Mimic - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants / dnh

2026-01-31T15:18:50Z

‎Variants: *dnh

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ proper detailing

2026-01-31T13:26:07Z

‎History: proper detailing

Umbire the Phantom: /* Common traits */ tweak

2026-01-31T11:35:20Z

‎Common traits: tweak

Umbire the Phantom: /* Messages */ correction

2026-01-31T11:28:10Z

‎Messages: correction

Umbire the Phantom: /* Common traits */ copyedit, some corrections from wizmode testing

2026-01-31T11:20:57Z

‎Common traits: copyedit, some corrections from wizmode testing

Umbire the Phantom: /* Messages */ word choice

2026-01-04T10:17:22Z

‎Messages: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ them

2025-12-13T14:33:38Z

‎Variants: them

Umbire the Phantom: /* Mimic */ tweak

2025-12-13T07:19:47Z

‎Mimic: tweak

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ update this, gonna swing back later...

2025-12-13T03:20:28Z

‎Strategy: update this, gonna swing back later...

Umbire the Phantom: touch-ups and citations

2025-10-24T07:32:15Z

touch-ups and citations

Show changes

@@ Line 147: / Line 147: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], mimics can be [[Ward (dNetHack)|warded]] with the [[User:Chris/dNetHack/Cerulean Sign|Cerulean Sign]] and [[User:Chris/dNetHack/Elder Sign|Elder Sign]].
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], mimics have their movement speed increased: small and large mimics move at 9 speed, while giant mimics move at 12 speed.
 ===SpliceHack===

@@ Line 98: / Line 98: @@
 ==History==
-The mimic first appears as an individual monster in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]&mdash;in Hack 1.21, a similar monster known as the faker appears. From Hack for PDP-11 and Hack 1.0 to [[NetHack 2.3e]], the mimic uses the {{white|M}} glyph. [[NetHack 3.0.0]] introduces the monster class and phases out the mimic monster in favor of its three subtypes.
+The mimic first appears as an individual monster in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]&mdash;in Hack 1.21, a similar monster known as the faker appears. From Hack for PDP-11 and Hack 1.0 to [[NetHack 2.3e]], the mimic uses the {{white|M}} glyph. [[NetHack 3.0.0]] introduces the monster class and its current glyphs, and phases out the mimic monster in favor of its three subtypes.
-In [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and earlier versions, including some variants based on those versions, the speed system functions differently: the hero and monsters all move at a consistent rate, meaning that an unhasted and unburdened hero character always gets four moves to the mimic's one. This allows for '[[hit and run]]' tactics that can consistently and reliably dispose of mimics with enough care: characters with relatively high starting HP and [[AC]] can attack them more safely, and and with skilled play even much weaker heroes can defeat giant mimics this way while completely avoiding damage.
+From Hack 1.0 to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including some variants based on these versions, the speed system functions differently: the hero and monsters all move at a consistent rate, meaning that an unhasted and unburdened hero character always gets four moves to the mimic's one. This allows for '[[hit and run]]' tactics that can consistently and reliably dispose of mimics  enough care: characters with relatively high starting HP and [[AC]] can attack them more safely, and and with skilled play even much weaker heroes can defeat giant mimics this way while completely avoiding damage. [[NetHack 3.6.0]] changes the speed system, making hit and run tactics more risky and less consistent.
 In those same versions, mimics are subject to [[Bugs in NetHack 3.4.3|several bugs]] and other related fixes:

@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 * Zapping a [[wand of secret door detection]] or [[casting]] the spell of {{+ of|detect unseen}} while a cloaked mimic is in range.
-If an uncloaked mimic is both out of the hero's line of sight for a long enough period, and is not subjected to any other action that would uncloak it (e.g. a pet attacking it), it will disguise itself again.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|802|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Protection from shape changers]] will lock a mimic into its base form and prevent it from disguising itself.
+If an uncloaked mimic is both out of the hero's line of sight for a long enough period, and is not subjected to any other action that would uncloak it (e.g. a monster is not attacking it), it will disguise itself again.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|802|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Protection from shape changers]] will lock a mimic into its base form and prevent it from disguising itself.
 [[Object detection]] will typically ignore mimics disguised as objects when marking item locations, unless the source is from a cursed [[potion of object detection]].{{refsrc|src/detect.c|588|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/detect.c|658|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/detect.c|733|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

