Water elemental - Revision history

Ray Chason: Update speed

2026-05-14T03:56:03Z

Update speed

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ pothole

2025-12-01T16:13:25Z

‎Strategy: pothole

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

2025-12-01T16:03:42Z

‎SLASH'EM: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

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potholes

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit pass

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copyedit pass

Umbire the Phantom: /* SLASH'EM */ detailing

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‎SLASH'EM: detailing

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ punc

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‎Generation: punc

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ word choice

2025-03-20T20:23:48Z

‎Strategy: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* SlashTHEM */ note

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‎SlashTHEM: note

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ word choice

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‎Generation: word choice

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   |level=8
   |experience=126
-  |speed=6
+  |speed=5
   |AC=2
   |MR=30

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 Water elementals have the strongest singular attack among elementals, but are incredibly slow at 6 base [[speed]] and lack many of the abilities that some other elementals possess, meaning that they can easily be outrun and kited.
-On the Plane of Water, the water elementals are usually the least threatening monsters present, despite their much higher HP pool: most of the level is populated with [[sea monster]]s that can instantly kill a hero via [[drowning]], making it common to read a blessed [[scroll of genocide]] immediately after entering the Plane. Once the Plane's drowning threats are dealt with in this manner, water elementals are still considered an annoyance at worst&mdash;since the hero's main priority is seeking the [[magic portal]] to the [[Astral Plane]], water elementals and their melee attacks will generally only be distractions at most unless the hero is more severely impeded by misfortunes finding the portal, potential reappearances from the [[Wizard of Yendor]] and/or [[Summon nasty|a dropoff of nasties]].
+On the Plane of Water, the water elementals are usually the least threatening monsters present, despite their much higher HP pool: most of the level is populated with [[sea monster]]s that can instantly kill a hero via [[drowning]], making it common to read a blessed [[scroll of genocide]] immediately after entering the Plane. Once the Plane's drowning threats are dealt with in this manner, water elementals are still considered an annoyance at worst&mdash;since the hero's main priority is seeking the [[magic portal]] to the [[Astral Plane]], water elementals and their melee attacks will generally only be distractions at most unless the hero is more severely impeded by misfortunes finding the portal, potential reappearances from the [[Wizard of Yendor]] and/or [[Summon nasties|a dropoff of nasties]].
 ==History==

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 In [[SLASH'EM]], at least one water elemental 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.
-Water elementals feature prominently in the [[Flame Mage quest]]: They are the first quest monster for [[Flame Mage]]s, and make up {{frac|96|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the quest; they also appear among the random {{white|E}} that are part of the first quest monster class for Flame Mages and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated there. Several water elementals are also generated on each floor of the quest branch at level creation: six are generated on the home level, seven are generated on the filler levels, nine are generated on the locate level, and twelve are generated on the goal level.
+Water elementals feature prominently in the [[Flame Mage quest]]: They are the first quest monster for [[Flame Mage]]s, and make up {{frac|96|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the quest; they also appear among the random {{white|E}} that are part of the first quest monster class for Flame Mages and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated there. Several water elementals are also generated on each floor of the quest branch at level creation: six are generated on the home level, seven are generated on the upper and lower filler levels, nine are generated on the locate level, and twelve are generated on the goal level.
 The [[Ice Mage]] [[quest artifact]], [[The Storm Whistle]], can be [[invoked]] to summon tame water elementals.

