Freezing sphere - Revision history

Klepto: changed link to mainspace page.

2026-08-17T04:19:23Z

changed link to mainspace page.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:19, 17 August 2026
Line 60:		Line 60:
	In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], freezing spheres have an [[on-death explosion]] similar to [[gas spore]]s, covering a 3x3 area centered on it that can freeze potions items in the open inventories of anyone caught in the blast—cold resistance blocks HP damage from the explosion, and extrinsic cold resistance also prevents item damage.		In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], freezing spheres have an [[on-death explosion]] similar to [[gas spore]]s, covering a 3x3 area centered on it that can freeze potions items in the open inventories of anyone caught in the blast—cold resistance blocks HP damage from the explosion, and extrinsic cold resistance also prevents item damage.

	Freezing spheres can be [[Ward (dNetHack)\|warded]] by the [[~~User:Chris/dNetHack/Elder Elemental Eye\|~~Elder Elemental Eye]] at any level of reinforcement.		Freezing spheres can be [[Ward (dNetHack)\|warded]] by the [[Elder Elemental Eye]] at any level of reinforcement.

	Freezing spheres may be generated in [[Law quest (dNetHack)\|the Lawful Quest]], where they will appear on the Paths of Law and within the Arcadian Tower if [[Oona]]'s elemental affinity is cold. The [[summon sphere]] [[dNetHack monster spells\|monster spell]] can summon freezing spheres.		Freezing spheres may be generated in [[Law quest (dNetHack)\|the Lawful Quest]], where they will appear on the Paths of Law and within the Arcadian Tower if [[Oona]]'s elemental affinity is cold. The [[summon sphere]] [[dNetHack monster spells\|monster spell]] can summon freezing spheres.

Umbire the Phantom: variant stuff

2026-06-17T15:34:19Z

variant stuff

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 17 June 2026
Line 48:		Line 48:

	==Variants==		==Variants==
			''NetHack'' [[variant]]s created prior to NetHack 5.0.0 may or may not retain the freezing sphere's behavior from previous versions.

	===SLASH'EM===		===SLASH'EM===
	In [[SLASH'EM]], ~~freezing~~ spheres additionally have [[sleep resistance]] and [[Hits creatures as +x weapon\|hit as +2 weapons]], ~~and~~ they do not generate in [[Gehennom (SLASH'EM)\|Gehennom]].		In [[SLASH'EM]], flaming spheres behave mostly as they do in NetHack 3.4.3 and previous contemporary versions, and additionally have [[sleep resistance]] and [[Hits creatures as +x weapon\|hit as +2 weapons]]. As in ''NetHack'', they do not generate in [[Gehennom (SLASH'EM)\|Gehennom]].

	SLASH'EM makes the spellbook of freeze sphere and its spell functional:{{refsrc\|spell.c\|1118\|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} casting the spell summons a [[tame]] freezing sphere with 1 HP, and casting it at [[Skilled]] or higher in [[matter spells]] can summon multiple spheres.{{refsrc\|spell.c\|1123\|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc\|spell.c\|1128\|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} These freezing spheres will only exist temporarily, and monsters hit by their explosions are treated as though the hero had attacked them, e.g. awarding them [[experience]] for monsters that the sphere kills, angering [[peaceful]] monsters and so on.{{refsrc\|spell.c\|1130\|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} The spell also respects [[extinction]], meaning it has a finite number of uses throughout a given game.		SLASH'EM makes the spellbook of freeze sphere and its spell functional:{{refsrc\|spell.c\|1118\|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} casting the spell summons a [[tame]] freezing sphere with 1 HP, and casting it at [[Skilled]] or higher in [[matter spells]] can summon multiple spheres.{{refsrc\|spell.c\|1123\|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc\|spell.c\|1128\|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} These freezing spheres will only exist temporarily, and monsters hit by their explosions are treated as though the hero had attacked them, e.g. awarding them [[experience]] for monsters that the sphere kills, angering [[peaceful]] monsters and so on.{{refsrc\|spell.c\|1130\|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} The spell also respects [[extinction]], meaning it has a finite number of uses throughout a given game.
Line 62:		Line 64:
	Freezing spheres may be generated in [[Law quest (dNetHack)\|the Lawful Quest]], where they will appear on the Paths of Law and within the Arcadian Tower if [[Oona]]'s elemental affinity is cold. The [[summon sphere]] [[dNetHack monster spells\|monster spell]] can summon freezing spheres.		Freezing spheres may be generated in [[Law quest (dNetHack)\|the Lawful Quest]], where they will appear on the Paths of Law and within the Arcadian Tower if [[Oona]]'s elemental affinity is cold. The [[summon sphere]] [[dNetHack monster spells\|monster spell]] can summon freezing spheres.

