Difference between revisions of "Summon nasties"

From NetHackWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Add note about summon nasties being able to summon demon princes.)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
'''Summon nasties''' is a [[monster spell]]. It is a mage spell that can be used by monsters of level 16 or higher.
 
'''Summon nasties''' is a [[monster spell]]. It is a mage spell that can be used by monsters of level 16 or higher.
  
−
If it is cast in [[Gehennom]], there is a {{frac|10}} chance that a [[Demon#Demon summoning|demon is summoned]]; this works as if the [[Wizard of Yendor]] were summoning regardless of who is actually casting the spell, meaning anyone who can cast it can summon a demon lord or prince this way{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|558|nethack=3.6.6}}. Otherwise, a number of hostile{{refsrc|wizard.c|456}} nasties will be generated around the caster. Summoned spellcasters will have a lower [[Monster difficulty|difficulty]] than the caster.{{refsrc|wizard.c|448}} {{white|&}} will not summon {{white|A}}, and vice versa. On the [[Rogue level]], nasties not represented by an uppercase letter are less likely to be summoned.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|523|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} Summoned monsters will be unable to use special attacks such as breath weapons for d4 turns.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|609|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}
+
==Description==
 +
If it is cast in [[Gehennom]], there is a {{frac|10}} chance that a [[Demon#Demon summoning|demon is summoned]]; this works as if the [[Wizard of Yendor]] were summoning, regardless of who is actually casting the spell - meaning anyone capable of casting the spell encountered in Gehennom can summon a [[Demon lord|demon lord or prince]] this way.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|558|nethack=3.6.6}} Otherwise, a number of hostile [[#Nasties|nasties]] will be generated around the caster.{{refsrc|wizard.c|456}}
  
−
Nasties will be summoned until either [[D notation|d]]({{sfrac|XLvl|3}}) [[#Nasties|nasties]] which are neutral or co-aligned with the summoner have been created, or the maximum of 10 nasties have been created. Because of this, monsters of alignments with fewer co-aligned nasties will summon more nasties on average.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|24|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} Remote summoning by the [[Wizard of Yendor]] is considered neutral for this purpose.
+
Summoned spellcasters will have a lower [[Monster difficulty|difficulty]] than the caster.{{refsrc|wizard.c|448}} {{white|&}} will not summon {{white|A}}, and vice versa. On the [[Rogue level]], nasties not represented by an uppercase letter are less likely to be summoned.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|523|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} Summoned monsters will be unable to use special attacks such as breath weapons for d4 turns.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|609|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}
 +
 
 +
Nasties will be summoned until either [[D notation|d]]({{sfrac|XLvl|3}}) nasties which are neutral or co-aligned with the summoner have been created, or the maximum of 10 nasties have been created. Because of this, monsters of alignments with fewer co-aligned nasties will summon more nasties on average.{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|24|version=NetHack 3.6.1}} Remote summoning by the Wizard of Yendor is considered neutral for this purpose.
  
 
Monsters summoned in this fashion 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). Spellcasting monsters generated this way need not be lower in difficulty than the caster.
 
Monsters summoned in this fashion 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). Spellcasting monsters generated this way need not be lower in difficulty than the caster.
Line 12: Line 15:
  
 
Also, 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 summon nasties. See commit 3eed500 for more details.}}
 
Also, 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 summon nasties. See commit 3eed500 for more details.}}
−
 
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
−
Dealing with this spell can require actions both before and after it is cast:
+
Dealing with this spell will require action both before and after it is cast:
  
 
===Preventative genociding===
 
===Preventative genociding===
−
One option is to [[genocide]] the worst nasties: [[lich|arch-liches]] 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.
+
One option is to [[genocide]] the worst nasties: [[arch-liches]] 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.
  
−
One good option for a player with a scroll of genocide would be to blessed-genocide {{monclasssym|L}}. 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-lich]]es, and so will not greatly increase the probability of Archons being generated by the spell.
+
One good option for a player with a scroll of genocide would be to blessed-genocide {{monclasssym|L}}. 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.
  
 
===When meeting a summoner===
 
===When meeting a summoner===
−
The worst place to meet monsters with this spell is on large open levels, such as [[Juiblex's swamp]]. On such levels, a summoner will often sit outside of a ring of monsters it has created around you, and continue summoning even as you attempt to fight off its minions. In this situation, the covetous behavior can be helpful; an arch-lich that warps to the upstairs may no longer be in sight, whereas a fleeing demilich will remain in sight and continue to fill the level with nasties.
+
The worst place to meet monsters with this spell is on large open levels, such as [[Juiblex's swamp]]. On such levels, a summoner 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, the covetous behavior can be helpful; an arch-lich that warps to the upstairs may no longer be in sight, whereas a fleeing demilich will remain in sight and continue to fill the level with nasties.
  
