Giant spider - Revision history

Ray Chason: Update weight

2026-05-14T03:43:27Z

Update weight

Umbire the Phantom: oh yeah, forgor

2025-10-09T21:32:12Z

oh yeah, forgor

Umbire the Phantom: real big pass

2025-10-09T21:27:28Z

real big pass

Show changes

Umbire the Phantom: quick pass - need to calc the statue weight...

2025-05-23T15:15:13Z

quick pass - need to calc the statue weight...

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ tweak

2025-04-12T22:08:26Z

‎History: tweak

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ copyedit

2025-01-15T02:35:31Z

‎dNetHack: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* EvilHack */ copyedit

2025-01-15T02:34:46Z

‎EvilHack: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ word choice

2024-01-04T18:52:58Z

‎Generation: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: ranger quest

2024-01-04T18:47:26Z

ranger quest

Umbire the Phantom: formatting + update pass

2024-01-04T18:42:58Z

formatting + update pass

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
   |size=Large
   |nutr=100
-  |weight=100
+  |weight=200
   |reference=[[monst.c#line858]]
 }}

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 Per {{commit|2122506ebe9341b676123683b31effb549fd8299}}, giant spiders will randomly spin webs as they move&mdash;this is refined via {{commit|b572ccb0147bdc192d6bccc20d7a3df9ace8c1cc}} so that there is an intermission between the creation webs, and web-making monsters will prioritize terrain where they have rock [[wall]]s, [[iron bars]], [[stairway]]s, or [[ladder]]s to support the web. Per {{commit|8dfe963652d69a82187ba1eaa3c8287f2753b033}}, spiders will spin fewer webs depending on the amount already present on the level, with giant spiders having a higher limit than [[cave spider]]s. Per {{commit|dad804e118ea35fb1ff849fb2ff18dc8b2127f0f}}, spiders will not spin webs in [[Sokoban]] unless they are in the room with the up stair.
-Per {{commit|dbd39f2cd5c4648228860c4090a6b9742f208c81}}, [[statue]]s of giant spiders and other large monsters have a higher weight due to the addition of minimum weights.}}
+Per {{commit|dbd39f2cd5c4648228860c4090a6b9742f208c81}}, [[statue]]s of giant spiders and other large monsters have a higher weight due to the addition of minimum weights&mdash;giant spider statues weigh exactly 300 aum, which is the minimum for statues of large monsters.}}
 ==Generation==

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
   |frequency=1
   |genocidable=Yes
-  |attacks=Bite 2d4 [[poison]]
+  |attacks=[[Bite]] 2d4 [[poison]] ([[strength]])
-  |resistances conveyed=poison (33%)
+  |resistances conveyed=[[poison resistance]] (33%)
-  |resistances=poison
+  |resistances=[[poison resistance]]
   |attributes={{attributes|A giant spider|animal=1|nohands=1|oviparous=1|pois=1|carnivore=1|hostile=1|strong=1}}
   |size=Large
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 }}
-A '''giant spider''', {{monsym|giant spider}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a a large, [[carnivorous]] and [[oviparous]] type of [[spider]] that cannot [[hide]] under items like other [[arachnid or centipede]] monsters due to their size, and instead resides on [[web]]s throughout the dungeon.
+A '''giant spider''', {{monsym|giant spider}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a [[large]], [[carnivorous]] and [[oviparous]] type of [[spider]] that cannot [[hide]] under items like other [[arachnid or centipede]] monsters due to their size, and instead resides on [[web]]s throughout the dungeon.
 A giant spider has a [[poisonous]] bite attack, and possesses [[poison resistance]].
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 A giant spider [[corpse]] is poisonous to eat, but eating a giant spider corpse or [[tin]] has a {{frac|3}} chance of conveying poison resistance.
-A character [[polymorph]]ed into the form of a giant spider can create a web on their square using the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]].
+A [[hero]] [[polymorph]]ed into the form of a giant spider can create a web on their square using the [[Monster (command)|# monster]] [[extended command]].
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Giant spiders now weigh 200 [[aum]], and will randomly spin webs as they move - this random chance is based on the number of surrounding walls, making a spider more likely to spin a web in enclosed spaces.}}
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Giant spiders weigh 200 [[aum]], and will randomly spin webs as they move&mdash;this random chance is based on the number of surrounding walls, making a spider more likely to spin a web in enclosed spaces.
 ==Generation==
@@ Line 81: / Line 83: @@
 In [[EvilHack]], giant spiders have their difficulty raised to 8, and have an additional touch attack that entraps the target in [[webbing]].
-Drow are capable of taming giant spiders and other spiders as [[domestic animal]]s, and non-[[Convict]] drow heroes will start the game with a tame [[large spider]] - to accomodate this, cave spiders now grow up into large spiders, which can then grow up into giant spiders. Giant spiders themselves can grow up into [[gargantuan spider]]s.
+Drow are capable of taming giant spiders and other spiders as [[domestic animal]]s, and non-[[Convict/EvilHack|Convict]] drow heroes will start the game with a tame [[large spider]]&mdash;to accomodate this, cave spiders now grow up into large spiders, which can then grow up into giant spiders. Giant spiders themselves can grow up into [[gargantuan spider]]s.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 ==History==
-The giant spider first appears in [[NetHack 1.3d]], where it is capable of hiding under objects like the smaller spiders of later versions. From this version to [[NetHack 2.3e]], it only generates if SPIDER is set as a [[compile-time option]], and is otherwise replaced by the [[scorpion]]; [[NetHack 3.0.0]] includes both the giant spider and scorpion in its default bestiary.
+The giant spider first appears in [[NetHack 1.3d]], where it is capable of hiding under objects like the smaller spiders of later versions&mdash;from this version to [[NetHack 2.3e]], it only generates if SPIDER is set as a [[compile-time option]], and is otherwise replaced by the [[scorpion]]. [[NetHack 3.0.0]] includes both the giant spider and scorpion in its default bestiary.
 ==Origin==

