Pyrolisk - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* SpliceHack */ lycan-cannibalism

2026-05-21T21:31:03Z

‎SpliceHack: lycan-cannibalism

Umbire the Phantom: /* SpliceHack */ no bite

2026-05-21T19:26:16Z

‎SpliceHack: no bite

Umbire the Phantom: /* EvilHack */ fix

2026-05-21T19:17:45Z

‎EvilHack: fix

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ detail differences

2026-05-21T19:12:34Z

‎Variants: detail differences

Umbire the Phantom: /* Messages */ one last thing

2026-05-21T17:58:35Z

‎Messages: one last thing

Umbire the Phantom: knock this out in one swing

2026-05-21T17:57:29Z

knock this out in one swing

Ray Chason: Update attacks

2026-05-14T02:55:19Z

Update attacks

Umbire the Phantom: follow-up

2026-03-02T18:19:22Z

follow-up

Netzhack: Wording

2026-03-02T12:32:55Z

Wording

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2026-01-03T00:31:42Z

word choice

@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 In [[SpliceHack]], pyrolisks behave as they do in NetHack 3.6.7 and previous versions.
-A [[werecockatrice]] summoning help will generate up to 5 hostile monsters on a square adjacent or close to it that each have an effective {{frac|2|9}} chance of being a pyrolisk&mdash;heroes that get lycanthropy from a werecockatrice can summon tame pyrolisks with the same odds by using the [[Monster (command)|#monster]] [[extended command]] and expending 10 [[power]].
+A [[werecockatrice]] summoning help will generate up to 5 hostile monsters on a square adjacent or close to it that each have an effective {{frac|2|9}} chance of being a pyrolisk. Heroes that get lycanthropy from a werecockatrice can summon tame pyrolisks with the same odds by using the [[Monster (command)|#monster]] [[extended command]] and expending 10 [[power]], and it is considered [[cannibalism]] for such a hero to eat a pyrolisk.
 ===EvilHack===

@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 ===SpliceHack===
-In [[SpliceHack]], a [[werecockatrice]] summoning help will generate up to 5 hostile monsters on a square adjacent or close to it that each have an effective {{frac|2|9}} chance of being a pyrolisk&mdash;heroes that get lycanthropy from a werecockatrice can summon tame pyrolisks with the same odds by using the [[Monster (command)|#monster]] [[extended command]] and expending 10 [[power]].
+In [[SpliceHack]], pyrolisks behave as they do in NetHack 3.6.7 and previous versions.
 ===EvilHack===

