Spellbook of slow monster - Revision history

Phol ende wodan: /* Description */ 3.7: slowed monsters above speed 12 lose extra movement points

2026-01-25T00:05:21Z

‎Description: 3.7: slowed monsters above speed 12 lose extra movement points

JASON10668: Add languages template.

2025-09-04T10:57:59Z

Add languages template.

Umbire the Phantom: FIQ details

2025-07-10T11:14:45Z

FIQ details

Umbire the Phantom: pasto...

2025-07-10T08:54:40Z

pasto...

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ likewise...

2025-07-10T08:50:30Z

‎Generation: likewise...

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ ditto

2025-07-10T08:47:07Z

‎Generation: ditto

Umbire the Phantom: spacing

2025-07-10T08:41:50Z

spacing

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ examples of mons you might wanna slow

2025-07-10T08:40:46Z

‎Strategy: examples of mons you might wanna slow

Umbire the Phantom: strat + var

2025-07-10T08:38:26Z

strat + var

Umbire the Phantom: everything should be prepped now to go into variants...

2025-07-10T08:03:22Z

everything should be prepped now to go into variants...

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:05, 25 January 2026
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	A hero that zaps the spell downward while [[riding]] will affect their steed as normal.{{refsrc\|src/zap.c\|2705\|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero that zaps themselves with the spell will lose any intrinsic speed they have.{{refsrc\|src/zap.c\|2431\|nethack=3.6.7}}		A hero that zaps the spell downward while [[riding]] will affect their steed as normal.{{refsrc\|src/zap.c\|2705\|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero that zaps themselves with the spell will lose any intrinsic speed they have.{{refsrc\|src/zap.c\|2431\|nethack=3.6.7}}
		+
		+	{{upcoming\|NetHack 3.7.0\|Slowed monsters whose natural speed is above 12 lose a greater proportion of their movement points above 12 - {{frac\|2\|3}} of them. I.e. a monster with speed 17 would lose {{frac\|1\|3}} of their first 12 movement points and {{frac\|2\|3}} of their next 5 movement points, rounded down, for a total of only 9 movement points.}}

	==Strategy==		==Strategy==

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:57, 4 September 2025
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		+	{{languages}}
	{{spellbook		{{spellbook
	\|name=slow monster		\|name=slow monster

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:14, 10 July 2025
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	[[Aligned priest]]s and [[high priest]]s will have knowledge of the slow monster spell {{frac\|4}} of the time (i.e. if they are not given the {{+ of\|confuse monster}} spell), while [[Nazgul]], [[Orcus]], [[Demogorgon]], [[Thoth Amon]], the [[Dark One]], the [[Chromatic Dragon]], and [[Master Kaen]] will always have the slow monster spell.		[[Aligned priest]]s and [[high priest]]s will have knowledge of the slow monster spell {{frac\|4}} of the time (i.e. if they are not given the {{+ of\|confuse monster}} spell), while [[Nazgul]], [[Orcus]], [[Demogorgon]], [[Thoth Amon]], the [[Dark One]], the [[Chromatic Dragon]], and [[Master Kaen]] will always have the slow monster spell.
		+
		+	The hero can be abnormally slowed temporarily by the slow monster spell (or any other source of slowing), halving their speed for the duration of the effect—a source of [[free action]] can block the spell effect {{frac\|2\|3}} of the time, and [[blue dragon scales]] and [[blue dragon scale mail]] grant immunity to the spell while worn. [[Blue dragon]]s themselves are immune to the spell and other slowing effects. [[Quaffing]] a blessed [[potion of speed]] can undo abnormal slowing.

	===SlashTHEM===		===SlashTHEM===

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ==Generation==
-[[Wizard]]s may be given a spellbook of sleep as the secondary spellbook in their starting inventory.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|169|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Wizard]]s may be given a spellbook of slow monster as the secondary spellbook in their starting inventory.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|169|nethack=3.6.7}}
 Spellbooks of slow monster make up {{frac|3|100}} (3%) of all randomly-generated spellbooks. General [[store]]s, second-hand bookstores and rare books stores can stock spellbooks of slow monster.

