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Difference between revisions of "Werebeast"

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{{DFtext|Urist McBitten, Cheesemaker has transformed into a werelizard!|3:1}}
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[[File:werebeast_sprite_preview.png|right]]'''Werebeasts''' {{Tile|Ñ|6:0}} are [[night creature]]s resembling an unnatural cross between a sapient creature and a beast, cursed to transform every full moon into a dangerous and bloodthirsty beast form. The curse can be contracted by incurring the wrath of one's patron [[deity]] or from another werebeast. Werebeasts are hated and feared throughout much of the world, posing a great risk to the player. Though adults and children can be cursed, babies will not be.
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There will be a specific amount of werebeasts roaming the lands, depending on [[DF2014:Advanced_world_generation#Number_of_Werebeast_Curse_Types| the world's settings]]. They can take the form of mammals or reptiles, ranging from the classic [[Wolf|werewolf]], to more exotic things like [[Giraffe|weregiraffes]], [[Lizard|werelizards]], [[Sloth|weresloths]] or [[Gila monster|weregila monsters]]. Also included are some creatures not normally present in the game (werelorises, weremammoths).
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The behaviour of vanilla werebeasts in worldgen (i.e. fleeing town upon being cursed, and conducting raids from their new lair) appears to be caused by the cursed individual's beast form having the {{token|NIGHT_CREATURE_HUNTER}} tag; removal of this tag from a generated werebeast extracted from a world.dat file and jimmied into the standard raws caused those cursed to behave no differently from any other unnaturally-[[Immortality|immortal]] individual.
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The sprite assigned to a werebeast will be closest to its randomly, procedurally generated appearance. There are 72 possible sprites.
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== Characteristics ==
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[[File:weregoat_story.jpg|thumb|350px|"My Captain of the guard, just released from the hospital, transformed into a weregoat while sparring with his soldiers just to instantly get an arm cut off and the head smashed in."<br><small>''Art by Devilingo''</small>]]
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A number of different types of werebeast curses are procedurally generated during world generation. Their numbers are normally dependent on world size, but can be directly controlled with [[advanced world generation]] - if you prefer not having werebeasts (and therefore not having [[fun]]), generating a world with "{{tt|Number of Werebeast Curse Types}}" set to {{tt|0}} in advanced world generation will ensure that no werebeasts exist in your world.
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There are more kinds of mammal curses (64 possible, though it might leave off some amphibious/bat ones), so it reduces the chances of each specific one to avoid a mammal flood.  The generic lizard is given more weight, since it's more vague and presumably encompasses more things.
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While procedurally generated, all werebeasts possess certain characteristics in common. They are all [[fanciful]], evil-aligned humanoids taking the shape of an animal who is crazed for blood and flesh, with glowing eyes and a brief description of their skin ("Its charcoal scales are blocky and close-set."), who are associated with the [[sphere]]s of animals, chaos, moon and night. While intelligent, werebeasts are locked in a [[berserk]] state and will behave accordingly, attacking anything in view.
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During werebeast transformations, which occur at [[Werebeast#Transformation_dates|full moons]], the beast will not transform back into its original form until the duration of the full moon has ended.  The transformations, whether from dwarf-to-beast or beast-to-dwarf, will fully restore the unit in question to complete health. Hunger and thirst will both be removed, and injuries (including missing limbs) will be fully healed. Effects induced by insanity are not reversed, however, so berserking soldiers that transform will still not follow orders.
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=== Curse transmission and effects ===
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Sapient creatures ([[human]]s, [[Dwarf|dwarves]], [[Elf|elves]], [[goblin]]s or [[animal people]]) bitten by werebeasts are cursed to become werebeasts themselves.{{cite forum|126618}} Those that have died as a werebeast are still capable of being resurrected by necromancers as intelligent undead.  When this happens, the curse is retained and the newly revived will proceed to transform on a monthly basis whenever the original bite/turn date is reached.  Transformations will not remove their status as undead.
