Raven - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: this should work

2026-05-03T06:43:53Z

this should work

Umbire the Phantom: need to figure out how to resolve the history thing going forward - for now, do up the lede

2026-05-03T06:36:24Z

need to figure out how to resolve the history thing going forward - for now, do up the lede

Ardub23: Updated for NetHack 5.0.0

2026-05-03T03:31:10Z

Updated for NetHack 5.0.0

Umbire the Phantom: /* UnNetHack */ detail

2025-07-28T02:04:27Z

‎UnNetHack: detail

Umbire the Phantom: ...and remove from lede here since it's no longer true, adjust history accordingly and note commit for eyeball message

2025-01-07T06:02:09Z

...and remove from lede here since it's no longer true, adjust history accordingly and note commit for eyeball message

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit, updating, detailing

2025-01-07T05:51:22Z

copyedit, updating, detailing

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ copyedit and updates

2024-07-08T13:50:32Z

‎Variants: copyedit and updates

Umbire the Phantom: lede + temp

2024-07-08T05:54:27Z

lede + temp

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2024-04-13T07:28:06Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2024-04-13T00:49:54Z

word choice

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 The message for eating a floating eye corpse or tin as a raven is added in [[NetHack 3.6.0]] via {{commit|e305b8a51e}}, and originates from [[#UnNetHack|UnNetHack]].
-Prior to [[NetHack 5.0.0]], ravens could not [[Oviparous|lay eggs]]; this was changed with {{commit|dc21b3d657a20c007530e6df202b194a748f2f5f}}. That version also made ravens immune to other ravens' blinding attacks (with {{commit|c21921668aa780f52c98a3a6de2cfd2f87d41806}}), and made ravens generate peaceful when the hero wields a bec de corbin ({{commit|1ae2bc7063ebe3c3831a707efd3fc3d6fd638d26}}).
+The oviparous status of ravens is added in [[NetHack 5.0.0]] via {{commit|dc21b3d657a20c007530e6df202b194a748f2f5f}}. This version also adds their immunity to other ravens' blinding attacks via {{commit|c21921668aa780f52c98a3a6de2cfd2f87d41806}}, as well as their tendency to generate peaceful while the hero wields a bec de corbin via {{commit|1ae2bc7063ebe3c3831a707efd3fc3d6fd638d26}}.
 ==Origin==
@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 A raven is any of several larger-bodied bird species with the genus ''Corvus''. There is no singular taxonomic group within the genus, as well as no common distinction between "crows" and "ravens", which usually are assigned to the different species based on their size. Ravens are omnivorous and have a reputation alongside various other birds for seeking out a wide variety of nutrition sources: carrion, insects, berries, fruit, small animals, and even food waste. The [[wikipedia:common raven|common raven]] (''Corvus corax'') is among the more well known members of the species, and often shows signs of unusual intelligence.
-Ravens have enough of a reputation for gouging out the eyes of prey or other animals that they are the subject of at least a few proverbial sayings, up to and including its use as a metaphor in Proverbs 30:17 of The Bible. The raven also has a myriad of symbolisms and other mythic associations due to its black plumage, croaking call and carrion diet - it is both associated with loss and ill omen and considered a symbol of prophecy and insight, as well as a [[wikipedia:psychopomp|psychopomp]] or other similar "mediator" that bridges the worlds of the dead and the living. "The Raven", a narrative poem by American writer Edgar Allan Poe, is a popular work that incorporates many of these aspects, and is the source of the response given to ''NetHack'' players that chat with one in-game.
+Ravens have enough of a reputation for gouging out the eyes of prey or other animals that they are the subject of at least a few proverbial sayings, up to and including its use as a metaphor in Proverbs 30:17 of The Bible. The raven also has a myriad of symbolisms and other mythic associations due to its black plumage, croaking call and carrion diet - it is both associated with loss and ill omen and considered a symbol of prophecy and insight, as well as a [[Wikipedia:Psychopomp|psychopomp]] or other similar "mediator" that bridges the worlds of the dead and the living. "The Raven", a narrative poem by American writer Edgar Allan Poe, is a popular work that incorporates many of these aspects, and is the source of the response given to ''NetHack'' players that chat with one in-game.
 ==Messages==

