Werecreature - Revision history

Klepto: added dNetHack subsection.

2026-07-17T03:33:02Z

added dNetHack subsection.

Umbire the Phantom: touch-ups

2026-05-18T06:06:24Z

touch-ups

Umbire the Phantom: pothole, messages, slash'em

2025-03-28T22:28:46Z

pothole, messages, slash'em

Umbire the Phantom: /* Summonable monsters */ detail probabilities and lede

2025-03-25T04:43:25Z

‎Summonable monsters: detail probabilities and lede

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

2025-03-25T02:00:49Z

‎SLASH'EM: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* Messages */ word choice

2025-03-25T01:59:46Z

‎Messages: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Strategy */ word choice, punctuation

2025-03-25T01:59:09Z

‎Strategy: word choice, punctuation

Umbire the Phantom: /* Summonable monsters */ clarify

2025-03-25T01:57:48Z

‎Summonable monsters: clarify

K2: /* Common traits */ werefoo can summon help, regardless of what form they are in

2025-03-24T21:43:22Z

‎Common traits: werefoo can summon help, regardless of what form they are in

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit + update pass - slash'em article is presentable so link in subsection

2024-10-22T17:59:04Z

copyedit + update pass - slash'em article is presentable so link in subsection

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:33, 17 July 2026
Line 82:		Line 82:

	Changes to polymorph mechanics in SLASH'EM mean that werecreatures encountered by the hero are generally much more dangerous, though the addition of the lycanthrope race and other related changes to werecreatures means that some of them are not always hostile—for details, see any of the linked articles above.		Changes to polymorph mechanics in SLASH'EM mean that werecreatures encountered by the hero are generally much more dangerous, though the addition of the lycanthrope race and other related changes to werecreatures means that some of them are not always hostile—for details, see any of the linked articles above.
		+
		+	===dNetHack===
		+	In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]], and [[notnotdNetHack]], werecreatures are denoted by the <tt>'''MA_WERE'''</tt> flag and a total of 7 new werecreatures were added. However, these new werecreatures each have different names for their normal and werecreature forms, instead of a single one shared across both:
		+	* {{yellow\|h}} [[anubite]] / {{black\|d}} [[anuban jackal]]
		+	* {{red\|n}} [[kitsune]] / {{red\|d}} [[werefox]]
		+	* {{green\|d}} [[mist wolf (dNetHack)\|mist wolf]] / {{green\|v}} [[mist cloud]]
		+	* {{white\|d}} [[aether wolf]] / {{brightgreen\|v}} [[aether cyclone]]
		+	* {{magenta\|d}} [[hight priest wolf]]
		+	* {{magenta\|d}} [[Vicar wolf]]
		+	* {{magenta\|d}} [[index wolf]]
		+
		+	Anubites are not normally generated but can be encountered in [[User:Chris/dNetHack/Branches/Brine_Flats\|Demogorgon's lair]] and [[Dun Savannah\|Yeenoghu's lair]]. Anubites are considered [[gnoll]]s and will fight with [[minotaur]]s, and an anubite's lycanthropic bite will transform the hero into a werejackal. [[Anhur]], the [[chaotic]] [[god]] of the [[Wizard]] pantheon is changed to include anubites in its [[minion]]s.
		+
		+	Kitsune are not normally generated outside of the [[Kensei quest]], and a kitsune's lycanthropic bite will transform the hero into a werefox.
		+
		+	Mistwolves cannot turn into their mist cloud form while [[the veil]] is intact. Protection from shape changers will force a mist wolf to assume its mist cloud form, unless the veil is still intact.
		+
		+	Aether wolves replace all angels for Undead Hunters on the [[Astral Plane]].
		+
		+	The three werecreatures without a secondary form will not transform when their shapeshifting occurs, and will instead heal for a {{frac\|4}} of their total maximum [[hit points]] and will recover from any [[paralysis]] or [[sleep]] effects. They will only be encountered by [[Undead Hunters]].
		+
		+	In dNetHack and its variants, [[Werebane]] is an artifact that [[Warned of monster type\|warns]] its user of [[demihumans]] while [[wielded]], which includes all werecreatures.
		+
		+	A hero afflicted with lycanthropy will become weld-proof, preventing [[BUC\|cursed]] items from becoming welded to their person, however all other effects of an item's beautitude still apply.
		+	<!-- stow until such a time that they can be slotted into their corresponding pages.
		+	Anubites are not normally generated but can still be encountered in [[gehennom (dNetHack)\|]], where 9 anubites are generated in [[User:Chris/dNetHack/Branches/Brine_Flats\|Demogorgon's lair]], and 4 anubites are generated in [[Dun Savannah\|Yeenoghu's lair]]. [[Anhur]], the [[chaotic]] [[god]] of the [[Wizard]] pantheon is changed to include anubites in the [[minions]] sent on a successful [[pray]]er. Anubites are considered [[gnoll]]s and will fight with [[minotaur]]s. An anubite's [[lycanthropy\|lycanthropic bite]] will transform the hero into a werejackal.
		+
		+	Kitsune are not normally generated outside of the [[Kensei quest]]. For [[Kensei]], 8 kitsune will be generated asleep on their goal level during level creation. A kitsune's lycanthropic bite will transform the hero into a werefox.
		+
		+	Five types of werecreatures are normally only encoutered by [[Undead Hunters]]:
		+	* {{green\|d}} [[mist wolf\|mist wolves]], which are encountered in the [[Undead Hunter quest]]. Below X [[insight]], mist wolves cannot shapeshift into their [[vortex]] form. [[Protection from shapechangers]] instead forces them to always stay in their vortex form, unless the hero does not have enough insight. After the index wolf has been killed, the [[Moon's Chosen]] will start to harass the hero, summoning mist wolves around them.
		+	* {{green\|d}} [[aether wolf\|aether wolves]], which are only encountered on the [[Astral Plane]].
		+
		+	Three types of werecreatures do not have an alternate form, and instead heal when they would shapeshift. This is entirely prevented by the protection from shapechangers property.
		+	*The [[index wolf]], who is the Undead Hunter quest nemesis.
		+	*The [[Vicar wolf]], the werecreature form of the Undead Hunter quest leader.
		+	* [[high priest wolves]], which [[high priests]] turn into upon an Undead Hunter [[hero]] entering their temple on the [[Astral Plane]].
		+	-->

