- Preface - Version 3.6
-
- This version of the game is special in a particular way.
- Near the end of the development of 3.6, one of the significant
- inspirations for many of the humorous and fun features found in
- the game, author Terry Pratchett, passed away. We have dedicated
- this version of the game in his memory.
-
1. Introduction
Recently, you have begun to find yourself unfulfilled and
was to say that all of those who did not return had not just kept
going?
-
Asking around, you hear about a bauble, called the Amulet of
Yendor by some, which, if you can find it, will bring you great
wealth. One legend you were told even mentioned that the one who
immediately realize that there is some profound and undiscovered
reason that you are to descend into the caverns and seek out that
amulet of which they spoke. Even if the rumors of the amulet's
+ powers are untrue, you decide that you should at least be able to
+ sell the tales of your adventures to the local minstrels for a
+ tidy sum, especially if you encounter any of the terrifying and
+ magical creatures of your dreams along the way. You spend one
+ last night fortifying yourself at the local inn, becoming more
+ and more depressed as you watch the odds of your success being
+ posted on the inn's walls getting lower and lower.
- NetHack Guidebook 1
+ NetHack Guidebook 1
- NetHack Guidebook 2
+ NetHack Guidebook 2
- powers are untrue, you decide that you should at least be able to
- sell the tales of your adventures to the local minstrels for a
- tidy sum, especially if you encounter any of the terrifying and
- magical creatures of your dreams along the way. You spend one
- last night fortifying yourself at the local inn, becoming more
- and more depressed as you watch the odds of your success being
- posted on the inn's walls getting lower and lower.
- In the morning you awake, collect your belongings, and set
+ In the morning you awake, collect your belongings, and set
off for the dungeon. After several days of uneventful travel,
you see the ancient ruins that mark the entrance to the Mazes of
Menace. It is late at night, so you make camp at the entrance
ing, you gather your gear, eat what may be your last meal out-
side, and enter the dungeon...
-
2. What is going on here?
You have just begun a game of NetHack. Your goal is to grab
them to move quickly and sneak up on the local nasties. They
start equipped with the tools for a proper scientific expedition.
- Barbarians are warriors out of the hinterland, hardened to
+ Barbarians are warriors out of the hinterland, hardened to
battle. They begin their quests with naught but uncommon
strength, a trusty hauberk, and a great two-handed sword.
- Cavemen and Cavewomen start with exceptional strength but,
+ Cavemen and Cavewomen start with exceptional strength but,
unfortunately, with neolithic weapons.
- Healers are wise in medicine and apothecary. They know the
- herbs and simples that can restore vitality, ease pain, anes-
+ Healers are wise in medicine and apothecary. They know the
+ herbs and simples that can restore vitality, ease pain, anes-
thetize, and neutralize poisons; and with their instruments, they
- can divine a being's state of health or sickness. Their medical
+ can divine a being's state of health or sickness. Their medical
practice earns them quite reasonable amounts of money, with which
they enter the dungeon.
- Knights are distinguished from the common skirmisher by
- their devotion to the ideals of chivalry and by the surpassing
+ Knights are distinguished from the common skirmisher by
+ their devotion to the ideals of chivalry and by the surpassing
excellence of their armor.
Monks are ascetics, who by rigorous practice of physical and
mental disciplines have become capable of fighting as effectively
- without weapons as with. They wear no armor but make up for it
+ without weapons as with. They wear no armor but make up for it
with increased mobility.
+ Priests and Priestesses are clerics militant, crusaders ad-
+ vancing the cause of righteousness with arms, armor, and arts
+ thaumaturgic. Their ability to commune with deities via prayer
+ occasionally extricates them from peril, but can also put them in
+ it.
+ Rangers are most at home in the woods, and some say slightly
+ out of place in a dungeon. They are, however, experts in archery
+ as well as tracking and stealthy movement.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 3
+ NetHack Guidebook 3
- Priests and Priestesses are clerics militant, crusaders ad-
- vancing the cause of righteousness with arms, armor, and arts
- thaumaturgic. Their ability to commune with deities via prayer
- occasionally extricates them from peril, but can also put them in
- it.
- Rangers are most at home in the woods, and some say slightly
- out of place in a dungeon. They are, however, experts in archery
- as well as tracking and stealthy movement.
- Rogues are agile and stealthy thieves, with knowledge of
- locks, traps, and poisons. Their advantage lies in surprise,
+ Rogues are agile and stealthy thieves, with knowledge of
+ locks, traps, and poisons. Their advantage lies in surprise,
which they employ to great advantage.
- Samurai are the elite warriors of feudal Nippon. They are
- lightly armored and quick, and wear the dai-sho, two swords of
+ Samurai are the elite warriors of feudal Nippon. They are
+ lightly armored and quick, and wear the dai-sho, two swords of
the deadliest keenness.
- Tourists start out with lots of gold (suitable for shopping
- with), a credit card, lots of food, some maps, and an expensive
+ Tourists start out with lots of gold (suitable for shopping
+ with), a credit card, lots of food, some maps, and an expensive
camera. Most monsters don't like being photographed.
- Valkyries are hardy warrior women. Their upbringing in the
- harsh Northlands makes them strong, inures them to extremes of
+ Valkyries are hardy warrior women. Their upbringing in the
+ harsh Northlands makes them strong, inures them to extremes of
cold, and instills in them stealth and cunning.
- Wizards start out with a knowledge of magic, a selection of
- magical items, and a particular affinity for dweomercraft. Al-
+ Wizards start out with a knowledge of magic, a selection of
+ magical items, and a particular affinity for dweomercraft. Al-
though seemingly weak and easy to overcome at first sight, an ex-
perienced Wizard is a deadly foe.
You may also choose the race of your character:
Dwarves are smaller than humans or elves, but are stocky and
- solid individuals. Dwarves' most notable trait is their great
- expertise in mining and metalwork. Dwarvish armor is said to be
+ solid individuals. Dwarves' most notable trait is their great
+ expertise in mining and metalwork. Dwarvish armor is said to be
second in quality not even to the mithril armor of the Elves.
- Elves are agile, quick, and perceptive; very little of what
- goes on will escape an Elf. The quality of Elven craftsmanship
+ Elves are agile, quick, and perceptive; very little of what
+ goes on will escape an Elf. The quality of Elven craftsmanship
often gives them an advantage in arms and armor.
- Gnomes are smaller than but generally similar to dwarves.
- Gnomes are known to be expert miners, and it is known that a se-
- cret underground mine complex built by this race exists within
+ Gnomes are smaller than but generally similar to dwarves.
+ Gnomes are known to be expert miners, and it is known that a se-
+ cret underground mine complex built by this race exists within
the Mazes of Menace, filled with both riches and danger.
Humans are by far the most common race of the surface world,
- and are thus the norm to which other races are often compared.
- Although they have no special abilities, they can succeed in any
+ and are thus the norm to which other races are often compared.
+ Although they have no special abilities, they can succeed in any
role.
- Orcs are a cruel and barbaric race that hate every living
- thing (including other orcs). Above all others, Orcs hate Elves
+ Orcs are a cruel and barbaric race that hate every living
+ thing (including other orcs). Above all others, Orcs hate Elves
+ with a passion unequalled, and will go out of their way to kill
+ one at any opportunity. The armor and weapons fashioned by the
+ Orcs are typically of inferior quality.
+ 3. What do all those things on the screen mean?
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ On the screen is kept a map of where you have been and what
+ you have seen on the current dungeon level; as you explore more
+ of the level, it appears on the screen in front of you.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 4
- with a passion unequalled, and will go out of their way to kill
- one at any opportunity. The armor and weapons fashioned by the
- Orcs are typically of inferior quality.
+ NetHack Guidebook 4
- 3. What do all those things on the screen mean?
- On the screen is kept a map of where you have been and what
- you have seen on the current dungeon level; as you explore more
- of the level, it appears on the screen in front of you.
- When NetHack's ancestor rogue first appeared, its screen
- orientation was almost unique among computer fantasy games.
- Since then, screen orientation has become the norm rather than
- the exception; NetHack continues this fine tradition. Unlike
- text adventure games that accept commands in pseudo-English sen-
+ When NetHack's ancestor rogue first appeared, its screen
+ orientation was almost unique among computer fantasy games.
+ Since then, screen orientation has become the norm rather than
+ the exception; NetHack continues this fine tradition. Unlike
+ text adventure games that accept commands in pseudo-English sen-
tences and explain the results in words, NetHack commands are all
- one or two keystrokes and the results are displayed graphically
- on the screen. A minimum screen size of 24 lines by 80 columns
- is recommended; if the screen is larger, only a 21x80 section
+ one or two keystrokes and the results are displayed graphically
+ on the screen. A minimum screen size of 24 lines by 80 columns
+ is recommended; if the screen is larger, only a 21x80 section
will be used for the map.
NetHack can even be played by blind players, with the assis-
- tance of Braille readers or speech synthesisers. Instructions
- for configuring NetHack for the blind are included later in this
+ tance of Braille readers or speech synthesisers. Instructions
+ for configuring NetHack for the blind are included later in this
document.
NetHack generates a new dungeon every time you play it; even
- the authors still find it an entertaining and exciting game de-
+ the authors still find it an entertaining and exciting game de-
spite having won several times.
- NetHack offers a variety of display options. The options
- available to you will vary from port to port, depending on the
- capabilities of your hardware and software, and whether various
+ NetHack offers a variety of display options. The options
+ available to you will vary from port to port, depending on the
+ capabilities of your hardware and software, and whether various
compile-time options were enabled when your executable was creat-
ed. The three possible display options are: a monochrome charac-
- ter interface, a color character interface, and a graphical in-
+ ter interface, a color character interface, and a graphical in-
terface using small pictures called tiles. The two character in-
terfaces allow fonts with other characters to be substituted, but
- the default assignments use standard ASCII characters to repre-
+ the default assignments use standard ASCII characters to repre-
sent everything. There is no difference between the various dis-
play options with respect to game play. Because we cannot repro-
duce the tiles or colors in the Guidebook, and because it is com-
- mon to all ports, we will use the default ASCII characters from
- the monochrome character display when referring to things you
+ mon to all ports, we will use the default ASCII characters from
+ the monochrome character display when referring to things you
might see on the screen during your game.
- In order to understand what is going on in NetHack, first
- you must understand what NetHack is doing with the screen. The
- NetHack screen replaces the ``You see ...'' descriptions of text
- adventure games. Figure 1 is a sample of what a NetHack screen
- might look like. The way the screen looks for you depends on
- your platform.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+ In order to understand what is going on in NetHack, first you
+ must understand what NetHack is doing with the screen. The
+ NetHack screen replaces the ``You see ...'' descriptions of text
+ adventure games. Figure 1 is a sample of what a NetHack screen
+ might look like. The way the screen looks for you depends on
+ your platform.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The bat bites!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Figure 1
-
3.1. The status lines (bottom)
- The bottom two lines of the screen contain several cryptic
- pieces of information describing your current status. If either
- status line becomes longer than the width of the screen, you
+ The bottom two lines of the screen contain several cryptic
+ pieces of information describing your current status. If either
+ status line becomes longer than the width of the screen, you
might not see all of it. Here are explanations of what the vari-
ous status items mean (though your configuration may not have all
the status items listed below):
experience level, see below).
Strength
- A measure of your character's strength; one of your six ba-
- sic attributes. A human character's attributes can range
- from 3 to 18 inclusive; non-humans may exceed these limits
+ A measure of your character's strength; one of your six ba-
+ sic attributes. A human character's attributes can range
+ from 3 to 18 inclusive; non-humans may exceed these limits
(occasionally you may get super-strengths of the form 18/xx,
- and magic can also cause attributes to exceed the normal
- limits). The higher your strength, the stronger you are.
+ and magic can also cause attributes to exceed the normal
+ limits). The higher your strength, the stronger you are.
Strength affects how successfully you perform physical
- tasks, how much damage you do in combat, and how much loot
+ tasks, how much damage you do in combat, and how much loot
you can carry.
Dexterity
- Dexterity affects your chances to hit in combat, to avoid
- traps, and do other tasks requiring agility or manipulation
+ Dexterity affects your chances to hit in combat, to avoid
+ traps, and do other tasks requiring agility or manipulation
of objects.
- Constitution
- Constitution affects your ability to recover from injuries
- and other strains on your stamina.
- Intelligence
- Intelligence affects your ability to cast spells and read
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+ Constitution
+ Constitution affects your ability to recover from injuries
+ and other strains on your stamina. When strength is low or
+ modest, constitution also affects how much you can carry.
+ With sufficiently high strength, the contribution to carry-
+ ing capacity from your constitution no longer matters.
+
+ Intelligence
+ Intelligence affects your ability to cast spells and read
spellbooks.
Wisdom
Charisma
Charisma affects how certain creatures react toward you. In
- particular, it can affect the prices shopkeepers offer you.
+ particular, it can affect the prices shopkeepers offer you.
Alignment
Lawful, Neutral, or Chaotic. Often, Lawful is taken as good
and Chaotic as evil, but legal and ethical do not always co-
- incide. Your alignment influences how other monsters react
+ incide. Your alignment influences how other monsters react
toward you. Monsters of a like alignment are more likely to
- be non-aggressive, while those of an opposing alignment are
+ be non-aggressive, while those of an opposing alignment are
more likely to be seriously offended at your presence.
Dungeon Level
How deep you are in the dungeon. You start at level one and
- the number increases as you go deeper into the dungeon.
- Some levels are special, and are identified by a name and
- not a number. The Amulet of Yendor is reputed to be some-
+ the number increases as you go deeper into the dungeon.
+ Some levels are special, and are identified by a name and
+ not a number. The Amulet of Yendor is reputed to be some-
where beneath the twentieth level.
Gold
- The number of gold pieces you are openly carrying. Gold
+ The number of gold pieces you are openly carrying. Gold
which you have concealed in containers is not counted.
Hit Points
- Your current and maximum hit points. Hit points indicate
- how much damage you can take before you die. The more you
- get hit in a fight, the lower they get. You can regain hit
- points by resting, or by using certain magical items or
- spells. The number in parentheses is the maximum number
+ Your current and maximum hit points. Hit points indicate
+ how much damage you can take before you die. The more you
+ get hit in a fight, the lower they get. You can regain hit
+ points by resting, or by using certain magical items or
+ spells. The number in parentheses is the maximum number
your hit points can reach.
Power
- Spell points. This tells you how much mystic energy (mana)
- you have available for spell casting. Again, resting will
+ Spell points. This tells you how much mystic energy (mana)
+ you have available for spell casting. Again, resting will
regenerate the amount available.
