Difference between revisions of "Barrow wight"
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| − | The '''barrow wight''', {{monsym|barrow wight}} is a [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. | + | The '''barrow wight''', {{monsym|barrow wight}}, is a [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. They are members of the [[Wraith (monster class)|wraith]] [[monster class]]; like most other wraiths, they have a [[level drain]]ing [[Drain life (monster attack)|attack]], are resistant to [[cold]], [[sleep]] and [[poison]], and typically [[corpseless|do not leave corpses]]. |
| − | + | Barrow wights have a small handful of [[monster spell]]s that can [[Stun (monster spell)|stun]] the player, [[haste self|increase their speed]], [[cure self|heal themselves]], or [[psi bolt|assault the player's mind]]. | |
| − | == Generation == | + | ==Generation== |
| − | A barrow wight [[Monster starting inventory|always carries]] a [[long sword]] and a [[knife]]. | + | A barrow wight [[Monster starting inventory|always carries]] a [[long sword]] and a [[knife]]. Barrow wights typically begin appearing once a character has gained a few experience levels and reached [[Minetown]] or the [[Oracle]]; they are also among the monsters that can be generated as part of the second quest monster class for the [[Wizard quest]]. |
| + | |||
| + | Characters that die at the hands of a barrow wight will leave a named [[wraith]] in [[bones]] instead of a [[ghost]]. | ||
==Strategy== | ==Strategy== | ||
| − | + | Barrow wights move at the same [[speed]] as an unhasted, unburdened hero and can be more troublesome than expected, but can be handled fairly quickly without too much trouble. They will often throw their knife (and any other projectiles they comes across) upon spotting you; their [[melee]] attacks are not particularly strong, but can [[level drain|drain levels]] and still cause significant damage using the long sword. Their spellcasting can also potentially prolong a fight, and may be trouble when fighting multiple foes. | |
| − | + | Once a wight is destroyed, the long sword may be of interest to [[lawful]] characters looking to dip for [[Excalibur]]. Barrow wights are also a source of knives for [[Healer]]s and [[Rogue]]s. | |
| + | |||
| + | ==History== | ||
| + | The barrow wight first appears in [[NetHack 3.0.0]]. | ||
==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | Barrow | + | {{wikipedia|Wight}} |
| + | {{wikipedia|Barrow-wight}} | ||
| + | In its original Old English usage, the word "wight" described a living human being, but has since come to be used within fantasy to describe certain immortal ghost-like beings (with "ghost" being a less archaic definition of the term). The earliest such example is in [[wikipedia:William Morris|William Morris's]] translation of the ''Grettis Saga'', where ''haugbui'' is translated as "barrow-wight". | ||
| − | + | ''NetHack'' most likely derives barrow wights from their 1974 inclusion in ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', which in turn is derived from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s world of Middle-earth. Tolkien's barrow-wights are depicted as [[wraith]]-like evil spirits; in ''The Lord of the Rings'', the [[hobbit]] Frodo and his company narrowly escape an encounter with one with the aid of Tom Bombadil, who then arms the group using "barrow-blades" and ancient swords from the wight's treasure-hoard (the basis for their ''NetHack'' starting inventory). | |
| − | + | Since then, it has become a recurring form of undead in other fantasy works, such as ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' and ''Vampire: The Masquerade''. | |
| − | |||
| − | === | + | ==Variants== |
| − | + | ===SLASH'EM=== | |
| + | In [[SLASH'EM]] and other derived variants such as [[SlashTHEM]], barrow wights are a decent monster form for early [[Doppelganger (starting race)|Doppleganger]]s due to their resistances and level-draining attack, though their carry cap is somewhat low. | ||
| − | == | + | ===UnNetHack=== |
| + | In [[UnNetHack]], barrow wights are slightly more common; if a player is killed by a [[Nazgul]], they will rise as a barrow wight in the bones file. | ||
| + | ==Encyclopedia entry== | ||
{{encyclopedia|<poem> | {{encyclopedia|<poem> | ||
When he came to himself again, for a moment he could recall | When he came to himself again, for a moment he could recall | ||
| Line 55: | Line 64: | ||
{{right-align|[ The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien ]}} | {{right-align|[ The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien ]}} | ||
</poem>}} | </poem>}} | ||
| − | + | {{nethack-364}} | |
[[Category:Monsters]] | [[Category:Monsters]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
Revision as of 15:40, 26 March 2022
W barrow wight 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 7 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 0d0 drain life, spell-casting, claw 1d4 |
| Base level | 3 |
| Base experience | 90 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | 5 |
| Base MR | 5 |
| Alignment | -3 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 1 (Very rare) |
| Genocidable | Yes |
| Weight | 1200 |
| Nutritional value | 0 |
| Size | Medium |
| Resistances | Cold, sleep, poison |
| Resistances conveyed |
None |
|
A barrow wight:
| |
| Reference | monst.c#line1881 |
The barrow wight, W, is a monster that appears in NetHack. They are members of the wraith monster class; like most other wraiths, they have a level draining attack, are resistant to cold, sleep and poison, and typically do not leave corpses.
