View source for Shapeshifter

In ''[[NetHack]]'', a '''shapeshifter''' or '''shape changer''' is a monster that can change form either randomly or at will. 

==List of shape changers==
The various types of shapeshifters include:

* {{monsymlink|chameleon}}
* {{monsymlink|doppelganger}}
* {{monsymlink|sandestin}}
* [[Werecreature]]s
** {{monsym|wererat (human)}} [[wererat]]
** {{monsym|werejackal (human)}} [[werejackal]]
** {{monsym|werewolf (human)}} [[werewolf]]
* [[Mimic]]s
** {{monsym|small mimic}} [[Small mimic]]
** {{monsym|large mimic}} [[Large mimic]]
** {{monsym|giant mimic}} [[Giant mimic]]
* [[Vampire (monster class)|Vampires]]
** {{monsymlink|vampire}}
** {{monsymlink|vampire lord}}
** {{monsymlink|Vlad the Impaler}}

==Description==
All other shapeshifters except for mimics will shift between forms under certain circumstances, dependent on the monster in question:

* Chameleons, doppelgangers and sandestins have a {{frac|6}} chance of changing shape every turn, even while [[asleep]] (e.g. in a [[zoo]]).{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3316|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Polymorph]]ing one yourself with a [[Wand of polymorph|wand]], [[Spellbook of polymorph|spell]], or [[Potion of polymorph|potion]] will change its form as normal, but they will continue shapeshifting at random after.
* Werecreatures will randomly alternate between their human and animal forms, even while asleep, and polymorphing a werecreature will cause it to alternate between forms. This includes you if you are given [[lycanthropy]] from a werecreature's bite, unless you have [[unchanging]] or [[polymorph control]].
* Vampires are often encountered in the form of a [[vampire bat]], and will typically shift to [[fog cloud]] form to cross locked doors and certain other obstacles - vampire lords can shift to [[wolf]] form when not in sight of the player. A vampire may revert to their base form when attacking the player; killing a shapeshifted vampire will cause them to revive in their base form. Vlad the Impaler is capable of shapeshifting as well, but will not do so while carrying the [[Candelabrum of Invocation]].{{refsrc|src/mon.c|3373|nethack=3.6.7}} Polymorphing a vampire will cause it to alternate between its base form and its bat (and/or wolf) form; if you are in the form of a vampire without polymorph control, you will do the same if you are either polymorphed again or else use the #[[Monster (command)|monster]] [[extended command]].

Examining any of the above monsters with a [[stethoscope]] or [[probing]] while they are in another form will identify them as shapeshifters. Wearing a [[ring of protection from shape changers]] will force them into their normal form; polymorphing any of the above monsters while wearing the ring will permanently change their form and remove their ability to shapeshift.

===Mimic shapeshifting===
Mimics are an exception to much of the above, as they will instead take the appearance of various objects and sometimes [[dungeon feature]]s to catch the player off-guard. Interacting with a disguised mimic - e.g., by applying a stethoscope to one, attacking one, bumping into one, or throwing an item at one - will cause it to uncloak. As mimics do not take the form of other monsters, polymorphing will affect them normally (including system shock); protection from shape changers will force mimics into their true form and prevent them from disguising themselves.

==History==
Vampire shapeshifting is introduced in [[NetHack 3.6.0]]; this resulted in a couple of bugs, both fixed in [[NetHack 3.6.1]]:

* Using [[genocide]] on vampires and/or vampire lords would caused currently shapeshifted ones to become unkillable, as they could not return to vampire form properly. This was fixed in {{commit|757e6f9c4da1417b3b127dae8834697fea5e284c|commit 757e6f9}}.
* Shapeshifters and other monsters that polymorphed into vampires would remain stuck in that form - e.g., shapeshifters would not take on new forms, a polymorph-produced vampire would not shift to bat or fog forms, and so on. This was fixed in {{commit|885de116e1e93faa8ad5dc2685d16a9f553c50ed|commit 885de11}} and {{commit|45ba0addf25a6a0f29b6de793524e5250a6c039a|commit 45ba0ad}}.

==References==
<references/>
{{nethack-367}}
[[Category:Monsters]]