Armor Class
A measure of how effectively your armor stops blows from un-
- friendly creatures. The lower this number is, the more ef-
- fective the armor; it is quite possible to have negative ar-
- mor class.
-
- Experience
- Your current experience level and experience points. As you
- adventure, you gain experience points. At certain experi-
- ence point totals, you gain an experience level. The more
- experienced you are, the better you fight and withstand mag-
- ical attacks. Many dungeons show only your experience level
+ friendly creatures. The lower this number is, the more
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+ effective the armor; it is quite possible to have negative
+ armor class.
+
+ Experience
+ Your current experience level and experience points. As you
+ adventure, you gain experience points. At certain experi-
+ ence point totals, you gain an experience level. The more
+ experienced you are, the better you fight and withstand mag-
+ ical attacks. Many dungeons show only your experience level
here.
Time
- The number of turns elapsed so far, displayed if you have
+ The number of turns elapsed so far, displayed if you have
the time option set.
- Hunger status
- Your current hunger status, ranging from Satiated down to
- Fainting. If your hunger status is normal, it is not dis-
- played.
+ Status
+ Hunger: your current hunger status. Values are Satiated,
+ Not Hungry (or Normal), Hungry, Weak, and Fainting. Not
+ shown when Normal.
+
+ Encumbrance: an indication of how what you are carrying af-
+ fects your ability to move. Values are Unencumbered, Encum-
+ bered, Stressed, Strained, Overtaxed, and Overloaded. Not
+ shown when Unencumbered.
+
+ Fatal conditions: Stone (aka Petrifying, turning to stone),
+ Slime (turning into green slime), Strngl (being strangled),
+ FoodPois (suffering from acute food poisoning), TermIll
+ (suffering from a terminal illness).
- Additional status flags may appear after the hunger status:
- Conf when you're confused, FoodPois or Ill when sick, Blind when
- you can't see, Stun when stunned, and Hallu when hallucinating.
+ Non-fatal conditions: Blind (can't see), Deaf (can't hear),
+ Stun (stunned), Conf (confused), Hallu (hallucinating).
+
+ Movement modifiers: Lev (levitating), Fly (flying), Ride
+ (riding).
+
+ Other conditions and modifiers exist, but there isn't enough
+ room to display them with the other status fields. The `^X'
+ command shows all relevant status conditions.
3.2. The message line (top)
The top line of the screen is reserved for messages that de-
- scribe things that are impossible to represent visually. If you
- see a ``--More--'' on the top line, this means that NetHack has
- another message to display on the screen, but it wants to make
- certain that you've read the one that is there first. To read
+ scribe things that are impossible to represent visually. If you
+ see a ``--More--'' on the top line, this means that NetHack has
+ another message to display on the screen, but it wants to make
+ certain that you've read the one that is there first. To read
the next message, just press the space bar.
- To change how and what messages are shown on the message
+ To change how and what messages are shown on the message
line, see ``Configuring Message Types`` and the verbose option.
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 8
+
+
+
3.3. The map (rest of the screen)
- The rest of the screen is the map of the level as you have
- explored it so far. Each symbol on the screen represents some-
- thing. You can set various graphics options to change some of
- the symbols the game uses; otherwise, the game will use default
+ The rest of the screen is the map of the level as you have
+ explored it so far. Each symbol on the screen represents some-
+ thing. You can set various graphics options to change some of
+ the symbols the game uses; otherwise, the game will use default
symbols. Here is a list of what the default symbols mean:
- and |
. The floor of a room, ice, or a doorless doorway.
- # A corridor, or iron bars, or a tree, or possibly a kitchen
+ # A corridor, or iron bars, or a tree, or possibly a kitchen
sink (if your dungeon has sinks), or a drawbridge.
> Stairs down: a way to the next level.
< Stairs up: a way to the previous level.
- + A closed door, or a spellbook containing a spell you may be
+ + A closed door, or a spellbook containing a spell you may be
able to learn.
@ Your character or a human.
$ A pile of gold.
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 8
-
-
-
^ A trap (once you have detected it).
) A weapon.
0 An iron ball.
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 9
+
+
+
_ An altar, or an iron chain.
{ A fountain.
\ An opulent throne.
a-zA-Z and other symbols
- Letters and certain other symbols represent the various in-
- habitants of the Mazes of Menace. Watch out, they can be
+ Letters and certain other symbols represent the various in-
+ habitants of the Mazes of Menace. Watch out, they can be
nasty and vicious. Sometimes, however, they can be helpful.
I This marks the last known location of an invisible or other-
wise unseen monster. Note that the monster could have
- moved. The 'F' and 'm' commands may be useful here.
+ moved. The `F' and `m' commands may be useful here.
You need not memorize all these symbols; you can ask the
game what any symbol represents with the `/' command (see the
next section for more info).
-
4. Commands
- Commands are initiated by typing one or two characters.
- Some commands, like ``search'', do not require that any more in-
- formation be collected by NetHack. Other commands might require
- additional information, for example a direction, or an object to
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 9
-
-
-
- be used. For those commands that require additional information,
- NetHack will present you with either a menu of choices or with a
- command line prompt requesting information. Which you are pre-
- sented with will depend chiefly on how you have set the menustyle
- option.
-
- For example, a common question, in the form ``What do you
- want to use? [a-zA-Z ?*]'', asks you to choose an object you are
- carrying. Here, ``a-zA-Z'' are the inventory letters of your
- possible choices. Typing `?' gives you an inventory list of
- these items, so you can see what each letter refers to. In this
- example, there is also a `*' indicating that you may choose an
- object not on the list, if you wanted to use something unexpect-
+ Commands can be initiated by typing one or two characters to
+ which the command is bound to, or typing the command name in the
+ extended commands entry. Some commands, like ``search'', do not
+ require that any more information be collected by NetHack. Other
+ commands might require additional information, for example a di-
+ rection, or an object to be used. For those commands that re-
+ quire additional information, NetHack will present you with ei-
+ ther a menu of choices or with a command line prompt requesting
+ information. Which you are presented with will depend chiefly on
+ how you have set the menustyle option.
+
+ For example, a common question, in the form ``What do you
+ want to use? [a-zA-Z ?*]'', asks you to choose an object you are
+ carrying. Here, ``a-zA-Z'' are the inventory letters of your
+ possible choices. Typing `?' gives you an inventory list of
+ these items, so you can see what each letter refers to. In this
+ example, there is also a `*' indicating that you may choose an
+ object not on the list, if you wanted to use something unexpect-
ed. Typing a `*' lists your entire inventory, so you can see the
- inventory letters of every object you're carrying. Finally, if
+ inventory letters of every object you're carrying. Finally, if
you change your mind and decide you don't want to do this command
after all, you can press the ESC key to abort the command.
- You can put a number before some commands to repeat them
- that many times; for example, ``10s'' will search ten times. If
+ You can put a number before some commands to repeat them
+ that many times; for example, ``10s'' will search ten times. If
you have the number_pad option set, you must type `n' to prefix a
- count, so the example above would be typed ``n10s'' instead.
- Commands for which counts make no sense ignore them. In addi-
- tion, movement commands can be prefixed for greater control (see
+ count, so the example above would be typed ``n10s'' instead.
+ Commands for which counts make no sense ignore them. In addi-
+ tion, movement commands can be prefixed for greater control (see
below). To cancel a count or a prefix, press the ESC key.
- The list of commands is rather long, but it can be read at
- any time during the game through the `?' command, which accesses
- a menu of helpful texts. Here are the commands for your refer-
- ence:
-
- ? Help menu: display one of several help texts available.
- / Tell what a symbol represents. You may choose to specify a
- location or type a symbol (or even a whole word) to explain.
- Specifying a location is done by moving the cursor to a par-
- ticular spot on the map and then pressing one of `.', `,',
- `;', or `:'. `.' will explain the symbol at the chosen lo-
- cation, conditionally check for ``More info?'' depending up-
- on whether the help option is on, and then you will be asked
- to pick another location; `,' will explain the symbol but
- skip any additional information; `;' will skip additional
- info and also not bother asking you to choose another loca-
- tion to examine; `:' will show additional info, if any,
- without asking for confirmation. When picking a location,
- pressing the ESC key will terminate this command, or press-
- ing `?' will give a brief reminder about how it works.
-
- Specifying a name rather than a location always gives any
- additional information available about that name.
- & Tell what a command does.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 10
+ The list of commands is rather long, but it can be read at
+ any time during the game through the `?' command, which accesses
+ a menu of helpful texts. Here are the default key bindings for
+ your reference:
- NetHack Guidebook 10
+ ? Help menu: display one of several help texts available.
+ / The ``whatis'' command, to tell what a symbol represents.
+ You may choose to specify a location or type a symbol (or
+ even a whole word) to explain. Specifying a location is
+ done by moving the cursor to a particular spot on the map
+ and then pressing one of `.', `,', `;', or `:'. `.' will
+ explain the symbol at the chosen location, conditionally
+ check for ``More info?'' depending upon whether the help op-
+ tion is on, and then you will be asked to pick another loca-
+ tion; `,' will explain the symbol but skip any additional
+ information, then let you pick another location; `;' will
+ skip additional info and also not bother asking you to
+ choose another location to examine; `:' will show additional
+ info, if any, without asking for confirmation. When picking
+ a location, pressing the ESC key will terminate this com-
+ mand, or pressing `?' will give a brief reminder about how
+ it works.
+
+ If the autodescribe option is on, a short description of
+ what you see at each location is shown as you move the cur-
+ sor. Typing `#' while picking a location will toggle that
+ option on or off. The whatis_coord option controls whether
+ the short description includes map coordinates.
+
+ Specifying a name rather than a location always gives any
+ additional information available about that name.
+
+ You may also request a description of nearby monsters, all
+ monsters currently displayed, nearby objects, or all ob-
+ jects. The whatis_coord option controls which format of map
+ coordinate is included with their descriptions.
+ & Tell what a command does.
< Go up to the previous level (if you are on a staircase or
ladder).
cause you to fight monsters; the others (below) are
``safe.''
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 11
+
+
+
y k u 7 8 9
\ | / \ | /
h- . -l 4- . -6
Figure 2
-
[YUHJKLBN]
Go in that direction until you hit a wall or run into some-
thing.
m[yuhjklbn]
Prefix: move without picking up objects or fighting (even
- if you remember a monster there)
+ if you remember a monster there).
+
+ A few non-movement commands use the `m' prefix to request
+ operating via menu (to temporarily override the
+ menustyle:Traditional option). Primarily useful for `,'
+ (pickup) when there is only one class of objects present
+ (where there won't be any ``what kinds of objects?'' prompt,
+ so no opportunity to answer `m' at that prompt).
+
+ A few other commands (eat food, offer sacrifice, apply tin-
+ ning-kit) use the `m' prefix to skip checking for applicable
+ objects on the floor and go straight to checking inventory,
+ or (for ``#loot'' to remove a saddle), skip containers and
+ go straight to adjacent monsters. The prefix will make
+ ``#travel'' command show a menu of interesting targets in
+ sight.
F[yuhjklbn]
- Prefix: fight a monster (even if you only guess one is
- there)
+ Prefix: fight a monster (even if you only guess one is
+ there).
M[yuhjklbn]
Prefix: move far, no pickup.
Prefix: move until something interesting is found.
G[yuhjklbn] or <CONTROL->[yuhjklbn]
- Prefix: same as `g', but forking of corridors is not con-
+ Prefix: same as `g', but forking of corridors is not con-
sidered interesting.
_ Travel to a map location via a shortest-path algorithm.
- The shortest path is computed over map locations the hero
- knows about (e.g. seen or previously traversed). If there
+ The shortest path is computed over map locations the hero
+ knows about (e.g. seen or previously traversed). If there
is no known path, a guess is made instead. Stops on most of
- the same conditions as the `G' command, but without picking
- up objects, similar to the `M' command. For ports with
- mouse support, the command is also invoked when a mouse-
- click takes place on a location other than the current
+ the same conditions as the `G' command, but without picking
+ up objects, similar to the `M' command. For ports with
+ mouse support, the command is also invoked when a mouse-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 11
+ NetHack Guidebook 12
- position.
+ click takes place on a location other than the current posi-
+ tion.
- . Rest, do nothing for one turn.
+ . Wait or rest, do nothing for one turn.
a Apply (use) a tool (pick-axe, key, lamp...).
+ If used on a wand, that wand will be broken, releasing its
+ magic in the process. Confirmation is required.
+
A Remove one or more worn items, such as armor.
Use `T' (take off) to take off only one piece of armor or
``What kinds of things do you want to drop? [!%= BUCXaium]''
- you should type zero or more object symbols possibly fol-
+ you should type zero or more object symbols possibly fol-
lowed by `a' and/or `i' and/or `u' and/or `m'. In addition,
- one or more of the blessed/uncursed/cursed groups may be
+ one or more of the blessed/uncursed/cursed groups may be
typed.
- DB - drop all objects known to be blessed.
- DU - drop all objects known to be uncursed.
- DC - drop all objects known to be cursed.
- DX - drop all objects of unknown B/U/C status.
- Da - drop all objects, without asking for confirmation.
- Di - examine your inventory before dropping anything.
- Du - drop only unpaid objects (when in a shop).
- Dm - use a menu to pick which object(s) to drop.
- D%u - drop only unpaid food.
+ DB - drop all objects known to be blessed.
+ DU - drop all objects known to be uncursed.
+ DC - drop all objects known to be cursed.
+ DX - drop all objects of unknown B/U/C status.
+ Da - drop all objects, without asking for confirmation.
+ Di - examine your inventory before dropping anything.
+ Du - drop only unpaid objects (when in a shop).
+ Dm - use a menu to pick which object(s) to drop.
+ D%u - drop only unpaid food.
- ^D Kick something (usually a door).
+ The last example shows a combination. There are three cate-
+ gories of object filtering: class (`!' for potions, `?' for
+ scrolls, and so on), shop status (`u' for unpaid, in other
- e Eat food.
- E Engrave a message on the floor.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- E- - write in the dust with your fingers.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 13
- NetHack Guidebook 12
+ words, owned by the shop), and bless/curse state (`B', `U',
+ `C', and `X' as shown above). If you specify more than one
+ value in a category (such as `!?' for potions and scrolls or
+ `BU' for blessed and uncursed), an inventory object will
+ meet the criteria if it matches any of the specified values
+ (so `!?' means `!' or '?'). If you specify more than one
+ category, an inventory object must meet each of the category
+ criteria (so `%u' means class `%' and unpaid `u'). Lastly,
+ you may specify multiple values within multiple categories:
+ `!?BU' will select all potions and scrolls which are known
+ to be blessed or uncursed. (In versions prior to 3.6, fil-
+ ter combinations behaved differently.)