@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
 ===dNethack===
-In [[dNethack]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]] [[Noble]]women will start the game with a tame [[saddle]]d giant spider, and player drow can apply [[saddle]]s to tamed giant spiders and similar monsters. Giant spiders can grow up into [[mirkwood spider]]s.
+In [[dNethack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]] [[Noble]]women will start the game with a tame [[saddle]]d giant spider, and player drow can apply [[saddle]]s to tamed giant spiders and similar monsters. Giant spiders can grow up into [[mirkwood spider]]s.
-Two giant spiders are generated on the Paradise Island map of [[The Sea (dNetHack)|the Sea]] at level creation. Several giant spiders appear in the upper filler levels of the [[Dwarf Noble quest]], and the [[Gnomish Ranger Quest]] will also feature web traps with giant spiders. Giant spiders may also appear in the audience of a [[Throne room#dNetHack|throne room]] ruled by a [[drow matron]].
+Two giant spiders are generated on the Paradise Island map of [[The Sea (dNetHack)|the Sea]] at level creation. Several giant spiders appear in the upper filler levels of the [[Dwarf Noble quest]], and the [[Gnomish Ranger Quest]] will also feature web traps with giant spiders.
 ===EvilHack===

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 With the exception of [[bones]] levels, {{frac|3}} of giant spiders randomly generated at level creation (or all of them, if you have the [[Amulet of Yendor]]) are placed on a web, and will have a random item placed on their square as well.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|810|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1243|nethack=3.6.7|comment=giant spiders get an item like other <code>S_SPIDER</code> monsters despite being unable to hide}} Every web that is placed on level creation independent of the aforementioned webs will have a giant spider atop it.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|1392|nethack=3.6.7}}
-The giant spider is the first [[quest]] monster for [[Tourist]]s, and makes up {{frac|96|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Tourist quest]]. Several giant spiders are generated within several floors of the quest branch at level creation: twelve are placed randomly on the home level, and sixteen each are generated on the locate level and goal level. Giant spiders also appear among the random {{white|s}} that are part of the first quest monster class for Tourists, and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated there.
+The giant spider is the first [[quest]] monster for [[Tourist]]s, and makes up {{frac|96|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Tourist quest]]. Several giant spiders are generated on multiple floors of the quest branch at level creation: twelve are placed randomly on the home level, and sixteen each are generated on the locate level and goal level. Giant spiders also appear among the random {{white|s}} that are part of the first quest monster class for Tourists, and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated there.
 Giant spiders additionally appear among the random {{white|s}} that are part of the second quest monster class for [[Ranger]]s and make up {{frac|6|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Ranger quest]].

