Difference between revisions of "Horned devil"

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The '''horned devil''', {{monsym|horned devil}}, is a [[major demon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.
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A '''horned devil''', {{monsym|horned devil}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The horned devil is a form of [[Demon (monster class)|demon]] that is [[thick-skinned]], has [[infravision]], can be seen via infravision, and can follow the [[player]] character to other levels if they are adjacent.
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A horned devil has a weapon attack, a claw attack, a bite attack, and a sting attack. Like all [[major demon]]s, they possess [[fire resistance]] and [[poison resistance]].
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Horned devils are [[poisonous]] to consume, which primarily comes up if they are [[digest]]ed by another monster.
  
 
==Generation==
 
==Generation==
The horned devil is flagged to only appear in [[Gehennom]], but no [[lawful]] creatures can be randomly generated there - thus, they are effectively [[monster frequency|never randomly generated]]. This trait also occurs with [[barbed devil]]s and the [[erinys]], though all three are still eligible to be generated via [[gating]] by other major demons.
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Horned devils are not randomly generated, and normally-created ones are always hostile. The horned devil technically only appears in [[Gehennom]], but [[Monster frequency|cannot be randomly generated there]] since it is [[lawful]]. This also occurs with [[barbed devil]]s and the [[erinys]].
  
Horned devils are still generated in [[graveyard]]s; in addition, [[Asmodeus' Lair|the lairs of Asmodeus]] [[Baalzebub's Lair|and Baalzebub]] will each contain a horned devil upon normal level creation. Another horned devil appears within [[Moloch's Sanctum]], placed just outside the temple near its southeast corner.
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Horned devils may be generated in [[graveyard]]s, and [[Asmodeus' Lair|the lairs of Asmodeus]] [[Baalzebub's Lair|and Baalzebub]] will each contain a horned devil upon normal level creation.{{refsrc|dat/gehennom.des|492|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|dat/gehennom.des|578|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} A horned devil appears within [[Moloch's Sanctum]], placed just outside the temple near its southeast corner.{{refsrc|dat/gehennom.des|689|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
They are [[Monster starting inventory|generated with]] either a [[trident]] (75% chance) or a [[bullwhip]] (25% chance).
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Horned devils can be summoned via the [[summon nasties]] [[monster spell]].{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|44|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Horned devils may also appear as [[minion]]s of chaotic gods and [[Moloch]].
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A horned devil is [[Monster starting inventory|generated with]] either a [[trident]] ({{frac|3|4}} chance) or a [[bullwhip]] ({{frac|4}} chance).{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|496|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
The horned devil is considered the weakest of the major demons by the game, with a lower [[monster difficulty]] than even the barbed devil despite having a better [[AC]]. It is also ranked as weaker than the [[water demon]], which has weaker attacks and a comparable AC; this is likely because the water demon is faster, can swim, and may potentially appear much earlier.
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The horned devil is among the weakest of the major demons, with lower [[monster difficulty]] and hit die but better [[AC]] than the barbed devil. They also have a lower difficulty than the [[water demon]], who has an AC closer to the horned devil's but also possesses weaker hit die; this is likely because the water demon is faster and can swim.
  
Despite their solid AC, horned devils are somewhat slower than an unhasted player, and a [[fast]] character with good [[AC]] of their own and a blessed weapon that is well-enchanted and/or silver will have relatively little trouble dispatching one. Horned devils are also weak to cold attacks, and a [[wand of cold|wand]] or [[cone of cold]] can eliminate them in one or two zaps.
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Horned devils are slower than an unhasted player, and a [[fast]] well-armored character with a well-enchanted blessed and/or silver weapon will have relatively little trouble dispatching one - a [[wand of cold|wand]] or [[cone of cold]] can usually eliminate them in one or two shots. However, they can still pose a significant threat if they disarm you with their bullwhip, which [[Speed ascension|speedrunners]] in particular will find a major nuisance - having [[Excalibur]] yanked out of your hand, e.g. in the middle of a pitched fight against [[Asmodeus]] or [[Baalzebub]], can be fatal. Like other demons, they can also be an unwelcome surprise from [[polymorph]], such as monsters stepping on [[polymorph trap]]s.
  
 
Horned devils are a decent source of tridents and bullwhips for those looking to utilize either.
 
Horned devils are a decent source of tridents and bullwhips for those looking to utilize either.
  
