Paralysis - Revision history

Tomsod: /* Monster paralysis */ interesting tidbit if you just want to pacify a monster

2025-11-30T06:50:46Z

‎Monster paralysis: interesting tidbit if you just want to pacify a monster

Umbire the Phantom: touch-ups, earmark

2025-10-07T21:32:38Z

touch-ups, earmark

Cathartes: /* Causes */ duration of paralysis from monsters

2024-11-22T06:20:33Z

‎Causes: duration of paralysis from monsters

Tomsod: /* Monster paralysis */ wake up chance & timed sleep

2024-10-05T10:36:11Z

‎Monster paralysis: wake up chance & timed sleep

MrSurvivor1997: I have had pets save my life when sleep or paralysis has happened.

2024-05-08T18:49:10Z

I have had pets save my life when sleep or paralysis has happened.

Derekt75: /* Prevention */ bunch of similar free action messages.

2023-04-07T16:48:10Z

‎Prevention: bunch of similar free action messages.

Actual-nh: /* Prevention */ Even MC3 has a 10% failure rate...

2021-06-03T16:34:25Z

‎Prevention: Even MC3 has a 10% failure rate...

Actual-nh: /* Helplessness */ Strunk & White

2021-05-01T03:29:39Z

‎Helplessness: Strunk & White

Phol ende wodan: /* Monster paralysis */ can be caused with potions

2017-08-10T21:54:03Z

‎Monster paralysis: can be caused with potions

Cherokee Jack: Added to Monster damage types

2016-04-28T01:57:04Z

Added to Monster damage types

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:50, 30 November 2025
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	Paralyzed monsters have a 10% chance of "waking up" and regaining mobility whenever you physically attack them, even if you miss.{{refsrc\|src/uhitm.c\|285\|nethack=3.6.7}} Timed monster [[sleep]], such as from the [[wand of sleep]], is also internally treated as paralysis.		Paralyzed monsters have a 10% chance of "waking up" and regaining mobility whenever you physically attack them, even if you miss.{{refsrc\|src/uhitm.c\|285\|nethack=3.6.7}} Timed monster [[sleep]], such as from the [[wand of sleep]], is also internally treated as paralysis.
		+
		+	Monsters cannot be [[tamed]] by any means while paralyzed, usually becoming [[peaceful]] instead.{{refsrc\|src/dog.c\|898\|nethack=3.6.7}}

	==Helplessness==		==Helplessness==

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 You can also throw potions of paralysis at monsters, or wield them and break the potion over their head, to paralyze them. Beware of the released vapors that may paralyze you, though; a ring of free action will protect you.
-Paralyzed monsters have a 10% chance to "wake up" whenever you physically attack them, even if you miss.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|285|nethack=3.6.7}}  Timed monster [[sleep]], such as from the [[wand of sleep]], is also internally treated as paralysis.
+Paralyzed monsters have a 10% chance of "waking up" and regaining mobility whenever you physically attack them, even if you miss.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|285|nethack=3.6.7}} Timed monster [[sleep]], such as from the [[wand of sleep]], is also internally treated as paralysis.
 ==Helplessness==
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 *[[fumbling]]
 *[[hurtling]] through the air by throwing something while [[levitating]]
-*[[prayer|praying]], although a successful prayer also renders you [[invulnerability|invulnerable]] for its duration
+*[[praying]], although a successful prayer also renders you [[invulnerable]] for its duration
 *quaffing a [[milky potion]] and producing a ghost
 *entering a deserted [[temple]] and producing a ghost

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 == Causes ==
 *Attacking a [[floating eye]]. If you can see it and your hit does not kill it, there is a 2/3 chance that you will be paralyzed for a large number of turns (usually d70).{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2405|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
-*Attacking or being attacked by a [[gelatinous cube]]. This paralysis does not last as long.
+*Being attacked by a [[gelatinous cube]], [[shade]], [[ghoul]], [[guardian naga]] or [[Yeenoghu]]. These attacks will paralyze you for d10 turns{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1189|nethack=3.6.7}} and are affected by [[magic cancellation]].
-*Being attacked by a [[shade]], [[ghoul]], [[guardian naga]] or [[Yeenoghu]]. This attack is affected by [[magic cancellation]].
+*Attacking a gelatinous cube. This lasts for d4 turns.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2909|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>tmp</code> is the result of rolling damage for the passive attack, which is 1d4 in this case.}}
 *Being hit by a thrown or wielded [[potion of paralysis]]. This will paralyze you for 1-5 turns.
 *Drinking a [[potion of paralysis]]. This will paralyze you for 13-46 turns depending on BUC.

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 == Monster paralysis ==
-Monsters can also be paralyzed in NetHack, a prime example being when pets hit a [[floating eye]]. You can wake them up with nonmagical or uncharged drums or horns. In the case of floating eyes, zapping a [[wand of make invisible]] at the eye can help prevent paralysis.
+Monsters can also be paralyzed in NetHack, a prime example being when pets hit a [[floating eye]].  You can wake them up with nonmagical or uncharged drums or horns. In the case of floating eyes, zapping a [[wand of make invisible]] at the eye can help prevent paralysis.
 You can also throw potions of paralysis at monsters, or wield them and break the potion over their head, to paralyze them. Beware of the released vapors that may paralyze you, though; a ring of free action will protect you.
 ==Helplessness==

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:49, 8 May 2024
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−	'''Paralysis''' is a magically-induced inability to move. Depending on the length and cause, paralysis can be quite dangerous, as monsters may get many free turns.	+	'''Paralysis''' is a magically-induced inability to move. Depending on the length and cause, paralysis can be quite dangerous, as monsters may get many free turns. However, a [[pet]] that was right next to you as you sleep may be able to guard you and therefore save your life against attacking monsters.

