Graz'zt (EvilHack)
& Graz'zt 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 53 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 4d8 physical, Claw 6d6 stun, Spell-casting 4d6 clerical, Claw 3d6 steal item |
| Base level | 49 (105) |
| Base experience | 3136 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | -9 |
| Base MR | 35 |
| Alignment | -20 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | Unique |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 1000 |
| Nutritional value | 500 |
| Size | Large |
| Resistances | fire, cold, poison, level drain |
| Resistances conveyed | None |
|
Graz'zt:
| |
| Reference | EvilHack 0.8.4 - monst.c, line 3631 |
- For the monster as he appears in dNetHack, notdNetHack and notdNetHack, see Graz'zt (dNetHack).
Graz'zt, &, is a unique monster that appears in EvilHack and Hack'EM. Graz'zt is a strong humanoid demon prince that is capable of flight, has infravision, can be seen via infravision, can see invisible, and can follow the hero to other levels if he is adjacent. Graz'zt is covetous and capable of warping several squares at a time, and desires the Amulet of Yendor.
Graz'zt has a strong weapon attack, a claw attack that can stun the target, the ability to cast clerical monster spells once per round of attacks, and a second claw attack that also seduces the hero, then steals one or more items before he teleports away similar to a nymph. He possesses fire resistance, cold resistance, poison resistance, drain resistance, and death resistance.
Graz'zt is poisonous to consume, which primarily comes up if he is digested by another monster.
Generation
Graz'zt is always generated hostile, and is not a valid form for polymorph.
Graz'zt is one of the four demon princes who can occupy the third-tier demon lair in Gehennom, and has a 1⁄4 chance of being generated meditating in the center of the rightmost tower. He can also be summoned by demon gating from other major demons.
Graz'zt is always generated with a non-silver shield of reflection and a cursed long sword that has an enchantment ranging from +2 to +5, and will be made into Dirge if it has not yet been generated.
Strategy
Graz'zt is extremely dangerous to face in melee and hard to avoid, due to his seduction theft ability and covetous behavior: boulder forts are the most consistent method to avoid being robbed blind, but beware of giants and other monsters carrying striking or polymorph wands! For ranged offense while within the fort, you should use missile weapons that can consistently hit through his -9 AC; ray-type attacks are useless against his shield of reflection. Weapons such as a tethered aklys or a stack of shuriken, especially those that can deal shock and/or silver damage, are among your better options. If the player can reach Skilled or higher in hammer, the Hammer of the Gods is a very effective option.
Another strategy is to zap a cancellation at Graz'zt from within your fort: cancelling him nullifies his theft attack, making engaging him in melee much more feasible - be mindful about his magic saving throw of 35. A wand of cancellation in particular has a roughly 50/50 chance of affecting Graz'zt; you can check if cancellation has worked from a safe distance by zapping a wand of probing at him. As is normal for strong unique hostiles, a potion of paralysis can be used to immobilize him as well, though this carries the risk of it wearing off at an inopportune moment.
On very rare occasions, Graz'zt's theft may work in a player's favor; for example, he might steal a bag you are carrying and go through its contents, leaving him vulnerable to attack for several turns. However, this should not remotely be relied on, especially if he steals your primary container and begins taking out your full healing potions, wands of cancellation/polymorph, and other dangerous or valuable items. A lawful hero wearing the Gauntlets of Purity can block the theft attack entirely.
History
Graz'zt was infamously difficult among the demon princes in earlier versions of EvilHack, to the point that his magic saving throw was nerfed in order to make melee strategies more viable.[1]
Origin
Graz'zt originates from Dungeons & Dragons, where he makes his debut in the 1983 Monster Manual II for the 1st Advanced edition. Graz'zt is known as the Dark Prince and the Prince of Pleasure, and rules the 45th, 46th and 47th layers of the Abyss, known as Azzagrat or the Triple Realm - he is the demon prince of decadence and unlimited self-indulgence, as well as the patron of corrupt authorities and tyrants who rule by force.
Graz'zt appears as a lithe and muscular humanoid that stands 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall, with skin the color and luster of polished obsidian and green eyes that glitter with malevolent light; he has yellowed fangs, pointed ears, and six slender fingers decorating each hand, and is often depicted with six toes and six small black horns half-hidden amid thick black hair. Graz'zt is considered the comeliest demon in the Abyss, and is often dressed in the most expensive and elegant finery on the plane, though any form he took would retain his fiendish traits.
The Dark Prince is a very skilled combatant, with a vast repertoire of magical abilities at his disposal, along with an acid-drenched greatsword and a profane tower shield. Befitting his titles, Graz'zt is a master of seduction and guile above all else, and in many worlds he is spoken of as a legendary dark figure that would visit witches and sorcerers and grant them favors along with magical powers; as a result, he has half-fiend children across the multiverse. Though not a deity in his own right, many monstrous races also worship Graz'zt, including the mostly-female lamias, and many of his high priests (or "Chosen") are women as well - the rituals performed in his name are violent and involve themes of darkness and betrayal.
Encyclopedia entry
The figure standing before the throne is darkly handsome,
an ebon-skinned man nearly 9 feet tall. His slightly
pointed ears, yellow fangs, and six-fingered hands mark
him for the demon he is.
[ Hordes of the Abyss, by Ed Stark,
James Jacobs, and Erik Mona ]