	===~~xNetHack~~===		===SpliceHack===
	In [[~~xNetHack~~]], ~~the explosion attack of~~ freezing spheres ~~covers a 3x3 radius, affecting monsters, armor and items caught in the explosion as well~~ as ~~items~~ in ~~the open inventory of the victims—extrinsic cold resistance protects a hero or monster's open inventory from this damage {{frac\|99\|100}} of the time~~.		In [[SpliceHack]], freezing spheres behave as they do in NetHack 3.6.7 and previous versions.<!--verify more thoroughly-->

	~~===SpliceHack===~~		The spellbook of freeze sphere is made functional and works similar to SLASH'EM.
	~~In [[SpliceHack]], the~~ spellbook of freeze sphere is made functional and works similar to SLASH'EM.

	[[Reading]] a [[scroll of elementalism]] while [[confused]] has a {{frac\|4}} chance of summoning freezing spheres, which are tame if the scroll was blessed and read by a hero and will otherwise be hostile.		[[Reading]] a [[scroll of elementalism]] while [[confused]] has a {{frac\|4}} chance of summoning freezing spheres, which are tame if the scroll was blessed and read by a hero and will otherwise be hostile.
Line 73:		Line 74:

	===EvilHack===		===EvilHack===
	In [[EvilHack]], ~~the spellbook of freeze sphere is made functional and works similar to SLASH'EM, and spheres created by the spell are not counted towards the [[charisma]]-based limit for pets.~~		In [[EvilHack]], freezing spheres use explosion attacks and on-death explosions that cover a 3x3 radius centered on its square, freezing monsters and potions caught in the explosion.

	~~Freezing~~ spheres use explosion attacks and on-death explosions that cover a 3x3 radius centered on its square, freezing potions caught in the explosion.

	==Encyclopedia entry==		==Encyclopedia entry==

Umbire the Phantom: pastos, details, adjust history

2026-06-17T14:30:23Z

pastos, details, adjust history

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:30, 17 June 2026
Line 34:		Line 34:
	==Strategy==		==Strategy==
	{{recent\|NetHack 5.0.0\|Explosion attack changes and item destruction refactoring have significant ramifications.}}		{{recent\|NetHack 5.0.0\|Explosion attack changes and item destruction refactoring have significant ramifications.}}
	Freezing spheres are fairly annoying to deal with, despite lacking the destructive power of [[flaming sphere]]s: their movement [[speed]] of 13 makes them more likely to catch an unhasted hero, and pets that attack ~~flaming~~ spheres will likely trigger the explosion themselves and catch you or other pets and monsters in the crossfire. While [[invisibility]] and [[Displacement (property)\|displacement]] can fool a flaming sphere into exploding prematurely, there is a chance the hero may still be caught in the explosion.		Freezing spheres are fairly annoying to deal with, despite lacking the destructive power of [[flaming sphere]]s: their movement [[speed]] of 13 makes them more likely to catch an unhasted hero, and pets that attack freezing spheres will likely trigger the explosion themselves and catch you or other pets and monsters in the crossfire. While [[invisibility]] and [[Displacement (property)\|displacement]] can fool a flaming sphere into exploding prematurely, there is a chance the hero may still be caught in the explosion.

	If a hero catches sight of a freezing sphere but cannot stash any potions that are on hand, then they may consider dropping them before moving towards the sphere (or else directing it away from that square)—an extrinsic source of cold resistance is among the best forms of protection for a hero's inventory, and [[dwarvish cloak]]s can protect items from being burnt {{frac\|9\|10}} of the time, making them viable in a pinch.<ref name="prot_item"/>{{refsrc\|src/zap.c\|5691-L5695\|nethack=5.0.0\|comment=dwarvish cloak protection}} Freezing spheres can also be lured towards [[moat]]s, pools and [[lava]] in order to make it easier to traverse, though this is somewhat situational.		If a hero catches sight of a freezing sphere but cannot stash any potions that are on hand, then they may consider dropping them before moving towards the sphere (or else directing it away from that square)—an extrinsic source of cold resistance is among the best forms of protection for a hero's inventory, and [[dwarvish cloak]]s can protect items from being burnt {{frac\|9\|10}} of the time, making them viable in a pinch.<ref name="prot_item"/>{{refsrc\|src/zap.c\|5691-L5695\|nethack=5.0.0\|comment=dwarvish cloak protection}} Freezing spheres can also be lured towards [[moat]]s, pools and [[lava]] in order to make it easier to traverse, though this is somewhat situational: for example, the spheres do not naturally generate in Gehennom, where freezing lava or water makes many of the floors less perilous.

