Genetic engineer - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-01-01T01:55:13Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: re-org some, correct latest relevant commit

2025-10-08T04:30:48Z

re-org some, correct latest relevant commit

Umbire the Phantom: updates

2025-06-24T02:19:06Z

updates

Umbire the Phantom: /* Messages */ eating corpse/tin

2024-12-24T18:03:59Z

‎Messages: eating corpse/tin

Umbire the Phantom: remove message, already standard for system shock

2024-12-24T17:18:43Z

remove message, already standard for system shock

Umbire the Phantom: more detail on the system shock

2024-12-24T16:57:40Z

more detail on the system shock

Umbire the Phantom: word choice, details, messages

2024-12-24T16:55:02Z

word choice, details, messages

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2024-12-24T16:18:43Z

word choice

Umbire the Phantom: for after upcoming

2024-12-24T16:12:06Z

for after upcoming

Umbire the Phantom: retool to reflect upcoming vanilla

2024-12-24T16:11:35Z

retool to reflect upcoming vanilla

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
   |weight=1450
   |nutr=20
-  |attacks=Claw 1d4 [[polymorph]]
+  |attacks=[[Claw attack|Claw]] 1d4 [[polymorph]]
   |resistances=[[poison resistance]]
   |resistances conveyed=Causes [[polymorph]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{monster
   |name=genetic engineer
@@ Line 19: / Line 20: @@
   |reference=[https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/blob/7122c0cb0aae4fe3c2af6371a8903b7e96819906/include/monsters.h#L2136 NetHack 3.7.0 (last commit 0e50adc) - monsters.h, line 2136]
 }}
 {{for|the monster in other variants|Genetic engineer (disambiguation)}}
 A '''genetic engineer''', {{monsym|genetic engineer}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[NetHack 3.7.0]]. The genetic engineer, {{green|U}}, also appears in [[xNetHack]]. A genetic engineer is a type of [[humanoid]] [[Quantum mechanic (monster class)|quantum mechanic]] monster that can be seen via [[infravision]], and can [[teleport]] at random.