+ ^D Kick something (usually a door).
+
+ e Eat food.
+
+ Normally checks for edible item(s) on the floor, then if
+ none are found or none are chosen, checks for edible item(s)
+ in inventory. Precede `e' with the `m' prefix to bypass at-
+ tempting to eat anything off the floor.
+ E Engrave a message on the floor.
+
+ E- - write in the dust with your fingers.
Engraving the word ``Elbereth'' will cause most monsters to
not attack you hand-to-hand (but if you attack, you will rub
- it out); this is often useful to give yourself a breather.
- (This feature may be compiled out of the game, so your ver-
- sion might not have it.)
+ it out); this is often useful to give yourself a breather.
f Fire one of the objects placed in your quiver (or quiver
sack, or that you have at the ready). You may select ammu-
the character for a particular set of objects, like `[' for
armor or `!' for potions.
- I* - list all gems in inventory;
- Iu - list all unpaid items;
- Ix - list all used up items that are on your shopping bill;
- IB - list all items known to be blessed;
- IU - list all items known to be uncursed;
- IC - list all items known to be cursed;
- IX - list all items whose bless/curse status is known;
- I$ - count your money.
+ I* - list all gems in inventory;
+ Iu - list all unpaid items;
+ Ix - list all used up items that are on your shopping bill;
+ IB - list all items known to be blessed;
+ IU - list all items known to be uncursed;
+ IC - list all items known to be cursed;
+ IX - list all items whose bless/curse status is known;
+ I$ - count your money.
o Open a door.
O Set options.
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 14
+
+
+
A menu showing the current option values will be displayed.
You can change most values simply by selecting the menu en-
try for the given option (ie, by typing its letter or click-
fore the game rather than with the `O' command; see the sec-
tion on options below.
+ ^O Show overview or show dungeon layout
+
+ In normal play and in explore mode, a shortcut for the
+ ``#overview'' extended command to list interesting dungeon
+ levels visited.
+
+ In debug mode, an extra command which lists the placement of
+ all special levels.
+
p Pay your shopping bill.
P Put on an accessory (ring, amulet, or blindfold).
This command may also be used to wear armor. The prompt for
- which inventory item to use will only list accessories, but
- choosing an unlisted item of armor will attempt to wear it.
+ which inventory item to use will only list accessories, but
+ choosing an unlisted item of armor will attempt to wear it.
(See the `W' command below. It lists armor as the inventory
choices but will accept an accessory and attempt to put that
on.)
^P Repeat previous message.
+ Subsequent ^P's repeat earlier messages. The behavior can
+ be varied via the msg_window option.
+ q Quaff (drink) something (potion, water, etc).
+ Q Select an object for your quiver, quiver sack, or just gen-
+ erally at the ready (only one of these is available at a
+ time). You can then throw this (or one of these) using the
+ `f' command.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
+ (In versions prior to 3.3 this was the command to quit the
+ game, which has been moved to ``#quit''.)
+ r Read a scroll or spellbook.
+ R Remove a worn accessory (ring, amulet, or blindfold).
+ If you're wearing more than one, you'll be prompted for
+ which one to remove. When you're only wearing one, then by
+ default it will be removed without asking, but you can set
+ the paranoid_confirmation option to require a prompt.
- NetHack Guidebook 13
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- Subsequent ^P's repeat earlier messages. The behavior can
- be varied via the msg_window option.
- q Quaff (drink) something (potion, water, etc).
- Q Select an object for your quiver, quiver sack, or just gen-
- erally at the ready (only one of these is available at a
- time). You can then throw this (or one of these) using the
- `f' command.
- (In versions prior to 3.3 this was the command to quit the
- game, which has been moved to ``#quit''.)
- r Read a scroll or spellbook.
+ NetHack Guidebook 15
- R Remove a worn accessory (ring, amulet, or blindfold).
- If you're wearing more than one, you'll be prompted for
- which one to remove. When you're only wearing one, then by
- default it will be removed without asking, but you can set
- the paranoid_confirmation option to require a prompt.
This command may also be used to take off armor. The prompt
- for which inventory item to remove only lists worn acces-
- sories, but an item of worn armor can be chosen. (See the
- `T' command below. It lists armor as the inventory choices
+ for which inventory item to remove only lists worn acces-
+ sories, but an item of worn armor can be chosen. (See the
+ `T' command below. It lists armor as the inventory choices
but will accept an accessory and attempt to remove it.)
^R Redraw the screen.
- s Search for secret doors and traps around you. It usually
+ s Search for secret doors and traps around you. It usually
takes several tries to find something.
- S Save (and suspend) the game. The game will be restored au-
+ S Save (and suspend) the game. The game will be restored au-
tomatically the next time you play.
t Throw an object or shoot a projectile.
T Take off armor.
- If you're wearing more than one piece, you'll be prompted
- for which one to take off. (Note that this treats a cloak
- covering a suit and/or a shirt, or a suit covering a shirt,
+ If you're wearing more than one piece, you'll be prompted
+ for which one to take off. (Note that this treats a cloak
+ covering a suit and/or a shirt, or a suit covering a shirt,
as if the underlying items weren't there.) When you're only
- wearing one, then by default it will be taken off without
- asking, but you can set the paranoid_confirmation option to
+ wearing one, then by default it will be taken off without
+ asking, but you can set the paranoid_confirmation option to
require a prompt.
- This command may also be used to remove accessories. The
- prompt for which inventory item to take off only lists worn
- armor, but a worn accessory can be chosen. (See the `R'
+ This command may also be used to remove accessories. The
+ prompt for which inventory item to take off only lists worn
+ armor, but a worn accessory can be chosen. (See the `R'
command above. It lists accessories as the inventory choic-
- es but will accept an item of armor and attempt to take it
+ es but will accept an item of armor and attempt to take it
off.)
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 14
-
-
-
^T Teleport, if you have the ability.
v Display version number.
w- - wield nothing, use your bare hands.
- Some characters can wield two weapons at once; use the `X'
+ Some characters can wield two weapons at once; use the `X'
command (or the ``#twoweapon'' extended command) to do so.
W Wear armor.
- This command may also be used to put on an accessory (ring,
- amulet, or blindfold). The prompt for which inventory item
+ This command may also be used to put on an accessory (ring,
+ amulet, or blindfold). The prompt for which inventory item
to use will only list armor, but choosing an unlisted acces-
sory will attempt to put it on. (See the `P' command above.
- It lists accessories as the inventory choices but will ac-
+ It lists accessories as the inventory choices but will ac-
cept an item of armor and attempt to wear it.)
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 16
+
+
+
x Exchange your wielded weapon with the item in your alternate
weapon slot.
The latter is used as your secondary weapon when engaging in
- two-weapon combat. Note that if one of these slots is emp-
+ two-weapon combat. Note that if one of these slots is emp-
ty, the exchange still takes place.
X Toggle two-weapon combat, if your character can do it. Also
available via the ``#twoweapon'' extended command.
- (In versions prior to 3.6 this was the command to switch
+ (In versions prior to 3.6 this was the command to switch
from normal play to "explore mode", also known as "discovery
- mode", which has now been moved to ``#explore''.)
+ mode", which has now been moved to ``#exploremode''.)
^X Display basic information about your character.
- Displays name, role, race, gender (unless role name makes
- that redundant, such as Caveman or Priestess), and align-
- ment, along with your patron deity and his or her opposi-
- tion. It also shows most of the various items of informa-
+ Displays name, role, race, gender (unless role name makes
+ that redundant, such as Caveman or Priestess), and align-
+ ment, along with your patron deity and his or her opposi-
+ tion. It also shows most of the various items of informa-
tion from the status line(s) in a less terse form, including
- several additional things which don't appear in the normal
+ several additional things which don't appear in the normal
status display due to space considerations.
z Zap a wand.
Z. - to cast at yourself, use `.' for the direction.
+ ^Z Suspend the game (UNIX(R) versions with job control only).
+
+ : Look at what is here.
+
+ ; Show what type of thing a visible symbol corresponds to.
+ , Pick up some things from the floor beneath you.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ May be preceded by `m' to force a selection menu.
+ @ Toggle the autopickup option on and off.
+ ^ Ask for the type of an adjacent trap you found earlier.
+ ) Tell what weapon you are wielding.
+ [ Tell what armor you are wearing.
- NetHack Guidebook 15
+ __________
+ (R)UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group.
- ^Z Suspend the game (UNIX(R) versions with job control only).
- : Look at what is here.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- ; Show what type of thing a visible symbol corresponds to.
- , Pick up some things from the floor beneath you.
- May be preceded by `m' to force a selection menu.
- @ Toggle the autopickup option on and off.
- ^ Ask for the type of a trap you found earlier.
+ NetHack Guidebook 17
- ) Tell what weapon you are wielding.
- [ Tell what armor you are wearing.
= Tell what rings you are wearing.
current `+' command finishes. Sorting the whole list is
temporary. To make the most recent sort order persist be-
yond the current `+' command, choose the sort option again
- and then pick "reassign casting letters". (Any spells
+ and then pick ``reassign casting letters''. (Any spells
learned after that will be added to the end of the list
rather than be inserted into the sorted ordering.)
! Escape to a shell.
+ # Perform an extended command.
- __________
- (R)UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T.
+ As you can see, the authors of NetHack used up all the let-
+ ters, so this is a way to introduce the less frequently used com-
+ mands. What extended commands are available depends on what fea-
+ tures the game was compiled with.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ #adjust
+ Adjust inventory letters (most useful when the fixinv option
+ is ``on''). Autocompletes. Default key is 'M-a'.
+ This command allows you to move an item from one particular
+ inventory slot to another so that it has a letter which is
+ more meaningful for you or that it will appear in a particu-
+ lar location when inventory listings are displayed. You can
+ move to a currently empty slot, or if the destination is oc-
+ cupied -- and won't merge -- the item there will swap slots
+ with the one being moved. ``#adjust'' can also be used to
+ split a stack of objects; when choosing the item to adjust,
+ enter a count prior to its letter.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 16
- # Perform an extended command.
+ NetHack Guidebook 18
- As you can see, the authors of NetHack used up all the let-
- ters, so this is a way to introduce the less frequently used
- commands. What extended commands are available depends on
- what features the game was compiled with.
- #adjust
- Adjust inventory letters (most useful when the fixinv option
- is ``on'').
- This command allows you to move an item from one particular
- inventory slot to another so that it has a letter which is
- more meaningful for you or that it will appear in a particu-
- lar location when inventory listings are displayed. ``#ad-
- just'' can also be used to split a stack of objects; when
- choosing the item to adjust, enter a count prior to its let-
- ter.
+ Adjusting without a count used to collect all compatible
+ stacks when moving to the destination. That behavior has
+ been changed; to gather compatible stacks, ``#adjust'' a
+ stack into its own inventory slot. If it has a name as-
+ signed, other stacks with the same name or with no name will
+ merge provided that all their other attributes match. If it
+ does not have a name, only other stacks with no name are el-
+ igible. In either case, otherwise compatible stacks with a
+ different name will not be merged. This contrasts with us-
+ ing ``#adjust'' to move from one slot to a different slot.
+ In that situation, moving (no count given) a compatible
+ stack will merge if either stack has a name when the other
+ doesn't and give that name to the result, while splitting
+ (count given) will ignore the source stack's name when de-
+ ciding whether to merge with the destination stack.
#annotate
Allows you to specify one line of text to associate with the
current dungeon level. All levels with annotations are dis-
- played by the ``#overview'' command.
+ played by the ``#overview'' command. Autocompletes. De-
+ fault key is 'M-A', and '^N' if number_pad is on.
+
+ #apply
+ Apply (use) a tool such as a pick-axe, a key, or a lamp. De-
+ fault key is 'a'.
+
+ If the tool used acts on items on the floor, using the `m'
+ prefix skips those items.
+
+ If used on a wand, that wand will be broken, releasing its
+ magic in the process. Confirmation is required.
+
+ #attributes
+ Show your attributes. Default key is '^X'.
+
+ #autopickup
+ Toggle the autopickup -option on/off. Default key is '@'.
+
+ #call
+ Call (name) a monster, or an object in inventory, on the
+ floor, or in the discoveries list, or add an annotation for
+ the current level (same as ``#annotate''). Default key is
+ 'C'.
+
+ #cast
+ Cast a spell. Default key is 'Z'.
#chat
- Talk to someone.
+ Talk to someone. Default key is 'M-c'.
+
+ #close
+ Close a door. Default key is 'c'.
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 19
+
+
#conduct
- List voluntary challenges you have maintained.
+ List voluntary challenges you have maintained. Autocom-
+ pletes. Default key is 'M-C'.
See the section below entitled ``Conduct'' for details.
#dip
- Dip an object into something.
+ Dip an object into something. Autocompletes. Default key is
+ 'M-d'.
+
+ #down
+ Go down a staircase. Default key is '>'.
+
+ #drop
+ Drop an item. Default key is 'd'.
+
+ #droptype
+ Drop specific item types. Default key is 'D'.
+
+ #eat
+ Eat something. Default key is 'e'. The `m' prefix skips
+ eating items on the floor.
+
+ #engrave
+ Engrave writing on the floor. Default key is 'E'.
#enhance
- Advance or check weapon and spell skills.
+ Advance or check weapon and spell skills. Autocompletes. De-
+ fault key is 'M-e'.
+
+ #exploremode
+ Enter the explore mode.
+
+ #fire
+ Fire ammunition from quiver. Default key is 'f'.
#force
- Force a lock.
+ Force a lock. Autocompletes. Default key is 'M-f'.
+
+ #glance
+ Show what type of thing a map symbol corresponds to. Default
+ key is ';'.
+
+ #help
+ Show the help menu. Default key is '?', and 'h' if num-
+ ber_pad is on.
+
+ #herecmdmenu
+ Show a menu of possible actions in your current location.
+
+ #history
+ Show long version and game history. Default key is 'V'.
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 20
+
+
+
+ #inventory
+ Show your inventory. Default key is 'i'.
+
+ #inventtype
+ Inventory specific item types. Default key is 'I'.
#invoke
- Invoke an object's special powers.
+ Invoke an object's special powers. Autocompletes. Default
+ key is 'M-i'.
#jump
- Jump to another location.
