Fire (element) - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Fire damage sources */ potholes et. al.

2026-01-03T00:30:40Z

‎Fire damage sources: potholes et. al.

Umbire the Phantom: /* Fire damage effects */ word choice

2025-12-26T19:41:04Z

‎Fire damage effects: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: more tweaks

2025-12-26T19:34:48Z

more tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: /* Fire damage effects */ upcoming

2025-12-26T19:33:43Z

‎Fire damage effects: upcoming

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ bugfix

2025-12-26T19:29:27Z

‎History: bugfix

Umbire the Phantom: /* Fire damage effects */ word choice

2025-12-26T19:16:28Z

‎Fire damage effects: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Messages */ more tweaks

2025-12-26T19:02:46Z

‎Messages: more tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: /* Messages */ correction

2025-12-26T19:01:49Z

‎Messages: correction

Umbire the Phantom: /* Fire damage effects */ copyedit

2025-12-26T19:00:54Z

‎Fire damage effects: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* Resistance and vulnerability */ word choice

2025-12-06T20:20:38Z

‎Resistance and vulnerability: word choice

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 Various [[monster]]s also have fire-element attacks, which use the '''<tt>AD_FIRE</tt>''' damage type flag:
-* The bite attack used by [[fire ant]]s
+* The [[bite attack]] used by [[fire ant]]s
 * The breath weapon used by [[red dragon]]s, [[red naga]]s, [[hell hound]]s, [[hell hound pup]]s, and [[Random breath|randomly]] by the [[Chromatic Dragon]]
-* The claw attack of a [[fire elemental]]
+* The [[claw attack]] of a [[fire elemental]]
 * The [[engulfing attack]] of a [[fire vortex]] or [[steam vortex]]
 * The [[explosion attack]] used by [[flaming sphere]]s
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 * The [[gaze attack]] of a [[pyrolisk]]
 * The [[holding attack]] of a [[salamander]]
-* The [[passive attack]] of a [[red mold]], a fire elemental or a fire vortex
+* The [[passive attack]] of a [[red mold]], fire elemental or fire vortex
 * The touch attack of a steam vortex, fire vortex or salamander{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|319|nethack=3.6.7|comment=engulfing attacks have a grace period after release where a target cannot be immediately re-engulfed; engulf attacks that hit during this period become touch attacks}}

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 Fire rays and explosions can destroy [[door]]s and may boil away any [[pool]]s of water that they affect, leaving behind [[pit]]s&mdash;fire rays and fire traps can also melt [[ice]].
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|6a35a84c56844e6c4bc6d2105c2368f9cd8f650e}}, fire rays and other sources of fire damage will light [[candle]]s, [[lamp]]s that have oil, and potions of oil, but not [[Candelabrum of Invocation]]. Per {{commit|c8d05ac3528c6c75a6b9cdfa60411d49a56048e3}}, this also excludes [[magic lamp]]s.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|6a35a84c56844e6c4bc6d2105c2368f9cd8f650e}}, fire rays and other sources of fire damage will light [[candle]]s, [[lamp]]s that have oil, and potions of oil that are not made to explode by the damage, but will not light the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]]. Per {{commit|c8d05ac3528c6c75a6b9cdfa60411d49a56048e3}}, this will also not like [[magic lamp]]s.
 Per {{commit|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, item destruction caused by fire damage is dependent on the amount of damage dealt, with the amount of items in open inventory that are affected being equal to {{frac|5}} of the fire damage inflicted.