	The freezing sphere's nonexistent [[Magic resistance (monster)\|MR score]] means they can easily be dropped by [[poison]] damage, and they can otherwise be immobilized by means such as a [[wand of sleep]] that gives the hero (and/or their pets) a chance to kill them before they explode. [[Cancellation]] that hits through their mediocre 4 [[AC]] will reliably disable their explosive abilities and render them harmless. Be sure to keep freezing spheres away from [[leprechaun hall]]s, [[treasure zoo]]s and similar rooms that you do not want awakened if possible, and if a zoo contains a freezing sphere, try to save it for last if possible—[[stealth]] can be a useful aid for both purposes, though it will not always prevent sleeping monsters from awakening.		The freezing sphere's nonexistent [[Magic resistance (monster)\|MR score]] means they can easily be dropped by [[poison]] damage, and they can otherwise be immobilized by means such as a [[wand of sleep]] that gives the hero (and/or their pets) a chance to kill them before they explode. [[Cancellation]] that hits through their mediocre 4 [[AC]] will reliably disable their explosive abilities and render them harmless. Be sure to keep freezing spheres away from [[leprechaun hall]]s, [[treasure zoo]]s and similar rooms of monsters that you do not want awakened if possible, and if a zoo contains a freezing sphere, try to save it for last if possible—[[stealth]] can be a useful aid for both purposes, though it will not always prevent sleeping monsters from awakening.

	==History==		==History==
	The freezing sphere first appears in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]—the ice ball is a somewhat similar monster included in the bestiary of Hack 1.21, also based on Jay Fenlason's Hack.		The freezing sphere first appears in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]—the ice ball is a somewhat similar monster included in the bestiary of Hack 1.21, also based on Jay Fenlason's Hack.

	From this version to [[NetHack 3.6.7]], including some variants based on those versions, the [[Monster difficulty\|difficulty]] of the freezing sphere is 8: its explosion attack targets a single square, has a [[dexterity]]-based chance of dealing reduced damage, does not freeze potions, and is completely blocked by cold resistance.{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|2060-L2063\|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|2080-L2089\|nethack=3.6.7}}		From this version to [[NetHack 3.6.7]], including some variants based on those versions, the [[Monster difficulty\|difficulty]] of the freezing sphere is 8: its explosion attack targets a single square, has a [[dexterity]]-based chance of dealing reduced damage, does not freeze potions, and is completely blocked by cold resistance.{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|2060-L2063\|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|2080-L2089\|nethack=3.6.7}} Additionally, freezing spheres grant cold resistance only while eaten, which does not account for any form of digestion attack.

	The freezing sphere's current behavior is introduced in [[NetHack 5.0.0]] via {{commit\|6b60618e0e662b35b8e9c31dc9c4baee5ae70932}} and {{commit\|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, with the explosion behavior adapted from [[xNetHack]], while its monster difficulty rating is increased to 9—NetHack 5.0.0 fixes discrepancies related to the difficulty ratings for spheres via {{commit\|c38023432581178b3dabf1f492ec04e3dd427b18}}.		The freezing sphere's current behavior is introduced in [[NetHack 5.0.0]] via {{commit\|6b60618e0e662b35b8e9c31dc9c4baee5ae70932}} and {{commit\|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, with the explosion behavior adapted from [[xNetHack]], while its monster difficulty rating is increased to 9—NetHack 5.0.0 fixes discrepancies related to the difficulty ratings for spheres via {{commit\|c38023432581178b3dabf1f492ec04e3dd427b18}}. The ability to gain cold resistance from digesting a freezing sphere is also added in this version via {{commit\|0eadf8dfe1dac951a94225831f099de395e56b27}}, {{commit\|b25961fb131944353070be27a92accbd662673a0}} and {{commit\|c78e7af01378d5a54a080c5e5a9ef9f454f6b83f}}.

	~~Freezing spheres are also the subject of other [[software bug]] fixes and adjustments over several versions:~~

	* In versions up to ~~NetHack 3.6.7, freezing spheres grant~~ cold resistance ~~only while eaten, which does not account for any form of digestion attack. This~~ is ~~fixed~~ in ~~NetHack 5.0.0~~ via {{commit\|0eadf8dfe1dac951a94225831f099de395e56b27}}, {{commit\|b25961fb131944353070be27a92accbd662673a0}} and {{commit\|c78e7af01378d5a54a080c5e5a9ef9f454f6b83f}}.

	==Variants==		==Variants==

Umbire the Phantom: historicize, tick version number

2026-06-17T13:08:39Z

historicize, tick version number

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:08, 17 June 2026
Line 43:		Line 43:
	The freezing sphere first appears in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]—the ice ball is a somewhat similar monster included in the bestiary of Hack 1.21, also based on Jay Fenlason's Hack.		The freezing sphere first appears in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]—the ice ball is a somewhat similar monster included in the bestiary of Hack 1.21, also based on Jay Fenlason's Hack.

