Monster creation - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Normal monster selection mechanism */ copyedit

2025-12-15T04:44:21Z

‎Normal monster selection mechanism: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: fix lede

2025-04-02T05:18:45Z

fix lede

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2025-04-02T05:18:10Z

copyedit

YourAdHereCZ: /* See also */ reverse genocide

2025-02-19T15:54:40Z

‎See also: reverse genocide

Phol ende wodan: /* Normal monster selection */ 3.7: monsters can get a frequency bonus if they find the level temperature agreeable

2024-12-19T22:55:52Z

‎Normal monster selection: 3.7: monsters can get a frequency bonus if they find the level temperature agreeable

Umbire the Phantom: start on some copyedit for this

2024-09-17T08:44:22Z

start on some copyedit for this

Umbire the Phantom: follow-up for potholes and refsrc

2024-02-28T07:03:10Z

follow-up for potholes and refsrc

Show changes

Cathartes: to-done, and also add more random placement cases

2024-02-28T06:17:01Z

to-done, and also add more random placement cases

Cathartes: add section for monster placement

2024-02-28T06:08:35Z

add section for monster placement

Umbire the Phantom: todo

2024-02-27T18:17:04Z

todo

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 ==Normal monster selection mechanism==
-When a monster is generated, ''NetHack'' first determines which of the monsters in its database is eligible. [[Unique monster]]s and any monster marked with the flag <code>G_NOGEN</code> cannot be randomly generated; [[genocided]] and [[extinct]] monsters are excluded as well.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1468|nethack=3.6.7}}
+When a monster is generated, ''NetHack'' first determines which of the monsters in its database is eligible. [[Unique monster]]s and any monster marked with the flag <code>G_NOGEN</code> cannot be randomly generated, and [[genocided]] and [[extinct]] monsters are excluded as well.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1468|nethack=3.6.7}} The '''normal mechanism for monster selection''' then considers a monster from the remaining candidates to be generally eligible based on the following conditions:{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1546|nethack=3.6.7}}
 * Its [[monster difficulty]] is less than or equal to the average of [[Level difficulty|the level's difficulty]] and the hero's [[experience level]].
@@ Line 17: / Line 15: @@
 ** If the hero is on the [[Plane of Water]], only [[swimmer]]s are eligible for random generation.
 ** If the hero is on the [[Plane of Fire]], only monsters with [[fire resistance]] are eligible.
-** If the hero is on the [[Plane of Air]], only monsters that are capable of [[flying]] or [[floating]], and are also [[whirly]], [[amorphous]], or [[unsolid]] are eligible. The [[trapper or lurker above]] [[monster class]] is explicitly excluded, as both monsters rely on matching the surroundings of the dungeon walls, floor and ceiling in order to [[hide]], none of which are present on this Plane.
+** If the hero is on the [[Plane of Air]], only monsters that are capable of [[flying]] or [[floating]] ''and'' are also [[whirly]], [[amorphous]], or [[unsolid]] are eligible. The [[trapper or lurker above]] [[monster class]] is explicitly excluded, as both monsters rely on matching the surroundings of the dungeon walls, floor and ceiling in order to [[hide]], none of which are present on this Plane.
-Each monster remaining on this list that meets the above conditions is eligible, and has a probability of being generated equal to its effective [[monster frequency]] (adjusted based on its monster [[alignment]] versus the branch's alignment) divided by the sum of the monster frequencies of every eligible monster. This can be visualized as a hat full of labeled slips of paper, with each one bearing the name of a monster&mdash;each creature's monster frequency determines how many slips of paper in the hat have its name, and the game then selects a name out of the hat at random.
+Each monster that meets these conditions has a probability of being generated equal to its effective [[monster frequency]] (adjusted based on its monster [[alignment]] versus the branch's alignment) divided by the sum of the monster frequencies of every eligible monster. This can be visualized as a hat full of labeled slips of paper, with each one bearing the name of a monster&mdash;each creature's monster frequency determines how many slips of paper in the hat have its name, and the game then selects a name out of the hat at random.
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|After adjusting monster frequency for alignment, a monster species may get another +3 bonus if they have a resistance matching the current [[level temperature]]: cold resistance on cold levels, and fire resistance on hot levels.}}
@@ Line 30: / Line 28: @@
 * Otherwise, normal monster generation takes place with a {{frac|70}} chance each turn.
-The following items or spells that create monsters are subject to this rule:
+The following items or spells that create monsters are also subject to this rule:
 * [[Spellbook of create monster]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{todo|Could use more details on the placement of generated monsters - the timing seems to be ''mostly'' covered. Could also stand to flesh out what levels employ special rules and link to the dedicated pages, as well as what governs other forms of monster creation.}}
-'''Monster creation''' is the process by which ''[[NetHack]]'' determines when, where and how a particular monster is generated, whether it is randomly placing an unspecified creature somewhere on the floor, or else populating a freshly created level as soon as the player enters. The '''normal monster generation mechanism''' is applied during level creation and at the end of each turn.
+'''Monster creation''' is the process by which ''[[NetHack]]'' determines when, where and how a particular monster is generated, whether it is randomly placing an unspecified creature somewhere on the floor, or else populating a freshly created level as soon as the player enters. Normal monster generation is applied during level creation and at the end of each turn.
 Monster creation code is also invoked when the player or another monster makes use of an item that generates a monster, such as a [[scroll of create monster]] or a [[bag of tricks]].

