Difference between revisions of "Killer bee"

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A '''killer bee''', {{monsym|killer_bee}}, is a [[monster]] that is usually generated in large groups. They tend to be faster than you, so they can get more than one sting in each turn. Sometimes their sting is [[poison]]ed, which can [[instadeath|instakill]] you if you are not resistant. Their corpses are poisonous but have a high chance (30%) of granting [[poison resistance]].
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The '''killer bee''', {{monsym|killer bee}}, is a [[monster]] that appears in [[NetHack]]. While not especially strong individually, they are quite fast and their sting is [[poison]]ed, which can [[instadeath|instakill]] you if you are not resistant. Their corpses are poisonous, but have a decent chance (30%) of granting [[poison resistance]].
  
 
== Generation ==
 
== Generation ==
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Killer bees are most likely to be generated in large [[group]]s.
  
A [[beehive]] is a special room that contains lots of killer bees, a queen bee, and [[lump of royal jelly|lumps of royal jelly]].
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A [[beehive]] is one of the [[special room]]s that may appear in the dungeon, and contains lots of killer bees, a [[queen bee]], and [[lumps of royal jelly]].
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
Killer bees are fast but weak. A medium-level character with a good chance to hit can often finish them off in one hit. This works best if you fight them in corridors where only one can sting you at a time. For low-level, slow, burdened, or non-poison-resistant characters, discretion is the better part of valor. High [[magic cancellation]] will offer considerable protection against the poisonous sting. [[Elbereth]] can offer some breathing room. Head to a corridor or doorway so you only need to fight one at a time. An effective and pacifist alternative is to lead the bees to a [[falling rock trap]], which will dispose of them quickly. If you can't get away easily or are surrounded, you will need to look in your inventory for a suitable [[wand]] or escape item.
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Despite their offensive threat, killer bees have low HP, and will often die in a couple of hits; however, they have a low natural AC, making them hard to hit in the first place. If you are low-level, slow, burdened, or lack poison resistance, discretion is the better part of valor; [[Elbereth]] can offer some breathing room if you find it difficult to avoid them. If you plan to actually fight back, drawing them into narrow corridors is a valuable tactic to handle them one at a time. Be prepared to use a suitable [[wand]] or escape item.
  
Although killer bee corpses are poisonous, they offer a high chance (30%) of granting poison resistance, which you might like to take advantage of, especially if you have a temporary source of poison resistance like an [[amulet versus poison]] or a [[ring of poison resistance]] or are nullifying the strength penalty through the use of a [[ring of sustain ability]], [[unicorn horn]], or [[tinning kit]]. You will never suffer [[instadeath]] from eating their corpses, although the poison damage itself may kill you if you are low on HP.
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A source of extrinsic poison resistance, such as an [[alchemy smock]] or [[amulet versus poison]], will prevent the worst of the damage from the stings; high [[magic cancellation]] from armor can offer some protection as a last resort. An effective alternative, especially for pacifists, is to lead the bees to a [[falling rock trap]], which will dispose of them quickly.
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Although killer bee corpses are poisonous, they also confer intrinsic poison resistance; this makes them useful to consume, but the poison will damage you and induce [[strength]] loss. A [[tinning kit]] removes the harmful effects completely and slightly increases the nutrition provided; extrinsic poison resistance will negate the strength loss, and the damage to your HP is significantly reduced. You can also nullify the strength penalty through the use of a [[ring of sustain ability]], or reverse it with a [[unicorn horn]].
  
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
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* [[Beehive]]
 
* [[Beehive]]
 
* [[Queen bee]]
 
* [[Queen bee]]
{{nethack-360}}
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{{nethack-364}}
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]

Revision as of 04:52, 1 February 2020

The killer bee, a, is a monster that appears in NetHack. While not especially strong individually, they are quite fast and their sting is poisoned, which can instakill you if you are not resistant. Their corpses are poisonous, but have a decent chance (30%) of granting poison resistance.

Generation

Killer bees are most likely to be generated in large groups.

A beehive is one of the special rooms that may appear in the dungeon, and contains lots of killer bees, a queen bee, and lumps of royal jelly.

Strategy

Despite their offensive threat, killer bees have low HP, and will often die in a couple of hits; however, they have a low natural AC, making them hard to hit in the first place. If you are low-level, slow, burdened, or lack poison resistance, discretion is the better part of valor; Elbereth can offer some breathing room if you find it difficult to avoid them. If you plan to actually fight back, drawing them into narrow corridors is a valuable tactic to handle them one at a time. Be prepared to use a suitable wand or escape item.

A source of extrinsic poison resistance, such as an alchemy smock or amulet versus poison, will prevent the worst of the damage from the stings; high magic cancellation from armor can offer some protection as a last resort. An effective alternative, especially for pacifists, is to lead the bees to a falling rock trap, which will dispose of them quickly.

Although killer bee corpses are poisonous, they also confer intrinsic poison resistance; this makes them useful to consume, but the poison will damage you and induce strength loss. A tinning kit removes the harmful effects completely and slightly increases the nutrition provided; extrinsic poison resistance will negate the strength loss, and the damage to your HP is significantly reduced. You can also nullify the strength penalty through the use of a ring of sustain ability, or reverse it with a unicorn horn.

Encyclopedia entry

This giant variety of its useful normal cousin normally
appears in small groups, looking for raw material to produce
the royal jelly needed to feed their queen. On rare
occasions, one may stumble upon a bee-hive, in which the
queen bee is being well provided for, and guarded against
intruders.

See also


This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.

It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.6.4. Information on this page may be out of date.

Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-364}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.