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The size of the werebeast is dependent on the nature of its curse, but all are significantly larger than a dwarf, with things like wererhinos and weremammoths being particularly massive. Depending on their starting status and the beast form in question, transformed individuals may receive augmented (or reduced!) strength, agility, recuperation and disease resistance while in monster form, though they often possess slightly lower-than-average toughness and endurance. All werebeasts possess at least Talented [[skill]] in [[wrestling]], [[Combat skill|biting, fighting, striking, kicking, dodging]] and [[Observer|observing]], as well as Legendary skill in [[ambusher]]. If the werebeast is a child, these skills will be at "dabbling" level. Additionally, they can [[Amphibious|breathe underwater]], [[No Exert|feel no exertion]], [[No Stun|cannot be stunned]] and are [[No Pain|immune to pain]], nausea, dizziness and fevers. Werebeasts need no food, water or sleep to survive, nor do they need to breathe, meaning they cannot be drowned or strangled. Werebeasts are Level 2 [[building destroyer]]s and are almost completely [[Trapavoid|immune to traps]] while transformed, safely bypassing any sort of [[trap]] set in their way. They may become caged when they revert, however.
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=== Combat, strengths and weaknesses ===
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If the werebeast cannot use weapons in wereform (i.e. no hands), only the natural abilities of the creature are available for combat, which differ from creature to creature (claws/hooves/venomous bite etc.), but only their bites cause the werebeast curse to be transmitted. Werebeasts have been confirmed to have the ability to arrive at your fortress both armed and stealthed. Some werebeasts possess [[Syndrome|venom]] as well, applying "[[Syndrome|night sickness]]" to those who are bitten along with the werebeast curse.
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All werebeasts possess a built-in damage resistance against most weapon-grade [[metal]]s which halves the damage taken during combat, save for one randomly chosen metal which the werebeast will instead be 10 times weaker against. Unlike in the werewolf myth, this weakness isn't restricted to [[silver]], though a werebeast race may indeed be weak to it. There are no means in [[fortress mode]] to learn which metal a given werebeast is weak against during gameplay. In [[adventurer mode]] this information is included in the quest rumor, but an afflicted adventurer can only learn their own weakness [[Wound|the fun way]].
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Dwarves will never have [[preferences]] for werebeasts, as they possess no {{token|PREFSTRING}}. They possess an unused [[Pet#Pet value|pet value]] of 2,000.
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Killed werebeasts are always listed in a unit's or weapon's kill log as a member of their original race, even if the werebeast was dispatched while in animal form.
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===Werebeast types===
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Here follows a conclusive list of all possible shapes given to a cursed individual. Note that descriptors/colors are randomized upon the curses' generation, so you may encounter "different" werebeasts of the same species in the same world. These descriptors, however, are purely for flavour, and have no gameplay implications.
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<!--
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'''Reptile werebeasts:'''
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{{columns-list|colwidth=10em|
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* werechameleon
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* weregecko
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* weregilamonster
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* wereiguana
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* werelizard
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* weremonitor
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* wereskink
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* weretortoise**
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* wereturtle
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}}
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'''Mammal werebeasts:'''
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{{columns-list|colwidth=10em|
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* wereanteater*
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* wereantelope**
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* wereape**
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* werearmadillo
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* werebadger
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* werebear**
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* werebeaver
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* werebison*
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* werebuffalo
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* werebull
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* werecamel**
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* werecapybara
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* werecat
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* werecavy
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* werechinchilla
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* werecivet*
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* werecoati
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* werecoyote
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* weredeer
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* weredonkey**
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* wereelephant
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* wereelk
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* werefox
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* weregiraffe
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* weregoat
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* weregopher*
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* werehare
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* werehedgehog
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* werehorse
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* werehyena
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* werejackal
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* werekangaroo
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* werekoala
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* werelemur*
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* werellama
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* wereloris*
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* weremammoth*