	From this version to [[NetHack 3.6.7]], including some variants based on those versions, the [[Monster difficulty\|difficulty]] of the freezing sphere is 8: its explosion attack targets a single square, has a [[dexterity]]-based chance of dealing reduced damage, does not freeze potions, and is completely blocked by cold resistance.{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|2060-L2063\|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|2080-L2089\|nethack=3.6.7}}~~<!--~~		From this version to [[NetHack 3.6.7]], including some variants based on those versions, the [[Monster difficulty\|difficulty]] of the freezing sphere is 8: its explosion attack targets a single square, has a [[dexterity]]-based chance of dealing reduced damage, does not freeze potions, and is completely blocked by cold resistance.{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|2060-L2063\|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|2080-L2089\|nethack=3.6.7}}

	~~{{upcoming\|~~NetHack 3.7.0\|~~Per~~ {{commit\|~~6b60618e0e662b35b8e9c31dc9c4baee5ae70932~~}}, ~~freezing spheres create 3x3 explosions~~ with ~~their attacks that can affect items and other monsters caught within the blast radius: this can shatter and [[potion]]s, but does not affect~~ the ~~inventory of a hero that is [[polymorph]]ed into a freezing sphere and explodes using this attack. This is~~ adapted from [[xNetHack]]~~. The freezing sphere's [[Monster difficulty\|~~difficulty rating]] is ~~also raised~~ to 9~~, with~~ difficulty ~~calculations adjusted~~ via {{commit\|c38023432581178b3dabf1f492ec04e3dd427b18}} ~~to fix related discrepancies~~.		The freezing sphere's current behavior is introduced in [[NetHack 5.0.0]] via {{commit\|6b60618e0e662b35b8e9c31dc9c4baee5ae70932}} and {{commit\|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, with the explosion behavior adapted from [[xNetHack]], while its monster difficulty rating is increased to 9—NetHack 5.0.0 fixes discrepancies related to the difficulty ratings for spheres via {{commit\|c38023432581178b3dabf1f492ec04e3dd427b18}}.

	~~Per {{commit\|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, item destruction caused by cold 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 cold damage inflicted.~~		Freezing spheres are also the subject of other [[software bug]] fixes and adjustments over several versions:

	~~Per~~ {{commit\|0eadf8dfe1dac951a94225831f099de395e56b27}} ~~and~~ {{commit\|b25961fb131944353070be27a92accbd662673a0}}~~, pets~~ and ~~other monsters can gain intrinsics from killing monsters using [[digestion attack]]s, allowing a monster to gain cold resistance by digesting a freezing sphere. Per~~ {{commit\|c78e7af01378d5a54a080c5e5a9ef9f454f6b83f}}~~, this also applies to a hero polymorphed into a monster with a digesting attack~~.~~}}-->~~		* In versions up to NetHack 3.6.7, freezing spheres grant cold resistance only while eaten, which does not account for any form of digestion attack. This is fixed in NetHack 5.0.0 via {{commit\|0eadf8dfe1dac951a94225831f099de395e56b27}}, {{commit\|b25961fb131944353070be27a92accbd662673a0}} and {{commit\|c78e7af01378d5a54a080c5e5a9ef9f454f6b83f}}.

	==Variants==		==Variants==
Line 86:		Line 86:
	==References==		==References==
	<references/>		<references/>
	{{nethack-~~367~~}}		{{nethack-500}}
	[[Category:Monsters]]		[[Category:Monsters]]

Umbire the Phantom: resume nh5 stuff

2026-06-17T11:57:02Z

resume nh5 stuff

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:57, 17 June 2026
Line 21:		Line 21:
	A '''freezing sphere''', {{monsym\|freezing sphere}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The freezing sphere is a [[sphere]] monster that has an affinity to [[cold]], and it is the only sphere that does not [[Light source\|emit light]], otherwise behaving mostly like other spheres do.		A '''freezing sphere''', {{monsym\|freezing sphere}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The freezing sphere is a [[sphere]] monster that has an affinity to [[cold]], and it is the only sphere that does not [[Light source\|emit light]], otherwise behaving mostly like other spheres do.

	A freezing sphere has a cold [[explosion attack]] that causes them to self-destruct and cover a 3x3 square radius centered on their position, which deals 4-24 base damage to a [[hero]] or any other monsters caught in the explosion:{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|1616-L1622\|nethack=5.0.0}} this can freeze [[moat]]s or pools in the explosion's radius and has a chance of shattering [[potion]]s on the floor and in the inventory of anyone caught in the blast, with the amount of items affected being equal to {{frac\|5}} of the cold damage that was dealt—a hero or monster with a source of extrinsic [[cold resistance]] has a {{frac\|99\|100}} chance per item of preventing their potions from freezing. Freezing spheres possess cold resistance.		A freezing sphere has a cold [[explosion attack]] that causes them to self-destruct and cover a 3x3 square radius centered on their position, which deals 4-24 base damage to a [[hero]] or any other monsters caught in the explosion:{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|1616-L1622\|nethack=5.0.0}} this can freeze [[moat]]s or pools in the explosion's radius and has a chance of shattering [[potion]]s on the floor and in the inventory of anyone caught in the blast, with the amount of items affected being equal to {{frac\|5}} of the cold damage that was dealt—a hero or monster with a source of extrinsic [[cold resistance]] has a {{frac\|99\|100}} chance per item of preventing their potions from freezing.{{refsrc\|src/zap.c\|5685-L5689\|nethack=5.0.0\|name="prot_item"\|comment=protection via extrinsic resistances}} Freezing spheres possess cold resistance.

