Difference between revisions of "Purple worm"

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m (Polymorph: Document 3.7 change to allow intrinsic gain from swallowing monsters whole (c78e7af))
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{{monster
 
|name=baby purple worm
 
|difficulty=9
 
|level=8
 
|experience=113
 
|speed=3
 
|AC=5
 
|MR=0
 
|align=0
 
|frequency=0
 
|genocidable=Yes
 
|attacks=Bite 1d6
 
|weight=600
 
|nutr=250
 
|size=Large
 
|resistances=None
 
|resistances conveyed=None
 
|attributes={{attributes|A baby purple worm|=
 
|animal=1|slithy=1|nolimbs=1|carnivore=1|hostile=1}}
 
|reference=[[monst.c#line915]]
 
}}
 
 
{{monster
 
{{monster
 
  |difficulty=17
 
  |difficulty=17
Line 36: Line 15:
 
  |resistances=None
 
  |resistances=None
 
  |resistances conveyed=None
 
  |resistances conveyed=None
  |attributes={{attributes|A purple worm|=
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  |attributes={{attributes|A purple worm|animal=1|slithy=1|nolimbs=1|oviparous=1|carnivore=1|hostile=1|strong=1|nasty=1}}
|animal=1|slithy=1|nolimbs=1|oviparous=1|carnivore=1|hostile=1|strong=1|nasty=1}}
 
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line928]]
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line928]]
 
}}
 
}}
The '''purple worm''' is a [[monster]] in [[NetHack]].  It is a popular [[pet]] due to its [[engulfing]] attack, which can kill any monster that is [[large]] or smaller in one hit ("Burrrrp!").
 
  
Purple worms will eat [[shrieker]]s on sight; the reason given for this is that purple worms enjoy eating shriekers. {{refsrc|src/mon.c|1391|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
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A '''purple worm''', {{monsym|purple worm}}, is a type of [[monster]] in that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It has a bite attack, as well as an [[engulfing]] attack that can potentially [[digest]] [[you]] and will also instantly kill monsters that are [[large]] in size or smaller.
  
When polymorphed into a purple worm, you [[Warned of monster type|sense shriekers on the level]].
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Purple worms enjoy eating [[shrieker]]s, and will attack any that they come across;{{refsrc|src/mon.c|1560|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} while [[Polyself|polymorphed]] into a purple worm, you are [[Warned of monster type|warned of shriekers on the level]].
  
== Generation ==
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{{upcoming|3.7.0|Purple worms that engulf monsters can gain intrinsics as they would from eating that monster's corpse.}}
1/13 of the monsters a shrieker summons with its shriek are purple worms; this can rarely cause a purple worm to appear very early in the dungeon.
 
  
{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Baby purple worms now appear in place of adult purple worms when the latter would be out of depth. Baby purple worms also sense shriekers.}}
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==Generation==
 +
In addition to random generation, a shrieker's shrieking will will summon a purple worm {{frac|13}} of the time, regardless of depth. A [[baby purple worm]] can [[grow up]] into a purple worm.
  
== Strategy ==
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{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Baby purple worms now appear in place of adult purple worms when the latter would be out of depth. Baby purple worms can also sense shriekers.}}
  
===Combat===
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==Strategy==
Purple worms tend to be dangerous if you are unprepared. This is because the purple worm can engulf you, and as soon that happens it will start to [[digest]] you ("The purple worm digests you!"). If you are not able to kill the purple worm fast, it will kill you. To ensure survival after being engulfed, immediately zap a [[wand of digging]]. The purple worm will have its health points dropped to 1, so one hit will get rid of it. See also [[engulfing]]. If you are wielding a cockatrice or chickatrice corpse, stoning the purple worm while inside will give the message: '''"You jump through an opening in the new statue of a purple worm."'''
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Purple worms are both fearsome enemies and popular [[pet]]s due to their digestion attack. Though they are slow at 9 [[speed]], hostile purple worms are usually the strongest and fastest monsters with digestion attacks that you will encounter, requiring you to dispatch them quickly. If you see a purple worm approaching, you can use your best ranged attacks to kill or weaken it before it can engulf you. A purple worm's [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 20 is not too impressive, but can be enough to make some spell-based approaches less than completely reliable.
  
