Mind flayer (dNetHack) - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Monster starting inventory */ word choice

2026-02-04T22:54:19Z

‎Monster starting inventory: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Monster starting inventory */ detail

2026-02-04T22:52:08Z

‎Monster starting inventory: detail

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ thought I fixed that...

2026-02-04T17:29:44Z

‎Generation: thought I fixed that...

Umbire the Phantom: quick-ish pass

2026-02-04T13:53:17Z

quick-ish pass

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ drohea

2025-12-08T21:23:01Z

‎Generation: drohea

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ correction, etc,

2025-12-08T06:26:48Z

‎Generation: correction, etc,

Umbire the Phantom: detailing

2025-12-07T06:40:10Z

detailing

Umbire the Phantom: drohea + future info

2025-12-07T05:41:07Z

drohea + future info

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2025-12-07T04:17:00Z

copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2025-12-07T02:38:33Z

word choice

@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 ** One item randomly selected from a wand of {{of|wand|draining|death|striking|magic missile|sleep|fire|cold|lightning|or=1|create monster}}.
 ** One item randomly selected from a wand of {{of|wand|speed monster|make invisible|teleportation|digging|or=1|create monster}}.
-** Two random selections of a potion of {{! of|invisibility|speed|confusion|gain level|extra healing|full healing|gain energy}}, or a [[scroll of remove curse]].
+** Two random selections from a potion of {{! of|invisibility|speed|confusion|gain level|extra healing|full healing|gain energy}}, or a [[scroll of remove curse]].
-** Three random selections of a potion of {{! of|acid|confusion|blindness|sleeping|or=1|paralysis}}, with acid having twice as much chance of being selected as the other potions.
+** Three random selections from a potion of {{! of|acid|confusion|blindness|sleeping|or=1|paralysis}}, with acid having twice as much chance of being selected as the other potions.
 ** Finally, if the mind flayer is not a temporarily summoned monster (e.g. created via [[summon nasties]] or [[Eurynome]]), they have a {{frac|60}} chance of generating with a [[crystal skull]].
 * Mind flayers generated in the future are given poison resistance (which they normally already have) and have their monster level increased by 2, with their maximum [[HP]] adjusted accordingly. They are generated with a cursed +1 [[robe]], a cursed +1 pair of high boots, and a blessed and erosion-proofed +1 [[Lightsaber (dNetHack)|lightsaber]] that has one of four random hilt types and an equal probability of a [[ruby]], [[green flourite]] or a [[worthless piece of red glass]] serving as the focus gem. If the mind flayer is not a temporarily summoned monster, they also have a {{frac|30}} chance of generating with a crystal skull.

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 ** One item randomly selected from a wand of {{of|wand|speed monster|make invisible|teleportation|digging|or=1|create monster}}.
 ** Two random selections of a potion of {{! of|invisibility|speed|confusion|gain level|extra healing|full healing|gain energy}}, or a [[scroll of remove curse]].
-** Three random selections of a potion of {{! of|acid|confusion|blindness|sleeping|or=1|paralysis}}.
+** Three random selections of a potion of {{! of|acid|confusion|blindness|sleeping|or=1|paralysis}}, with acid having twice as much chance of being selected as the other potions.
 ** Finally, if the mind flayer is not a temporarily summoned monster (e.g. created via [[summon nasties]] or [[Eurynome]]), they have a {{frac|60}} chance of generating with a [[crystal skull]].
 * Mind flayers generated in the future are given poison resistance (which they normally already have) and have their monster level increased by 2, with their maximum [[HP]] adjusted accordingly. They are generated with a cursed +1 [[robe]], a cursed +1 pair of high boots, and a blessed and erosion-proofed +1 [[Lightsaber (dNetHack)|lightsaber]] that has one of four random hilt types and an equal probability of a [[ruby]], [[green flourite]] or a [[worthless piece of red glass]] serving as the focus gem. If the mind flayer is not a temporarily summoned monster, they also have a {{frac|30}} chance of generating with a crystal skull.

