Difference between revisions of "Bat"

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The '''bat''' is a class of [[NetHack]] [[monster]] represented by the overall symbol {{white|B}}. They are all extremely fast and can fly, as one would expect.
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A '''bat''', {{monsym|bat}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is the weakest monster of the [[bat or bird]] [[monster class]], and is capable of [[flight]]. Bats will flit erratically about the dungeon, even when hostile towards [[you]]: there is a {{frac|3}} chance of the monster moving in a random direction, rather than approaching you.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|915|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Polymorphing into a bat will leave you intrinsically [[stun]]ned for the duration of the form.{{refsrc|include/youprop.h|79|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
The '''bat''', {{monsym|bat}}, is also the weakest monster of this class. Other bats include the {{monsymlink|giant bat}} and the {{monsymlink|vampire bat}}. The {{monsymlink|raven}}, a [[bird]], also uses the same symbol.
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Eating a bat's [[corpse]] or [[tin]] will stun you for up to 30 (more) turns.{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1013|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
Eating a bat corpse is a bad idea.  It [[stun]]s you for 30 turns{{refsrc|eat.c|846}}, and the corpse itself is worth only 20 [[nutrition]][[Pet]]s, however, are for some reason immune to stunning, and can easily eat bat corpses.
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==Generation==
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Bats can generate in [[small group]]s, and may sometimes generate as peaceful towards neutral characters. A bat can [[grow up]] into a [[giant bat]].
  
Bats [[growing up|grow up]] to be giant bats.
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Bats generated in [[Gehennom]] have slightly higher speed than normal, possibly a play on the phrase "like a bat [on its way] out of hell".{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1275|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name=batoutofhell}}
  
[[Player]]s polymorphed into bats are permanently [[stun]]ned.{{refsrc|youprop.h|89}}
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==Strategy==
 
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Bats are not especially tough, but their very high [[speed]] can make hostile bats an annoyance, particularly in groups. Fleeing from bats is somewhat easier due to their erratic movement; if you stay in melee range, they will often also stay in melee range, making them easier targets as well.
== Movement ==
 
All {{white|B}} monsters have slightly erratic movement. If the monster decides to move, there is a 1 in 3 chance that the monster will fly in a random direction, rather than approach you.{{refsrc|monmove.c|728}} If you are fleeing from a bat, this might provide a moment of relief. If you stay in melee range, the monster will also stay in melee range and continue to attack you.
 
 
 
Interestingly, any bat, giant bat or vampire bat generated in Gehennom is made slightly faster than normal.{{refsrc|makemon.c|993}} Presumably because nothing moves like a "bat [on its way] out of hell".
 
 
 
== Strategy ==
 
Bats and [[giant bat]]s both appear early in the game, and the giant bats are individually more dangerous. Bats normally appear in small groups.
 
 
 
The bats of NetHack stay within melee range, making them easy targets for many players.
 
 
 
When eaten, bat and [[giant bat]] corpses cause the player to be stunned (for 30 and 60 turns, respectively). [[Vampire bat]] corpses are poisonous, while [[raven]]s are safe to eat.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Bats have annoyed adventurers seeking the [[Amulet of Yendor]] since the days of [[Hack]], back when eating a dead bat would cause [[confusion]] because [[stun]] was not yet implemented.
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The bat is present in Hack121, a variant of [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary of [[Hack 1.0]]. In these early versions, eating a bat corpse caused [[confusion]], as the stun property was not yet implemented.
  
==Biodiversity patch==
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==Variants==
Real life bats have [[echolocation]], employing sound to discover the positions of things in the dark. NetHack does not implement echolocation, though the [[biodiversity patch]] does, at least if you polymorph into a bat.  
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In the [[biodiversity patch]], polymorphing into a bat simulates the use of echolocation by real-life bats.
 
 
== Encyclopedia entry ==
 
  
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==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|A bat, flitting in the darkness outside, took the wrong turn
 
{{encyclopedia|A bat, flitting in the darkness outside, took the wrong turn
 
as it made its nightly rounds and came in through the window
 
as it made its nightly rounds and came in through the window
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==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
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{{nethack-367}}
{{nethack-343}}
 
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]

Revision as of 17:24, 14 July 2023

A bat, B, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. It is the weakest monster of the bat or bird monster class, and is capable of flight. Bats will flit erratically about the dungeon, even when hostile towards you: there is a 13 chance of the monster moving in a random direction, rather than approaching you.[1] Polymorphing into a bat will leave you intrinsically stunned for the duration of the form.[2]

Eating a bat's corpse or tin will stun you for up to 30 (more) turns.[3]

Generation

Bats can generate in small groups, and may sometimes generate as peaceful towards neutral characters. A bat can grow up into a giant bat.

Bats generated in Gehennom have slightly higher speed than normal, possibly a play on the phrase "like a bat [on its way] out of hell".[4]

Strategy

Bats are not especially tough, but their very high speed can make hostile bats an annoyance, particularly in groups. Fleeing from bats is somewhat easier due to their erratic movement; if you stay in melee range, they will often also stay in melee range, making them easier targets as well.

History

The bat is present in Hack121, a variant of Jay Fenlason's Hack, and is included in the initial bestiary of Hack 1.0. In these early versions, eating a bat corpse caused confusion, as the stun property was not yet implemented.

Variants

In the biodiversity patch, polymorphing into a bat simulates the use of echolocation by real-life bats.

Encyclopedia entry

A bat, flitting in the darkness outside, took the wrong turn
as it made its nightly rounds and came in through the window
which had been left healthfully open. It then proceeded to
circle the room in the aimless fat-headed fashion habitual
with bats, who are notoriously among the less intellectually
gifted of God's creatures. Show me a bat, says the old
proverb, and I will show you something that ought to be in
some kind of a home.
[ A Pelican at Blandings, by P. G. Wodehouse ]

References