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A '''bite attack''', also known simply as a '''bite''', is a [[melee]] [[attack type]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is primarily used by [[monster]]s. The attack type is defined by the '''<tt>AT_BITE</tt>''' flag within <tt>[[monattk.h]]</tt> in the [[source code]].{{refsrc|include/monattk.h|14|nethack=3.6.7}}

==Description==
A monster that has a bite attack, including a [[hero]] [[polymorph]]ed into such a monster, performs the attack by attempting to strike the target with their teeth or tusks, which causes them to make contact with the defender.

[[Magic cancellation]] can block bite attacks if they use [[damage type]]s that are also blocked by magic cancellation. Biting a [[cockatrice]] or [[chickatrice]] will turn the attacker to stone, and monsters will avoid doing so against such targets when possible, with the exception of a hero in the form of either monster.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|385|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1783|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|675|nethack=3.6.7|comment=monster bite versus hero}}

===List of monsters===
The following monsters have bite attacks:

* {{monclass|a}}
** {{monsymlink|giant ant}}
** {{monsymlink|soldier ant}}
** {{monsymlink|fire ant}} (one [[Physical damage|physical]], one [[Fire (element)|fire]])
** {{monsymlink|giant beetle}}
* all {{monclass|c}}s except the {{monsymlink|pyrolisk}}
* all {{white|d}} [[canine]]s
* all {{white|f}} [[feline]]s
* all {{monclass|g}}s
* {{monclass|i}}
** {{monsymlink|manes}}
** {{monsymlink|homunculus}} ([[sleep]])
** {{monsymlink|quasit}}
** {{monsymlink|tengu}}
* all {{monclass|p}}s
* {{monclass|q}}
** {{monsymlink|rothe}}
** {{monsymlink|mumak}}
** {{monsymlink|leocrotta}}
** {{monsymlink|wumpus}}
* all {{monclass|r}}s
* all {{monclass|s}}s except the {{monsymlink|scorpion}} and {{monsymlink|Scorpius}}
* all [[growth stage]]s of [[domestic]] [[horse]]
* all {{monclass|w}}s
* {{monsymlink|grid bug}}
* {{monsymlink|zruty}}
* {{monsymlink|couatl}} (poisonous, drains strength; physical)
* all {{white|B}} [[Bat or bird|bats and birds]]; {{monsymlink|vampire bat}} has a second bite (poisonous, drains strength)
* all {{monclass|D}}s
* {{monsymlink|jabberwock}}
* all {{monclass|N}}s
* {{monclass|P}}
** {{monsymlink|gray ooze}} ([[rust]])
** {{monsymlink|brown pudding}} ([[decay]])
** {{monsymlink|black pudding}} ([[corrosion]])
* all {{monclass|S}}s
* all {{monclass|T}}s
* {{monsymlink|umber hulk}}
* all {{monclass|V}}s
* {{monsymlink|xorn}}
* {{monclass|Y}}
** {{monsymlink|monkey}}
** {{monsymlink|ape}}
** {{monsymlink|yeti}}
* {{monclass|@}}
** {{monsymlink|Medusa}} (poisonous, drains strength)
* {{monclass|&}}
** {{monsymlink|water demon}}
** {{monsymlink|incubus}} / succubus (seduction)
** {{monsymlink|horned devil}}
** {{monsymlink|vrock}}
** {{monsymlink|hezrou}}
** {{monsymlink|ice devil}}
** {{monsymlink|nalfeshnee}}
** {{monsymlink|Baalzebub}} (poisonous, drains strength)
* all {{monclass|;}}s except the {{monsymlink|jellyfish}}; electric eel has [[shock]]ing bite
* all {{monclass|:}}s except the {{monsymlink|salamander}}
* [[Defunct features|Defunct]] and [[deferred]] monsters
** {{monsymlink|Cerberus}}
** {{monsymlink|Charon}}

==Strategy==
The seduction used by foocubi is defined as a bite attack, which means that foocubi and ('''very critically''') heroes in foocubi form will always be in danger of stoning if they use the attack on a footrice&mdash;a hero in foocubus form should '''never''' melee one for this reason, even if they have [[weapon]]s and [[gloves]].

==History==
The bite attack type is formally defined in [[NetHack 3.0.0]].

==Messages==
{{message|<The monster> bites!|A monster hit you with a headbutt attack.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|47|nethack=3.6.7}}}}
{{message|<The monster> snaps wildly and misses!|A monster targeted a bite attack at you, but you are [[invisible]] or else they cannot see you.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|163|nethack=3.6.7}}}}
{{message|<The monster> bites <the other monster>.|A monster hit another monster with a bite attack.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|589|nethack=3.6.7}}}}
{{message|You bite <the monster>.|You hit a monster with a bite attack.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|2527|nethack=3.6.7}}}}

==Variants==
[[Variant]]s of ''NetHack'' may add new monsters with bite attacks, as well as different types of bite attacks.

==References==
<references/>
{{nethack-367}}
[[Category:Attack types]]