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
   |frequency=2
   |genocidable=Yes
-  |attacks=Bite 1d6 physical, claw 1d6 [[blind]]ing
+  |attacks=[[Bite attack|bite]] 1d6 [[Physical damage|physical]], [[Claw attack|claw]] 1d6 [[blinding]]
   |weight=40
   |nutr=20
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
   |reference=[[monst.c#line1134]]
 }}
 A '''raven''', {{monsym|raven}}, is a type [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The raven is a [[carnivorous]] [[bird]] that is capable of [[flight]], can be seen via [[infravision]], and wanders randomly similar to the other monsters of the [[bat or bird]] [[monster class]], with a {{frac|3}} chance of moving in a random direction during each of its turns.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|915|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-A raven has a bite attack and a relatively unique claw attack that deals no damage, but can [[blind]] targets for up to 6 (more) turns: a [[worn]] [[pair of lenses]] or a worn [[helm]] that has the [[randomized appearance]] of a [[visored helmet]] can protect against the latter attack. Other ravens are immune to the blinding attack.
+A raven has a bite attack, and also has a unique [[claw attack]] that deals no damage but can [[blind]] targets for up to 6 (more) turns: a [[worn]] [[pair of lenses]] or a worn [[helm]] that has the [[randomized appearance]] of a [[visored helmet]] can protect against the claw attack, and other ravens are immune to it.
 Eating a floating eye [[corpse]] or [[tin]] while in the form of a raven prints a unique message.{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1692|nethack=3.6.7|name="inyoureye"}}

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
   |resistances=None
   |resistances conveyed=None
-  |attributes={{attributes|A raven|fly=1|animal=1|nohands=1|carnivore=1|wander=1|hostile=1|infravisible=1}}
+  |attributes={{attributes|A raven|fly=1|animal=1|nohands=1|oviparous=1|carnivore=1|wander=1|hostile=1|infravisible=1}}
   |reference=[[monst.c#line1134]]
 }}
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 A '''raven''', {{monsym|raven}}, is a type [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The raven is a [[carnivorous]] [[bird]] that is capable of [[flight]], can be seen via [[infravision]], and wanders randomly similar to the other monsters of the [[bat or bird]] [[monster class]], with a {{frac|3}} chance of moving in a random direction during each of its turns.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|915|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-A raven has a bite attack and a relatively unique claw attack that deals no damage, but can [[blind]] targets for up to 6 (more) turns: a [[worn]] [[pair of lenses]] or a worn [[helm]] that has the [[randomized appearance]] of a [[visored helmet]] can protect against the latter attack.
+A raven has a bite attack and a relatively unique claw attack that deals no damage, but can [[blind]] targets for up to 6 (more) turns: a [[worn]] [[pair of lenses]] or a worn [[helm]] that has the [[randomized appearance]] of a [[visored helmet]] can protect against the latter attack. Other ravens are immune to the blinding attack.
 Eating a floating eye [[corpse]] or [[tin]] while in the form of a raven prints a unique message.{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1692|nethack=3.6.7|name="inyoureye"}}
 [[Chat]]ting to a raven will cause it to reply "Nevermore!"{{refsrc|src/sounds.c|680|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Generation==
-Randomly-generated ravens are always hostile.
+Randomly-generated ravens are normally hostile. If the player is wielding a [[bec de corbin]] when a raven is generated, it will be peaceful instead.
-Ravens appear among the random {{white|B}} that are part of the first quest [[monster class]] for [[Wizard]]s and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Wizard quest]].
+Ravens appear among the random {{mcsl|B}} that are part of the first quest [[monster class]] for [[Wizard]]s and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Wizard quest]].
-Thirty hostile ravens are generated on the third version of [[Medusa's Island]] at level creation.
+Thirty ravens are generated on the third version of [[Medusa's Island]] at level creation.
 Ravens generated in [[Gehennom]] have slightly higher speed than normal, which is likely a play on the phrase "like a bat [on its way] out of hell", and though the raven itself is not a bat, the case applies to all monsters in the monster class).{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1275|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name=batoutofhell}}
 ==Strategy==
@@ Line 51: / Line 47: @@
 The message for eating a floating eye corpse or tin as a raven is added in [[NetHack 3.6.0]] via {{commit|e305b8a51e}}, and originates from [[#UnNetHack|UnNetHack]].
 ==Origin==
@@ Line 98: / Line 96: @@
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-367}}
+{{nethack-500}}
 [[Category:Monsters]]

