# Slowing attack
The Slowing attack, known as AD_SLOW in the source[1], is an attack possessed by shades and skeletons. It removes both intrinsic speed and temporary extrinsic speed (from the spell or potion) if you have either or both. Your dexterity is abused[2].
It does not affect permanent extrinsic speed, as provided by speed boots. You will still lose both the fast and very fast forms of intrinsic speed.
Slowing is successful only 1 in 4 times the attack hits, and is additionally affected by magic cancellation[3].
The (as yet unimplemented) beholder has source code[4] for a slowing attack from its gaze. This is unaffected by magic cancellation.

Messages
"You slow down."
You lost speed.
"Your quickness feels less natural."
You lost speed, however you still have extrinsic speed from a permanent source.
References

↑ monattk.h in NetHack 3.4.3, line 50

↑ mhitu.c in NetHack 3.4.3, line 137

↑ mhitu.c in NetHack 3.4.3, line 1462

↑ mhitu.c in NetHack 3.4.3, line 2025

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