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Nightmare

2022-11-26T16:43:08Z

Dorftik: grammar

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{{new in|0.47.01}}
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'''Nightmares''' {{Tile|Ñ|0:1}} are procedurally-generated, [[fanciful]] [[night creature]]s summoned by [[necromancer]]s and [[demon]]s{{Verify}} to fight in battle, larger than [[dwarf|your]] [[human|standard]] [[elf|humanoids]], but smaller than [[titan]]s and [[forgotten beast]]s. They are short-lived, and neutral to creatures with {{token|NO_FEAR|c}}. Nightmares summoned in fortress mode will be friendly. When summoned, nightmares will possess Talented [[skill]] in [[Observer|observing]], [[Fighter|fighting]], [[wrestling]], [[Biter|biting]], [[Striker|striking]], [[Kicker|kicking]] and [[dodging]]. They do not need to [[sleep]], [[eat]] or drink, feel no [[pain]] (though still have nerves that can be [[Wound|damaged]], therefore affecting motor function), cannot be stunned, feel no fear, completely avoid [[traps]], don't need to breathe, or feel dizziness, nausea, and never get tired from over-exertion.

Since they are procedurally generated, their in-game appearance (which can be seen by spawning them in the [[object testing arena]]) will vary by world, but will always end with: "Now you will know why you fear the night." This same quote is associated with [[bogeymen]]. By default, there are multiple nightmare types per world, and the number can be set in [[Advanced_world_generation#Number_of_Nightmare_Types|advanced world generation]]. Like many procedurally-generated creatures in the game, not only can their appearance be randomized, but the color of their blood.

All nightmares are linked with the [[sphere]]s of misery, night, and - unsurprisingly - nightmares.

Some dwarves [[preferences|like]] nightmares for their ''unfathomably horrifying nature.''

[[File:nightmare_creature.jpg|thumb|310px|center|Too much for the neurons to handle. ''Art by jlcseiles (John L C Seiles)'']]

{{gamedata|title=Example raws (as extracted from world.dat in version 0.47.04)|
[CREATURE:NIGHT_CREATURE_23]
[NAME:nightmare:nightmares:nightmare]
[CASTE_NAME:nightmare:nightmares:nightmare]
[GENERATED]
[ATTACK_TRIGGER:50:5000:50000]
[NIGHT_CREATURE_NIGHTMARE]
[NATURAL_SKILL:WRESTLING:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:BITE:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:MELEE_COMBAT:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:GRASP_STRIKE:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:DODGING:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:SITUATIONAL_AWARENESS:6]
[NO_GENDER]
[CLUSTER_NUMBER:1:1]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:STRENGTH:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:TOUGHNESS:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:ENDURANCE:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:RECUPERATION:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:DISEASE_RESISTANCE:700:1300:1400:1500:1600:1800:2500]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:ANALYTICAL_ABILITY:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:FOCUS:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:WILLPOWER:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:PATIENCE:0:333:666:1000:2333:3666:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:MEMORY:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:LINGUISTIC_ABILITY:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:MUSICALITY:0:333:666:1000:2333:3666:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:SOCIAL_AWARENESS:700:1300:1400:1500:1600:1800:2500]
[PERSONALITY:ANXIETY_PROPENSITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:DEPRESSION_PROPENSITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:BASHFUL:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:STRESS_VULNERABILITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:FRIENDLINESS:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:ASSERTIVENESS:100:100:100]
[PERSONALITY:DISDAIN_ADVICE:100:100:100]
[PERSONALITY:CHEER_PROPENSITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:GRATITUDE:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:TRUST:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:ALTRUISM:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:SWAYED_BY_EMOTIONS:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:CRUELTY:100:100:100]