+ Jump to another location. Autocompletes. Default key is
+ 'M-j', and 'j' if number_pad is on.
+
+ #kick
+ Kick something. Default key is '^D', and 'k' if number_pad
+ is on.
+
+ #known
+ Show what object types have been discovered. Default key is
+ '\'.
+
+ #knownclass
+ Show discovered types for one class of objects. Default key
+ is '`'.
+
+ #levelchange
+ Change your experience level. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode on-
+ ly.
+
+ #lightsources
+ Show mobile light sources. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
+ #look
+ Look at what is here, under you. Default key is ':'.
#loot
- Loot a box or bag on the floor beneath you, or the saddle
- from a steed standing next to you.
+ Loot a box or bag on the floor beneath you, or the saddle
+ from a steed standing next to you. Autocompletes. Precede
+ with the `m' prefix to skip containers at your location and
+ go directly to removing a saddle. Default key is 'M-l', and
+ 'l' if number_pad is on.
+
+ #monpolycontrol
+ Control monster polymorphs. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
#monster
Use a monster's special ability (when polymorphed into mon-
- ster form).
+ ster form). Autocompletes. Default key is 'M-m'.
+ #name
+ Name a monster, an individual object, or a type of object.
+ Same as #call. Autocompletes. Default keys are 'N', 'M-n',
+ and 'M-N'.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 17
+ NetHack Guidebook 21
- #name
- Name a monster, an individual object, or a type of object.
- Same as `C'.
#offer
- Offer a sacrifice to the gods.
+ Offer a sacrifice to the gods. Autocompletes. Default key is
+ 'M-o'. The `m' prefix skips offering items on the altar.
You'll need to find an altar to have any chance at success.
Corpses of recently killed monsters are the fodder of
choice.
+ #open
+ Open a door. Default key is 'o'.
+
+ #options
+ Show and change option settings. Default key is 'O'.
+
#overview
Display information you've discovered about the dungeon.
Any visited level (unless forgotten due to amnesia) with an
fountains, and so on; extra stairs leading to another dun-
geon branch) trigger an automatic annotation. If dungeon
overview is chosen during end-of-game disclosure, every vis-
- ited level will be included regardless of annotations.
+ ited level will be included regardless of annotations. Auto-
+ completes. Default keys are '^O', and 'M-O'.
+
+ #panic
+ Test the panic routine. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
+ #pay
+ Pay your shopping bill. Default key is 'p'.
+
+ #pickup
+ Pick up things at the current location. Default key is ','.
+ The `m' prefix forces use of a menu.
+
+ #polyself
+ Polymorph self. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
#pray
- Pray to the gods for help.
+ Pray to the gods for help. Autocompletes. Default key is 'M-
+ p'.
- Praying too soon after receiving prior help is a bad idea.
- (Hint: entering the dungeon alive is treated as having re-
+ Praying too soon after receiving prior help is a bad idea.
+ (Hint: entering the dungeon alive is treated as having re-
ceived help. You probably shouldn't start off a new game by
- praying right away.) Since using this command by accident
- can cause trouble, there is an option to make you confirm
- your intent before praying. It is enabled by default, and
- you can reset the paranoid_confirmation option to disable
+ praying right away.) Since using this command by accident
+ can cause trouble, there is an option to make you confirm
+ your intent before praying. It is enabled by default, and
+ you can reset the paranoid_confirmation option to disable
it.
+ #prevmsg
+ Show previously displayed game messages. Default key is
+ '^P'.
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 22
+
+
+
+ #puton
+ Put on an accessory (ring, amulet, etc). Default key is 'P'.
+
+ #quaff
+ Quaff (drink) something. Default key is 'q'.
+
#quit
- Quit the program without saving your game.
+ Quit the program without saving your game. Autocompletes.
+ Default key is 'M-q'.
- Since using this command by accident would throw away the
- current game, you are asked to confirm your intent before
- quitting. By default a response of 'y' acknowledges that
+ Since using this command by accident would throw away the
+ current game, you are asked to confirm your intent before
+ quitting. By default a response of 'y' acknowledges that
intent. You can set the paranoid_confirmation option to re-
- quire a response of "yes" instead.
+ quire a response of ``yes'' instead.
+
+ #quiver
+ Select ammunition for quiver. Default key is 'Q'.
+
+ #read
+ Read a scroll, a spellbook, or something else. Default key
+ is 'r'.
+
+ #redraw
+ Redraw the screen. Default key is '^R', and '^L' if num-
+ ber_pad is on.
+
+ #remove
+ Remove an accessory (ring, amulet, etc). Default key is 'R'.
#ride
- Ride (or stop riding) a saddled creature.
+ Ride (or stop riding) a saddled creature. Autocompletes. De-
+ fault key is 'M-R'.
#rub
- Rub a lamp or a stone.
+ Rub a lamp or a stone. Autocompletes. Default key is 'M-r'.
+
+ #save
+ Save the game. Default key is 'S'.
+
+ #search
+ Search for traps and secret doors around you. Default key is
+ 's'.
+
+ #seeall
+ Show all equipment in use. Default key is '*'.
+
+ #seeamulet
+ Show the amulet currently worn. Default key is '"'.
+
+ #seearmor
+ Show the armor currently worn. Default key is '['.
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 23
+
+
+
+ #seegold
+ Count your gold. Default key is '$'.
+
+ #seenv
+ Show seen vectors. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
+ #seerings
+ Show the ring(s) currently worn. Default key is '='.
+
+ #seespells
+ List and reorder known spells. Default key is '+'.
+
+ #seetools
+ Show the tools currently in use. Default key is '('.
+
+ #seetrap
+ Show the type of an adjacent trap. Default key is '^'.
+
+ #seeweapon
+ Show the weapon currently wielded. Default key is ')'.
+
+ #shell
+ Do a shell escape. Default key is '!'.
#sit
- Sit down.
+ Sit down. Autocompletes. Default key is 'M-s'.
+
+ #stats
+ Show memory statistics. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
+ #suspend
+ Suspend the game. Default key is '^Z'.
+
+ #swap
+ Swap wielded and secondary weapons. Default key is 'x'.
+
+ #takeoff
+ Take off one piece of armor. Default key is 'T'.
+
+ #takeoffall
+ Remove all armor. Default key is 'A'.
+
+ #teleport
+ Teleport around the level. Default key is '^T'.
#terrain
- Show bare map without displaying monsters, objects, or
- traps.
+ Show bare map without displaying monsters, objects, or
+ traps. Autocompletes.
+ #therecmdmenu
+ Show a menu of possible actions in a location next to you.
+ #throw
+ Throw something. Default key is 't'.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 18
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 24
+
+ #timeout
+ Look at the timeout queue. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
#tip
- Tip over a container (bag or box) to pour out its contents.
+ Tip over a container (bag or box) to pour out its contents.
+ Autocompletes. Default key is 'M-T'. The `m' prefix makes
+ the command use a menu.
+
+ #travel
+ Travel to a specific location on the map. Default key is
+ '_'. Using the ``request menu'' prefix shows a menu of in-
+ teresting targets in sight without asking to move the cur-
+ sor. When picking a target with cursor and the autodescribe
+ option is on, the top line will show ``(no travel path)'' if
+ your character does not know of a path to that location.
#turn
- Turn undead.
+ Turn undead away. Autocompletes. Default key is 'M-t'.
#twoweapon
- Toggle two-weapon combat on or off.
+ Toggle two-weapon combat on or off. Autocompletes. Default
+ keys are 'X', and 'M-2'.
Note that you must use suitable weapons for this type of
combat, or it will be automatically turned off.
#untrap
- Untrap something (trap, door, or chest).
+ Untrap something (trap, door, or chest). Default key is 'M-
+ u', and 'u' if number_pad is on.
- In some circumstances it can also be used to rescue trapped
+ In some circumstances it can also be used to rescue trapped
monsters.
+ #up
+ Go up a staircase. Default key is '<'.
+
+ #vanquished
+ List vanquished monsters. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
#version
- Print compile time options for this version of NetHack.
+ Print compile time options for this version of NetHack. Au-
+ tocompletes. Default key is 'M-v'.
+
+ #versionshort
+ Show version string. Default key is 'v'.
+
+ #vision
+ Show vision array. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
+ #wait
+ Rest one move while doing nothing. Default key is '.', and '
+ ' if rest_on_space is on.
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 25
+
+
+
+ #wear
+ Wear a piece of armor. Default key is 'W'.
+
+ #whatdoes
+ Tell what a key does. Default key is '&'.
+
+ #whatis
+ Show what type of thing a symbol corresponds to. Default key
+ is '/'.
+
+ #wield
+ Wield a weapon. Default key is 'w'.
#wipe
- Wipe off your face.
+ Wipe off your face. Autocompletes. Default key is 'M-w'.
+
+ #wizdebug_bury
+ Bury objects under and around you. Autocompletes. Wizard-
+ mode only.
+
+ #wizdebug_traveldisplay
+ Toggle travel display. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
+ #wizdetect
+ Search a room. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only. Default key
+ is '^E'.
+
+ #wizgenesis
+ Create a monster. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only. Default
+ key is '^G'.
+
+ #wizidentify
+ Identify all items in inventory. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode
+ only. Default key is '^I'.
+
+ #wizintrinsic
+ Set intrinsic. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
+ #wizlevelport
+ Teleport to another level. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode on-
+ ly. Default key is '^V'.
+
+ #wizmap
+ Map the level. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only. Default key
+ is '^F'.
+
+ #wizrumorcheck
+ Verify rumor boundaries. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
+ #wizsmell
+ Smell monster. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
+ #wizwhere
+ Show locations of special levels. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 26
+
+
+
+ only.
+
+ #wizwish
+ Wish for something. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only. Default
+ key is '^W'.
+
+ #wmode
+ Show wall modes. Autocompletes. Wizard-mode only.
+
+ #zap
+ Zap a wand. Default key is 'z'.
#?
Help menu: get the list of available extended commands.
+
+
If your keyboard has a meta key (which, when pressed in com-
bination with another key, modifies it by setting the `meta'
[8th, or `high'] bit), you can invoke many extended commands by
set the altmeta option to get this behavior. On other systems,
if typing `Alt' plus another key transmits a two character se-
quence consisting of an Escape followed by the other key, you may
- set the altmeta option to have nethack combine them into
+ set the altmeta option to have NetHack combine them into
meta+key.
M-? #? (not supported by all platforms)
M-e #enhance
+ M-f #force
+ M-i #invoke
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ M-j #jump
+ M-l #loot
+ M-m #monster
- NetHack Guidebook 19
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- M-f #force
- M-i #invoke
- M-j #jump
+ NetHack Guidebook 27
- M-l #loot
- M-m #monster
M-n #name
M-w #wipe
+
+
If the number_pad option is on, some additional letter com-
mands are available:
- h Help menu: display one of several help texts available,
- like ``?''.
+ h #help
- j Jump to another location. Same as ``#jump'' or ``M-j''.
+ j #jump
- k Kick something (usually a door). Same as `^D'.
+ k #kick
- l Loot a box or bag on the floor beneath you, or the saddle
- from a steed standing next to you. Same as ``#loot'' or
- ``M-l''.
+ l #loot
- N Name a monster, an individual object, or a type of object.
- Same as ``#name'' (or ``M-n'') which is the same as the `C'
- command.
+ N #name
+ u #untrap
+ 5. Rooms and corridors
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ Rooms and corridors in the dungeon are either lit or dark.
+ Any lit areas within your line of sight will be displayed; dark
+ areas are only displayed if they are within one space of you.
+ Walls and corridors remain on the map as you explore them.
+ Secret corridors are hidden. You can find them with the `s'
+ (search) command.
- NetHack Guidebook 20
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- u Untrap a trap, door, or chest. Same as ``#untrap'' or ``M-
- u''.
- 5. Rooms and corridors
+ NetHack Guidebook 28
- Rooms and corridors in the dungeon are either lit or dark.
- Any lit areas within your line of sight will be displayed; dark
- areas are only displayed if they are within one space of you.
- Walls and corridors remain on the map as you explore them.
- Secret corridors are hidden. You can find them with the `s'
- (search) command.
5.1. Doorways
tional rules of Sokoban. Some allowances are permitted in case
the player gets stuck; however, they will lower your luck.
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 21
-
-
-
- 5.3. Stairs (`<', `>')
+ 5.3. Stairs and ladders (`<', `>')
In general, each level in the dungeon will have a staircase
going up (`<') to the previous level and another going down (`>')
choose to do so), you'll need to climb back up to the main dun-
geon.
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 29
+
+
+
When you traverse a set of stairs, or trigger a trap which
sends you to another level, the level you're leaving will be de-
activated and stored in a file on disk. If you're moving to a
climb. When that occurs, the pet or other monster will arrive on
the staircase and you will end up nearby.
- 5.4. Ladders (`<', `>')
-
Ladders serve the same purpose as staircases, and the two
types of inter-level connections are nearly indistinguishable
during game play.
- 5.5. Shops and shopping
+ 5.4. Shops and shopping
Occasionally you will run across a room with a shopkeeper
near the door and many items lying on the floor. You can buy
of gold and asked whether you're willing to sell, or you'll be
told that the shopkeeper isn't interested (generally, your item
needs to be compatible with the type of merchandise carried by
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 22
-
-
-
the shop).
If you drop something in a shop by accident, the shopkeeper
dungeon, don't bother trying to use it in shops; shopkeepers will
not accept it.)
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 30
+
+
+
The `$' command, which reports the amount of gold you are
carrying (in inventory, not inside bags or boxes), will also show
current shop debt or credit, if any. The `Iu' command lists un-
any unpaid items which have been used up, along with other shop
fees, if any.
- 5.5.1. Shop idiosyncracies
+ 5.4.1. Shop idiosyncracies
Several aspects of shop behavior might be unexpected.
* The price of a given item can vary due to a variety of factors.
- * A shopkeeper treats the spot immediately inside the door as if
+ * A shopkeeper treats the spot immediately inside the door as if
it were outside the shop.
* While the shopkeeper watches you like a hawk, he will generally
ignore any other customers.
- * If a shop is "closed for inventory", it will not open of its
+ * If a shop is ``closed for inventory'', it will not open of its
own accord.
* Shops do not get restocked with new items, regardless of inven-
tory depletion.
-
6. Monsters
- Monsters you cannot see are not displayed on the screen.
- Beware! You may suddenly come upon one in a dark place. Some
- magic items can help you locate them before they locate you
+ Monsters you cannot see are not displayed on the screen.
