View source for Scare

In ''[[NetHack]]'', '''scaring''' monsters causes them to '''flee''', which can be useful in many cirumstances. A fleeing monster will generally try to move away from your position in a random direction. However, it can still use [[ranged attack]]s, including offensive [[wand]]s and [[breath weapon]]s - it will even use [[melee]] attacks if the monster happens to be next to you and cannot get away. [[Followers]] that are scared will not pursue you down or up [[stairs]].

Technically, ''NetHack'' has two different [[properties]]: "scared" and "fleeing", with the fleeing behavior being what players generally see. A fleeing monster has a {{frac|25}} chance of recovering per monster move, unless it has a predetermined duration.{{refsrc|monmove.c|357}} A monster that is "scared" cannot attack; this status property can be seen via [[probing]] (e.g. by a [[stethoscope]]). It typically lasts as long as the monster is next to [[Elbereth]], the player is playing a [[tooled horn]], or similar.<ref>[[monmove.c#line513]] resets scaredness after each monster movement.</ref> 

{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Scared hostile monsters that cannot move away will attack. ({{commit|82f0b1e8ea4e54fefdcf97978fe8e0ae713c4b05}})}}

==Methods==
This table does not describe every nuance of each method; see the pages of the individual methods for full details.

{|class="prettytable"
! Method
! Monster can [[Magic resistance (monster)|resist]]?
! Turns
! Advantages
! Limitations
|-
! [[Sanctuary]] in a [[co-aligned]] [[temple]]{{refsrc|monmove.c|267|comment=Sanctuary}}
| align=center|N
| <span class="nowrap">1&ndash;10 ({{frac|6|7}})<br/>1&ndash;100 ({{frac|7}})</span>
| Most comprehensive effect.
| Does not work on {{white|A}} [[angelic being]]s, {{monsymlink|high priest}}s, or {{magenta|&}} the [[Riders]], as well as any minions sent by a god. Does not work if you have [[alignment record|sinned or worse]]. Affects only [[hostile]] monsters.
|-
! Stand on [[Elbereth]]{{refsrc|monmove.c|142|comment=Elbereth}}
| align=center|N
| <span class="nowrap">1&ndash;10 ({{frac|6|7}})<br/>1&ndash;100 ({{frac|7}})</span>
| No tools or skills required, although some items increase its reliability.
| Requires suitable [[Dungeon feature|terrain]]. You cannot [[engrave]] with anything (other than certain wands) while levitating. Will eventually degrade. Does not work on [[blind]]ed creatures with eyes, {{white|@}} [[Human or elf|humans or elves]], {{white|A}} [[angelic being]]s, {{monsymlink|minotaur}}s, or {{magenta|&}} [[Riders]]. Does not work in [[Gehennom]] or the [[Endgame]]. Breaks [[illiterate]] conduct if you engrave it yourself. Affects only [[hostile]] monsters.
|-
! Stand on a dropped [[scroll of scare monster]]{{refsrc|monmove.c|140|comment=dropped scroll of scare monster}}
| align=center|N
| <span class="nowrap">1&ndash;10 ({{frac|6|7}})<br/>1&ndash;100 ({{frac|7}})</span>
| Fast deployment. Portable. Using it does not break [[illiterate]] conduct.
| Requires suitable [[Dungeon feature|terrain]]. Needs to be re-[[blessed]] to be reusable. Can be burned by [[fire]]. Does not work on the [[Wizard of Yendor]], {{white|A}} [[angelic being]]s, or {{magenta|&}} [[Riders]].
|-
! Read a noncursed [[scroll of scare monster]]{{refsrc|read.c|857|comment=read scroll of scare monster}}
| align=center|Y
| Untimed
| Can affect any monster.
| Uses up scroll. Breaks [[illiterate]] conduct.
|-
