Pestilence - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-05-18T22:57:28Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: same treatment as Famine

2025-09-27T10:39:53Z

same treatment as Famine

Show changes

Umbire the Phantom: tweaks

2025-07-02T17:19:05Z

tweaks

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2025-01-16T12:12:53Z

copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: dropped word

2025-01-05T17:21:16Z

dropped word

Umbire the Phantom: rewrite healing note

2024-11-09T11:17:17Z

rewrite healing note

Umbire the Phantom: /* Messages */ add message

2024-11-09T11:12:32Z

‎Messages: add message

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ spacing + word choice

2024-10-10T23:32:10Z

‎dNetHack: spacing + word choice

ScienceBall: /* dNetHack */ Binah are Binder-only

2024-10-10T20:59:28Z

‎dNetHack: Binah are Binder-only

Umbire the Phantom: upcoming + var + etc.

2024-10-09T07:49:24Z

upcoming + var + etc.

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 Pestilence and the other Riders will [[revive]] from their [[corpse]] after they are destroyed, which has a {{frac|3}} chance of occurring each turn and is guaranteed to occur after 500 turns, and they will also revive in response to an action that would prevent it otherwise, e.g. a [[tinning kit]] is applied to the corpse, something attempts to pick it up, the corpse is teleported, or a [[boulder]] is pushed or lands onto onto its square.{{refsrc|src/do.c|1880|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=<tt>revive_mon</tt> function}}{{refsrc|src/do.c|1900|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=cases for Rider revival}}{{refsrc|src/mkobj.c|1201|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=In practice, unless there is something wrong with the RNG, this 500-turn limit will never be hit.}}{{refsrc|src/teleport.c|1432|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Teleporting a dead Rider always revives them}}
-Pestilence has [[teleport control]], which has a {{frac|12|13}} chance of placing them adjacent to the hero if they are teleported.{{refsrc|src/teleport.c|1576|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} They also ignore the effects of [[sanctuary]] and [[Elbereth]], can unlock [[door]]s without an [[unlocking tool]], and can [[displace]] other monsters that are in their path unless that monster is occupying a square where a corpse cannot be generated.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|1589|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|820|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Pestilence has [[teleport control]], which has a {{frac|12|13}} chance of placing them adjacent to the hero if they are teleported.{{refsrc|src/teleport.c|1576|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} They also ignore the effects of [[sanctuary]] and [[Elbereth]], can unlock [[door]]s without an [[unlocking tool]], and can [[M3_DISPLACES|displace other monsters]] that are in their path unless that monster is occupying a square where a corpse cannot be generated.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|1589|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|820|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 Pestilence has two powerful [[touch]] attacks that deal damage and inflict [[disease]], and if both attacks land, the second attack will instead [[stun]] the hero{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|292|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=prevent double doinks from disease and hunger attacks}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1625|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=<tt>AD_PEST</tt> damage type}} the attack has no effect on monsters, though a second successful hit damages and stuns monsters as they do the hero.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1449|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Unhandled cases default to 0 damage}}

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 In any event, having a reliable cure for the illness ready to use is generally wise, and makes up a significant part of Astral Plane strategy: blessed [[unicorn horn]]s are a standard feature of [[ascension kit]]s, but may take more than one [[Apply|application]] to cure sickness; [[potions of full healing]] are reliable when non-cursed, but can be destroyed by certain [[monster spells]] such as a [[fire pillar]] from an [[aligned priest]]; and the {{+ of|cure sickness}} spell can be lowered to 0% failure rate with skill in [[healing spells]] and and/or boosted casting stats, but Pestilence may land both touch attacks and stun the hero, preventing them from casting any spells at all.
-The quickest way to deal with Pestilence is to successfully hit them with a [[wand of death]] or the [[finger of death]] spell - when killing them for the first time, be sure to dispose of their potion supply quickly afterward. Like the other Riders, Pestilence can also be dispatched quickly with high damage output, preferably from any [[ranged weapon]] in order to avoid contending with sickness-inducing touch, and the [[expensive camera]] can [[scare]] them off. Spellcasting heroes with a high [[experience level]] and access to the {{+ of|magic missile}} spell can bring Death down in a few shots (especially with rebounds), while heroes with highly-enchanted projectiles can also defeat Death with a few volleys. Melee-focused heroes can potentially defeat Pestilence fast enough, particularly if [[twoweaponing]], but carries a high risk of the hero becoming terminally ill should they land a successful touch.
+The quickest way to deal with Pestilence is to successfully hit them with a [[wand of death]] or the {{+ of|finger of death}} spell&mdash;when killing them for the first time, be sure to dispose of their potion supply quickly afterward. Like the other Riders, Pestilence can also be dispatched quickly with high damage output (preferably from any [[ranged weapon]]) in order to avoid contending with their sickness-inducing touch, and the [[expensive camera]] can [[scare]] them off. Spellcasting heroes with a high [[experience level]] and access to the {{+ of|magic missile}} spell can bring Death down in a few shots (especially with rebounds), while heroes with highly-enchanted projectiles can also defeat Death with a few volleys. Melee-focused heroes can potentially defeat Pestilence fast enough, particularly if [[twoweaponing]], but carries a high risk of the hero becoming terminally ill should they land a successful touch.
 As far as bragging rights go, it is possible to tame Pestilence using the [[scroll of taming]] or {{+ of|charm monster}} spell after [[level drain]]ing them enough times to lower their monster MR - this typically requires several hits with [[Stormbringer]] or [[The Staff of Aesculapius]], since their monster MR makes them immune to the {{+ of|drain life}} spell.