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 ==Generation==
-Randomly-generated mind flayers are always created hostile. A mind flayer can [[grow]] up into a [[Master mind flayer (dNetHack)|master mind flayer]].
+Randomly-generated mind flayers are always created hostile. A mind flayer can [[grow up]] into a [[Master mind flayer (dNetHack)|master mind flayer]].
 {{frac|7|20}} of the monsters randomly generated on both Nightmare Temple floors of the [[Chaos Temple Quest]] will be mind flayers.
@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 In the "age before ages", the mind flayers discovered and worshipped an eldritch "nascent thought" known as [[Ilsensine]]&mdash;in bringing knowledge of it back to the past, they set off a chain of events that caused the end of the world. While the mind flayer empires were overthrown and brought low, the [[god]]s of Law discovered Ilsensine and were consumed, followed by the other gods of the heavens: this is why Anachrononauts do not worship gods and cannot make use of altars. In order to change the future and gain a full-scoring ascension, an Anachrononaut hero must gain access to the Quest from their [[quest leader]] [[Sara, the Last Oracle]] before she dies, retrieve [[the Annulus]] and obtain the [[Amulet of Yendor]], then reach the lawful high altar on the [[Astral Plane]] and invoke the Annulus to purge Ilsensine's influence once and for all before ascending on the correct high altar as normal.
-Mind flayers are one of the many quest monsters: {{frac|7}} of the randomly generated monsters are mind flayer-related, and of those {{frac|8}} are mind flayers, {{frac|8}} are master mind flayers, and the remaining monsters are either [[umber hulk]]s or [[brain golem]]s. Mind flayers are among the various [[H.P. Lovecraft]]-inspired r'lyehians that can appear as well, with a {{frac|7}} chance of a r'lyehian generating and a further {{frac|16}} chance of the r'lyehian being a mind flayer. Many mind flayers are also generated below the home level of the Quest at level creation: four are generated on the locate level, eight are generated on each of the lower filler level(s), and sixteen are generated on the goal level.
+Mind flayers are one of the many quest monsters: {{frac|7}} of the randomly generated monsters are mind flayer-related, and of those {{frac|8}} are mind flayers, {{frac|8}} are master mind flayers, and the remaining monsters are either [[umber hulk]]s or [[brain golem]]s. Mind flayers are among the various [[H.P. Lovecraft]]-inspired r'lyehians that can appear as well, with a {{frac|7}} chance of a r'lyehian generating and a further {{frac|16}} chance of the r'lyehian being a mind flayer. Many mind flayers are also generated below the home level of the Quest during level creation: four are generated on the locate level, eight are generated on each of the lower filler level(s), and sixteen are generated on the goal level.
 </simpletabs>

