Difference between revisions of "Delayed instadeath"
(New introduction; "A '''delayed instadeath''' is a process of dieing. It will lead to actual death unless actively counteracted." + sections "Etymology", "Therapy", "Examples") |
(hopefully this introduction reads a little better) |
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| − | A '''delayed instadeath''' is | + | A '''delayed instadeath''' is an effect that is not immediately fatal, but will cause you to die ''instantly'' after some delay period, regardless of how many [[hitpoint]]s you have at the time. These effects are generally treatable, so long as you are prepared, and act quickly. |
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| + | Common examples are the delayed [[stoning]] from a [[cockatrice]]'s hiss, or the [[disease]] attack that some [[unique monster]]s have. | ||
== Etymology == | == Etymology == | ||
| − | Although the term | + | Although the term ''delayed instadeath'' sounds self-contradictory, it is the accepted term in the roguelike community. ''Insta[nt]'' can be understood as referring only to the final reduction of hitpoints, which occurs in one fell swoop once the delay period is over. |
== Therapy == | == Therapy == | ||
| − | Delayed instadeaths are regarded as major problems by your [[god]], so prayer will normally save you. | + | Delayed instadeaths are regarded as major problems by your [[god]], so prayer will normally save you, as long as it is otherwise safe to pray. |
== Examples == | == Examples == | ||
Revision as of 03:43, 5 January 2007
A delayed instadeath is an effect that is not immediately fatal, but will cause you to die instantly after some delay period, regardless of how many hitpoints you have at the time. These effects are generally treatable, so long as you are prepared, and act quickly.
Common examples are the delayed stoning from a cockatrice's hiss, or the disease attack that some unique monsters have.
Etymology
Although the term delayed instadeath sounds self-contradictory, it is the accepted term in the roguelike community. Insta[nt] can be understood as referring only to the final reduction of hitpoints, which occurs in one fell swoop once the delay period is over.
Therapy
Delayed instadeaths are regarded as major problems by your god, so prayer will normally save you, as long as it is otherwise safe to pray.
Examples
The following delayed instadeaths exist in NetHack:
- Turning to stone as a result of being hit by a cockatrice's special attack or eating a cockatrice egg. The standard cure is to eat a lizard corpse. Vegetarians can quaff a potion of acid instead.
- Sliming (turning into green slime). Curable by setting yourself on fire.
- Food poisoning from eating an old corpse or disease from the sickness attack of Juiblex, Scorpius or Demogorgon. Curable by applying a unicorn horn.
- Sinking in lava. Fix this by praying or zapping a wand of cold downwards.
- Strangulation, from wearing an amulet of strangulation. Instantly curable by removing the amulet, but amulets of strangulation are normally generated cursed.
