Difference between revisions of "Angel"

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The '''angel''', {{monsym|angel}}, is the most prominent of the [[angelic being]]s in ''[[NetHack]]''.
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An '''Angel''',{{ref|capitalization}} {{monsym|angel}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is the most prominent of the [[angelic being]]s. Angels are [[strong]] [[humanoid]] monsters that are capable of [[flight]], can [[see invisible]], and will [[follow]] you to other levels if they are next to you.
  
Angels possess a melee-range [[magic missile]] attack that they can use ignores both [[reflection]] and [[half spell damage]], but deals no damage if you have [[magic resistance]]. The magic missiles they fire at range are similar to those from a [[wand of magic missile]], but can be done at will. Like other monsters with magic missile attacks, angels have magic resistance.
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Angels possess two weapon attacks, a claw attack and a [[magic missile]] attack. In melee, the magic missile uses a number of d6 equal to half the monster's level plus 1 for damage, and ignores both [[reflection]] and [[half spell damage]], but is completely nullified by [[magic resistance]] - at range, they are rays similar to those from a [[wand of magic missile]] that can be fired at will. Like other monsters with magic missile attacks, Angels have [[magic resistance]]; they additionally have resistances to [[Cold resistance|cold]], [[Shock resistance|shock]], [[Sleep resistance|sleep]], and [[Poison resistance|poison]].
  
== Generation ==
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==Generation==
Angels that are randomly generated almost exclusively appear in the service of one of the [[deity|deities]], and appear in large numbers on the [[Astral Plane]]. You can also obtain a guardian angel as a [[minion]] when you arrive on the [[Astral Plane]] if your [[alignment]] is sufficiently high and you are not causing [[conflict]]; if you '''are''' generating conflict, a group of hostile angels will be generated instead.
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{{frac|3}} of randomly generated Angels will be [[minion]]s of a random [[god]] from your [[pantheon]]: angels serving your god are usually peaceful, while "renegade" Angel minions are peaceful towards [[cross-aligned]] players instead.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1355|nethack=3.6.7}} Angels of a particular god may also appear as hostile minions when that god is angered. Angels that do not serve a particular god are lawful by default. No Angel of any kind will generate randomly in [[Gehennom]].
  
If you are [[lawful]], randomly generated angels will be generated [[peaceful]]. In [[3.6.0]], {{frac|1|3}} of randomly appearing angels will be minions of a random god from your [[pantheon]]{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1332|nethack=3.6.1}}; usually they will be peaceful to [[co-aligned]] players, but some will be made "renegade", and peaceful to [[cross-aligned]] players instead.
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Several Angels in service of the gods (including [[Moloch]]) appear on the [[Astral Plane]] - upon reaching this level, if your [[alignment]] is sufficiently high and you are not causing [[conflict]], you will obtain a tame guardian Angel.{{refsrc|src/minion.c|460|nethack=3.6.7}} If you are generating conflict when you arrive, or generate conflict later that would affect the guardian Angel, a group of hostile Angels will be generated instead, with the guardian Angel disappearing.{{refsrc|src/minion.c|431|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/dogmove.c|944|nethack=3.6.7}}
  