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
   |weight=1450
   |nutr=20
-  |attacks=Claw [[polymorph]] 1d4
+  |attacks=Claw 1d4 [[polymorph]]
   |resistances=[[poison resistance]]
   |resistances conveyed=Causes [[polymorph]]
   |attributes={{attributes|A genetic engineer|humanoid=1|omnivore=1|pois=1|tport=1|hostile=1|infravisible=1}}
-  |reference=[https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/blob/e32ac5a7c77074b13136ab2582add1bf01d71913/include/monsters.h#L2134 NetHack 3.7.0 (last commit e32ac5a) - monsters.h, line 2134]
+  |reference=[https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/blob/7122c0cb0aae4fe3c2af6371a8903b7e96819906/include/monsters.h#L2136 NetHack 3.7.0 (last commit 0e50adc) - monsters.h, line 2136]
 }}
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|The genetic engineer is added in {{commit|7817e69c41a145cb9426ec96e0feee2aed6f0be6}}, and has been subject to a few changes since its introduction&mdash;the article's text below reflects the most current information as of {{commit|e32ac5a7c77074b13136ab2582add1bf01d71913}}.}}
+{{upcoming|3.7.0|The genetic engineer is added in {{commit|7817e69c41a145cb9426ec96e0feee2aed6f0be6}}, and has been subject to a few changes since its introduction&mdash;the article reflects the most current information as of the latest relevant commit ({{commit|0e50adcc1eb4b9580bc124da38999b74083eb087}}).}}
 {{for|the monster in other variants|Genetic engineer (disambiguation)}}
-A '''genetic engineer''', {{monsym|genetic engineer}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[NetHack 3.7.0]]. The genetic engineer is a type of [[humanoid]] [[Quantum mechanic (monster class)|quantum mechanic]] monster that can be seen via [[infravision]], and can [[teleport]] at random.
+A '''genetic engineer''', {{monsym|genetic engineer}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[NetHack 3.7.0]]. The genetic engineer, {{green|U}}, also appears in [[xNetHack]]. A genetic engineer is a type of [[humanoid]] [[Quantum mechanic (monster class)|quantum mechanic]] monster that can be seen via [[infravision]], and can [[teleport]] at random.
-A genetic engineer has a single claw attack that can [[polymorph]] its target if the engineer is not [[canceled]], with details varying depending on if the attack hits the [[hero]] or a monster: against the hero, it can be blocked by [[magic cancellation]], [[unchanging]] or [[magic resistance]], and otherwise the hero is polymorphed; against another monster, if the target does not have magic resistance and they are not killed by the attack, the monster is polymorphed. In both cases, there is a chance of the victim suffering [[system shock]] that deals damage equal to half their maximum HP rounded up, and does not leave a corpse if the resulting damage kills them. A [[werecreature]] that is polymorphed by a genetic engineer attack (including the hero if they have [[lycanthropy]]) will switch between their human and animal forms. The genetic engineer will teleport away if possible after successfully polymorphing a hero or monster with its attack, and cannot polymorph a monster with the attack for another turn or two; this latter restriction is not applied to the hero in genetic engineer form.
+A genetic engineer has a single [[claw attack]] that can [[polymorph]] its target if the engineer is not [[cancelled]], with details varying depending on if the attack hits the [[hero]] or a monster: against the hero, it can be blocked by [[magic cancellation]], [[unchanging]] or [[magic resistance]], and otherwise the hero is polymorphed; against another monster, if the target does not have magic resistance and they are not killed by the attack, the monster is polymorphed. In both cases, there is a chance of the victim suffering [[system shock]] that deals damage equal to half their maximum HP rounded up, and does not leave a corpse if the resulting damage kills them. A [[werecreature]] that is polymorphed by a genetic engineer attack (including the hero if they have [[lycanthropy]]) will switch between their human and animal forms. The genetic engineer will teleport away if possible after successfully polymorphing a hero or monster with its attack, and cannot polymorph a monster with the attack for another turn or two; this latter restriction is not applied to a hero that is polymorphed into the form of a genetic engineer.
 A genetic engineer [[corpse]] is [[poisonous]] to eat, and [[eating]] a genetic engineer corpse or [[tin]] will polymorph the eater unless they have unchanging&mdash;a [[pet]] will not eat a genetic engineer corpse unless they are starving or on the verge of untaming.
@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 {{message|You are subjected to a freakish metamorphosis.|You were polymorphed by a genetic engineer's attack.}}
-{{message|[[You feel]] an <un>natural urge coming on.|As above, but you have lycanthropy and were switched between forms, with "unnatural" used if you shift from your base form and "natural" otherwise.}}
+{{message|[[You feel]] an <un>natural urge coming on.|As above, but you have lycanthropy and were switched between forms, with "unnatural" used if you shift from your base form and "natural" used otherwise.}}
-{{message|<[[Foo]]/It> undergoes a freakish metamorphosis, and turns into <new monster>.|A monster was hit by a genetic engineer's attack and polymorphed. "It" is used if the affected monster was not visible at the time.}}
+{{message|<The monster/It> undergoes a freakish metamorphosis, and turns into <new monster>.|A monster was hit by a genetic engineer's attack and polymorphed. "It" is used if the affected monster was not visible at the time.}}
-{{message|<[[Foo]]> undergoes a freakish metamorphosis, and disappears.|As above, but the monster disappeared from the hero's view as a result of the transformation, e.g. into a monster that is [[invisible]].}}
+{{message|<The monster> undergoes a freakish metamorphosis, and disappears.|As above, but the monster disappeared from the hero's view as a result of the transformation, e.g. into a monster that is [[invisible]].}}
 ==Encyclopedia entry==
@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 elaborate laboratory to accomplish such abominations, a mere
 touch seems to be all that is necessary.
 }}
 [[Category:Monsters]]

@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 ==Messages==
 {{message|You are subjected to a freakish metamorphosis.|You were polymorphed by a genetic engineer's attack.}}
 {{message|[[You feel]] an <un>natural urge coming on.|As above, but you have lycanthropy and were switched between forms, with "unnatural" used if you shift from your base form and "natural" otherwise.}}

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 {{message|You are subjected to a freakish metamorphosis.|You were polymorphed by a genetic engineer's attack.}}
 {{message|[[You feel]] an <un>natural urge coming on.|As above, but you have lycanthropy and were switched between forms, with "unnatural" used if you shift from your base form and "natural" otherwise.}}
 {{message|<[[Foo]]/It> undergoes a freakish metamorphosis, and turns into <new monster>.|A monster was hit by a genetic engineer's attack and polymorphed. "It" is used if the affected monster was not visible at the time.}}
 {{message|<[[Foo]]> undergoes a freakish metamorphosis, and disappears.|As above, but the monster disappeared from the hero's view as a result of the transformation, e.g. into a monster that is [[invisible]].}}

