Ettin - Revision history

ClintDK: /* dNetHack */ edited for clarity

2026-02-13T14:54:27Z

‎dNetHack: edited for clarity

ClintDK: /* Origin */ small tweaks for sense

2026-02-13T14:52:46Z

‎Origin: small tweaks for sense

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ cite

2025-12-03T22:04:07Z

‎Generation: cite

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ tweaks

2025-12-01T00:09:13Z

‎Generation: tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2025-12-01T00:08:56Z

potholes

Umbire the Phantom: quick pass

2025-12-01T00:08:29Z

quick pass

Umbire the Phantom: formatting, copyedit, etc.

2025-02-08T15:33:36Z

formatting, copyedit, etc.

Umbire the Phantom: /* Origin */ word choice et. al.

2023-12-13T11:38:49Z

‎Origin: word choice et. al.

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ reorg

2023-12-06T09:10:56Z

‎Variants: reorg

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ cite, spacing

2023-11-12T23:02:28Z

‎Generation: cite, spacing

@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], ettins are vulnerable to [[iron]] much like actual giants also are.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], ettins are vulnerable to [[iron]] much like actual giants are.
 ===NetHack Fourk===

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 ==Origin==
-The word "ettin" is an archaic English word, derived from the Old English ''Eoten'' and cognate to the Germanic/Old Norse ''Jötunn''; each of these words has been used to mean "giant" in some fashion. Their portrayal as two-headed and giant-like may also be derived from [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]: the Ettenmoors are a region in Middle Earth inhabited by trolls, and Tolkien's ''Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings'' states the root to be the word ''eten'' which means “troll" or "ogre”&mdash;the second chapter of ''The Hobbit'' also has a character comment on trolls as being slovenly and lacking table manners, "even those with only one head each", implying that trolls are normally two-headed.
+The word "ettin" is an archaic English word, derived from the Old English ''Eoten'' and cognate to the Germanic/Old Norse ''Jötunn''; each of these words has been used to mean "giant" in some fashion. Their portrayal as two-headed and giant-like may also be derived from [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]: the Ettenmoors are a region in Middle Earth inhabited by trolls, and Tolkien's ''Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings'' states the root to be the word ''eten'' which means “troll" or "ogre”&mdash;the second chapter of ''The Hobbit'' also has a character comment on trolls as being slovenly and lacking table manners, "even those with only one head each", implying that at least some trolls are two-headed.
 The ettins from ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', along with many later portrayals of ettin, are in turn likely patterned after the above&mdash;''Dungeons & Dragons'' ettins are generally ugly and very unintelligent brutes that also possess some orcish traits, and are descended from giants through the lineage of the two-headed Julian and Arno, Annam the All-Father's weakest sons. Their names translate in-universe to "ugly giant" in ancient Common and "runt" in Jotun; they are chaotic-aligned and said to have even worse table manners than Tolkien's trolls. Giant two-headed trolls, or "fell trolls", also exist in the setting and are believed to be a cross between troll and ettin.

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 Randomly generated ettins are always created hostile.
-Hostile ettins may be created by a hostile [[spellcaster]] casting the [[summon nasties]] [[monster spell]].
+Hostile ettins may be created by a hostile monster casting the [[summon nasties]] [[monster spell]].{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|31|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-An ettin [[Monster starting inventory|is always generated with]] a [[club]].{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|185|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+An ettin is [[always generated with]] a [[club]].{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|185|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 [[Ettin zombie]]s and [[ettin mummies]] leave behind aged ettin [[corpse]]s upon death.

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 An ettin [[Monster starting inventory|is always generated with]] a [[club]].{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|185|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-[[Ettin zombie]]s and [[ettin mummies]] leave behind ettin corpses upon death.
+[[Ettin zombie]]s and [[ettin mummies]] leave behind aged ettin [[corpse]]s upon death.
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
   |frequency=1
   |genocidable=Yes
-  |attacks=Weapon 2d8 physical, weapon 3d6 physical
+  |attacks=[[Weapon]] 2d8 [[Physical damage|physical]], weapon 3d6 physical
   |weight=1700
   |nutr=500
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 An '''ettin''', {{monsym|ettin}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The ettin is a [[carnivorous]] and [[animal]]istic two-headed [[giant humanoid]] that ignores [[stealth]] {{frac|9|10}} of the time when [[sleeping]].{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|225|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=A comment just a few lines above states that "ettins are hard to surprise".}} Their anatomy does not affect [[beheading]] by [[Vorpal Blade]], which still functions as normal.
-An ettin has two weapon attacks.
+An ettin has two [[weapon]] attacks.
 ==Generation==

