Zombie - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: tocright for style

2026-04-13T11:32:13Z

tocright for style

Umbire the Phantom: /* Common traits */ upcoming

2025-05-30T03:29:59Z

‎Common traits: upcoming

Umbire the Phantom: lede

2025-05-28T19:07:22Z

lede

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ and here

2025-05-26T11:24:26Z

‎Generation: and here

Umbire the Phantom: more copyedit

2025-05-26T11:23:24Z

more copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* Common traits */ word choice, commits for upcoming

2025-05-26T11:10:04Z

‎Common traits: word choice, commits for upcoming

Umbire the Phantom: cap

2025-05-13T06:21:14Z

cap

Umbire the Phantom: potholes et. al.

2025-05-13T06:10:09Z

potholes et. al.

Phol ende wodan: /* Common traits */ move non-generation upcoming behavior out of the generation section and note other things that can disturb a buried zombie; mention the buried zombies themed room

2024-12-13T00:54:18Z

‎Common traits: move non-generation upcoming behavior out of the generation section and note other things that can disturb a buried zombie; mention the buried zombies themed room

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit

2024-11-07T06:24:52Z

copyedit

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:32, 13 April 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{otheruses\|\|the [[monster class]]\|zombie (monster class)}}		{{otheruses\|\|the [[monster class]]\|zombie (monster class)}}
		+	{{tocright}}
	'''Zombies''' are a group of [[monster]]s that appear in ''[[NetHack]]''. The group consists of undead monsters in the [[Zombie (monster class)\|zombie]] [[monster class]] that each correspond to a living monster, and includes the following:{{refsrc\|src/mon.c\|147\|nethack=3.6.7\|name="undead_to_corpse"\|comment=Converting monster index of undead to corpses of their living counterparts}}		'''Zombies''' are a group of [[monster]]s that appear in ''[[NetHack]]''. The group consists of undead monsters in the [[Zombie (monster class)\|zombie]] [[monster class]] that each correspond to a living monster, and includes the following:{{refsrc\|src/mon.c\|147\|nethack=3.6.7\|name="undead_to_corpse"\|comment=Converting monster index of undead to corpses of their living counterparts}}

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 All zombies are chaotic, [[mindless]] [[humanoid]] [[undead]] that possess [[unbreathing]] and [[infravision]], and are [[inediate]]. They can [[follow]] a [[hero]] to another level if they are adjacent. A hero of [[experience level]] 6 or higher that uses the [[Turn undead|#turn]] command to turn back undead has a chance of instantly destroying zombies if they are close enough, or else pacifying them if the hero is chaotic.
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|aeb0ea65e3ea173ccab744964fa7a0bb8425dc0c}}, if the hero is killed by a zombie or a [[Lich (monster class)|lich]], they will rise from the grave as a zombie of their race's type, and will be present as a zombie if a [[bones]] file is created. Per {{commit|3c421da746cdd3844c7f8d2312c7be5e5a25cfb9}}, the zombie will have the same intrinsics as the former hero.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|aeb0ea65e3ea173ccab744964fa7a0bb8425dc0c}}, zombies that are not [[cancelled]] can turn other monsters they kill with corresponding zombie types: a monster killed this way will arise in their zombie form 5-20 turns after they are initially killed. This also applies to a [[hero]] that is killed by a zombie or a [[Lich (monster class)|lich]], as well as monsters killed by a hero polymorphed into a lich, and both zombies and lich monsters will also [[grudge]] living monsters that can be turned into zombies. Per {{commit|228870706b7ad412953aa67ec4cddad458f16e9b}}, this will not occur on the [[Castle]], and a [[unique]] monster will never target monsters or be targeted for attacks in this way.
 Per {{commit|852f8e49961a613fea4238cf23b89449ee5120bf}} and {{commit|98d2b0ecb3145e698ea1f6155a75f8021d13dcfb}}, the revive timer of buried zombie corpses are accelerated if items are placed, dropped or fall on their square, with the response dependent on the weight of the item and the type of impact. Per {{commit|60dc6343}}, monsters stepping on their square, or the hero stepping near their square, can also revive them.}}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{otheruses||the [[monster class]]|zombie (monster class)}}
-'''Zombies''' are a group of [[monster]]s that appear in ''[[NetHack]]''. The group consists of undead monsters in the [[Zombie (monster class)|zombie]] [[monster]] class that correspond to a living monster, and includes the following:{{refsrc|src/mon.c|147|nethack=3.6.7|name="undead_to_corpse"|comment=Converting monster index of undead to corpses of their living counterparts}}
+'''Zombies''' are a group of [[monster]]s that appear in ''[[NetHack]]''. The group consists of undead monsters in the [[Zombie (monster class)|zombie]] [[monster class]] that each correspond to a living monster, and includes the following:{{refsrc|src/mon.c|147|nethack=3.6.7|name="undead_to_corpse"|comment=Converting monster index of undead to corpses of their living counterparts}}
 * {{monsymlink|kobold zombie}}