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
   |frequency=1
   |genocidable=Yes
-  |attacks=[[Weapon]] 1d4 [[Physical damage|physical]], [[Tentacle attack|Tentacle]] 1d4 [[int drain]]
+  |attacks=[[Weapon]] 1d4 [[Physical damage|physical]], [[Tentacle attack|tentacle]] 1d4 [[int drain]]
   |weight=1450
   |nutr=400
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 Mind flayers that are generated in the [[Drow Healer quest]] will always be [[Zombie (dNetHack)|zombified]], and they make up {{frac|4|105}} of randomly generated monsters in the branch for [[Drow Healer]]s after the quest is completed.
-Several mind flayers are encountered in the [[Drow Noble quest]], which involves the hero infiltrating a colony of mind flayers and retrieving their [[quest artifact]], the [[Web of the Chosen]]: there are 16 mind flayers scattered about the goal level during level creation, generally situated around the elder brain guarding the [[Bell of Opening]]. The quest artifact's actual 'owner', [[A'gone]], is locked up in a cell on the edge of the level, with her mind completely gone as a result of the mind flayers.
+Several mind flayers are encountered in the [[Drow Noble quest]], which involves the hero infiltrating a colony of mind flayers and retrieving their [[quest artifact]], the [[Web of the Chosen]]: there are 16 mind flayers scattered about the goal level during level creation, generally situated around the elder brain guarding the [[Bell of Opening]]. The quest artifact's actual 'owner', [[A'gone]], is locked up in a cell on the edge of the level, with her mind almost completely gone as a result of the mind flayers.
 <simpletabs>
@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 Mind flayers are [[generated with]] different inventories and different stats depending on where they are encountered in the dungeon.
-* Mind flayers generated on R'lyeh, the lowest floor of the Lost Cities and the [[Neutral Quest (dNetHack)|Neutral Quest]], are generated with cursed and [[Item size (dNetHack)|medium-sized]] armor and weapons&mdash;an [[erosion]]-proofed +0 [[bullwhip]], a set of erosion-proofed +1 [[scale mail]], an erosion-proofed +1 [[Leather helm (dNetHack)|leather helm]], an erosion-proofed +1 [[pair of gloves]], an erosion-proofed +1 pair of [[high boots]], and an [[oilskin cloak]]. They are also given various offensive and utility items as well, including [[wand]]s, [[potion]]s and [[scroll]]s:
+* Mind flayers generated on R'lyeh, the lowest floor of the Lost Cities and the [[Neutral Quest (dNetHack)|Neutral Quest]], are created with cursed and [[Item size (dNetHack)|medium-sized]] armor and weapons&mdash;an [[erosion]]-proofed +0 [[bullwhip]], a set of erosion-proofed +1 [[scale mail]], an erosion-proofed +1 [[Leather helm (dNetHack)|leather helm]], an erosion-proofed +1 [[pair of gloves]], an erosion-proofed +1 pair of [[high boots]], and an [[oilskin cloak]]. They are also given various offensive and utility items as well, including [[wand]]s, [[potion]]s and [[scroll]]s:
 ** One item randomly selected from a wand of {{of|wand|draining|death|striking|magic missile|sleep|fire|cold|lightning|or=1|create monster}}.
 ** One item randomly selected from a wand of {{of|wand|speed monster|make invisible|teleportation|digging|or=1|create monster}}.
@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 ==Strategy==
-A commonplace strategy when dealing with mind flayers in R'lyeh is to read a [[scroll of genocide]], usually a blessed one targeting {{white|h}} unless the hero is a [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarf]], upon entering the level: this eliminates many of the mind-blasting threats that otherwise will not only constantly assault a telepathic hero as they traverse the level, but potentially awaken the deadly [[Great Cthulhu]] as well and leave them in dire straits&mdash;if not [[Death (character)|dead]] (or worse) outright. The mind flayers and other humanoids on the level also carry a plethora of valuable loot, such as potions of confusion and blindness to dilute into {{! of|water}}, potions of extra healing and gain energy to stock up on and perform [[alchemy]] with, potions of full healing to bless, and [[potions of space mead]] that grant 5,000 turns of [[slow digestion]] and [[magical breathing]] among other benefits.
+A commonplace strategy when dealing with mind flayers in R'lyeh is to read a [[scroll of genocide]] upon entering the level, which is usually a blessed one targeting {{white|h}} unless the hero is a [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarf]]: this eliminates many of the mind-blasting threats that otherwise will not only constantly assault a telepathic hero as they traverse the level, but potentially awaken the deadly [[Great Cthulhu]] as well and leave them in dire straits, (if not [[Death (character)|dead]] outright or worse). The mind flayers and other humanoids on the level also carry a plethora of valuable loot: potions of confusion and blindness that can be made into {{! of|water}} with a [[dipped]] [[unicorn horn]]; potions of extra healing and gain energy to stock up on and perform [[alchemy]] with; potions of full healing to bless for later use; and [[potions of space mead]] that grant 5,000 turns of [[slow digestion]] and [[magical breathing]], among other benefits.
 Remember that genocide does not apply to monsters generated in the Quest branch of the hero's role, so Anachrononauts (and [[Android]]s) cannot use it to preemptively kill off the mind flayers within!

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 {{frac|7|20}} of the monsters randomly generated on both Nightmare Temple floors of the [[Chaos Temple Quest]] will be mind flayers.
-Mind flayers that are generated in the [[Drow Healer quest]] will always be [[Zombie (dNetHack)|zombified]].
+Mind flayers that are generated in the [[Drow Healer quest]] will always be [[Zombie (dNetHack)|zombified]], and they make up {{frac|4|105}} of randomly generated monsters in the branch for [[Drow Healer]]s after the quest is completed.
 Several mind flayers are encountered in the [[Drow Noble quest]], which involves the hero infiltrating a colony of mind flayers and retrieving their [[quest artifact]], the [[Web of the Chosen]]: there are 16 mind flayers scattered about the goal level during level creation, generally situated around the elder brain guarding the [[Bell of Opening]]. The quest artifact's actual 'owner', [[A'gone]], is locked up in a cell on the edge of the level, with her mind completely gone as a result of the mind flayers.

