion attacks do not leave [[corpse]]s, and [[death drop]]s that rely on a corpse being left (e.g. [[unicorn horn]]s) are also not generated. A monster that kills another monster by engulfing them gains half the nutrition value normally provided by eating their corpse, and the digesting monster will be immobile while eating for {{frac|4}} of the normal duration.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|945|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-A monster that swallows a [[chameleon]] or [[doppelganger]] whole with a digestion attack will polymorph upon killin the monster, which also applies to a hero in the form of a digesting monster&mdash;a worn source of [[protection from shape changers]] will prevent a monster from polymorphing this way. A monster attempting to digest a [[footrice]] or [[Medusa]] will petrify the engulfing monster unless they have stoning resistance, while attempting to digest a [[Rider]] will kill the digesting monster instead and leave the Rider unharmed.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|871|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|905|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2154|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2176|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+A monster that swallows a [[chameleon]] or [[doppelganger]] whole with a digestion attack will polymorph upon killing the monster, which also applies to a hero in the form of a digesting monster&mdash;a worn source of [[protection from shape changers]] will prevent a monster from polymorphing this way. A monster attempting to digest a [[footrice]] or [[Medusa]] will petrify the engulfing monster unless they have stoning resistance, while attempting to digest a [[Rider]] will kill the digesting monster instead and leave the Rider unharmed.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|871|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|905|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2154|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2176|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 A hero that is polymorphed into a digesting monster and kills a monster of their race using a digestion attack is not penalized for [[cannibalism]].

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{tocright}}
-{{otheruses|the damage type|the item in SlashTHEM|bag of digestion}}
+{{otheruses|the damage type|the value representing the hero's metabolism|nutrition}}
 '''Digestion''' is a [[damage type]] that occurs in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is only used for specific [[engulfing attack]]s by [[monster]]s.

@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 {{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|cf1c72514883f70856a8b98c654f52f2a9896794}}, shriekers will summon [[baby purple worm]]s instead of adult ones if they are in an area where the latter is out of depth.
-Per {{commit|1a2d844a22358402a93cedbc22ebe7cc32bb0255}}, digestion will not affect incorporeal monsters such as wraiths.}}
+Per {{commit|1a2d844a22358402a93cedbc22ebe7cc32bb0255}}, digestion attacks will not affect wraiths and other [[unsolid]] monsters.}}
 ==History==

@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], digestion attacks will not instantly kill monsters if the target [[Need +x weapon to hit|needs an enchanted weapon to hit]] and the attacker does not [[Hits creatures as +x weapon|hit as a strong enough weapon]]. This makes pets with enchantment resistance much more capable of surviving against purple worms and other digesting monsters.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], digestion attacks will not instantly kill monsters if the target [[Need +x weapon to hit|needs an enchanted weapon to hit]] and the attacker does not [[Hits creatures as +x weapon|hit as a strong enough weapon]]. This makes pets with enchantment resistance such as Archons much more capable of surviving against purple worms and other digesting monsters.
 All of the above information also applies to [[SlashTHEM]].
 ===GruntHack===
-In [[GruntHack]], [[Dragon (GruntHack)|adult dragons]] can digest the hero and other monsters, making them much more difficult to fight in melee - this also makes them much better pets compared to vanilla ''NetHack''.
+In [[GruntHack]], [[Dragon (GruntHack)|adult dragons]] can digest the hero and other monsters, making them much more difficult to fight in melee&mdash;this also makes them much better pets compared to vanilla ''NetHack''.