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 ===Generation===
-Randomly generated zombies will always be hostile. Zombies are frequently found in [[graveyard]]s, where they are always generated hostile and asleep. As the zombie monster class is the first [[quest]] monster class for [[Priest]]s and make up {{frac|96|175}} of monsters that are randomly generated within the [[Priest quest]], the various zombie monsters make up a majority of monsters seen in the branch.
+Randomly generated zombies will always be hostile. Zombies are frequently found in [[graveyard]]s, where they are always generated hostile and asleep. As the [[Priest quest]] is full of graveyards, and the zombie monster class is the first [[quest]] monster class for [[Priest]]s and make up {{frac|96|175}} of monsters randomly generated there, the various zombie monsters easily make up a majority of monsters seen in the branch.
 Zombies are considered [[corpseless]], with a special case that generates an aged [[corpse]] of their living counterpart when they would leave a corpse upon "death" (e.g. a gnome zombie leaves an old [[Gnome (monster)|gnome]] corpse when destroyed in combat).<ref name="undead_to_corpse"/>{{refsrc|src/mon.c|372|nethack=3.6.7|name="make_corpse"|comment=Undead corpses and their ages are handled with other "special" death drops}} This means that listed nutritional values for zombies are only relevant to [[pet]]s or [[polymorph]]ed heroes that [[digest]] zombies&mdash;monster corpses left behind by zombies use the normal nutritional values for that monster, though they are usually too old to be eaten safely without a [[tinning kit]].

