diff --git a/data/json/monsters/nether.json b/data/json/monsters/nether.json
index 43f7ceee061b9..e72c2c62a1886 100644
--- a/data/json/monsters/nether.json
+++ b/data/json/monsters/nether.json
@@ -411,6 +411,7 @@
     "default_faction": "mutant",
     "bodytype": "dog",
     "species": [ "NETHER" ],
+    "diff": 2,
     "volume": "62500 ml",
     "weight": "81500 g",
     "hp": 120,
@@ -755,6 +756,7 @@
     "default_faction": "mutant",
     "bodytype": "blob",
     "species": [ "NETHER" ],
+    "diff": 2,
     "volume": "92500 ml",
     "weight": "120 kg",
     "hp": 160,
diff --git a/src/monattack.cpp b/src/monattack.cpp
index 8299cde2f270a..07d929f0e94be 100644
--- a/src/monattack.cpp
+++ b/src/monattack.cpp
@@ -2525,14 +2525,18 @@ bool mattack::tentacle( monster *z )
         // TODO: handle friendly monsters
         return false;
     }
-    Creature *target = &g->u;
-    if( !z->sees( g->u ) ) {
+    Creature *target = z->attack_target();
+    if( target == nullptr || rl_dist( z->pos(), target->pos() ) > 3 || !z->sees( *target ) ) {
         return false;
     }
-    add_msg( m_bad, _( "The %s lashes its tentacle at you!" ), z->name() );
+    game_message_type msg_type = target == &g->u ? m_bad : m_info;
+    target->add_msg_player_or_npc( msg_type,
+                                   _( "The %s lashes its tentacle at you!" ),
+                                   _( "The %s lashes its tentacle at <npcname>!" ),
+                                   z->name() );
     z->moves -= 100;
 
-    if( g->u.uncanny_dodge() ) {
+    if( target->uncanny_dodge() ) {
         return true;
     }
     // Can we dodge the attack? Uses player dodge function % chance (melee.cpp)
@@ -2544,12 +2548,28 @@ bool mattack::tentacle( monster *z )
     }
 
     const bodypart_id hit = target->get_random_body_part();
+    const body_part hit_token = hit->token;
     int dam = rng( 10, 20 );
-    //~ 1$s is bodypart name, 2$d is damage value.
-    add_msg( m_bad, _( "Your %1$s is hit for %2$d damage!" ), body_part_name( hit->token ), dam );
-    g->u.deal_damage( z, hit, damage_instance( DT_BASH, dam ) );
+    dam = target->deal_damage( z, hit, damage_instance( DT_BASH, dam ) ).total_damage();
+
+    if( dam > 0 ) {
+        target->add_msg_player_or_npc( msg_type,
+                                       //~ 1$s is bodypart name, 2$d is damage value.
+                                       _( "Your %1$s is hit for %2$d damage!" ),
+                                       //~ 1$s is bodypart name, 2$d is damage value.
+                                       _( "<npcname>'s %1$s is hit for %2$d damage!" ),
+                                       body_part_name( hit_token ),
+                                       dam );
+    } else {
+        target->add_msg_player_or_npc(
+            _( "The %1$s lashes its tentacle at your %2$s, but glances off your armor!" ),
+            _( "The %1$s lashes its tentacle at <npcname>'s %2$s, but glances off their armor!" ),
+            z->name(),
+            body_part_name_accusative( hit_token ) );
+    }
+
     target->on_hit( z, hit,  z->type->melee_skill );
-    g->u.check_dead_state();
+    target->check_dead_state();
 
     return true;
 }