Nalzok
& Nalzok 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 23 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 8d4 physical, weapon 4d6 physical, spell-casting 0d0 mage, claw 2d6 quest-artifact-stealing |
| Base level | 16 |
| Base experience | 585 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | −2 |
| Base MR | 85 |
| Alignment | −127 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | Unique |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 1450 |
| Nutritional value | 400 |
| Size | Large |
| Resistances | Fire, poison, stoning |
| Resistances conveyed | None |
|
Nalzok:
| |
| Reference | monst.c#line3267 |
Nalzok, &, is the Priest quest nemesis. Nalzok is a unique major demon who guards the Bell of Opening and the Priest quest artifact, The Mitre of Holiness - he is almost identical to the Minion of Huhetotl, the Archeologist quest nemesis, but are more strongly chaotic and have higher monster MR. Nalzok is strong, capable of flight, has infravision, can see invisible, can be seen via infravision, and can follow the hero to other levels if he is adjacent. Nalzok is covetous and capable of warping, will pick up any items he comes across, and desires the Priest's quest artifact.
Nalzok has two strong weapon attacks, the ability to cast mage monster spells, and a claw attack that can steal back the quest artifact if the hero has taken it. Nalzok possesses fire resistance, poison resistance, drain resistance, death resistance, and also has stoning resistance like all quest nemeses.
Nalzok is poisonous to consume, which primarily comes up if he is digested by another monster.
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 f1503586, Nalzok uses & as his glyph.
Per commit fe34d4e3, Nalzok will leave behind a mass of poison clouds upon death. Per commit 8b9a93f7 the player will not be blamed for damage done by poison clouds from killing a quest nemesis.Contents
Generation
Nalzok is always generated hostile, and is not a valid form for polymorph.
Nalzok is generated on one of two squares within his lair in the center of the Priest quest goal level, with The Mitre of Holiness underneath. He is always generated carrying the Bell of Opening.
Strategy
Since Nalzok is almost identical to the Minion of Huhetotl, some of the strategies that apply there will also apply to him: Nalzok hates silver and respects Elbereth and a grounded scroll of scare monster, and can summon nasties much like the Minion. Nalzok can also inflict major damage with his two weapon attacks and spellcasting, which includes drain strength and destroy armor.
An AC of around −15 with a source of magic resistance is advisable, as is the usual strategy of standing on/blocking/teleporting to the upstair, then awakening and engaging Nalzok there - be mindful of the lava plain and the fire traps during the fight, as one misstep can easily end the game. A blessed and enchanted artifact weapon (e.g., Frost Brand, Grayswandir, Magicbane, or even Demonbane) at Basic skill or a similarly blessed and enchanted silver weapon at Skilled or higher should be enough to make the fight against Nalzok easier - Priests should have no shortage of holy water to bless both the weapon and enchant weapon scrolls with.
Clearing the surrounding area of monsters beforehand should be easier in comparison to the Minion's crypt: while the #turn command can make short work of most of the zombies and wraiths, Nalzok is likely to awaken and attack during the period of vulnerability afterward.
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.
The scroll of scare monster on the ground no longer scares any unique monster.History
Nalzok first appears with most other quest nemeses in NetHack 3.1.0.
Variants
dNetHack
In dNetHack, notdNetHack, and notnotdNetHack, Nalzok is replaced as the Priest quest nemesis by Legion.
NetHack Fourk
In NetHack Fourk, Nalzok remains the Priest quest nemesis and guards The Sceptre of Might, and will wield the artifact against the hero.
xNetHack
In xNetHack, Nalzok remains the Priest quest nemesis and guards The Sceptre of Might, and will wield the artifact against the hero. Upon death, he leaves behind a mass of poison clouds.
Encyclopedia entry
Nalzok is Moloch's cunning and unfailingly loyal battle
lieutenant, to whom he trusts the command of warfare when he
does not wish to exercise it himself. Nalzok is a major
demon, known to command the undead. He is hungry for power,
and secretly covets Moloch's position. Moloch doesn't trust
him, but, trusting his own power enough, chooses to allow
Nalzok his position because he is useful.
