Vlad the Impaler - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ cite the commit to be thorough

2026-05-19T10:20:59Z

‎History: cite the commit to be thorough

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ or we can just,

2026-05-19T10:09:47Z

‎History: or we can just,

Tomsod: /* History */ clarify that 3.0.0 - 3.6.1 version range is non-inclusive on the right

2026-05-19T08:38:45Z

‎History: clarify that 3.0.0 - 3.6.1 version range is non-inclusive on the right

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ pothole

2026-03-26T01:28:10Z

‎Generation: pothole

Umbire the Phantom: potholes et. al.

2025-06-29T18:02:40Z

potholes et. al.

Umbire the Phantom: /* EvilHack */ word choice

2025-04-08T14:30:57Z

‎EvilHack: word choice

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

2025-04-08T14:30:41Z

‎Hack'EM: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: typo

2025-04-08T14:27:32Z

typo

Umbire the Phantom: more detailing

2025-04-08T14:27:08Z

more detailing

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit pass

2025-04-08T13:37:20Z

copyedit pass

Show changes

@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 Particularly during the era of [[NetHack 3.4.3]], jokes abounded of fighting him with [[food ration]]s, [[magic marker]]s, [[tin opener]]s or [[orcish dagger]]s that were thoroughly [[Erosion|rusty and corroded]], not moving every second turn while fighting him, or a variety of other absurd scenarios which would normally result in [[YASD]], and still easily defeating Vlad. The items used for such exploits were often [[named]] '''Vladsbane''', '''Vladbane''' or '''Vladsmasher''' as a parody of the naming scheme of [[the Banes]], to the point that a list of these items was gleaned from [[ttyrec]]s and [http://www.codehappy.net/nethack/vladsbanes.htm posted here] on codehappy.net. The danger of Vlad reading a scroll of teleportation while confused even gave players a legitimate reason to use a Vladbane-type weapon (or most other weapons) over Magicbane.
-[[NetHack 3.6.1]] establishes Vlad the Impaler's current abilities, remedying his lack of challenge. A variety of [[patch]]es were written before the release of NetHack 3.6.1 to address this issue by altering Vlad in some way&mdash;one of the better known ones is the aptly-named [http://web.archive.org/web/20211021092311/https://bilious.alt.org/?190 Vlad Balance patch]. Several variants also make Vlad more challenging or unique in their own way, with the specific methods discussed in [[#Variants|the section below]].
+[[NetHack 3.6.1]] establishes Vlad the Impaler's current strength and abilities via {{commit|001d9681c23107b570e943ba168e42e524d55737}}, remedying his lack of challenge. Prior to the release of NetHack 3.6.1, a variety of [[patch]]es addressing this issue in some way were written&mdash;one of the better known ones is the aptly-named [http://web.archive.org/web/20211021092311/https://bilious.alt.org/?190 Vlad Balance patch], and several variants also make Vlad more challenging or unique in their own way, with the specific methods discussed in [[#Variants|the section below]].
 ==Dudley's dungeon==

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 ==History==
-Vlad the Impaler first appears in [[NetHack 3.0.0]]. From this version until before [[NetHack 3.6.1]], including variants based on those versions, Vlad is significantly slower and weaker, with a 1d10 weapon attack and a 1d10 life-draining bite, and does not warp like other covetous monsters&mdash;he is widely regarded as lacking in power compared even to the mundane vampire lords encountered in his tower.
+Vlad the Impaler first appears in [[NetHack 3.0.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.6.0]], including variants based on those versions, Vlad is significantly slower and weaker, with a 1d10 weapon attack and a 1d10 life-draining bite, and does not warp like other covetous monsters&mdash;he is widely regarded as lacking in power compared even to the mundane vampire lords encountered in his tower.
 Particularly during the era of [[NetHack 3.4.3]], jokes abounded of fighting him with [[food ration]]s, [[magic marker]]s, [[tin opener]]s or [[orcish dagger]]s that were thoroughly [[Erosion|rusty and corroded]], not moving every second turn while fighting him, or a variety of other absurd scenarios which would normally result in [[YASD]], and still easily defeating Vlad. The items used for such exploits were often [[named]] '''Vladsbane''', '''Vladbane''' or '''Vladsmasher''' as a parody of the naming scheme of [[the Banes]], to the point that a list of these items was gleaned from [[ttyrec]]s and [http://www.codehappy.net/nethack/vladsbanes.htm posted here] on codehappy.net. The danger of Vlad reading a scroll of teleportation while confused even gave players a legitimate reason to use a Vladbane-type weapon (or most other weapons) over Magicbane.
-A variety of [[patch]]es were written before the release of NetHack 3.6.1 to address this issue by altering Vlad in some way&mdash;one of the better known ones is the aptly-named [http://web.archive.org/web/20211021092311/https://bilious.alt.org/?190 Vlad Balance patch]. Several variants also make Vlad more challenging or unique in their own way, with the specific methods discussed in [[#Variants|the section below]].
+[[NetHack 3.6.1]] establishes Vlad the Impaler's current abilities, remedying his lack of challenge. A variety of [[patch]]es were written before the release of NetHack 3.6.1 to address this issue by altering Vlad in some way&mdash;one of the better known ones is the aptly-named [http://web.archive.org/web/20211021092311/https://bilious.alt.org/?190 Vlad Balance patch]. Several variants also make Vlad more challenging or unique in their own way, with the specific methods discussed in [[#Variants|the section below]].
 ==Dudley's dungeon==