Wearing a [[ring of slow digestion]] will prevent a purple worm from killing you via engulfing, causing it to spit you out near-immediately.
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One of the most common means of escaping the stomach of a purple worm is to zap a [[wand of digging]]: this reduces its health to 1 and forces you out, allowing you to kill it easily. A [[footrice]] [[corpse]] or [[egg]] can also turn the purple worm to stone, and will free you if done while being digested. Wearing a [[ring of slow digestion]] will prevent a purple worm from engulfing you in the first place.
  
Ranged attacks are of course also an option.
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===Purple worms and pets===
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As the purple worm's digestion attack can instakill monsters, avoid leaving pets around purple worms if at all possible ''unless'' they are too large in size to be digested. Even [[Archon]]s and other common powerful pet choices can be killed easily if a purple worm lands a digestion attack on them. While this does not apply to a [[steed]] you are currently riding, a purple worm that engulfs you while riding will force you to dismount, leaving your pet vulnerable the next time you are spit out.
  
===Leaving pets near purple worms===
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===Purple worms as pets===
Be careful when leaving pets around purple worms, as they will run up to the worm and promptly be engulfed. Pets that are engulfed die instantly. This is a good way to lose a very powerful pet. This does not apply to pets that are being ridden. ''However'', if a purple worm engulfs you while you are riding, it will force you to dismount and your pet will be vulnerable.
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Purple worms' digestion attacks also make them powerful pets in their own right, for the same reasons that make them threats to your other pets. A purple worm can also be raised to a monster level beyond its normal maximum by engulfing [[wraiths]] or eating wraith corpses. Unfortunately, they are extremely vulnerable to [[shapeshifter]]s: engulfing them alive or eating their corpse will polymorph the worm.
  
===As pets===
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{{upcoming|3.7.0|As of {{commit|1a2d844a22358402a93cedbc22ebe7cc32bb0255|commit 1a2d844}}, digestion will not affect incorporeal monsters such as wraiths.
Purple worms make powerful pets, as they can instantly kill things by engulfing them. Unfortunately, they are extremely vulnerable to [[shapeshifter]]s because engulfing them alive or eating their corpse will polymorph the worm.
 
  
{{upcoming|3.7.0|Pets will no longer eat shapeshifter corpses unless they are starving or on the verge of untaming.}}
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Pets will no longer eat shapeshifter corpses unless they are starving or on the verge of untaming.}}
  
Pet worms can level quickly and reach levels beyond their normal maximum by engulfing [[wraiths]].
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===Purple rain===
 
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Some players reverse-genocide purple worms when they get to the Astral Plane, tame them, and then break a [[wand of teleportation]] or warp them around the Plane through some other means in order to thin the hordes standing between them and the [[high altars]] - this is known informally as '''"purple rain"'''.
In addition, some players reverse-genocide purple worms when they get to the Astral Plane, tame them, and send them out (usually with a wand of teleportation) to thin the hordes.
 
  
 
===Polymorph===
 
===Polymorph===
Polymorphing yourself into a purple worm allows you to dispatch even elusive and powerful enemies, such as the dreaded [[arch-lich]], in a single turn by engulfing and digesting them -- so long as you are not wearing a [[ring of slow digestion]]. The lack of [[limb]]s, however, impedes prolonged progress in this state, and you must take special care not to swallow deadly prey such as a [[cockatrice]]. Note that when you engulf a wraith, you only get the normal XP for the kill, and do not gain a level like a pet does.
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Polymorphing yourself into a purple worm allows you to dispatch elusive and powerful enemies such as the dreaded [[arch-lich]] in a single turn, so long as you are not wearing a [[ring of slow digestion]]. However, a lack of [[limb]]s will impede prolonged progress in this state, and you must take special care not to swallow deadly prey such as a [[cockatrice]]. Engulf a wraith while polymorphed does not increase your experience level as with pets.
 
 
  
 
{{upcoming|3.7.0|The hero may get the normal secondary effects from eating a corpse, including intrinsics and/or level gain from wraith corpses, from swallowing a foe in a purple worm polyform.}}
 
{{upcoming|3.7.0|The hero may get the normal secondary effects from eating a corpse, including intrinsics and/or level gain from wraith corpses, from swallowing a foe in a purple worm polyform.}}
  
== Encyclopedia entry ==
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==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|<poem>
 
{{encyclopedia|<poem>
 
A gargantuan version of the harmless rain-worm, the purple worm poses a huge threat to the ordinary adventurer.  It is known to swallow whole and digest its victims within only a few minutes.  These worms are always on guard, sensitive to the most minute vibrations in the earth, but may also be awakened by a remote shriek.
 