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* weremarmot
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* weremole*
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* weremongoose
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* weremonkey**
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* weremoose
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* weremouse*
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* wereopossum
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* werepanda
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* werepangolin
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* werepanther**
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* werepig
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* wereporcupine
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* wererabbit
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* wereraccoon
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* wererat
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* wererhinoceros
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* weresheep
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* wereshrew*
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* wereskunk
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* weresloth
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* weresquirrel
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* weretapir
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* werewarthog
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* wereweasel
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* werewolf
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* werewombat
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* werezebra*
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}}-->
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{| class="wikitable"
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! Graphic !! Werecreature !! style="background:#aeaeae;" | !! Graphic !! Werecreature !! style="background:#aeaeae; | !! Graphic !! Werebeast
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|+ Reptile Werebeasts
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|[[File:werechameleon_sprite.png|center]] || Werechameleon || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weregecko_sprite.png|center]] || Weregecko || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weregilamonster_sprite.png|center]] || Weregilamonster
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|-
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|[[File:wereiguana_sprite.png|center]] || Wereiguana || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werelizard_sprite.png|center]] || Werelizard || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weremonitor_sprite.png|center]] || Weremonitor
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|-
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|[[File:wereskink_sprite.png|center]] || Wereskink || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weretortoise_sprite.png|center]] || Weretortoise** || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weretortoise_sprite.png|center]] || Wereturtle
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|}
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{| class="wikitable"
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|+ Mammal Werebeasts
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! Graphic !! Werecreature !! style="background:#aeaeae;" | !! Graphic !! Werecreature !! style="background:#aeaeae;" | !! Graphic !! Werecreature !! style="background:#aeaeae;" | !! Graphic !! Werecreature
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|-
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|[[File:wereanteater_sprite.png|center]] || Wereanteater* || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werecoati_sprite.png|center]] || Werecoati || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werekoala_sprite.png|center]] || Werekoala || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wereporcupine_sprite.png|center]] || Wereporcupine
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|-
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|[[File:wereantelope_sprite.png|center]] || Wereantelope** || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werecoyote_sprite.png|center]] || Werecoyote || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werelemur_sprite.png|center]] || Werelemur || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wererabbit_sprite.png|center]] || Wererabbit
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|-
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|[[File:wereape_sprite.png|center]] || Wereape** || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weredeer_sprite.png|center]] || Weredeer || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werellama_sprite.png|center]] || Werellama || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wereraccoon_sprite.png|center]] || Wereraccoon
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|-
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|[[File:werearmadillo_sprite.png|center]] || Werearmadillo || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weredonkey_sprite.png|center]] || Weredonkey** || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wereloris_sprite.png|center]] || Wereloris* || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wererat_sprite.png|center]] || Wererat
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|-
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|[[File:werebadger_sprite.png|center]] || Werebadger || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wereelephant_sprite.png|center]] || Wereelephant || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weremammoth_sprite.png|center]] || Weremammoth* || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wererhinoceros_sprite.png|center]] || Wererhinoceros
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|-
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|[[File:werebear_sprite.png|center]] || Werebear** || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wereelk_sprite.png|center]] || Wereelk || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weremarmot_sprite.png|center]] || Weremarmot || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weresheep_sprite.png|center]] || Weresheep
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|-
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| style="height:60px;" | [[File:werebeaver_sprite.png|center]] || Werebeaver || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werefox_sprite.png|center]] || Werefox || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weremole_sprite.png|center]] || Weremole* || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wereshrew_sprite.png|center]] || Wereshrew*
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|-