@@ Line 135: / Line 135: @@
 {{message|Wait, <monster>!  That's a <polyform> named <player>!|A monster attempted to walk onto your square while you are in the form of a mimic and have disguised yourself using the #monster command.}}
-{{message|Wait, <monster>!  That <item> is really a <role> named <player>!|As above, but the monster attempted to pick up the item you were disguised as.}}
+{{message|Wait, <monster>!  That <item> is really a <role> named <player>!|A monster attempted to pick up the item you were disguised as after you ate a mimic corpse.}}
 {{message|The guard turns around and leaves, puzzled.|A [[guard]] entered a [[vault]] while you were inside and disguised as a pile of gold from eating a mimic corpse, causing them to leave immediately.}}

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 ==Common traits==
-Mimics are [[amorphous]] and [[unbreathing]] [[animal]]s of [[neutral]] alignment that are [[carnivorous]] and [[thick-skinned]], move very slowly at 3 [[speed]] and fight using claw attacks. The three different sizes of mimic&ndash;small, large and giant&ndash;also act as [[growth stage]]s, so a small mimic can grow up into a large mimic and then into a giant mimic.
+Mimics are considered [[animal]]s of [[neutral]] alignment: that are [[carnivorous]], [[thick-skinned]], [[amorphous]], and [[unbreathing]], and move very slowly at 3 [[speed]]. The three different sizes of mimic&ndash;small, large and giant&ndash;also act as [[growth stage]]s, so a small mimic can [[grow up]] into a large mimic and then into a giant mimic.
-Large and giant mimics have the ability to stick to the [[hero]], preventing them from moving or using [[hole]]s or [[stair]]s; a hero will become stuck if the mimic hits them with their [[sticking attack]], or else if the hero walks into a concealed mimic, attacks it, or finds it by [[searching]] while adjacent. The sticking attack can be protected against with [[magic cancellation]], and a hero in the form of a large or giant mimic can do the same to other monsters that make contact with them.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|527|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Mimics are capable of [[Hide|cloaking themselves]] by imitating [[item]]s or [[dungeon feature]]s depending on their surroundings&mdash;e.g., a mimic in a temple may imitate an [[altar]], while a mimic in a hallway will imitate a [[boulder]], and a mimic in a doorway will often imitate a closed [[door]]; a cloaked mimic may also appear as a '''strange object''', which uses a [[right square bracket]] glyph ({{monsym|strange_object}}) and resembles a [[chest]] in the default [[tileset]] ([[image:strange object.png]]). A [[hero]] that [[polymorph]]s into a mimic can cloak themselves this way using the [[Monster (command)|#monster]] [[extended command]].
-Mimics are capable of [[Hide|cloaking themselves]] by imitating [[item]]s or [[dungeon feature]]s depending on their surroundings&mdash;e.g., a mimic in a temple may imitate an [[altar]], while a mimic in a hallway will imitate a [[boulder]], and a mimic in a doorway will often imitate a closed [[door]]; a cloaked mimic may also appear as a '''strange object''', which uses a [[right square bracket]] glyph ({{monsym|strange_object}}) and resembles a [[chest]] in the default [[tileset]] ([[image:strange object.png]]). A hero that [[polymorph]]s into a mimic can cloak themselves this way using the [[Monster (command)|#monster]] [[extended command]].
+Mimics fight with [[Claw attack|'claw' attacks]] using their pseudopods. Large and giant mimics also have the ability to stick to the hero, preventing them from moving or using [[hole]]s or [[stair]]s: a hero will become stuck to a large or giant mimics if they are hit by their [[sticking attack]], or else walk into the mimic while they are concealed; there is also a [[bug]] that causes a hero [[pounding]] a concealed large or giant mimic with a [[polearm]] or [[lance]] at a distance to become stuck. A hero in the form of a large or giant mimic can stick themselves to other monsters that make contact with them.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|527|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} The sticking attack can be protected against with [[magic cancellation]].
 A cloaked mimic will uncloak if the hero or a monster performs the following actions:
-* Walking into a cloaked mimic; this will additionally cause the hero to stick to a large or giant mimic.
+* Walking into a cloaked mimic; as mentioned prior, this will cause the hero to stick to a large or giant mimic.
 * Attacking the cloaked mimic.
 * Throwing an item at one.
 * Finding it by [[searching]].
 * [[Applying]] a [[stethoscope]] to one.
-* Applying a [[magic whistle]], for pet mimics&mdash;this will uncloak them while transporting them to a square adjacent to the hero.
+* Applying a [[magic whistle]], for pet mimics&mdash;this will uncloak them while transporting them to a square that is adjacent to the hero.
 * Applying an unlocking tool to one while it is disguised as a door&mdash;the mimic has a {{frac|2}} chance of absorbing the tool and adding it to its inventory, which is reduced to {{frac|10}} for artifacts.{{refsrc|src/lock.c|465|nethack=3.6.7|comment=unlocking tools and mimics imitating doors}}
 * [[Zapping]] a [[wand of make invisible]], which will uncloak the mimic before turning it [[invisible]].
-* Zapping a [[wand of secret door detection]] or the spell of {{+ of|detect unseen}} while a cloaked mimic is in range.
+* Zapping a [[wand of secret door detection]] or [[casting]] the spell of {{+ of|detect unseen}} while a cloaked mimic is in range.
 If an uncloaked mimic is both out of the hero's line of sight for a long enough period, and is not subjected to any other action that would uncloak it (e.g. a pet attacking it), it will disguise itself again.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|802|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Protection from shape changers]] will lock a mimic into its base form and prevent it from disguising itself.
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 [[Object detection]] will typically ignore mimics disguised as objects when marking item locations, unless the source is from a cursed [[potion of object detection]].{{refsrc|src/detect.c|588|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/detect.c|658|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/detect.c|733|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|ea0ef81ecdda7a357823678aa5411f41068bf6f6}}, attacking a cloaked mimic with a [[polearm]] or [[lance]] will no longer result in the hero being stuck unless they are adjacent to the mimic, i.e. they will not become stuck from pounding the mimic.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|ea0ef81ecdda7a357823678aa5411f41068bf6f6}}, attacking a cloaked mimic with a polearm or lance will only result in the hero being stuck if they are adjacent to the mimic, i.e. they will not become stuck through pounding.