−
If you are unable to kill the caster, such as an arch-lich that [[covetous#Behavior|warps]] to the staircase across the map on a no-teleport level, and possess reflection and a permanent [[Elbereth]], it is possible to wait on the Elbereth square for the caster to create a black dragon and wait for the disintegration breath to destroy the summoner, or possibly for a cockatrice to be generated and leave a corpse. This can be a life-saver if any of the demon princes appear as well.
+
If you are unable to kill the caster and possess reflection and a permanent [[Elbereth]], it is possible to wait on the Elbereth square for the caster to create a black dragon and wait for the disintegration breath to destroy the summoner, or possibly for a cockatrice to be generated and leave a corpse. This can be a life-saver if any of the demon princes appear as well.
  
−
Another way to counter the summon nasties spell is with a [[ring of conflict]]. The monsters will fight one another instead of focusing on you. A [[scroll of taming]] or spell of [[charm monster]] are also effective, although many nasties have a substantial chance of resisting either one.
+
Another way to counter the summon nasties spell is with a [[ring of conflict]] - the monsters will fight one another instead of focusing on you. A [[scroll of taming]] or spell of [[charm monster]] are also effective, although many nasties have a substantial chance of resisting either one.
  
 
==Messages==
 
==Messages==
Line 38: Line 40:
 
{{for|the monster flag, which is unrelated to this spell|M2_NASTY}}
 
{{for|the monster flag, which is unrelated to this spell|M2_NASTY}}
  
−
These monsters are "nasties" for the purposes of summon nasties:{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|31|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}
+
These monsters are "nasties" for the purposes of this spell:{{refsrc|src/wizard.c|31|version=NetHack 3.6.1}}
  
 
====Neutral nasties====
 
====Neutral nasties====
Line 94: Line 96:
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
==Variants==
+
====Demons (in Gehennom only)====
−
===SLASH'EM===
 
−
In SLASH'EM, these monsters are also nasties in addition to those above:{{refsrc|wizard.c|26|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|name=S nasties}}
 
 
<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
 
<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
−
* {{monsymlink|basilisk}}
+
* {{monsymlink|Yeenoghu}}
−
* {{monsymlink|demon orc}}
+
* {{monsymlink|Dispater}}
−
* {{monsymlink|master lich}}
+
* {{monsymlink|Geryon}}
−
* {{monsymlink|mastodon}}
+
* {{monsymlink|Demogorgon}}
−
* {{monsymlink|pyrolisk}}
 
−
* {{monsymlink|rhaumbusun}}
 
−
* {{monsymlink|rot worm}}
 
−
* {{monsymlink|silver dragon}}
 
−
* {{monsymlink|snow orc}}
 
−
* {{monsymlink|vampire mage}}
 
−
</div>
 
−
 
 
−
The following monsters were removed from the list of nasties:<ref name="S nasties"/>
 
−
* {{monsymlink|arch-lich}}
 
−
* {{monsymlink|vampire lord}}
 
−
* {{monsymlink|zruty}}
 
−
 
 
−
===UnNetHack===
 
−
In [[UnNetHack]], [[evil eye]]s have also been added to the list of nasties.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
−
Before [[NetHack 3.6.1]], the list of nasties was the following. Nasty selection on the Rogue level was not biased toward uppercase letters in these versions. The number of nasties did not depend on their alignment, and was simply d({{sfrac|XLvl|3}}).
+
In versions prior to [[NetHack 3.6.1]] and variants based on them, the monsters listed below qualified as nasties and were not restricted depending on alignment. Nasty selection on the Rogue level was not biased toward uppercase letters, and the number of nasties was simply d({{sfrac|XLvl|3}}).
  