[PERSONALITY:HUMOR:100:100:100]
[NO_DRINK]
[NO_EAT]
[NO_SLEEP]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HEIGHT:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[LARGE_PREDATOR]
[EVIL]
[SUPERNATURAL]
[FANCIFUL]
[AMPHIBIOUS]
[SWIMS_INNATE]
[NONAUSEA]
[NOEXERT]
[NO_DIZZINESS]
[NOPAIN]
[NOSTUN]
[PETVALUE:2000]
[ALL_ACTIVE]
[NOFEAR]
[NO_FEVERS]
[LARGE_PREDATOR]
[SPHERE:MISERY]
[SPHERE:NIGHT]
[SPHERE:NIGHTMARES]
[BODY_SIZE:0:0:1000000]
[GRASSTRAMPLE:20]
[BUILDINGDESTROYER:2]
[TRAPAVOID]
[CREATURE_TILE:165]
[BODY:RCP_UPPER_BODY:RCP_LOWER_BODY:RCP_NECK:RCP_HEAD:RCP_TWO_PART_ARMS:RCP_TWO_PART_LEGS:RCP_ANTENNAE:RCP_HEART:RCP_GUTS:RCP_BRAIN:RCP_MOUTH]
[CANOPENDOORS]
[EQUIPS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_MATERIALS]
[REMOVE_MATERIAL:HAIR]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:FEATHER:FEATHER_TEMPLATE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_TISSUES]
[REMOVE_TISSUE:HAIR]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:FEATHER:FEATHER_TEMPLATE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:EXOSKELETON_TISSUE_LAYERS:SKIN:FAT:MUSCLE]
[HAS_NERVES]
[NOBREATHE]
[EXTRAVISION]
[HOMEOTHERM:10040]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:BODY_FEATHER_TISSUE_LAYERS:FEATHER]
[SELECT_MATERIAL:FEATHER]
[STATE_COLOR:ALL_SOLID:SLATE_GRAY]
[NO_UNIT_TYPE_COLOR]
[COLOR:0:0:1]
[SELECT_TISSUE_LAYER:HEART:BY_CATEGORY:HEART]
[PLUS_TISSUE_LAYER:SCALE:BY_CATEGORY:THROAT]
[TL_MAJOR_ARTERIES]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:ICHOR:ICHOR_TEMPLATE]
[BLOOD:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:ICHOR:LIQUID]
[ATTACK:PUNCH:BODYPART:BY_TYPE:GRASP]
[ATTACK_SKILL:GRASP_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:punch:punches]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_FLAG_WITH]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK:KICK:BODYPART:BY_TYPE:STANCE]
[ATTACK_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:kick:kicks]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_FLAG_WITH]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_BAD_MULTIATTACK]
[ATTACK:BITE:BODYPART:BY_CATEGORY:MOUTH]
[ATTACK_SKILL:BITE]
[ATTACK_VERB:bite:bites]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_CANLATCH]
[GAIT:SWIM:Maximum Swim Speed:725:10:3:2175:50:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:SWIM:Faster Swim:1450:5:3:2175:10:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:SWIM:Fast Swim:2175:NO_BUILD_UP:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:SWIM:Swim:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:SWIM:Slow Swim:3900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:SWIM:Creeping Swim:5900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:WALK:Sprint:225:10:3:675:50:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:WALK:Run:450:5:3:675:10:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:WALK:Jog:675:NO_BUILD_UP:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:WALK:Walk:900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:WALK:Stroll:1900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:WALK:Creep:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Scramble:225:10:3:675:50:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Faster Crawl:450:5:3:675:10:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Fast Crawl:675:NO_BUILD_UP:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Crawl:900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Slow Crawl:1900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Creep:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Scramble:225:10:3:675:50:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Faster Climb:450:5:3:675:10:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Fast Climb:675:NO_BUILD_UP:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Climb:900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Slow Climb:1900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Creep:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[DESCRIPTION:A very large feathered humanoid. It has a pair of squat antennae and with singular purpose it seeks to destroy the living. Its slate gray feathers are fluffed-out. Now you will know why you fear the night.]
[PREFSTRING:unfathomably horrifying nature]