	The [[spellbook of freeze sphere]] is a [[deferred feature]] that teaches a spell the [[hero]] can use to create [[tame]] freezing spheres.		The [[spellbook of freeze sphere]] is a [[deferred feature]] that teaches a spell the [[hero]] can use to create [[tame]] freezing spheres.
Line 34:		Line 34:
	==Strategy==		==Strategy==
	{{recent\|NetHack 5.0.0\|Explosion attack changes and item destruction refactoring have significant ramifications.}}		{{recent\|NetHack 5.0.0\|Explosion attack changes and item destruction refactoring have significant ramifications.}}
	Freezing spheres are fairly annoying to deal with, ~~though thankfully~~ their ~~explosion attack cannot destroy any~~ of ~~the~~ hero~~'s inventory. Pets~~ that attack ~~freezing~~ spheres will likely ~~take~~ the explosion in ~~your stead, and cold resistance completely trivializes them~~. ~~Freezing spheres can also be made to miss if you are~~ [[~~invisible~~]] ~~or have~~ [[Displacement (property)\|displacement]]~~, and their nonexistent [[Magic resistance (monster)\|MR score]] means they~~ can ~~easily be put to sleep or otherwise immobilized~~, ~~allowing~~ a hero ~~or their pet to kill them before they can explode~~.		Freezing spheres are fairly annoying to deal with, despite lacking the destructive power of [[flaming sphere]]s: their movement [[speed]] of 13 makes them more likely to catch an unhasted hero, and pets that attack flaming spheres will likely trigger the explosion themselves and catch you or other pets and monsters in the crossfire. While [[invisibility]] and [[Displacement (property)\|displacement]] can fool a flaming sphere into exploding prematurely, there is a chance the hero may still be caught in the explosion.

	~~Be sure to keep~~ freezing ~~spheres~~ away from [[~~leprechaun hall~~]]s, [[~~treasure zoo~~]]s ~~and similar rooms that you do not want awakened if possible~~, and ~~if a zoo contains a freezing sphere, try to save it for last—~~[[~~stealth~~]] is ~~valuable for both purposes~~.		If a hero catches sight of a freezing sphere but cannot stash any potions that are on hand, then they may consider dropping them before moving towards the sphere (or else directing it away from that square)—an extrinsic source of cold resistance is among the best forms of protection for a hero's inventory, and [[dwarvish cloak]]s can protect items from being burnt {{frac\|9\|10}} of the time, making them viable in a pinch.<ref name="prot_item"/>{{refsrc\|src/zap.c\|5691-L5695\|nethack=5.0.0\|comment=dwarvish cloak protection}} Freezing spheres can also be lured towards [[moat]]s, pools and [[lava]] in order to make it easier to traverse, though this is somewhat situational.

	~~{{upcoming~~\|~~NetHack 3~~.7.~~0\|Per {{commit\|9942b65df78dd55a7806ec6ea2821693a7131c97}}~~, ~~extrinsic cold resistance protects the target'~~s ~~open inventory from damage by~~ a freezing sphere ~~explosion {{frac\|99\|100}} of the time~~.}}		The freezing sphere's nonexistent [[Magic resistance (monster)\|MR score]] means they can easily be dropped by [[poison]] damage, and they can otherwise be immobilized by means such as a [[wand of sleep]] that gives the hero (and/or their pets) a chance to kill them before they explode. [[Cancellation]] that hits through their mediocre 4 [[AC]] will reliably disable their explosive abilities and render them harmless. Be sure to keep freezing spheres away from [[leprechaun hall]]s, [[treasure zoo]]s and similar rooms that you do not want awakened if possible, and if a zoo contains a freezing sphere, try to save it for last if possible—[[stealth]] can be a useful aid for both purposes, though it will not always prevent sleeping monsters from awakening.

	==History==		==History==
	The freezing sphere first appears in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]—the ice ball is a somewhat similar monster included in the bestiary of Hack 1.21, also based on Jay Fenlason's Hack.<!--		The freezing sphere first appears in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]—the ice ball is a somewhat similar monster included in the bestiary of Hack 1.21, also based on Jay Fenlason's Hack.