A gargantuan version of the harmless rain-worm, the purple worm poses a huge threat to the ordinary adventurer.  It is known to swallow whole and digest its victims within only a few minutes.  These worms are always on guard, sensitive to the most minute vibrations in the earth, but may also be awakened by a remote shriek.
 
</poem>}}
 
</poem>}}
  
== References ==
+
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
{{nethack-360}}
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]

Revision as of 05:02, 23 September 2023

A purple worm, w, is a type of monster in that appears in NetHack. It has a bite attack, as well as an engulfing attack that can potentially digest you and will also instantly kill monsters that are large in size or smaller.

Purple worms enjoy eating shriekers, and will attack any that they come across;[1] while polymorphed into a purple worm, you are warned of shriekers on the level.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Purple worms that engulf monsters can gain intrinsics as they would from eating that monster's corpse.

Generation

In addition to random generation, a shrieker's shrieking will will summon a purple worm 113 of the time, regardless of depth. A baby purple worm can grow up into a purple worm.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Baby purple worms now appear in place of adult purple worms when the latter would be out of depth. Baby purple worms can also sense shriekers.

Strategy

Purple worms are both fearsome enemies and popular pets due to their digestion attack. Though they are slow at 9 speed, hostile purple worms are usually the strongest and fastest monsters with digestion attacks that you will encounter, requiring you to dispatch them quickly. If you see a purple worm approaching, you can use your best ranged attacks to kill or weaken it before it can engulf you. A purple worm's MR score of 20 is not too impressive, but can be enough to make some spell-based approaches less than completely reliable.

One of the most common means of escaping the stomach of a purple worm is to zap a wand of digging: this reduces its health to 1 and forces you out, allowing you to kill it easily. A footrice corpse or egg can also turn the purple worm to stone, and will free you if done while being digested. Wearing a ring of slow digestion will prevent a purple worm from engulfing you in the first place.

Purple worms and pets

As the purple worm's digestion attack can instakill monsters, avoid leaving pets around purple worms if at all possible unless they are too large in size to be digested. Even Archons and other common powerful pet choices can be killed easily if a purple worm lands a digestion attack on them. While this does not apply to a steed you are currently riding, a purple worm that engulfs you while riding will force you to dismount, leaving your pet vulnerable the next time you are spit out.

Purple worms as pets

Purple worms' digestion attacks also make them powerful pets in their own right, for the same reasons that make them threats to your other pets. A purple worm can also be raised to a monster level beyond its normal maximum by engulfing wraiths or eating wraith corpses. Unfortunately, they are extremely vulnerable to shapeshifters: engulfing them alive or eating their corpse will polymorph the worm.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

As of commit 1a2d844, digestion will not affect incorporeal monsters such as wraiths.

Pets will no longer eat shapeshifter corpses unless they are starving or on the verge of untaming.

Purple rain

Some players reverse-genocide purple worms when they get to the Astral Plane, tame them, and then break a wand of teleportation or warp them around the Plane through some other means in order to thin the hordes standing between them and the high altars - this is known informally as "purple rain".

Polymorph

Polymorphing yourself into a purple worm allows you to dispatch elusive and powerful enemies such as the dreaded arch-lich in a single turn, so long as you are not wearing a ring of slow digestion. However, a lack of limbs will impede prolonged progress in this state, and you must take special care not to swallow deadly prey such as a cockatrice. Engulf a wraith while polymorphed does not increase your experience level as with pets.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

The hero may get the normal secondary effects from eating a corpse, including intrinsics and/or level gain from wraith corpses, from swallowing a foe in a purple worm polyform.

Encyclopedia entry

A gargantuan version of the harmless rain-worm, the purple worm poses a huge threat to the ordinary adventurer. It is known to swallow whole and digest its victims within only a few minutes. These worms are always on guard, sensitive to the most minute vibrations in the earth, but may also be awakened by a remote shriek.


References