[CREATURE:NIGHT_CREATURE_30]
[NAME:nightmare:nightmares:nightmare]
[CASTE_NAME:nightmare:nightmares:nightmare]
[GENERATED]
[ATTACK_TRIGGER:50:5000:50000]
[NIGHT_CREATURE_NIGHTMARE]
[NATURAL_SKILL:WRESTLING:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:BITE:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:MELEE_COMBAT:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:GRASP_STRIKE:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:DODGING:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:SITUATIONAL_AWARENESS:6]
[NO_GENDER]
[CLUSTER_NUMBER:1:1]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:STRENGTH:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:TOUGHNESS:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:ENDURANCE:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:RECUPERATION:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:DISEASE_RESISTANCE:700:1300:1400:1500:1600:1800:2500]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:ANALYTICAL_ABILITY:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:FOCUS:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:WILLPOWER:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:PATIENCE:0:333:666:1000:2333:3666:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:MEMORY:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:LINGUISTIC_ABILITY:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:MUSICALITY:0:333:666:1000:2333:3666:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:SOCIAL_AWARENESS:700:1300:1400:1500:1600:1800:2500]
[PERSONALITY:ANXIETY_PROPENSITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:DEPRESSION_PROPENSITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:BASHFUL:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:STRESS_VULNERABILITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:FRIENDLINESS:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:ASSERTIVENESS:100:100:100]
[PERSONALITY:DISDAIN_ADVICE:100:100:100]
[PERSONALITY:CHEER_PROPENSITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:GRATITUDE:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:TRUST:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:ALTRUISM:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:SWAYED_BY_EMOTIONS:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:CRUELTY:100:100:100]
[PERSONALITY:HUMOR:100:100:100]
[NO_DRINK]
[NO_EAT]
[NO_SLEEP]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HEIGHT:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[LARGE_PREDATOR]
[EVIL]
[SUPERNATURAL]
[FANCIFUL]
[AMPHIBIOUS]
[SWIMS_INNATE]
[NONAUSEA]
[NOEXERT]
[NO_DIZZINESS]
[NOPAIN]
[NOSTUN]
[PETVALUE:2000]
[ALL_ACTIVE]
[NOFEAR]
[NO_FEVERS]
[LARGE_PREDATOR]
[SPHERE:MISERY]
[SPHERE:NIGHT]
[SPHERE:NIGHTMARES]
[BODY_SIZE:0:0:800000]
[GRASSTRAMPLE:20]
[BUILDINGDESTROYER:2]
[TRAPAVOID]
[CREATURE_TILE:165]
[BODY:RCP_UPPER_BODY:RCP_LOWER_BODY:RCP_NECK:RCP_HEAD:RCP_SIMPLE_FRONT_LEGS:RCP_SIMPLE_REAR_LEGS:RCP_TAIL:RCP_2_HEAD_HORNS:RCP_4_FRONT_TOES:RCP_4_REAR_TOES:RCP_LUNGS:RCP_HEART:RCP_GUTS:RCP_THROAT:RCP_SPINE:RCP_UPPER_SPINE:RCP_BRAIN:RCP_SKULL:RCP_MOUTH:RCP_TONGUE:RCP_TEETH:RCP_RIBS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_MATERIALS]
[REMOVE_MATERIAL:SKIN]
[REMOVE_MATERIAL:HAIR]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SCALE:SCALE_TEMPLATE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_TISSUES]
[REMOVE_TISSUE:SKIN]
[REMOVE_TISSUE:HAIR]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:SCALE:SCALE_TEMPLATE]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:HORN:HORN_TEMPLATE]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:HORN:HORN_TEMPLATE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:VERTEBRATE_TISSUE_LAYERS:SCALE:FAT:MUSCLE:BONE:CARTILAGE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_RIBCAGE_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_RELSIZES]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SINEW:SINEW_TEMPLATE]
[TENDONS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:200]
[LIGAMENTS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:200]
[HAS_NERVES]
[NOBREATHE]
[EXTRAVISION]
[HOMEOTHERM:10040]
[SELECT_MATERIAL:SCALE]
[STATE_COLOR:ALL_SOLID:CLEAR]
[NO_UNIT_TYPE_COLOR]
[COLOR:0:0:1]
[SELECT_TISSUE_LAYER:HEART:BY_CATEGORY:HEART]
[PLUS_TISSUE_LAYER:SCALE:BY_CATEGORY:THROAT]
[TL_MAJOR_ARTERIES]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:BLOOD:BLOOD_TEMPLATE]
[STATE_COLOR:ALL:PLUM]
[BLOOD:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:BLOOD:LIQUID]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:CLAW:NAIL_TEMPLATE]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:CLAW:CLAW_TEMPLATE]
[TISSUE_LAYER:BY_CATEGORY:TOE:CLAW:FRONT]
[ATTACK:KICK:BODYPART:BY_TYPE:STANCE]
[ATTACK_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:kick:kicks]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_FLAG_WITH]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_BAD_MULTIATTACK]
[ATTACK:HORN:BODYPART:BY_CATEGORY:HORN]
[ATTACK_SKILL:BITE]
[ATTACK_VERB:gore:gores]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:5]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK:BITE:CHILD_BODYPART_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:HEAD:BY_CATEGORY:TOOTH]
[ATTACK_SKILL:BITE]
[ATTACK_VERB:bite:bites]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_CANLATCH]
[ATTACK:TSCRATCH:CHILD_TISSUE_LAYER_GROUP:BY_TYPE:STANCE:BY_CATEGORY:ALL:CLAW]
[ATTACK_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:scratch:scratches]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_BAD_MULTIATTACK]
[GAIT:SWIM:Maximum Swim Speed:725:10:3:2175:50:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:SWIM:Faster Swim:1450:5:3:2175:10:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:SWIM:Fast Swim:2175:NO_BUILD_UP:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:SWIM:Swim:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:SWIM:Slow Swim:3900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:SWIM:Creeping Swim:5900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:WALK:Gallop:225:10:3:675:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:WALK:Canter:450:5:3:675:3:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:WALK:Trot:675:NO_BUILD_UP:0:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:WALK:Walk:900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:WALK:Stroll:1900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:WALK:Creep:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Scramble:225:10:3:675:50:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Faster Crawl:450:5:3:675:10:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Fast Crawl:675:NO_BUILD_UP:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Crawl:900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Slow Crawl:1900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Creep:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[DESCRIPTION:A very large eyeless dimetrodon. It has two long, curving horns and with singular purpose it seeks to destroy the living. Its clear scales are round and close-set. Now you will know why you fear the night.]
[PREFSTRING:unfathomably horrifying nature]

