Shapeshifter - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: tweaks

2023-09-26T08:43:02Z

tweaks

Cathartes: /* List of shape changers */ fix link to mimics page

2023-06-17T15:32:42Z

‎List of shape changers: fix link to mimics page

Umbire the Phantom: /* List of shape changers */ didn't need the commas

2023-06-17T14:23:31Z

‎List of shape changers: didn't need the commas

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ rephrase

2023-06-17T13:03:06Z

‎Description: rephrase

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description */ pothole

2023-06-08T23:44:07Z

‎Description: pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* Description / clarify, finish orphaned fragment, etc.

2023-06-08T23:41:48Z

‎Description: * clarify, finish orphaned fragment, etc.

Umbire the Phantom: rewrite + format

2023-06-08T23:33:08Z

rewrite + format

Cathartes: refs, 3.6.7

2023-05-20T04:34:16Z

refs, 3.6.7

Umbire the Phantom: links, intro

2022-08-24T10:07:30Z

links, intro

Pinkbeast: rewrite

2019-11-06T00:17:28Z

rewrite

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 * Chameleons, doppelgangers and sandestins have a {{frac|6}} chance of changing shape every turn, even while [[asleep]] (e.g. in a [[zoo]]).{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3316|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Polymorph]]ing one yourself with a [[Wand of polymorph|wand]], [[Spellbook of polymorph|spell]], or [[Potion of polymorph|potion]] will change its form as normal, but they will continue shapeshifting at random after.
-* Werecreatures will randomly alternate between their human and animal forms, even while aslee[, and polymorphing a werecreature will cause it to alternate between forms. This includes you if you are given [[lycanthropy]] from a werecreature's bite, unless you have [[unchanging]] or [[polymorph control]].
+* Werecreatures will randomly alternate between their human and animal forms, even while asleep, and polymorphing a werecreature will cause it to alternate between forms. This includes you if you are given [[lycanthropy]] from a werecreature's bite, unless you have [[unchanging]] or [[polymorph control]].
 * Vampires are often encountered in the form of a [[vampire bat]], and will typically shift to [[fog cloud]] form to cross locked doors and certain other obstacles - vampire lords can shift to [[wolf]] form when not in sight of the player. A vampire may revert to their base form when attacking the player; killing a shapeshifted vampire will cause them to revive in their base form. Vlad the Impaler is capable of shapeshifting as well, but will not do so while carrying the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]].{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3373|nethack=3.6.7}} Polymorphing a vampire will cause it to alternate between its base form and its bat (and/or wolf) form; if you are in the form of a vampire without polymorph control, you will do the same if you are either polymorphed again or else use the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]].
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 ===Mimic shapeshifting===
-Mimics are an exception to much of the above, as they will instead take the appearance of various objects and sometimes [[dungeon feature]]s to catch the player off-guard. Interacting with a disguised mimic - by applying a stethoscope to one, attacking one, bumping into one, or throwing an item at one - will cause it to uncloak. As mimics do not take the form of other monsters, polymorphing will affect them normally (including system shock). Protection from shape changers will force mimics into their base form and prevent them from disguising themselves.
+Mimics are an exception to much of the above, as they will instead take the appearance of various objects and sometimes [[dungeon feature]]s to catch the player off-guard. Interacting with a disguised mimic - e.g., by applying a stethoscope to one, attacking one, bumping into one, or throwing an item at one - will cause it to uncloak. As mimics do not take the form of other monsters, polymorphing will affect them normally (including system shock); protection from shape changers will force mimics into their true form and prevent them from disguising themselves.
 ==History==

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ** {{monsym|werejackal (human)}} [[werejackal]]
 ** {{monsym|werewolf (human)}} [[werewolf]]
-* [[Mimic (monster class)|Mimics]]
+* [[Mimic]]s
 ** {{monsym|small mimic}} [[Small mimic]]
 ** {{monsym|large mimic}} [[Large mimic]]