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 ===UnNetHack===
-In [[UnNetHack]], ravens will attack floating eyes and [[evil eye]]s, and eating a floating eye corpse while in the form of a raven prints a unique message (which was later added to vanilla ''NetHack'', as shown above).
+In [[UnNetHack]], ravens will grudge and attack floating eyes and [[evil eye]]s, and eating the corpse of either monsters while in the form of a raven prints a unique message (which was later added to vanilla ''NetHack'', as shown above).
 [[Kicking]] a [[dead tree]] has a {{frac|5}} chance of producing a hostile raven.

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 A raven has a bite attack and a relatively unique claw attack that deals no damage, but can [[blind]] targets for up to 6 (more) turns: a [[worn]] [[pair of lenses]] or a worn [[helm]] that has the [[randomized appearance]] of a [[visored helmet]] can protect against the latter attack.
-A [[hero]] that [[polymorph]]s into a raven is [[stunned]] while they are in that form.{{refsrc|include/youprop.h|79|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Eating a floating eye [[corpse]] or [[tin]] while in the form of a raven prints a unique message.{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1692|nethack=3.6.7|name="inyoureye"}}
+Eating a floating eye [[corpse]] or [[tin]] while in the form of a raven prints a unique message.{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1692|nethack=3.6.7|name="inyoureye"}}
 [[Chat]]ting to a raven will cause it to reply "Nevermore!"{{refsrc|src/sounds.c|680|nethack=3.6.7}}
@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 ==History==
-The raven first appears in [[NetHack 3.3.0]].
+The raven first appears in [[NetHack 3.3.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including some variants based on those versions, a hero that polymorphs into any bat or bird monster is stunned while they are in that form. This is changed in [[NetHack 3.6.0]] so that it only applies to actual bats in the monster class and excludes the raven.
-The message for eating a floating eye corpse or tin as a raven is added in [[NetHack 3.6.0]], and originates from [[#UnNetHack|UnNetHack]].
+The message for eating a floating eye corpse or tin as a raven is added in [[NetHack 3.6.0]] via {{commit|e305b8a51e}}, and originates from [[#UnNetHack|UnNetHack]].
 ==Origin==