	==Encyclopedia entry==		==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-A '''werecreature''' or '''lycanthrope''' is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and can refer to any of a group of [[shapeshifter]]s that change back and forth between [[animal]] and [[Human or elf|human forms]], and can infect characters with [[lycanthropy]] via their bite.
+A '''werecreature''' or '''lycanthrope''' is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and can refer to any of a group of [[shapeshifter]]s that change back and forth between [[animal]] and [[Human or elf|human forms]], and can infect [[heroes]] with [[lycanthropy]] via their [[bite attack]].
 The werecreatures consist of the following monsters:
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ==Common traits==
-All werecreatures are [[chaotic]] and [[omnivorous]] [[Human (monster attribute)|humans]] that have [[carnivorous]] animal forms. They can be seen via [[infravision]] and move at the same speed as an unhasted and unburdened [[hero]] character in either form, and possess enhanced [[Regeneration (property)|regeneration]], [[poison resistance]], [[drain resistance]], and a weakness to [[silver]]. Werecreature shapeshifting is largely involuntary and causes them to drop excess weight and armor that cannot be worn in animal form, and werewolves additionally tear through body armor - this and the other qualities mentioned also apply to the hero if they become a lycanthrope, starting at the time of infection. Werecreatures can [[#Summonable monsters|summon monsters]] of the same or similar species as them when in melee range, regardless of whether they are in human or creature form.
+All werecreatures are [[chaotic]] and [[omnivorous]] [[Human (monster attribute)|humans]] that have [[carnivorous]] animal forms. They can be seen via [[infravision]] and move at the same speed as an unhasted and unburdened hero in either of their forms, and they possess enhanced [[Regeneration (property)|regeneration]], [[poison resistance]], [[drain resistance]], and a weakness to [[silver]]. Werecreature shapeshifting is largely involuntary and causes them to drop excess weight and armor that cannot be worn in animal form, and werewolves additionally tear through body armor&mdash;this and the other qualities mentioned will also apply to the hero if they become a lycanthrope, starting at the time of infection. Werecreatures can [[#Summonable monsters|summon monsters]] of the same or similar species as them when in melee range, regardless of whether they are in human or creature form.
-In human form, werecreatures attack using their fists or any weapons they are carrying, and will seek out and pick up other weapons and food. In animal form, they attack via bites that can infect a character with the same type of lycanthropy they possess, they also respect [[Elbereth]] in animal form. If a hero has [[protection from shape changers]], werecreatures will still shapeshift, but immediately shift out of animal form on the next available turn, and are prevented from infecting the hero or generating monsters by calling for help.
+In human form, werecreatures attack using their fists or any weapons they are carrying, and will seek out and pick up other weapons and food. In animal form, they attack via bites that can infect a character with the same type of lycanthropy they possess, they also respect [[Elbereth]] in animal form. If a hero has [[protection from shape changers]], werecreatures will still shapeshift, but will immediately shift out of animal form on the next available turn, and are prevented from infecting the hero or generating monsters by calling for help.
-Werecreature [[corpse]]s are poisonous to eat, and eating a werecreature corpse or [[tin]] confers lycanthropy to a character{{refsrc|src/eat.c|978|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1151|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} - other monsters cannot be given lycanthropy, but will avoid eating the corpse unless they have poison resistance or else can "eat" the corpse by engulfing, as with [[gelatinous cube]]s (which also have poison resistance anyway).
+Werecreature [[corpse]]s are poisonous to [[eat]], and a hero eating a werecreature corpse or [[tin]] will catch lycanthropy{{refsrc|src/eat.c|978|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1151|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}&mdash;other monsters cannot be given lycanthropy, but will avoid eating the corpse of a werecreature unless they have poison resistance or else can "eat" the corpse by engulfing, as with [[gelatinous cube]]s (which have poison resistance anyway).
 ===Generation===
-Randomly-generated werecreatures are always created hostile and in human form. Neither of a werecreature's forms can be selected for [[polymorph]].
+Randomly-generated werecreatures are always created in human form and are usually hostile. Neither of a werecreature's forms can be selected for [[polymorph]].
 ===Summonable monsters===
-When a werecreature summons help, up to 5 monsters of the appropriate type are created around them, with the probabilities given in the following table:{{refsrc|src/were.c|126|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>were_summon</code> function}}
+When a werecreature summons help, up to 5 monsters of the appropriate type are created around them, with the probabilities given in the following table:{{refsrc|src/were.c|126|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>were_summon</tt> function}}
 {|class="prettytable"

