Monster spell - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: pothole - link to category is redundant after a list is already given

2026-05-19T00:28:17Z

pothole - link to category is redundant after a list is already given

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2026-05-18T21:42:31Z

word choice

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2026-05-05T04:51:10Z

potholes

Umbire the Phantom: /* References */ tweak

2026-02-08T21:38:24Z

‎References: tweak

Umbire the Phantom: tocright

2026-02-08T20:25:22Z

tocright

Umbire the Phantom: touch-up pass

2026-02-08T20:25:10Z

touch-up pass

Show changes

Umbire the Phantom: hack'em

2025-04-08T14:42:13Z

hack'em

Umbire the Phantom: upcoming

2025-03-25T00:57:44Z

upcoming

Umbire the Phantom: hatnote

2025-03-25T00:10:15Z

hatnote

Umbire the Phantom: mention attack types and damage types, some other copyedit

2025-03-25T00:07:05Z

mention attack types and damage types, some other copyedit

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 Once the conditions for being able to cast a given spell, there is a {{frac|2|ML}} chance that the spell will fail and produce a different non-"curse" message, with this chance multiplied by 5 if that monster is [[confused]].{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|257|nethack=3.6.7}} Otherwise, the spell is cast and its effects are applied: damaging spells will deal ({{frac|''ML''|2}} + 1)d6 of damage, while damaging spells from an attack that has dice specified in the routine will deal ({{frac|''ML''|2}} + x)dy damage, where (x, y) is the amount and size of the damage dice{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|288|nethack=3.6.7|name=damnd|comment=calculations for monster spells cast with damage dice}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|290|nethack=3.6.7|name=damxx|comment=calculations for monsters spells cast without dice}}&mdash;for example, a level 14 [[Angel]] using the magic missile spell at melee range (<code>ATTK(AT_MAGC, AD_MAGM, 2, 6)</code>) will deal ({{frac|14|2}} + 2)d6 in damage, or 9d6.{{refsrc|src/monst.c|1010|nethack=3.6.7|name="angl"}} Monster spell damage is always halved by the [[half spell damage]] property.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|292|nethack=3.6.7|comments=half-spell applies to all monster spells that do not calculate their own damage}}
-Monsters will not use their monster spells in combat against other monsters under normal circumstances. Hostile monsters that are [[scared]] (e.g. by [[Elbereth]]) or are not adjacent to the hero will only use non-directed spells.<ref name="rayspell"/> If a hostile monster uses a directed spell at the hero, but targets a square other than the one they occupy (e.g., the hero is [[invisible]] or has [[displacement]]), the spell will fail and produce a "curse" message. Monsters will not cast spells of either type if they are more than 7 [[square]]s away from the hero.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|586|nethack=3.6.7}} Peaceful or tame monsters will not cast directed spells at the hero unless they are under the effects of [[conflict]].
+Monsters will not use their monster spells in combat against other monsters under normal circumstances. Hostile monsters that are [[scared]] (e.g. by [[Elbereth]]) or are not adjacent to the hero will only use non-directed spells.<ref name="rayspell"/> If a hostile monster uses a directed spell at the hero, but targets a square other than the one they occupy (e.g., the hero is [[invisible]] or has [[Displacement (property)|displacement]]), the spell will fail and produce a "curse" message. Monsters will not cast spells of either type if they are more than 7 [[square]]s away from the hero.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|586|nethack=3.6.7}} Peaceful or tame monsters will not cast directed spells at the hero unless they are under the effects of [[conflict]].
 ==List of spells==
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 * The call undead monster spell requires that the caster can see their target, and they cannot use it to summon monsters of higher [[Monster difficulty|difficulty level]] than the caster, both of which also apply to the summon nasties monster spell.
 * The vulnerability monster spell can also induce vulnerability to [[sonic]] attacks.
 ==References==

@@ Line 109: / Line 109: @@
 {{message|<The monster> points all around, then curses.|The monster attempted to cast a spell before they were able to do so.}}
 {{message|<The monster> points and curses in your general direction.|As above, but the monster cannot see you.}}
-{{message|<The monster> points and curses at your displaced image.|As above, but you are [[displaced]].}}
+{{message|<The monster> points and curses at your displaced image.|As above, but you have displacement that fooled the monster.}}
 {{message|You hear a mumbled curse.|As above, but you cannot see the monster.}}
 {{message|The air crackles around <the monster>.|The monster cast a spell when able to do so, but the spell failed.}}
@@ Line 115: / Line 115: @@
 {{message|<The monster> casts a spell at you!|The monster successfully cast a spell.}}
 {{message|<The monster> casts a spell at a spot near you!|As above, but the monster cannot see you.}}
-{{message|<The monster> casts a spell at your displaced image!|As above, but you have displacement.}}
+{{message|<The monster> casts a spell at your displaced image!|As above, but you have displacement that fooled the monster.}}
 {{message|You are hit by a shower of missiles!|You were hit by the magic missile spell in melee range.}}