@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 Pestilence first appears in [[NetHack 3.1.0]], which adds the revamped [[endgame]] featuring the Riders and the Astral Plane.
-In [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and previous versions, including some variants based on them, a hero can polymorph themself into a [[green slime]] and turn Pestilence and the Riders to slime, since the sliming touch attack is not considered magical - similarly, a substantial herd of tamed green slimes stands some chance of turning a Rider into a slime, although this is only somewhat less risky; in either case, the resulting green slime can then be tamed. Additionally, a hostile [[gelatinous cube]] can engulf Rider corpses without trying to digest them, allowing the hero to steal them from the cube's inventory using a [[nymph]] polyself: a hero that can lift 1450 units of [[weight]] can use several methods to dispose of the stolen corpse permanently, such as placing it in a cursed [[bag of holding]] and then repeatedly [[loot]]ing it without using up any further turns.
+In [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and previous versions, including some variants based on them, a hero can polymorph themself into a [[green slime]] and turn Pestilence and the Riders to slime, since the sliming touch attack is not considered magical - similarly, a substantial herd of tamed green slimes stands some chance of turning a Rider into a slime, although this is only somewhat less risky; in either case, the resulting green slime can then be tamed. Additionally, a hostile [[gelatinous cube]] can engulf Rider corpses without trying to digest them, allowing the hero to steal them from the cube's inventory using a [[Nymph (monster class)|nymphs]] polyself: a hero that can lift 1450 units of [[weight]] can use several methods to dispose of the stolen corpse permanently, such as placing it in a cursed [[bag of holding]] and then repeatedly [[loot]]ing it without using up any further turns.
 [[NetHack 3.6.0]] makes Pestilence and the Riders immune to sliming and polymorph, prevents gelatinous cubes from engulfing their corpses, and grants the Riders their ability to displace other monsters.
@@ Line 105: / Line 105: @@
 Pestilence is generated atop the [[White Horse (EvilHack)|White Horse]], a unique monster that serves as their steed.
-Wielding the [[Hammer of the Gods]] can be used as a means to prevent the worst of Pestilence's attacks.
+Wielding the [[Hammer of the Gods]] can prevent the worst of Pestilence's attacks.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 Pestilence has two powerful touch attacks that deal damage and inflict [[disease]], and if both attacks land, the second attack will [[stun]] the hero{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|292|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=prevent double doinks from disease and hunger attacks}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1625|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=<tt>AD_PEST</tt> damage type}} the attack has no effect on monsters, though a second successful hit damages and stuns monsters as they do the hero.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1449|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Unhandled cases default to 0 damage}}
-Pestilence possesses many elemental resistances: [[fire resistance]], [[cold resistance]], [[shock resistance]], [[poison resistance]], and [[stoning resistance]]. Pestilence is healed by the [[potion of sickness]] and will quaff the potion to restore HP, and they are damaged by {{! of|healing|extra healing|and=1|full healing}} as well as the spells of {{+ of|healing|and=1|extra healing}} (though Pestilence's standard [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 100 means that potion effects are always resisted and spell damage is always halved).{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1429|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Healing potions have "sickness" effects on Pestilence}}{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1445|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Sickness potions have "healing" effects on Pestilence}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|392|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Disintegration]] will simply cause Pestilence to instantly reintegrate.
+Pestilence possesses many elemental resistances: [[fire resistance]], [[cold resistance]], [[shock resistance]], [[poison resistance]], and [[stoning resistance]]. Pestilence is healed by the [[potion of sickness]] and will quaff the potion to restore HP, and they are damaged by {{! of|healing|extra healing|and=1|full healing}} potions as well as the spells of {{+ of|healing|and=1|extra healing}} (though Pestilence's standard [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 100 means that potion effects are always resisted and spell damage is always halved).{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1429|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Healing potions have "sickness" effects on Pestilence}}{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1445|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Sickness potions have "healing" effects on Pestilence}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|392|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Disintegration]] will simply cause Pestilence to instantly reintegrate.
 [[Eating]] Pestilence's corpse [[abuses]] [[wisdom]] and is instantly fatal, including [[digestion]] attacks and attempting to eat their brain as a [[mind flayer]] or [[master mind flayer]], and Pestilence will immediately revive from its corpse even if the eater survives via [[life saving]].{{refsrc|src/eat.c|553|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=brain-eating against Riders}}{{refsrc|src/eat.c|715|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=eating Rider corpses}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|905|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=digesting Riders}} If the corpse is somehow eaten by a hero without reviving, they always gain teleport control.

