Talk:Troll

The contributor RegalStar made an observation that some of the items under "Strategy for troll removal" are really general strategy points which are simply uncommonly useful against trolls. The point he removed (admittedly a point I'd added) dealt with reducing a troll's damage and its reach. He left behind a point about draining levels from the troll which similarly doesn't prevent it's resurrection.

Perhaps if we split the section into two sections, with one about preventing the resurrection of a defeated troll and the other discussing ways to make trolls less formidable opponents? Thefifthsetpin 08:43, March 20, 2010 (UTC)

Making trolls less formidable really goes with all weapon using monsters, so it's hardly a troll only thing. Most of the points on the page are already about disallowing trolls from pestering you (which is the most important thing to know when dealing with trolls), so I don't see much of a point in change. RegalStar 14:48, March 25, 2010 (UTC)

I whole heartedly disagree. Most weapon wielding monsters who are harassing you with good weapons won't simply drop their weapon mid combat to attack you with a worm tooth you provide for them. And even if you did manage that (maybe by disarming them with a bull whip?), it would takes a few turns to pull it off, during which time the monster would be attacking you. And if you extended the strategy to armor wearing monsters, you'd have to use foocubi or nymphs to get them to take it off. While it's sort of amusing to use foocubi to corrupt an Angel, that's normally quite poor use of your turns. Nethack turns are generally better spent attacking, casting spells, engraving Elbereth, launching missiles, or running away. Recently-killed-trolls, on the other hand, are unique. To summarize:

• they present an opportunity to disarm & disrobe a monster without silliness like polyself into a nymph,
• they will reliably pick up whatever pudding bane you offer them, since you know that they're unarmed when they revive,
• they're skilled with polearms, giving them benefits from good weapons that other monsters can never obtain,
• the commonly better options for dealing with a monster (namely, attacking the monster) aren't available to you since you can't hurt a corpse.

Thefifthsetpin 14:59, April 4, 2010 (UTC)

Should there be any mention that eating a troll can cause unconsciousness, just like eating any other food? The revived troll will proceed to attack while you are helpless.

Water trolls

Water trolls never spawn - does that mean they're just like woodchucks, in that they're a pain in the ass to even see in the first place? --72.91.9.58 14:02, 31 October 2012 (UTC)

Not exactly - one variant of Medusa's Island has two guaranteed water trolls. Otherwise, yes. --Bcode (talk) 14:23, 31 October 2012 (UTC)