			From this version to [[NetHack 3.6.7]], including some variants based on those versions, the [[Monster difficulty\|difficulty]] of the freezing sphere is 8: its explosion attack targets a single square, has a [[dexterity]]-based chance of dealing reduced damage, does not freeze potions, and is completely blocked by cold resistance.{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|2060-L2063\|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|2080-L2089\|nethack=3.6.7}}<!--

	{{upcoming\|NetHack 3.7.0\|Per {{commit\|6b60618e0e662b35b8e9c31dc9c4baee5ae70932}}, freezing spheres create 3x3 explosions with their attacks that can affect items and other monsters caught within the blast radius: this can shatter and [[potion]]s, but does not affect the inventory of a hero that is [[polymorph]]ed into a freezing sphere and explodes using this attack. This is adapted from [[xNetHack]]. The freezing sphere's [[Monster difficulty\|difficulty rating]] is also raised to 9, with difficulty calculations adjusted via {{commit\|c38023432581178b3dabf1f492ec04e3dd427b18}} to fix related discrepancies.		{{upcoming\|NetHack 3.7.0\|Per {{commit\|6b60618e0e662b35b8e9c31dc9c4baee5ae70932}}, freezing spheres create 3x3 explosions with their attacks that can affect items and other monsters caught within the blast radius: this can shatter and [[potion]]s, but does not affect the inventory of a hero that is [[polymorph]]ed into a freezing sphere and explodes using this attack. This is adapted from [[xNetHack]]. The freezing sphere's [[Monster difficulty\|difficulty rating]] is also raised to 9, with difficulty calculations adjusted via {{commit\|c38023432581178b3dabf1f492ec04e3dd427b18}} to fix related discrepancies.

Umbire the Phantom: start nh5 updates

2026-06-13T22:02:53Z

start nh5 updates

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:02, 13 June 2026
Line 17:		Line 17:
	\|resistances conveyed=[[cold resistance]]		\|resistances conveyed=[[cold resistance]]
	\|attributes={{attributes\|A freezing sphere\|nocorpse=1\|fly=1\|breathless=1\|nolimbs=1\|nohead=1\|mindless=1\|hostile=1\|neuter=1\|infravisible=1\|nohell=1}}		\|attributes={{attributes\|A freezing sphere\|nocorpse=1\|fly=1\|breathless=1\|nolimbs=1\|nohead=1\|mindless=1\|hostile=1\|neuter=1\|infravisible=1\|nohell=1}}
	\|reference=[https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/blob/NetHack-3.6.~~7_Released~~/~~src~~/~~monst~~.c#~~L314~~ NetHack 3.6.7 - ~~src~~/~~monst~~.c, line ~~314~~]		\|reference=[https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/blob/NetHack-5.0.0_Released/include/monsters.h#L341 NetHack 5.0.0 - include/monsters.h, line 341]
	}}		}}
	A '''freezing sphere''', {{monsym\|freezing sphere}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The freezing sphere is a [[sphere]] monster that has an affinity to [[cold]] and is the only sphere that does not [[Light source\|emit light]], ~~but behaves~~ mostly like other spheres do ~~otherwise~~.		A '''freezing sphere''', {{monsym\|freezing sphere}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The freezing sphere is a [[sphere]] monster that has an affinity to [[cold]], and it is the only sphere that does not [[Light source\|emit light]], otherwise behaving mostly like other spheres do.

	A freezing sphere has a cold [[explosion attack]] that causes them to self-destruct and ~~blast~~ a ~~single target for~~ 4-24 base damage~~, which has~~ a [[~~dexterity]]-based chance of dealing reduced damage and is completely blocked by [[cold resistance~~]].{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|~~2060~~-~~L2063~~\|nethack=3.6.7}}{{~~refsrc~~\|~~src/mhitu.c~~\|~~2080-L2089~~\|~~nethack=3.6.7~~}} Freezing spheres possess cold resistance.		A freezing sphere has a cold [[explosion attack]] that causes them to self-destruct and cover a 3x3 square radius centered on their position, which deals 4-24 base damage to a [[hero]] or any other monsters caught in the explosion:{{refsrc\|src/mhitu.c\|1616-L1622\|nethack=5.0.0}} this can freeze [[moat]]s or pools in the explosion's radius and has a chance of shattering [[potion]]s on the floor and in the inventory of anyone caught in the blast, with the amount of items affected being equal to {{frac\|5}} of the cold damage that was dealt—a hero or monster with a source of extrinsic [[cold resistance]] has a {{frac\|99\|100}} chance per item of preventing their potions from freezing. Freezing spheres possess cold resistance.