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 Pestilence has two powerful touch attacks that deal damage and inflict [[disease]], and if both attacks land, the second attack will [[stun]] the hero{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|292|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=prevent double doinks from disease and hunger attacks}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1625|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=<tt>AD_PEST</tt> damage type}} the attack has no effect on monsters, though a second successful hit damages and stuns monsters as they do the hero.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1449|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Unhandled cases default to 0 damage}}
-Pestilence possesses many elemental resistances: [[fire resistance]], [[cold resistance]], [[shock resistance]], [[poison resistance]], and [[stoning resistance]]. Pestilence is healed by the [[potion of sickness]] and will quaff the potion to restore HP, and they are damaged by {{! of|healing|extra healing|and=1|full healing}} as well as the spells of {{+ of|healing|and=1|extra healing}}{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1429|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Healing potions have "sickness" effects on Pestilence}}{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1445|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Sickness potions have "healing" effects on Pestilence}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|392|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}&mdash;the potion's effects are always completely resisted by Pestilence's 100 [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]], and the spells deal 3d4 or 3d8 damage respectively, which is always halved due to their MR score as well. [[Disintegration]] will simply cause Pestilence to instantly reintegrate.
+Pestilence possesses many elemental resistances: [[fire resistance]], [[cold resistance]], [[shock resistance]], [[poison resistance]], and [[stoning resistance]]. Pestilence is healed by the [[potion of sickness]] and will quaff the potion to restore HP, and they are damaged by {{! of|healing|extra healing|and=1|full healing}} as well as the spells of {{+ of|healing|and=1|extra healing}} (though Pestilence's standard [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 100 means that potion effects are always resisted and spell damage is always halved).{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1429|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Healing potions have "sickness" effects on Pestilence}}{{refsrc|src/potion.c|1445|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Sickness potions have "healing" effects on Pestilence}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|392|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Disintegration]] will simply cause Pestilence to instantly reintegrate.
 [[Eating]] Pestilence's corpse [[abuses]] [[wisdom]] and is instantly fatal, including [[digestion]] attacks and attempting to eat their brain as a [[mind flayer]] or [[master mind flayer]], and Pestilence will immediately revive from its corpse even if the eater survives via [[life saving]].{{refsrc|src/eat.c|553|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=brain-eating against Riders}}{{refsrc|src/eat.c|715|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=eating Rider corpses}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|905|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=digesting Riders}} If the corpse is somehow eaten by a hero without reviving, they always gain teleport control.

@@ Line 76: / Line 76: @@
 ==Messages==
 {{message|Who do you think you are, War?|This is the default response when [[chatting]] to a Rider.{{refsrc|src/sounds.c|949|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}}}
 {{message|<The monster> coughs spasmodically and collapses!|A monster tried to [[digest]] Pestilence and immediately died.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|910|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}}}

@@ Line 91: / Line 91: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]], and [[notnotdNetHack]], Pestilence and the other Riders are all male [[primordial]]s, and are additionally made [[amphibious]] and [[breathless]], given [[death resistance]], and will turn [[traitor]] if somehow tamed. If the hero is a [[Binder]], then 3 [[Binah sephiroth]] are generated whenever Pestilence or any Rider is generated or revived. Attempting to sacrifice Pestilence to [[The Black Mother]] will anger her and revive him as usual.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]], and [[notnotdNetHack]], Pestilence and the other Riders are all male [[primordial]]s, and are additionally made [[amphibious]] and [[breathless]], given [[death resistance]], and will turn [[traitor]] if somehow tamed. If the hero is a [[Binder]], then 3 [[Binah sephiroth]] are generated whenever Pestilence or any Rider is generated or revived.
 ===xNetHack===

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 As far as bragging rights go, it is possible to tame Pestilence using the [[scroll of taming]] or {{+ of|charm monster}} spell after [[level drain]]ing them enough times to lower their monster MR - this typically requires several hits with [[Stormbringer]] or [[The Staff of Aesculapius]], since their monster MR makes them immune to the {{+ of|drain life}} spell.
 ==History==
@@ Line 79: / Line 81: @@
 ==Variants==
 Some [[variants]] of ''NetHack'' make significant changes to Death and the other Riders, some of which are in line with their origin.
 ===UnNetHack===
@@ Line 85: / Line 92: @@
 ===dNetHack===
 In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]], and [[notnotdNetHack]], Pestilence and the other Riders are all male [[primordial]]s, and are additionally made [[amphibious]] and [[breathless]], given [[death resistance]], and will turn [[traitor]] if somehow tamed. 3 [[Binah sephiroth]] are generated whenever Pestilence or any Rider is generated or revived. Attempting to sacrifice Pestilence to [[The Black Mother]] will anger her and revive him as usual.
 ===EvilHack===
@@ Line 90: / Line 100: @@
 Pestilence is generated atop the [[White Horse (EvilHack)|White Horse]], a unique monster that serves as their steed.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==