Quasit
Encyclopedia
A quasit is a demonic
creature in the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
.
(1977).
The quasit appeared in second edition under the "imp" entry in Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). The quasit appeared for the Planescape
setting in the Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).
The quasit appeared in the third edition Monster Manual (2000) under the "demon
" entry, and again in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003). The quasit familiar appeared in Tome and Blood (2001), and later in the revised 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide
(2003).
The quasit appeared in fourth edition in Monster Manual 3 (2010); this iteration lacks wings and the ability to fly.
They are weak fighters, although they have several useful tricks up their sleeves, such as poisonous claws and the ability to shapeshift, turn invisible, and cause fear. They generally employ these tricks to the full as they prefer to use hit-and-run tactics
whenever possible.
games such as NetHack
, Moria
, Angband
, and ZAngband. In all but NetHack they are invisible, and in all the above roguelikes, they have the power to reduce their enemies' dexterity. They also make appearances in Neverwinter Nights
.
Demon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demons are the most widespread race of fiends. The demons are chaotic evil by nature, and are native to the Abyss...
creature in the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
.
Publication history
The quasit first appeared in the first edition in the original Monster ManualMonster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
(1977).
The quasit appeared in second edition under the "imp" entry in Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). The quasit appeared for the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
setting in the Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).
The quasit appeared in the third edition Monster Manual (2000) under the "demon
Demon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demons are the most widespread race of fiends. The demons are chaotic evil by nature, and are native to the Abyss...
" entry, and again in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003). The quasit familiar appeared in Tome and Blood (2001), and later in the revised 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide
Dungeon Master's Guide
The Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(2003).
The quasit appeared in fourth edition in Monster Manual 3 (2010); this iteration lacks wings and the ability to fly.
Description
A quasit's natural shape is that of a tiny horned, winged, and tailed humanoid, although they are capable of shape-shifting at will. They are normally found serving as counselors, spies, or spellcasters for more powerful demons or chaotic evil spellcasters.They are weak fighters, although they have several useful tricks up their sleeves, such as poisonous claws and the ability to shapeshift, turn invisible, and cause fear. They generally employ these tricks to the full as they prefer to use hit-and-run tactics
Hit-and-run tactics
Hit-and-run tactics is a tactical doctrine where the purpose of the combat involved is not to seize control of territory, but to inflict damage on a target and immediately exit the area to avoid the enemy's defense and/or retaliation.-History:...
whenever possible.
Other media
Quasits and Death Quasits are also found in some roguelikeRoguelike
The roguelike is a sub-genre of role-playing video games, characterized by randomization for replayability, permanent death, and turn-based movement. Most roguelikes feature ASCII graphics, with newer ones increasingly offering tile-based graphics. Games are typically dungeon crawls, with many...
games such as NetHack
NetHack
NetHack is a single-player roguelike video game originally released in 1987. It is a descendant of an earlier game called Hack , which is a descendant of Rogue...
, Moria
Moria (computer game)
Moria is a roguelike computer game based heavily on J. R. R. Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings. The game's objective is to kill a Balrog, presumably Durin's Bane, deep within the Mines of Moria. A later port of Moria called Umoria inspired the Angband roguelike game...
, Angband
Angband (computer game)
Angband is a dungeon-crawling roguelike computer game derived from Umoria. It is based on the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien, in which Angband is the fortress of Morgoth...
, and ZAngband. In all but NetHack they are invisible, and in all the above roguelikes, they have the power to reduce their enemies' dexterity. They also make appearances in Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights , produced by BioWare and published by Infogrames , is a third-person perspective computer role-playing game that is based on third edition Dungeons & Dragons and Forgotten Realms rules. It was originally to be published by Interplay Entertainment, but the publisher's financial...
.