View source for Summon nasties

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'''Summon nasties''' is a [[monster spell]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''.

{{todo|List more variant changes.}}

==Description==
Summon nasties is a non-directed spell that can be used by any [[monster]] of at least [[Monster level|level]] 16 with the ability to cast [[mage spell]]s.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|19|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|105|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|736|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} The spell is only used by hostile monsters against the [[hero]], and they will only use it if they at least think the character is nearby.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|782|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|802|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

When cast, a number of hostile monsters will be generated around the [[hero]]'s position, which can be affected by [[displacement]] or [[invisibility]] depending on the caster.{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|417|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/mcastu.c|420|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} These monsters are selected from a list of [[#Nasties|nasties]], and are created until either [[D notation|d]]({{sfrac|XLvl|3}}) nasties that are either neutral or co-aligned with the summoner have been created, or the maximum number of 10 nasties have been created - in practice, it is possible for [[group]]s of monsters to be generated among the summoned nasties and result in a total higher than 10, and spellcasting monsters of an alignment that has fewer co-aligned nasties will summon more nasties on average.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|22|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|29|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|568|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

If this spell is cast in [[Gehennom]], it is treated as if the [[Wizard of Yendor]] is summoning regardless of the caster, and there is a {{frac|10}} chance that a [[major demon]] is summoned - this can include a [[demon lord]] or [[demon prince]].{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|556|nethack=3.6.7}} Both this and the remote summoning performed by the Wizard of Yendor are considered neutral for this purpose.

Monsters summoned by the spell respect [[genocide]], but not [[extinction]]: If a genocided monster would be summoned, it is replaced by an ordinary random monster (which is not guaranteed to be hostile). Summoned monsters will be unable to use special attacks such as monster spells or breath weapons for up to 4 turns.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|613|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} To partially curtail "summon storms", summoned spellcasters will have a lower [[Monster difficulty|difficulty]] than the caster unless they replace a genocided monster, and [[titan]]s, [[ki-rin]] and [[golden naga]]s are excluded.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|45|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|585|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Monsters of the [[Demon (monster class)|demon]] [[monster class]] will never summon [[angelic being]]s, and vice versa.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|596|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} If cast on the [[Rogue level]], nasties not represented by an uppercase letter are less likely to be summoned.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|526|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Spellcasters casting summon nasties can no longer summon monsters of equal or higher difficulty than themselves. Thus, Archons cannot summon more Archons, arch-liches cannot summon more arch-liches, and so on.

If a genocided monster with a pre-grown form (that is not explicitly a baby form) is chosen, and this form is not also genocided, it will appear in place of the genocided monster. For example, mind flayers can appear in place of genocided master mind flayers. This also happens if the chosen nasty is inappropriate for the location, such as an arch-lich outside Gehennom.

Per {{commit|3eed500}}, when the difficulty is high enough to summon arch-liches or Archons (e.g., the Wizard casting it or via random harassment), at most one arch-lich OR one Archon will be created by a single casting of summon nasties.}}

==Nasties==
{{for|the monster flag, which is unrelated to this spell|Nasty (monster attribute)}}
The following monsters are considered "nasties" for the purposes of this spell, and are listed by alignment:{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|29|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

{{upcoming|3.7.0|The {{monsymlink|genetic engineer}} and {{monsymlink|displacer beast}} are added to the list of nasties&mdash;both monsters are neutral.}}

====Lawful nasties====
<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
* {{monsymlink|Aleax}}
* {{monsymlink|barbed devil}}
* {{monsymlink|couatl}}
* {{monsymlink|fire giant}}
* {{monsymlink|green dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|guardian naga}}
* {{monsymlink|horned devil}}
* {{monsymlink|orange dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|silver dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|yellow dragon}}
</div>