 Per {{commit|29b4c47bdf3a27312c4774c07a18d0d0d8c20c9a}}, the light from a camera will pass over a mimic impersonating an object, but will uncloak one impersonating [[furniture]]&mdash;a mimic impersonating another monster will be woken up without being forced back into mimic shape.
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 [[Eating]] a mimic's [[corpse]] or [[tin]] causes the hero to imitate a pile of [[gold]] for a short time, unless they have a source of [[unchanging]]{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1024|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;a hero that does so while [[hallucinating]] will instead mimic an [[orange]].{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1029|nethack=3.6.7}} This is considered a weaker form of [[polymorph]], since it breaks the [[polyselfless]] [[conduct]] and causes the hero to safely dismount if they are [[riding]], but does not affect the hero's [[worn]] [[armor]] or other worn items.{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1027|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1031|nethack=3.6.7}} Mimicking a pile of gold or an orange leaves the hero immobile for 20 turns if they ate a small mimic, 40 if they ate a large mimic, and 50 if they ate a giant mimic.{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1016|nethack=3.6.7|comment=the cases are designed to fall through and add the amount of turns together}} A monster that attempts to pick up an item the hero is disguised as will uncloak the hero, returning them to normal form and restoring mobility.
-A [[pet]] that eats a mimic corpse will temporarily appear as a particular item or monster for the duration of its meal, unless the hero has protection from shape changers when the pet first eats the corpse{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|223|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|350|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|1338|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|1377|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;as with the hero, this does not affect the pet's worn armor or other items, and will force a harmless dismount if they are currently being ridden by the hero.{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|1386|nethack=3.6.7}} Walking into the pet, searching while next to them, applying a stethoscope to them, or applying a magic whistle will uncloak the pet and return them to their normal state. Of note is that a pet polymorphed into an item while in a [[shop]] will be treated as "belonging" to that shop when using the [[far look]] command. A monster that attempts to pick up a pet disguised as an item will uncloak the pet, returning them to normal form.
+A [[pet]] that eats a mimic corpse will temporarily appear as a particular item or monster for the duration of its meal, unless the hero has protection from shape changers when the pet first eats the corpse{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|223|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|350|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|1338|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|1377|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;as with the hero, this does not affect the pet's worn armor or other items, and will force a harmless dismount if the pet is currently serving as the hero's steed.{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|1386|nethack=3.6.7}} Walking into the pet, searching while next to them, applying a stethoscope to them, or applying a magic whistle will uncloak the pet and return them to their normal state. Of note is that a pet polymorphed into an item while in a [[shop]] will be treated as "belonging" to that shop when using the [[far look]] command. A monster that attempts to pick up a pet disguised as an item will uncloak the pet, returning them to normal form.
 What a monster will turn into when eating a mimic corpse depends on their monster type:{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|1343|nethack=3.6.7}}
@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 ===Generation===
-Randomly generated mimics are always created hostile. A mimic that is randomly generated will appear disguised as an item or dungeon feature.
+Randomly generated mimics are always created hostile. A mimic that is randomly generated during level creation or through [[normal monster creation]] will appear disguised as an item or dungeon feature.
 In addition to random generation, mimics can be generated in the following circumstances:
-* Mimics are commonplace in shops, with a [[dungeon level]]-in-100 chance ({{frac|DL|100}}) of a mimic being generated on an applicable square in the shop at level creation in place of an item.{{refsrc|src/shknam.c|471|nethack=3.6.7}} A mimic created in a shop on dungeon level 9 or higher has a 10 &times; (10 - DL)% chance of appearing as a strange object, and otherwise has a {{frac|2|17}} chance of appearing as a strange object.
+* Mimics are commonplace in shops, with a [[dungeon level]]-in-100 chance ({{frac|DL|100}}) of a mimic being generated on each applicable square in the shop during level creation in place of an item.{{refsrc|src/shknam.c|471|nethack=3.6.7}} A mimic created in a shop on dungeon level 9 and above has a 10 &times; (10 - DL)% chance of appearing as a strange object, and otherwise has a {{frac|2|17}} chance of appearing as a strange object.
-* When entering a new dungeon floor that is not the [[Rogue level]], there is a {{frac|5}} chance of a mimic disguised as a closed door being created in a doorway in place of an actual door, if the [[level difficulty]] is 9 or higher.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|417|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|425|nethack=3.6.7}}
+* When entering a new dungeon floor that is not the [[Rogue level]] while the [[level difficulty]] is 9 or higher, there is a {{frac|5}} chance of a mimic disguised as a closed door being created in a doorway during level creation instead of an actual door.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|417|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|425|nethack=3.6.7}}
 * The Mimic of the Mines map of [[Mines' End]] generates four mimics at level creation, with each one placed atop a set of [[gem]]s and disguised as one of the four [[gray stone]]s.
 * Three mimics are placed on the home floor of the [[Rogue quest]] at level creation, with one of each type placed in one of four random locations where the down stair can appear: they will be generated disguising themselves as said down stair, with the actual down stair placed in the fourth location.

