Sandestin
& sandestin 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 15 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 2d6, weapon 2d6 |
| Base level | 13 |
| Base experience | 308 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | 4 |
| Base MR | 60 |
| Alignment | −5 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 1 (Very rare) |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 1500 |
| Nutritional value | 400 |
| Size | Medium |
| Resistances | Stoning |
| Resistances conveyed |
None |
|
A sandestin:
| |
| Reference | monst.c#line2789 |
A sandestin, &, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. The sandestin is a strong humanoid shapeshifter that is one of the few non-demon monsters in the demon monster class - in their base form they have infravision, can be seen via infravision, will seek out and pick up weapons, armor and food, and can follow the player character to other levels if they are adjacent.
Sandestins have a 1⁄6 chance of changing form each turn: they will turn into monsters that can be created by the summon nasties monster spell 6⁄7 of the time, and will otherwise turn into a random monster.
A sandestin has two weapon attacks, and possesses stoning resistance.
Generation
Randomly generated sandestins may be peaceful towards chaotic characters that have not obtained the Amulet of Yendor at any point, and are only randomly generated in Gehennom. They are not valid forms for polymorph.
A sandestin does not leave a corpse upon death.
Strategy
It is quite possible to play NetHack for a long time without knowing the existence of sandestins, as they always mimic other monsters and leave no corpses. One possible tell is that they will often be peaceful to chaotic players, even in the forms of otherwise-hostile monsters that they will usually take. A ring of protection from shape changers will also reveal a sandestin.
Encyclopedia entry
Ildefonse left the terrace and almost immediately sounds of contention came from the direction of the work-room. Ildefonse presently returned to the terrace, followed by Osherl and a second sandestin using the guise of a gaunt blue bird-like creature, some six feet in height.
Ildefonse spoke in scathing tones: "Behold these two creatures! They can roam the chronoplex as easily as you or I can walk around the table; yet neither has the wit to announce his presence upon arrival. I found Osherl asleep in his fulgurite and Sarsem perched in the rafters."
[...]
"No matter," said Rhialto. "He has brought Sarsem, and this was his requirement. In the main, Osherl, you have done well!"
"And my indenture point?"
"Much depends upon Sarsem's testimony. Sarsem, will you sit?"
"In this guise, I find it more convenient to stand."
"Then why not alter to human form and join us in comfort at the table?"
"That is a good idea." Sarsem became a naked young epicene in an integument of lavender scales with puffs of purple hair like pom-poms growing down his back. He seated himself at the table but declined refreshment. "This human semblance, though typical, is after all, only a guise. If I were to put such things inside myself, I might well become uneasy."