[CREATURE:NIGHT_CREATURE_32]
[NAME:nightmare:nightmares:nightmare]
[CASTE_NAME:nightmare:nightmares:nightmare]
[GENERATED]
[ATTACK_TRIGGER:50:5000:50000]
[NIGHT_CREATURE_NIGHTMARE]
[NATURAL_SKILL:WRESTLING:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:BITE:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:MELEE_COMBAT:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:GRASP_STRIKE:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:DODGING:6]
[NATURAL_SKILL:SITUATIONAL_AWARENESS:6]
[NO_GENDER]
[CLUSTER_NUMBER:1:1]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:STRENGTH:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:TOUGHNESS:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:ENDURANCE:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:RECUPERATION:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[PHYS_ATT_RANGE:DISEASE_RESISTANCE:700:1300:1400:1500:1600:1800:2500]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:ANALYTICAL_ABILITY:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:FOCUS:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:WILLPOWER:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:PATIENCE:0:333:666:1000:2333:3666:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:MEMORY:1250:1500:1750:2000:2500:3000:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:LINGUISTIC_ABILITY:450:1050:1150:1250:1350:1550:2250]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:MUSICALITY:0:333:666:1000:2333:3666:5000]
[MENT_ATT_RANGE:SOCIAL_AWARENESS:700:1300:1400:1500:1600:1800:2500]
[PERSONALITY:ANXIETY_PROPENSITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:DEPRESSION_PROPENSITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:BASHFUL:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:STRESS_VULNERABILITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:FRIENDLINESS:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:ASSERTIVENESS:100:100:100]
[PERSONALITY:DISDAIN_ADVICE:100:100:100]
[PERSONALITY:CHEER_PROPENSITY:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:GRATITUDE:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:TRUST:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:ALTRUISM:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:SWAYED_BY_EMOTIONS:0:0:0]
[PERSONALITY:CRUELTY:100:100:100]
[PERSONALITY:HUMOR:100:100:100]
[NO_DRINK]
[NO_EAT]
[NO_SLEEP]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HEIGHT:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[LARGE_PREDATOR]
[EVIL]
[SUPERNATURAL]
[FANCIFUL]
[AMPHIBIOUS]
[SWIMS_INNATE]
[NONAUSEA]
[NOEXERT]
[NO_DIZZINESS]
[NOPAIN]
[NOSTUN]
[PETVALUE:2000]
[ALL_ACTIVE]
[NOFEAR]
[NO_FEVERS]
[LARGE_PREDATOR]
[SPHERE:MISERY]
[SPHERE:NIGHT]
[SPHERE:NIGHTMARES]
[BODY_SIZE:0:0:600000]
[GRASSTRAMPLE:20]
[BUILDINGDESTROYER:2]
[TRAPAVOID]
[CREATURE_TILE:165]
[BODY:RCP_CEPHALOTHORAX:RCP_ABDOMEN:RCP_FIRST_SIMPLE_LEGS:RCP_SECOND_SIMPLE_LEGS:RCP_THIRD_SIMPLE_LEGS:RCP_PINCERS:RCP_TAIL:RCP_4_HEAD_HORNS:RCP_2_EYES:RCP_HEART:RCP_GUTS:RCP_BRAIN:RCP_MOUTH:RCP_TAIL_STINGER]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_MATERIALS]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:CHITIN:CHITIN_TEMPLATE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_TISSUES]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:CHITIN:CHITIN_TEMPLATE]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:HORN:HORN_TEMPLATE]
[USE_TISSUE_TEMPLATE:HORN:HORN_TEMPLATE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:EXOSKELETON_TISSUE_LAYERS:CHITIN:FAT:MUSCLE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:HUMANOID_RELSIZES]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SINEW:SINEW_TEMPLATE]
[TENDONS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:200]
[LIGAMENTS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:200]
[HAS_NERVES]
[NOBREATHE]
[HOMEOTHERM:10040]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:BODY_HAIR_TISSUE_LAYERS:HAIR]
[SELECT_MATERIAL:HAIR]
[STATE_COLOR:ALL_SOLID:BLACK]
[NO_UNIT_TYPE_COLOR]
[COLOR:0:0:1]
[SELECT_TISSUE_LAYER:HEART:BY_CATEGORY:HEART]
[PLUS_TISSUE_LAYER:SCALE:BY_CATEGORY:THROAT]
[TL_MAJOR_ARTERIES]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:ICHOR:ICHOR_TEMPLATE]
[BLOOD:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:ICHOR:LIQUID]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:POISON:CREATURE_EXTRACT_TEMPLATE]
[ENTERS_BLOOD]
[SYNDROME]
[SYN_NAME:night sickness]
[SYN_AFFECTED_CLASS:GENERAL_POISON]
[SYN_IMMUNE_CREATURE:NIGHT_CREATURE_32:ALL]
[SYN_INJECTED]
[SYN_CONTACT]
[SYN_INHALED]
[SYN_INGESTED]
[CE_IMPAIR_FUNCTION:SEV:100:PROB:100:START:470:PEAK:1172:END:3988:BP:BY_CATEGORY:ALL:STOMACH]
[CE_DROWSINESS:SEV:100:PROB:100:START:788:PEAK:1802:END:3774]
[ATTACK:PINCER:BODYPART:BY_CATEGORY:PINCER]
[ATTACK_SKILL:GRASP_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:snatch:snatches]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_CANLATCH]
[ATTACK_FLAG_WITH]
[ATTACK:KICK:BODYPART:BY_TYPE:STANCE]
[ATTACK_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:kick:kicks]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_FLAG_WITH]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_BAD_MULTIATTACK]
[ATTACK:STING:BODYPART:BY_CATEGORY:STINGER]
[ATTACK_SKILL:STANCE_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:sting:stings]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:5]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[SPECIALATTACK_INJECT_EXTRACT:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:POISON:LIQUID:100:100]
[ATTACK:HORN:BODYPART:BY_CATEGORY:HORN]
[ATTACK_SKILL:BITE]
[ATTACK_VERB:gore:gores]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:5]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK:BITE:BODYPART:BY_CATEGORY:MOUTH]
[ATTACK_SKILL:BITE]
[ATTACK_VERB:bite:bites]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:100]
[ATTACK_PREPARE_AND_RECOVER:2:2]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_CANLATCH]
[GAIT:SWIM:Maximum Swim Speed:725:10:3:2175:50:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:SWIM:Faster Swim:1450:5:3:2175:10:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:SWIM:Fast Swim:2175:NO_BUILD_UP:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:SWIM:Swim:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:SWIM:Slow Swim:3900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:SWIM:Creeping Swim:5900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:WALK:Fastest Walk:225:10:3:675:50:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:WALK:Faster Walk:450:5:3:675:10:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:WALK:Fast Walk:675:NO_BUILD_UP:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:WALK:Walk:900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:WALK:Slow Walk:1900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:WALK:Slowest Walk:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Scramble:225:10:3:675:50:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Faster Crawl:450:5:3:675:10:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Fast Crawl:675:NO_BUILD_UP:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Crawl:900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Slow Crawl:1900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CRAWL:Creep:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Scramble:225:10:3:675:50:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:50]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Faster Climb:450:5:3:675:10:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:20]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Fast Climb:675:NO_BUILD_UP:5:LAYERS_SLOW:STRENGTH:AGILITY:STEALTH_SLOWS:10]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Climb:900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Slow Climb:1900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[GAIT:CLIMB:Creep:2900:NO_BUILD_UP:0]
[DESCRIPTION:A very large hairy scorpion. It has four broad horns and with singular purpose it seeks to destroy the living. Its black hair is unkempt. Now you will know why you fear the night.]
[PREFSTRING:unfathomably horrifying nature]