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|[[File:werebison_sprite.png|center]] || Werebison* || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weregiraffe_sprite.png|center]] || Weregiraffe || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weremongoose_sprite.png|center]] || Weremongoose || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wereskunk_sprite.png|center]] || Wereskunk
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|-
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|[[File:werebuffalo_sprite.png|center]] || Werebuffalo || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weregoat_sprite.png|center]] || Weregoat || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weremonkey_sprite.png|center]] || Weremonkey** || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weresloth_sprite.png|center]] || Weresloth
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|-
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|[[File:werebull_sprite.png|center]] || Werebull || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weregopher_sprite.png|center]] || Weregopher* || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weremoose_sprite.png|center]] || Weremoose || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weresquirrel_sprite.png|center]] || Weresquirrel
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|-
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|[[File:werecamel_sprite.png|center]] || Werecamel** || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werehare_sprite.png|center]] || Werehare || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weremouse_sprite.png|center]] || Weremouse* || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:weretapir_sprite.png|center]] || Weretapir
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|-
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|[[File:werecapybara_sprite.png|center]] || Werecapybara || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werehedgehog_sprite.png|center]] || Werehedgehog || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wereopossum_sprite.png|center]] || Wereopossum || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werewarthog_sprite.png|center]] || Werewarthog
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|-
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|[[File:werecat_sprite.png|center]] || Werecat || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werehorse_sprite.png|center]] || Werehorse || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werepanda_sprite.png|center]] || Werepanda || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:wereweasel_sprite.png|center]] || Wereweasel
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|-
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| style="height:60px;" | [[File:werecavy_sprite.png|center]] || Werecavy || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werehyena_sprite.png|center]] || Werehyena || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werepangolin_sprite.png|center]] || Werepangolin || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werewolf_sprite.png|center]] || Werewolf
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|-
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| style="height:60px;" | [[File:werechinchilla_sprite.png|center]] || Werechinchilla || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werejackal_sprite.png|center]] || Werejackal || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werebeast_sprite.png|center]] || Werepanther** || style="background:#ddd;" | || [[File:werewombat_sprite.png|center]] || Werewombat
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|-
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| style="height:60px;" | [[File:werecivet_sprite.png|center]] || Werecivet* || style="background:#ddd | || [[File:werekangaroo_sprite.png|center]] || Werekangaroo || style="background:#ddd | || [[File:werepig_sprite.png|center]] || Werepig || style="background:#ddd | || [[File:werezebra_sprite.png|center]] || Werezebra*
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|}
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:<small>*The animal this corresponds to does not actually appear as a normal [[animal]] in ''Dwarf Fortress''.</small>
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:<small>**This werebeast doesn't correspond clearly to any specific in-game species of animal.</small>
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==Werebeasts in fortresses==
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In some regions, the full moon will herald the attack of werebeasts upon your fortress and the unwilling transformation of your own citizens into their bestial forms.
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If the region has at least one type of werebeast, a werebeast may choose to [[ambush]] your fortress from the surface, revealing itself only once seen. Unlike most other invaders, werebeasts are only announced on their discovery (triggering a message similar to that of a [[megabeast|megabeast]]), allowing them to get much closer to your fortress than most other threats. Local werebeasts will be announced at the moment of their transformation, but unlike invaders will not pause the game and can therefore slip under the radar if the transformation was unexpected or there was numerous other announcements at the time.
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Transformed werebeasts are building destroyers, pathing to and toppling workshops and furniture that may be accessible to them. They will attack anything they can find for the duration of the full moon - including wildlife, livestock, and the dwarves of your fortress, prioritizing creatures over buildings in their efforts to spread the affliction.
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Werebeasts of the same beast-species are not hostile to each other while transformed. Generally, a werebeast will not attack another werebeast of the same species when it initially transforms. There have been reports of them attacking each other, so be careful if you want to keep them alive.
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Because werebeasts are ambushers (only announcing themselves when found) and are only active for a few days of the month, it's possible for their 'visits' to go completely undetected by members of your fort (though the local wildlife may certainly have noticed). If a werebeast is only spotted after the full moon has ended and it has reverted back to its normal form, the game will still announce its discovery, but instead in its ''current'' form (leading to amusing/terrifying messages such as "The Human (name) has come! A medium-sized creature prone to great ambition.").
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Occasionally, a werebeast can infiltrate your fortress, as they've visited as part of a passing caravan. They'll only turn upon the changing of the moon phase, and you will not get the warning given when they'd normally appear on the map.