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 * {{monsymlink|salamander}}
-Fiery monsters will burn through any [[web]]s they move into, and gain immunity to sliming from [[green slime]] attacks or [[eating]] [[globs of green slime]].{{refsrc|include/mondata.h|82|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1640|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Fiery monsters naturally have fire resistance, and will actively [[eat]] globs of green slime as a cure for [[stoning]] if it is safe to do so. A fiery monster will always take damage from the moisture-inducing engulfing attack of a [[fog cloud]], even if they are otherwise [[unbreathing]].{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1913|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2243|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Quaffing a lit potion of oil while in the form of a fiery monster exercises [[wisdom]] and deals no damage.{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1115|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=actually checks for <tt>likes_fire(ptr)</tt>, though in practice this covers the same monsters as <tt>flaming (ptr)</tt>}}{{refsrc|include/mondata.h|188|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>likes_fire(ptr)</tt>}}
+Fiery monsters will burn through any [[web]]s they move into, and gain immunity to sliming from [[green slime]] attacks or [[eating]] [[globs of green slime]].{{refsrc|include/mondata.h|82|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1640|nethack=3.6.7}} Fiery monsters naturally have fire resistance, and will actively [[eat]] globs of green slime as a cure for [[stoning]] if it is safe to do so. A fiery monster will always take damage from the moisture-inducing engulfing attack of a [[fog cloud]], even if they are otherwise [[unbreathing]].{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1913|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2243|nethack=3.6.7}} Quaffing a lit potion of oil while in the form of a fiery monster exercises [[wisdom]] and deals no damage.{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1115|nethack=3.6.7|comment=actually checks for <tt>likes_fire(ptr)</tt>, though in practice this covers the same monsters as <tt>flaming (ptr)</tt>}}{{refsrc|include/mondata.h|188|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>likes_fire(ptr)</tt>}}
 ===Resistance and vulnerability===
-[[Fire resistance]] is a [[property]] that protects a hero or monster from fire damage by reducing or nullifying the amount of damage dealt, though it does not necessarily protect the items of a hero or monster hit by fire damage. [[Iron golem]]s hit by fire damage (including a hero in the form of an iron golem) have their HP restored by the amount of damage that would be dealt without their fire resistance.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|4046|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+[[Fire resistance]] is a [[property]] that protects a hero or monster from fire damage by reducing or nullifying the amount of damage dealt, though it does not necessarily protect the items of a hero or monster hit by fire damage. [[Iron golem]]s hit by fire damage (including a hero in the form of an iron golem) have their HP restored by the amount of damage that would be dealt without their fire resistance.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|4046|nethack=3.6.7}}
 Erosion-proofing a flammable item will make it "fireproof", though it is protected from all forms of erosion; fireproof [[water walking boots]] also allow a hero to walk on lava. Fireproof armor does not block fire damage against a hero or monster wearing that armor. The [[scroll of fire]] and [[spellbook of fireball]] are intrinsically immune to being destroyed by fire.
-Monsters that have [[cold resistance]] but do ''not'' have fire resistance are considered to have a [[vulnerability]] to fire, and take roughly 57% more damage from fire rays (+1d3 for each 1d6) as well as double damage from fiery [[explosion]]s{{refsrc|src/explode.c|440|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=double damage from fire explosions}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3629|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=extra damage from fire rays}}&mdash;this does not apply to a hero that [[polymorph]]s into a monster vulnerable to fire.
+Monsters that have [[cold resistance]] but do ''not'' have fire resistance are considered to have a [[vulnerability]] to fire, and take roughly 57% more damage from fire rays (+1d3 for each 1d6) as well as double damage from fiery [[explosion]]s{{refsrc|src/explode.c|440|nethack=3.6.7|comment=double damage from fire explosions}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3629|nethack=3.6.7|comment=extra damage from fire rays}}&mdash;this does not apply to a hero that [[polymorph]]s into a monster vulnerable to fire.
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|b98a70e3ecaa4cbb5eb18c99de61cf84a2b52213}}, a worn [[dwarvish cloak]] protects items in open inventory from fire damage {{frac|9|10}} of the time.
@@ Line 101: / Line 101: @@
 {{message|The fire doesn't feel hot!|As above, but you have fire resistance.}}
 {{message|<The monster> is melting!|An [[ice vortex]] or [[glass golem]] was set on fire by a melee attack; the temperature required for fire to melt glass is at least 1600 degrees C, or 2900 degrees F.}}
-{{message|<The monster> is already on fire!|A fiery monster was hit by fire damage from a monster's attack.{{refsrc|src/mondata.c|1145|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}}}
+{{message|<The monster> is already on fire!|A fiery monster was hit by fire damage from a monster's attack.{{refsrc|src/mondata.c|1145|nethack=3.6.7}}}}
 {{message|You are suddenly very hot!|You were hit by a passive fire attack.}}