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 }}
-A '''giant spider''', {{monsym|giant spider}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.
+A '''giant spider''', {{monsym|giant spider}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a a large, [[carnivorous]] and [[oviparous]] type of [[spider]] that cannot [[hide]] under items like other [[arachnid or centipede]] monsters due to their size, and instead resides on [[web]]s throughout the dungeon.
-Giant spiders are a large, [[oviparous]] type of [[spider]] with [[poison resistance]] and a poisonous bite attack. They do not [[hide]] under items like other spiders due to their size, instead residing on [[web]]s throughout the dungeon. The [[corpse]] of a giant spider is [[poison]]ous, but eating their corpse or [[tin]] has a {{frac|3}} chance of conveying poison resistance.
+A giant spider has a [[poisonous]] bite attack, and possesses [[poison resistance]].
-A player [[polymorph]]ed into the form of a giant spider can create a web on their square using the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]].
+A giant spider [[corpse]] is poisonous to eat, but eating a giant spider corpse or [[tin]] has a {{frac|3}} chance of conveying poison resistance.
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Giant spiders now weigh 200 [[aum]], and will randomly spin webs as they move - this random chance is based on the number of surrounding walls, making a spider more likely to spin a web in enclosed spaces.}}
 ==Generation==
-Giant spiders are always generated hostile.
+Randomly generated giant spiders are always created hostile. A [[cave spider]] can [[grow up]] into a giant spider.{{refsrc|src/mondata.c|970|nethack=3.6.7}}
-{{frac|3}} of giant spiders randomly generated on level creation (or all of them, if you have the [[Amulet of Yendor]]) are placed on a web, with the exception of [[bones]] levels, and will have a random item placed on their square as well.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|810|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1242|nethack=3.6.7}} Every web placed on level creation (independent of the aforementioned webs) will have a giant spider atop it.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|1392|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Cave spider]]s can [[grow up]] into giant spiders, and giant spider eggs will hatch into cave spiders.{{refsrc|src/mondata.c|970|nethack=3.6.7}}
+With the exception of [[bones]] levels, {{frac|3}} of giant spiders randomly generated at level creation (or all of them, if you have the [[Amulet of Yendor]]) are placed on a web, and will have a random item placed on their square as well.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|810|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1243|nethack=3.6.7|comment=giant spiders get an item like other <code>S_SPIDER</code> monsters despite being unable to hide}} Every web that is placed on level creation independent of the aforementioned webs will have a giant spider atop it.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|1392|nethack=3.6.7}}
-Giant spiders are the first [[quest monster]] for the [[Tourist quest]] - they make up 55% of the monsters randomly generated there, and several are generated on creation of each of its levels: twelve are placed randomly on the home level, sixteen on the locate level, and sixteen on the goal level.
+The giant spider is the first [[quest]] monster for [[Tourist]]s, and makes up {{frac|96|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Tourist quest]]. Several giant spiders are generated within several floors of the quest branch at level creation: twelve are placed randomly on the home level, and sixteen each are generated on the locate level and goal level. Giant spiders also appear among the random {{white|s}} that are part of the first quest monster class for Tourists, and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated there.
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Spider nest [[themed room]]s have a {{frac|3|10}} of a web being on each square - if the level difficulty is at least 9, each web has a roughly {{frac|4|5}} chance of a giant spider being generated atop it.}}
 ==Strategy==
-Giant spiders move faster than an unhasted player character at 15 [[speed]], and their poisonous bite can deal significant damage and put a [[YASD|premature end]] to an early character's game, especially without poison resistance.
+Giant spiders move faster than an unhasted player character at 15 [[speed]], and their poisonous bite can deal significant damage to early characters - those without poison resistance may meet a [[Instadeath|premature end]] to their game. [[Barbarian]]s, [[Healer]]s and [[Orc (starting race)|orcish]] characters have much less to fear from giant spider bites, though a low-[[experience level]] character without much armor will still want to avoid letting them get too close.
-[[Barbarian]]s, [[Healer]]s and [[Orc (starting race)|orcish]] characters have much less to fear from giant spider bites, though a low-[[experience level]] character without much armor will still want to avoid letting them get too close. [[Ranged attack]]s are ideal to quickly bring down an approaching giant spider, with [[Elbereth]] and scaring tools being quite good for maintaining distance - most [[wand]]s are effective against them due to their lack of [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]]. Once you have poison resistance, some quality armor and levels under your belt, giant spiders are little trouble (though the webs they leave behind can still trip you up).