+ Beware! You may suddenly come upon one in a dark place. Some
+ magic items can help you locate them before they locate you
(which some monsters can do very well).
- The commands `/' and `;' may be used to obtain information
- about those monsters who are displayed on the screen. The com-
- mand ``#name'', or its synonym `C', allows you to assign a name
- to a monster, which may be useful to help distinguish one from
- another when multiple monsters are present. Assigning a name
- which is just a space will remove any prior name.
+ The commands `/' and `;' may be used to obtain information
+ about those monsters who are displayed on the screen. The com-
+ mand ``#name'' (by default bound to `C'), allows you to assign a
+ name to a monster, which may be useful to help distinguish one
+ from another when multiple monsters are present. Assigning a
+ name which is just a space will remove any prior name.
+
+ The extended command ``#chat'' can be used to interact with
+ an adjacent monster. There is no actual dialog (in other words,
+ you don't get to choose what you'll say), but chatting with some
+ monsters such as a shopkeeper or the Oracle of Delphi can produce
+ useful results.
+
+ 6.1. Fighting
+ If you see a monster and you wish to fight it, just attempt
+ to walk into it. Many monsters you find will mind their own
+ business unless you attack them. Some of them are very dangerous
+ when angered. Remember: discretion is the better part of valor.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 23
- The extended command ``#chat'' can be used to interact with
- an adjacent monster. There is no actual dialog (in other words,
- you don't get to choose what you'll say), but chatting with some
- monsters such as a shopkeeper or the Oracle of Delphi can produce
- useful results.
+ NetHack Guidebook 31
- 6.1. Fighting
- If you see a monster and you wish to fight it, just attempt
- to walk into it. Many monsters you find will mind their own
- business unless you attack them. Some of them are very dangerous
- when angered. Remember: discretion is the better part of valor.
In most circumstances, if you attempt to attack a peaceful
monster by moving into its location, you'll be asked to confirm
your intent. By default an answer of 'y' acknowledges that in-
tent, which can be error prone if you're using 'y' to move. You
can set the paranoid_confirmation option to require a response of
- "yes" instead.
+ ``yes'' instead.
If you can't see a monster (if it is invisible, or if you
are blinded), the symbol `I' will be shown when you learn of its
pet may trigger such traps itself; you will not be carried along
with it even if adjacent at the time.
+ 6.3. Steeds
+
+ Some types of creatures in the dungeon can actually be rid-
+ den if you have the right equipment and skill. Convincing a wild
+ beast to let you saddle it up is difficult to say the least.
+ Many a dungeoneer has had to resort to magic and wizardry in or-
+ der to forge the alliance. Once you do have the beast under your
+ control however, you can easily climb in and out of the saddle
+ with the ``#ride'' command. Lead the beast around the dungeon
+ when riding, in the same manner as you would move yourself. It
+ is the beast that you will see displayed on the map.
+
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 24
+ NetHack Guidebook 32
- 6.3. Steeds
- Some types of creatures in the dungeon can actually be rid-
- den if you have the right equipment and skill. Convincing a wild
- beast to let you saddle it up is difficult to say the least.
- Many a dungeoneer has had to resort to magic and wizardry in or-
- der to forge the alliance. Once you do have the beast under your
- control however, you can easily climb in and out of the saddle
- with the `#ride' command. Lead the beast around the dungeon when
- riding, in the same manner as you would move yourself. It is the
- beast that you will see displayed on the map.
+ Riding skill is managed by the ``#enhance'' command. See
+ the section on Weapon proficiency for more information about
+ that.
+
+ Use the `a' (apply) command and pick a saddle in your inven-
+ tory to attempt to put that saddle on an adjacent creature. If
+ successful, it will be transferred to that creature's inventory.
- Riding skill is managed by the `#enhance' command. See the
- section on Weapon proficiency for more information about that.
+ Use the ``#loot'' command while adjacent to a saddled crea-
+ ture to try to remove the saddle from that creature. If success-
+ ful, it will be transferred to your inventory.
6.4. Bones levels
- You may encounter the shades and corpses of other adventur-
+ You may encounter the shades and corpses of other adventur-
ers (or even former incarnations of yourself!) and their personal
- effects. Ghosts are hard to kill, but easy to avoid, since
- they're slow and do little damage. You can plunder the deceased
- adventurer's possessions; however, they are likely to be cursed.
+ effects. Ghosts are hard to kill, but easy to avoid, since
+ they're slow and do little damage. You can plunder the deceased
+ adventurer's possessions; however, they are likely to be cursed.
Beware of whatever killed the former player; it is probably still
lurking around, gloating over its last victory.
+ 6.5. Persistence of Monsters
+
+ Monsters (a generic reference which also includes humans and
+ pets) are only shown while they can be seen or otherwise sensed.
+ Moving to a location where you can't see or sense a monster any
+ more will result in it disappearing from your map, similarly if
+ it is the one who moved rather than you.
+
+ However, if you encounter a monster which you can't see or
+ sense -- perhaps it is invisible and has just tapped you on the
+ noggin -- a special ``remembered, unseen monster'' marker will be
+ displayed at the location where you think it is. That will per-
+ sist until you have proven that there is no monster there, even
+ if the unseen monster moves to another location or you move to a
+ spot where the marker's location ordinarily wouldn't be seen any
+ more.
7. Objects
picked up.
As you add items to your inventory, you also add the weight
- of that object to your load. The amount that you can carry de-
- pends on your strength and your constitution. The stronger you
- are, the less the additional load will affect you. There comes a
- point, though, when the weight of all of that stuff you are car-
- rying around with you through the dungeon will encumber you.
- Your reactions will get slower and you'll burn calories faster,
- requiring food more frequently to cope with it. Eventually,
- you'll be so overloaded that you'll either have to discard some
- of what you're carrying or collapse under its weight.
+ of that object to your load. The amount that you can carry
- NetHack will tell you how badly you have loaded yourself.
- The symbols `Burdened', `Stressed', `Strained', `Overtaxed' and
- `Overloaded' are displayed on the bottom line display to indicate
- your condition.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 33
- NetHack Guidebook 25
+ depends on your strength and your constitution. The stronger and
+ sturdier you are, the less the additional load will affect you.
+ There comes a point, though, when the weight of all of that stuff
+ you are carrying around with you through the dungeon will encum-
+ ber you. Your reactions will get slower and you'll burn calories
+ faster, requiring food more frequently to cope with it. Eventu-
+ ally, you'll be so overloaded that you'll either have to discard
+ some of what you're carrying or collapse under its weight.
+
+ NetHack will tell you how badly you have loaded yourself.
+ The symbols `Burdened', `Stressed', `Strained', `Overtaxed' and
+ `Overloaded' are displayed on the bottom line display to indicate
+ your condition.
When you pick up an object, it is assigned an inventory let-
ter. Many commands that operate on objects must ask you to find
NetHack will remember what it is for you. If its effect isn't
extremely obvious, you will be asked what you want to call this
type of object so you will recognize it later. You can also use
- the ``#name'' command, or its synonym `C', for the same purpose
- at any time, to name all objects of a particular type or just an
- individual object. When you use ``#name'' on an object which has
- already been named, specifying a space as the value will remove
- the prior name instead of assigning a new one.
+ the ``#name'' command, for the same purpose at any time, to name
+ all objects of a particular type or just an individual object.
+ When you use ``#name'' on an object which has already been named,
+ specifying a space as the value will remove the prior name in-
+ stead of assigning a new one.
7.1. Curses and Blessings
Objects which are neither cursed nor blessed are referred to
as uncursed. They could just as easily have been described as
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 34
+
+
+
unblessed, but the uncursed designation is what you will see
within the game. A ``glass half full versus glass half empty''
situation; make of that what you will.
An item with unknown status will be reported in your inven-
tory with no prefix. An item which you know the state of will be
distinguished in your inventory by the presence of the word
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 26
-
-
-
``cursed'', ``uncursed'' or ``blessed'' in the description of the
item. In some cases ``uncursed'' will be omitted as being redun-
dant when enough other information is displayed. The implic-
factors. Among them are: type of weapon, quality of weapon (en-
chantment and/or erosion), experience level, strength, dexterity,
encumbrance, and proficiency (see below). The monster's armor
- class - a general defense rating, not necessarily due to wearing
- of armor - is a factor too; also, some monsters are particularly
+ class -- a general defense rating, not necessarily due to wearing
+ of armor -- is a factor too; also, some monsters are particularly
vulnerable to certain types of weapons.
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 35
+
+
+
Many weapons can be wielded in one hand; some require both
hands. When wielding a two-handed weapon, you can not wear a
shield, and vice versa. When wielding a one-handed weapon, you
curs a penalty in the chance to hit your target compared to using
just one weapon at a time.
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 27
-
-
-
There might be times when you'd rather not wield any weapon
at all. To accomplish that, wield `-', or else use the `A' com-
mand which allows you to unwield the current weapon in addition
ple items in a single turn. Knowing how to load several rounds
of ammunition at once -- or hold several missiles in your hand --
and still hit a target is not an easy task. Rangers are among
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 36
+
+
+
those who are adept at this task, as are those with a high level
of proficiency in the relevant weapon skill (in bow skill if
you're wielding one to shoot arrows, in crossbow skill if you're
would have been shot (``4f'' in this example), you'll just end up
shooting the same number (3, here) as if no limit had been speci-
fied. Once the volley is in motion, all of the items will travel
- in the same direction; if the first ones kill a monster, the
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 28
-
-
-
- others can still continue beyond that spot.
+ in the same direction; if the first ones kill a monster, the oth-
+ ers can still continue beyond that spot.
7.2.2. Weapon proficiency
already reached the limit for this skill). Once such training
reaches the threshold for that next level, you'll be told that
you feel more confident in your skills. At that point you can
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 37
+
+
+
use `#enhance' to increase one or more skills. Such skills are
not increased automatically because there is a limit to your to-
tal overall skills, so you need to actively choose which skills
(Note that your two weapons are not fully equal; the one in the
hand you normally wield with is considered primary and the other
one is considered secondary. The most noticeable difference is
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 29
-
-
-
- after you stop--or before you begin, for that matter--wielding
- two weapons at once. The primary is your wielded weapon and the
- secondary is just an item in your inventory that's been designat-
- ed as alternate weapon.)
+ after you stop -- or before you begin, for that matter -- wield-
+ ing two weapons at once. The primary is your wielded weapon and
+ the secondary is just an item in your inventory that's been des-
+ ignated as alternate weapon.)
If your primary weapon is wielded but your off hand is empty
or has the wrong weapon, use the sequence 'x', 'w', 'x' to first
armor. Each suit of armor which exists in AD&D gives the same
protection in NetHack. Here is an (incomplete) list of the armor
classes provided by various suits of armor:
-
dragon scale mail 1
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 38
+
+
+
plate mail 3
crystal plate mail 3
bronze plate mail 4
chain mail 5
orcish chain mail 6
scale mail 6
+ dragon scales 7
studded leather armor 7
ring mail 7
orcish ring mail 8
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 30
-
-
-
leather armor 8
leather jacket 9
no armor 10
any ``plusses'' it provides. Cursed pieces of armor usually have
negative enchantments (minuses) in addition to being unremovable.
- Many types of armor are subject to some kind of damage like
- rust. Such damage can be repaired. Some types of armor may in-
+ Many types of armor are subject to some kind of damage like
+ rust. Such damage can be repaired. Some types of armor may in-
hibit spell casting.
The commands to use armor are `W' (wear) and `T' (take off).
- The `A' command can also be used to take off armor as well as
+ The `A' command can also be used to take off armor as well as
other worn items.
7.4. Food (`%')
- Food is necessary to survive. If you go too long without
- eating you will faint, and eventually die of starvation. Some
- types of food will spoil, and become unhealthy to eat, if not
+ Food is necessary to survive. If you go too long without
+ eating you will faint, and eventually die of starvation. Some
+ types of food will spoil, and become unhealthy to eat, if not
protected. Food stored in ice boxes or tins (``cans'') will usu-
- ally stay fresh, but ice boxes are heavy, and tins take a while
+ ally stay fresh, but ice boxes are heavy, and tins take a while
to open.
When you kill monsters, they usually leave corpses which are
also ``food.'' Many, but not all, of these are edible; some also
- give you special powers when you eat them. A good rule of thumb
+ give you special powers when you eat them. A good rule of thumb
is ``you are what you eat.''
- Some character roles and some monsters are vegetarian. Veg-
- etarian monsters will typically never eat animal corpses, while
- vegetarian players can, but with some rather unpleasant side-ef-
- fects.
- You can name one food item after something you like to eat
- with the fruit option.
- The command to eat food is `e'.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- 7.5. Scrolls (`?')
- Scrolls are labeled with various titles, probably chosen by
- ancient wizards for their amusement value (ex. ``READ ME,'' or
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 39
+ Some character roles and some monsters are vegetarian. Veg-
+ etarian monsters will typically never eat animal corpses, while
+ vegetarian players can, but with some rather unpleasant side-ef-
+ fects.
- NetHack Guidebook 31
+ You can name one food item after something you like to eat
+ with the fruit option.
+ The command to eat food is `e'.
+ 7.5. Scrolls (`?')
+ Scrolls are labeled with various titles, probably chosen by
+ ancient wizards for their amusement value (ex. ``READ ME,'' or
``THANX MAUD'' backwards). Scrolls disappear after you read them
(except for blank ones, without magic spells on them).
- One of the most useful of these is the scroll of identify,
+ One of the most useful of these is the scroll of identify,
which can be used to determine what another object is, whether it
- is cursed or blessed, and how many uses it has left. Some ob-
- jects of subtle enchantment are difficult to identify without
+ is cursed or blessed, and how many uses it has left. Some ob-
+ jects of subtle enchantment are difficult to identify without
these.
A mail daemon may run up and deliver mail to you as a scroll
- of mail (on versions compiled with this feature). To use this
- feature on versions where NetHack mail delivery is triggered by
- electronic mail appearing in your system mailbox, you must let
- NetHack know where to look for new mail by setting the ``MAIL''
- environment variable to the file name of your mailbox. You may
- also want to set the ``MAILREADER'' environment variable to the
- file name of your favorite reader, so NetHack can shell to it
- when you read the scroll. On versions of NetHack where mail is
- randomly generated internal to the game, these environment vari-
- ables are ignored. You can disable the mail daemon by turning
+ of mail (on versions compiled with this feature). To use this
+ feature on versions where NetHack mail delivery is triggered by
+ electronic mail appearing in your system mailbox, you must let
+ NetHack know where to look for new mail by setting the ``MAIL''
+ environment variable to the file name of your mailbox. You may
+ also want to set the ``MAILREADER'' environment variable to the
+ file name of your favorite reader, so NetHack can shell to it
+ when you read the scroll. On versions of NetHack where mail is
+ randomly generated internal to the game, these environment vari-
+ ables are ignored. You can disable the mail daemon by turning
off the mail option.