 ===dNetHack===

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 Digestion can be completely prevented by wearing a source of [[slow digestion]] (i.e. the [[Ring of slow digestion|ring]]), which causes a monster to immediately regurgitate the hero without any damage being dealt.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1893|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2027|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="slowdig"}} [[Zapping]] a [[wand of opening]] or casting the [[spell of knock]] will force the monster to spit out the hero, while zapping a [[wand of digging]] or {{spell of|dig}} spell while inside them will reduce its [[HP]] to 1 and force it to immediately expel the hero.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|330|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dig.c|1410|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="digout"}} Reading a [[scroll of taming]] or casting {{spell of|charm monster}} limits the effects to the monster engulfing the hero, and a monster pacified or tamed this way will regurgitate the hero.{{refsrc|src/read.c|1405|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-A hero [[polymorph]]ed into a [[web]]-spinning monster can use the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]] while being digested to force the monster to spit them out. A hero that hits a monster digesting them with a [[stoning]] attack (e.g. a [[footrice]] corpse, or attacking while in the form of one) will turn them to stone and escape from its statue, unless they have [[stoning resistance]]. A hero that polymorphs into a monster form that is [[huge]] or larger will force the monster to regurgitate them on the next attack.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2021|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+A hero [[polymorph]]ed into a [[web]]-spinning monster can use the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]] while being digested to force the monster to spit them out. A hero that hits a monster digesting them with a [[stoning]] attack (e.g. a [[footrice]] corpse, or attacking in the form of one) will turn them to stone and escape from its [[statue]], unless the digesting monster has [[stoning resistance]]. A hero that polymorphs into a monster form that is [[huge]] or larger will force the monster to regurgitate them on the next attack.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2021|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 If the hero is wearing an [[amulet of life saving]] and is totally digested, or else is in [[explore mode]] or [[wizard mode]] and chooses not to die, they will be revived as normal and regurgitated.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2015|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/end.c|898|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} This also applies if the hero is fully digested while polymorphed, which returns them to normal form and causes the monster to spit them out.
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ===Against monsters===
-Against monsters, digestion attacks will instantly kill monsters of [[large]] size or smaller, with life saving causing them to be regurgitated if it triggers; larger monsters are unaffected. Monsters killed this way do not leave [[corpse]]s, and [[death drop]]s that rely on a corpse being left (e.g. [[unicorn horn]]s) will not be generated. A monster that kills another monster by engulfing them gains half the nutrition value of their corpse and will be immobile while eating for {{frac|4}} of the normal duration.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|945|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Against monsters, digestion attacks will instantly kill monsters of [[large]] size or smaller, with life saving causing them to be regurgitated if it triggers; larger monsters are unaffected. Monsters killed by digestion attacks do not leave [[corpse]]s, and [[death drop]]s that rely on a corpse being left (e.g. [[unicorn horn]]s) are also not generated. A monster that kills another monster by engulfing them gains half the nutrition value normally provided by eating their corpse, and the digesting monster will be immobile while eating for {{frac|4}} of the normal duration.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|945|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-A monster that swallows a chameleon whole with a digestion attack will polymorph, including a hero in the form of one; a worn source of [[protection from shape changers]] will prevent a monster from polymorphing this way. Attempting to digest a footrice or [[Medusa]] will petrify the engulfing monster unless they have stoning resistance, while attempting to digest a [[Rider]] will kill the digesting monster instead and leave the Rider unharmed.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|871|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|905|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2154|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2176|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+A monster that swallows a [[chameleon]] or [[doppelganger]] whole with a digestion attack will polymorph, which also applies to a hero in the form of such a monster; a worn source of [[protection from shape changers]] will prevent a monster from polymorphing this way. A monster attempting to digest a [[footrice]] or [[Medusa]] will petrify the engulfing monster unless they have stoning resistance, while attempting to digest a [[Rider]] will kill the digesting monster instead and leave the Rider unharmed.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|871|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|905|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2154|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2176|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 If the hero is polymorphed into a digesting monster, killing a monster of the hero's race using a digestion attack is not considered [[cannibalism]].