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 Fire rays and explosions can destroy [[door]]s and may boil away any [[pool]]s of water that they affect, leaving behind [[pit]]s&mdash;fire rays and fire traps can also melt [[ice]].
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Fire rays and other sources of fire damage will light [[candle]]s, [[lamp]]s and potions of oil, with the exception of the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]].
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|6a35a84c56844e6c4bc6d2105c2368f9cd8f650e}}, fire rays and other sources of fire damage will light [[candle]]s, [[lamp]]s that have oil, and potions of oil, but not [[Candelabrum of Invocation]]. Per {{commit|c8d05ac3528c6c75a6b9cdfa60411d49a56048e3}}, this also excludes [[magic lamp]]s.
 Per {{commit|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, item destruction caused by fire damage is dependent on the amount of damage dealt, with the amount of items in open inventory that are affected being equal to {{frac|5}} of the fire damage inflicted.

@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 ==History==
-Fire as a damage type is present in Hack 1.21 and Hack for PDP-11, which are based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is also present in [[Hack 1.0]].
+Fire as a damage type is present in Hack 1.21 and Hack for PDP-11, which are based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is also present in [[Hack 1.0]]. From these versions to [[NetHack 2.2a]], the [[Dragon (monster)|dragon]] has a fire breath weapon by default.
-From these versions to [[NetHack 2.2a]], the [[Dragon (monster)|dragon]] has a fire breath weapon by default.
+In [[NetHack 3.6.0]] and earlier versions, including some variants based on those versions, monster attacks against other monsters with fire attacks (including a hero polymorphed into one) will always cause the weapons or armor used to heat up. This is fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.1]] via {{commit|09ebe44ae966912ff71281b9fac48be3ccc5e34c}} to give burning the same chance of occurring as it does for an attacking hero.
 ==Messages==

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 Falling into [[lava]] will completely destroy all flammable items, usually along with [[Instadeath|the victim themselves]].{{refsrc|src/trap.c|5261|nethack=3.6.7}}
-[[Paper golem]]s and [[straw golem]]s are especially vulnerable to fire: paper golems that take damage from [[fire trap]]s, the fire effect of [[magic trap]]s, and the fire effect of [[container trap]]s can lose maximum [[HP]] up to a value equal to that maximum plus one;{{refsrc|src/trap.c|2404|nethack=3.6.7}} straw golems that take damage from those same traps can lose maximum HP up to {{frac|2}} of that maximum plus one.{{refsrc|src/trap.c|2408|nethack=3.6.7}} Paper and straw golems that are set aflame by any other source of fire damage will burn up completely, which is an [[instant death]] that prevents them from leaving their special [[death drop]]s.{{refsrc|include/mondata.h|208|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1707|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1016|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mon.c|418|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero polymorphed into a paper or straw golem can also burn up if they are set aflame by fire damage, and can lose the same amount of their current form's maximum HP plus one from the same traps as those monsters do;{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1057|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3152|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3155|nethack=3.6.7}} dying from burning up this way returns the hero to normal form, even if they are wearing an [[amulet of unchanging]].{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1060|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Paper golem]]s and [[straw golem]]s are especially susceptible to fire: paper golems that take damage from [[fire trap]]s, the fire effect of [[magic trap]]s, and the fire effect of [[container trap]]s can lose maximum [[HP]] up to a value equal to that maximum plus one;{{refsrc|src/trap.c|2404|nethack=3.6.7}} straw golems that take damage from those same traps can lose maximum HP up to {{frac|2}} of that maximum plus one.{{refsrc|src/trap.c|2408|nethack=3.6.7}} Paper and straw golems that are set aflame by any other source of fire damage will burn up completely, which is an [[instant death]] that prevents them from leaving their special [[death drop]]s.{{refsrc|include/mondata.h|208|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1707|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1016|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mon.c|418|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero polymorphed into a paper or straw golem can also burn up if they are set aflame by fire damage, and can lose the same amount of their current form's maximum HP plus one from the same traps as those monsters do;{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1057|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3152|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3155|nethack=3.6.7}} dying from burning up this way returns the hero to normal form, even if they are wearing an [[amulet of unchanging]].{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1060|nethack=3.6.7}}
 A hero or monster subjected to fire damage will have [[sliming]] cured, due to the fire burning away the affected tissue, and monsters with fire breath weapons that are subjected to sliming will use it on themselves to burn away the slime. [[Flesh golem]]s subjected to fire damage will become [[slow]]er.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|4041|nethack=3.6.7}}