Angels are [[Monster starting inventory|generated with]] a [[beatitude|noncursed]] [[erodeproof]] [[large shield]], with a 1/4 chance of the shield becoming a [[shield of reflection]], and a blessed erodeproof [[long sword]], with a 1/20 chance of the sword becoming either [[Demonbane]] or [[Sunsword]] if each artifact has yet to be generated, The tame guardian angel you get when entering the Astral Plane gets slightly better gear: their weapon is blessed and its enchantment raised by 1-4 points (if it's under +4), and they will be given an [[amulet of reflection]] if they do not get a shield of reflection.
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Angels are [[Monster starting inventory|generated with]] an uncursed [[erodeproof]] [[large shield]] {{frac|3|4}} of the time and an uncursed [[shield of reflection]] otherwise, and their weapon will be a blessed erodeproof [[long sword]], with a {{frac|5}} chance of the sword being either [[Demonbane]] or [[Sunsword]] if neither artifact has been generated.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|326|nethack=3.6.7}} The tame guardian Angel you get when entering the Astral Plane has their level, armor and weapon enchantments boosted:{{refsrc|src/minion.c|500|nethack=3.6.7}} their weapon is blessed and has its enchantment raised by 1-4 points if it is under +4, and they will be given an [[amulet of reflection]] if they do not get a shield of reflection.
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Angels are special-cased to become [[human zombie]]s if the player attempts to animate a [[statue]] of one by any means, including [[statue trap]]s, or directly create them in [[wizard mode]].{{refsrc|src/read.c|2415|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} They are an invalid form for normal [[polymorph]], and [[Corpseless|do not leave a corpse]] upon death.
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{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7|Angels can only receive Sunsword, as Demonbane's base item is changed to a [[mace]].}}
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
The [[wand of death]] is completely ineffective against angels, and they have a good chance of having a shield of reflection, which neuters other attack wands and spells. They are cold resistant, but still vulnerable to fire, so casting the [[spell of fireball]] at Skilled or Expert might do significant damage; however, you may have trouble mustering the necessary [[power]] to cast spells repeatedly in most situations involving angels, which will usually occur on the Astral Plane while you are carrying the [[Amulet of Yendor]].
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Angels have a solid AC of -4 augmented by their shield, and their magic missile attack can be quite fearsome in melee if you lack magic resistance; the attack also grants them magic resistance that makes a [[wand of death]] completely ineffective. The {{frac|4}} chance of a shield of reflection can neuter other attack wands and ray-type spells as well, and the rest of them are much less effective due to the Angel's [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 55. [[Fire Brand]] and [[Stormbringer]] are among the best weapon choices when fighting Angels in melee; for viable ranged spells, the [[spell of fireball]] at Skilled or higher can do significant damage.
  
When fighting angels in melee, [[Firebrand]] and [[Stormbringer]] are among the best weapon choices; however, on the Astral Plane, you will likely be seeking to find your [[high altar]], so a [[footrice]] corpse will be preferable in that scenario, as is a [[wand of teleportation]].
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On the Astral Plane, you may have trouble mustering the necessary [[power]] to cast spells like fireball repeatedly while you are carrying the [[Amulet of Yendor]]; in addition, it is wisest to find your [[high altar]] as soon as possible, so a [[footrice]] corpse and a [[wand of teleportation]] will be preferable in that scenario. If you wish to avoid generating further hostile angels, remove any sources of conflict before entering the Astral Plane and do not generate conflict until after your Guardian angel has died - though its 55 MR means that conflict may not provoke it to leave for several turns, this is generally unreliable for purposes of avoidance.
 
 
To avoid generating a group of hostile angels when you arrive on the Astral Plane, wait a few turns after you arrive before generating conflict.
 
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
 +
===UnNetHack===
 +
In [[UnNetHack]], Angels have a mutual [[grudge]] with [[major demon]]s, and they will attack each other on sight.
  
=== UnNetHack ===
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===SpliceHack===
In [[UnNetHack]], Angels will attack any [[demon]]s they see, (and vice versa) as part of [[Nephi's grudge patch]].
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{{main|Angel (starting race)}}
 
 
=== SpliceHack ===
 
{{main|Angel_(starting_race)}}
 
 
 
[[SpliceHack]] adds angels as a starting race.
 
  
== Encyclopedia entry ==
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[[SpliceHack]] previously had Angels as a starting race, but they were later removed.
  
 +
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|He answered and said unto them, he that soweth the good seed
 
{{encyclopedia|He answered and said unto them, he that soweth the good seed
 
is the Son of man; the field is the world, and the good seed
 
is the Son of man; the field is the world, and the good seed
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}}
 
}}
  
== References ==
+
==Notes==
<References />
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* {{note|capitalization}} While "angel" is a common noun in English, in the NetHack source code (and thus the game) it is capitalized, and this article reflects that.
  