The command to read a scroll is `r'.
7.6. Potions (`!')
- Potions are distinguished by the color of the liquid inside
+ Potions are distinguished by the color of the liquid inside
the flask. They disappear after you quaff them.
- Clear potions are potions of water. Sometimes these are
+ Clear potions are potions of water. Sometimes these are
blessed or cursed, resulting in holy or unholy water. Holy water
- is the bane of the undead, so potions of holy water are good
- things to throw (`t') at them. It is also sometimes very useful
+ is the bane of the undead, so potions of holy water are good
+ things to throw (`t') at them. It is also sometimes very useful
to dip (``#dip'') an object into a potion.
The command to drink a potion is `q' (quaff).
- 7.7. Wands (`/')
- Magic wands usually have multiple magical charges. Some
- wands are directional--you must give a direction in which to zap
- them. You can also zap them at yourself (just give a `.' or `s'
- for the direction). Be warned, however, for this is often unwise.
- Other wands are nondirectional--they don't require a direction.
- The number of charges in a wand is random and decreases by one
- whenever you use it.
- When the number of charges left in a wand becomes zero, at-
- tempts to use the wand will usually result in nothing happening.
- Occasionally, however, it may be possible to squeeze the last few
- mana points from an otherwise spent wand, destroying it in the
- process. A wand may be recharged by using suitable magic, but
- doing so runs the risk of causing it to explode. The chance for
- such an explosion starts out very small and increases each time
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 32
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 40
+
+ 7.7. Wands (`/')
+
+ Wands usually have multiple magical charges. Some types of
+ wands require a direction in which to zap them. You can also zap
+ them at yourself (just give a `.' or `s' for the direction). Be
+ warned, however, for this is often unwise. Other types of wands
+ don't require a direction. The number of charges in a wand is
+ random and decreases by one whenever you use it.
+ When the number of charges left in a wand becomes zero, at-
+ tempts to use the wand will usually result in nothing happening.
+ Occasionally, however, it may be possible to squeeze the last few
+ mana points from an otherwise spent wand, destroying it in the
+ process. A wand may be recharged by using suitable magic, but
+ doing so runs the risk of causing it to explode. The chance for
+ such an explosion starts out very small and increases each time
the wand is recharged.
In a truly desperate situation, when your back is up against
then by its current number of charges. A current charge count of
-1 is a special case indicating that the wand has been cancelled.
- The command to use a wand is `z' (zap). To break one, use
+ The command to use a wand is `z' (zap). To break one, use
the `a' (apply) command.
7.8. Rings (`=')
- Rings are very useful items, since they are relatively per-
- manent magic, unlike the usually fleeting effects of potions,
+ Rings are very useful items, since they are relatively per-
+ manent magic, unlike the usually fleeting effects of potions,
scrolls, and wands.
- Putting on a ring activates its magic. You can wear only
+ Putting on a ring activates its magic. You can wear only
two rings, one on each ring finger.
- Most rings also cause you to grow hungry more rapidly, the
+ Most rings also cause you to grow hungry more rapidly, the
rate varying with the type of ring.
The commands to use rings are `P' (put on) and `R' (remove).
the attempt backfires. Reading a cursed spellbook or one with
mystic runes beyond your ken can be harmful to your health!
- A spell (even when learned) can also backfire when you cast
- it. If you attempt to cast a spell well above your experience
- level, or if you have little skill with the appropriate spell
- type, or cast it at a time when your luck is particularly bad,
- you can end up wasting both the energy and the time required in
- casting.
-
- Casting a spell calls forth magical energies and focuses
- them with your naked mind. Some of the magical energy released
- comes from within you, and casting several spells in a row may
- tire you. Casting of spells also requires practice. With prac-
- tice, your skill in each category of spell casting will improve.
- Over time, however, your memory of each spell will dim, and you
- will need to relearn it.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
+ NetHack Guidebook 41
- NetHack Guidebook 33
+ A spell (even when learned) can also backfire when you cast
+ it. If you attempt to cast a spell well above your experience
+ level, or if you have little skill with the appropriate spell
+ type, or cast it at a time when your luck is particularly bad,
+ you can end up wasting both the energy and the time required in
+ casting.
- Some spells are directional--you must give a direction in
- which to cast them. You can also cast them at yourself (just
- give a `.' or `s' for the direction). Be warned, however, for
- this is often unwise. Other spells are nondirectional--they
- don't require a direction.
+ Casting a spell calls forth magical energies and focuses
+ them with your naked mind. Some of the magical energy released
+ comes from within you. Casting temporarily drains your magical
+ power, which will slowly be recovered, and causes you to need ad-
+ ditional food. Casting of spells also requires practice. With
+ practice, your skill in each category of spell casting will im-
+ prove. Over time, however, your memory of each spell will dim,
+ and you will need to relearn it.
+
+ Some spells require a direction in which to cast them, simi-
+ lar to wands. To cast one at yourself, just give a `.' or `s'
+ for the direction. A few spells require you to pick a target lo-
+ cation rather than just specify a particular direction. Other
+ spells don't require any direction or target.
Just as weapons are divided into groups in which a character
- can become proficient (to varying degrees), spells are similarly
+ can become proficient (to varying degrees), spells are similarly
grouped. Successfully casting a spell exercises its skill group;
- using the `#enhance' command to advance a sufficiently exercised
- skill will affect all spells within the group. Advanced skill
- may increase the potency of spells, reduce their risk of failure
+ using the `#enhance' command to advance a sufficiently exercised
+ skill will affect all spells within the group. Advanced skill
+ may increase the potency of spells, reduce their risk of failure
during casting attempts, and improve the accuracy of the estimate
- for how much longer they will be retained in your memory. Skill
- slots are shared with weapons skills. (See also the section on
+ for how much longer they will be retained in your memory. Skill
+ slots are shared with weapons skills. (See also the section on
``Weapon proficiency''.)
Casting a spell also requires flexible movement, and wearing
various types of armor may interfere with that.
- The command to read a spellbook is the same as for scrolls,
+ The command to read a spellbook is the same as for scrolls,
`r' (read). The `+' command lists each spell you know along with
its level, skill category, chance of failure when casting, and an
- estimate of how strongly it is remembered. The `Z' (cast) com-
+ estimate of how strongly it is remembered. The `Z' (cast) com-
mand casts a spell.
7.10. Tools (`(')
Tools are miscellaneous objects with various purposes. Some
- tools have a limited number of uses, akin to wand charges. For
- example, lamps burn out after a while. Other tools are contain-
+ tools have a limited number of uses, akin to wand charges. For
+ example, lamps burn out after a while. Other tools are contain-
ers, which objects can be placed into or taken out of.
The command to use tools is `a' (apply).
- 7.10.1. Containers
- You may encounter bags, boxes, and chests in your travels.
- A tool of this sort can be opened with the ``#loot'' extended
- command when you are standing on top of it (that is, on the same
- floor spot), or with the `a' (apply) command when you are carry-
- ing it. However, chests are often locked, and are in any case
- unwieldy objects. You must set one down before unlocking it by
- using a key or lock-picking tool with the `a' (apply) command, by
- kicking it with the `^D' command, or by using a weapon to force
- the lock with the ``#force'' extended command.
- Some chests are trapped, causing nasty things to happen when
- you unlock or open them. You can check for and try to deactivate
- traps with the ``#untrap'' extended command.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 42
- NetHack Guidebook 34
+ 7.10.1. Containers
+ You may encounter bags, boxes, and chests in your travels.
+ A tool of this sort can be opened with the ``#loot'' extended
+ command when you are standing on top of it (that is, on the same
+ floor spot), or with the `a' (apply) command when you are carry-
+ ing it. However, chests are often locked, and are in any case
+ unwieldy objects. You must set one down before unlocking it by
+ using a key or lock-picking tool with the `a' (apply) command, by
+ kicking it with the `^D' command, or by using a weapon to force
+ the lock with the ``#force'' extended command.
+ Some chests are trapped, causing nasty things to happen when
+ you unlock or open them. You can check for and try to deactivate
+ traps with the ``#untrap'' extended command.
7.11. Amulets (`"')
- Amulets are very similar to rings, and often more powerful.
+ Amulets are very similar to rings, and often more powerful.
Like rings, amulets have various magical properties, some benefi-
cial, some harmful, which are activated by putting them on.
Only one amulet may be worn at a time, around your neck.
- The commands to use amulets are the same as for rings, `P'
+ The commands to use amulets are the same as for rings, `P'
(put on) and `R' (remove).
7.12. Gems (`*')
- Some gems are valuable, and can be sold for a lot of gold.
- They are also a far more efficient way of carrying your riches.
+ Some gems are valuable, and can be sold for a lot of gold.
+ They are also a far more efficient way of carrying your riches.
Valuable gems increase your score if you bring them with you when
you exit.
Other small rocks are also categorized as gems, but they are
- much less valuable. All rocks, however, can be used as projec-
- tile weapons (if you have a sling). In the most desperate of
+ much less valuable. All rocks, however, can be used as projec-
+ tile weapons (if you have a sling). In the most desperate of
cases, you can still throw them by hand.
7.13. Large rocks (``')
- Statues and boulders are not particularly useful, and are
- generally heavy. It is rumored that some statues are not what
+ Statues and boulders are not particularly useful, and are
+ generally heavy. It is rumored that some statues are not what
they seem.
- Very large humanoids (giants and their ilk) have been known
+ Very large humanoids (giants and their ilk) have been known
to use boulders as weapons.
+ For some configurations of the program, statues are no
+ longer shown as ``' but by the letter representing the monster
+ they depict instead.
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 43
+
+
+
7.14. Gold (`$')
- Gold adds to your score, and you can buy things in shops
- with it. There are a number of monsters in the dungeon that may
+ Gold adds to your score, and you can buy things in shops
+ with it. There are a number of monsters in the dungeon that may
be influenced by the amount of gold you are carrying (shopkeepers
aside).
+ 7.15. Persistence of Objects
+
+ Normally, if you have seen an object at a particular map lo-
+ cation and move to another location which can't directly see that
+ object any more, if will continue to be displayed on your map.
+ That remains the case even if it is not actually there any more
+ -- perhaps a monster has picked it up or it has rotted away --
+ until you can see or feel that location again. One notable ex-
+ ception is that if the object gets covered by the ``remembered,
+ unseen monster'' marker and that marker is later removed after
+ you've verified that no monster is there, you will forget that
+ there was any object there regardless of whether the unseen mon-
+ ster actually took the object. If the object is still there,
+ then once you see or feel that location again you will re-discov-
+ er the object and resume remembering it.
+
+ The situation is the same for a pile of objects, except that
+ only the top item of the pile is displayed. The hilite_pile op-
+ tion can be enabled in order to show an item differently when is
+ the top one of a pile.
8. Conduct
is unusual for players to adhere to challenges the first time
they win the game.
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 35
-
-
-
Several of the challenges are related to eating behavior.
The most difficult of these is the foodless challenge. Although
creatures can survive long periods of time without food, there is
from animals. The primary source of nutrition is fruits and veg-
etables. The corpses and tins of blobs (`b'), jellies (`j'), and
fungi (`F') are also considered to be vegetable matter. Certain
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 44
+
+
+
human food is prepared without animal products; namely, lembas
wafers, cram rations, food rations (gunyoki), K-rations, and C-
rations. Metal or another normally indigestible material eaten
An atheist is one who rejects religion. This means that you
cannot #pray, #offer sacrifices to any god, #turn undead, or
#chat with a priest. Particularly selective readers may argue
- that playing Monk or Priest characters should violate this
-
+ that playing Monk or Priest characters should violate this con-
+ duct; that is a choice left to the player. Offering the Amulet
+ of Yendor to your god is necessary to win the game and is not
+ counted against this conduct. You are also not penalized for be-
+ ing spoken to by an angry god, priest(ess), or other religious
+ figure; a true atheist would hear the words but attach no special
+ meaning to them.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ Most players fight with a wielded weapon (or tool intended
+ to be wielded as a weapon). Another challenge is to win the game
+ without using such a wielded weapon. You are still permitted to
+ throw, fire, and kick weapons; use a wand, spell, or other type
+ of item; or fight with your hands and feet.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 36
+ NetHack Guidebook 45
- conduct; that is a choice left to the player. Offering the
- Amulet of Yendor to your god is necessary to win the game and is
- not counted against this conduct. You are also not penalized for
- being spoken to by an angry god, priest(ess), or other religious
- figure; a true atheist would hear the words but attach no special
- meaning to them.
- Most players fight with a wielded weapon (or tool intended
- to be wielded as a weapon). Another challenge is to win the game
- without using such a wielded weapon. You are still permitted to
- throw, fire, and kick weapons; use a wand, spell, or other type
- of item; or fight with your hands and feet.
In NetHack, a pacifist refuses to cause the death of any
other monster (i.e. if you would get experience for the death).
to make a wish for an item, you may choose ``nothing'' if you
want to decline.
-
9. Options
Due to variations in personal tastes and conceptions of how
NetHack should do things, there are options you can set to change
how NetHack behaves.
+ 9.1. Setting the options
+
+ Options may be set in a number of ways. Within the game,
+ the `O' command allows you to view all options and change most of
+ them. You can also set options automatically by placing them in
+ a configuration file, or in the NETHACKOPTIONS environment vari-
+ able. Some versions of NetHack also have front-end programs that
+ allow you to set options before starting the game or a global
+ configuration for system administrators.
+
+ 9.2. Using a configuration file
+ The default name of the configuration file varies on differ-
+ ent operating systems. On DOS and Windows, it is ``defaults.nh''
+ in the same folder as nethack.exe or nethackW.exe. On UNIX, Lin-
+ ux, and Mac OS X it is ``.nethackrc'' in the user's home
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 46
- NetHack Guidebook 37
+ directory. The file may not exist, but it is a normal ASCII text
+ file and can be created with any text editor.
- 9.1. Setting the options
+ Any line in the configuration file starting with `#' is
+ treated as a comment. Empty lines are ignored.
- Options may be set in a number of ways. Within the game,
- the `O' command allows you to view all options and change most of
- them. You can also set options automatically by placing them in
- the NETHACKOPTIONS environment variable or in a configuration
- file. Some versions of NetHack also have front-end programs that
- allow you to set options before starting the game or a global
- configuration for system administrators.