 ==Strategy==
-Though a potential source of instadeath, players that encounter monsters with digestion attacks are typically more than capable of escaping such a fate. Purple worms are the fastest monsters with a digesting attack, making them the most threatening to deal with on paper; lurkers and trappers have a much slower speed of 3. In practice, a player encountering a digesting monster will generally be well-equipped and at worst have a [[wand of digging]] to escape with, unless the monster was a purple worm summoned by an early [[shrieker]]. As being engulfed guarantees that melee attacks and spells will hit the engulfing monster, even a hero with modest speed and damage output can likely finish them off before the instadeath occurs.
+Though digestion attacks are a potential source of instadeath, players that encounter digesting monsters are typically more than capable of escaping such a fate. Purple worms are the fastest monsters with a digesting attack at 12 speed, making them the most threatening to deal with on paper; lurkers and trappers have a much slower speed of 3 and can more easily be kited.
-Digestion attacks are a particular concern with [[pet]]s: a single hit from a lowly trapper can fell an [[Archon]] among other powerful pets that are small enough to be eaten. A character relying primarily on their pets to do damage (e.g. a [[pacifist]]) wants to be particularly cautious of all digesting monsters. Conversely, this is what makes the purple worm in particular a very powerful pet: it can immediately eliminate most high-threat-level monsters if they are small enough, and can rapidly gain levels by swallowing [[wraith]]s whole, though they will encounter trouble against common monsters that are too large to engulf such as the various [[Giant (monster attribute)|giants]]. While trappers and lurkers above can do the same as purple worms, their low speed and tendency to [[hide]] makes them generally impractical as pets.
+Due to the monster level and difficulty of the three digesting monsters, a hero encountering one will generally be well-equipped and at worst have a [[wand of digging]] to escape with, unless the monster was a purple worm summoned by an early [[shrieker]]. As being engulfed guarantees that melee attacks and spells will hit the engulfing monster, even a hero with modest speed and damage output can likely finish them off before the instadeath occurs. Digestion attacks are a major concern for [[pet]] keepers, however&mdash;a single hit from a lowly trapper can fell otherwise-powerful pets that are small enough to be eaten, even an [[Archon]]. A hero relying primarily on their pets to do damage (e.g. a [[pacifist]] [[conduct]] player) will want to be particularly cautious of all digesting monsters.
 {{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|cf1c72514883f70856a8b98c654f52f2a9896794}}, shriekers will summon [[baby purple worm]]s instead of adult ones if they are in an area where the latter is out of depth.
@@ Line 46: / Line 48: @@
 Digestion is introduced in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], with the addition of the lurker above, trapper and purple worm&mdash;all three monsters are included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]].
-In [[NetHack 3.6.1]] and previous versions, including some variants based on those versions, if the hero is being digested by a monster and [[life saving]] is triggered by some other cause of death, they will be totally digested and killed on the next hit from the digestion attack; this [[bug]] is fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.2]] via {{commit|858e9ce00d3fda6fbee3263972591d742ea7e861}}.
+In [[NetHack 3.6.1]] and previous versions, including some variants based on those versions, if the hero is being digested by a monster and [[life saving]] is triggered by some other cause of death, they will always be totally digested and killed on the next hit from the digestion attack&mdash;this [[bug]] is fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.2]] via {{commit|858e9ce00d3fda6fbee3263972591d742ea7e861}}.
 ==Messages==
@@ Line 66: / Line 68: @@
 {{message|Brrooaa...  You land hard at some distance.|This is added if you are placed more than one square away from the monster after it spits you out.}}
 {{message|You <jump/fly> through an opening in the new statue of <the monster>.|You turned a monster that was digesting you to stone.}}
-{{message|"Burrrrp!"|A monster with a digesting attack (including you if you are polymorphed into a monster with one) killed another monster by digesting them.}}
+{{message|"Burrrrp!"|A monster with a digesting attack (including you if you are polymorphed into one) killed another monster by digesting them.}}
 {{message|Unfortunately, digesting any of it is fatal.|While polymorphed, you tried to digest one of the [[Rider]]s.}}
 {{message|<The monster> belches feebly, shrivels up and dies!|A monster with a digesting attack tried to eat [[Famine]].}}
 {{message|<The monster> coughs spasmodically and collapses!|As above, with [[Pestilence]].}}
 {{message|<The monster> vomits violently and drops dead!|As above, with [[Death (monster)|Death]].}}
 ==Variants==
-Variants of ''NetHack'' may give digestion attacks to new or returning monsters and adjust or expand the attack's mechanics.
