Difference between revisions of "Shade"

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(silver arrows do sear them when bashed with)
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  |nutr=0
 
  |nutr=0
 
  |size=Medium
 
  |size=Medium
  |resistances=Cold, Sleep, Disintegration, Poison, Petrification
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  |resistances=cold, sleep, disintegration, poison, petrification
 
  |resistances conveyed=None
 
  |resistances conveyed=None
  |attributes={{attributes|A shade|=
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  |attributes={{attributes|A shade|fly=1|breathless=1|wallwalk=1|humanoid=1|unsolid=1|seeinvis=1|nopoly=1|undead=1|wander=1|stalk=1|hostile=1|nasty=1|infravision=1|nocorpse=1}}
|fly=1|breathless=1|wallwalk=1|humanoid=1|unsolid=1|seeinvis=1
 
|nopoly=1|undead=1|wander=1|stalk=1|hostile=1|nasty=1
 
|infravision=1|nocorpse=1}}
 
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line2523]]
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line2523]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
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.
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A '''shade''', {{monsym|shade}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. Shades are [[undead]] that possess a [[paralysis]] attack and a [[slowing attack]] that removes both intrinsic and temporary [[speed]]. They are capable of [[phasing]] and can [[see invisible]] like other [[ghost (monster class)|ghosts]], and have the standard [[poison resistance]], [[cold resistance]], [[sleep resistance]], and [[stoning resistance]] along with [[disintegration resistance]].
  
Shades can only be harmed with [[blessed]] weapons, [[silver]] objects, certain [[artifact weapon]]s, and [[magic]]. [[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|src/uhitm.c|1353|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|880|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
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Shades can only be harmed with [[blessed]] weapons, [[silver]] objects, certain [[artifact weapon]]s, and [[magic]]. [[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|src/uhitm.c|1353|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|880|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
 
