Difference between revisions of "Horned devil"

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==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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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. Horned devils can also be summoned if a lawful spellcaster casts the [[summon nasties]] [[monster spell]];{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|44|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} they also serve as [[minion]]s for chaotic gods and [[Moloch]].
  
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 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.{{refsrc|dat/gehennom.des|492|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}{{refsrc|dat/gehennom.des|578|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} Another horned devil appears within [[Moloch's Sanctum]], placed just outside the temple near its southeast corner.{{refsrc|dat/gehennom.des|689|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
  
 
They are [[Monster starting inventory|generated with]] either a [[trident]] (75% chance) or a [[bullwhip]] (25% chance).
 
They are [[Monster starting inventory|generated with]] either a [[trident]] (75% chance) or a [[bullwhip]] (25% chance).
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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.
 
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.
  
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, well-enchanted and/or silver weapon 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 shots.
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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, well-enchanted and/or silver weapon 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 shots. However, they can still pose a significant threat if one generates with a bullwhip and manages to disarm you, especially if this means being robbed of something like [[Excalibur]] in the middle of a pitched fight against more powerful demons (e.g., [[Asmodeus]] or [[Baalzebub]]).
  
 
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.
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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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===SLASH'EM===
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In [[SLASH'EM]], chaotic players have a chance of receiving a horned devil minion as a servant from sacrificing while at any experience level ranging from 10 to 16.
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Four horned devils appear in [[Dispater's lair (SLASH'EM)|the 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.
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===UnNetHack===
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As with SLASH'EM, the is a {{frac|10}} chance of the [[lemure pit]] [[Special room (UnNetHack)|special room]] containing a horned devil.
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===Lethe patch===
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In the restructured [[Gehennom (Lethe patch)|Gehennom]] featured within the [[Lethe patch]], Baalzebub's lair
  
 
==Encyclopedia Entry==
 
==Encyclopedia Entry==

Revision as of 15:01, 13 May 2021

The horned devil, &, is a major demon that appears in NetHack.

Generation

The horned devil is flagged to only appear in Gehennom, but no lawful creatures can be randomly generated there - thus, they are effectively never randomly generated. This trait also occurs with barbed devils and the erinys, though all three are still eligible to be generated via gating by other major demons. Horned devils can also be summoned if a lawful spellcaster casts the summon nasties monster spell;[1] they also serve as minions for chaotic gods and Moloch.

Horned devils are still generated in graveyards; in addition, the lairs of Asmodeus and Baalzebub will each contain a horned devil upon normal level creation.[2][3] Another horned devil appears within Moloch's Sanctum, placed just outside the temple near its southeast corner.[4]

They are generated with either a trident (75% chance) or a bullwhip (25% chance).

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.

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, well-enchanted and/or silver weapon will have relatively little trouble dispatching one. Horned devils are also weak to cold attacks, and a wand or cone of cold can eliminate them in one or two shots. However, they can still pose a significant threat if one generates with a bullwhip and manages to disarm you, especially if this means being robbed of something like Excalibur in the middle of a pitched fight against more powerful demons (e.g., Asmodeus or Baalzebub).

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

SLASH'EM

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

Four horned devils appear in the lair of Dispater. There is also a 110 chance that a lemure pit special room may contain a horned devil.

UnNetHack

As with SLASH'EM, the is a 110 chance of the lemure pit special room containing a horned devil.

Lethe patch

In the restructured Gehennom featured within the Lethe patch, Baalzebub's lair

Encyclopedia Entry

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