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   |frequency=1
   |genocidable=No
-  |attacks=Claw 5d6
+  |attacks=[[Claw attack|Claw]] 5d6 [[Physical damage|physical]]
   |weight=2500
   |nutr=0
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   |reference=[[monst.c#line1387]]
 }}
 A '''water elemental''', {{monsym|water elemental}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The water elemental is an [[amphibious]], [[unsolid]] [[elemental]] that is [[strong]] and capable of [[swimming]].
-A water elemental has a single strong claw attack, and possesses [[poison resistance]] and [[stoning resistance]].
+A water elemental has a single strong [[claw attack]], and possesses [[poison resistance]] and [[stoning resistance]].
 ==Generation==

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 }}
-A '''water elemental''', {{monsym|water elemental}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is an [[amphibious]], [[unsolid]] [[elemental]] that is [[strong]] and capable of [[swimming]].
+A '''water elemental''', {{monsym|water elemental}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The water elemental is an [[amphibious]], [[unsolid]] [[elemental]] that is [[strong]] and capable of [[swimming]].
 A water elemental has a single strong claw attack, and possesses [[poison resistance]] and [[stoning resistance]].
 ==Generation==
-Randomly generated water elementals may be [[peaceful]] towards [[neutral]] characters. Water elementals generated on the [[Plane of Water]] will have three times as many hit points.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|45|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=elementals and home planes}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1012|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=max HP for elementals on home planes}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1825|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=max HP gain for elementals on home planes}}
+Randomly generated water elementals may be [[peaceful]] towards [[neutral]] [[hero]]es. Water elementals generated on the [[Plane of Water]] will have three times as many hit points.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|45|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=elementals and home planes}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1012|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=max HP for elementals on home planes}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1825|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=max HP gain for elementals on home planes}} The water elemental is not a valid genocide target.
-In addition to random generation, a water elemental may be generated as a [[minion]] of a neutral [[god]]. [[Quaff]]ing from a [[sink]] has a {{frac|20}} chance of generating a water elemental if they are not [[extinct]].
+A hostile water elemental may be generated as a [[minion]] of a neutral [[god]]. [[Quaff]]ing from a [[sink]] has a {{frac|20}} chance of generating a water elemental if they are not [[extinct]].{{refsrc|src/fountain.c|585|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 Water elementals appear among the random {{white|E}} that are part of the first [[quest]] [[monster class]] for [[Monk]]s and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Monk quest]]. They also appear among the the random {{white|E}} that are part of the second quest class for [[Samurai]], and make up {{frac|6|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Samurai quest]].
-Nineteen hostile water elementals are generated across the Plane of Water at level creation.{{refsrc|dat/endgame.des|457|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Nineteen hostile water elementals are placed randomly across the Plane of Water at level creation.{{refsrc|dat/endgame.des|457|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-Water elementals are not a valid target for [[genocide]]. A water elemental [[Corpseless|does not leave a corpse]] upon death.
+A water elemental [[Corpseless|does not leave a corpse]] upon death.
 ==Strategy==
-Water elementals have the strongest single attack among elementals, but are incredibly slow at 6 base [[speed]] and lack any of the abilities that some other elementals possess, meaning they can easily be outrun and kited.
+Water elementals have the strongest singular attack among elementals, but are incredibly slow at 6 base [[speed]] and lack many of the abilities that some other elementals possess, meaning that they can easily be outrun and kited.
-On the Plane of Water, the water elementals are usually the least threatening monsters present, despite their much higher HP pool: most of the level is populated with [[sea monster]]s that can instantly kill a hero via [[drowning]], making it common to read a blessed [[scroll of genocide]] immediately after entering the Plane. Once the Plane's drowning threats are dealt with in this manner, water elementals are considered an annoyance at worst, as most heroes will be more than able to handle their melee attacks.