	== Causes ==		== Causes ==

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 == Prevention ==
-Wearing a [[ring of free action]] protects against all forms of paralysis ("You momentarily stiffen."). The paralyze monster spell can be limited to one turn by having [[magic resistance]].
+Wearing a [[ring of free action]] protects against all forms of paralysis ("You momentarily stiffen.", "You stiffen momentarily.", or "You stiffen briefly."). The paralyze monster spell can be limited to one turn by having [[magic resistance]].
 You will likely encounter many thrown potions of paralysis throughout the game. In certain cases, such as when in crowded conditions on the [[Astral Plane]], getting paralyzed for five turns can be deadly. The danger is so great that some players will even wish for a ring of free action if they have not found one by the time they reach the Astral Plane. If you have one, you should definitely wear it for [[Moloch's Sanctum|the Sanctum]] and Astral Plane.

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 You will likely encounter many thrown potions of paralysis throughout the game. In certain cases, such as when in crowded conditions on the [[Astral Plane]], getting paralyzed for five turns can be deadly. The danger is so great that some players will even wish for a ring of free action if they have not found one by the time they reach the Astral Plane. If you have one, you should definitely wear it for [[Moloch's Sanctum|the Sanctum]] and Astral Plane.
-Most of the other causes of paralysis are easily preventable with good tactics. You can completely prevent paralysis from hitting floating eyes by not hitting them in melee unless you have [[reflection]]. Gelatinous cubes generally paralyze you for a short enough time as to not be dangerous unless you are in a crowd, but you can kill them with missile attacks if you're worried. Shade attacks are blocked by magic cancellation, so wearing a good cloak will prevent them from being a hazard. Finally, don't quaff unidentified potions that might be paralysis ([[Price identification|price 300]]).
+Most of the other causes of paralysis are easily preventable with good tactics. You can completely prevent paralysis from hitting floating eyes by not hitting them in melee unless you have [[reflection]]. Gelatinous cubes generally paralyze you for a short enough time as to not be dangerous unless you are in a crowd, but you can kill them with missile attacks if you're worried. Shade attacks are blocked by [[magic cancellation]], so wearing a good cloak will usually prevent them from being a hazard. Finally, don't quaff unidentified potions that might be paralysis ([[Price identification|price 300]]).
 == Monster paralysis ==

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 *entering a deserted [[temple]] and producing a ghost
 *using a [[crystal ball]]
-This state is identical to paralysis except for the fact that it cannot be prevented by a [[ring of free action]] or any other means.  However, all means of inducing this state require some deliberate action on the player's part, so the state is always avoidable.
+This state is identical to paralysis except that it cannot be prevented by a [[ring of free action]] or any other means.  However, all means of inducing this state require some deliberate action on the player's part, so the state is always avoidable.
 ==References==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 == Causes ==
-*Attacking a [[floating eye]]. If you can see it and your hit does not kill it, there is a 2/3 chance that you will be paralyzed for a large number of turns (usually d70).{{refsrc|uhitm.c|2405|nethack=3.6.0}}
+*Attacking a [[floating eye]]. If you can see it and your hit does not kill it, there is a 2/3 chance that you will be paralyzed for a large number of turns (usually d70).{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2405|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
 *Attacking or being attacked by a [[gelatinous cube]]. This paralysis does not last as long.
 *Being attacked by a [[shade]], [[ghoul]], [[guardian naga]] or [[Yeenoghu]]. This attack is affected by [[magic cancellation]].
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 == Prevention ==
-Wearing a [[ring of free action]] protects against all forms of paralysis ("You momentarily stiffen."). The paralyze monster spell can be limited to one turn by having magic resistance.
+Wearing a [[ring of free action]] protects against all forms of paralysis ("You momentarily stiffen."). The paralyze monster spell can be limited to one turn by having [[magic resistance]].
 You will likely encounter many thrown potions of paralysis throughout the game. In certain cases, such as when in crowded conditions on the [[Astral Plane]], getting paralyzed for five turns can be deadly. The danger is so great that some players will even wish for a ring of free action if they have not found one by the time they reach the Astral Plane. If you have one, you should definitely wear it for [[Moloch's Sanctum|the Sanctum]] and Astral Plane.
-Most of the other causes of paralysis are easily preventable with good tactics. You can completely prevent paralysis from hitting floating eyes by not hitting them in melee unless you have reflection. Gelatinous cubes generally paralyze you for a short enough time as to not be dangerous unless you are in a crowd, but you can kill them with missile attacks if you're worried. Shade attacks are blocked by magic cancellation, so wearing a good cloak will prevent them from being a hazard. Finally, don't quaff random potions that might be paralysis (price 300).
+Most of the other causes of paralysis are easily preventable with good tactics. You can completely prevent paralysis from hitting floating eyes by not hitting them in melee unless you have [[reflection]]. Gelatinous cubes generally paralyze you for a short enough time as to not be dangerous unless you are in a crowd, but you can kill them with missile attacks if you're worried. Shade attacks are blocked by magic cancellation, so wearing a good cloak will prevent them from being a hazard. Finally, don't quaff unidentified potions that might be paralysis ([[Price identification|price 300]]).
 == Monster paralysis ==
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 ==Helplessness==
-Helplessness is caused by the following actions:
+A similar condition, '''helplessness''', is caused by the following actions:
 *[[engraving]]
 *reading a [[cursed spellbook]] (sometimes)
@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 * [[meditating]]
 [[Category:Properties]]
 {{nethack-360}}