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], pyrolisks are given a bite attack as and exhibit similar behavior to pyrolisks i n''NetHack'', although they will not stop using their gaze attack against resistant targets (the rationale being that they can still destroy inventory).
+In [[EvilHack]], pyrolisks are given a bite attack as in ''NetHack'' and exhibit similar behavior, although they will not stop using their gaze attack against resistant targets (the rationale being that they can still destroy inventory).
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], the pyrolisk is given a different [[encyclopedia]] entry that comes from the ''[[wikipedia:Shannara|Shannara]]'' series of high fantasy novels by [[wikipedia:Terry Brooks|Terry Brooks]], where it is part of an in-universe bestiary written by the character Wizard Endlebrook. This also applies to [[SlashTHEM]].
+In [[SLASH'EM]], the pyrolisk behaves as it does in [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and previous contemporary versions.
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], a pyrolisk only needs to be able to see its target for their gaze attack to damage them.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], the pyrolisk behaves as it does in NetHack 3.4.3 and is considered [[avian]] and [[reptilian]].
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 {{message|The pyrolisk attacks you with a fiery gaze!|The pyrolisk is directing its gaze attack at you.}}
 {{message|The pyrolisk gazes at <the monster>...|A pyrolisk directed its gaze at another monster.}}
-{{message|The pyrolisk looks <irritated/inflamed>.|A cancelled pyrolisk tried to use its gaze attack.<ref name="irritated"/>{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2151|nethack=3.6.7}}}}
+{{message|The pyrolisk looks <irritated/inflamed>.|A cancelled pyrolisk tried to use its gaze attack.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1674|nethack=5.0.0}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1826-L1827|nethack=5.0.0}}}}
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
   |resistances conveyed=[[Fire resistance]] (20%), [[poison resistance]] (20%)
   |attributes={{attributes|A pyrolisk|animal=1|nohands=1|omnivore=1|oviparous=1|hostile=1|infravisible=1}}
-  |reference=[[monst.c#line188]]
+  |reference=[https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/blob/NetHack-5.0.0_Released/include/monsters.h#L187 NetHack 5.0.0 - include/monsters.h, line 187]
 }}
-A '''pyrolisk''', {{monsym|pyrolisk}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The pyrolisk is a [[Physical size|small]], [[omnivorous]] and [[oviparous]] [[animal]] that can be seen via [[infravision]], and is the only member of the [[Cockatrice (monster class)|cockatrice]] [[monster class]] to lack the [[cockatrice]]'s [[stoning]]-related properties or dangerous [[touch attack]].
+A '''pyrolisk''', {{monsym|pyrolisk}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The pyrolisk is a [[small]], [[omnivorous]] and [[oviparous]] [[animal]] that can be seen via [[infravision]], and is the only member of the [[Cockatrice (monster class)|cockatrice]] [[monster class]] to lack the [[stoning]]-related properties or dangerous [[touch attack]] of the [[cockatrice]] and [[chickatrice]].
-A pyrolisk has a [[Fire (element)|fiery]] [[gaze attack]] that damages any foe who makes eye contact unless they have [[fire resistance]], and can [[burn]] and destroy [[potion]]s, [[scroll]]s, and [[spellbook]]s in the victim's inventory{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2286|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;if either the target or the pyrolisk are [[blind]], or the pyrolisk is [[canceled]], the gaze has no effect.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|2289|nethack=3.6.7|name="irritated"}} Interestingly, these gaze attacks can damage the [[hero]] even if they are [[invisible]], though the pyrolisk cannot naturally [[see invisible]]; it is also possible for the gaze to miss in this circumstance. Pyrolisks possess fire resistance and [[poison resistance]].
+A pyrolisk has a normal [[bite attack]] and a [[Fire (element)|fiery]] [[gaze attack]] that damages any foe who makes eye contact unless the pyrolisk or the target cannot see the other party, the pyrolisk is [[cancelled]], or the target has [[fire resistance]]:{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1824-L1854|nethack=5.0.0}} the gaze can burn away [[sliming]], [[erode]] the target's [[worn]] [[cloth]] or [[leather]] [[armor]] by burning it, and can also destroy [[potion]]s, [[scroll]]s and [[spellbook]]s in the target's open inventory&mdash;[[hiding]] monsters that are targeted will be revealed, and [[iron golem]]s are healed by the fiery gaze (including a [[hero]] [[polymorph]]ed into one).{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1838|nethack=5.0.0}} Interestingly, the gaze attack can damage the [[hero]] even if they are [[invisible]], though the pyrolisk cannot naturally [[see invisible]]. The pyrolisk will not use this gaze on monsters that it knows are fire resistant.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1837|nethack=5.0.0}} Pyrolisks possess fire resistance and [[poison resistance]].
-[[Eating]] a pyrolisk [[corpse]] or [[tin]] has a {{frac|5}} chance each (20%) of granting fire resistance or poison resistance.
+[[Eating]] a pyrolisk [[corpse]] or [[tin]] has a {{frac|5}} chance each (20%) of granting fire resistance or poison resistance. Pyrolisk [[egg]]s are explosive and will explode for 3d6 fire damage when eaten, thrown or otherwise broken{{refsrc|src/eat.c|2103-L2109|nethack=5.0.0}}&mdash;monsters will avoid eating pyrolisk eggs.
 ==Generation==
@@ Line 36: / Line 28: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Pyrolisks are generally slow and weak, but their gaze covers a far wider range than most other attacks in the game&mdash;it can also be rendered completely harmless by blinding yourself, allowing you to dispatch it with ease. You can also blind the pyrolisk in question, though blinding yourself is typically easier and more convenient; [[telepathy]] lets you track the pyrolisk while blind, and aids in spotting and warding off other potential threats nearby. [[Infravision]] can help spot a pyrolisk quickly in low-lit areas such as the [[Gnomish Mines]].
+Pyrolisks are generally slow at 6 [[speed]] and lacking in defenses, but their gaze covers a far wider range than most other attacks in the game&mdash;it can also be rendered completely harmless by blinding yourself, allowing you to dispatch it with ease. You can also blind the pyrolisk in question, though blinding yourself is typically easier and more convenient. [[Infravision]] can help spot a pyrolisk quickly in low-lit areas such as the [[Gnomish Mines]], and [[telepathy]] lets you track the pyrolisk while blind and spot other potential threats nearby. A source of fire resistance can protect you from the gaze's damage, though your armor and inventory will still be burnt unless you have an extrinsic source of the property, which protects items from burning {{frac|99|100}} of the time&mdash;additionally, if the pyrolisk notices you are fire resistant, it will try to close in and bite you instead, making it much easier to handle.
-If you notice a pyrolisk in the vicinity and have no means to blind yourself, stash your potions, scrolls and spellbooks in a [[sack]] or other container: if all else fails, [[drop]] them on the ground and be sure not to step too far away in case other monsters are nearby. If you are confident in your [[speed]] and have an item such as a [[wand of lightning]] or [[expensive camera]], you may consider trying to line up with the pyrolisk and blind them using it, then finish them off quickly&mdash;you can also zap a [[wand of cancellation]], which will nullify their gaze attack if the beam overpowers their [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 30.
+If you lack fire resistance and notice a pyrolisk in the vicinity, but you have no means to blind yourself, then stash your potions, scrolls and spellbooks in a [[sack]] or other container: if all else fails, [[drop]] them on the ground and be sure not to step too far away in case other monsters are nearby. If you are confident in your [[speed]] and have an item such as a [[wand of lightning]] or [[expensive camera]], you may consider trying to line up with the pyrolisk and blind them using it, then finish them off quickly&mdash;you can also zap a [[wand of cancellation]], which will nullify their gaze attack if the beam overpowers their [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 30.
 ===As a pet===
-A pyrolisk is not a particularly amazing pet, but its gaze attack will only provoke retaliation from monsters that have ranged attacks (e.g. they can fire [[arrow]]s from a [[bow]]); it will also not wake up [[sleeping]] monsters, and the pyrolisk will not target peacefuls with the gaze unless they are strong enough to attack them normally. This can be exploited to kill [[shopkeeper]]s or the [[Watch]] without the pyrolisk being attacked, although this will also [[burn]] flammable items in the victims' inventories&mdash;you will also need to keep pyrolisks far away from [[shop]]s and [[temple]]s that you do wish to make purchases from.
+A pyrolisk is not a particularly amazing pet, but its gaze attack will only provoke retaliation from monsters that have ranged attacks they are able to target the pyrolisk with, e.g. firing [[arrow]]s from a [[bow]] while lined up with one&mdash;it will also not target peacefuls with the gaze unless they are strong enough to attack them normally. This can be exploited to kill [[shopkeeper]]s or the [[Watch]] without the pyrolisk being attacked, although this will also burn flammable items in the victims' inventories, and you will also need to keep pyrolisks far away from [[shop]]s and [[temple]]s that you do wish to make purchases from.
 ==History==
 The pyrolisk first appears in [[SLASH 6]], and makes its vanilla ''NetHack'' debut in [[NetHack 3.3.0]].
 ==Origin==
@@ Line 72: / Line 66: @@
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-367}}
+{{nethack-500}}
 [[Category:Monsters]]