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:50, 10 July 2025
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	Writing a spellbook of slow monster with a [[magic marker]] uses up 10 to 19 charges.		Writing a spellbook of slow monster with a [[magic marker]] uses up 10 to 19 charges.
		+
		+	{{upcoming\|NetHack 3.7.0\|Per {{commit\|319dfbdaa3e608e88e39e0a296a9c41febfc1a59}} and {{commit\|495a1a9b07f0a19bddde5aecfbf43299bdaa5187}}, non-[[pauper]] Wizards start each game with knowledge of the appearance for the spellbook of slow monster, due to starting with Basic [[skill]] in enchantment spells.}}

	==Description==		==Description==

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:47, 10 July 2025
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	Spellbooks of slow monster make up {{frac\|3\|100}} (3%) of all randomly-generated spellbooks. General [[store]]s, second-hand bookstores and rare books stores can stock spellbooks of slow monster.		Spellbooks of slow monster make up {{frac\|3\|100}} (3%) of all randomly-generated spellbooks. General [[store]]s, second-hand bookstores and rare books stores can stock spellbooks of slow monster.
		+
		+	An [[aligned priest]] can be [[generated with]] the spellbook of slow monster as one of their spellbooks.{{refsrc\|src/priest.c\|264\|nethack=3.6.7}}

	Writing a spellbook of slow monster with a [[magic marker]] uses up 10 to 19 charges.		Writing a spellbook of slow monster with a [[magic marker]] uses up 10 to 19 charges.

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   |direction=beam
   |equiv=[[wand of slow monster]]
-  |abundance=3%}}
+  |abundance=3%
 }}
 In ''[[NetHack]]'', the '''spellbook of slow monster''' can be [[read]] to learn the '''spell of slow monster'''. It is a level 2 [[enchantment spell]], and the [[spellbook]] takes 4 actions to read.

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 ==Strategy==
-The spell of slow monster is considered somewhat niche: though it is generally useful against approaching hostile monsters&ndash;especially ones that are faster than the hero&ndash;many of these monsters can also be immobilized outright by the {{+ of|sleep}} spell, [[wand of sleep]] or similar methods, and the slow monster spell also costs more energy to cast than the sleep spell. Additionally, the spell is somewhat lackluster against hostile spellcasters that cast mage spells, since they can use the [[Haste self (monster spell)|haste self]] [[monster spell]] to re-apply their speed; this could potentially be used to the hero's advantage, since turns spent casting the spell to gain speed are not spent on other annoying or detrimental spells.
+The spell of slow monster is considered somewhat niche: though it is generally useful against approaching hostile monsters&ndash;especially ones that are faster than the hero, such as [[soldier ant]]s, [[leocrotta]]s or [[winged gargoyle]]s&ndash;many of these monsters can also be immobilized outright by the {{+ of|sleep}} spell, [[wand of sleep]] or similar methods, and the slow monster spell also costs more energy to cast than the sleep spell. Additionally, the spell is somewhat lackluster against hostile spellcasters that cast mage spells, since they can use the [[Haste self (monster spell)|haste self]] [[monster spell]] to re-apply their speed; this could potentially be used to the hero's advantage, since turns spent casting the spell to gain speed are not spent on other annoying or detrimental spells.
-If a hero lacks better options against a threatening monster (as is often the case in the early game), or else if they are facing a monster with [[sleep resistance]] (e.g., the faster [[undead]], [[Elf (monster attribute)|elves]] and most whirly monsters), this spell is still decent if it can be reliably cast and will often reduce the potential damage that a slowed monster can deal, while allowing you to escape from inside whirly engulfers as well. In particular cases (usually ones involving [[energy vortices]] and air elementals), it is wiser to slow the monster with the spell first if possible before they can engulf you, giving yourself more time to perform other actions; this is especially pertinent if you are on the [[Plane of Air]].
+If a hero lacks better options against a threatening monster (as is often the case in the early game), or else if they are facing a monster with [[sleep resistance]] (e.g., the faster [[undead]], [[Elf (monster attribute)|elves]] and most whirly monsters), this spell is still decent if it can be reliably cast and will often reduce the potential damage that a slowed monster can deal, while allowing you to escape from inside whirly engulfers as well. In particular cases involving engulfing whirlies (usually [[energy vortices]] and air elementals), it is wiser to slow the monster with the spell first if possible before they can engulf you, giving yourself more time to perform other actions; this is especially pertinent if you are on the [[Plane of Air]].
 [[Pacifist]] [[conduct]] play can benefit somewhat from the spell, especially when it comes to a pacifist hero escaping engulfers in order to allow pets to deal with them. The slow monster spell also has another niche use in exposing mimics hiding within shops without the spell affecting any of the wares.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2067|nethack=3.6.7}} Otherwise, a hero not interested in the spell can optionally learn it to forget later and polypile or blank the book, as with other unwanted spellbooks.