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 * {{monsymlink|sandestin}}
 * [[Werecreature]]s
-** {{monsym|wererat (human)}}, [[wererat]]
+** {{monsym|wererat (human)}} [[wererat]]
-** {{monsym|werejackal (human)}}, [[werejackal]]
+** {{monsym|werejackal (human)}} [[werejackal]]
-** {{monsym|werewolf (human)}}, [[werewolf]]
+** {{monsym|werewolf (human)}} [[werewolf]]
 * [[Mimic (monster class)|Mimics]]
 ** {{monsym|small mimic}} [[Small mimic]]

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 * Chameleons, doppelgangers and sandestins have a {{frac|6}} chance of changing shape every turn, even while [[asleep]] (e.g. in a [[zoo]]).{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3316|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Polymorph]]ing one yourself with a [[Wand of polymorph|wand]], [[Spellbook of polymorph|spell]], or [[Potion of polymorph|potion]] will change its form as normal, but they will continue shapeshifting at random after.
 * Werecreatures will randomly alternate between their human and animal forms, even while aslee[, and polymorphing a werecreature will cause it to alternate between forms. This includes you if you are given [[lycanthropy]] from a werecreature's bite, unless you have [[unchanging]] or [[polymorph control]].
-* Vampires are often encountered in the form of a [[vampire bat]], and will typically shift to [[fog cloud]] form to cross locked doors and certain other obstacles - vampire lords can shift to [[wolf]] form when not in sight of the player. A vampire may revert to their base form when attacking the player; killing a shapeshifted vampire will cause them to revive in their base form. Vlad the Impaler is capable of shapeshifting as well, but will not do so while carrying the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]].{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3373|nethack=3.6.7}} Polymorphing a vampire will cause it to alternate between its base form and its bat (and/or wolf) form - this includes you if you are in the form of a vampire without polymorph control, and you are either polymorphed again or else use the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]].
+* Vampires are often encountered in the form of a [[vampire bat]], and will typically shift to [[fog cloud]] form to cross locked doors and certain other obstacles - vampire lords can shift to [[wolf]] form when not in sight of the player. A vampire may revert to their base form when attacking the player; killing a shapeshifted vampire will cause them to revive in their base form. Vlad the Impaler is capable of shapeshifting as well, but will not do so while carrying the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]].{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3373|nethack=3.6.7}} Polymorphing a vampire will cause it to alternate between its base form and its bat (and/or wolf) form; if you are in the form of a vampire without polymorph control, you will do the same if you are either polymorphed again or else use the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]].
 Examining any of the above monsters with a [[stethoscope]] or [[probing]] while they are in another form will identify them as shapeshifters. Wearing a [[ring of protection from shape changers]] will force them into their normal form; polymorphing any of the above monsters while wearing the ring will permanently change their form and remove their ability to shapeshift.
 ===Mimic shapeshifting===
-Mimics are an exception to much of the above, as they will instead take the form of various objects and sometimes [[dungeon feature]]s to catch the player off-guard. Interacting with a disguised mimic - by applying a stethoscope to one, attacking one, bumping into one, or throwing an item at one - will cause it to uncloak. As mimics do not take the form of other monsters, polymorphing will affect them normally (including system shock). Protection from shape changers will force mimics into their base form and prevent them from disguising themselves.
+Mimics are an exception to much of the above, as they will instead take the appearance of various objects and sometimes [[dungeon feature]]s to catch the player off-guard. Interacting with a disguised mimic - by applying a stethoscope to one, attacking one, bumping into one, or throwing an item at one - will cause it to uncloak. As mimics do not take the form of other monsters, polymorphing will affect them normally (including system shock). Protection from shape changers will force mimics into their base form and prevent them from disguising themselves.
 ==History==

