Stalker - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ word choice

2026-04-23T05:09:12Z

‎Variants: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* SLASH'EM */ word choice

2026-04-23T04:58:13Z

‎SLASH'EM: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ spacing

2026-04-23T04:56:53Z

‎History: spacing

Umbire the Phantom: dnh

2026-04-23T04:56:25Z

dnh

Umbire the Phantom: thorough pass for formatting + citations + upcoming

2026-04-23T04:19:50Z

thorough pass for formatting + citations + upcoming

Umbire the Phantom: /* Encyclopedia entry */ forgot this

2026-04-23T00:03:02Z

‎Encyclopedia entry: forgot this

Umbire the Phantom: formatting, upcoming

2026-04-23T00:02:51Z

formatting, upcoming

Umbire the Phantom: trimming

2025-04-20T23:15:29Z

trimming

Umbire the Phantom: /* Encyclopedia entry */ find proper commit

2025-04-20T23:11:24Z

‎Encyclopedia entry: find proper commit

Umbire the Phantom: Undo revision 187450 by Umbire the Phantom (talk) ah, this was introduced in a commit after that

2025-04-20T23:08:00Z

Undo revision 187450 by Umbire the Phantom (talk) ah, this was introduced in a commit after that

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 In [[SLASH'EM]], stalker corpses will always generate as [[Invisible item (SLASH'EM)|invisible]].
-A stalker is generated within the Cloud Bank of the [[Lawful Quest]] at level creation, with a {{frac|3|5}} chance of a second one being placed nearby.
+A stalker is generated within the Cloud Bank of the [[Lawful Quest]] during level creation, with a {{frac|3|5}} chance of a second one being placed nearby.
 ===GruntHack===
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 ===SlashTHEM===
-In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, the [[Undertaker quest]] has the same layout as the Lawful Quest, including the stalker within the Cloud Bank and the chance of a second one being placed at level creation.
+In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, the [[Undertaker quest]] has the same layout as the Lawful Quest, including the stalker within the Cloud Bank and the chance of a second one being placed during level creation.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], stalker corpses will always generate as [[Invisible item (SLASH'EM)|invisible one]].
+In [[SLASH'EM]], stalker corpses will always generate as [[Invisible item (SLASH'EM)|invisible]].
 A stalker is generated within the Cloud Bank of the [[Lawful Quest]] at level creation, with a {{frac|3|5}} chance of a second one being placed nearby.

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 ==History==
-The stalker first appears in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on Jay Fenlason's Hack&mdash;in this version, it is known as the '''invisible stalker'''. The monster is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]], with its name shortened to "stalker" in order to avoid any redundancy from automatically prefixing monster names with "invisible" when relaying messages describing the actions of an invisible monster. From Hack 1.0 to [[NetHack 3.2.3]], the stalker uses the {{white|I}} glyph.
+The stalker first appears in Hack for PDP-11, which is based on Jay Fenlason's Hack&mdash;in this version, it is known as the '''invisible stalker'''. The monster is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]], with its name shortened to "stalker" in order to avoid any redundancy from automatically prefixing monster names with "invisible" when relaying messages describing the actions of an invisible monster.
-In [[NetHack 3.3.0]], the stalker is moved to the elemental monster class, {{white|E}}, and {{white|I}} is repurposed to indicate the last known position of any invisible monster.
+From Hack 1.0 to [[NetHack 3.2.3]], the stalker uses the {{white|I}} glyph. In [[NetHack 3.3.0]], the stalker is moved to the elemental monster class, {{white|E}}, and {{white|I}} is repurposed to indicate the last known position of any invisible monster.
 ==Origin==

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:56, 23 April 2026
Line 64:		Line 64:

	Stalkers are treated as permanently stunned, which causes them to occasionally attack other monsters.		Stalkers are treated as permanently stunned, which causes them to occasionally attack other monsters.
		+
		+	===dNetHack===
		+	In [[dNetHack]], the stalker has its [[monster difficulty]] raised to 10. Stalkers are considered organic [[humanoid]] beings, can track monsters with their vision and have the [[Elemental (monster attribute)\|elemental]] attribute. They are also given a second claw attack that is identical to the first, and a hero polymorphed into a stalker uses any available weapons in their offhand when performing this attack.
		+
		+	Stalkers can be [[Ward (dNetHack)\|warded]] by the [[User:Chris/dNetHack/Elder Elemental Eye\|Elder Elemental Eye]] at any level of reinforcement.

