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This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title.

The normal mechanism of monster creation, responsible for the vast majority of monsters in Nethack, is used when the game wants to create an unspecified opponent of adequate difficulty for the player. This is what the frequency field refers to in the individual monster pages. See Monster frequency for details on what can be created and extinctionism about limits to that.

Occasionally, players will encounter monsters far too difficult/weak or in the wrong dungeon branch. Usually, these opponents have not been created, at least not in their current form, but are the result of a polymorph trap. Monsters can also use potions and wands of polymorph, or be innate shapeshifters. All bets are off what a polymorph might result in.

Certain high-level monsters can cast summon nasties (summon insects for priests). Both result in a characteristic selection of monsters.

Demons may also summon each other. A player polymorphed into a demon can do this, too ("Some hell-p has arrived.").

Magic users may put scrolls or wands of create monster to work. These work via the normal mechanism of monster creation, except if confused.

Finally, special rooms and special levels have their appropriate population, both initially and when re-spawning opponents.

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