==Generation==
 
==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.{{refsrc|dat/gehennom.des|398|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
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Shades are not randomly generated, and are ineligible for [[offensive item|offensive]], [[defensive item|defensive]] and [[miscellaneous item]]s. A shade is always generated hostile - it is not a valid form for [[polymorph]], and [[Corpseless|will never leave a corpse]] upon death.
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Six shades are generated in [[Orcus-town]] at level creation outside of [[bones]]: two are placed next to [[Orcus]], and the other four are placed randomly in the town.{{refsrc|dat/gehennom.des|398|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Shades are among the undead that can be created by reading the cursed [[Book of the Dead]].
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
[[Silver]] weapons and [[Sunsword]] will do their full damage{{refsrc|src/artifact.c|332|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=Sunsword is the only artifact with a damage bonus specifically against undead}} (base + enchantment) to shades in addition to the (if applicable) d4 blessed damage and d20 silver damage against undead. Other physical items will have their base damage and enchantment zeroed,{{refsrc|src/weapon.c|301|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} and deal only the component of their damage that comes from being blessed{{refsrc|src/weapon.c|321|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=In <code>dmgval()</code>, this damage bonus comes after zeroing the base damage and enchantment}}{{refsrc|src/weapon.c|389|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=non-weapon damage}} or having [[artifact weapon]] damage bonus of a type that shades are not resistant to.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|816|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=bonus damage from <code>artifact_hit()</code> is applied after <code>dmgval()</code>}}{{refsrc|src/artifact.c|1174|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=adding the artifact bonus}}{{refsrc|src/artifact.c|752|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=whether artifact special damage applies; shades are affected by "generalist" artifacts}} If your attack does non-zero damage, then it may also be eligible for bonus damage from [[increase damage]], [[strength]] and [[skill]].{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1096|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} Note that the [[double damage]] of some artifacts which would otherwise deal damage that shades are vulnerable to ([[Fire Brand]] and cross-aligned [[Sceptre of Might]]) is applied after the base and enchantment is zeroed, so they will do double of 0 damage, with a minimum of 1.{{refsrc|src/artifact.c|859|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} In contrast, [[Mjollnir]] does most of its bonus damage as additive [[shock]] damage, which is effective against shades.
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Silver weapons and [[Sunsword]] are the only weapons that will do their full damage to shades, including damage bonuses against undead{{refsrc|src/artifact.c|332|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=Sunsword is the only non-silver artifact with a damage bonus specifically against undead}} - other weapons that are not silver will have their base damage reduced to zero, not counting the +d4 damage bonus from a blessed weapon.{{refsrc|src/weapon.c|301|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/weapon.c|321|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=In <code>dmgval()</code>, this damage bonus comes after zeroing the base damage and enchantment}}{{refsrc|src/weapon.c|389|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=non-weapon damage}} Spells and wands deal normal damage as with other monsters.
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 +
Any relevant [[artifact weapon]] bonuses, such as the [[double damage]] from artifacts like [[Fire Brand]] and a cross-aligned [[Sceptre of Might]], is applied after the base and enchantment is zeroed.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|816|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=bonus damage from <code>artifact_hit()</code> is applied after <code>dmgval()</code>}}{{refsrc|src/artifact.c|1174|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=adding the artifact bonus}}{{refsrc|src/artifact.c|752|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=whether artifact special damage applies; shades are affected by "generalist" artifacts}} Attacks that deal non-zero damage can also have that damage boosted from [[strength]] and [[skill]] bonuses as well as any bonuses from a [[ring of increase damage]].{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1096|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Note that {{refsrc|src/artifact.c|859|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Mjollnir]] does most of its bonus damage as additive [[shock]] damage, which is effective against shades.
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 +
In addition to any of the above sources of damage, [[MC]]3 and [[free action]] are highly recommended in the presence of shades - while their attacks are not especially strong, their ability to freeze you and sap your speed will leave you at the mercy of [[skeleton]]s and far more lethal monsters that are also present in Orcus-Town. A backup source of speed, such as a [[tin]] of [[quantum mechanic]] meat or a [[wand of speed monster]], is ideal in the event you lose the intrinsic to a shade.
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Players who wish to fight them but lack any effective attack can use the [[Bell of Opening]] or any other silver item against them. 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. If you have made it this far without any damage sources available to you, or else you do not want to fight them (e.g. during a [[speed ascension]]), you can scare away the shades - their [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR score]] of 0 makes it easy to do so using instruments such as a [[bugle]] or [[tooled horn]].
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 +
==History==
 +
The shade first appears in [[NetHack 3.1.0]].
 +
 
 +
==Variants==
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===SLASH'EM===
 +
In [[SLASH'EM]] two squares within the maze portion of the [[Lawful Quest]] each have a {{frac|2}} chance of a shade being generated there. This also applies to [[SlashTHEM]] and [[Hack'EM]].
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===AceHack===
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In [[AceHack]], the shade is moved to the [[Wraith (monster class)|wraith monster class]], {{brightblue|W}}, to make them more visible to players. This is also applicable to [[Nethack 4]], [[NetHack Fourk]] and [[FIQhack]].
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===dNetHack===
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{{main|Shade (monster class)}}
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In [[dNetHack]], the shade is part of its own monster class separate from the ghosts, and uses the same glyph as it does in vanilla ''NetHack''.
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The presence of a [[Nazgul]] will cause monsters that are killed to raise from the dead as shades.
  
Magical attacks, such as {{spell of|force bolt}}, {{spell of|magic missile}}, and {{spell of|fireball}}, or their wand equivalents, are also effective against shades.
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Various shades appear within the Elven Forest level of the [[Mordor Ruins Quest]], with the River Ford and Forest Edge populated by shades at level creation. Sixteen peaceful shades are generated throughout the home level of the [[Binder quest]] at level creation.
  
An attack effective against shades, [[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]].
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===xNetHack===
 +
In [[xNetHack]], the shade is moved to the wraith monster class, {{black|W}}, to reduce the number of punctuation-based glyphs and make them more visible to players.
  
Players who wish to fight them but lack an effective attack can use the [[Bell of Opening]] or any other silver item against them. 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.
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[[Bone]] weapons, [[gloves]] and [[boots]] are capable of dealing normal damage to shades.
  