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
   |reference=[https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/blob/e32ac5a7c77074b13136ab2582add1bf01d71913/include/monsters.h#L2134 NetHack 3.7.0 (last commit e32ac5a) - monsters.h, line 2134]
 }}
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|The genetic engineer is added in {{commit|7817e69c41a145cb9426ec96e0feee2aed6f0be6}}, and has been subject to a few changes since its introduction&mdash;the information below reflects the most current information as of {{commit|e32ac5a7c77074b13136ab2582add1bf01d71913}}.}}
+{{upcoming|3.7.0|The genetic engineer is added in {{commit|7817e69c41a145cb9426ec96e0feee2aed6f0be6}}, and has been subject to a few changes since its introduction&mdash;the article's text below reflects the most current information as of {{commit|e32ac5a7c77074b13136ab2582add1bf01d71913}}.}}
 {{for|the monster in other variants|Genetic engineer (disambiguation)}}
 A '''genetic engineer''', {{monsym|genetic engineer}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[NetHack 3.7.0]]. The genetic engineer is a type of [[humanoid]] [[Quantum mechanic (monster class)|quantum mechanic]] monster that can be seen via [[infravision]], and can [[teleport]] at random.
-A genetic engineer has a single claw attack that can [[polymorph]] its target if the engineer is not [[canceled]], with details varying depending on if the attack hits the [[hero]] or a monster: against the hero, it can be blocked by [[magic cancellation]], [[unchanging]] or [[magic resistance]], and otherwise the hero is polymorphed; against another monster, if the target does not have magic resistance and they are not killed by the attack, the monster is polymorphed. A [[werecreature]] that is polymorphed by the attack (including the hero if they have [[lycanthropy]]) will switch between their human and animal forms. The genetic engineer will teleport away if possible after polymorphing a hero or monster with its attack.
+A genetic engineer has a single claw attack that can [[polymorph]] its target if the engineer is not [[canceled]], with details varying depending on if the attack hits the [[hero]] or a monster: against the hero, it can be blocked by [[magic cancellation]], [[unchanging]] or [[magic resistance]], and otherwise the hero is polymorphed; against another monster, if the target does not have magic resistance and they are not killed by the attack, the monster is polymorphed with a chance of suffering [[system shock]] that deals damage equal to half their maximum HP rounded up. A [[werecreature]] that is polymorphed by a genetic engineer attack (including the hero if they have [[lycanthropy]]) will switch between their human and animal forms. The genetic engineer will teleport away if possible after successfully polymorphing a hero or monster with its attack, and cannot polymorph a monster with the attack for another turn or two; this latter restriction is not applied to the hero in genetic engineer form.
 A genetic engineer [[corpse]] is [[poisonous]] to eat, and [[eating]] a genetic engineer corpse or [[tin]] will polymorph the eater unless they have unchanging&mdash;a [[pet]] will not eat a genetic engineer corpse unless they are starving or on the verge of untaming.
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 {{wikipedia|Genetic engineer}}
 Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification or genetic manipulation, is the modification and manipulation of an organism's genes using technology. It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms. New DNA is obtained by either isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using recombinant DNA methods or by artificially synthesising the DNA. The new DNA can be inserted randomly, or targeted to a specific part of the genome&mdash;the process can also be used to "knock out" or remove genes. The genetic engineer monster is a visual [[pun]] on the term by applying it literally, similar to the [[quantum mechanic]].
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
   |MR=10
   |align=0
-  |experience=267
+  |experience=?<!--267 in SLASH'EM, verify for vanilla-->
   |frequency=1
   |genocidable=Yes
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
   |nutr=20
   |attacks=Claw [[polymorph]] 1d4
-  |resistances=[[poison]]
+  |resistances=[[poison resistance]]
   |resistances conveyed=Causes [[polymorph]]
-  |attributes={{attributes|A genetic engineer|humanoid=1|omnivore=1|pois=1|tport=1|hostile=1|infravisible=1|hell=1}}
+  |attributes={{attributes|A genetic engineer|humanoid=1|omnivore=1|pois=1|tport=1|hostile=1|infravisible=1}}
-  |reference=[[SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line3020]]
+  |reference=[https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/blob/e32ac5a7c77074b13136ab2582add1bf01d71913/include/monsters.h#L2134 NetHack 3.7.0 (last commit e32ac5a) - monsters.h, line 2134]
 }}
-A '''genetic engineer''', {{monsym|genetic engineer}}, is a type of [[monster]] that originates in [[SLASH'EM]], and also appears in [[SlashTHEM]] and [[xNetHack]]. Its sole melee attack is weak, but can [[polymorph]] any monster it hits unless the target has [[magic resistance]] or sufficient [[magic cancellation]].
+A '''genetic engineer''', {{monsym|genetic engineer}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[NetHack 3.7.0]]. The genetic engineer is a type of [[humanoid]] [[Quantum mechanic (monster class)|quantum mechanic]] monster that can be seen via [[infravision]], and can [[teleport]] at random.