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
   |reference=[[monst.c#line1424]]
 }}
+An '''ettin''', {{monsym|ettin}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The ettin is a [[carnivorous]] and [[animal]]istic two-headed [[giant humanoid]] that ignores [[stealth]] {{frac|9|10}} of the time when [[sleeping]].{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|225|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=A comment just a few lines above states that "ettins are hard to surprise".}} Their anatomy does not affect [[beheading]] by [[Vorpal Blade]], which still functions as normal.
 An ettin has two weapon attacks.
@@ Line 33: / Line 32: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Ettins are [[strong]] and move as fast as an unhasted [[hero]], and their weapon attacks can deal significant damage - thankfully, they lack the [[boulder]]-hurling strength of giants, though they are capable of using other projectiles. An ettin's lack of [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] and inability to wear armor renders them quite vulnerable against a well-kitted hero - most who encounter ettins have already dealt with their [[Ettin mummy|mummified]] and [[Ettin zombie|zombified]] kin, and should generally be able to fight live ones with little trouble.
+Ettins are [[strong]] and move as fast as an unhasted [[hero]], and their weapon attacks can deal significant damage&mdash;thankfully, they lack the [[boulder]]-hurling strength of giants, though they are capable of using other projectiles. An ettin's lack of [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] and their inability to utilize armor renders them quite vulnerable against [[wand]]s, [[poison]] and [[spell]]s well-kitted hero, who will most likely have dealt with some of their [[Ettin mummy|mummified]] and [[Ettin zombie|zombified]] kin previously.
 ==History==
@@ Line 39: / Line 38: @@
 ==Origin==
-The word "ettin" is an archaic English word, derived from the Old English ''Eoten'' and cognate to the Germanic/Old Norse ''Jötunn''; each of these words has been used to mean "giant" in some fashion. Their portrayal as two-headed and giant-like may also be derived from [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]: the Ettenmoors are a region in Middle Earth inhabited by trolls, and Tolkien's ''Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings'' states the root to be the word ''eten'' which means “troll" or "ogre” - the second chapter of ''The Hobbit'' also has a character comment on trolls as being slovenly and lacking table manners, "even those with only one head each", implying that trolls are normally two-headed.
+The word "ettin" is an archaic English word, derived from the Old English ''Eoten'' and cognate to the Germanic/Old Norse ''Jötunn''; each of these words has been used to mean "giant" in some fashion. Their portrayal as two-headed and giant-like may also be derived from [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]: the Ettenmoors are a region in Middle Earth inhabited by trolls, and Tolkien's ''Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings'' states the root to be the word ''eten'' which means “troll" or "ogre”&mdash;the second chapter of ''The Hobbit'' also has a character comment on trolls as being slovenly and lacking table manners, "even those with only one head each", implying that trolls are normally two-headed.
-The ettins from ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', along with many later portrayals of ettin, are in turn likely patterned after the above - ''Dungeons & Dragons'' ettins are generally ugly and very unintelligent brutes that also possess some orcish traits, and are descended from giants through the lineage of the two-headed Julian and Arno, Annam the All-Father's weakest sons. Their names translate in-universe to "ugly giant" in ancient Common and "runt" in Jotun; they are chaotic-aligned and have even worse table manners than Tolkien's trolls. Giant two-headed trolls, or "fell trolls", also exist in the setting and are believed to be a cross between troll and ettin.
+The ettins from ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', along with many later portrayals of ettin, are in turn likely patterned after the above&mdash;''Dungeons & Dragons'' ettins are generally ugly and very unintelligent brutes that also possess some orcish traits, and are descended from giants through the lineage of the two-headed Julian and Arno, Annam the All-Father's weakest sons. Their names translate in-universe to "ugly giant" in ancient Common and "runt" in Jotun; they are chaotic-aligned and said to have even worse table manners than Tolkien's trolls. Giant two-headed trolls, or "fell trolls", also exist in the setting and are believed to be a cross between troll and ettin.
 The first ''Monster Manual'' depicts ettins as nocturnal two-headed giants that dwell in remote places and live underground, and establishes the ettin's advantages against stealthy foes that are used in later editions. ''NetHack'' borrows these elements as well as their hit die (2-16 using the left arm and 3-18 using the right), with their lack of intelligence as the apparent rationale for the "animal" flag.
@@ Line 56: / Line 55: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], ettins hate [[iron]] much like other giants.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], ettins are vulnerable to [[iron]] much like actual giants also are.