}}
{{Creatures}}
[[Category:DF2014:No Pain]]
[[Category:DF2014:No Stun]]
[[Category:DF2014:No Exert]]
[[Category:DF2014:Syndrome]]
[[ru:Nightmare]]

Live training

2022-11-25T13:02:31Z

Dorftik: /* Beating on Enemy Prisoners (aka Away with thee, accursed Geneva Convention!) */ grammatical adjustment

{{Quality|Exceptional|21:54, 17 May 2015 (UTC)}}
{{av}}
'''Live training''' is the process of attacking [[creature]]s with [[military]] [[dwarves]] (and being attacked by these creatures as well) with minimal or nonexistent [[wound]]s in order to train your military's [[skill]]s, if you consider [[danger room]]s an exploit or don't want to randomly lose [[children]] or [[pet]]s, and find [[sparring]] and military [[training]] too slow.

There are many ways to do this. What you must ensure first is your dwarves' safety.

== Killing Wildlife ==

Just arm and armor your military, and gratuitously hunt wild [[animals]]. Note that some wild animals are more than capable of killing your dabbling [[soldier]]s, so you may want to scale the creature's threat to your dwarves' skill and equipment.

*'''Pros''':
**gets you raw [[meat]], [[bone]], [[skin]], and other body parts for your [[meat industry]].
**gets rid of unwanted animals in the biome
**possibly will get you new, more interesting animals on the map to catch
**very easy to set up, no special infrastructure needed
**slaughtering wildlife is fun
**trains all skills
**very easy to set up with [[Crossbowman|marksdwarves]]: just make your dwarves [[hunter]]s
**good for killing [[giant kea]]s, [[mandrill]]s, and other animals who attempt to steal your property.

*'''Cons''':
**not the fastest training method
**possibly the most dangerous technique for dwarves
**can easily bring you too much meat and animal parts
**easily gets repetitive
**If training melee, dwarves spend a long time running after wildlife. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnHmskwqCCQ Suggested BGM.]
**above-ground wildlife supply isn't infinite
**may generate unwanted [[hauling]] jobs
**requires oversight (repetitive kill orders)
**trains offense much more than defense
**smaller, "safer" animals are typically faster, and larger animals can easily smash limbs and crush torsos through armor on less skilled dwarves

BONUS: Improve on this design by breeding wild non-[[grazer]]s in some room, for your dwarves to slaughter the offspring periodically. It removes the limited wildlife problem, but still has most of the other drawbacks.