@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 ** Three random selections of a potion of {{! of|acid|confusion|blindness|sleeping|or=1|paralysis}}.
 ** Finally, if the mind flayer is not a temporarily summoned monster (e.g. via [[summon nasties]] or [[Eurynome]]), they have a {{frac|60}} chance of generating with a [[crystal skull]].
-* Mind flayers generated in the future are given poison resistance (which they normally already have) and have their monster level increased by 2, with their maximum [[HP]] adjusted accordingly. They are generated with a cursed +1 [[robe]], a cursed +1 pair of high boots, and a blessed +1 [[Lightsaber (dNetHack)|lightsaber]] that has one of four random hilt types and an equal probability of a [[ruby]], [[green flourite]] or a [[worthless piece of red glass]] serving as the focus gem. A mind flayer in the future that is not a temporarily summoned monster has a {{frac|60}} chance of generating with a crystal skull.
+* Mind flayers generated in the future are given poison resistance (which they normally already have) and have their monster level increased by 2, with their maximum [[HP]] adjusted accordingly. They are generated with a cursed +1 [[robe]], a cursed +1 pair of high boots, and a blessed and erosion-proofed +1 [[Lightsaber (dNetHack)|lightsaber]] that has one of four random hilt types and an equal probability of a [[ruby]], [[green flourite]] or a [[worthless piece of red glass]] serving as the focus gem. If the mind flayer is not a temporarily summoned monster, they also have a {{frac|60}} chance of generating with a crystal skull.
-* Mind flayers generated elsewhere in the dungeon are generated with a [[quarterstaff]], a [[Plain cloak|cloak]] that is either magenta ({{frac|2|3}} chance) or bright magenta ({{frac|3}} chance), a [[pair of gloves]], a pair of high boots, a leather helm, and a {{frac|20}} chance of a [[R'lyehian faceplate]]. A mind flayer that is not a temporarily summoned monster also has a {{frac|120}} chance of generating with a crystal skull.
+* Mind flayers generated elsewhere in the dungeon are generated with a [[quarterstaff]], a [[Plain cloak|cloak]] that is either magenta ({{frac|2|3}} chance) or bright magenta ({{frac|3}} chance), a [[pair of gloves]], a pair of high boots, a leather helm, and a {{frac|20}} chance of a [[R'lyehian faceplate]]. If the mind flayer is not a temporarily summoned monster, they also have a {{frac|120}} chance of generating with a crystal skull.
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
   |size=medium
   |resistances=[[poison resistance]]
-  |resistances conveyed=[[telepathy]]
+  |resistances conveyed=[[telepathy]], +1 [[intelligence]] (50%)
   |attributes={{attributes|A mind flayer|fly=1|humanoid=1|seeinvis=1|omnivore=1|hostile=1|nasty=1|greedy=1|jewels=1|collect=1|infravisible=1|traitor=1}}
-  |reference=
+  |reference=[https://github.com/Chris-plus-alphanumericgibberish/dNAO/blob/compat-3.24.0/src/monst.c#L965 dNAO 3.24.0 - src/monst.c, line 965]
 }}
 In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], the '''[[mind flayer]]''' is a much different type of [[monster]] from its incarnation in ''[[NetHack]]''. As in ''NetHack'', mind flayers are [[omnivorous]] [[Humanoid (monster class)|humanoids]] with octopus-like tentacled heads that are capable of [[flight]], [[telepathy]], and the ability to [[see invisible]] monsters, and can also be seen via [[infravision]]. They will pick up [[gold]], [[gem]]s, [[weapon]]s, [[food]], and similar items that they come across.
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 In contrast to their ''NetHack'' traits, mind flayers in dNetHack and its derivatives lean more into the eldritch concept of their origin: as [[Illithid (monster attribute)|illithids]], they are a form of [[demihuman]] [[primordial]], and a [[hero]] that sees one loses [[sanity]] and has their [[insight]] raised. Instead of normal infravision, a mind flayer has [[darksight]] and [[R'lyehian vision]]&mdash;this means that they can see as well in [[unlit]] areas as normal creatures can see in light, but are rendered [[blind]] in lit areas, and they also cannot see beyond [[moat]]s and [[pool]]s of water and are effectively rendered blind while within water themselves. Mind flayers have 5 points of [[AC]] in the "special" category. A [[tame]] mind flayer may turn [[traitor]].
 A mind flayer has a single weapon attack and a single [[intelligence-draining]] [[tentacle attack]], in contrast to the three tentacle attacks it has in ''NetHack'', and has basic prowess in martial combat. Mind flayers also possess [[poison resistance]]. They are capable of emitting [[mind blast]]s that can lock on to the hero and/or other monsters on the same level as them: these mind blasts inflict d15 damage and affect monsters that are close enough to the mind flayer with a {{frac|10}} chance (10%), or monsters that have telepathy with a {{frac|2}} chance (50%), and the damage is subject to the [[half spell damage]] [[property]]. A tame or peaceful mind flayer will not deal damage to the hero this way unless they are under [[conflict]].