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 * Chameleons, doppelgangers and sandestins have a {{frac|6}} chance of changing shape every turn, even while [[asleep]] (e.g. in a [[zoo]]).{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3316|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Polymorph]]ing one yourself with a [[Wand of polymorph|wand]], [[Spellbook of polymorph|spell]], or [[Potion of polymorph|potion]] will change its form as normal, but they will continue shapeshifting at random after.
 * Werecreatures will randomly alternate between their human and animal forms, even while aslee[, and polymorphing a werecreature will cause it to alternate between forms. This includes you if you are given [[lycanthropy]] from a werecreature's bite, unless you have [[unchanging]] or [[polymorph control]].
-* Vampires are often encountered in the form of a [[vampire bat]], and will typically shift to [[fog cloud]] form to cross locked doors and certain other obstacles - vampire lords can shift to [[wolf]] form when not in sight of the player. A vampire may revert to their base form when attacking the player; killing a shapeshifted vampire will cause them to revive in their base form. Vlad the Impaler is capable of shapeshifting as well, but will not do so while carrying the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]].{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3373|nethack=3.6.7}} Polymorphing a vampire will cause it to alternate between its base form and its bat (and/or wolf) form, including you if you are in the form of a vampire.
+* Vampires are often encountered in the form of a [[vampire bat]], and will typically shift to [[fog cloud]] form to cross locked doors and certain other obstacles - vampire lords can shift to [[wolf]] form when not in sight of the player. A vampire may revert to their base form when attacking the player; killing a shapeshifted vampire will cause them to revive in their base form. Vlad the Impaler is capable of shapeshifting as well, but will not do so while carrying the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]].{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3373|nethack=3.6.7}} Polymorphing a vampire will cause it to alternate between its base form and its bat (and/or wolf) form - this includes you if you are in the form of a vampire without polymorph control, and you are either polymorphed again or else use the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]].
 Examining any of the above monsters with a [[stethoscope]] or [[probing]] while they are in another form will identify them as shapeshifters. Wearing a [[ring of protection from shape changers]] will force them into their normal form; polymorphing any of the above monsters while wearing the ring will permanently change their form and remove their ability to shapeshift.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-In ''[[NetHack]]'', various monsters are '''shapeshifters''' or '''shape changers''' that can change form either randomly or at will. The various types of shapeshifters include:
+In ''[[NetHack]]'', a '''shapeshifter''' or '''shape changer''' is a monster that can change form either randomly or at will.
 * {{monsymlink|chameleon}}
 * {{monsymlink|doppelganger}}
 * {{monsymlink|sandestin}}
-All are capable of imitating other monsters - which monsters they imitate is dependent on which monster is in question - and will shift between disguises on a frequent basis. Wearing a [[ring of protection from shape changers]] will force them into their normal form. Forcing one to polymorph (by wand, spell, or potion) will not change their base form - they'll polymorph immediately, but continue to shapeshift.  Forcing one to polymorph ''while it is mode-locked by protection from shape changers'' can change its base form permanently.  They are created with starting inventory appropriate for their polymorphed form. Examining a shapeshifter with a [[stethoscope]] will identify it as such.
+==Description==
+All other shapeshifters except for mimics will shift between forms under certain circumstances, dependent on the monster in question:
-[[werecreature|Lycanthropes]] are also a type of shape changer, alternating between human and animal. They are:
+* Chameleons, doppelgangers and sandestins have a {{frac|6}} chance of changing shape every turn, even while [[asleep]] (e.g. in a [[zoo]]).{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3316|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Polymorph]]ing one will change its form as normal, but they will continue shapeshifting at random after.
-* {{monsym|wererat (human)}}, [[wererat]]s
+Examining any of the above monsters with a [[stethoscope]] or [[probing]] while they are in another form will identify them as shapeshifters. Wearing a [[ring of protection from shape changers]] will force them into their normal form; polymorphing any of the above monsters while wearing the ring will permanently change their form and remove their ability to shapeshift.
-Since [[NetHack 3.6.0]], [[Vampire (monster class)|vampires]] can change into several different forms. Unless you wear a ring of protection from shape changers, they will often be seen in [[vampire bat]] form, but can also turn into [[Fog cloud|fog clouds]] to bypass doors. Vampire lords can also turn into [[Wolf|wolves]]. Killing them in any alternate form will cause them to rise in their base vampire form. In 3.6.0 only, due to a bug, [[Genocide|genociding]] vampires would make shapeshifted vampires unkillable.
+===Mimic shapeshifting===
-* {{monsymlink|vampire}}
+==History==
-* {{monsymlink|vampire lord}}
+Vampire shapeshifting is introduced in [[NetHack 3.6.0]]; this resulted in a couple of bugs, both fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.1]]:
-Finally, we have the [[mimic]]s. They do not attempt to change into other creatures, but they instead pretend to be objects, doors, or stairs, and most often reside in shops. As far as actually fooling players goes, these are by far the most effective. There are three variations:
+* Using [[genocide]] on vampires and/or vampire lords would caused currently shapeshifted ones to become unkillable, as they could not return to vampire form properly. This was fixed in {{commit|757e6f9c4da1417b3b127dae8834697fea5e284c|commit 757e6f9}}.
-* {{monsymlink|small mimic}}
+* Shapeshifters and other monsters that polymorphed into vampires would remain stuck in that form - e.g., shapeshifters would not take on new forms, a polymorph-produced vampire would not shift to bat or fog forms, and so on. This was fixed in {{commit|885de116e1e93faa8ad5dc2685d16a9f553c50ed|commit 885de11}} and {{commit|45ba0addf25a6a0f29b6de793524e5250a6c039a|commit 45ba0ad}}.
 ==References==