! Cast {{Spell of|cause fear}}{{refsrc|read.c|858|comment=cast cause fear}}
| align=center|Y
| Untimed
| Can affect any monster.
|
|-
! Improvise on a [[tooled horn]] or an [[charging|uncharged]] [[frost horn]] or [[fire horn]]{{refsrc|music.c|420|comment=tooled horn}}
| align=center|Y
| Untimed
| Always available once acquired. Can affect any monster. Works while [[engulf]]ed. Tool can be used to play [[passtune]].
| Awakens sleeping monsters. Instruments cannot be used [[underwater]]. Abuses wisdom.
|-
! Apply a [[leather drum]]{{refsrc|music.c|459|comment=leather drum}}
| align=center|Y
| Untimed
| Always available once acquired. Can affect any monster. Works while [[engulf]]ed. Larger area of effect than a tooled horn.
| Awakens sleeping monsters. Instruments cannot be used [[underwater]]. Abuses wisdom.
|-
! Apply a [[drum of earthquake]]{{refsrc|music.c|447|comment=drum of earthquake}}
| align=center|Y
| Untimed
| Affects entire level when [[charge]]d. Works while [[engulf]]ed. Works as leather drum once charges are used.
| Creates an earthquake when charged. Awakens sleeping monsters. Instruments cannot be used [[underwater]].
|-
! [[Blind]] a monster by applying an [[expensive camera]] or [[Wand#Breaking wands|breaking]] a [[wand of light]]{{refsrc|uhitm.c|2462|comment=camera or broken wand of light}}
| align=center|N
| <span class="nowrap">1&ndash;100 ({{frac|4}})<br/>Untimed ({{frac|3|4}})</span>
|
| Constant 25% chance of failure. Does not affect [[shopkeeper]]s, {{white|y}} [[Light (monster class)|light]]s, {{monsymlink|archon}}s, or monsters that are [[blind]], have no eyes, or are protected from blinding by an [[artifact]]. Attack [[blind]]s the affected monster. Cameras cannot be used  [[underwater]].
|-
! Apply a [[mirror]] at a monster{{refsrc|apply.c|728|comment=mirror}}
| align=center|N
| [[D notation|2d4]]
| Always available once acquired. Some useful special cases.
| Cannot affect [[humanoid]] monsters, blind monsters (with or without eyes), {{white|u}} [[unicorn]]s, or sleeping monsters. Constant 20% chance of failure. Some useless special cases. Mirrors do not work [[underwater]].
|-
! Hit the monster with [[Magicbane]]{{refsrc|artifact.c|854|comment=Magicbane}}
| align=center|Y ({{frac|2}})<br/>N ({{frac|2}})
| 3
| Always available once acquired. Can affect any monster. Works while [[engulf]]ed.
| The effect occurs only occasionally, and you cannot choose when.
|-
! Use [[turn undead]] ability{{refsrc|pray.c|1736|comment=turn undead ability}}
| align=center|Y
| Untimed
|
| Available only to [[Priest]]s and [[Knight]]s. Cannot be done in Gehennom. Works only on {{white|L}} {{white|M}} {{white|W}} {{white|V}} {{white|Z}} {{white|&nbsp;}}, as well as {{white|i}} and {{white|&}} if the player is level 16 or higher. Will destroy undead instead at higher experience levels. Makes you helpless for 5 turns, and you can be freely attacked by non-undead monsters during that time. It is therefore usually a good idea to engrave Elbereth before you begin using this ability.
|-
! Zap [[wand of undead turning]] or cast {{spell of|turn undead}}{{refsrc|zap.c|157|comment=spell or wand of turn undead}}
| align=center|Y
| Untimed
| 
| Works only on {{white|L}} {{white|M}} {{white|W}} {{white|V}} {{white|Z}} {{white|&nbsp;}} [[undead]].
|-
! Hit [[undead]] with a [[clove of garlic]]{{refsrc|uhitm.c|805|comment=clove of garlic}}
| align=center|N
| [[D notation|2d4]]
| 
| Works only on {{white|L}} {{white|M}} {{white|W}} {{white|V}} {{white|Z}} {{white|&nbsp;}} [[undead]].