+[[Ranged attack]]s are ideal to quickly bring down an approaching giant spider, with [[Elbereth]] and scaring tools being quite good for maintaining distance: most [[wand]]s and magic are effective against giant spiders, due to their lack of [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]]. Once you have poison resistance, some quality armor and a few experience levels under your belt, giant spiders are relatively little trouble; the webs they leave behind can still trip you up, so move carefully.
 If you have an extrinsic source of poison resistance and are capable of reliably killing giant spiders, you can eat their corpses for a reasonable chance of obtaining the extrinsic.
 ===Web spinning===
@@ Line 52: / Line 56: @@
 ==History==
-The giant spider first appears in [[NetHack 1.3d]]. From this version to [[NetHack 2.3e]], it only generates if SPIDER is set as a [[compile-time option]], and is otherwise replaced by the [[scorpion]]; [[NetHack 3.0.0]] includes both the giant spider and scorpion in its default monster lineup.
+The giant spider first appears in [[NetHack 1.3d]], where it is capable of hiding under objects like the smaller spiders of later versions. From this version to [[NetHack 2.3e]], it only generates if SPIDER is set as a [[compile-time option]], and is otherwise replaced by the [[scorpion]]; [[NetHack 3.0.0]] includes both the giant spider and scorpion in its default bestiary.
 ==Origin==
-Depictions of oversized spiders are a common fixture in fiction - [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] features gigantic spiders of various size and scale in his Middle-Earth setting as early as ''The Hobbit'' in 1937 book. Giant spiders often roam Mirkwood, and throughout ''The Hobbit'' they attack and sometimes capture the main characters. Although described as giant spiders, Tolkien gave them additional, non-arachnid attributes such as compound eyes, beaks and the ability to spin of black webs.
+Depictions of oversized spiders are a common fixture in fiction - [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] features gigantic spiders of various size and scale in his Middle-Earth setting as early as ''The Hobbit'' in 1937 book. Giant spiders often roam Mirkwood, and throughout ''The Hobbit'' they attack and sometimes capture the main characters. Although described as giant spiders, Tolkien gives them additional non-arachnid attributes such as compound eyes, beaks and the ability to spin black webs.
 The giant spider of ''NetHack'' is derived almost 1-for-1 from ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', where it is an uncommon type of chaotic evil spider. Giant spiders are web builders with a poisonous spider that construct their webs horizontally or vertically in order to entrap prey - some will lurk above a path in order to drop onto victims. Characters can break out of giant spider webs more easily with higher strength.
@@ Line 63: / Line 65: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], [[The Spider Caves]] generates 22 giant spiders on level creation, along with several giant spider eggs that will hatch into cave spiders. The "town" variant of the [[kobold level]] has a giant spider in the northeastern corner room, and the secret northwestern corner room in [[Grund's Stronghold]] has two giant spiders.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], the "town" variant of the [[kobold level]] has a giant spider in the northeastern corner room. The secret northwestern corner room in [[Grund's Stronghold]] has two giant spiders.
 ===dNethack===
-In [[dNethack]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]] [[Noble]]women will start the game with a tame [[saddle]]d giant spider, and player drow can apply [[saddle]]s to tamed giant spiders and similar monsters. Giant spiders can also grow up into [[mirkwood spider]]s.
+In [[dNethack]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]] [[Noble]]women will start the game with a tame [[saddle]]d giant spider, and player drow can apply [[saddle]]s to tamed giant spiders and similar monsters. Giant spiders can grow up into [[mirkwood spider]]s.
-Two giant spiders are generated on the Paradise Island map of [[The Sea (dNetHack)|the Sea]] at level creation. Several giant spiders appear in the upper filler levels of the [[Dwarf Noble quest]], and the [[Gnomish Ranger Quest]] will also feature web traps with giant spiders. Giant spiders may also appear in the audience of a [[throne room]] [[Special room (dNetHack)#Throne room (throne occupied)|ruled by a]] [[drow matron]].
+Two giant spiders are generated on the Paradise Island map of [[The Sea (dNetHack)|the Sea]] at level creation. Several giant spiders appear in the upper filler levels of the [[Dwarf Noble quest]], and the [[Gnomish Ranger Quest]] will also feature web traps with giant spiders. Giant spiders may also appear in the audience of a [[Throne room#dNetHack|throne room]] ruled by a [[drow matron]].
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], giant spiders have an additional touch attack that entraps the target by creating a web on their square.
+In [[EvilHack]], giant spiders have their difficulty raised to 8, and have an additional touch attack that entraps the target by creating a web on their square.
 Drow are capable of taming giant spiders and other spiders as [[domestic animal]]s, and non-[[Convict]] player drow will start the game with a tame [[large spider]] - to accomodate this, cave spiders now grow up into large spiders, which can then grow up into giant spiders. Giant spiders themselves can grow up into [[gargantuan spider]]s.