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Genetic engineers now appear in NetHack 3.7. They can generate outside of Gehennom and are eligible to appear via the [[summon nasties]] [[monster spell]]. Genetic engineers will [[teleport]] away if possible after changing a monster with their polymorph attack; this includes [[you]] if you are polymorphed into a genetic engineer.
+A genetic engineer has a single claw attack that can [[polymorph]] its target if the engineer is not [[canceled]], with details varying depending on if the attack hits the [[hero]] or a monster: against the hero, it can be blocked by [[magic cancellation]], [[unchanging]] or [[magic resistance]], and otherwise the hero is polymorphed; against another monster, if the target does not have magic resistance and they are not killed by the attack, the monster is polymorphed. A [[werecreature]] that is polymorphed by the attack (including the hero if they have [[lycanthropy]]) will switch between their human and animal forms. The genetic engineer will teleport away after polymorphing a hero or monster with its attack.
-Eating a genetic engineer corpse will cause you to polymorph as a [[chameleon]] or [[doppelganger]] corpse does - this also applies to [[pet]]s and other monsters, but pets will not eat poisonous corpses unless they have poison resistance, and additionally avoid corpses that would cause them to polymorph unless they are starving or on the verge of untaming.
+A genetic engineer [[corpse]] is [[poisonous]] to eat, and [[eating]] a genetic engineer corpse or [[tin]] will polymorph the eater unless they have unchanging&mdash;a [[pet]] will not eat a genetic engineer corpse unless they are starving or on the verge of untaming.
-If you are hit by the polymorph attack as a [[werecreature]], it will switch you between your natural and beast forms.
+==Generation==
-The current tile image is from SLASH'EM; vanilla uses a different tile (no glasses, holding a strand of DNA) which should probably replace it.}}
+Hostile genetic engineers can be created by the [[summon nasties]] monster spell.
 ==Strategy==
-The genetic engineer is generally a dangerous opponent, since it can easily polymorph you into a form that breaks armor or else shrinks out of it - this in turn will usually leave you susceptible to being polymorphed further, since you will not have any magic cancellation. Fortunately, they are typically only encountered around [[Gehennom]], and you should have a source of magic resistance before then. Players without magic resistance should use their best ranged attacks to kill off a genetic engineer before they can get into melee range.
+:''To be written.''
-Do not use [[conflict]] around genetic engineers if at all possible: monsters in SLASH'EM revert to their original form if killed while polymorphed, effectively giving them an "extra life". This causes fights to drag out longer than necessary even in best-case scenarios, and as with other instances of monsters polymorphing this may create highly-resistant monster forms such as the magic-resistant [[crystal golem]]. While the attack is subject to [[enchantment resistance]] against other monsters, this should not be relied upon for conflict-based strategies. Players seeking to use conflict should prioritize killing any genetic engineers nearby first.
+==History==
-===As a polyform===
+==Origin==
-The genetic engineer also represents an interesting strategy for players that use [[polyself]] often: their polymorph attack triggers whether or not you are fighting with [[bare hands]] in that form, and ignores [[magic resistance (monster)|magic resistance scores]] against monsters, allowing you to bypass or even tame numerous monsters that are either very formidable enemies (e.g. [[Archon]]s and [[giant shoggoth]]s) or very difficult to tame (e.g. [[Planetar and Solar]]). This also allows you to tame monsters for which taming is normally impossible - for example, this is the only way to tame Death in SLASH'EM that preserves his current form, as opposed to [[sliming]] him and taming the resulting [[green slime]].
+{{wikipedia|Genetic engineer}}
-[[Gray dragon]]s and other monsters with player-style magic resistance are completely immune, while monsters with armor that provides magic cancellation can prevent your attack from working immediately. [[Shopkeeper]]s, [[aligned priest]]s, and hostile [[minion]]s can never be tamed, even if polymorphed. In addition, the effect is also subject to enchantment resistance, meaning that it will not work unless you are wielding a weapon of the appropriate enchantment to hit that monster with.
+==Encyclopedia entry==
+{{encyclopedia|
-Otherwise, the genetic engineer form is not very strong; many monsters are capable of killing you and revert you to normal before you get a chance to polymorph them, particularly if you are surrounded. As noted above, there is also the ever-present risk of creating a stronger monster that you cannot defeat. Furthermore, hitting a monster and polymorphing it into a form with passive attacks will cause the new form's attacks to trigger rather than any the old monster - if you are trying to polymorph a monster, be sure to wear [[gloves]] to prevent [[YASD]] in case that monster becomes a [[cockatrice]], [[asphynx]], [[Basilisk (SLASH'EM)|basilisk]], or a similar monster.
+These very odd people have mastered the ability to insert gene
-{{slashem-7E7|offset=1}}
+sequences from one organism into another, usually triggering
-{{variant-343}}
+immediate mutations in the subject.  Far from needing an
-[[Category:SLASH'EM monsters]]
+elaborate laboratory to accomplish such abominations, a mere
-[[Category:SlashTHEM monsters]]
+touch seems to be all that is necessary.