Difference between revisions of "Shade"

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A '''shade''' is an undead creature, created by black magic. In vanilla [[NetHack]], the [[ghost]] and shade are the only members of the "[[ghost (monster class)|ghost]]" [[monster class]].
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A '''shade''', {{monsym|shade}}, is a type of undead [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. They are capable of phasing and [[see invisible]] like other [[ghost (monster class)|ghosts]], and are incredibly dangerous due to their slowing attack removing intrinsic [[speed]] and (temporarily) extrinsic speed - it can also cause [[paralysis]], leaving the player vulnerable to other more dangerous creatures.
  
The shade's danger lies not in its damage, but in that it can remove intrinsic [[speed]] and (temporarily) extrinsic speed, and cause [[paralysis]], leaving the player vulnerable to the attacks of other more dangerous creatures.
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Shades can only be harmed with [[blessed]] weapons, [[silver]] objects, [[magic]], or [[artifact weapon]]s - [[mirror]]s count as silver objects for this purpose, but will only deal 1 point of damage and break if used to attack them.{{refsrc|uhitm.c|1082}})
  
It cannot be harmed except with [[blessed]] or [[silver|silver objects]], [[magic]], [[artifact weapon|artifacts]] or a [[mirror]] (which does 1 point of damage and breaks; according to the source there is "silver in the reflective surface"{{refsrc|uhitm.c|1082}}).
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==Generation==
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[[Orcus-town]] is the only place where shades appear. Six shades are generated on the level upon entering in normal circumstances - two are placed next to [[Orcus]], and the other four are placed randomly in the town.{{refsrc|dat/gehennom.des|398|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
  
Shades can also move freely through [[solid rock]], and can see [[invisible]] creatures.
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==Strategy==
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A silver weapon, [[MC]]3 and/or [[free action]] are highly recommended in the presence of shades - if you have made it this far without any of those available to you, or else you do not want to fight them (e.g. during a [[speed ascension]]), you can scare away the shades using an applicable instrument, such as a [[bugle]] or [[tooled horn]].
  
== Generation ==
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Players who wish to fight them but lack a silver weapon can use the [[Bell of Opening]] or any other silver item against them - [[silver arrow]]s will not work unless [[fire]]d from a [[bow]]. Unarmed combat with [[blessed]] [[gloves]] or a silver [[ring]] and no gloves can also work, as does wielding the silver ring, though this is comparatively much slower. A non-weapon silver object will not break [[weaponless]] conduct.
 
 
[[Orcus-town]] is the only place where shades appear, and they are only generated when you enter it for the first time.  Six shades are generated in total: two are placed next to [[Orcus]], four are placed randomly in the town.{{refsrc|dat/gehennom.des|398|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
 
 
 
== Strategy ==
 
 
 
If you've gotten this far without an alternative, you can use the [[Bell of Opening]] or any other [[silver|silver item]] that isn't a [[silver arrow]] (unless you're shooting the arrows with your [[bow]]) against them. Unarmed gloveless combat with a silver [[ring]] equipped can also work, as can unarmed combat with [[blessed]] [[gloves]] (although this is very slow), or simply wielding the silver ring (regardless of whether or not you are wearing gloves). Of these alternatives, wielding a silver object is most advisable, because it gives you d20 silver damage as opposed to only d4 blessed damage and does not require you to remove your armor. A non-weapon silver object will not break wielded weaponless conduct.
 
 
 
[[Magic cancellation]] level three or [[free action]] is highly recommended.
 
  
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
Shades are undead creatures.  They differ from zombies in
 
Shades are undead creatures.  They differ from zombies in
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== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
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{{nethack-343}}
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
{{nethack-343}}
 

Revision as of 08:44, 20 October 2021

A shade,  , is a type of undead monster that appears in NetHack. They are capable of phasing and see invisible like other ghosts, and are incredibly dangerous due to their slowing attack removing intrinsic speed and (temporarily) extrinsic speed - it can also cause paralysis, leaving the player vulnerable to other more dangerous creatures.

Shades can only be harmed with blessed weapons, silver objects, magic, or artifact weapons - mirrors count as silver objects for this purpose, but will only deal 1 point of damage and break if used to attack them.[1])

Generation

Orcus-town is the only place where shades appear. Six shades are generated on the level upon entering in normal circumstances - two are placed next to Orcus, and the other four are placed randomly in the town.[2]

Strategy

A silver weapon, MC3 and/or free action are highly recommended in the presence of shades - if you have made it this far without any of those available to you, or else you do not want to fight them (e.g. during a speed ascension), you can scare away the shades using an applicable instrument, such as a bugle or tooled horn.

Players who wish to fight them but lack a silver weapon can use the Bell of Opening or any other silver item against them - silver arrows will not work unless fired from a bow. Unarmed combat with blessed gloves or a silver ring and no gloves can also work, as does wielding the silver ring, though this is comparatively much slower. A non-weapon silver object will not break weaponless conduct.

Encyclopedia entry

Shades are undead creatures. They differ from zombies in
that a zombie is an undead animation of a corpse, while a
shade is an undead creature magically created by the use
of black magic.

References

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

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

Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-343}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.