View source for Edderkop

{{distinguish|Kops}}
{{monster
 |name=edderkop
 |symbol={{black|h}}
 |tile=
 |difficulty=14
 |level=8
 |experience=220
 |speed=8
 |AC=2
 |MR=8
 |align=8
 |frequency=1
 |genocidable=Yes
 |attacks=Magic blades 4d8 [[Shadow (element)|shadow]], Arrow 1d1 shadow, Passive 1d8 shadow
 |weight=1450
 |nutr=400
 |size=medium
 |resistances=[[poison]], [[petrification]]
 |resistances conveyed=[[poison]]
 |attributes={{attributes|An edderkop|humanoid=1|seeinvis=1|pois=1|carnivore=1|hostile=1|nasty=1|sgroup=1|light=1|traitor=1}}
 |reference=
}}

An '''edderkop''', {{monsym|edderkop}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in [[dNetHack]] and [[notdNetHack]]. Edderkops are deceptively dangerous [[Humanoid (monster class)|humanoid]] monsters that serve the Black Web Entity, and will [[grudge]] any [[Drow (dNetHack)|drow]] that they encounter, usually overwhelming them.

An edderkop has a strong magical blade attack, the ability to manifest and fire arrows, and a passive attack - all three are [[Shadow (element)|shadow]]-based and ignore most forms of [[AC]]. The shadow bolts fired by their arrow attack appear on your square, creating a [[web]] as well.

==Strategy==
Edderkops are somewhat slow, but can easily cut through even the most high-AC builds due to their shadow attacks, allowing them to hit often and usually for high damage. Their ranged attack does not require physical arrows and only needs them to have a line-of-sight, which also prevents other monsters from blocking the attack on top of them likely trapping you in a web - as edderkops can use this attack on each of their turns, they can easily remain at a distance and blast you to death.

With this in mind, fighting edderkops at a distance is the best approach by far, keeping out of range of their melee attacks. Wielding [[Sting]] can be used to cut the webbing left by the shadow bolts and restore your freedom of movement, and a [[scroll of earth]] can be read in a pinch to break line of sight.

==Origin==
''Edderkop'' is the Danish word for spider, literally meaning "poison head".  A close cognate, ''atterkoppe'', existed in Middle English, and is likely the origin of the word ''cobweb''.  A modern derivative (''atterkop'') survives in a few dialects spoken in Northern England, where in addition to meaning "spider" it can also mean "misanthrope".

{{variant-343}}
[[Category:dNetHack monsters]]
[[Category:notdNetHack monsters]]