Difference between revisions of "Water demon"
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Though one of the less powerful major demons, their AC of -4 and gating abilities make the water demon more than capable of destroying early-game characters - a tougher player who cannot dispatch one quickly may also 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 [[monster 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 a water demon summoning [[Juiblex]] or [[Yeenoghu]] this way. | Though one of the less powerful major demons, their AC of -4 and gating abilities make the water demon more than capable of destroying early-game characters - a tougher player who cannot dispatch one quickly may also 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 [[monster 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 a water demon 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 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, making a kit of [[escape item]]s and a source of [[speed]] all but necessary. Once you feel confident enough to take your chances with fountains, you can start dipping into fountains to try for a wish, starting from the topmost fountain in the main dungeon to better your odds - if you are only attempting to get a wish, then dipping is generally safer than quaffing, since at worst only your dipped item will be cursed rather than much of your | + | Starting characters should ideally avoid using fountains as much as possible until they have a solidly built kit of armor 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, making a kit of [[escape item]]s and a source of [[speed]] all but necessary. Once you feel confident enough to take your chances with fountains, you can start dipping into fountains to try for a wish, starting from the topmost fountain in the main dungeon to better your odds - if you are only attempting to get a wish, then dipping is generally safer than quaffing, since at worst only your dipped item will be cursed rather than much of your inventory.<!--"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== | ||
Revision as of 22:52, 13 January 2024
& water demon 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 11 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 1d3, claw 1d3, bite 1d3 |
| Base level | 8 |
| Base experience | 196 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | −4 |
| Base MR | 30 |
| Alignment | −7 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 0 (Not randomly generated) |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 1450 |
| Nutritional value | 400 |
| Size | Medium |
| Resistances | Fire, poison |
| Resistances conveyed |
None |
|
A water demon:
| |
| Reference | monst.c#line2535 |
A water demon, &, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. It is a major demon that resides in fountains.
Water demons have a weapon attack, a claw attack, and a bite attack, along with the standard demonic resistances to fire, poison, draining attacks, and death magic.
Generation
Water demons are not randomly generated, and are not a valid a target for genocide or polymorph.
A water demon only appears when quaffing from or dipping into a fountain, with both actions each having a 1⁄30 chance of generating one. The water demon will be hostile with a probability of (80 + LD)⁄100, where LD is your current level difficulty (i.e. they are always hostile if you have the Amulet of Yendor), and otherwise will generate peaceful and grant you a wish.[1] Water demons can also be gated in by the melee attacks of other water demons.
The Wizard of Yendor may create a clone of himself in the guise of a water demon via the Double Trouble monster spell.[2]
A water demon has a chance of generating 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.[3]
Like all major demons, water demons do not leave a corpse upon death.
Strategy
Though one of the less powerful major demons, their AC of -4 and gating abilities make the water demon more than capable of destroying early-game characters - a tougher player who cannot dispatch one quickly may also 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 monster 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.[4] However, there is a 1⁄260 chance of a water demon 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 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, making a kit of escape items and a source of speed all but necessary. Once you feel confident enough to take your chances with fountains, you can start dipping into fountains to try for a wish, starting from the topmost fountain in the main dungeon to better your odds - if you are only attempting to get a wish, then dipping is generally safer than quaffing, since at worst only your dipped item will be cursed rather than much of your inventory.
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.