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 The spell of slow monster is considered somewhat niche: though it is generally useful against approaching hostile monsters&ndash;especially ones that are faster than the hero&ndash;many of these monsters can also be immobilized outright by the {{+ of|sleep}} spell, [[wand of sleep]] or similar methods, and the slow monster spell also costs more energy to cast than the sleep spell. Additionally, the spell is somewhat lackluster against hostile spellcasters that cast mage spells, since they can use the [[Haste self (monster spell)|haste self]] [[monster spell]] to re-apply their speed; this could potentially be used to the hero's advantage, since turns spent casting the spell to gain speed are not spent on other annoying or detrimental spells.
-If a hero lacks better options against a threatening monster, as is often the case in the early game, or else if they are facing a monster with [[sleep resistance]] (e.g., the faster [[undead]], [[Elf (monster attribute)|elves]] and most whirly monsters), this spell is still decent if it can be reliably cast, and it allows you to escape from inside whirly engulfers as well. In particular cases (usually ones involving [[energy vortices]] and air elementals), it is wiser to slow the monster with the spell first if possible before they can engulf you, giving yourself more time to perform other actions; this is especially pertinent if you are on the [[Plane of Air]].
+If a hero lacks better options against a threatening monster (as is often the case in the early game), or else if they are facing a monster with [[sleep resistance]] (e.g., the faster [[undead]], [[Elf (monster attribute)|elves]] and most whirly monsters), this spell is still decent if it can be reliably cast and will often reduce the potential damage that a slowed monster can deal, while allowing you to escape from inside whirly engulfers as well. In particular cases (usually ones involving [[energy vortices]] and air elementals), it is wiser to slow the monster with the spell first if possible before they can engulf you, giving yourself more time to perform other actions; this is especially pertinent if you are on the [[Plane of Air]].
 [[Pacifist]] [[conduct]] play can benefit somewhat from the spell, especially when it comes to a pacifist hero escaping engulfers in order to allow pets to deal with them. The slow monster spell also has another niche use in exposing mimics hiding within shops without the spell affecting any of the wares.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2067|nethack=3.6.7}} Otherwise, a hero not interested in the spell can optionally learn it to forget later and polypile or blank the book, as with other unwanted spellbooks.
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 {{message|You slow down.|You zapped yourself, and no longer have the speed intrinsic.}}
 {{message|Your quickness feels less natural.|As above, but you still have extrinsic speed.}}
 ==References==