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

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
   |frequency=3
   |genocidable=Yes
-  |attacks=Claw 4d4
+  |attacks=[[Claw attack|Claw]] 4d4 [[Physical damage|physical]]
   |weight=900
   |nutr=400
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
   |resistances conveyed=[[Invisibility]], [[see invisible]] (only if [[invisible]] when corpse is eaten); causes [[stun]]ning
   |attributes={{attributes|A stalker|animal=1|fly=1|seeinvis=1|wander=1|stalk=1|hostile=1|strong=1|infravision=1}}
-  |reference=[[monst.c#line1357]]
+  |reference=[https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/blob/NetHack-3.6.7_Released/src/monst.c#L1258 NetHack 3.6.7 - src/monst.c, line 1258]
 }}
 {{otheruses|the invisible monster|monsters with the <tt>M2_STALK</tt> flag|follower}}
-A '''stalker''', {{monsym|stalker}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The stalker is an [[elemental]] that is different from the rest of their [[monster class]] in quite a few aspects: they are the only non-[[mindless]] monster of the group, the only one classified as an [[animal]], the only one that lacks any [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]], and the only one that can leave a [[corpse]] upon death. Stalkers are capable of [[flight]], have [[infravision]], can [[see invisible]], have a tendency to wander, and will [[follow]] a [[hero]] to other levels if they are adjacent.
+A '''stalker''', {{monsym|stalker}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The stalker is an [[elemental]] that is always [[invisible]].{{refsrc|include/mondata.h|184-L185|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Stalkers differ from the rest of their [[monster class]] in quite a few aspects: they are the only non-[[mindless]] monster of the group, the only one classified as an [[animal]], the only one that lacks any [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]], and the only one that can leave a [[corpse]] upon death. Stalkers are capable of [[flight]], have [[infravision]], can [[see invisible]], have a tendency to wander, and will [[follow]] a [[hero]] to other levels if they are adjacent.
 A stalker has a single [[claw attack]].
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 Eating a stalker corpse or [[tin]] will [[stun]] the hero and turn them invisible for 50-149 turns if they are not already invisible, while eating one when already invisible will turn the hero permanently invisible and grant the see invisible intrinsic{{refsrc|src/eat.c|997-L1000|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=hero eating stalker while not invisible}}{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1001-L1006|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=hero eating stalker while invisible}}&mdash;wearing a [[mummy wrapping]] counts as being visible for this purpose.
-A hero that [[polymorph]]s into a stalker is stunned while they are in that form.{{refsrc|src/polyself.c|79|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+A hero that [[polymorph]]s into a stalker becomes invisible and is stunned while they are in that form.{{refsrc|src/polyself.c|79|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/polyself.c|85|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 ==Generation==
-Randomly generated stalkers are always created hostile, and all stalkers are permanently invisible.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1251|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="invis"}}
+Randomly generated stalkers are always created hostile, and all stalkers are created as permanently invisible.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1249-L1255|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-Hostile stalkers may be generated by a monster casting the [[summon nasties]] [[monster spell]].
+Hostile stalkers may be generated by a monster casting the [[summon nasties]] [[monster spell]].{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|31|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 The stalker is the second [[quest]] monster for the [[Samurai]], and makes up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated in the [[Samurai quest]]. Several stalkers are also generated on each floor of the quest at level creation: one each is generated on the home and upper filler levels, nine are generated on the locate level, three are generated on the lower filler level(s), and nine are generated on the goal level. Stalkers also appear among the random {{white|E}} that are part of the second quest monster class for the Samurai quest, and make up {{frac|6|175}} of the monsters randomly generated there.
@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 In [[GruntHack]], stalkers leave invisible corpses as in SLASH'EM.
-Stalkers are treated as permanently stunned, which may cause them to occasionally attack other monsters.
+Stalkers are treated as permanently stunned, which causes them to occasionally attack other monsters.
 ===SlashTHEM===

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 ==Encyclopedia entry==
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|The following entry is added for "stalker" and "invisible stalker" via {{commit|babd9d50cbe49e8980db110b6d3c7f3dfcab7e8d}}.}}
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|The following entry is added for "stalker" and "invisible stalker" via {{commit|babd9d50cbe49e8980db110b6d3c7f3dfcab7e8d}}.}}
 {{encyclopedia|
 "You don't understand," he said, "who I am or what I am.  I'll show you.  By Heaven!  I'll show you."  Then he put his open palm over his face and withdrew it.  The centre of his face became a black cavity.  "Here," he said.  He stepped forward and handed Mrs. Hall something which she, staring at his metamorphosed face, accepted automatically.  Then, when she saw what it was, she screamed loudly, dropped it, and staggered back.  The nose--it was the stranger's nose! pink and shining--rolled on the floor.