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ==Common traits==
-All zombies are chaotic, [[mindless]] [[humanoid]] [[undead]] that possess [[unbreathing]] and [[infravision]], and are [[inediate]]. They can [[follow]] a [[hero]] to another level if they are adjacent.
+All zombies are chaotic, [[mindless]] [[humanoid]] [[undead]] that possess [[unbreathing]] and [[infravision]], and are [[inediate]]. They can [[follow]] a [[hero]] to another level if they are adjacent. A hero of [[experience level]] 6 or higher that uses the [[Turn undead|#turn]] command to turn back undead has a chance of instantly destroying zombies if they are close enough, or else pacifying them if the hero is chaotic.
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|aeb0ea65e3ea173ccab744964fa7a0bb8425dc0c}}, if the hero is killed by a zombie or a [[Lich (monster class)|lich]], they will rise from the grave as a zombie of their race's type, and will be present as a zombie if a [[bones]] file is created. Per {{commit|3c421da746cdd3844c7f8d2312c7be5e5a25cfb9}}, the zombie will have the same intrinsics as the former hero.
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 Along with two of Romero's later films, the 1978 ''Dawn of the Dead'' and the 1985 ''The Return of the Living Dead'', ''Night of the Living Dead'' helped to establish the image of the zombie in popular culture. This was further assisted by the release of break-out franchise-starting video games ''Resident Evil'' and ''The House of the Dead'' in the mid-1990s; the "zombie apocalypse" concept, in which the civilized world is brought low by a global zombie infestation, has since become a staple of modern popular art, seen in such media as ''The Walking Dead''. Still-later portrayals would come to humanize and even romanticize the zombie as potential friends and love interests.
-The zombies of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' are introduced in the 1st edition as magically animate corpses commanded by the evil spellcaster or cleric that animated them, and are typically found near graveyards, in dungeons, and in similar areas. Zombies obey simple commands and are slow-moving, but always deal damage when they hit and will fight until they are either destroyed or [[Turn undead|turned back]] by a cleric. They are immune to magic that induces sleep, charming, holding, and cold, but are especially vulnerable to [[holy water]].
+The zombies of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' are introduced in the 1st edition as magically animate corpses commanded by the evil spellcaster or cleric that animated them, and are typically found near graveyards, in dungeons, and in similar areas. Zombies obey simple commands and are slow-moving, but always deal damage when they hit and will fight until they are either destroyed or turned back (i.e. using "turn undead") by a cleric. They are immune to magic that induces sleep, charming, holding, and cold, but are especially vulnerable to [[holy water]].
 ==Variants==
@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 In [[SLASH'EM]], zombies can be generated by using the [[raise zombies]] [[technique]] while on or adjacent to squares with the appropriate corpse(s).
-[[Gnome (starting race)|Gnomish]] and [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarvish]] heroes that enter the [[Gnomish Mines]] will find most of the ordinarily peaceful denizens from ''NetHack'' replaced with zombies and other hostile monsters, ensuring that all player roles and races must contend with a dangerous descent through the branch.{{refsrc|sp_lev.c|854|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=Only explicitly specified monsters are replaced, while random {{white|G}} and {{white|h}} are not.}} The specific following substitutions generate zombies:
+[[Gnome (starting race)|Gnomish]] and [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarven]] heroes that enter the [[Gnomish Mines]] will find most of the ordinarily peaceful denizens from ''NetHack'' replaced with zombies and other hostile monsters, ensuring that all player roles and races must contend with a dangerous descent through the branch.{{refsrc|sp_lev.c|854|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=Only explicitly specified monsters are replaced, while random {{white|G}} and {{white|h}} are not.}} The specific following substitutions generate zombies:
-* {{monsym|Gnome}} Gnomes become {{monsym|Gnome zombie}} [[gnome zombie]]s
+* {{monsym|Gnome}} Gnomes become {{monsym|Gnome zombie}} gnome zombies
-* {{monsym|Dwarf}} [[Dwarf (monster)|Dwarves]] become {{monsym|dwarf zombie}} [[dwarf zombie]]s
+* {{monsym|Dwarf}} [[Dwarf (monster)|Dwarves]] become {{monsym|dwarf zombie}} dwarf zombies
 ===GruntHack===
@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 Zombies in GruntHack are incredibly dangerous compared to their ''NetHack'' counterparts: they have bites that can inflict [[intelligence drain]] similar to [[mind flayer]]s and/or make you [[terminally ill]], and can revive from the corpses they leave behind; these corpses also inflict terminal illness if eaten as well, in addition to the normal effects of eating that corpse. Monsters that die of terminal illness from a zombie will rise as a zombie if they have a compatible form, including the player (who will always be of a compatible form).
-Additionally, zombies will grudge other living monsters and vice versa, making them as much of a danger to the other denizens of the dungeon as they are to you - interestingly, grudges between monsters also apply to their undead forms. A means of curing sickness should be a priority for any GruntHack character, along with a means to permanently dispose of them (e.g., via locked [[container]] or [[tinning kit]]). As with mind flayers, a [[helm]] can sometimes block the additional effects of a zombie's bite attack (though it does not do so as often due to a bug), and a helm that is either [[greased]] or has the [[oilskin]] [[object property]] (limited to [[cloth]] helms) will block them outright.<!--Double check ASAP-->
+Additionally, zombies will grudge other living monsters and vice versa, making them as much of a danger to the other denizens of the dungeon as they are to the hero&mdash;interestingly, grudges between monsters also apply to their undead forms. A means of curing sickness should be a priority for any GruntHack character, along with a means to permanently dispose of them (e.g., via locked [[container]] or [[tinning kit]]). As with mind flayers, a [[helm]] can sometimes block the additional effects of a zombie's bite attack (though it does not do so as often due to a bug), and a helm that is either [[greased]] or has the [[oilskin]] [[object property]] (limited to [[cloth]] helms) will block them outright.<!--Double check ASAP-->
 ===dNetHack===