	The [[spellbook of freeze sphere]] is a [[deferred feature]] that teaches a spell the [[hero]] can use to create tame freezing spheres.		The [[spellbook of freeze sphere]] is a [[deferred feature]] that teaches a spell the [[hero]] can use to create [[tame]] freezing spheres.

	{{upcoming\|NetHack 3.7.0\|Per {{commit\|6b60618e0e662b35b8e9c31dc9c4baee5ae70932}}, freezing spheres create 3x3 explosions with their attacks that can affect items and other monsters caught within the blast radius: this can shatter and [[potion]]s, but does not affect the inventory of a hero that is [[polymorph]]ed into a freezing sphere ~~and explodes using this attack. This is adapted from [[xNetHack]]. The freezing sphere's [[Monster difficulty\|difficulty rating]] is also raised to 9,~~ with ~~difficulty calculations adjusted via {{commit\|c38023432581178b3dabf1f492ec04e3dd427b18}} to fix related discrepancies.~~		Killing a freezing sphere with a [[digestion attack]] can grant cold resistance to the digesting hero or monster.

	Per {{commit\|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, item destruction caused by cold 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 cold damage inflicted.

	~~Per {{commit\|0eadf8dfe1dac951a94225831f099de395e56b27}} and {{commit\|b25961fb131944353070be27a92accbd662673a0}}, pets and other monsters can gain intrinsics from killing monsters using~~ [[digestion attack]]~~s, allowing a monster to gain~~ cold resistance by digesting ~~a freezing sphere. Per {{commit\|c78e7af01378d5a54a080c5e5a9ef9f454f6b83f}}, this also applies to a~~ hero ~~polymorphed into a~~ monster ~~with a digesting attack~~.}}

	==Generation==		==Generation==
	Randomly generated freezing spheres are always created hostile, and they will not be generated in [[Gehennom]].		Randomly-generated freezing spheres are always created [[hostile]], and they will not be generated in [[Gehennom]].

	A freezing sphere [[Corpseless\|does not leave a corpse]] upon death.		A freezing sphere [[Corpseless\|does not leave a corpse]] upon death.

	==Strategy==		==Strategy==
			{{recent\|NetHack 5.0.0\|Explosion attack changes and item destruction refactoring have significant ramifications.}}
	Freezing spheres are fairly annoying to deal with, though thankfully their explosion attack cannot destroy any of the hero's inventory. Pets that attack freezing spheres will likely take the explosion in your stead, and cold resistance completely trivializes them. Freezing spheres can also be made to miss if you are [[invisible]] or have [[Displacement (property)\|displacement]], and their nonexistent [[Magic resistance (monster)\|MR score]] means they can easily be put to sleep or otherwise immobilized, allowing a hero or their pet to kill them before they can explode.		Freezing spheres are fairly annoying to deal with, though thankfully their explosion attack cannot destroy any of the hero's inventory. Pets that attack freezing spheres will likely take the explosion in your stead, and cold resistance completely trivializes them. Freezing spheres can also be made to miss if you are [[invisible]] or have [[Displacement (property)\|displacement]], and their nonexistent [[Magic resistance (monster)\|MR score]] means they can easily be put to sleep or otherwise immobilized, allowing a hero or their pet to kill them before they can explode.

Line 44:		Line 41:

	==History==		==History==
	The freezing sphere first appears in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]—the ice ball is a somewhat similar monster included in the bestiary of Hack 1.21, also based on Jay Fenlason's Hack.		The freezing sphere first appears in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]—the ice ball is a somewhat similar monster included in the bestiary of Hack 1.21, also based on Jay Fenlason's Hack.<!--

			{{upcoming\|NetHack 3.7.0\|Per {{commit\|6b60618e0e662b35b8e9c31dc9c4baee5ae70932}}, freezing spheres create 3x3 explosions with their attacks that can affect items and other monsters caught within the blast radius: this can shatter and [[potion]]s, but does not affect the inventory of a hero that is [[polymorph]]ed into a freezing sphere and explodes using this attack. This is adapted from [[xNetHack]]. The freezing sphere's [[Monster difficulty\|difficulty rating]] is also raised to 9, with difficulty calculations adjusted via {{commit\|c38023432581178b3dabf1f492ec04e3dd427b18}} to fix related discrepancies.

			Per {{commit\|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, item destruction caused by cold 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 cold damage inflicted.

			Per {{commit\|0eadf8dfe1dac951a94225831f099de395e56b27}} and {{commit\|b25961fb131944353070be27a92accbd662673a0}}, pets and other monsters can gain intrinsics from killing monsters using [[digestion attack]]s, allowing a monster to gain cold resistance by digesting a freezing sphere. Per {{commit\|c78e7af01378d5a54a080c5e5a9ef9f454f6b83f}}, this also applies to a hero polymorphed into a monster with a digesting attack.}}-->

	==Variants==		==Variants==

Umbire the Phantom: pothole, etc.