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ==Common traits==
-All werecreatures are [[chaotic]] and [[omnivorous]] [[Human (monster attribute)|humans]] that have [[carnivorous]] animal forms. They can be seen via [[infravision]] and move at the same speed as an unhasted and unburdened [[hero]] character in either form, and possess enhanced [[regeneration]], [[poison resistance]], [[drain resistance]], and a weakness to [[silver]]. Werecreature shapeshifting is largely involuntary and causes them to drop excess weight and armor that cannot be worn in animal form, and werewolves additionally tear through body armor - this and the other qualities mentioned also apply to the hero if they become a lycanthrope, starting at the time of infection. Werecreatures can [[#Summonable monsters|summon monsters]] of the same or similar species as them when in melee range, regardless of whether they are in human or creature form.
+All werecreatures are [[chaotic]] and [[omnivorous]] [[Human (monster attribute)|humans]] that have [[carnivorous]] animal forms. They can be seen via [[infravision]] and move at the same speed as an unhasted and unburdened [[hero]] character in either form, and possess enhanced [[Regeneration (property)|regeneration]], [[poison resistance]], [[drain resistance]], and a weakness to [[silver]]. Werecreature shapeshifting is largely involuntary and causes them to drop excess weight and armor that cannot be worn in animal form, and werewolves additionally tear through body armor - this and the other qualities mentioned also apply to the hero if they become a lycanthrope, starting at the time of infection. Werecreatures can [[#Summonable monsters|summon monsters]] of the same or similar species as them when in melee range, regardless of whether they are in human or creature form.
 In human form, werecreatures attack using their fists or any weapons they are carrying, and will seek out and pick up other weapons and food. In animal form, they attack via bites that can infect a character with the same type of lycanthropy they possess, they also respect [[Elbereth]] in animal form. If a hero has [[protection from shape changers]], werecreatures will still shapeshift, but immediately shift out of animal form on the next available turn, and are prevented from infecting the hero or generating monsters by calling for help.
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 {{message|You hear a <jackal/wolf> howling at the moon.|A werejackal or werewolf is present on the current level, and has shifted to animal form out of your sight.}}
-{{message|The <werecreature> whispers inaudibly. All you can make out is "moon".|You [[chat]]ted to a werecreature.}}
+{{message|The <werecreature> whispers inaudibly. All you can make out is "moon".|You [[chat]]ted to a werecreature in human form.}}
 ==Variants==
 ===SLASH'EM===
 {{main|Werecreature (SLASH'EM)|Lycanthrope (starting race)}}
-In [[SLASH'EM]], the lycanthrope is a playable race of hero that starts with lycanthropy along with regeneration that is similar to the worn [[ring of regeneration]]. Lycanthrope heroes are always chaotic like other werecreatures, and any [[silver]] weapons in their role's starting inventory (e.g. [[Undead Slayer]]s) will be replaced with their non-silver counterparts&mdash;their lycanthropy will always transform them into wolf form.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], the lycanthrope is a playable race of hero that starts with lycanthropy and regeneration, the latter of which explicitly functions the same as the [[ring of regeneration]].{{refsrc|attrib.c|149|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}{{refsrc|eat.c|2644|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}} Heroes of the lycanthrope race are always chaotic like other werecreatures, and any [[silver]] weapons in their role's starting inventory (e.g. [[Undead Slayer]]s) will be replaced with their non-silver counterparts&mdash;a lycanthrope will always transform into wolf form when polymorphing from their lycanthropy.
 Additionally, SLASH'EM adds four new werecreatures:

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 ===Summonable monsters===
-When a werecreature summons help, d5 monsters of the appropriate type are created around them with the probabilities in the following table:{{refsrc|src/were.c|126|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>were_summon</code> function}}
+When a werecreature summons help, up to 5 monsters of the appropriate type are created around them, with the probabilities given in the following table:{{refsrc|src/were.c|126|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>were_summon</code> function}}
 {|class="prettytable"
 !Werecreature
 !Summonable monsters
-!Probability
+!Probability (%)
 |-
-|rowspan="3" valign="top"|Wererat || [[Sewer rat]] || 67%
+|rowspan="3" valign="top"|Wererat || [[Sewer rat]] || {{frac|2|3}} (67%)
 |-
-||[[Giant rat]] || 22%
+||[[Giant rat]] || {{frac|2|9}} (22%)
 |-
-||[[Rabid rat]] || 11%
+||[[Rabid rat]] || {{frac|9}} (11%)
 |-
-|rowspan="3" valign="top"|Werejackal || [[Jackal]] || 86%
+|rowspan="3" valign="top"|Werejackal || [[Jackal]] || {{frac|6|7}} (85%)
 |-
-||[[Coyote]] || 10%
+||[[Coyote]] || {{frac|2|21}} (10%)
 |-
-||[[Fox]] || 5%
+||[[Fox]] || {{frac|21}} (5%)
 |-
-|rowspan="3" valign="top"|Werewolf || [[Wolf]] || 80%
+|rowspan="3" valign="top"|Werewolf || [[Wolf]] || {{frac|4|5}} (80%)
 |-
-||[[Warg]] || 10%
+||[[Warg]] || {{frac|10}} (10%)
 |-
-||[[Winter wolf]] || 10%
+||[[Winter wolf]] || {{frac|10}} (10%)
 |}

@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
 ===SLASH'EM===
 {{main|Werecreature (SLASH'EM)|Lycanthrope (starting race)}}
-In [[SLASH'EM]], the lycanthrope is a playable race of hero that starts with regeneration (similar to the worn [[ring of regeneration]]) and lycanthropy. Lycanthropes are always chaotic like other werecreatures, and any [[silver]] weapons in their starting inventory (such as with [[Undead Slayer]]s) will be reverted to their non-silver counterparts. Their lycanthropy will always transform them into wolf form.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], the lycanthrope is a playable race of hero that starts with lycanthropy along with regeneration that is similar to the worn [[ring of regeneration]]. Lycanthrope heroes are always chaotic like other werecreatures, and any [[silver]] weapons in their role's starting inventory (e.g. [[Undead Slayer]]s) will be replaced with their non-silver counterparts&mdash;their lycanthropy will always transform them into wolf form.
 Additionally, SLASH'EM adds four new werecreatures:
@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 * {{monsymlink|weresnake}}
-Changes to polymorph mechanics in SLASH'EM mean that werecreatures encountered by the hero are generally much more dangerous, though the addition of the lycanthrope race and other related changes to werecreatures means that some of them are not always hostile - for details, see any of the linked articles above.
+Changes to polymorph mechanics in SLASH'EM mean that werecreatures encountered by the hero are generally much more dangerous, though the addition of the lycanthrope race and other related changes to werecreatures means that some of them are not always hostile&mdash;for details, see any of the linked articles above.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==

