Vrock
& vrock 
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 11 |
| Attacks |
Claw 1d4, claw 1d4, claw 1d8, claw 1d8, bite 1d6 |
| Base level | 8 |
| Base experience | 176 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | 0 |
| Base MR | 50 |
| Alignment | -9 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 2 (Quite rare) |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 1450 |
| Nutritional value | 400 |
| Size | Large |
| Resistances | Fire, poison |
| Resistances conveyed | None |
|
A vrock:
| |
| Reference | monst.c#line2605 |
A vrock, &, is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. The vrock is a major demon that has infravision and can be seen via infravision, and can follow the hero to other levels if they are adjacent.
A vrock has four claw attacks and a bite attack, and possesses fire resistance, poison resistance, drain resistance, and death resistance like other demons.
Vrocks are poisonous to consume, which primarily comes up if they are digested by another mnster.
The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that the information below is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate it.
Per commit 4b525374, vrocks can emit a plume of poison clouds when scared. They are now colored green: &.Contents
Generation
Randomly generated vrocks are always created hostile, and are randomly generated only in Gehennom, where they may be created in small groups of 2-4 1⁄2 of the time.
Vrocks are among the demons that can be generated in a graveyard at level creation.
Vrocks are eligible for gating by other major demons, and may appear as hostile minions of a chaotic god or Moloch.
Vrocks do not leave a corpse upon death.
Strategy
Vrocks have a decent AC of 0 and five attacks per round, and move at the same speed as an un-hasted and unburdened hero. Despite their relative weakness compared to other demons, vrocks are potentially deadly to a hero that encounters one early from a polymorph traps, and like other demons can gate in even more vrocks to potentially corner you. Though a decently enchanted weapon and solid AC can be enough, the quicker you can eliminate an unexpected vrock, the better. Vrocks are much easier to deal with in Gehennom, by which point you will have much more AC and a highly-enchanted blessed and/or silver weapon.
History
The vrock first appears with many other demons in NetHack 3.0.0.
Origin
Vrocks (pronounced: /vrɑːkz/, vrahkz) originate from Dungeons & Dragons, where they were also known as "type I demons" in the Monster Manual of the 1st edition. Vrocks are described as bestial and appear as crosses between humanoids and vultures, as indicated by their tile and encyclopedia entry. Vrocks are brutish demons that enjoy fighting, and are capricious and selfish even by the standards of other demons – nonetheless, small flocks are more than capable of coordination and group tactics.[1]
Vrocks can emit bloodcurdling screeches loud enough to cause nearby victims physical pain and daze them; this is employed as a means of securing escape rather than an offensive tool. Vrocks can also release clouds of tiny poisonous spores from their wings that grew into thick vine-like structures after burrowing under the skin of those nearby.
Variants
SLASH'EM
In SLASH'EM, tame vrocks can turn traitor like many other demons.
A vrock is generated in The Temple of Moloch at level creation.
dNetHack
In dNetHack, notdNetHack and notdNetHack, vrocks are significantly buffed: their base experience is increased, and while they have three attacks instead of five, the attacks themselves are stronger and include a weapon attack, a claw attack, and a bite attack.
Vrocks are described as more animal-like to reflect their vulture-like features; they are strong and capable of using polearms in melee, and all 10 points of AC are in the "natural" category. They can also emit a stun-inducing shriek while retreating.
Vrock are more widespread throughout Gehennom and other levels:
- A vrock generates in The Temple of Moloch's main area at level creation, as in SLASH'EM.
- A vrock is generated on the Mordor Fortress floor of the Mordor Ruins Chaos Quest.
- Many vrocks are generated on the third variant map of Brine Flats's third floor within Gehennom.
- The vaults of Lolth have four vrocks within the "upstairs" portal room.
Reading the Necronomicon has a 2⁄15 chance of summoning a vrock.
Shalosh tannah have a 1⁄9 chance of producing strange larvae each turn that can quickly grow into vrocks equipped with organic weapons and armor.
Monster stats by variant
| & vrock
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 11 |
| Attacks |
Claw 1d4, claw 1d4, claw 1d8, claw 1d8, bite 1d6 |
| Base level | 8 |
| Base experience | 176 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | 0 |
| Base MR | 50 |
| Alignment | -9 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 2 (Quite rare) |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 1450 |
| Nutritional value | 400 |
| Size | Large |
| Resistances | Fire, poison |
| Resistances conveyed | None |
|
A vrock:
| |
| Reference | SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2/monst.c#line4115 |
| & vrock
| |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 11 |
| Attacks |
Weapon 1d9 physical, Claw 1d17 physical, Bite 1d13 physical |
| Base level | 8 |
| Base experience | 213 |
| Speed | 12 |
| Base AC | 0 |
| Base MR | 50 |
| Alignment | -9 (chaotic) |
| Frequency (by normal means) | 2 (Quite rare) |
| Genocidable | No |
| Weight | 1450 |
| Nutritional value | 400 |
| Size | large |
| Resistances | fire, poison |
| Resistances conveyed | fire, cold |
|
A vrock:
| |
| Reference | dNetHack src/monst.c, line 6043 |
Encyclopedia entry
The vrock is one of the weaker forms of demon. It resembles a cross between a human being and a vulture and does physical damage by biting and by using the claws on both its arms and feet.