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 }}
-A '''raven''', {{monsym|raven}}, is a type [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a [[bird]] that is capable of [[flight]], and wanders randomly similar to the other monsters of the [[bat or bird]] [[monster class]]: there is a {{frac|3}} chance of a raven moving in a random direction during each of its turns.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|915|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+A '''raven''', {{monsym|raven}}, is a type [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The raven is a [[carnivorous]] [[bird]] that is capable of [[flight]], can be seen via [[infravision]], and wanders randomly similar to the other monsters of the [[bat or bird]] [[monster class]], with a {{frac|3}} chance of moving in a random direction during each of its turns.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|915|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-A raven has a bite attack and a relatively unique claw attack that deals no damage, but can [[blind]] targets for d6 (more) turns - a [[pair of lenses]] or a [[helm]] with the [[randomized appearance]] of a [[visored helmet]] can protect against the latter attack.
+A raven has a bite attack and a relatively unique claw attack that deals no damage, but can [[blind]] targets for up to 6 (more) turns: a [[worn]] [[pair of lenses]] or a worn [[helm]] that has the [[randomized appearance]] of a [[visored helmet]] can protect against the latter attack.
-A character that [[polymorph]]s into a raven is intrinsically [[stun]]ned for the duration of that form.{{refsrc|include/youprop.h|79|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Eating a floating eye [[corpse]] or [[tin]] while in the form of a raven prints a unique message.<ref name="inyoureye"/>
+A [[hero]] that [[polymorph]]s into a raven is [[stunned]] while they are in that form.{{refsrc|include/youprop.h|79|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Eating a floating eye [[corpse]] or [[tin]] while in the form of a raven prints a unique message.{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1692|nethack=3.6.7|name="inyoureye"}}
 [[Chat]]ting to a raven will cause it to reply "Nevermore!"{{refsrc|src/sounds.c|680|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Generation==
@@ Line 32: / Line 34: @@
 Ravens appear among the random {{white|B}} that are part of the first quest [[monster class]] for [[Wizard]]s and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Wizard quest]].
-Thirty ravens are generated on the third version of [[Medusa's Island]] at level creation.
+Thirty hostile ravens are generated on the third version of [[Medusa's Island]] at level creation.
-Ravens generated in [[Gehennom]] have slightly higher speed than normal, which is likely a play on the phrase "like a bat [on its way] out of hell" even though the raven itself is not a bat (though it is part of the same monster class).{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1275|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name=batoutofhell}}
+Ravens generated in [[Gehennom]] have slightly higher speed than normal, which is likely a play on the phrase "like a bat [on its way] out of hell", and though the raven itself is not a bat, the case applies to all monsters in the monster class).{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1275|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name=batoutofhell}}
 {{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|1ae2bc7063ebe3c3831a707efd3fc3d6fd638d26}}, ravens generated while the [[player]] character is wielding a [[bec de corbin]] are created peaceful.}}
@@ Line 47: / Line 49: @@
 ==History==
 The raven first appears in [[NetHack 3.3.0]].
 ==Origin==
@@ Line 56: / Line 60: @@
 ==Messages==
-{{message|You peck the eyeball with delight.|You ate the [[corpse]] or [[tin]] of a [[floating eye]] while polymorphed into a raven.{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1692|nethack=3.6.7|name="inyoureye"}} The message originates from [[#UnNetHack|UnNetHack]].}}
+{{message|You peck the eyeball with delight.|You ate the [[corpse]] or [[tin]] of a [[floating eye]] while polymorphed into a raven.<ref name="inyoureye"/>}}
 ==Variants==
@@ Line 62: / Line 66: @@
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], ravens are the first [[quest monster]] for [[Yeomen]], and make up {{frac|96|175}} of monsters randomly generated monsters on the [[Yeoman quest]] - two ravens are placed near the northern side of the large moat surrounding the tower upon entering the home level. Ravens also appear among the random {{white|B}} that are part of the first quest [[monster class]] for [[Necromancer]]s and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Necromancer quest]].
+In [[SLASH'EM]], ravens are the first [[quest monster]] for [[Yeomen]], and make up {{frac|96|175}} of monsters randomly generated monsters on the [[Yeoman quest]]&mdash;two ravens are placed near the northern side of the large moat surrounding the tower upon entering the home level. Ravens also appear among the random {{white|B}} that are part of the first quest [[monster class]] for [[Necromancer]]s and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Necromancer quest]].
 ===UnNetHack===
-In [[UnNetHack]], ravens will attack floating eyes and [[evil eye]]s, and eating a floating eye corpse while in the form of a raven prints a unique message (which was added to vanilla ''NetHack'', as shown above).
+In [[UnNetHack]], ravens will attack floating eyes and [[evil eye]]s, and eating a floating eye corpse while in the form of a raven prints a unique message (which was later added to vanilla ''NetHack'', as shown above).
-[[Kick]]ing a [[dead tree]] has a {{frac|5}} chance of producing a hostile raven.
+[[Kicking]] a [[dead tree]] has a {{frac|5}} chance of producing a hostile raven.
 ===FIQHack===
-In [[FIQHack]], ravens will also attack floating eyes.
+In [[FIQHack]], ravens will attack floating eyes.
 ===notdNetHack===