 ===NetHack Fourk===
-In [[NetHack Fourk]], the ettin is moved to the [[large deep-rock dweller]] [[monster class]] at {{brightblue|X}}. It is also made a [[tunneling monster]] similar to a [[Dwarf (monster)|dwarf]], and may generate with a [[pick-axe]]. Ettins have basic skill in [[Wands Balance Patch|wand usage]].
+In [[NetHack Fourk]], the ettin is moved to the [[large deep-rock dweller]] [[monster class]] at {{brightblue|X}}. Ettins are also [[tunneling monster]]s and may generate with a [[pick-axe]], similar to [[Dwarf (monster)|dwarves]]. Ettins have basic skill in [[Wands Balance Patch|wand usage]].
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 ==Origin==
-The word "ettin" is an archaic English word, derived from the Old English ''Eoten'' and cognate to the Germanic/Old Norse ''Jötunn''. Each of these words has been used to mean "giant" in some fashion. Their portrayal as two-headed and giant-like may be derived from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]: the Ettenmoors are a region in Middle Earth inhabited by [[troll]]s, and Tolkien's ''Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings'' states the root to be the word ''eten'' which means “troll" or "ogre”; the second chapter of ''The Hobbit'' also has a character comment on trolls as being slovenly and lacking table manners, "even those with only one head each", implying that trolls are normally two-headed.
+The word "ettin" is an archaic English word, derived from the Old English ''Eoten'' and cognate to the Germanic/Old Norse ''Jötunn''; each of these words has been used to mean "giant" in some fashion. Their portrayal as two-headed and giant-like may also be derived from [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]: the Ettenmoors are a region in Middle Earth inhabited by trolls, and Tolkien's ''Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings'' states the root to be the word ''eten'' which means “troll" or "ogre” - the second chapter of ''The Hobbit'' also has a character comment on trolls as being slovenly and lacking table manners, "even those with only one head each", implying that trolls are normally two-headed.
-The ettins from ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', along with many later portrayals of ettin, are likely patterned after this - ''Dungeons & Dragons'' ettins are generally shown to be ugly and very unintelligent brutes that also possess some orcish traits, and are descended from giants through the lineage of the two-headed Julian and Arno, Annam the All-Father's weakest sons. Their names translate in-universe to "ugly giant" in ancient Common and "runt" in Jotun; they are chaotic-aligned and have even worse table manners than Tolkien's trolls. Giant two-headed trolls, or "fell trolls", also exist in the setting and are believed to be a cross between troll and ettin.
+The ettins from ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', along with many later portrayals of ettin, are in turn likely patterned after the above - ''Dungeons & Dragons'' ettins are generally ugly and very unintelligent brutes that also possess some orcish traits, and are descended from giants through the lineage of the two-headed Julian and Arno, Annam the All-Father's weakest sons. Their names translate in-universe to "ugly giant" in ancient Common and "runt" in Jotun; they are chaotic-aligned and have even worse table manners than Tolkien's trolls. Giant two-headed trolls, or "fell trolls", also exist in the setting and are believed to be a cross between troll and ettin.
-The first ''Monster Manual'' depicts ettins as nocturnal two-headed giants that dwell in remote places and live underground, and establishes the ettin's advantages against stealthy foes that are used in later editions. ''NetHack'' borrows these elements, as well as their hit die (2-16 using the left arm and 3-18 using the right), with their lack of intelligence as the apparent rationale for the "animal" flag.
+The first ''Monster Manual'' depicts ettins as nocturnal two-headed giants that dwell in remote places and live underground, and establishes the ettin's advantages against stealthy foes that are used in later editions. ''NetHack'' borrows these elements as well as their hit die (2-16 using the left arm and 3-18 using the right), with their lack of intelligence as the apparent rationale for the "animal" flag.
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 ===SLASH'EM===
 In [[SLASH'EM]], ettins [[Monsters with hits creatures as a +x weapon (SLASH'EM)|hit as a +2 weapon]].
 ===dNetHack===
@@ Line 56: / Line 59: @@
 ===NetHack Fourk===
 In [[NetHack Fourk]], the ettin, {{brightblue|X}}, is moved to the [[large deep-rock dweller]] [[monster class]]. It is also made a [[tunneling monster]] similar to a [[dwarf (monster)|dwarf]], and may generate with a [[pick-axe]]. Ettins have basic skill in [[Wands Balance Patch|wand usage]].
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 ==Generation==
-Randomly generated ettins are always generated hostile. An ettin [[Monster starting inventory|is always generated with]] a [[club]]. Ettins may be also created by a hostile [[spellcaster]] casting the [[summon nasties]] [[monster spell]].
+Randomly generated ettins are always generated hostile.
 [[Ettin zombie]]s and [[ettin mummies]] leave behind ettin corpses upon death.