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==Defending your fort against werebeasts==
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If you have not established an early-detection defensive perimeter (see [[defense guide]] and note, werebeasts are [[trapavoid]]), it is quite likely that if a werebeast attacks, a dwarf will be bitten. The best defense against this is to keep civilians off the surface (unless they are inside high walls), and rely on warning systems to tell you when to trigger a [[Burrow#Civilian_Alerts|civilian alert]] and close your [[bridge|drawbridges]]. A werebeast retains its infectious form for only a few days during the full moon. After that, it reverts to an ordinary humanoid form, and will typically flee.
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Warning systems may include [[pasture]]d or [[restraint|restrained]] animals, or outdoor [[statue]]s. If you get notices of toppled statues with no visible cause, it's probable there is a werebeast nearby. Baby werecreatures are neutral, and while you can order your military to kill them, the order will not be followed.
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===Infection===
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[[File:Weregiraffe.jpg|thumb|A Weregiraffe infecting dwarves. Note that getting infected doesn't protect the dwarf in question from further attacks.<br />''Art by [[Zach Adams]]''.]]
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Werebeasts are dangerous opponents, perfectly capable of killing an unarmed dwarf with impunity, but as notification-worthy invaders go they aren't especially terrifying; a few dwarves with modest military training and gear should be able to handle them with few casualties, as will a single elite dwarf in quality steel gear. The real threat they pose, however, is in their bite. If a sentient creature is bitten by a werebeast, and the bite tears fat, skin, or muscle, the said creature becomes infected. Infected creatures will become werebeasts at the next full moon (see below for schedule). Scratches, bites that merely bruise or dent, and subsequent shaking attacks after a bite will not transmit the curse, and thus are merely as dangerous as any other such assault. Any [[learning]] creature who has [[blood]] and isn't [[undead]] or supernatural can potentially be infected, meaning you could theoretically have things such as [[troglodyte]] or [[troll]] werebeasts, while animals, [[vampire]]s, and [[Mummy|mummies]] are immune to it.
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There is no cure. To protect your other dwarves, you should either keep all infected dwarves isolated so they cannot infect your whole fortress, or if you do not want to take care of them, [[expel]] them from the fortress or just kill them.
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Contrary to popular belief, only the original werebeast of a particular strain is immune to aging. All subsequent creatures who become infected from that strain will still retain their original lifespans (in the case of elves and goblins, they simply continue to be immortal.) While transformed, a werebeast will require neither food nor drink, nor do they require sleep. Note the immunity to these requirements only applies during the full moon. However, the monthly transformation resets an infected creature's dehydration and hunger levels, thus allowing them to be trapped in a room until they expire from old age (although they will likely go mad way before this happens.) Additionally, each transformation will heal any and all of an infected creature's wounds, and will also restore any missing limbs which the creature may have had.
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Particularly [[Fun]] ideas for using werecreatures include:
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===Infecting your entire fort===
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Yes, it is possible. Having only infected dwarves does not end your game.
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'''Pros:'''
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* Super-effective hospital service; your dwarves are fully healed once per month. No need for crutches or anything.
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* No need for food or drink, though you can keep alcohol around for happy thoughts and to avoid alcohol withdrawal
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* No need for beds or bedrooms, other than those for nobles
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* When transformed, civilian dwarves are less vulnerable
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* Dwarves will happily discard their old tattered clothing and pick up fresh clothes every month.
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* Unhappy thoughts are less severe, as the process of being bitten and biting others tends to make your dwarves very resilient to tragedy.
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* Go for were-elephants or were-badgers for extra dwarven points
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* Fun
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'''Cons:'''
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* Exceedingly difficult to set up, quite long as well; May kill your most important dwarves
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* When transformed, fortress activity grinds to a halt, and for a few days afterwards, as civilians run around finding new clothing
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* Werebeasts are building destroyers, so you'll constantly need to remake workshops and most furniture
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* Trading is especially difficult
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* Will cause issues with military when transformed: transformation removes all armor, though they will hold onto their weapons, shields, and even quivers/bolts during transformation.
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* May be exceedingly ‼fun‼ for [[Thought|dwarven]] [[Tantrum|sanity]]... but then again, you ''were'' looking for fun in the first place
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