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 ==History==
-Vlad the Impaler first appears in [[NetHack 3.0.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.6.1]], including variants based on those versions, Vlad is significantly slower and weaker, with a 1d10 weapon attack and a 1d10 life-draining bite, and does not warp like other covetous monsters&mdash;he is widely regarded as lacking in power compared even to the mundane vampire lords encountered in his tower.
+Vlad the Impaler first appears in [[NetHack 3.0.0]]. From this version until before [[NetHack 3.6.1]], including variants based on those versions, Vlad is significantly slower and weaker, with a 1d10 weapon attack and a 1d10 life-draining bite, and does not warp like other covetous monsters&mdash;he is widely regarded as lacking in power compared even to the mundane vampire lords encountered in his tower.
 Particularly during the era of [[NetHack 3.4.3]], jokes abounded of fighting him with [[food ration]]s, [[magic marker]]s, [[tin opener]]s or [[orcish dagger]]s that were thoroughly [[Erosion|rusty and corroded]], not moving every second turn while fighting him, or a variety of other absurd scenarios which would normally result in [[YASD]], and still easily defeating Vlad. The items used for such exploits were often [[named]] '''Vladsbane''', '''Vladbane''' or '''Vladsmasher''' as a parody of the naming scheme of [[the Banes]], to the point that a list of these items was gleaned from [[ttyrec]]s and [http://www.codehappy.net/nethack/vladsbanes.htm posted here] on codehappy.net. The danger of Vlad reading a scroll of teleportation while confused even gave players a legitimate reason to use a Vladbane-type weapon (or most other weapons) over Magicbane.

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 Vlad the Impaler resides on a [[throne]] in the center of the top floor of [[Vlad's Tower|his tower]], which is situated within [[Gehennom]].
-Along with the Candelabrum, Vlad the Impaler has a {{frac|5|8}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|generating with]] any one of the default weapon sets for a [[strong]] monster, with an equal probability of each weapon: a [[two-handed sword]], a [[long sword]], a [[lucern hammer]], a [[battle-axe]], or a [[bow]] and 3-14 [[arrow]]s.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|518|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} As Vlad is an overlord to his kind, any weapons he generates with will be at least +1.
+Along with the Candelabrum, Vlad the Impaler has a {{frac|5|8}} chance of [[generating with]] any one of the default weapon sets for a [[strong]] monster, with an equal probability of each weapon: a [[two-handed sword]], a [[long sword]], a [[lucern hammer]], a [[battle-axe]], or a [[bow]] and 3-14 [[arrow]]s.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|518|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} As Vlad is an overlord to his kind, any weapons he generates with will be at least +1.
 Vlad the Impaler [[Corpseless|never leaves a corpse]] when killed, and if killed by any method that ordinarily leaves a corpse, a message is printed about his body crumbling to dust.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|2083|nethack=3.6.7}}