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{todo|Could use more details on the placement of generated monsters - the timing seems to be ''mostly'' covered. Could also stand to flesh out what levels employ special rules and link to the dedicated pages, as well as what governs other forms of monster creation.}}
-'''Monster creation''' is the process by which ''[[NetHack]]'' determines when, where and how a particular monster is generated - whether it is randomly placing an unspecified creature somewhere on the floor, or else populating a freshly created level as soon as the player enters.
+'''Monster creation''' is the process by which ''[[NetHack]]'' determines when, where and how a particular monster is generated, whether it is randomly placing an unspecified creature somewhere on the floor, or else populating a freshly created level as soon as the player enters. The '''normal monster generation mechanism''' is applied during level creation and at the end of each turn.
-Normal monster generation takes place during level creation and at the end of each turn. Monster creation code is also invoked when the player or another monster makes use of an item that generates a monster, such as a [[scroll of create monster]] or a [[bag of tricks]].
+Monster creation code is also invoked when the player or another monster makes use of an item that generates a monster, such as a [[scroll of create monster]] or a [[bag of tricks]].
-==Normal monster selection==
+==Normal monster selection mechanism==
 When a monster is generated, ''NetHack'' first determines which of the monsters in its database is eligible. [[Unique monster]]s and any monster marked with the flag <code>G_NOGEN</code> cannot be randomly generated; [[genocided]] and [[extinct]] monsters are excluded as well.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1468|nethack=3.6.7}}
-From there, a monster is generally eligible if:{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1546|nethack=3.6.7}}
+From there, this '''normal mechanism''' for monster generation considers a monster to be generally eligible if:{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1546|nethack=3.6.7}}
 * Its [[monster difficulty]] is less than or equal to the average of [[Level difficulty|the level's difficulty]] and the hero's [[experience level]].
 * Its difficulty is at least one-sixth of the current level's difficulty.
 * If the hero is on the [[Rogue level]], then monsters represented by glyphs with lower-case letters (e.g., {{mcsl|a}}, {{mcsl|b}}, {{mcsl|c}}) are excluded from eligibility.
-* If the hero is in [[Gehennom]], [[lawful]] monsters and those marked with the flag <code>G_NOHELL</code> (e.g., [[winter wolf]]) are excluded, while monsters with the flag <code>G_HELL</code>) (e.g., [[hell hound]]s) are ''only'' eligible to be randomly generated in Gehennom and are ineligible elsewhere.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1473|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1568|nethack=3.6.7}}
+* If the hero is in [[Gehennom]], [[lawful]] monsters and those marked with the flag <code>G_NOHELL</code> (e.g., [[winter wolf]]) are excluded, while monsters with the flag <code>G_HELL</code> (e.g., [[hell hound]]s) are ''only'' eligible to be randomly generated in Gehennom and are ineligible elsewhere.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1473|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1568|nethack=3.6.7}}
-* On the [[Elemental Planes]]:{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|51|nethack=3.6.7}}
+* On the [[Elemental Planes]], the following restrictions are applied:{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|51|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ** If the hero is on the [[Plane of Water]], only [[swimmer]]s are eligible for random generation.
 ** If the hero is on the [[Plane of Fire]], only monsters with [[fire resistance]] are eligible.
-** If the hero is on the [[Plane of Air]], only monsters that are capable of [[flying]] or [[floating]], and are [[whirly]], [[amorphous]], or [[unsolid]] are eligible. The [[trapper or lurker above]] [[monster class]] is explicitly excluded, as both monsters rely on matching the surroundings of the dungeon walls, floor and ceiling in order to [[hide]].
+** If the hero is on the [[Plane of Air]], only monsters that are capable of [[flying]] or [[floating]], and are also [[whirly]], [[amorphous]], or [[unsolid]] are eligible. The [[trapper or lurker above]] [[monster class]] is explicitly excluded, as both monsters rely on matching the surroundings of the dungeon walls, floor and ceiling in order to [[hide]], none of which are present on this Plane.
-Each monster remaining on this list that meets the above conditions is eligible, and has a probability of being generated equal to its effective [[monster frequency]] (adjusted based on its monster [[alignment]] versus the branch's alignment) divided by the sum of the monster frequencies of every eligible monster. This can be visualized as a hat full of labeled slips of paper, with each one bearing the name of a monster - each creature's monster frequency determines how many slips of paper in the hat have its name, and the game then selects a name out of the hat at random.
+Each monster remaining on this list that meets the above conditions is eligible, and has a probability of being generated equal to its effective [[monster frequency]] (adjusted based on its monster [[alignment]] versus the branch's alignment) divided by the sum of the monster frequencies of every eligible monster. This can be visualized as a hat full of labeled slips of paper, with each one bearing the name of a monster&mdash;each creature's monster frequency determines how many slips of paper in the hat have its name, and the game then selects a name out of the hat at random.
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|After adjusting monster frequency for alignment, a monster species may get another +3 bonus if they have a resistance matching the current [[level temperature]]: cold resistance on cold levels, and fire resistance on hot levels.}}