+Variants of ''NetHack'' may give other monsters digestion attacks and adjust or expand the attack's mechanics.
 ===SLASH'EM===

@@ Line 100: / Line 100: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], dragons are capable of digesting monsters as in GruntHack, making them fearsome enemies and desirable pets. Shambling horrors can also roll digesting attacks among their randomized attack routine.
+In [[EvilHack]], [[Dragon (EvilHack)|adult dragons]] are capable of digesting monsters as in GruntHack, making them fearsome enemies and desirable pets. Shambling horrors can also roll digesting attacks among their randomized attack routine.
 Monsters will wear the [[ring of slow digestion]], which prevents them from being digested and instantly killed; [[spiked barding]] and [[Ithilmar]] can also prevent the monster wearing it from being digested. [[Phasing]] prevents a hero or any monster with the property from being engulfed at all.

@@ Line 102: / Line 102: @@
 In [[EvilHack]], dragons are capable of digesting monsters as in GruntHack, making them fearsome enemies and desirable pets. Shambling horrors can also roll digesting attacks among their randomized attack routine.
-Monsters will wear the [[ring of slow digestion]], which prevents them from being digested and instantly killed; [[spiked barding]] and [[Ithilmar]] can also prevent the monster wearing it from being digested. [[Phasing]] prevents you or any monster with the property from being engulfed at all.
+Monsters will wear the [[ring of slow digestion]], which prevents them from being digested and instantly killed; [[spiked barding]] and [[Ithilmar]] can also prevent the monster wearing it from being digested. [[Phasing]] prevents a hero or any monster with the property from being engulfed at all.
-Some of the stronger monsters in the game are generated with a ring of slow digestion - this includes [[player monster]]s on the [[Astral Plane]] in order to weaken "[[purple rain]]" and other similar strategies for trivializing the level.
+Some of the stronger monsters in the game are generated with a ring of slow digestion - this includes [[Player monster (EvilHack)|player monsters]] on the [[Astral Plane]] in order to weaken "[[purple rain]]" and other similar strategies for trivializing the level.
 ==References==

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 Digestion can be completely prevented by wearing a source of [[slow digestion]] (i.e. the [[Ring of slow digestion|ring]]), which causes a monster to immediately regurgitate the hero without any damage being dealt.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1893|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2027|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="slowdig"}} [[Zapping]] a [[wand of opening]] or casting the [[spell of knock]] will force the monster to spit out the hero, while zapping a [[wand of digging]] or {{spell of|dig}} spell while inside them will reduce its [[HP]] to 1 and force it to immediately expel the hero.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|330|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dig.c|1410|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="digout"}} Reading a [[scroll of taming]] or casting {{spell of|charm monster}} limits the effects to the monster engulfing the hero, and a monster pacified or tamed this way will regurgitate the hero.{{refsrc|src/read.c|1405|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-A hero [[polymorph]]ed into a [[web]]-spinning monster can use the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]] while being digested to force the monster to spit them out. A hero that hits a monster digesting them with a [[stoning]] attack (e.g. a [[footrice]] corpse, or attacking while in the form of one) will turn them to stone and escape from its statue, unless they have [[stoning resistance]]. A hero that polymorphs into a monster form that is [[huge]] or larger will force the monster to regurgitate them.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2021|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+A hero [[polymorph]]ed into a [[web]]-spinning monster can use the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]] while being digested to force the monster to spit them out. A hero that hits a monster digesting them with a [[stoning]] attack (e.g. a [[footrice]] corpse, or attacking while in the form of one) will turn them to stone and escape from its statue, unless they have [[stoning resistance]]. A hero that polymorphs into a monster form that is [[huge]] or larger will force the monster to regurgitate them on the next attack.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2021|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-If the hero is wearing an [[amulet of life saving]] and is totally digested, or else is in [[explore mode]] or [[wizard mode]] and chooses not to die, they will be revived as normal and regurgitated.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2015|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/end.c|898|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} This also applies if the hero are fully digested while [[polymorph]]ed, which returns them to normal form and causes the monster to spit them out.