@@ Line 138: / Line 138: @@
 {{message|The guard turns around and leaves, puzzled.|A [[guard]] entered a [[vault]] while you were inside and disguised as a pile of gold from eating a mimic corpse, causing them to leave immediately.}}
-{{message|"Hey! Who left that orange in here?"|As above, but you were hallucinating and instead disguised as an orange.}}
+{{message|"Hey! Who left that orange in here?"|As above, but you were hallucinating and disguised as an orange.}}
 ==Variants==

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:33, 13 December 2025
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	* {{green\|m}} [[killer mimic]]		* {{green\|m}} [[killer mimic]]
		+
		+	===SlashTHEM===
		+	In [[SlashTHEM]], five random mimic monsters are scattered on the [[Undertaker quest]] home and locate levels during level creation.

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

@@ Line 156: / Line 156: @@
 ==Encyclopedia entry==
 ===Mimic===
-{{encyclopedia|<poem>
+{{encyclopedia|The ancestors of the modern day chameleon, these creatures can assume the form of anything in their surroundings.  They may assume the shape of objects or dungeon features.  Unlike the chameleon though, which assumes the shape of another creature and goes in hunt of food, the mimic waits patiently for its meals to come in search of it.}}
 ===Strange object===

@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Mimics are slow but powerful attackers, making them a common cause of death early in the game: as of October 2025, small mimics rank #7 on the list of [http://alt.org/nethack/topdeaths.html top death causes] on [[NAO]], and all three mimics are ranked within the top 100 causes of death. This most frequently occurs during the early game in the form of a hero carelessly bumping into a mimic while shopping, or else underestimating the power of their claw attacks.
+Mimics are slow but powerful attackers, making them a common cause of death early in the game: as of December 2025, small mimics rank #7 on the list of [http://alt.org/nethack/topdeaths.html top death causes] on [[NAO]], and all three mimics are ranked within the top 100 causes of death. This most frequently occurs during the early game in the form of a hero carelessly bumping into a mimic while shopping, or else underestimating the power of their claw attacks.
 ===Detection===