2026-05-18T21:40:13Z

pothole, etc.

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:40, 18 May 2026
Line 37:		Line 37:

	==Strategy==		==Strategy==
	Freezing spheres are fairly annoying to deal with, though thankfully their explosion attack cannot destroy any of the hero's inventory. Pets that attack freezing spheres will likely take the explosion in your stead, and cold resistance completely trivializes them. Freezing spheres can also be made to miss if you are [[invisible]] or [[~~displaced~~]], and their nonexistent [[Magic resistance (monster)\|MR score]] means they can easily be put to sleep or otherwise immobilized, allowing a hero or their pet to kill them before they can explode.		Freezing spheres are fairly annoying to deal with, though thankfully their explosion attack cannot destroy any of the hero's inventory. Pets that attack freezing spheres will likely take the explosion in your stead, and cold resistance completely trivializes them. Freezing spheres can also be made to miss if you are [[invisible]] or have [[Displacement (property)\|displacement]], and their nonexistent [[Magic resistance (monster)\|MR score]] means they can easily be put to sleep or otherwise immobilized, allowing a hero or their pet to kill them before they can explode.

	Be sure to keep freezing spheres away from [[leprechaun hall]]s, [[treasure zoo]]s and similar rooms that you do not want awakened if possible, and if a zoo contains a freezing sphere, try to save it for last—[[stealth]] is valuable for both purposes.		Be sure to keep freezing spheres away from [[leprechaun hall]]s, [[treasure zoo]]s and similar rooms that you do not want awakened if possible, and if a zoo contains a freezing sphere, try to save it for last—[[stealth]] is valuable for both purposes.

Ray Chason: Update difficulty

2026-05-14T03:03:29Z

Update difficulty

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:03, 14 May 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{monster		{{monster
	\|name=freezing sphere		\|name=freezing sphere
	\|difficulty=8		\|difficulty=9
	\|level=6		\|level=6
	\|experience=91		\|experience=91

Umbire the Phantom: elder eye

2025-12-26T23:07:23Z

elder eye

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:07, 26 December 2025
Line 56:		Line 56:
	===dNetHack===		===dNetHack===
	In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], freezing spheres have an [[on-death explosion]] similar to [[gas spore]]s, covering a 3x3 area centered on it that can freeze potions items in the open inventories of anyone caught in the blast—cold resistance blocks HP damage from the explosion, and extrinsic cold resistance also prevents item damage.		In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], freezing spheres have an [[on-death explosion]] similar to [[gas spore]]s, covering a 3x3 area centered on it that can freeze potions items in the open inventories of anyone caught in the blast—cold resistance blocks HP damage from the explosion, and extrinsic cold resistance also prevents item damage.

			Freezing spheres can be [[Ward (dNetHack)\|warded]] by the [[User:Chris/dNetHack/Elder Elemental Eye\|Elder Elemental Eye]] at any level of reinforcement.

	Freezing spheres may be generated in [[Law quest (dNetHack)\|the Lawful Quest]], where they will appear on the Paths of Law and within the Arcadian Tower if [[Oona]]'s elemental affinity is cold. The [[summon sphere]] [[dNetHack monster spells\|monster spell]] can summon freezing spheres.		Freezing spheres may be generated in [[Law quest (dNetHack)\|the Lawful Quest]], where they will appear on the Paths of Law and within the Arcadian Tower if [[Oona]]'s elemental affinity is cold. The [[summon sphere]] [[dNetHack monster spells\|monster spell]] can summon freezing spheres.

Umbire the Phantom: upcoming

2025-12-26T22:51:11Z

upcoming

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:51, 26 December 2025
Line 29:		Line 29:
	Per {{commit\|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, item destruction caused by cold 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 cold damage inflicted.		Per {{commit\|eb22a81088c220ba18c26a872d9087035c5c444d}}, item destruction caused by cold 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 cold damage inflicted.

	Per {{commit\|0eadf8dfe1dac951a94225831f099de395e56b27}}, pets and other monsters can gain intrinsics from killing monsters using [[digestion attack]]s, allowing a monster to gain cold resistance by digesting a freezing sphere. Per {{commit\|c78e7af01378d5a54a080c5e5a9ef9f454f6b83f}}, this also applies to a hero polymorphed into a monster with a digesting attack.}}		Per {{commit\|0eadf8dfe1dac951a94225831f099de395e56b27}} and {{commit\|b25961fb131944353070be27a92accbd662673a0}}, pets and other monsters can gain intrinsics from killing monsters using [[digestion attack]]s, allowing a monster to gain cold resistance by digesting a freezing sphere. Per {{commit\|c78e7af01378d5a54a080c5e5a9ef9f454f6b83f}}, this also applies to a hero polymorphed into a monster with a digesting attack.}}

	==Generation==		==Generation==