+ Any line beginning with `[' and ending in `]' is considered
+ a section marker. The text between the square brackets is the
+ section name. Lines after a section marker belong to that sec-
+ tion, and are ignored unless a CHOOSE -statement was used to se-
+ lect that section. Section names are case insensitive.
+
+ You can use different configuration statements in the file,
+ some of which can be used multiple times. In general, the state-
+ ments are written in capital letters, followed by an equals sign,
+ followed by settings particular to that statement. Here is a list
+ of allowed statements:
- 9.2. Using the NETHACKOPTIONS environment variable
+ OPTIONS
+ There are two types of options, boolean and compound options.
+ Boolean options toggle a setting on or off, while compound op-
+ tions take more diverse values. Prefix a boolean option with
+ `no' or `!' to turn it off. For compound options, the option
+ name and value are separated by a colon. Some options are per-
+ sistent, and apply only to new games. You can specify multiple
+ OPTIONS statements, and multiple options in a single OPTIONS
+ statement.
- The NETHACKOPTIONS variable is a comma-separated list of
- initial values for the various options. Some can only be turned
- on or off. You turn one of these on by adding the name of the
+ Example:
+
+ OPTIONS=dogname:Fido
+ OPTIONS=!legacy,autopickup,pickup_types:$"=/!?+
+
+ HACKDIR
+ Default location of files NetHack needs. On Windows HACKDIR
+ defaults to the location of the NetHack.exe or NetHackw.exe
+ file so setting HACKDIR to override that is not usually neces-
+ sary or recommended.
+
+ LEVELDIR
+ The location that in-progress level files are stored. Defaults
+ to HACKDIR, must be writeable.
+
+ SAVEDIR
+ The location where saved games are kept. Defaults to HACKDIR,
+ must be writeable.
+
+ BONESDIR
+ The location that bones files are kept. Defaults to HACKDIR,
+ must be writeable.
+
+ LOCKDIR
+ The location that file synchronization locks are stored.
+ Defaults to HACKDIR, must be writeable.
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 47
+
+
+
+ TROUBLEDIR
+ The location that a record of game aborts and self-diagnosed
+ game problems is kept. Defaults to HACKDIR, must be writeable.
+
+ AUTOCOMPLETE
+ Enable or disable an extended command autocompletion. Autocom-
+ pletion has no effect for the X11 windowport. You can specify
+ multiple autocompletions. To enable autocompletion, list the
+ extended command. Prefix the command with ``!'' to disable the
+ autocompletion for that command.
+
+ Example:
+
+ AUTOCOMPLETE=zap,!annotate
+
+ AUTOPICKUP_EXCEPTION
+ Set exceptions to the pickup_types option. See the ``Configur-
+ ing Autopickup Exceptions'' section.
+
+ BINDINGS
+ Change the key bindings of some special keys, menu accelera-
+ tors, or extended commands. You can specify multiple bindings.
+ Format is key followed by the command, separated by a colon.
+ See the ``Changing Key Bindings`` section for more information.
+
+ Example:
+
+ BIND=^X:getpos.autodescribe
+
+ CHOOSE
+ Chooses at random one of the comma-separated parameters as an
+ active section name. Lines in other sections are ignored.
+
+ Example:
+
+ OPTIONS=color
+ CHOOSE=char A,char B
+ [char A]
+ OPTIONS=role:arc,race:dwa,align:law,gender:fem
+ [char B]
+ OPTIONS=role:wiz,race:elf,align:cha,gender:mal
+
+ MSGTYPE
+ Change the way messages are shown in the top status line. See
+ the ``Configuring Message Types`` section.
+
+ MENUCOLOR
+ Highlight menu lines with different colors. See the ``Config-
+ uring Menu Colors`` section.
+
+ SYMBOLS
+ Override one or more symbols in the symbols files. See the
+ ``Modifying NetHack Symbols'' section.
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 48
+
+
+
+ Example:
+
+ SYMBOLS=S_boulder:0
+
+ WIZKIT
+ Wizard-mode extra items, in a text file containing item names,
+ one per line, up to a maximum of 128 lines. Each line is pro-
+ cessed by the function that handles wishing.
+
+ Example:
+
+ WIZKIT=~/wizkit.txt
+
+ SOUNDDIR
+ Define the directory that contains the sound files. See the
+ ``Configuring User Sounds'' section.
+
+ SOUND
+ Define a sound mapping. See the ``Configuring User Sounds''
+ section.
+
+ Here is a short example of config file contents:
+
+ # Set your character's role, race, gender, and alignment.
+ OPTIONS=role:Valkyrie, race:Human, gender:female, align:lawful
+ #
+ # Turn on autopickup, and set automatically picked up object types
+ OPTIONS=autopickup,pickup_types:$"=/!?+
+ # Show colored text if possible
+ OPTIONS=color
+ # Show lit corridors differently
+ OPTIONS=lit_corridor
+ #
+ # No startup splash screen. Windows GUI only.
+ OPTIONS=!splash_screen
+
+ 9.3. Using the NETHACKOPTIONS environment variable
+
+ The NETHACKOPTIONS variable is a comma-separated list of
+ initial values for the various options. Some can only be turned
+ on or off. You turn one of these on by adding the name of the
option to the list, and turn it off by typing a `!' or ``no'' be-
- fore the name. Others take a character string as a value. You
- can set string options by typing the option name, a colon or
+ fore the name. Others take a character string as a value. You
+ can set string options by typing the option name, a colon or
equals sign, and then the value of the string. The value is ter-
minated by the next comma or the end of string.
For example, to set up an environment variable so that ``au-
- toquiver'' is on, ``autopickup'' is off, the name is set to
- ``Blue Meanie'', and the fruit is set to ``papaya'', you would
+ toquiver'' is on, ``autopickup'' is off, the name is set to
+ ``Blue Meanie'', and the fruit is set to ``papaya'', you would
enter the command
% setenv NETHACKOPTIONS "autoquiver,\!autopickup,name:Blue Meanie,fruit:papaya"
- in csh (note the need to escape the ! since it's special to the
- shell), or
-
- $ NETHACKOPTIONS="autoquiver,!autopickup,name:Blue Meanie,fruit:papaya"
- $ export NETHACKOPTIONS
-
- in sh or ksh.
- 9.3. Using a configuration file
- Any line in the configuration file starting with `#' is
- treated as a comment. Any line in the configuration file start-
- ing with ``OPTIONS='' may be filled out with options in the same
- syntax as in NETHACKOPTIONS. Any line starting with ``SYMBOLS=''
- is taken as defining the corresponding symbol in a different syn-
- tax, a sequence of decimal numbers giving the character position
- in the current font to be used in displaying each entry. Such a
- sequence can be continued to multiple lines by putting a `\' at
- the end of each line to be continued.
-
- Any line starting with ``AUTOPICKUP_EXCEPTION='' is taken as
- defining an exception to the pickup_types option. There is a
- section of this Guidebook that discusses that.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- The default name of the configuration file varies on differ-
- ent operating systems, but NETHACKOPTIONS can also be set to the
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 49
- NetHack Guidebook 38
+ in csh (note the need to escape the ! since it's special to the
+ shell), or
+ $ NETHACKOPTIONS="autoquiver,!autopickup,name:Blue Meanie,fruit:papaya"
+ $ export NETHACKOPTIONS
+ in sh or ksh.
- full name of a file you want to use (possibly preceded by an
- `@').
+ NETHACKOPTIONS can also be set to the full name of a config-
+ uration file you want to use (possibly preceded by an `@').
9.4. Customization options
Here are explanations of what the various options do. Char-
- acter strings that are too long may be truncated. Some of the
+ acter strings that are too long may be truncated. Some of the
options listed may be inactive in your dungeon.
- Some options are persistent, and are saved and reloaded
+ Some options are persistent, and are saved and reloaded
along with the game. Changing a persistent option in the config-
uration file applies only to new games.
acoustics
- Enable messages about what your character hears (default on).
+ Enable messages about what your character hears (default on).
Note that this has nothing to do with your computer's audio ca-
pabilities. Persistent.
align
- Your starting alignment (align:lawful, align:neutral, or
- align:chaotic). You may specify just the first letter. The
- default is to randomly pick an appropriate alignment. If you
- prefix a `!' or ``no'' to the value, you can exclude that
- alignment from being picked randomly. Cannot be set with the
+ Your starting alignment (align:lawful, align:neutral, or
+ align:chaotic). You may specify just the first letter. The
+ default is to randomly pick an appropriate alignment. If you
+ prefix the value with `!' or ``no'', you will exclude that
+ alignment from being picked randomly. Cannot be set with the
`O' command. Persistent.
+ autodescribe
+ Automatically describe the terrain under cursor when asked to
+ get a location on the map. The whatis_coord option controls
+ whether the description includes map coordinates.
+
autodig
Automatically dig if you are wielding a digging tool and moving
into a place that can be dug (default false). Persistent.
tent.
autopickup
- Automatically pick up things onto which you move (default on).
+ Automatically pick up things onto which you move (default on).
Persistent. See pickup_types to refine the behavior.
autoquiver
- This option controls what happens when you attempt the `f'
- (fire) command with an empty quiver (or quiver sack or have
- nothing at the ready). When true, the computer will fill your
- quiver or quiver sack or make ready some suitable weapon. Note
- that it will not take into account the blessed/cursed status,
- enchantment, damage, or quality of the weapon; you are free to
- manually fill your quiver or quiver sack or make ready with the
- `Q' command instead. If no weapon is found or the option is
- false, the `t' (throw) command is executed instead. Persis-
- tent. (default false)
+ This option controls what happens when you attempt the `f'
+ (fire) command with an empty quiver (or quiver sack or have
- blind
- Start the character permanently blind. Persistent. (default
- false)
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 50
- NetHack Guidebook 39
+ nothing at the ready). When true, the computer will fill your
+ quiver or quiver sack or make ready some suitable weapon. Note
+ that it will not take into account the blessed/cursed status,
+ enchantment, damage, or quality of the weapon; you are free to
+ manually fill your quiver or quiver sack or make ready with the
+ `Q' command instead. If no weapon is found or the option is
+ false, the `t' (throw) command is executed instead. Persis-
+ tent. (default false)
+ blind
+ Start the character permanently blind. Persistent. (default
+ false)
bones
- Allow saving and loading bones files. Persistent. (default
+ Allow saving and loading bones files. Persistent. (default
true)
boulder
- Set the character used to display boulders (default is rock
- class symbol).
+ Set the character used to display boulders (default is the
+ ``large rock'' class symbol, ``').
catname
Name your starting cat (ex. ``catname:Morris''). Cannot be set
with the `O' command.
character
- Pick your type of character (ex. ``character:Monk''); synonym
- for ``role''. See ``name'' for an alternate method of specify-
- ing your role. Normally only the first letter of the value is
- examined; the string ``random'' is an exception.
+ Synonym for ``role'' to pick the type of your character (ex.
+ ``character:Monk''). See role for more details.
checkpoint
- Save game state after each level change, for possible recovery
+ Save game state after each level change, for possible recovery
after program crash (default on). Persistent.
checkspace
- Check free disk space before writing files to disk (default
- on). You may have to turn this off if you have more than 2 GB
- free space on the partition used for your save and level files.
- Only applies when MFLOPPY was defined during compilation.
+ Check free disk space before writing files to disk (default
+ on). You may have to turn this off if you have more than 2 GB
+ free space on the partition used for your save and level files
+ (because too much space might overflow the calculation and end
+ up looking like insufficient space). Only applies when MFLOPPY
+ was defined during compilation.
clicklook
- Allows looking at things on the screen by navigating the mouse
+ Allows looking at things on the screen by navigating the mouse
over them and clicking the right mouse button (default off).
cmdassist
- Have the game provide some additional command assistance for
- new players if it detects some anticipated mistakes (default
+ Have the game provide some additional command assistance for
+ new players if it detects some anticipated mistakes (default
on).
confirm
- Have user confirm attacks on pets, shopkeepers, and other
+ Have user confirm attacks on pets, shopkeepers, and other
peaceable creatures (default on). Persistent.
- dark_room
- Show out-of-sight areas of lit rooms (default off). Persis-
- tent.
-
- disclose
- Controls what information the program reveals when the game
- ends. Value is a space separated list of prompting/category
- pairs (default is `ni na nv ng nc no', prompt with default re-
- sponse of `n' for each candidate). Persistent. The possibili-
- ties are:
-
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 51
- NetHack Guidebook 40
+ dark_room
+ Show out-of-sight areas of lit rooms (default off). Persis-
+ tent.
+ disclose
+ Controls what information the program reveals when the game
+ ends. Value is a space separated list of prompting/category
+ pairs (default is `ni na nv ng nc no', prompt with default re-
+ sponse of `n' for each candidate). Persistent. The possibili-
+ ties are:
i - disclose your inventory;
a - disclose your attributes;
c - display your conduct;
o - display dungeon overview.
- Each disclosure possibility can optionally be preceded by a
- prefix which lets you refine how it behaves. Here are the
+ Each disclosure possibility can optionally be preceded by a
+ prefix which lets you refine how it behaves. Here are the
valid prefixes:
y - prompt you and default to yes on the prompt;
+ - disclose it without prompting;
- - do not disclose it and do not prompt.
+ The listing of vanquished monsters can be sorted, so there are
+ two additional choices for `v':
+
+ ? - prompt you and default to ask on the prompt;
+ # - disclose it without prompting, ask for sort order.
+
+ Asking refers to picking one of the orderings from a menu. The
+ `+' disclose without prompting choice, or being prompted and
+ answering `y' rather than `a', will default to showing monsters
+ in the traditional order, from high level to low level.
+
Omitted categories are implicitly added with `n' prefix. Spec-
ified categories with omitted prefix implicitly use `+' prefix.
- Order of the disclosure categories does not matter, program
+ Order of the disclosure categories does not matter, program
display for end-of-game disclosure follows a set sequence.
- (ex. ``disclose:yi na +v -g o'') The example sets inventory to
- prompt and default to yes, attributes to prompt and default to
- no, vanquished to disclose without prompting, genocided to not
- disclose and not prompt, conduct to implicitly prompt and de-
+ (ex. ``disclose:yi na +v -g o'') The example sets inventory to
+ prompt and default to yes, attributes to prompt and default to
+ no, vanquished to disclose without prompting, genocided to not
+ disclose and not prompt, conduct to implicitly prompt and de-
fault to no, and overview to disclose without prompting.