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 ==Description==
-When successfully [[cast]] at any [[skill]] level in enchantment spells, the spell of sleep has nearly the same effect as [[zapping]] a [[wand of slow monster]]:{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1091|nethack=3.6.7|comment=case explicitly calls <tt>weffects()</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1137|nethack=3.6.7|comment=all spells assigned wand equivalents fall through to this line}} the spell prompts the player for a cardinal direction to fire the beam in, and any [[monster]] hit by the beam of the [[hero]]'s spell will be rendered slower unless they succeed a roll against their [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]]{{refsrc|src/zap.c|181|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|185|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;monsters with the [[speed]] intrinsic are returned to normal speed, while monsters without the intrinsic will slow to {{frac|2|3}} of their normal speed. A [[whirly]] monster (i.e. any [[vortex]] or [[air elemental]]) that is affected by the spell while [[engulfing]] the hero will immediately expel them.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|187|nethack=3.6.7}}
+When successfully [[cast]] at any [[skill]] level in enchantment spells, the spell of sleep has nearly the same effect as [[zapping]] a [[wand of slow monster]]:{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1091|nethack=3.6.7|comment=case explicitly calls <tt>weffects()</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/spell.c|1137|nethack=3.6.7|comment=all spells assigned wand equivalents fall through to this line}} the spell prompts the player for a cardinal direction to fire the beam in, and any [[monster]] hit by the beam of the [[hero]]'s spell will be rendered slower unless they succeed a roll against their [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]]{{refsrc|src/zap.c|181|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/zap.c|185|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;monsters with the [[speed]] intrinsic are returned to normal speed, while monsters without the intrinsic will slow to {{frac|2|3}} of their normal speed. Disguised [[mimic]]s affected by the spell will be uncloaked.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|183|nethack=3.6.7}} A [[whirly]] monster (i.e. any [[vortex]] or [[air elemental]]) that is affected by the spell while [[engulfing]] the hero will be slowed as above if applicable and forced to immediately release the hero.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|187|nethack=3.6.7}}
 A hero that zaps the spell downward while [[riding]] will affect their steed as normal.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2705|nethack=3.6.7}} A hero that zaps themselves with the spell will lose any intrinsic speed they have.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|2431|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==
-The spell of slow monster is considered inferior to the {{spell of|sleep}} spell in most applicable scenarios, unless the target monster(s) has both high [[speed]] and [[sleep resistance]], such as [[energy vortex]]es and [[Vlad the Impaler]] - such monsters are generally rare, however. The spell is also somewhat useful for escaping whirly engulfing monsters; this gives it a marginal use case on the [[Plane of Air]], where it will allow you to escape [[air elemental]]s.
+The spell of slow monster is considered somewhat niche: though it is generally useful against approaching hostile monsters&ndash;especially ones that are faster than the hero&ndash;many of these monsters can also be immobilized outright by the {{+ of|sleep}} spell, [[wand of sleep]] or similar methods, and the slow monster spell also costs more energy to cast than the sleep spell. Additionally, the spell is somewhat lackluster against hostile spellcasters that cast mage spells, since they can use the [[Haste self (monster spell)|haste self]] [[monster spell]] to re-apply their speed; this could potentially be used to the hero's advantage, since turns spent casting the spell to gain speed are not spent on other annoying or detrimental spells.
-Pacifist may find this more useful for deterring dangerous monsters and/or escaping some engulfers; many other players prefer to read it for confusion-on-demand from forgetting the spell, then [[polypile]] it or blank it to write another desired spellbook with a [[magic marker]].
+If a hero lacks better options against a threatening monster, as is often the case in the early game, or else if they are facing a monster with [[sleep resistance]] (e.g., the faster [[undead]], [[Elf (monster attribute)|elves]] and most whirly monsters), this spell is still decent if it can be reliably cast, and it allows you to escape from inside whirly engulfers as well. In particular cases (usually ones involving [[energy vortices]] and air elementals), it is wiser to slow the monster with the spell first if possible before they can engulf you, giving yourself more time to perform other actions; this is especially pertinent if you are on the [[Plane of Air]].
 ==History==
@@ Line 39: / Line 41: @@
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-366}}
+{{nethack-367}}
 [[Category:Spellbooks|Slow monster]]