+On the Plane of Water, the water elementals are usually the least threatening monsters present, despite their much higher HP pool: most of the level is populated with [[sea monster]]s that can instantly kill a hero via [[drowning]], making it common to read a blessed [[scroll of genocide]] immediately after entering the Plane. Once the Plane's drowning threats are dealt with in this manner, water elementals are still considered an annoyance at worst&mdash;since the hero's main priority is seeking the [[magic portal]] to the [[Astral Plane]], water elementals and their melee attacks will generally only be distractions at most unless the hero is more severely impeded by misfortunes finding the portal, potential reappearances from the [[Wizard of Yendor]] and/or [[Summon nasty|a dropoff of nasties]].
 ==History==
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 ===NetHack brass===
-In [[NetHack brass]], water elementals are given an additional engulfing attack that can cause a [[delayed instadeath]] by [[strangulation]] (which is flavored as "drowning" while being distinct from [[drowning attack]]s) and a rust-inducing passive. This makes them among the more dangerous elementals to encounter, as their engulfing can suffocate you if you do not break out in time, and will often cause significant water damage to your even if you survive.
+In [[NetHack brass]], water elementals are given a [[rust]]-inducing [[passive attack]] and an [[engulfing attack]] that can cause a [[delayed instadeath]] by [[strangulation]] (which is flavored as "drowning" while being distinct from [[drowning attack]]s). This makes them among the more dangerous elementals to encounter since they will suffocate heroes that cannot inflict enough damage or break free using means such as a [[wand of opening]], and even heroes that survive the engulfing will often sustain significant water damage to their inventory.
 ===dNetHack===
 In [[dNetHack]], {{frac|10}} of the monsters randomly generated on the Water Temple level of the [[Chaos Temple Quest]] will be water elementals.
-Water elementals take double damage from the Horrid Wilting active power of [[Spirits (dNetHack)#Iris, Friend from Afar|Iris, Friend from Afar]].
+Water elementals take double damage from the Horrid Wilting active power of the [[Spirits (dNetHack)|spirit]] [[Iris]].
 ===SpliceHack===
@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], water elementals are given a rust-inducing passive and an additional engulfing attack that causes delayed instadeath by suffocation, similar to NetHack brass.
+In [[EvilHack]], water elementals are given a rust-inducing passive attack and an engulfing attack that causes delayed instadeath by suffocation, similar to NetHack brass.
 ===SlashTHEM===
-[[SlashTHEM]] adds the [[greater water elemental]], though water elementals cannot grow up into them. Water elementals leave behind [[shallow water]] upon death, and are generated in the same levels as in SLASH'EM.
+In [[SlashTHEM]], water elementals leave behind a square of [[shallow water]] upon death. SlashTHEM also adds the [[greater water elemental]], though water elementals cannot grow up into them.
-The [[Firefighter]] quest artifact, the [[Fire Chief Helmet]], can be invoked to summon tame water elementals, with a {{frac|3|4}} chance of generating a standard water elemental and a {{frac|4}} chance of generating a greater one. The Storm Whistle is changed to instead summon tame [[ice elemental]]s and [[ice vortices]].
+The Storm Whistle's ability to summon tame water elementals when invoked is given to the [[Fire Chief Helmet]], the [[Firefighter]] quest artifact: the Fire Chief Helmet has a {{frac|3|4}} chance of generating a standard water elemental and a {{frac|4}} chance of generating a greater water elemental, while The Storm Whistle is changed to summon tame [[ice elemental]]s and [[ice vortices]].
 ==References==

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 Randomly generated water elementals may be [[peaceful]] towards [[neutral]] characters. Water elementals generated on the [[Plane of Water]] will have three times as many hit points.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|45|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=elementals and home planes}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1012|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=max HP for elementals on home planes}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1825|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=max HP gain for elementals on home planes}}
-In addition to random generation, a water elemental may also be generated as a [[minion]] of a neutral [[god]]. [[Quaff]]ing from a [[sink]] has a {{frac|20}} chance of generating a water elemental if they are not [[extinct]].
+In addition to random generation, a water elemental may be generated as a [[minion]] of a neutral [[god]]. [[Quaff]]ing from a [[sink]] has a {{frac|20}} chance of generating a water elemental if they are not [[extinct]].
 Water elementals appear among the random {{white|E}} that are part of the first [[quest]] [[monster class]] for [[Monk]]s, and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Monk quest]]. They also appear among the the random {{white|E}} that are part of the second quest class for [[Samurai]], and make up {{frac|6|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Samurai quest]].