== Beating on Enemy Prisoners (aka Away with thee, accursed Geneva Convention!) ==

Quite a bit more efficient than the previous one, this consists of catching intelligent enemies in [[trap]]s, making sure they are unarmed but still [[armor]]ed, then sending them against your armor-clad dwarves equipped with [[training weapon]]s. You can kill them or not: see the bonus.

'''Pros''':
*decent training speed
*beating on goblins is fun
*infinite supply of enemies
*quite safe if executed correctly (no pun intended)
*trains all skills
*killing sentients increases discipline
'''Cons''':
*goblins are trained as well (although this may be a good thing: see bonus) if you don't kill them
*still requires enough oversight to be a bother, most especially if you don't want wounds
*for more [[fun]] don't remove the goblins' weapons
*goblins tend to die easily due to poor armor coverage, you must replace a new batch
*if you use [[training weapon]]s: dwarves may grow [[Attachment|attached]] to them
*generates hauling jobs
*as offensive skills improve and goblin skill stays the same, dwarves tend to kill goblins far too easily, making this method less effective as your dwarves improve.

BONUS: Don't kill goblins. Train them as well, making them increase in skill and try not to kill them. Use different batches of different goblins for differently skilled military dwarves. Make an arena design with dropping bridges and cage traps to stop the fight if it is going badly for your dwarf. While this requires a lot of oversight (possibly too much for your taste) and hauling jobs, this is a generally effective, realistic, complete and relatively quick method of training your military.

== Bronze Colossus Dummy ==

AKA: using a [[bronze colossus]]'s toughness and high experience gains to get good skills easily and safely.

For marksdwarves: catch the colossus, put it in a room, fire on it. You may want to use wooden/bone bolts to not damage it further, or iron bolts if you WANT to damage it further for melee training.
For melee: Remove its arms and legs via falling and/or bolts, and then drop the colossus on a closed room, and send your melee dwarves on it. Remember, [[steel]] or better weapons will kill it, and that's not what you want.

'''Pros''':
*very good training speed, due to colossus giving a lot of experience
*generally not dangerous
*infinite training
*little oversight needed, since both sides don't do much damage
*easy to set up for marksdwarves

'''Cons''':
*endgame only, you don't get a colossus before 80 dwarves
*must actually have a colossus in the world
*the colossus must actually attack your fortress to be captured
*dismembering a colossus without killing it isn't easy
*may be dangerous to dwarves with a low dodging skill
*limitation on quality material weapons => dwarf may tend to favor a poor weapon
*trains mostly offensive skills, although Dodger as well
*melee may be seen as an exploit
*the colossus will eventually be "pulped" by any attacks that are able to bypass their natural toughness

== Undead Battle Arena ==

Using one or several imprisoned [[necromancer]]s to train your dwarves with a controlled stream of [[undead]].

You must first catch one or several necromancers, or use a friendly necromancer, then dump them in a small space (if possible 1x1) surrounded by [[window]]s or [[fortification]]s (so they can animate what is around without being murdered by a dwarf), to make an animation room. You can replace the necromancer with an animating [[evil]] biome or a [[demonic fortress]], but necromancers raise undead faster, and can be moved anywhere you like. As a bonus, add raising [[bridge]]s or [[floodgate]]s to block the necro's view and stop the reanimation on command. Then drop whatever pile of [[body parts]] you don't need and want your necromancer to animate.

*'''Pros''':
**decent skill increases
**only little hauling needed
**use for necromancers
**Does not require low-quality weapons, allowing dwarves to become attached to better weapons then other methods
**requires little oversight
**trains every skill
**controllable training aspects: difficulty level, depending on corpse (from dropping llama [[wool]] to dropping a [[cave dragon]] corpse) and number of corpses animated
*'''Cons''':
**can be dangerous, actually danger is proportional to your oversight and difficulty level
**requires more stonework than most other methods
**requires to actually cage trap a necromancer
**time between two reanimations is wasted time => more necromancers is better

== Giant Cave Spider Armor Training Program (OLD) ==

Using a [[giant cave spider]]'s inability to bypass the armor of a webbed dwarf to train [[armor user]].

First you must prepare the terrain to separate wild GCS and dwarf when the dwarf gets hungry/thirsty/drowsy/sufficient armor user skill.

Set the training on a non-lethal pit trap consisting of a 2x2 or 3x3 retracting bridge, or a series of grates, all linked to a lever and on top of a 1z-deep pit. Fill the ground under the bridge with cage traps.

Set a military dwarf fully armored in metal, without any weapons against a wild giant cave spider. Wild GCS webs the still-conscious dwarf, wild GCS attempts a bite to the head, but fails to penetrate metal armor, dwarf gains armor user skill. Repeat a hundred times. You may want to find a way of harvesting silk for your [[loom]]s as well.

When you want to stop the training, pull the lever. Bridge or grates go down, dwarf and spider fall 1 z-level and get stunned, one or both get caged and separated.