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 All are capable of imitating other monsters - which monsters they imitate is dependent on which monster is in question - and will shift between disguises on a frequent basis. Wearing a [[ring of protection from shape changers]] will force them into their normal form. Forcing one to polymorph (by wand, spell, or potion) will not change their base form - they'll polymorph immediately, but continue to shapeshift.  Forcing one to polymorph ''while it is mode-locked by protection from shape changers'' can change its base form permanently.  They are created with starting inventory appropriate for their polymorphed form. Examining a shapeshifter with a [[stethoscope]] will identify it as such.
-Chameleons, doppelgangers and sandestins have a 1/6 chance every turn to change shape - even when they are [[sleep|sleeping]] (e.g. in a [[zoo]]). Chameleons choose an animal form 2/3 times, doppelgangers choose a "[[Summon_nasties#Nasties|nasty]]"<ref>{{function|wizard.c|nasties}}</ref> form 1/7 times, or if that fails, then choose a player class (2/3 chance). Sandestins pick a "nasty" form 6/7 times.<ref>{{function|mon.c|select_newcham_form}}</ref>
+Chameleons, doppelgangers and sandestins have a 1/6 chance every turn to change shape, even when they are [[sleep|sleeping]] (e.g. in a [[zoo]]).{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3316|nethack=3.6.7}} Chameleons choose an animal form 2/3 times; doppelgangers choose a "[[Summon_nasties#Nasties|nasty]]" form 1/7 times, or if that fails, then choose a player class (2/3 chance); and sandestins pick a "nasty" form 6/7 times.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3479|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>select_newcham_form()</code>}}
 [[werecreature|Lycanthropes]] are also a type of shape changer, alternating between human and animal. They are:
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 * {{monsymlink|vampire}}
 * {{monsymlink|vampire lord}}
-* {{monsymlink|Vlad the Impaler}}
+* {{monsymlink|Vlad the Impaler}}, but he will not shapeshift while carrying the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]].{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3373|nethack=3.6.7}}
 Finally, we have the [[mimic]]s. They do not attempt to change into other creatures, but they instead pretend to be objects, doors, or stairs, and most often reside in shops. As far as actually fooling players goes, these are by far the most effective. There are three variations:
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-361}}
+{{nethack-367}}
 [[Category:Monsters]]