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 All zombies are chaotic, [[mindless]] [[humanoid]] [[undead]] that possess [[unbreathing]] and [[infravision]], and are [[inediate]]. They can [[follow]] a [[hero]] to another level if they are adjacent.
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|If the player is killed by a zombie or a [[lich]], they will rise from the grave as a zombie of their race's type, and will be present as a zombie if a [[bones]] file is created. Per {{commit|3c421da746cdd3844c7f8d2312c7be5e5a25cfb9}}, the zombie will have the same intrinsics as the former hero.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|aeb0ea65e3ea173ccab744964fa7a0bb8425dc0c}}, if the hero is killed by a zombie or a [[Lich (monster class)|lich]], they will rise from the grave as a zombie of their race's type, and will be present as a zombie if a [[bones]] file is created. Per {{commit|3c421da746cdd3844c7f8d2312c7be5e5a25cfb9}}, the zombie will have the same intrinsics as the former hero.
-Per {{commit|852f8e49961a613fea4238cf23b89449ee5120bf}} and {{commit|98d2b0ecb3145e698ea1f6155a75f8021d13dcfb}}, buried zombie corpses' revive timer is accelerated if items are placed, dropped or fall on their square, with the response dependent on the weight of the item and the type of impact. Per {{commit|60dc6343}}, monsters stepping on their square, or the player stepping near their square, can also revive them.}}
+Per {{commit|852f8e49961a613fea4238cf23b89449ee5120bf}} and {{commit|98d2b0ecb3145e698ea1f6155a75f8021d13dcfb}}, the revive timer of buried zombie corpses are accelerated if items are placed, dropped or fall on their square, with the response dependent on the weight of the item and the type of impact. Per {{commit|60dc6343}}, monsters stepping on their square, or the hero stepping near their square, can also revive them.}}
 ===Generation===
 Randomly generated zombies will always be hostile. Zombies are frequently found in [[graveyard]]s, where they are always generated hostile and asleep. As the zombie monster class is the first [[quest]] monster class for [[Priest]]s and make up {{frac|96|175}} of monsters that are randomly generated within the [[Priest quest]], the various zombie monsters make up a majority of monsters seen in the branch.
-Zombies are considered [[corpseless]], with a special case that generates an aged [[corpse]] of their living counterpart upon "death" in circumstances where a monster would ordinarily leave a corpse (e.g. a gnome zombie leaves an old [[Gnome (monster)|gnome]] corpse when "killed" in combat).<ref name="undead_to_corpse"/>{{refsrc|src/mon.c|372|nethack=3.6.7|name="make_corpse"|comment=Undead corpses and their ages are handled with other "special" death drops}} This means that listed nutritional values for zombies are only relevant to [[pet]]s or [[polymorph]]ed heroes that [[digest]] zombies - monster corpses left behind by zombies use the normal nutritional values for that monster, though they are usually too old to be eaten safely without a [[tinning kit]].
+Zombies are considered [[corpseless]], with a special case that generates an aged [[corpse]] of their living counterpart when they would leave a corpse upon "death" (e.g. a gnome zombie leaves an old [[Gnome (monster)|gnome]] corpse when destroyed in combat).<ref name="undead_to_corpse"/>{{refsrc|src/mon.c|372|nethack=3.6.7|name="make_corpse"|comment=Undead corpses and their ages are handled with other "special" death drops}} This means that listed nutritional values for zombies are only relevant to [[pet]]s or [[polymorph]]ed heroes that [[digest]] zombies&mdash;monster corpses left behind by zombies use the normal nutritional values for that monster, though they are usually too old to be eaten safely without a [[tinning kit]].
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|[[Lich (monster class)|Liches]] and other zombies that are not [[cancelled]] can raise monsters as zombies if they kill them with their bare hands, including a hero in the form of one - the corpse will rise 5-20 turns after death if it has a corresponding zombie type. Zombies and liches will [[grudge]] living monsters that can be turned into zombies.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|aeb0ea65e3ea173ccab744964fa7a0bb8425dc0c}}, other zombies and that are not [[cancelled]] can raise monsters as zombies if they kill them with their bare hands, including a hero in the form of one&mdash;the corpse will rise 5-20 turns after death if it has a corresponding zombie type. Zombies and liches will [[grudge]] living monsters that can be turned into zombies.
-The mausoleum [[themed room]] may have a randomly generated zombie sealed and [[meditating]] within its central subroom.
+Per {{commit|9b74ea0b225a67a3c60f2c775a9f2328f499d9f0}}, the mausoleum [[themed room]] may have a randomly generated zombie sealed and [[meditating]] within its central subroom.
-There is a "buried zombies" themed room fill that makes the room appears empty, but there are buried zombie corpses underneath roughly half of the spaces, which will revive in roughly 1000 turns if left undisturbed.
+Per {{commit|ba60bfac25d0dd46b609429f1c5b35cf15fb036d}}, the "buried zombies" themed room has zombie corpses buried within roughly half of the squares, which will revive in roughly 1000 turns (if left undisturbed).}}
 ==History==