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 Among the quickest ways to deal with Vlad are a [[footrice]] corpse, or a [[potion of paralysis]] paired with a [[ring of free action]]; if neither is available, you will need solid AC and a reliable source of high damage, typically a well-enchanted silver weapon, to take him down quickly. A source of [[drain resistance]] from a weapon or [[polyself]] can prevent the worst of his bite's effects, though they can still be heavily damaging - [[Excalibur]] is among the best primary weapons to take on Vlad with for this reason. In the case of [[Stormbringer]] of [[The Staff of Aesculapius]], whose draining Vlad resists, they can also be paired with powerful ranged attacks such as the {{+ of|magic missile}} spell or [[daggerstorm]]s. If you do not have drain resistance, [[MC3]] is a decent option to minimize level loss, and a blessed [[potion of restore ability]] or two should be kept available in a [[bag]] along with healing resources to use after the fight (or else if you get overwhelmed during it).
-If all else fails, you can let Vlad escape the tower into the main area of Gehennom and stand on an upstair to fight him. Be careful not to [[confuse]] Vlad: if he then [[levelport]]s by reading a [[scroll of teleportation]], you get to look for him in his Tower, all of [[Gehennom]] above it, and the entire [[Dungeons of Doom]], which is very annoying; this also makes [[Magicbane]] an impractical choice due to the risk of the confusion effect processing. If you suspect Vlad of generating with a teleport scroll, a source of fire damage (e.g. [[Fire Brand]] or a [[fireball]] spell) can burn it out of his inventory.
+If all else fails, you can let Vlad escape the tower into the main area of Gehennom and stand on an upstair to fight him. Be careful not to [[confuse]] Vlad: if he then [[levelport]]s by reading a [[scroll of teleportation]], you get to look for him in his Tower, all of [[Gehennom]] above it, and the entire [[Dungeons of Doom]], which is very annoying; this also makes [[Magicbane]] an impractical choice due to the risk of the confusion effect processing. If you suspect Vlad of generating with a teleport scroll, or else can confirm it (e.g. via [[probing]]) a source of fire damage such as [[Fire Brand]] or a {{+ of|fireball}} spell can burn it out of his inventory.
-While Vlad the Impaler is technically not immune to the [[Spellbook of polymorph|spell]] or [[wand of polymorph]], you must have [[protection from shape changers]] (usually from [[Ring of protection from shape changers|the ring]]) for it to have any effect at all while he is holding the Candelabrum, and his [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 80 will make the task far more difficult.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3373|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3847|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} If you do not have protection from shape changers but manage to get the Candelabrum from Vlad without killing him, polymorphing him will shapeshift him into one of his other forms as normal.
+While Vlad the Impaler is technically not immune to the {{+ of|polymorph}} spell or [[Wand of polymorph|wand]], you must have [[protection from shape changers]] (usually from [[Ring of protection from shape changers|the ring]]) for it to have any effect at all while he is holding the Candelabrum, and his [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 80 will make the task far more difficult.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3373|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3847|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} If you do not have protection from shape changers but manage to get the Candelabrum from Vlad without killing him, polymorphing him will shapeshift him into one of his other forms as normal.
 {{upcoming|3.7.0|[[Black dragon scales]] and [[black dragon scale mail]] grant drain resistance while worn, making the property more accessible.

@@ Line 104: / Line 104: @@
 ===EvilHack===
 {{main|Vlad the Impaler (EvilHack)}}
-In [[EvilHack]], which is initially based on [[NetHack 3.6.2]], Vlad the Impaler is given a 3d6 mage monster spell attack and is generated with [[Lifestealer (EvilHack)|Lifestealer]], similar to SporkHack. He is also given dominion over all vampires, preventing a hero from genociding any {{white|V}}.
+In [[EvilHack]], which is initially based on [[NetHack 3.6.2]], Vlad the Impaler is given a 3d6 mage monster spell attack and is generated with [[Lifestealer (EvilHack)|Lifestealer]], similar to SporkHack. He is also given dominion over all vampires, preventing a hero from genociding any {{white|V}} until they kill him.
 ===Hack'EM===

@@ Line 107: / Line 107: @@
 ===Hack'EM===
-In [[Hack'EM]], which is based on [[NetHack 3.6.7]], Vlad the Impaler is buffed similarly to EvilHack, though he is not required to slay in order to genocide {{white|V}}.
+In [[Hack'EM]], which is based on [[NetHack 3.6.7]], Vlad the Impaler is buffed near-identically to EvilHack, though he is not required to be killed in order to genocide {{white|V}}.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
   |frequency=Unique
   |genocidable=No
-  |attacks=Weapon 2d10 [[Phsyical damage|physical]], bite 1d12 [[drain life (monster attack)|drain life]]
+  |attacks=Weapon 2d10 [[Physical damage|physical]], bite 1d12 [[drain life (monster attack)|drain life]]
   |weight=1450
   |nutr=400