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 |[[Cure self]] || 2 || || ||
 |-
-|[[Confuse (monster spell)|Confuse]] || 3 || Y ||[[abbot]], [[acolyte]] ||
+|[[Confuse (monster spell)|Confuse]] || 3 || Y ||[[abbot]], [[Acolyte (quest guardian)|acolyte]] ||
 |-
 |[[Paralyze (monster spell)|Paralyze]] || 5 ||  Y || ||
 |-
-|[[Blind (monster spell)|Blind]] || 6 || Y || || [[abbot]], [[acolyte]]
+|[[Blind (monster spell)|Blind]] || 6 || Y || || [[abbot]], [[Acolyte (quest guardian)|acolyte]]
 |-
 |[[Summon insects]] || 9 || || ||
 |-
-|[[Curse items]] || 10 || Y || [[aligned priest]]||
+|[[Curse items]] || 10 || Y || [[aligned cleric]]||
 |-
 |[[Lightning (monster spell)|Lightning]] || 12 || Y || ||
@@ Line 78: / Line 78: @@
 |[[Fire pillar]] || 13 || Y || ||
 |-
-|[[Geyser]]|| 14 || Y ||[[high priest]], [[Grand Master]], [[Master Kaen]], [[Arch Priest]] || [[aligned priest]], [[high priest]], [[Grand Master]], [[Master Kaen]], [[Arch Priest]]
+|[[Geyser]]|| 14 || Y ||[[high cleric]], [[Grand Master]], [[Master Kaen]], [[Arch Priest]] || [[aligned cleric]], [[high cleric]], [[Grand Master]], [[Master Kaen]], [[Arch Priest]]
 |}

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 <references/>
 {{nethack-367}}
-[[Category:Monster spells| ]]
+[[Category:Monster spells|*]]
 [[Category:Attack types]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:25, 8 February 2026
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		+	{{tocright}}
	{{otheruses\|monster-exclusive spells that can sometimes be cast clerically\|the [[skill]] representing the spell school\|clerical spells}}		{{otheruses\|monster-exclusive spells that can sometimes be cast clerically\|the [[skill]] representing the spell school\|clerical spells}}
	In ''[[NetHack]]'', a '''monster spell''' is a category of [[spell]] that only spell-casting [[monster]]s can make use of. Some spells are unique to this category, while others share properties with magical items and spells that the [[hero]] can use. Monster spells use the <tt>'''AT_MAGC'''</tt> [[attack type]] flag.		In ''[[NetHack]]'', a '''monster spell''' is a category of [[spell]] that only spell-casting [[monster]]s can make use of. Some spells are unique to this category, while others share properties with magical items and spells that the [[hero]] can use. Monster spells use the <tt>'''AT_MAGC'''</tt> [[attack type]] flag.

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 * The summon insects spell will create hostile [[arachnid or centipede]] monsters instead of insects if cast by [[Lolth (EvilHack)|Lolth]] or a [[Drow (monster attribute)|drow]] monster.
-Several new spellcasting monsters are added, and some existing spellcasters also have their attack routines adjusted to make them stronger; the fireball spell is also given to a few monsters, all of them [[major demon]]s. Monsters can use their spells in combat against other monsters, but tame and peaceful monsters will not cast any spell that summons or aggravates monsters. A hero that polymorphs into a spellcasting monster and attacks in melee will cast a random monster spell, with the same attack order as that monster would have normally; the spellcasting fails if the hero does not have enough power for the selected spell.
+Several new spellcasting monsters are added, and some existing spellcasters also have their attack routines adjusted to make them stronger. The fireball spell is also given to a few monsters, all of them [[major demon]]s. Monsters can use their spells in combat against other monsters, but tame and peaceful monsters will not cast any spell that summons or aggravates monsters. A hero that polymorphs into a spellcasting monster and attacks in melee will cast a random monster spell, with the same attack order as that monster would have normally; the spellcasting fails if the hero does not have enough power for the selected spell.
 ==See also==