You can also try a dwarf without full armor and only a metal helm, but in that case I no longer guarantee the safety of your dwarf.

*'''Pros''':
**can double as a GCS [[silk farm]]
**very good training rates
**Useful skill which normally increases slowly in combat
**No danger at all for both dwarf and GCS, provided you armored your dwarf well
**Requires only oversight each month
*'''Cons''':
**slightly exploity
**trains only one skill
**needs quite a bit of work to set up if you want to save the GCS and reuse it
**can't train several dwarves at once unless you have several wild GCS and several training facilities

Note: Due to giant cave spiders latching onto your dwarves when biting them, this appears to no longer work.

== Provoking elven sieges for fun and profit ==

No one likes the elves. No one. Well, except when they bring exotic animals and the occasional [[sun berry]]. So why not train your military on live elves? Obviously not on caravans that come each year, but on their [[siege]]s!

You must first mod your game to allow the elven [[diplomat]] to come, or start in a world where you are at war with the elves. When he comes, [[military|greet]] [[attack|him]] [[trap|properly]]. Then, [[siege|training]] [[elf|partners]] will come around eventually.

Alternatively, in v0.44, you can raid an elven [[forest retreat]] to initiate war. This has the advantage that if you have elven trading partners, they will continue to travel through elf [[corpse]]s to bring you their exotic animals.

*'''Pros:'''
**killing elves is great fun
**elves pose little threat to a serious military... as long as your dwarves have shields
**more [[rope reed]] [[clothing]] than your fortress needs, although you may deem it not dwarven enough to wear
**can be made more manageable by cage [[trap]]ping all elf warriors and releasing them into your barracks

*'''Cons:'''
**may generate large amounts of unwanted items (although all the wooden and cloth stuff can be used as trade "goods")
**may be too [[fun]] to handle for your civilians and untrained military, [[bow]]s being still overpowered
**may be a danger to other caravans
**may be dangerous to your dwarwen civilization, if they start losing to elves in global world

{{Category|Military}}
[[ru:Live training]]

Giant cave spider

2022-11-11T19:34:14Z

Dorftik: /* Killing a GCS */ Slight grammatical change

{{Quality|Exceptional|18:29, 23 August 2014 (UTC)}}
{{Creaturelookup/0
|wiki=no
|contrib=no
|meat=19
|fat=18
|heart=1
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|skin=chitin
}}
{{av}}
{{creaturedesc}}
'''Giant cave spiders''' (also known as GCS) are far different from your regular [[cave spider]]s; those are just treats for your [[cat]]. Giant cave spiders are as big as [[grizzly bear]]s and will make treats ''of'' cats, [[dwarves]], and the occasional careless adventurer. You can find giant cave spiders in, obviously, caves, [[caverns]] and most underground areas. They are '''the''' most dangerous creature in the caverns, excluding some [[forgotten beast]]s, as they [[No Pain|feel no pain]], [[No Stun|cannot be stunned]], can [[syndrome|poison]] creatures and have the ability to shoot [[web]]bing to ensnare their prey, with a range of 5 squares. If you see a giant cave spider in [[adventurer mode]], an announcement, "You've spotted a Giant Cave Spider!", will appear.

Giant cave spiders are not a rarity, with dozens present in the underground caverns, deep below the surface. They can be extremely hard to kill. They do not pose a big threat to a fortress when undisturbed, but when a dwarf ''does'' disturb one, [[Main:Armok|Armok]] bless the soul of the unlucky dwarf. On occasion, however, a lucky dwarf might pound one to death within a few attacks by punching its skull into its brain, which can be a godsend after an unfortunate cavern breaching exercise.

Webs are quite useful when they aren't being used in an attack against you. Giant cave spider [[silk]] is worth twice as much as plant-derived textile and, given the [[silk farming|proper setup]] and victims, can be produced in endless amounts. Giant cave spiders are [[building destroyer]]s and will topple [[wood]]en [[furniture]] on sight.

Giant cave spiders give live birth and do not lay eggs, contrary to what one may expect. They also can't be gelded.

Some dwarves [[Preferences|like]] giant cave spiders for their ''mystery''.

==Fighting==
Giant cave spiders fight by throwing impressively large amounts of web at their enemies and biting them. Once an enemy is webbed, the spider goes for the head.

Giant cave spider venom appears to be a neurotoxin which causes progressive [[syndrome|paralysis]] and is usually fatal due to suffocation as the victim's diaphragm succumbs and ceases to function. The poison's effects set in relatively quickly, with complete paralysis after 720 seconds (10 [[time|time units]]). Larger dwarfs will sometimes recover from this poison and resume breathing, assuming they are only bitten once. If not, death usually occurs after 1300 seconds (19 time units). In terms of Fortress mode, and depending on the speed of the victim, the venom will paralyze an infected dwarf within two steps and cause death by suffocation soon after.