 
<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
 
<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
Line 159: Line 144:
 
* {{monsymlink|zruty}}
 
* {{monsymlink|zruty}}
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
==Variants==
 +
===SLASH'EM===
 +
In SLASH'EM, these monsters are also nasties in addition to those above:{{refsrc|wizard.c|26|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|name=S nasties}}
 +
<div class="div-col columns column-width" style="-moz-column-width: 11em; -webkit-column-width: 11em; column-width: 11em;">
 +
* {{monsymlink|basilisk}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|demon orc}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|master lich}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|mastodon}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|pyrolisk}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|rhaumbusun}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|rot worm}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|silver dragon}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|snow orc}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|vampire mage}}
 +
</div>
 +
 +
The following monsters were removed from the list of nasties:<ref name="S nasties"/>
 +
* {{monsymlink|arch-lich}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|vampire lord}}
 +
* {{monsymlink|zruty}}
 +
 +
===UnNetHack===
 +
In [[UnNetHack]], [[evil eye]]s have also been added to the list of nasties.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
<references />
+
<references/>
  
 
[[Category:Monster spells]]
 
[[Category:Monster spells]]
−
{{nethack-361}}
+
{{nethack-366}}

Revision as of 04:44, 2 April 2021

Summon nasties is a monster spell. It is a mage spell that can be used by monsters of level 16 or higher.

Description

If it is cast in Gehennom, there is a 1⁄10 chance that a demon is summoned; this works as if the Wizard of Yendor were summoning, regardless of who is actually casting the spell - meaning anyone capable of casting the spell encountered in Gehennom can summon a demon lord or prince this way.[1] Otherwise, a number of hostile nasties will be generated around the caster.[2]

Summoned spellcasters will have a lower difficulty than the caster.[3] & will not summon A, and vice versa. On the Rogue level, nasties not represented by an uppercase letter are less likely to be summoned.[4] Summoned monsters will be unable to use special attacks such as breath weapons for d4 turns.[5]

Nasties will be summoned until either d(XLvl3) nasties which are neutral or co-aligned with the summoner have been created, or the maximum of 10 nasties have been created. Because of this, monsters of alignments with fewer co-aligned nasties will summon more nasties on average.[6] Remote summoning by the Wizard of Yendor is considered neutral for this purpose.

Monsters summoned in this fashion 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). Spellcasting monsters generated this way need not be lower in difficulty than the caster.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

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 that has 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.

Also, 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 summon nasties. See commit 3eed500 for more details.

Strategy

Dealing with this spell will require action both before and after it is cast:

Preventative genociding

One option is to genocide the worst nasties: arch-liches and master mind flayers 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, Archons and ki-rin are not unlikely random monster choices and may be summoned in place of genocided monsters.

One good option for a player with a scroll of genocide would be to blessed-genocide ​L. 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.

When meeting a summoner

The worst place to meet monsters with this spell is on large open levels, such as Juiblex's swamp. On such levels, a summoner 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, the covetous behavior can be helpful; an arch-lich that warps to the upstairs may no longer be in sight, whereas a fleeing demilich will remain in sight and continue to fill the level with nasties.

If you are unable to kill the caster and possess reflection and a permanent Elbereth, it is possible to wait on the Elbereth square for the caster to create a black dragon and wait for the disintegration breath to destroy the summoner, or possibly for a cockatrice to be generated and leave a corpse. This can be a life-saver if any of the demon princes appear as well.

Another way to counter the summon nasties spell is with a ring of conflict - the monsters will fight one another instead of focusing on you. A scroll of taming or spell of charm monster are also effective, although many nasties have a substantial chance of resisting either one.

Messages

A monster appears from nowhere!
One monster was summoned.
Monsters appear from nowhere!
Multiple monsters were summoned.
<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.
"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.)

Nasties

For the monster flag, which is unrelated to this spell, see M2_NASTY.

These monsters are "nasties" for the purposes of this spell:[7]

Neutral nasties

Chaotic nasties

Lawful nasties

Demons (in Gehennom only)

History

In versions prior to NetHack 3.6.1 and variants based on them, the monsters listed below qualified as nasties and were not restricted depending on alignment. Nasty selection on the Rogue level was not biased toward uppercase letters, and the number of nasties was simply d(XLvl3).

Variants

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, these monsters are also nasties in addition to those above:[8]

The following monsters were removed from the list of nasties:[8]

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, evil eyes have also been added to the list of nasties.

References

  1. ↑ src/wizard.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 558
  2. ↑ wizard.c in NetHack 3.4.3, line 456
  3. ↑ wizard.c in NetHack 3.4.3, line 448
  4. ↑ src/wizard.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 523
  5. ↑ src/wizard.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 609
  6. ↑ src/wizard.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 24
  7. ↑ src/wizard.c in NetHack 3.6.1, line 31
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 wizard.c in SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2, line 26
Retrieved from "https://nethackwiki.com/index.php?title=Summon_nasties&oldid=138738"