Kobold

Kobold is the monster class whose monsters are represented by k. The four members of this class are described below.

All kobolds are poisonous to eat, but do not convey poison resistance. Kobolds are with a 25% probability generated with 3-14 darts. In German mythology, Kobolds normally start out as benevolent nix, but are either ignored or angered by humans, causing them to act out, or in this case, attack.

Kobolds will "grunt" when #chatted to, and will pick up and equip appropriate weapons and armor.

Kobold

k kobold
Difficulty	1
Attacks	Weapon 1d4

k kobold
Difficulty	1
Attacks	Weapon 1d4
Base level	0
Base experience	6
Speed	6
Base AC	10
Base MR	0
Alignment	-2 (chaotic)
Frequency (by normal means)	1 (Very rare)
Genocidable	Yes
Weight	400
Nutritional value	100
Size	Small
Resistances	Poison
Resistances conveyed	None
A kobold: has a head, a couple of arms, and a torso. is poisonous to eat. is omnivorous. is normally generated hostile. can pick up weapons and food. has infravision. can be seen through infravision.
Reference	monst.c#line569

An ordinary kobold is one of the easiest monsters in the game.

Large kobold

k large kobold
Difficulty	2
Attacks	Weapon 1d6

k large kobold
Difficulty	2
Attacks	Weapon 1d6
Base level	1
Base experience	13
Speed	6
Base AC	10
Base MR	0
Alignment	-3 (chaotic)
Frequency (by normal means)	1 (Very rare)
Genocidable	Yes
Weight	450
Nutritional value	150
Size	Small
Resistances	Poison
Resistances conveyed	None
A large kobold: has a head, a couple of arms, and a torso. is poisonous to eat. is omnivorous. is normally generated hostile. can pick up weapons and food. has infravision. can be seen through infravision.
Reference	monst.c#line576

Kobolds can grow up to be large kobolds.

Kobold lord

k kobold lord
Difficulty	3
Attacks	Weapon 2d4

k kobold lord
Difficulty	3
Attacks	Weapon 2d4
Base level	2
Base experience	22
Speed	6
Base AC	10
Base MR	0
Alignment	-4 (chaotic)
Frequency (by normal means)	1 (Very rare)
Genocidable	Yes
Weight	500
Nutritional value	200
Size	Small
Resistances	Poison
Resistances conveyed	None
A kobold lord: has a head, a couple of arms, and a torso. is poisonous to eat. is omnivorous. is a lord to its kind. is male. is normally generated hostile. can pick up weapons and food. has infravision. can be seen through infravision.
Reference	monst.c#line583

Large kobolds can grow up to become kobold lords.

Kobold shaman

k kobold shaman
Difficulty	4
Attacks	Magic spell-casting

k kobold shaman
Difficulty	4
Attacks	Magic spell-casting
Base level	2
Base experience	27
Speed	6
Base AC	6
Base MR	10
Alignment	-4 (chaotic)
Frequency (by normal means)	1 (Very rare)
Genocidable	Yes
Weight	450
Nutritional value	150
Size	Small
Resistances	Poison
Resistances conveyed	None
A kobold shaman: has a head, a couple of arms, and a torso. is poisonous to eat. is omnivorous. is normally generated hostile. can pick up magical items. has infravision. can be seen through infravision.
Reference	monst.c#line591

Kobold shamans are among the lowest-level spellcasting monsters in NetHack. Typically, they can only cast psi bolt, cure self, and haste self.

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack kobolds will attack any elves they see, (and vice versa) as part of Nephi's grudge patch.

Encyclopedia entry

The race of kobolds are reputed to be an artificial creation
of a master wizard (demi-god?). They are about 3' tall with
a vaguely dog-like face. They bear a violent dislike of the
Elven race, and will go out of their way to cause trouble
for Elves at any time.

References

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It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.4.3. Information on this page may be out of date.

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