@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 ===EvilHack===
 {{main|Zombie (EvilHack)}}
-In [[EvilHack]], zombies can be any of the variations encountered in ''NetHack'', with the addition of the [[hobbit zombie]], [[gnoll witherling]] and [[Drow Zombie (EvilHack)|drow zombie]]. EvilHack zombies behave similarly to GruntHack, though they have their own entries in <tt>monst.c</tt> rather than racial templates, and several modifications are made to keep them distinct and less overwhelmingly difficult while still being quite challenging.
+In [[EvilHack]], zombies can be any of the variations encountered in ''NetHack'', with the addition of the [[hobbit zombie]], [[gnoll witherling]] and [[Drow zombie (EvilHack)|drow zombie]]. EvilHack zombies behave similarly to GruntHack, though they have their own entries in <tt>monst.c</tt> rather than racial templates, and several modifications are made to keep them distinct and less overwhelmingly difficult while still being quite challenging.
 A zombie's claw attack is poisonous with a frequency similar to that of a [[rabid rat]], and their brain-eating bite can cause [[intelligence]] loss, but they also have a lower chance of reviving from their corpse, and they will not revive at all if cancelled or beheaded. Zombies can transfer illness the same way as in GruntHack, either via their bite, or if a hero or monster consumes their corpse, and monsters with zombie forms that are killed by a zombie will eventually revive as one; as in xNetHack, a hero killed this way may rarely be able to continue on as a zombie with permanent unchanging.

@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 ===EvilHack===
 {{main|Zombie (EvilHack)}}
-In [[EvilHack]], zombies can be any of the variations encountered in ''NetHack'', with the addition of the [[hobbit zombie]], [[gnoll witherling]] and [[drow zombie]]. EvilHack zombies behave similarly to GruntHack, though they have their own entries in monst.c rather than racial templates, and several modifications are made to keep them distinct and less overwhelmingly difficult while still being quite challenging.
+In [[EvilHack]], zombies can be any of the variations encountered in ''NetHack'', with the addition of the [[hobbit zombie]], [[gnoll witherling]] and [[Drow Zombie (EvilHack)|drow zombie]]. EvilHack zombies behave similarly to GruntHack, though they have their own entries in <tt>monst.c</tt> rather than racial templates, and several modifications are made to keep them distinct and less overwhelmingly difficult while still being quite challenging.
 A zombie's claw attack is poisonous with a frequency similar to that of a [[rabid rat]], and their brain-eating bite can cause [[intelligence]] loss, but they also have a lower chance of reviving from their corpse, and they will not revive at all if cancelled or beheaded. Zombies can transfer illness the same way as in GruntHack, either via their bite, or if a hero or monster consumes their corpse, and monsters with zombie forms that are killed by a zombie will eventually revive as one; as in xNetHack, a hero killed this way may rarely be able to continue on as a zombie with permanent unchanging.
-The same methods for permanently disposing of zombies in GruntHack are generally applicable in EvilHack: zombie corpses will always cause terminal illness when eaten, making it possible to permanently get rid of them by eating one and then using a reliable illness cure, such as a unicorn horn. [[Lava]] is slightly more common in the main dungeon, making it easier to burn up the corpses by [[dip]]ping, throwing or dropping them into the lava square; dipping a zombie corpse into a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] will also incinerate it. [[Sunsword]] can vaporize zombies it kills permanently, including a chance of instantly destroying them similar to other [[Bane]]-style weapons in EvilHack.
+The same methods for permanently disposing of zombies in GruntHack are generally applicable in EvilHack: zombie corpses will always cause terminal illness when eaten, making it possible to permanently get rid of them by eating one and then using a reliable illness cure, such as a unicorn horn. [[Lava]] is slightly more common in the main dungeon, making it easier to burn up the corpses by [[dipping]], throwing or dropping them into the lava square; dipping a zombie corpse into a [[Forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] will also incinerate it. [[Sunsword]] can vaporize zombies it kills permanently, including a chance of instantly destroying them similar to other [[Bane]]-style weapons in EvilHack.
-Helms will more reliably prevent the effects of a zombie's bites compared to GruntHack, and helms that are greased or oilskin will block them outright; [[barding]] worn by a [[steed]] can protect them from zombie bites. [[Illithid (starting race)|Illithids]] and mind flayers have [[psychic resistance]], giving them immunity to the brain-targeting secondary effects of a zombie bite, though they can still be made ill. The spell of {{+ of|cure sickness}} spell, which is directional in EvilHack, can damage zombies in the path of the beam.
+Helms will more reliably prevent the effects of a zombie's bites compared to GruntHack, and helms that are greased or oilskin will block them outright; [[barding]] worn by a [[steed]] covers their head and can protect them from zombie bites as helms do for the hero. [[Illithid (starting race)|Illithids]] and mind flayers have [[psychic resistance]], giving them immunity to the brain-targeting secondary effects of a zombie bite, though they can still be made ill. The spell of {{+ of|cure sickness}} spell, which is directional in EvilHack, can damage zombies in the path of the beam.
 ===Hack'EM===