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 Peaceful or tame monsters that cast mage spells will only use haste self, cure self and disappear, and will only cast the lattermost spell if the hero can currently [[see invisible]].
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|As part of a rework to make them better emulate their inspirations in the Furies, {{commit|f930a12fba63e77d63b7a266d517f7ea038cd464}} gives [[erinyes]] the ability to cast mage monster spells among the traits and properties that they can gain if a character commits enough alignment abuse.}}
+{{upcoming|3.7.0|As part of a rework to make them better emulate their inspirations in the Furies, {{commit|f930a12fba63e77d63b7a266d517f7ea038cd464}} gives [[erinyes]] the ability to cast mage monster spells among the traits and properties that they can gain if a hero commits enough alignment abuse.}}
 ===Clerical spells===
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 {{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|6b8079a16f425aa80239b0b1009ec98a70af56ff}}, some of the clerical spells have secondary effects:
-* The pillar of flame burns items and melts ice like the fireball above.
+* The pillar of flame burns items and melts ice.
-* Lightning may destroy [[iron bars]] if you happen to be standing in/on iron bars, with the same low odds as a bolt of lightning.}}
+* Lightning may destroy [[iron bars]] if a hero happens to be standing on their square, with the same low odds as a bolt of lightning.}}
 ===Ray-type spells===
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 * The magic missile can scuff any [[engraving]] on a targeted square.
-* The cone of cold freezes a [[pool]] or [[lava]] square it targets.
+* The cone of cold freezes a [[pool]] or [[lava]] square that it targets.
 * The fireball burns items on the floor and melts [[ice]] at the target square.}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:10, 25 March 2025
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		+	{{otheruses\|monster-exclusive spells that can sometimes be cast clerically\|the [[skill]] representing the spell school\|clerical spells}}
	In ''[[NetHack]]'', a '''monster spell''' is a category of [[spell]] that only spell-casting [[monster]]s can make use of. Some spells are unique to this category, while others share properties with magical items and spells that the [[hero]] can use. Monster spells use the <tt>'''AT_MAGC'''</tt> [[attack type]] flag.		In ''[[NetHack]]'', a '''monster spell''' is a category of [[spell]] that only spell-casting [[monster]]s can make use of. Some spells are unique to this category, while others share properties with magical items and spells that the [[hero]] can use. Monster spells use the <tt>'''AT_MAGC'''</tt> [[attack type]] flag.

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 ==Description==
-Hostile monsters that have spell-casting attacks can cast one of three categories of spell: [[#Mage spells|mage spells]], [[#Clerical spells|clerical spells]] and [[#Ray-type spells|ray-type spells]].{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|9|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="magespells"|comment=list of mage spells}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|25|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="clericspells"|comment=list of clerical spells}} No monster will cast spells in more than one category. Ray spells are handled differently compared to mage and clerical spells - see the section below for more information.<ref name="rayspell"/> Monsters that are [[cancelled]] can no longer cast any spells.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|233|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Hostile monsters that have spell-casting attacks can cast one of three categories of spell: [[#Mage spells|mage spells]], [[#Clerical spells|clerical spells]] and [[#Ray-type spells|ray-type spells]].{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|9|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="magespells"|comment=list of mage spells}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|25|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="clericspells"|comment=list of clerical spells}} Mage spells use the <tt>'''AD_SPEL'''</tt> [[damage type]] flag, while clerical spells use the <tt>'''AD_CLRC'''</tt> damage type flag, and ray-type spells will use the damage type associated with their ray's element. Ray spells are handled differently compared to mage and clerical spells - see the section below for more information.<ref name="rayspell"/> Monsters that are [[cancelled]] can no longer cast spells.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|233|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Currently, no monster can cast spells from more than one category.
 For non-ray spells, the monster must be at least [[Monster level|level]] one to cast spells, and spells are selected randomly based on that monster's level (represented in calculations as ''ML'') and spellcasting type, with their level providing the cap for what spells of that type are eligible.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|87|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="magelist"|comment=cases for randomly selected mage spells}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|142|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="clericlist"|comment=cases for randomly selected cleric spells}} Monsters that cast spells from a given category can use any spell in that category if it is available at or below their current level, and will only cast a particular spell once every (10 &minus; ''ML'') turns, with a minimum "cooldown" of two turns between attempts.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|239|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Monsters that attempt to cast a spell while it is on cooldown will produce a "curse" message.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|53|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ==List of spells==
-In the tables below, ''Min. level'' refers to the minimum level required for the monster to be able to cast that spell. The monsters that use the type of spells in each table are listed in the two ''Monsters'' column. In the ''Monsters (at lowest level)'' column, we assume that the monster is generated at its base level minus one, which is the lowest possible level at which a monster will be randomly generated. In the ''Monsters (at highest level)'' column, we assume that the monster is generated at its base level times 1.5, which is the highest possible level at which a monster will be randomly generated. In both cases, each named monster can cast the spell on the same row as their name and every spell above it.
+The three categories of monster spell are detailed in the tables below: ''Min. level'' refers to the minimum level required for the monster to be able to cast that spell, and the monsters that use the type of spells in each table are listed in the two ''Monsters'' column; in the ''Monsters (at lowest level)'' column, we assume that the monster is generated at its base level minus one, which is the lowest possible level at which a monster will be randomly generated; and in the ''Monsters (at highest level)'' column, we assume that the monster is generated at its base level times 1.5, which is the highest possible level at which a monster will be randomly generated. In both cases, each named monster can cast the spell on the same row as their name and every spell above it.
 As an example, a golden naga is guaranteed to cast psi bolt, cure self, haste self, stun, disappear, drain strength and destroy armor. They may be able to cast curse items and aggravate, if they are generated at a high enough level. Monsters at their maximum level can still gain the ability to cast other spells below their names in the table if they gain levels through other means, e.g. potions of {{! of|gain level}}.
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 {{nethack-367}}
 [[Category:Monster spells| ]]