|-
! Read the [[blessed]] [[Book of the Dead]] as a non-[[chaotic]]{{refsrc|spell.c|297|comment=blessed book of the dead}}
| align=center|N
| Untimed
| Always available once acquired.
| Works only on {{white|L}} {{white|M}} {{white|W}} {{white|V}} {{white|Z}} {{white|&nbsp;}} [[undead]].
|-
! Stand on an [[altar]]{{refsrc|monmove.c|144|comment=altar}}
| align=center|N
| <span class="nowrap">1&ndash;10 ({{frac|6|7}})<br/>1&ndash;100 ({{frac|7}})</span>
| 
| Works only on {{white|V}} [[vampire]]s
|-
! Get the "This water gives you bad breath!" effect from a [[fountain]]{{refsrc|fountain.c|326|comment=fountain}}
| align=center|N
| Untimed
| Affects all monsters on the level.
| One of several fountain effects; cannot be predicted.
|-
! Reduce a [[monster]] to less than half [[hit points]]{{refsrc|uhitm.c|445|comment=hit points}}
| align=center|N
| <span class="nowrap">1&ndash;100 ({{frac|3}})<br/>Untimed ({{frac|2|3}})</span>
| 
| Happens only 4% of the time.
|-
! [[Shattering blow|Shatter]] a [[monster]]'s [[weapon]]{{refsrc|uhitm.c|634|comment=shattered weapon}}
| align=center|N
| [[D notation|2d3]]
| 
| Shattering occurs at most 2.5% of the time, less if your weapon is eroded, and even upon a successful shattering the monster only flees 75% of the time. You must be wielding a two-handed weapon and be at least skilled, or be a Samurai wielding a katana with nothing in your other hand.
|-
! Cause a monster to use a [[defensive item]] or [[dungeon feature]]{{refsrc|muse.c|539|comment=monster uses defensive item or feature}}
| align=center|N
| 3&ndash;33 (depends on [[hit points]])
| 
| Usually you don't want the monster to use up ([[charge]]s in) its items.
|-
! Have an item [[Theft (attack)|stolen]] by a monster{{refsrc|mhitu.c|1312|comment=monster stole from you}}
| align=center|N
| Untimed
| 
| You must have an item stolen first.
|-
! Encounter a {{monsymlink|leprechaun}} with more [[gold]] than you{{refsrc|monmove.c|737|comment=leprechaun moves away from you}}
| align=center|N
| 2
|
| Leprechauns are not technically scared, however the intent and result are similar to the case of stealing an item, and much of the movement code is shared. It is harder to acquire the leprechaun's gold, and leprechauns are rarely dangerous anyway.
|-
! Encounter a {{white|;}} [[sea monster]] out of water{{refsrc|mon.c|478|comment=sea monster}}
| align=center|N
| 2
| These creatures are vulnerable when out of water and always flee when they are.
| These creatures are only ever generated to initialize watery levels. The only time you are likely to see them out of it is due to a polymorphed monster or reverse genocide.
|-
! Be healed by a {{monsymlink|nurse}}{{refsrc|mhitu.c|1412|comment=nurse}}
| align=center|N
| [[D notation|3d6]]
| 
| Happens {{frac|33}} of the time. Slows down [[nurse dancing]].
|-
! Fail to [[Pet#Displacing_a_pet|displace]] a [[pet]]{{refsrc|uhitm.c|333|comment=displace a pet}}
| align=center|N
| 1&ndash;6
| 
| Only affects pets.
|-
! Attack a [[pet]]{{refsrc|uhitm.c|995|comment=attack a pet}}
| align=center|N
| 10 &times; (1&nbsp;&minus; damage dealt)
| 
| Only affects pets. Attacking a pet reduces [[tameness]]. Accidentally killing your pet will reduce your alignment.
|-
! [[Kick]] a [[pet]]{{refsrc|dokick.c|68|comment=kick a pet}}
| align=center|N
| 1 &minus; damage dealt
| 
| Only affects pets. Kicking a pet reduces [[tameness]]. Accidentally killing your pet will reduce your alignment.
|}