Barrow wights have a small handful of monster spells that can stun the player, increase their speed, heal themselves, or assault the player's mind.
Contents
Generation
A barrow wight always carries a long sword and a knife. Barrow wights typically begin appearing once a character has gained a few experience levels and reached Minetown or the Oracle; they are also among the monsters that can be generated as part of the second quest monster class for the Wizard quest.
Characters that die at the hands of a barrow wight will leave a named wraith in bones instead of a ghost.
Strategy
Barrow wights move at the same speed as an unhasted, unburdened hero and can be more troublesome than expected, but can be handled fairly quickly without too much trouble. They will often throw their knife (and any other projectiles they comes across) upon spotting you; their melee attacks are not particularly strong, but can drain levels and still cause significant damage using the long sword. Their spellcasting can also potentially prolong a fight, and may be trouble when fighting multiple foes.
Once a wight is destroyed, the long sword may be of interest to lawful characters looking to dip for Excalibur. Barrow wights are also a source of knives for Healers and Rogues.
History
The barrow wight first appears in NetHack 3.0.0.
Origin
In its original Old English usage, the word "wight" described a living human being, but has since come to be used within fantasy to describe certain immortal ghost-like beings (with "ghost" being a less archaic definition of the term). The earliest such example is in William Morris's translation of the Grettis Saga, where haugbui is translated as "barrow-wight".
NetHack most likely derives barrow wights from their 1974 inclusion in Dungeons & Dragons, which in turn is derived from J. R. R. Tolkien's world of Middle-earth. Tolkien's barrow-wights are depicted as wraith-like evil spirits; in The Lord of the Rings, the hobbit Frodo and his company narrowly escape an encounter with one with the aid of Tom Bombadil, who then arms the group using "barrow-blades" and ancient swords from the wight's treasure-hoard (the basis for their NetHack starting inventory).
Since then, it has become a recurring form of undead in other fantasy works, such as A Song of Ice and Fire and Vampire: The Masquerade.
Variants
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM and other derived variants such as SlashTHEM, barrow wights are a decent monster form for early Dopplegangers due to their resistances and level-draining attack, though their carry cap is somewhat low.
UnNetHack
In UnNetHack, barrow wights are slightly more common; if a player is killed by a Nazgul, they will rise as a barrow wight in the bones file.
Encyclopedia entry
When he came to himself again, for a moment he could recall
nothing except a sense of dread. Then suddenly he knew that
he was imprisoned, caught hopelessly; he was in a barrow. A
Barrow-wight had taken him, and he was probably already under
the dreadful spells of the Barrow-wights about which whispered
tales spoke. He dared not move, but lay as he found himself:
flat on his back upon a cold stone with his hands on his
breast.
This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.
It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.6.4. Information on this page may be out of date.
Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-364}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.
