The '''Desert Dervish''' is a large, powerful monster found in the desert areas of Act 2. Dervishes launch into a spinning Whirlwind attack, during which they deal heavy damage as well as reflecting most types of projectiles.  This makes them very difficult to assail during their spinning mode, increasing the pressure on players to get their attacks in during the Dervish's quiescent phase when it is largely harmless. <br><br>== Diablo III Monster ==<div style="clear:both;"></div>{{Monsterbox|game= Diablo III|portrait= Desert_Dervish_5.jpg<!--|portrait-width= 200px--><!--|name= Monstername-->|bosstype= nonboss|classif= Demons<!-- |family= -->|role= Knockbacker|life= Unknown|mana= Unknown|armor= Unknown|resist= Unknown|armament= Spinning blades|dps= Unknown|dmg_low= Unknown|dmg_high= Unknown|range= [[Melee]]|speed= Unknown|movement= Slow|modifier= None|spells= Knockback, Reflect Projectiles|found= Near [[The Canyon Rim Mines]]}}One of the more powerful monsters found on the surface of the Act 2 desert, the Dervish moves slowly and absently, seldom coming directly at the player. It waits to be attacked, and when a player closes to within range it launches into a whirlwind attack, spinning around, dealing heavy damage and knocking back any enemies in melee range. The Dervish is also capable of reflecting many types of projectiles while it spins, making it difficult for artillery characters to damage.  ==Strategy== The key to killing a Dervish is to stand back until it comes out of the spin, when it is vulnerable. A wise player will then quickly close in and hit it fast and hard, since it will begin spinning again after a couple of seconds. All types of spells will hurt the Dervish when it is not spinning, but when it is many projectiles are reflected away. These projectiles are still damaging; they can hurt other monsters, but they will not touch the Dervish while it is spinning.  [[File:Dervish3.jpg|left|thumb|A Dervish in no-spin mode.]]Some spells can hurt the Dervish, though it's not always clear which. The Wizard's [[Magic Missile]] and #redirect [[Arcane Orb]]s are reflected away, but [[Electrocute]] hits the Dervish just like it would any other monster. Dervishes have very large [[footprint]]s, and can be hit by multiple spells at once. Witch Doctors have great success against the Dervish with [[Plague of Toads]] since the Dervish is so large that 2 or 3 toads from each cast will strike it. [[Charged Bolt]] is also effective, for the same reason. Neither of these spells is reflected away, either, perhaps because they are ground-based, rather than floating?  ==Death Animation==Dervishes have a spectacular death animation, as they fly up and around like a broken helicopter, before crashing down into the ground with a dust-hurling crash.  ==Spells and Abilities==* KnockbackThe Desert Dervish has a knockback ability when spinning. When not spinning, there is no chance of knockback.  <!--==Known X Types==Use on a "family" monster article.* Can be used in "Goatman" or the like* Display the different types of enemies, like weapon/equipment carried, or behaviour difference.* Example: Warrior, Archer, Mage--> <!--===Known Subtypes===Use on a a "family" monster article, or a "sub-family" monster article.* Can be used in "Goatman" or the like* Can be used in "Goatman Shaman" or the like* Use for things like clan/colouring of same type of enemy* Example: Moon Clan, Blood Clan, Death Clan--> <!--===Related Monsters===List any monster that has a relevance, such as other goatmen, or Grotesque/Lamprey.--> <!--===Famous Monsters===List any "character" monster, such as King Leoric for skeletons and the Butcher for Overlords.--> ==Background==Nothing is yet known about the background of this monster.  ==Previous Appearances==This monster type has never before seen its like in a Diablo Game.  ==Development==The Desert Dervish was first seen in August 2009 in the [[GamesCom 2009 demo]] build. It's interesting Blizzard added a "dervish" type monster, since they originally talked about a [[Dervish|Dervish class]]. The name might have lent itself to this monster, though the term "dervish" to describe a spinning individual is in [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/whirling_dervish fairly common usage]. In a piece of concept art, the Desert Dervish is referred to as a "Dune Dervish".[http://www.diii.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3345&size=big&cat=564] Either we'll see both a "Desert" and "Dune" Dervish, or they just changed the name as to not be confused with the [[Dune Thresher]].   <!--==Trivia==Fun facts. If you add a trivia fact, also add the it to the Category:Trivia.--> ==Media==You can find pictures in the Diablo 3 screenshot and picture gallery:* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/ Diablo 3 screenshots and pictures]* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=all&si=Desert+Dervish Desert-Dervish-specific gallery contents] <gallery>Image:Desert_Dervish_1.jpg|Desert Dervish before spinning.Image:Desert_Dervish_2.jpg|Spinning, showing the massive chained axe.Image:Desert_Dervish_3.jpg|Death animation part 1.Image:Desert_Dervish_4.jpg|Death animation part 2.Image:Desert_Dervish_5.jpg|Concept art of "Dune Dervish".</gallery>  <!--==Related Links==-->  ==References==* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/gamescom-wizard-gameplay-footage/ GamesCom Wizard Gameplay Footage]* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3345&size=big&cat=564 Dune Dervish concept by Vic from November 2007] {{Monster navbox|beasts}}