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
{{nethack-364}}
 

Latest revision as of 09:55, 6 March 2024

An Angel,[1] A, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack, and is the most prominent of the angelic beings. Angels are strong humanoid monsters that are capable of flight, can see invisible, and will follow you to other levels if they are next to you.

Angels possess two weapon attacks, a claw attack and a magic missile attack. In melee, the magic missile uses a number of d6 equal to half the monster's level plus 1 for damage, and ignores both reflection and half spell damage, but is completely nullified by magic resistance - at range, they are rays similar to those from a wand of magic missile that can be fired at will. Like other monsters with magic missile attacks, Angels have magic resistance; they additionally have resistances to cold, shock, sleep, and poison.

Generation

13 of randomly generated Angels will be minions of a random god from your pantheon: angels serving your god are usually peaceful, while "renegade" Angel minions are peaceful towards cross-aligned players instead.[1] Angels of a particular god may also appear as hostile minions when that god is angered. Angels that do not serve a particular god are lawful by default. No Angel of any kind will generate randomly in Gehennom.

Several Angels in service of the gods (including Moloch) appear on the Astral Plane - upon reaching this level, if your alignment is sufficiently high and you are not causing conflict, you will obtain a tame guardian Angel.[2] If you are generating conflict when you arrive, or generate conflict later that would affect the guardian Angel, a group of hostile Angels will be generated instead, with the guardian Angel disappearing.[3][4]

Angels are generated with an uncursed erodeproof large shield 34 of the time and an uncursed shield of reflection otherwise, and their weapon will be a blessed erodeproof long sword, with a 15 chance of the sword being either Demonbane or Sunsword if neither artifact has been generated.[5] The tame guardian Angel you get when entering the Astral Plane has their level, armor and weapon enchantments boosted:[6] their weapon is blessed and has its enchantment raised by 1-4 points if it is under +4, and they will be given an amulet of reflection if they do not get a shield of reflection.

Angels are special-cased to become human zombies if the player attempts to animate a statue of one by any means, including statue traps, or directly create them in wizard mode.[7] They are an invalid form for normal polymorph, and do not leave a corpse upon death.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Angels can only receive Sunsword, as Demonbane's base item is changed to a mace.

Strategy

Angels have a solid AC of -4 augmented by their shield, and their magic missile attack can be quite fearsome in melee if you lack magic resistance; the attack also grants them magic resistance that makes a wand of death completely ineffective. The 14 chance of a shield of reflection can neuter other attack wands and ray-type spells as well, and the rest of them are much less effective due to the Angel's MR score of 55. Fire Brand and Stormbringer are among the best weapon choices when fighting Angels in melee; for viable ranged spells, the spell of fireball at Skilled or higher can do significant damage.

On the Astral Plane, you may have trouble mustering the necessary power to cast spells like fireball repeatedly while you are carrying the Amulet of Yendor; in addition, it is wisest to find your high altar as soon as possible, so a footrice corpse and a wand of teleportation will be preferable in that scenario. If you wish to avoid generating further hostile angels, remove any sources of conflict before entering the Astral Plane and do not generate conflict until after your Guardian angel has died - though its 55 MR means that conflict may not provoke it to leave for several turns, this is generally unreliable for purposes of avoidance.

Variants

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, Angels have a mutual grudge with major demons, and they will attack each other on sight.

SpliceHack

Main article: Angel (starting race)

SpliceHack previously had Angels as a starting race, but they were later removed.

Encyclopedia entry

He answered and said unto them, he that soweth the good seed
is the Son of man; the field is the world, and the good seed
are the children of the kingdom; but the weeds are the
children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the
devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers
are the angels. As therefore the weeds are gathered and
burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
[...] So shall it be at the end of the world; the angels
shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
and shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be
wailing and gnashing of teeth.
[ The Gospel According to Matthew, 13:37-42, 49-50 ]

Notes

  • ^  While "angel" is a common noun in English, in the NetHack source code (and thus the game) it is capitalized, and this article reflects that.

References