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
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}}
 
}}
  
== References ==
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==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
{{nethack-366}}
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]

Latest revision as of 22:17, 10 March 2024

A shade,  , is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. Shades are undead that possess a paralysis attack and a slowing attack that removes both intrinsic and temporary speed. They are capable of phasing and can see invisible like other ghosts, and have the standard poison resistance, cold resistance, sleep resistance, and stoning resistance along with disintegration resistance.

Shades can only be harmed with blessed weapons, silver objects, certain artifact weapons, and magic. Mirrors count as silver objects for this purpose, but will only deal 1 point of damage and break if used to attack them.[1][2]

Generation

Shades are not randomly generated, and are ineligible for offensive, defensive and miscellaneous items. A shade is always generated hostile - it is not a valid form for polymorph, and will never leave a corpse upon death.

Six shades are generated in Orcus-town at level creation outside of bones: two are placed next to Orcus, and the other four are placed randomly in the town.[3] Shades are among the undead that can be created by reading the cursed Book of the Dead.

Strategy

Silver weapons and Sunsword are the only weapons that will do their full damage to shades, including damage bonuses against undead[4] - other weapons that are not silver will have their base damage reduced to zero, not counting the +d4 damage bonus from a blessed weapon.[5][6][7] Spells and wands deal normal damage as with other monsters.

Any relevant artifact weapon bonuses, such as the double damage from artifacts like Fire Brand and a cross-aligned Sceptre of Might, is applied after the base and enchantment is zeroed.[8][9][10] Attacks that deal non-zero damage can also have that damage boosted from strength and skill bonuses as well as any bonuses from a ring of increase damage.[11] Note that [12] Mjollnir does most of its bonus damage as additive shock damage, which is effective against shades.

In addition to any of the above sources of damage, MC3 and free action are highly recommended in the presence of shades - while their attacks are not especially strong, their ability to freeze you and sap your speed will leave you at the mercy of skeletons and far more lethal monsters that are also present in Orcus-Town. A backup source of speed, such as a tin of quantum mechanic meat or a wand of speed monster, is ideal in the event you lose the intrinsic to a shade.

Players who wish to fight them but lack any effective attack can use the Bell of Opening or any other silver item against them. 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. If you have made it this far without any damage sources available to you, or else you do not want to fight them (e.g. during a speed ascension), you can scare away the shades - their MR score of 0 makes it easy to do so using instruments such as a bugle or tooled horn.

History

The shade first appears in NetHack 3.1.0.

Variants

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM two squares within the maze portion of the Lawful Quest each have a 12 chance of a shade being generated there. This also applies to SlashTHEM and Hack'EM.

AceHack

In AceHack, the shade is moved to the wraith monster class, W, to make them more visible to players. This is also applicable to Nethack 4, NetHack Fourk and FIQhack.

dNetHack

Main article: Shade (monster class)

In dNetHack, the shade is part of its own monster class separate from the ghosts, and uses the same glyph as it does in vanilla NetHack.

The presence of a Nazgul will cause monsters that are killed to raise from the dead as shades.

Various shades appear within the Elven Forest level of the Mordor Ruins Quest, with the River Ford and Forest Edge populated by shades at level creation. Sixteen peaceful shades are generated throughout the home level of the Binder quest at level creation.

xNetHack

In xNetHack, the shade is moved to the wraith monster class, W, to reduce the number of punctuation-based glyphs and make them more visible to players.

Bone weapons, gloves and boots are capable of dealing normal damage to shades.

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

  1. src/uhitm.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1353
  2. src/uhitm.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 880
  3. dat/gehennom.des in NetHack 3.6.7, line 398
  4. src/artifact.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 332: Sunsword is the only non-silver artifact with a damage bonus specifically against undead
  5. src/weapon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 301
  6. src/weapon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 321: In dmgval(), this damage bonus comes after zeroing the base damage and enchantment
  7. src/weapon.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 389: non-weapon damage
  8. src/uhitm.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 816: bonus damage from artifact_hit() is applied after dmgval()
  9. src/artifact.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1174: adding the artifact bonus
  10. src/artifact.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 752: whether artifact special damage applies; shades are affected by "generalist" artifacts
  11. src/uhitm.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 1096
  12. src/artifact.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 859