@@ Line 108: / Line 108: @@
 {{message|You are burning to a crisp!|You were engulfed by a steam vortex or fire vortex.}}
 {{message|[[You feel]] mildly hot.|As above, but you have fire resistance.}}
-{{message|<[[Foo]]> is burning to a crisp!|You engulfed a monster while in the form of a steam vortex or fire vortex.}}
+{{message|<The monster> is burning to a crisp!|You engulfed a monster while in the form of a steam vortex or fire vortex.}}
-{{message|<Foo> seems mildly hot.|As above, but the monster has fire resistance.}}
+{{message|<The monster> seems mildly hot.|As above, but the monster has fire resistance.}}
 {{message|<The golem> burns completely!|A paper or straw golem was hit with fire damage that destroyed it instantly.}}
 {{message|You smell burning paper.|As above, while you are [[blind]].}}
-{{message|May <pet> roast in peace.|Your pet paper or straw golem was set alight by fire.}}
+{{message|May <the pet> roast in peace.|Your pet paper or straw golem was set alight by fire.}}
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 ===Fire damage effects===
-Fire damage can cause a [[hero]] or monster to catch fire, which can [[erode]] affected armor and weapons made of [[organic]] material such as [[cloth]], [[leather]] or [[wood]] by burning them, and can destroy items made of flammable material such as [[scroll]]s and [[spellbook]]s{{refsrc|nethack=3.6.7|src/mkobj.c|1704|comment=<tt>is_flammable</tt> function}}&mdash;it can also cause [[potion]]s to explode by boiling their contents, which deals extra damage also subjects any hero or monster carrying those potions to their [[vapor]]s. Falling into [[lava]] will completely destroy all flammable items, usually along with [[Instadeath|the victim themselves]].{{refsrc|src/trap.c|5261|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Fire damage can cause a [[hero]] or monster to catch fire, which can [[erode]] affected armor made of [[organic]] material such as [[cloth]], [[leather]] or [[wood]] by burning them, and can destroy items made of flammable material such as [[scroll]]s and [[spellbook]]s{{refsrc|nethack=3.6.7|src/mkobj.c|1704|comment=<tt>is_flammable</tt> function}}&mdash;it can also cause [[potion]]s to explode by boiling their contents, which deals extra damage also subjects any hero or monster carrying those potions to their [[vapor]]s. An attack that hits a fiery monster which is not [[cancelled]] and is not a steam vortex has a {{frac|6}} of burning the weapon or armor used in the attack, even if the monster is killed.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1554-L1558|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2765-L2773|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|3004-L3010|nethack=3.6.7}}
-[[Paper golem]]s and [[straw golem]]s are especially vulnerable to fire: paper golems that take damage from [[fire trap]]s, the fire effect of [[magic trap]]s, and the fire effect of [[container trap]]s can lose maximum [[HP]] up to a value equal to that maximum plus one;{{refsrc|src/trap.c|2404|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} straw golems that take damage from those same traps can lose maximum HP up to {{frac|2}} of that maximum plus one.{{refsrc|src/trap.c|2408|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Paper and straw golems that are set aflame by any other source of fire damage will burn up completely, which is an [[instant death]] that prevents them from leaving their special [[death drop]]s.{{refsrc|include/mondata.h|208|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1707|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1016|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mon.c|418|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} A hero polymorphed into a paper or straw golem can also burn up if they are set aflame by fire damage, and can lose the same amount of their current form's maximum HP plus one from the same traps as those monsters do;{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1057|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3152|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3155|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} dying from burning up this way returns the hero to normal form, even if they are wearing an [[amulet of unchanging]].{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1060|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Falling into [[lava]] will completely destroy all flammable items, usually along with [[Instadeath|the victim themselves]].{{refsrc|src/trap.c|5261|nethack=3.6.7}}