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
   |frequency=1
   |genocidable=Yes
-  |attacks=[[Gaze attack|Gaze]] 2d6 [[Fire (element)|fire]]
+  |attacks=[[Gaze attack|Gaze]] 2d6 [[Fire (element)|fire]], [[Bite attack|Bite]] 1d6 [[Physical damage|physical]]
   |weight=30
   |nutr=30

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|dbd39f2cd5c4648228860c4090a6b9742f208c81}}, [[statue]]s of pyrolisks and other small monsters have a minimum [[weight]] of 300.
-Per {{commit|3eb2192d75ed7bcaded06780831595715744e17d}}, the fiery gaze attack of the pyrolisk now has the same effects as other fire attacks: it can burn cloth or leather armor, and will also heal [[iron golem]]s (including a hero [[polymorph]]ed into one). Per {{commit|e3712dbb312b2930bbc3a0b2c6442f1eaf2fd958}}, the gaze will also reveal [[hiding]] monsters that it targets.
+Per {{commit|3eb2192d75ed7bcaded06780831595715744e17d}}, the fiery gaze attack of the pyrolisk has all of the same effects as other fire attacks: in addition to item destruction, it can burn cloth or leather armor, and will also heal [[iron golem]]s (including a hero [[polymorph]]ed into one). Per {{commit|e3712dbb312b2930bbc3a0b2c6442f1eaf2fd958}}, the gaze will also reveal [[hiding]] monsters that it targets.
 Per {{commit|83f8ec1c4327e75e63a44a8151eb454b0f4736bf}}, pyrolisks have an additional 1d6 bite attack, allowing them to deal damage even without their gaze. Per {{commit|0a3d02b9d4e3f005149d4a5ff93bbda4d37958da}}, the pyrolisk will not use its fiery gaze if it sees that the hero resists it.