@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 ==Generation==
-Vlad the Impaler is always generated hostile, and is not a valid form for [[polymorph]].
+Vlad the Impaler is always generated hostile, and is not a valid genocide target or polymorph form.
 Vlad the Impaler resides on a [[throne]] in the center of the top floor of [[Vlad's Tower|his tower]], which is situated within [[Gehennom]].
@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 ===SporkHack===
-In [[SporkHack]], Vlad is given a 4d6 mage [[monster spell]] attack and the ability to [[see invisible]], and his difficulty is increased to 20. He also generates with [[Lifestealer (SporkHack)|Lifestealer]], an [[artifact]] two-handed sword that has similar properties to [[Stormbringer]].
+In [[SporkHack]], which is based on NetHack 3.4.3 Vlad is given a 4d6 mage [[monster spell]] attack and the ability to [[see invisible]], and his difficulty is increased to 20. He also generates with [[Lifestealer (SporkHack)|Lifestealer]], an [[artifact]] two-handed sword that has similar properties to [[Stormbringer]].
 ===GruntHack===
-In [[GruntHack]], many of Vlad's vital statistics are enhanced: his base level is raised to 28, his base speed is raised 24, and he has four attacks - two 6d6 weapon attacks that can [[stun]] and [[confuse]] targets, a 1d10 level-draining bite, and a 2d6 stunning gaze attack.
+In [[GruntHack]], many of Vlad's vital statistics are enhanced from NetHack 3.4.3: his base level is raised to 28, his base speed is raised 24, and he has four attacks&mdash;two 6d6 weapon attacks that can [[stun]] and [[confuse]] targets, a 1d10 level-draining bite, and a 2d6 stunning gaze attack.
-Vlad is always generated with a [[Object properties#GruntHack|thirsty]] [[spetum]], as well as a stack of cursed [[scroll of teleportation|scrolls of teleportation]] which must be burnt up or otherwise disposed of if defeating him through normal means.
+Vlad is always generated with a [[Object properties#GruntHack|thirsty]] [[spetum]], as well as a stack of cursed [[scroll of teleportation|scrolls of teleportation]] which must be burnt up or otherwise disposed of if a hero plans to defeat him through normal means.
 ===UnNetHack===
@@ Line 98: / Line 98: @@
 ===dNetHack===
 {{main|Vlad the Impaler (dNetHack)}}
-In [[dNetHack]] and [[notdNetHack]], which are based on NetHack 3.4.3, Vlad has [[cold resistance]], 14 points of natural AC, a slightly stronger bite, and an additional 'seducing' [[gaze]] attack. He is also generated with a full set of armor and a weapon.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], which are all based on NetHack 3.4.3, Vlad has [[cold resistance]], 14 points of natural AC, a slightly stronger bite, and an additional 'seducing' [[gaze]] attack. He is also generated with a full set of armor and a weapon.
 Vlad resides at the top of the [[Windowless Tower]] with his three wives, and the Tower is available as soon as you can reach the [[Gnomish Mines]]. While it is highly dangerous for characters that first gain access to the Gnomish Mines to immediately attempt entering the Tower, a character that waits until they need the Candelabrum and prepares accordingly should have relatively little trouble with the top floor, especially if they have acquired an [[User:Chris/dNethack/dNethack Items#Random appearances with special properties|engagement ring]] along the way.
@@ Line 104: / Line 104: @@
 ===EvilHack===
 {{main|Vlad the Impaler (EvilHack)}}
-In [[EvilHack]], which is initially based on [[NetHack 3.6.2]], Vlad is given a 3d6 mage monster spell attack and is generated with [[Lifestealer (EvilHack)|Lifestealer]], similar to SporkHack.
+In [[EvilHack]], which is initially based on [[NetHack 3.6.2]], Vlad the Impaler is given a 3d6 mage monster spell attack and is generated with [[Lifestealer (EvilHack)|Lifestealer]], similar to SporkHack. He is also given dominion over all vampires, preventing a hero from genociding any {{white|V}}.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==