 Eating a mind flayer [[corpse]] or [[tin]], or [[quaffing]] their [[Potion of blood (dNetHack)|blood]], grants [[telepathy]] and has an additional {{frac|2}} chance (50%) of raising the hero's or raise [[intelligence]] by 1 point.
 ==Generation==
-Randomly-generated mind flayers are always created hostile.
+Randomly-generated mind flayers are always created hostile. A mind flayer can [[grow]] up into a [[Master mind flayer (dNetHack)|master mind flayer]].
 {{frac|7|20}} of the monsters randomly generated on both Nightmare Temple floors of the [[Chaos Temple Quest]] will be mind flayers.
@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 ==Strategy==
-A commonplace strategy when dealing with the mind flayers in R'lyeh is to read a [[scroll of genocide]], usually a blessed one targeting {{white|h}} unless the hero is a [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarf]], upon entering the level: this eliminates many of the mind-blasting threats that otherwise will not only constantly assault a telepathic hero as they traverse the level, but potentially awaken the deadly [[Great Cthulhu]] as well and leave them in dire straits&mdash;if not [[Death (character)|dead]] (or worse) outright.
+A commonplace strategy when dealing with mind flayers in R'lyeh is to read a [[scroll of genocide]], usually a blessed one targeting {{white|h}} unless the hero is a [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarf]], upon entering the level: this eliminates many of the mind-blasting threats that otherwise will not only constantly assault a telepathic hero as they traverse the level, but potentially awaken the deadly [[Great Cthulhu]] as well and leave them in dire straits&mdash;if not [[Death (character)|dead]] (or worse) outright. The mind flayers and other humanoids on the level also carry a plethora of valuable loot, such as potions of confusion and blindness to dilute into {{! of|water}}, potions of extra healing and gain energy to stock up on and perform [[alchemy]] with, potions of full healing to bless, and [[potions of space mead]] that grant 5,000 turns of [[slow digestion]] and [[magical breathing]] among other benefits.
 Remember that genocide does not apply to monsters generated in the Quest branch of the hero's role, so Anachrononauts (and [[Android]]s) cannot use it to preemptively kill off the mind flayers within!
@@ Line 66: / Line 64: @@
 ==Origin==
 {{Wikipedia|Illithid}}
-Mind flayers are derived from ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', where they appear in all editions, and are also known as illithids; the illithid is considered "Product Identity" by Wizards of the Coast, and as such is not released under its Open Game License. ''Dungeons & Dragons'' co-creator Gary Gygax stated that one of his inspirations was the cover painting of the Titus Crow book ''The Burrowers Beneath'' by Brian Lumley. The first mention of illithids is found in the first issue of TSR Games' official newsletter ''The Strategic Review''; they were included in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement for the original white box edition of the 1976 ''Dungeons & Dragons'' game, where they were depicted as Lawful Evil; they also appear in the first edition's Monster Manual; and the 3rd and 3.5 editions introduce playable illithids.
+Master mind flayers are derived from ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', where they appear in all editions, and are also known as illithids; the illithid is considered "Product Identity" by Wizards of the Coast, and as such is not released under its Open Game License. ''Dungeons & Dragons'' co-creator Gary Gygax stated that one of his inspirations was the cover painting of the Titus Crow book ''The Burrowers Beneath'' by Brian Lumley. The first mention of illithids is found in the first issue of TSR Games' official newsletter ''The Strategic Review''; they were included in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement for the original white box edition of the 1976 ''Dungeons & Dragons'' game, where they were depicted as Lawful Evil; they also appear in the first edition's Monster Manual; and the 3rd and 3.5 editions introduce playable illithids.
 The illithid is "a super-intelligent, man-shaped creature with four tentacles by its mouth which it uses to strike its prey"&mdash; a tentacle that hits penetrates to the brain and draws it out, allowing the monster to devour it. Its major weapon is the 'mind blast', a short-range wave of "PSI force" which affects each opponent differently based on how intelligent it is, and can induce many ailments from confusion and insanity, up to coma and even death.