{{nethack-360}}

==Effect==
If you are [[grabbing attack|grabbed]] or [[engulf]]ed by a monster, scaring it will cause it to release or expel you.{{refsrc|monmove.c|215|comment=scaring a monster releases you}}

A fleeing monster will usually try to get further away from you{{refsrc|monmove.c|716|comment=monster runs away}} unless it is trapped{{refsrc|monmove.c|614|comment=trapped monsters can't run away}} or eating.{{refsrc|monmove.c|621|comment=eating monsters don't run away}} However, it will retrace its steps only around 25% of the time;{{refsrc|monmove.c|935}} if you scare a monster in a narrow corridor, it will have nowhere to go and just stand still, attacking you.<ref>[https://github.com/tung/NitroHack/commit/f71440b50978c44587b58c1f2d6c39aedd8474b7 Nitrohack and DynaHack fix this bug.]</ref>

The following monsters have special code to handle their movements, and will not always move away from you while scared:

*[[pet]]s{{refsrc|monmove.c|644|comment=pets have special movement}}
*[[shopkeeper]]s{{refsrc|monmove.c|644|comment=shopkeepers have special movement}}
*{{monsymlink|guard}}s{{refsrc|monmove.c|658|comment=guards have special movement}}
*[[covetous]] monsters{{refsrc|monmove.c|665|comment=covetous monsters have special movement}}
*{{monsymlink|aligned priest}}s{{refsrc|monmove.c|685|comment=aligned priests have special movement}}

A fleeing monster may attack you in melee if it blunders into you when you are [[invisible]] or [[displacement|displaced]], or if it is [[confused]], [[stun]]ned, [[blind]]ed,{{refsrc|monmove.c|979|comment=impaired monsters may attack you}} or cornered. Monsters will never melee when adjacent to a square they think is protected by sanctuary, Elbereth, or a scroll of scare monster (or an altar if a vampire).{{refsrc|monmove.c|548|comment=Sanctuary, Elbereth and scare monster prevent attacks altogether}}

Monsters will still use [[ranged attack]]s while fleeing.

A monster will stop fleeing when any time has expired. If the scaring is untimed, it will stop fleeing 4% of the time on each move it makes, if its [[hit points]] are at maximum.{{refsrc|monmove.c|356|comment=ending an untimed scare}}

==Strategy==

There is no single perfect method of scaring enemies; all methods either allow monsters to [[Magic resistance (monster)|resist]] or have significant exceptions. Thus it pays to keep multiple methods available. For example, sanctuary or Elbereth will not scare a [[ki-rin]], but because this [[angelic being]] is not [[humanoid]], applying a mirror will scare it 80% of the time. A high-level player might scare it with a spell of cause fear, but this will be successful less frequently than the humble mirror.

Typically, you can rely on Elbereth in the early game, until you start meeting hostile {{white|@}} [[human or elf|humans or elves]]. Lower-difficulty monsters in this group typically have little or no [[Magic resistance (monster)|magic resistance]] and can be scared by an instrument, spell, or wand. Later in the game, higher-difficulty {{white|A}} [[angelic being]]s and {{white|@}} [[human or elf|humans or elves]] have higher resistance and are thus harder to scare; however, at that point you will not need to scare monsters as often in order to survive.

The utility of scaring a monster depends on its behavior. If you want to avoid a monster's melee attack, scaring is is very useful. This makes it ideal for creatures such as {{monsymlink|cockatrice}}s and {{monsymlink|master mind flayer}}s. Once you have [[magic resistance]] and [[cold resistance]], however, scaring an {{monsymlink|arch-lich}} is of dubious benefit.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Monster attributes]]
{{nethack-343}}