@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 ==Messages==
-{{message|You feel feverish.|The player was bitten by a werecreature and infected with lycanthropy.}}
+{{message|You feel feverish.|You were bitten by a werecreature and infected with lycanthropy.}}
 {{message|The <werecreature> summons help!|The werecreature summoned monsters of the same class to assist it.}}
 {{message|You feel hemmed in.|As above, except one or more of the new monsters spawned outside of the character's sight.}}

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 ==Strategy==
 {{main|Lycanthropy}}
-Werecreatures are one of many lethal early game threats: even the weaker lycanthropes can cause major inconveniences at best and deadly circumstances at worst if they manage to infect you with their bite, and being pinned by hostile monsters can lead to death fairly quickly without a means of scaring them off such as [[Elbereth]]. If you happen to find a silver weapon, it is a good idea to keep on you at all times, since even silver weapons with restricted skills can deal enough damage to kill a werecreature quickly - if you get infected, however, you will be unable to handle silver objects of any kind, and the damage from re-touching them and certain other items (i.e. cross-aligned [[artifact]]s) can be potentially lethal.
+Werecreatures are one of many lethal threats encountered in the early game: even the weaker lycanthropes can cause major inconveniences at best and deadly circumstances at worst if they manage to infect you with their bite, and being pinned by hostile monsters can lead to death fairly quickly without a means of scaring them off such as [[Elbereth]]. If you happen to find a silver weapon, it is a good idea to keep on you at all times, since even silver weapons with restricted skills can deal enough damage to kill a werecreature quickly&mdash;if you get infected, however, you will be unable to handle silver objects of any kind, and the damage from re-touching them and certain other items (i.e. cross-aligned [[artifact]]s) can be potentially lethal.
-[[Pets]] can assist in dealing with werecreatures, who will only call for help when attacking you and cannot infect other monsters. Additionally, summoning is less immediately dangerous in hallways, as you can more easily deal with two or three monsters simultaneously. If at all possible, avoid engaging in melee combat with a werecreature in animal form unless you have an effective way of curing lycanthropy - [[eat]]ing a [[sprig of wolfsbane]], [[quaff]]ing holy water, and [[pray]]ing successfully can all remove the infection.
+[[Pets]] can assist in dealing with werecreatures, who will only call for help when attacking you and cannot infect other monsters. Additionally, summoning is less immediately dangerous in hallways, as you can more easily deal with two or three monsters simultaneously. If at all possible, avoid engaging in melee combat with a werecreature in animal form unless you have an effective way of preventing or curing lycanthropy&mdash;[[eat]]ing a [[sprig of wolfsbane]], [[quaff]]ing holy water, and [[pray]]ing successfully can all remove the infection.
-Lycanthropy itself is typically unwanted due to animal forms having much lower [[AC]], [[HP]] and [[carrying capacity]], as well as shedding weapons and armor (and destroying body armor if turning into a wolf) and losing the use of your hands. However, there are some applicable strategic uses for lycanthropy as a property, usually involving summoning tame monsters for polyfodder and slotless drain resistance - see the linked article at the top of the section for more details.
+Lycanthropy itself is typically unwanted due to animal forms having much lower [[AC]], [[HP]] and [[carrying capacity]], as well as shedding weapons and armor (and destroying body armor if turning into a wolf) and losing the use of your hands. However, there are some applicable strategic uses for lycanthropy as a property, usually involving summoning tame monsters for polyfodder and slotless drain resistance&mdash;see the linked article at the top of the section for more details.
 ==History==

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 |}
-Characters infected with lycanthropy can also summon [[tame]] monsters this way by using the [[Monster (command)|#monster]] [[extended command]] while they have 10 [[Pw]] to expend - the monsters summoned depend on the werecreature that infected them.
+Heroes infected with lycanthropy can also summon [[tame]] monsters this way by using the [[Monster (command)|#monster]] [[extended command]] while they are in animal form and have 10 [[Pw]] to expend&mdash;the monsters that can be summoned depend on the werecreature that infected them.
 ==Strategy==