Large kobold
k large kobold 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 2 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 1d6 |
| Base level | 1 |
| Base experience | 13 |
| Speed | 6 |
| Base AC | 10 |
| Base MR | 0 |
| Alignment | -3 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 1 (Very rare) |
| Genocidable | Yes |
| Weight | 450 |
| Nutritional value | 150 |
| Size | Small |
| Resistances | Poison |
| Resistances conveyed | None |
|
A large kobold:
| |
| Reference | monst.c#line576 |
A large kobold, k, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. It is slightly larger than a normal kobold with a slightly stronger weapon attack, and possesses poison resistance like most kobolds.
A large kobold corpse is poisonous to eat.
Contents
Generation
Randomly-generated large kobolds are always hostile. A kobold can grow up into a large kobold, and a large kobold can grow up into a kobold lord.
Large kobolds may appear among the hostile kobolds that generate in throne rooms, as well as the various monsters that can be randomly generated by looting a throne while confused and carrying gold (provided there is no chest on the level).
A large kobold has a 1⁄4 chance of generating with a stack of darts.[1]
Strategy
Large kobolds are only slightly stronger than regular kobolds, but otherwise pose much of the same dangers to starting characters: those combat-ready roles are easily positioned to steamroll through them, while the weakest roles may need the assistance of their pet. As with regular kobolds, poisoned and/or enchanted darts, a random weapon or even an attack wand can easily turn the tide against any character.
History
The large kobold first appears in NetHack 3.0.0.
Origin
Kobolds are creatures that appear in many fantasy-themed works and media, which often borrow significantly from Germanic folklore - Germanic kobolds are a form of sprite that are generally benevolent if treated with kindness, but will respond to disrespect with anything ranging from pranks to even outright attacking and killing offenders.
Dungeons & Dragons in particular - and by extension, NetHack and many of its variants - depicts the kobold as a race of small reptilian humanoids with long tails, distantly related to dragons; earlier editions gave kobolds more dog-like features, which lead to many depictions of kobolds in Japanese media leaning harder in that direction after the popularity of the anime franchise Record of Lodoss War. Fantasy kobolds are often considered weak "cannon fodder" monsters that can be cunning and strong in groups, similar to goblins.
Variants
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, three large kobolds appear alongside Kroo the Kobold King in each variant of the kobold level at level creation.
UnNetHack
In UnNetHack, large kobolds and other kobolds have a mutual grudge with elves.
dNetHack
In dNetHack, large kobolds may appear in the court of a throne room ruled by a kobold lord.
Encyclopedia entry
The race of kobolds are reputed to be an artificial creation
of a master wizard (demi-god?). They are about 3' tall with
a vaguely dog-like face. They bear a violent dislike of the
Elven race, and will go out of their way to cause trouble
for Elves at any time.
