Elf (monster)
@ elf 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 1 |
| Attacks | |
| Base level | 0 |
| Base experience | 216 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | 10 |
| Base MR | 2 |
| Alignment | -3 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 0 (Not randomly generated) |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 800 |
| Nutritional value | 350 |
| Size | Medium |
| Resistances | Sleep resistance |
| Resistances conveyed | Sleep resistance (67%) |
|
An elf:
| |
| Reference | monst.c#line2309 |
- For other uses, see Elf.
An elf, @, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. The elf serves as the base monster for the corpse left by elven heros, elf zombies or elf mummies, and has a much higher base level and monster difficulty than other monsters the represent a playable race—their monster difficulty is comparable to a player monster, likely due to them serving as the player monster for the defunct Elf role. Standard elves are strong, have infravision, can see invisible, and can be seen via infravision.
An elf has a single weapon attack and possesses sleep resistance.
Eating an elf corpse or tin has a 2⁄3 chance of granting sleep resistance, the highest of all elven monsters.
The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that the information below is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate it.
Per commit 486752b0, the elf's level and difficulty are lowered to 0 and 2 respectively, to match most other monsters representing playable races.
Per commit b6a3d4b9, standard elves are no longer strong.Contents
Generation
Standard elves are not randomly generated, and are not valid polymorph forms or genocide targets. An elf can grow up into an elf-lord.
An elf zombie or elf mummy will leave an aged elf corpse behind upon death[1][2]—elven heroes that are killed and leave bones will have an elf corpse atop their grave, unless they were killed by certain monsters, killed by stoning or else were disintegrated. Elves can be generated by zapping a wand of undead turning at an elf corpse that is not left by a elf zombie or mummy, or else by selecting elves while reading a cursed scroll of genocide.
The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that the information below is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate it.
Per commit 0c3b9642, an elf will grow up into an elf-noble of the appropriate gender, rather than always becoming a male elf-lord regardless of gender.Strategy
Despite being the most reliable source of sleep resistance, elf corpses are usually left by undead—these pose a high risk of food poisoning, but they can be safely tinned and eaten with a tinning kit.
History
The elf monster first appears in NetHack 3.0.0—from this version to NetHack 3.2.3, they are a player monster that corresponds to the Elf role. NetHack 3.3.0 and later versions retain the monster's data after the role is replaced with the Ranger and elves are made into a playable race.
Variants
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, two elves are generated in The Guild of Disgruntled Adventurers at level creation.
dNetHack
In dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack, elves grow up into Woodland-elves rather than elf-lords.
Encyclopedia entry
The Elves sat round the fire upon the grass or upon the sawn rings of old trunks. Some went to and fro bearing cups and pouring drinks; others brought food on heaped plates and dishes.
"This is poor fare," they said to the hobbits; "for we are lodging in the greenwood far from our halls. If ever you are our guests at home, we will treat you better."
"It seems to me good enough for a birthday-party," said Frodo. Pippin afterwards recalled little of either food or drink, for his mind was filled with the light upon the elf-faces, and the sound of voices so various and so beautiful that he felt in a waking dream. [...]
Sam could never describe in words, nor picture clearly to himself, what he felt or thought that night, though it remained in his memory as one of the chief events of his life. The nearest he ever got was to say: "Well, sir, if I could grow apples like that, I would call myself a gardener. But it was the singing that went to my heart, if you know what I mean."
References
- ↑ src/mon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 147: Converting monster index of undead to corpses of their living counterparts
- ↑ src/mon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 372: Undead corpses and their ages are handled with other "special" death drops