==Encyclopedia Entry==
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==History==
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The horned devil is introduced in [[NetHack 3.0.0]].
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==Variants==
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In the restructured [[Gehennom (Lethe patch)|Gehennom]] featured within the [[Lethe patch]], Baalzebub's lair contains 5 horned devils.
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===SLASH'EM===
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In [[SLASH'EM]], chaotic characters have a chance of receiving a horned devil as a tame minion from sacrificing while at any [[experience level]] from 10 to 16.
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Four horned devils appear in [[Dispater's lair (SLASH'EM)|the newly-added lair of]] [[Dispater]]. There is also a {{frac|10}} chance that a [[lemure pit]] [[Special room (SLASH'EM)|special room]] may contain a horned devil among the lemures at level creation.
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===UnNetHack===
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In [[UnNetHack]], there is a {{frac|10}} chance of the lemure pit [[Special room (UnNetHack)|special room]] containing a horned devil, as in SLASH'EM.
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===SpliceHack===
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In [[SpliceHack]], horned devils are given a passive quill attack.
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===EvilHack===
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In [[EvilHack]], [[The Idol of Moloch]] is an [[artifact]] [[figurine]] of a horned devil and the [[Infidel]] [[quest artifact]]: It can be applied like a normal figurine to summon a random major demon, including a horned devil, without using up the artifact. This also applies to [[Hack'EM]].
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==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|<poem>
 
{{encyclopedia|<poem>
These devils lack any real special abilities, though they
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These devils lack any real special abilities, though they are quite difficult to kill.
are quite difficult to kill.
 
 
</poem>}}
 
</poem>}}
  
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==References==
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<references/>
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
{{nethack-366}}
 

Latest revision as of 02:55, 9 April 2024

A horned devil, &, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. The horned devil is a form of demon that is thick-skinned, has infravision, can be seen via infravision, and can follow the player character to other levels if they are adjacent.

A horned devil has a weapon attack, a claw attack, a bite attack, and a sting attack. Like all major demons, they possess fire resistance and poison resistance.

Horned devils are poisonous to consume, which primarily comes up if they are digested by another monster.

Generation

Horned devils are not randomly generated, and normally-created ones are always hostile. The horned devil technically only appears in Gehennom, but cannot be randomly generated there since it is lawful. This also occurs with barbed devils and the erinys.

Horned devils may be generated in graveyards, and the lairs of Asmodeus and Baalzebub will each contain a horned devil upon normal level creation.[1][2] A horned devil appears within Moloch's Sanctum, placed just outside the temple near its southeast corner.[3]

Horned devils can be summoned via the summon nasties monster spell.[4] Horned devils may also appear as minions of chaotic gods and Moloch.

A horned devil is generated with either a trident (34 chance) or a bullwhip (14 chance).[5]

Strategy

The horned devil is among the weakest of the major demons, with lower monster difficulty and hit die but better AC than the barbed devil. They also have a lower difficulty than the water demon, who has an AC closer to the horned devil's but also possesses weaker hit die; this is likely because the water demon is faster and can swim.

Horned devils are slower than an unhasted player, and a fast well-armored character with a well-enchanted blessed and/or silver weapon will have relatively little trouble dispatching one - a wand or cone of cold can usually eliminate them in one or two shots. However, they can still pose a significant threat if they disarm you with their bullwhip, which speedrunners in particular will find a major nuisance - having Excalibur yanked out of your hand, e.g. in the middle of a pitched fight against Asmodeus or Baalzebub, can be fatal. Like other demons, they can also be an unwelcome surprise from polymorph, such as monsters stepping on polymorph traps.

Horned devils are a decent source of tridents and bullwhips for those looking to utilize either.

History

The horned devil is introduced in NetHack 3.0.0.

Variants

In the restructured Gehennom featured within the Lethe patch, Baalzebub's lair contains 5 horned devils.

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, chaotic characters have a chance of receiving a horned devil as a tame minion from sacrificing while at any experience level from 10 to 16.

Four horned devils appear in the newly-added lair of Dispater. There is also a 110 chance that a lemure pit special room may contain a horned devil among the lemures at level creation.

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, there is a 110 chance of the lemure pit special room containing a horned devil, as in SLASH'EM.

SpliceHack

In SpliceHack, horned devils are given a passive quill attack.

EvilHack

In EvilHack, The Idol of Moloch is an artifact figurine of a horned devil and the Infidel quest artifact: It can be applied like a normal figurine to summon a random major demon, including a horned devil, without using up the artifact. This also applies to Hack'EM.

Encyclopedia entry

These devils lack any real special abilities, though they are quite difficult to kill.


References