-A hero or monster subjected to fire damage will have [[sliming]] cured, due to the fire burning away the affected tissue, and monsters with fire breath weapons that are subjected to sliming will use it on themselves to burn away the slime. [[Flesh golem]]s subjected to fire damage will become [[slow]]er.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|4041|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+[[Paper golem]]s and [[straw golem]]s are especially vulnerable to fire: paper golems that take damage from [[fire trap]]s, the fire effect of [[magic trap]]s, and the fire effect of [[container trap]]s can lose maximum [[HP]] up to a value equal to that maximum plus one;{{refsrc|src/trap.c|2404|nethack=3.6.7}} straw golems that take damage from those same traps can lose maximum HP up to {{frac|2}} of that maximum plus one.{{refsrc|src/trap.c|2408|nethack=3.6.7}} Paper and straw golems that are set aflame by any other source of fire damage will burn up completely, which is an [[instant death]] that prevents them from leaving their special [[death drop]]s.{{refsrc|include/mondata.h|208|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1707|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1016|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mon.c|418|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero polymorphed into a paper or straw golem can also burn up if they are set aflame by fire damage, and can lose the same amount of their current form's maximum HP plus one from the same traps as those monsters do;{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1057|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3152|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/trap.c|3155|nethack=3.6.7}} dying from burning up this way returns the hero to normal form, even if they are wearing an [[amulet of unchanging]].{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1060|nethack=3.6.7}}
 Fire rays and explosions can destroy [[door]]s and may boil away any [[pool]]s of water that they affect, leaving behind [[pit]]s&mdash;fire rays and fire traps can also melt [[ice]].
@@ Line 44: / Line 46: @@
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Fire rays and other sources of fire damage will light [[candle]]s, [[lamp]]s and potions of oil, with the exception of the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]].
-Item destruction caused by fire damage is dependent on the amount of damage dealt, with the amount of items in open inventory that are affected being equal to {{frac|5}} of the fire damage inflicted.
+Per {{commit|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, item destruction caused by fire damage is dependent on the amount of damage dealt, with the amount of items in open inventory that are affected being equal to {{frac|5}} of the fire damage inflicted.
-Per {{commit|6b8079a16f425aa80239b0b1009ec98a70af56ff}}, the fire pillar spell also melts [[ice]] on the target square.}}
+Per {{commit|6b8079a16f425aa80239b0b1009ec98a70af56ff}}, the fire pillar monster spell spell also melts [[ice]] on the target square.}}
 ===Fiery monsters===

@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 Monsters that have [[cold resistance]] but do ''not'' have fire resistance are considered to have a [[vulnerability]] to fire, and take roughly 57% more damage from fire rays (+1d3 for each 1d6) as well as double damage from fiery [[explosion]]s{{refsrc|src/explode.c|440|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=double damage from fire explosions}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3629|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=extra damage from fire rays}}&mdash;this does not apply to a hero that [[polymorph]]s into a monster vulnerable to fire.
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|b98a70e3ecaa4cbb5eb18c99de61cf84a2b52213}}, [[dwarvish cloak]]s protect items in open inventory from fire damage {{frac|9|10}} of the time.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|b98a70e3ecaa4cbb5eb18c99de61cf84a2b52213}}, a worn [[dwarvish cloak]] protects items in open inventory from fire damage {{frac|9|10}} of the time.
 Per {{commit|9942b65df78dd55a7806ec}}, extrinsic fire resistance protects items in open inventory from burning {{frac|99|100}} of the time, with a separate roll for each item that would be destroyed.}}