Difference between revisions of "Water demon"

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A '''water demon''' is a type of [[demon]] that appears in the game, and one of the less powerful ones.
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A '''water demon''', {{monsym|water demon}}, is a type of [[demon]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a [[major demon]] that resides in [[fountain]]s.
  
Like most [[demon|major demons]], water demons may summon other demons when they attack. At least {{frac|5|6}} of the summons will be other water demons. All chaotic demons are also eligible, but those whose [[difficulty]] is greater than the current dungeon level are exponentially unlikely.{{refsrc|makemon.c|1335}} In practice, that mixes a few [[foocubus|foocubi]] into the summons. There is a {{frac|260}} chance, however, that they may summon [[Juiblex]] or [[Yeenoghu]].
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==Generation==
 
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Water demons are not randomly generated, and only appear when [[quaff]]ing from or [[dip]]ping into a fountain, with a {{frac|30}} chance for either action. The water demon will be hostile with a probability of {{frac|(80 + LD)|100}}, where LD is your current [[level difficulty]] - otherwise, they will generate peaceful and grant you a [[wish]].{{refsrc|src/fountain.c|70|nethack=3.6.7}} Water demons can also be [[Demon#Demons summoning demons|gated in]] by the melee attacks of other water demons.
A player may not polymorph into a water demon.
 
  
==Generation==
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A water demon has a chance to [[monster starting inventory|generate with]] any one of the following weapon sets: a [[two-handed sword]], a [[long sword]], a [[lucern hammer]], a [[battle-axe]], or a [[bow]] and 3-14 [[arrow]]s.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|512|version=NetHack 3.6.7|name="default"|common=Default set of cases for a strong monster's weapon generation}}
  
In the early stages of the game, a common way to summon a water demon is by quaffing or dipping from a [[fountain]]. These demons may either be hostile or friendly; a friendly demon grants a [[wish]]. A demon will be hostile with probability (80 + LD)%, where LD is your current [[level difficulty]];{{refsrc|fountain.c|56}} thus, if you have the [[Amulet of Yendor]], a demon will always be hostile. Although water demons are relatively weak for demons, they are likely to wipe out most early-game characters. Players who cannot kill them quickly will probably find themselves fighting two or more.
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Water demon cannot be a target for [[genocide]], and are not a valid form for [[polymorph]].
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
In the [[Game stages#The early game|early game]], don't quaff from fountains and try to keep use of fountains (dipping) to a minimum. Later on, when you're capable of easily taking on water demons and water mocassins and are carrying several [[escape item]]s, you can dip items repeatedly in all the fountains from DLvl 1 to 19 for the [[wish]], including in the mines. (This is somewhat safer than quaffing). The chances are very roughly {{frac|3}} that you'll get a wish from some water demon.
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Though one of the less powerful major demons, the water demon is more than capable of destroying most early-game characters - a player who cannot dispatch one quickly may find themselves overwhelmed if a second or even third water demon is gated in. This is the result of code governing demon gating that makes monsters with a [[difficulty]] greater than the current dungeon level exponentially unlikely to generate, meaning that a majority of the gated demons will be other water demons and [[foocubi]].{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1694|nethack=3.6.7}} However, there is a {{frac|260}} chance of one summoning [[Juiblex]] or [[Yeenoghu]] this way.
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Starting characters should ideally avoid using fountains as much as possible until they have a solidly built kit of armor, [[escape item]]s and weapons capable of standing against water demons and [[water moccasin]]s - even then, a gated second water demon or even the presence of a [[demon lord]] or prince can turn the battle against you. Once you feel confident enough to take your chances with fountains, start from the topmost fountain in the main dungeon and work your way down - dipping into fountains is generally safer than quaffing, particularly since at worst only your dipped item will be cursed. <!--"The chances are very roughly {{frac|3}} that you'll get a wish from some water demon." unsure of that math-->
  
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
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[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
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Revision as of 08:24, 1 June 2023

A water demon, &, is a type of demon that appears in NetHack. It is a major demon that resides in fountains.

Generation

Water demons are not randomly generated, and only appear when quaffing from or dipping into a fountain, with a 130 chance for either action. The water demon will be hostile with a probability of (80 + LD)100, where LD is your current level difficulty - otherwise, they will generate peaceful and grant you a wish.[1] Water demons can also be gated in by the melee attacks of other water demons.

A water demon has a chance to generate with any one of the following weapon sets: a two-handed sword, a long sword, a lucern hammer, a battle-axe, or a bow and 3-14 arrows.[2]

Water demon cannot be a target for genocide, and are not a valid form for polymorph.

Strategy

Though one of the less powerful major demons, the water demon is more than capable of destroying most early-game characters - a player who cannot dispatch one quickly may find themselves overwhelmed if a second or even third water demon is gated in. This is the result of code governing demon gating that makes monsters with a difficulty greater than the current dungeon level exponentially unlikely to generate, meaning that a majority of the gated demons will be other water demons and foocubi.[3] However, there is a 1260 chance of one summoning Juiblex or Yeenoghu this way.

Starting characters should ideally avoid using fountains as much as possible until they have a solidly built kit of armor, escape items and weapons capable of standing against water demons and water moccasins - even then, a gated second water demon or even the presence of a demon lord or prince can turn the battle against you. Once you feel confident enough to take your chances with fountains, start from the topmost fountain in the main dungeon and work your way down - dipping into fountains is generally safer than quaffing, particularly since at worst only your dipped item will be cursed.

Encyclopedia entry

[ The monkey king ] walked along the bank, around the pond. He examined the footprints of the animals that had gone into the water, and saw that none came out again! So he realized this pond must be possessed by a water demon. He said to the 80,000 monkeys, "This pond is possessed by a water demon. Do not let anybody go into it."

After a little while, the water demon saw that none of the monkeys went into the water to drink. So he rose out of the middle of the pond, taking the shape of a frightening monster. He had a big blue belly, a white face with bulging green eyes, and red claws and feet. He said, "Why are you just sitting around? Come into the pond and drink at once!"

The monkey king said to the horrible monster, "Are you the water demon who owns this pond?" "Yes, I am," said he. "Do you eat whoever goes into the water?" asked the king. "Yes, I do," he answered, "including even birds. I eat them all. And when you are forced by your thirst to come into the pond and drink, I will enjoy eating you, the biggest monkey, most of all!" He grinned, and saliva dripped down his hairy chin.

[ Buddhist Tales for Young and Old, Vol. 1 ]

References