@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 ===UnNetHack===
-In [[UnNetHack]], ravens will attack floating eyes and [[evil eye]]s, and eating a floating eye corpse while in the form of a raven prints the unique message shown further above. [[Kick]]ing a [[dead tree]] has a {{frac|5}} chance of producing a hostile raven.
+In [[UnNetHack]], ravens will attack floating eyes and [[evil eye]]s, and eating a floating eye corpse while in the form of a raven prints a unique message (which was added to vanilla ''NetHack'', as shown above).
 ===FIQHack===
@@ Line 71: / Line 73: @@
 ===notdNetHack===
-In [[notdNetHack]], ravens are likely to appear within the Dismal Swamp.
+In [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], ravens are likely to appear within the Dismal Swamp.
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], dead trees also have a {{frac|5}} chance of producing a hostile raven when kicked.
+In [[EvilHack]], dead trees have a {{frac|5}} chance of producing a hostile raven when kicked.
 ===SlashTHEM===
-In [[SlashTHEM]], four ravens are generated in the village level of the [[Town]] branch at level creation.
+In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, four ravens are generated in the village level of the [[Town]] branch at level creation.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 A '''raven''', {{monsym|raven}}, is a type [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a [[bird]] that is capable of [[flight]], and wanders randomly similar to the other monsters of the [[bat or bird]] [[monster class]]: there is a {{frac|3}} chance of a raven moving in a random direction during each of its turns.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|915|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-A raven has two attacks: a bite and a relatively unique claw attack that can [[blind]] you for d6 (more) turns. A [[pair of lenses]] or a [[helm]] with the [[randomized appearance]] of a [[visored helmet]] can protect against the latter attack.
+A raven has two attacks: a bite and a relatively unique claw attack that can [[blind]] targets for d6 (more) turns. A [[pair of lenses]] or a [[helm]] with the [[randomized appearance]] of a [[visored helmet]] can protect against the latter attack.
 A character that [[polymorph]]s into a raven is intrinsically [[stun]]ned for the duration of that form.{{refsrc|include/youprop.h|79|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Eating a floating eye [[corpse]] or [[tin]] while in the form of a raven prints a unique message.<ref name="inyoureye"/>
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 Ravens generated in [[Gehennom]] have slightly higher speed than normal, which is likely a play on the phrase "like a bat [on its way] out of hell" even though the raven itself is not a bat (though it is part of the same monster class).{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1275|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name=batoutofhell}}
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|1ae2bc7063ebe3c3831a707efd3fc3d6fd638d26}}, ravens generated while the player character is wielding a [[bec-de-corbin]] are created peaceful.}}
+{{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|1ae2bc7063ebe3c3831a707efd3fc3d6fd638d26}}, ravens generated while the [[player]] character is wielding a [[bec-de-corbin]] are created peaceful.}}
 ==Strategy==
-Ravens are quite fast at 20 [[speed]] and can prove annoying to an early character, especially if you lack [[telepathy]] to detect other monsters and move safely around them - being blinded can also prevent you reliably engraving [[Elbereth]] in a dire situation.
+Ravens are quite fast at 20 [[speed]] and can prove annoying to an early character, especially if you lack [[telepathy]] to detect other monsters and move safely around them - being blinded can also prevent reliably engraving [[Elbereth]] in a dire situation.
-You can protect against a raven's blinding talons by actively blinding yourself using a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]], though you will need telepathy or [[warning]] to follow the raven's erratic movement and avoid attacking peaceful monsters. A pair of [[lenses]] or a visored helmet can also protect against the attack, though lenses can be hard to find and a visored helmet may be the randomized appearance for a [[helm of opposite alignment]]. Being polymorphed into an eyeless form will also render you blind and keep you safe.
+Characters can protect against a raven's blinding talons by actively blinding themselves a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]], though they will want telepathy or [[warning]] to follow the raven's erratic movement and avoid attacking peaceful monsters. A pair of [[lenses]] or a visored helmet can also protect against the attack, though lenses can be hard to find and a visored helmet may be the randomized appearance for a [[helm of opposite alignment]]. Being polymorphed into an eyeless form will also protect against the attack.
-Beyond blinding you, ravens are not too threatening and can be picked off by most [[ranged attack]]s or a [[pet]] before they get within range.
+Beyond blinding, ravens are not too threatening and can be picked off by most [[ranged attack]]s or a [[pet]] before they get within range.
 ==History==