Giant cave spider venom is only deadly on relatively small creatures, unlike [[giant desert scorpion]] venom. It only tends to induce mild paralysis of members of large creatures such as giants, meaning a giant cave spider cannot typically kill large creatures. However, it will incapacitate and exhaust them very well.

In older versions, a lone giant cave spider could take on and fight equally with all of the [[semi-megabeast]]s and most of the [[megabeast]]s (with the notable exception of [[dragon]]s, due to [[Dragonfire|!!giant cave spider!!]] syndrome). They couldn't kill them, but not even a [[bronze colossus]] is immune to webs. They were ''more'' dangerous than [[cave dragon]]s and the only thing in the caverns that could reliably win against them was a forgotten beast with webs or ranged attack. However, as of the latest version, a [[cyclops]] or an [[ettin]] will reliably kill a GCS one-on-one.

==Killing a GCS==
The web attack of a giant cave spider not only covers a wide area but also has a very short cooldown period, and as such, the creature is easily able to spam it and is able to take out entire [[squad]]s with little trouble, making melee combat extremely risky. Ranged combat with [[crossbow]]s is much safer in comparison, as marksdwarves can out-range a cave spider's web, though this does not make it flawless; marksdwarves have the tendency to charge at their foes (and as such, right into the webs) while the giant cave spider can quickly charge at them itself, plus their large size means they can usually shrug off multiple bolts before going down. The safest method to attack a giant cave spider is either to ambush it in a chokepoint (where your dwarves may get to hit it before it can web all of them), by firing bolts through [[fortification]]s or by shooting it while it is distracted fighting something else (such as your unlucky melee squad). Pray your squads do not waste time attacking the spider's limbs and go straight for the head, before the spider does the same to them.

Due to giant cave spiders only attacking the head of a webbed dwarf, a few dwarves armored with [[steel]] helmets should be a match for a lone GCS. The coding for all creatures sets headshots as the number one priority if possible, and the web ensures that a headshot is indeed always possible. You may want to avoid using untrained dwarves for this, though, because the spider will still counterattack if the dwarf misses, potentially landing a blow on an unprotected area of the dwarf. One way to minimize this problem is to make the dwarf wear full armour (the GCS will still latch on with its bite, however, helm or no, and can still kill a dwarf by shaking them by the head).

Fortunately (or unfortunately...), giant cave spiders tend to take time to kill their prey, giving you time to kill the GCS and save the dwarf, if you are so inclined of course. However, you may not be able to save the dwarf from the GCS's poison.

Another strategy is to use large [[Animal trainer|trained]] animals to kill the GCS; two [[giant black bear]]s, [[giant grizzly bear]]s, or [[giant polar bear]]s will usually kill a GCS. The giant grizzly bears have the advantage that they can be trained for war, further increasing their strength. Other animals that can kill a GCS very effectively include:
*[[Giant alligator]]s
*[[Giant lion]]s
*[[Giant tiger]]s

Clever use of [[trap]]s can also make short work of a giant cave spider before it reaches your fortress. Stone and weapon traps can severely injure, if not kill, the spider before it reaches your front lines, hopefully slowing it down and increasing the chances of your squads killing it before it can kill them.

==Capturing==
Due to the considerable value of giant cave spider silk, many players attempt to capture a live spider and set up a silk farm to boost their fortress's economy. While simply opening a path to the caverns and lining it with [[cage]] [[trap]]s may eventually work, a much more effective method is to take advantage of one peculiar behavior of building destroyers: simply build a '''wooden''' [[door]] within the caverns and surround it with cage traps (to a distance of at least 2 tiles), and any giant cave spider (or [[giant cave toad]], [[giant olm]], [[cave crocodile]], etc.) that wanders relatively close enough to the door will immediately charge toward it and be captured. Or, if you have enough [[mechanism]]s, cages and dwarfpower to spare, cage trap all the cavern exits – a good precaution in any case in order to keep things from wandering out and causing trouble.

Another thing that can be done with a captured giant cave spider is turning it into a [[pet]]. They possess a pet value of 2,500, making them the most valuable animals in the game who aren't cave dragons or megabeasts. It's wasteful to simply [[butcher]] them for meat, as multiple spiders can be captured and bred in order to create a very formidable [[fortress defense]] force. The spiders are born adults and as such cannot be turned fully tame, but a skilled animal trainer will ensure they never revert into hostility.

Raiding [[kobold]] caves for livestock is an easy way to get tame giant cave spiders.{{version|0.44.01}}

==Farming silk==
{{main|Silk farming}}
Giant cave spiders can be a very lucrative and nearly-inexhaustible source of [[silk]] [[thread]] for your [[weaver]]s. The general idea is to expose the spider to a target, causing it to spew [[web]]s which can later be collected. Well-designed silk farms can maximize safety and production and greatly increase fortress [[wealth]].

[[File:giant_cave_spider.png|thumb|230px|center|Contains even more web! ''Art by kruggsmash]]

{{gamedata}}
{{Creatures}}
{{Category|Animals}}
[[ru:Giant Cave Spider]]