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
   |reference=[[monst.c#line1357]]
 }}
-{{otheruses|the invisible monster|monsters with the M2_STALK flag|follower}}
+{{otheruses|the invisible monster|monsters with the <tt>M2_STALK</tt> flag|follower}}
 A '''stalker''', {{monsym|stalker}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The stalker is an [[elemental]] that is different from the rest of their [[monster class]] in quite a few aspects: they are the only non-[[mindless]] monster of the group, the only one classified as an [[animal]], the only one that lacks any [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]], and the only one that can leave a [[corpse]] upon death. Stalkers are capable of [[flight]], have [[infravision]], can [[see invisible]], have a tendency to wander, and will [[follow]] a [[hero]] to other levels if they are adjacent.
-A stalker has a single claw attack.
+A stalker has a single [[claw attack]].
-Eating a stalker corpse or [[tin]] will [[stun]] the hero and turn them invisible for 50-149 turns if they are not already invisible, while eating one when already invisible will turn the hero permanently invisible and grant the see invisible intrinsic;{{refsrc|src/eat.c|996|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} wearing a [[mummy wrapping]] counts as being visible for this purpose.
+Eating a stalker corpse or [[tin]] will [[stun]] the hero and turn them invisible for 50-149 turns if they are not already invisible, while eating one when already invisible will turn the hero permanently invisible and grant the see invisible intrinsic{{refsrc|src/eat.c|997-L1000|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=hero eating stalker while not invisible}}{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1001-L1006|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=hero eating stalker while invisible}}&mdash;wearing a [[mummy wrapping]] counts as being visible for this purpose.
 A hero that [[polymorph]]s into a stalker is stunned while they are in that form.{{refsrc|src/polyself.c|79|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
@@ Line 31: / Line 30: @@
 Randomly generated stalkers are always created hostile, and all stalkers are permanently invisible.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1251|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="invis"}}
-Hostile stalkers may be generated by a [[spellcaster]] casting the [[summon nasties]] [[monster spell]].
+Hostile stalkers may be generated by a monster casting the [[summon nasties]] [[monster spell]].
 The stalker is the second [[quest]] monster for the [[Samurai]], and makes up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated in the [[Samurai quest]]. Several stalkers are also generated on each floor of the quest at level creation: one each is generated on the home and upper filler levels, nine are generated on the locate level, three are generated on the lower filler level(s), and nine are generated on the goal level. Stalkers also appear among the random {{white|E}} that are part of the second quest monster class for the Samurai quest, and make up {{frac|6|175}} of the monsters randomly generated there.
@@ Line 38: / Line 37: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Stalkers can hit fairly hard with their single attack and move at the same base speed as the hero - in addition to being invisible, their erratic wandering movements make them annoying to fight or avoid, unless you have a means of detecting them such as see invisible or [[telepathy]].
+Stalkers can hit fairly hard with their single attack and move at the same base speed as the hero, and their invisibility and erratic wandering movements make them annoying to fight or avoid if the hero cannot detect them (e.g. unless you have a means of detecting them such as see invisible or [[telepathy]].
 Stalker meat is one of the more reliable sources of the see invisible intrinsic, either through eating two separate servings in quick succession or else eating one with another source of invisibility on hand. As eating stalkers stuns you, be sure to avoid doing so in the midst of a fight unless you can cure it quickly (e.g., with a [[unicorn horn]]); keeping a mummy wrapping around is also advisable if you plan on shopping at any point afterward.
 ==History==

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 ==Encyclopedia entry==
 {{encyclopedia|
 "You don't understand," he said, "who I am or what I am.  I'll show you.  By Heaven!  I'll show you."  Then he put his open palm over his face and withdrew it.  The centre of his face became a black cavity.  "Here," he said.  He stepped forward and handed Mrs. Hall something which she, staring at his metamorphosed face, accepted automatically.  Then, when she saw what it was, she screamed loudly, dropped it, and staggered back.  The nose--it was the stranger's nose! pink and shining--rolled on the floor.
@@ Line 83: / Line 76: @@
 It was worse than anything.  Mrs. Hall, standing open-mouthed and horror-struck, shrieked at what she saw, and made for the door of the house.  Everyone began to move.  They were prepared for scars, disfigurements, tangible horrors, but nothing!  The bandages and false hair flew across the passage into the bar, making a hobbledehoy jump to avoid them.  Everyone tumbled on everyone else down the steps.  For the man who stood there shouting some incoherent explanation, was a solid gesticulating figure up to the coat-collar of him, and then--nothingness, no visible thing at all!
-|[ The Invisible Man, by H.G. Wells ]}}-->
+|[ The Invisible Man, by H.G. Wells ]}}
 ==References==