+If the hero is wearing an [[amulet of life saving]] and is totally digested, or else is in [[explore mode]] or [[wizard mode]] and chooses not to die, they will be revived as normal and regurgitated.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2015|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/end.c|898|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} This also applies if the hero is fully digested while polymorphed, which returns them to normal form and causes the monster to spit them out.
 {{upcoming|3.7.0|[[White dragon scales]] and [[white dragon scale mail]] also confer slow digestion.}}
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 Against monsters, digestion attacks will instantly kill monsters of [[large]] size or smaller, with life saving causing them to be regurgitated if it triggers; larger monsters are unaffected. Monsters killed this way do not leave [[corpse]]s, and [[death drop]]s that rely on a corpse being left (e.g. [[unicorn horn]]s) will not be generated. A monster that kills another monster by engulfing them gains half the nutrition value of their corpse and will be immobile while eating for {{frac|4}} of the normal duration.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|945|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-A monster that swallows a chameleon whole with a digestion attack will [[polymorph]], including a hero in the form of one; a worn source of [[protection from shape changers]] will prevent a monster from polymorphing this way. Attempting to digest a footrice or [[Medusa]] will petrify the engulfing monster unless they have stoning resistance, while attempting to digest a [[Rider]] will kill the digesting monster instead and leave the Rider unharmed.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|871|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|905|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2154|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2176|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+A monster that swallows a chameleon whole with a digestion attack will polymorph, including a hero in the form of one; a worn source of [[protection from shape changers]] will prevent a monster from polymorphing this way. Attempting to digest a footrice or [[Medusa]] will petrify the engulfing monster unless they have stoning resistance, while attempting to digest a [[Rider]] will kill the digesting monster instead and leave the Rider unharmed.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|871|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|905|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2154|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2176|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 If the hero is polymorphed into a digesting monster, killing a monster of the hero's race using a digestion attack is not considered [[cannibalism]].
@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 {{message|You get regurgitated!|The monster trying to digest you spat you out.}}
-{{message|Obviously <the monster> doesn't like your taste.|This is added if you were immediately spat out due to a worn source of slow digestion.}}
+{{message|Obviously <the monster> doesn't like your taste.|This is added if you were immediately spat out, either due to a worn source of slow digestion or polymorphing into a monster that cannot be digested.}}
 {{message|<The monster> very hurriedly regurgitates you!|You were expelled due to life saving activating after being digested.}}
 {{message|Brrooaa...  You land hard at some distance.|This is added if you are placed more than one square away from the monster after it spits you out.}}
@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 {{message|<The monster> <lunges forward and> encloses itself around you!|You were engulfed by a lurker above or trapper.}}}}
-{{message|"Burrrrp!"|A monster with a digesting attack (including you if you are [[polymorph]]ed into a monster with one) killed another monster by digesting them.}}
+{{message|"Burrrrp!"|A monster with a digesting attack (including you if you are polymorphed into a monster with one) killed another monster by digesting them.}}
 {{message|Unfortunately, digesting any of it is fatal.|While polymorphed, you tried to digest one of the [[Rider]]s.}}
 {{message|<The monster> belches feebly, shrivels up and dies!|A monster with a digesting attack tried to eat [[Famine]].}}