@@ Line 138: / Line 138: @@
 *[[special room]]s
 *[[Special level]]
 ==References==

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 ** If the hero is on the [[Plane of Air]], only monsters that are capable of [[flying]] or [[floating]], and are [[whirly]], [[amorphous]], or [[unsolid]] are eligible. The [[trapper or lurker above]] [[monster class]] is explicitly excluded, as both monsters rely on matching the surroundings of the dungeon walls, floor and ceiling in order to [[hide]].
-Each monster remaining on this list that meets the above conditions is eligible, and has a probability of being generated equal to its effective [[monster frequency]] divided by the sum of the monster frequencies of every eligible monster. This can be visualized as a hat full of labeled slips of paper, with each one bearing the name of a monster - each creature's monster frequency determines how many slips of paper in the hat have its name, and the game then selects a name out of the hat at random.
+Each monster remaining on this list that meets the above conditions is eligible, and has a probability of being generated equal to its effective [[monster frequency]] (adjusted based on its monster [[alignment]] versus the branch's alignment) divided by the sum of the monster frequencies of every eligible monster. This can be visualized as a hat full of labeled slips of paper, with each one bearing the name of a monster - each creature's monster frequency determines how many slips of paper in the hat have its name, and the game then selects a name out of the hat at random.
 ===Where this mechanism is used===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{todo|Could use more details on the placement of generated monsters - the timing seems to be ''mostly'' covered, so go more in-depth on how the game will try to place monsters outside of your character's line of sight. Could also stand to flesh out what levels employ special rules and link to the dedicated pages, as well as what governs other forms of monster creation.}}
+{{todo|Could use more details on the placement of generated monsters - the timing seems to be ''mostly'' covered. Could also stand to flesh out what levels employ special rules and link to the dedicated pages, as well as what governs other forms of monster creation.}}
 '''Monster creation''' is the process by which ''[[NetHack]]'' determines when, where and how a particular monster is generated - whether it is randomly placing an unspecified creature somewhere on the floor, or else populating a freshly created level as soon as the player enters.
@@ Line 128: / Line 128: @@
 ==Monster placement==
-Monsters may be placed differently depending on how the monster is created. Monsters are placed randomly when they are created as part of the normal end-of-turn random monster creation.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|127|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>makemon()</code> is called with coordinates <0,0>, indicating random placement}}. When monsters are placed randomly, the placement algorithm prefers to place monsters where you can't see them.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1034|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>makemon_rnd_goodpos()</code> picks the location when <code>makemon()</code> was called with random placement}} Most player actions that result in monster creation result in the monsters being created around you.
+Monsters may be placed differently depending on how the monster is created. Monsters are placed randomly when they are created as part of the normal end-of-turn random monster creation.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|127|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>makemon()</code> is called with coordinates <0,0>, indicating random placement}} [[Shrieker]]-summoned monsters and some regenerated [[Keystone Kop (monster class)|Keystone Kop]]s are also placed randomly.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|2867|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Shrieker}}{{refsrc|src/mon.c|2056|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Kops}} When monsters are placed randomly, the placement algorithm prefers to place monsters where you can't see them.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1034|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>makemon_rnd_goodpos()</code> picks the location when <code>makemon()</code> was called with random placement}} Most player actions that result in monster creation result in the monsters being created around you.
 ==See also==

@@ Line 127: / Line 127: @@
 Other levels and branches follow various special rules for initial monster placement that are generally unique to each area and detailed on their respective articles.
-==See Also==
+==Monster placement==
 *[[Demon gating]]
 *[[summon nasties]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:17, 27 February 2024
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−	{{todo\|Could use more details on the placement of generated monsters, the timing seems to be ''mostly'' covered. Could also stand to flesh out what levels employ special rules and link to the dedicated pages, as well as what governs other forms of monster creation.}}	+	{{todo\|Could use more details on the placement of generated monsters - the timing seems to be ''mostly'' covered, so go more in-depth on how the game will try to place monsters outside of your character's line of sight. Could also stand to flesh out what levels employ special rules and link to the dedicated pages, as well as what governs other forms of monster creation.}}

	'''Monster creation''' is the process by which ''[[NetHack]]'' determines when, where and how a particular monster is generated - whether it is randomly placing an unspecified creature somewhere on the floor, or else populating a freshly created level as soon as the player enters.		'''Monster creation''' is the process by which ''[[NetHack]]'' determines when, where and how a particular monster is generated - whether it is randomly placing an unspecified creature somewhere on the floor, or else populating a freshly created level as soon as the player enters.