====Neutral nasties====
<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
* {{monsymlink|baluchitherium}}
* {{monsymlink|carnivorous ape}}
* {{monsymlink|cockatrice}}
* {{monsymlink|ettin}}
* {{monsymlink|fire elemental}}
* {{monsymlink|green slime}}
* {{monsymlink|iron golem}}
* {{monsymlink|jabberwock}}
* {{monsymlink|leocrotta}}
* {{monsymlink|minotaur}}
* {{monsymlink|ochre jelly}}
* {{monsymlink|owlbear}}
* {{monsymlink|purple worm}}
* {{monsymlink|stalker}}
* {{monsymlink|umber hulk}}
* {{monsymlink|xan}}
* {{monsymlink|xorn}}
* {{monsymlink|zruty}}
</div>

====Chaotic nasties====
<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
* {{monsymlink|arch-lich}}
* {{monsymlink|black dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|captain}}
* {{monsymlink|disenchanter}}
* {{monsymlink|elf-lord}}
* {{monsymlink|Elvenking}}
* {{monsymlink|gremlin}}
* {{monsymlink|master mind flayer}}
* {{monsymlink|ogre king}}
* {{monsymlink|Olog-hai}}
* {{monsymlink|red dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|storm giant}}
* {{monsymlink|vampire lord}}
* {{monsymlink|winged gargoyle}}
</div>

====Demons (in Gehennom only)====
<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
* {{monsymlink|Yeenoghu}}
* {{monsymlink|Dispater}}
* {{monsymlink|Geryon}}
* {{monsymlink|Demogorgon}}
</div>

==Strategy==
Dealing with the summon nasties spell can often require action both before and after it is cast.

===Preventative genocide===
One option is to [[genocide]] the worst nasties: [[arch-lich]]es and [[master mind flayer]]s are good candidates for this. However, if the spell attempts to generate a genocided monster, it will instead generate a random one. Once the player has the [[Amulet of Yendor]] and is out of [[Gehennom]], [[Archon]]s and [[ki-rin]] are not unlikely random monster choices and may be summoned in place of genocided monsters.

Another good option for a player with a [[scroll of genocide]] would be to blessed-genocide {{monclasssym|L}}. [[Lich (monster class)|Liches]] are by far the most frequently encountered casters of summon nasties, and also the only ones that can be genocided anyway. Doing so will genocide only one nasty, arch-liches, and so will not greatly increase the probability of worse nasties such as Archons being generated by the spell.

===Meeting a summoner===
The worst place to meet monsters with this spell is on large open levels such as [[Juiblex's swamp]], where they will often sit outside of the ring of monsters it has created around you and continue summoning, even as you attempt to fight off its minions. In this situation, [[covetous]] behavior can be helpful: an arch-lich that warps to the upstairs may no longer be able to see you, whereas a fleeing demilich will remain in range and continue to fill the level with nasties.

Characters that have trouble killing a spellcaster capable of summoning nasties may benefit if they summon specific monsters: a cockatrice can be used to stone other nasties and the summoner using its [[corpse]] or a source of [[conflict]], while a dragon can be forced to use its breath attack by a character with [[reflection]] and a means of [[scaring]] monsters (e.g. a semi-permanent or better [[Elbereth]]), which can potentially be rebounded at the caster - even demon princes can be dispatched by a footrice corpse or a black dragon's reflected [[disintegration]] breath.

Conflict in general is another means of countering the summon nasties, since monsters that are affected will attack other hostiles rather than focusing on you; the [[scroll of taming]] and [[charm monster]] spell are also effective, although many nasties have a substantial chance of resisting either.

==History==
In [[NetHack 3.6.0]] and previous versions, including variants based on those versions, the summon nasties spell simply summons d({{sfrac|XLvl|3}}) nasties from the list below, with no restrictions based on alignment and no changes in selection if used on the Rogue level:

<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
* {{monsymlink|arch-lich}}
* {{monsymlink|baluchitherium}}
* {{monsymlink|black dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|captain}}
* {{monsymlink|carnivorous ape}}
* {{monsymlink|cockatrice}}
* {{monsymlink|couatl}}
* {{monsymlink|disenchanter}}
* {{monsymlink|elf-lord}}
* {{monsymlink|Elvenking}}
* {{monsymlink|ettin}}
* {{monsymlink|fire elemental}}
* {{monsymlink|fire giant}}
* {{monsymlink|green dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|green slime}}
* {{monsymlink|gremlin}}
* {{monsymlink|iron golem}}
* {{monsymlink|jabberwock}}
* {{monsymlink|leocrotta}}
* {{monsymlink|master mind flayer}}
* {{monsymlink|minotaur}}
* {{monsymlink|ochre jelly}}
* {{monsymlink|ogre king}}
* {{monsymlink|Olog-hai}}
* {{monsymlink|owlbear}}
* {{monsymlink|purple worm}}
* {{monsymlink|red dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|rock troll}}
* {{monsymlink|stalker}}
* {{monsymlink|umber hulk}}
* {{monsymlink|vampire lord}}
* {{monsymlink|winged gargoyle}}
* {{monsymlink|xan}}
* {{monsymlink|xorn}}
* {{monsymlink|yellow dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|zruty}}
</div>

==Messages==
{{message|A monster appears from nowhere!|One monster was summoned.}}
{{message|Monsters appear from nowhere!|Multiple monsters were summoned.}}
{{message|<A monster appears/Monsters appear> around <a spot near you/your displaced image>!|The summoner was fooled by your invisibility/displacement. The summoned monsters may still be able to find you.}}
{{message|"Destroy the thief, my pet(s)!"|The [[Wizard of Yendor]] cast the spell while alive. (The summon nasties effect that the Wizard uses to harass you in his absence displays no message.)}}

==Variants==
===SLASH'EM===
In [[SLASH'EM]], the monsters listed below are considered nasties for this spell:{{refsrc|wizard.c|26|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|name=nasties}}
<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
* {{monsymlink|baluchitherium}}
* {{monsymlink|basilisk|variant=SLASH'EM}}
* {{monsymlink|black dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|captain}}
* {{monsymlink|carnivorous ape}}
* {{monsymlink|cockatrice}}
* {{monsymlink|couatl}}
* {{monsymlink|demon orc}}
* {{monsymlink|disenchanter}}
* {{monsymlink|elf-lord}}
* {{monsymlink|Elvenking}}
* {{monsymlink|ettin}}
* {{monsymlink|fire elemental}}
* {{monsymlink|fire giant}}
* {{monsymlink|green dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|green slime}}
* {{monsymlink|gremlin}}
* {{monsymlink|iron golem}}
* {{monsymlink|jabberwock}}
* {{monsymlink|leocrotta}}
* {{monsymlink|master lich}}
* {{monsymlink|master mind flayer}}
* {{monsymlink|mastodon}}
* {{monsymlink|minotaur}}
* {{monsymlink|ochre jelly}}
* {{monsymlink|ogre king}}
* {{monsymlink|Olog-hai}}
* {{monsymlink|owlbear}}
* {{monsymlink|purple worm}}
* {{monsymlink|pyrolisk}}
* {{monsymlink|red dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|rhaumbusun}}
* {{monsymlink|rock troll}}
* {{monsymlink|rot worm}}
* {{monsymlink|silver dragon}}
* {{monsymlink|snow orc}}
* {{monsymlink|stalker}}
* {{monsymlink|umber hulk}}
* {{monsymlink|vampire mage}}
* {{monsymlink|winged gargoyle}}
* {{monsymlink|xan}}
* {{monsymlink|xorn}}
* {{monsymlink|yellow dragon}}
</div>

The arch-lich, vampire lord and zruty are no longer summonable with this spell.

===UnNetHack===
In [[UnNetHack]], [[evil eye]]s are added to the list of summonable nasties, which is otherwise the same as in [[NetHack 3.4.3]].

===FIQHack===
[[FIQHack]] merges the spell lists for player characters and monsters, allowing a character to cast the spell if they learn it from the [[spellbook of summon nasty]]. Monster summoned via the spell exist for 20 turns before disappearing.

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