- Note that the vanquished monsters list includes all monsters
+ Note that the vanquished monsters list includes all monsters
killed by traps and each other as well as by you. And the dun-
geon overview shows all levels you had visited but does not re-
veal things about them that you hadn't discovered.
- dogname
- Name your starting dog (ex. ``dogname:Fang''). Cannot be set
- with the `O' command.
- extmenu
- Changes the extended commands interface to pop-up a menu of
- available commands. It is keystroke compatible with the tradi-
- tional interface except that it does not require that you hit
- Enter. It is implemented only by the tty port (default off),
- when the game has been compiled to support tty graphics.
- female
- An obsolete synonym for ``gender:female''. Cannot be set with
- the `O' command.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- fixinv
- An object's inventory letter sticks to it when it's dropped
- (default on). If this is off, dropping an object shifts all
- the remaining inventory letters. Persistent.
- fruit
- Name a fruit after something you enjoy eating (ex.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 52
+ dogname
+ Name your starting dog (ex. ``dogname:Fang''). Cannot be set
+ with the `O' command.
- NetHack Guidebook 41
+ extmenu
+ Changes the extended commands interface to pop-up a menu of
+ available commands. It is keystroke compatible with the tradi-
+ tional interface except that it does not require that you hit
+ Enter. It is implemented only by the tty port (default off),
+ when the game has been compiled to support tty graphics.
+
+ female
+ An obsolete synonym for ``gender:female''. Cannot be set with
+ the `O' command.
+ fixinv
+ An object's inventory letter sticks to it when it's dropped
+ (default on). If this is off, dropping an object shifts all
+ the remaining inventory letters. Persistent.
+ force_invmenu
+ Commands asking for an inventory item show a menu instead of a
+ text query with possible menu letters. Default is off.
- ``fruit:mango'') (default ``slime mold''). Basically a nostal-
- gic whimsy that NetHack uses from time to time. You should set
- this to something you find more appetizing than slime mold.
- Apples, oranges, pears, bananas, and melons already exist in
- NetHack, so don't use those.
+ fruit
+ Name a fruit after something you enjoy eating (ex. ``fruit:man-
+ go'') (default ``slime mold''). Basically a nostalgic whimsy
+ that NetHack uses from time to time. You should set this to
+ something you find more appetizing than slime mold. Apples,
+ oranges, pears, bananas, and melons already exist in NetHack,
+ so don't use those.
gender
Your starting gender (gender:male or gender:female). You may
specify just the first letter. Although you can still denote
your gender using the ``male'' and ``female'' options, the
``gender'' option will take precedence. The default is to ran-
- domly pick an appropriate gender. If you prefix a `!' or
- ``no'' to the value, you can exclude that gender from being
- picked randomly. Cannot be set with the `O' command. Persis-
- tent.
+ domly pick an appropriate gender. If you prefix the value with
+ `!' or ``no'', you will exclude that gender from being picked
+ randomly. Cannot be set with the `O' command. Persistent.
+
+ goldX
+ When filtering objects based on bless/curse state (BUCX),
+ whether to treat gold pieces as X (unknown bless/curse state,
+ when `on') or U (known to be uncursed, when `off', the de-
+ fault). Gold is never blessed or cursed, but it is not de-
+ scribed as ``uncursed'' even when the implicit_uncursed option
+ is `off'.
help
If more information is available for an object looked at with
the `/' command, ask if you want to see it (default on). Turn-
ing help off makes just looking at things faster, since you
aren't interrupted with the ``More info?'' prompt, but it also
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 53
+
+
+
means that you might miss some interesting and/or important in-
formation. Persistent.
+ herecmd_menu
+ When using a windowport that supports mouse and clicking on
+ yourself or next to you, show a menu of possible actions for
+ the location. Same as herecmdmenu and therecmdmenu commands.
+
hilite_pet
Visually distinguish pets from similar animals (default off).
The behavior of this option depends on the type of windowing
inverse video is often used; with tiles, generally displays a
small plus-symbol beside the object on the top of the pile.
+ hitpointbar
+ Show a hit point bar graph behind your name and title. Only
+ available for TTY and Windows GUI, and only when statushilites
+ is on.
+
horsename
Name your starting horse (ex. ``horsename:Trigger''). Cannot
be set with the `O' command.
Display an introductory message when starting the game (default
on). Persistent.
+ lit_corridor
+ Show corridor squares seen by night vision or a light source
+ held by your character as lit (default off). Persistent.
+ lootabc
+ Use the old `a', `b', and `c' keyboard shortcuts when looting,
+ rather than the mnemonics `o', `i', and `b' (default off).
+ Persistent.
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ mail
+ Enable mail delivery during the game (default on). Persistent.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 42
- lit_corridor
- Show corridor squares seen by night vision or a light source
- held by your character as lit (default off). Persistent.
+ NetHack Guidebook 54
- lootabc
- Use the old `a', `b', and `c' keyboard shortcuts when looting,
- rather than the mnemonics `o', `i', and `b' (default off).
- Persistent.
- mail
- Enable mail delivery during the game (default on). Persistent.
male
An obsolete synonym for ``gender:male''. Cannot be set with
Implemented by the Amiga, Gem, X11 and tty ports. Default '-'.
menu_deselect_page
- Menu character accelerator to deselect all items on this page
- of a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. De-
+ Menu character accelerator to deselect all items on this page
+ of a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. De-
fault '\'.
menu_first_page
Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Default '^'.
menu_headings
- Controls how the headings in a menu are highlighted. Values
+ Controls how the headings in a menu are highlighted. Values
+ are 'none', 'bold', 'dim', 'underline', 'blink', or 'inverse'.
+ Not all ports can actually display all types.
+ menu_invert_all
+ Menu character accelerator to invert all items in a menu. Im-
+ plemented by the Amiga, Gem, X11 and tty ports. Default '@'.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ menu_invert_page
+ Menu character accelerator to invert all items on this page of
+ a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Default
+ '~'.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 43
- are 'none', 'bold', 'dim', 'underline', 'blink', or 'inverse'.
- Not all ports can actually display all types.
+ NetHack Guidebook 55
- menu_invert_all
- Menu character accelerator to invert all items in a menu. Im-
- plemented by the Amiga, Gem, X11 and tty ports. Default '@'.
- menu_invert_page
- Menu character accelerator to invert all items on this page of
- a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Default
- '~'.
menu_last_page
- Menu character accelerator to jump to the last page in a menu.
+ Menu character accelerator to jump to the last page in a menu.
Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Default '|'.
menu_next_page
- Menu character accelerator to goto the next menu page. Imple-
+ Menu character accelerator to goto the next menu page. Imple-
mented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Default '>'.
menu_objsyms
- Show object symbols in menu headings in menus where the object
+ Show object symbols in menu headings in menus where the object
symbols act as menu accelerators (default off).
+ menu_overlay
+ Do not clear the screen before drawing menus, and align menus
+ to the right edge of the screen. Only for the tty port. (de-
+ fault on)
+
menu_previous_page
Menu character accelerator to goto the previous menu page. Im-
plemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Default '<'.
menu_search
- Menu character accelerator to search for a menu item. Imple-
+ Menu character accelerator to search for a menu item. Imple-
mented by the Amiga, Gem, X11 and tty ports. Default ':'.
menu_select_all
- Menu character accelerator to select all items in a menu. Im-
+ Menu character accelerator to select all items in a menu. Im-
plemented by the Amiga, Gem, X11 and tty ports. Default '.'.
menu_select_page
- Menu character accelerator to select all items on this page of
- a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Default
+ Menu character accelerator to select all items on this page of
+ a menu. Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Default
','.
msghistory
- The number of top line messages to save (and recall with ^P)
+ The number of top line messages to save (and recall with ^P)
(default 20). Cannot be set with the `O' command.
msg_window
- Allows you to change the way recalled messages are displayed.
- (It is currently implemented for tty only.) The possible val-
+ Allows you to change the way recalled messages are displayed.
+ (It is currently implemented for tty only.) The possible val-
ues are:
s - single message (default; only choice prior to 3.4.0);
f - full window, oldest message first;
r - full window reversed, newest message first.
+ For backward compatibility, no value needs to be specified
+ (which defaults to `full'), or it can be negated (which
+ defaults to `single').
+
+ name
+ Set your character's name (defaults to your user name). You
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 44
+ NetHack Guidebook 56
- For backward compatibility, no value needs to be specified
- (which defaults to `full'), or it can be negated (which
- defaults to `single').
- name
- Set your character's name (defaults to your user name). You
- can also set your character's role by appending a dash and one
+ can also set your character's role by appending a dash and one
or more letters of the role (that is, by suffixing one of -A -B
- -C -H -K -M -P -Ra -Ro -S -T -V -W). If -@ is used for the
- role, then a random one will be automatically chosen. Cannot
+ -C -H -K -M -P -Ra -Ro -S -T -V -W). If -@ is used for the
+ role, then a random one will be automatically chosen. Cannot
be set with the `O' command.
news
0. (Settings 2 and 4 are for compatibility with MSDOS or old
PC Hack; in addition to the different behavior for `5', `Alt-5'
acts as `G' and `Alt-0' acts as `I'. Setting -1 is to accommo-
- date some German keyboards which have the location of the `y'
+ date some QWERTZ keyboards which have the location of the `y'
and `z' keys swapped.) When moving by numbers, to enter a
count prefix for those commands which accept one (such as
``12s'' to search twelve times), precede it with the letter `n'
paranoid_confirmation
A space separated list of specific situations where alternate
+ prompting is desired. The default is paranoid_confirma-
+ tion:pray.
+ Confirm - for any prompts which are set to require ``yes''
+ rather than 'y', also require ``no'' to reject
+ instead of accepting any non-yes response as no
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 45
+ NetHack Guidebook 57
- prompting is desired. The default is paranoid_confirma-
- tion:pray.
- Confirm - for any prompts which are set to require "yes" rather
- than 'y', also require "no" to reject instead of ac-
- cepting any non-yes response as no
- quit - require "yes" rather than 'y' to confirm quitting the
- game or switching into non-scoring explore mode;
- die - require "yes" rather than 'y' to confirm dying (not
- useful in normal play; applies to explore mode);
- bones - require "yes" rather than 'y' to confirm saving bones
- data when dying in debug mode;
- attack - require "yes" rather than 'y' to confirm attacking a
- peaceful monster;
- pray - require 'y' to confirm an attempt to pray rather than
- immediately praying; on by default;
- wand - require "yes" rather than 'y' to confirm breaking a
- wand;
- Remove - require selection from inventory for 'R' and 'T' com-
- mands even when wearing just one applicable item.
-
- By default, the pray choice is enabled, the others disabled.
- To disable it without setting any of the other choices, use
- ``paranoid_confirmation:none''. To keep it enabled while set-
+ quit - require ``yes'' rather than 'y' to confirm quit-
+ ting the game or switching into non-scoring ex-
+ plore mode;
+ die - require ``yes'' rather than 'y' to confirm dying
+ (not useful in normal play; applies to explore
+ mode);
+ bones - require ``yes'' rather than 'y' to confirm saving
+ bones data when dying in debug mode;
+ attack - require ``yes'' rather than 'y' to confirm at-
+ tacking a peaceful monster;
+ wand-break - require ``yes'' rather than 'y' to confirm break-
+ ing a wand;
+ Were-change - require ``yes'' rather than 'y' to confirm chang-
+ ing form due to lycanthropy when hero has poly-
+ morph control;
+ pray - require 'y' to confirm an attempt to pray rather
+ than immediately praying; on by default;
+ Remove - require selection from inventory for 'R' and 'T'
+ commands even when wearing just one applicable
+ item.
+ all - turn on all of the above.
+
+ By default, the pray choice is enabled, the others disabled.
+ To disable it without setting any of the other choices, use
+ ``paranoid_confirmation:none''. To keep it enabled while set-
ting any of the others, include it in the list, such as ``para-
noid_confirmation:attack pray Remove''.
perm_invent
- If true, always display your current inventory in a window.
- This only makes sense for windowing system interfaces that im-
+ If true, always display your current inventory in a window.
+ This only makes sense for windowing system interfaces that im-
plement this feature. Persistent.
pettype
- Specify the type of your initial pet, if you are playing a
- character class that uses multiple types of pets; or choose to
- have no initial pet at all. Possible values are ``cat'',
+ Specify the type of your initial pet, if you are playing a
+ character class that uses multiple types of pets; or choose to
+ have no initial pet at all. Possible values are ``cat'',
``dog'', ``horse'', and ``none''. If the choice is not allowed
for the role you are currently playing, it will be silently ig-
- nored. For example, ``horse'' will only be honored when play-
+ nored. For example, ``horse'' will only be honored when play-
ing a knight. Cannot be set with the `O' command.
pickup_burden
- When you pick up an item that would exceed this encumbrance
- level (Unencumbered, Burdened, streSsed, straiNed, overTaxed,
- or overLoaded), you will be asked if you want to continue.
+ When you pick up an item that would exceed this encumbrance
+ level (Unencumbered, Burdened, streSsed, straiNed, overTaxed,
+ or overLoaded), you will be asked if you want to continue.
(Default `S'). Persistent.
pickup_thrown
- If this option is on and autopickup is also on, try to pick up
- things that you threw, even if they aren't in pickup_types or
+ If this option is on and autopickup is also on, try to pick up
+ things that you threw, even if they aren't in pickup_types or
match an autopickup exception. Default is on. Persistent.
- pickup_types
- Specify the object types to be picked up when autopickup is on.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 46
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 58
+ pickup_types
+ Specify the object types to be picked up when autopickup is on.
Default is all types. You can use autopickup_exception config-
uration file lines to further refine autopickup behavior. Per-
sistent.
pile_limit
- When walking across a pile of objects on the floor, threshold
- at which the message "there are few/several/many objects here"
- is given instead of showing a popup list of those objects. A
- value of 0 means "no limit" (always list the objects); a value
- of 1 effectively means "never show the objects" since the pile
- size will always be at least that big; default value is 5.
- Persistent.
+ When walking across a pile of objects on the floor, threshold
+ at which the message ``there are few/several/many objects
+ here'' is given instead of showing a popup list of those ob-
+ jects. A value of 0 means ``no limit'' (always list the ob-
+ jects); a value of 1 effectively means ``never show the ob-
+ jects'' since the pile size will always be at least that big;
+ default value is 5. Persistent.
playmode
- Values are `normal', `explore', or `debug'. Allows selection
- of explore mode (also known as discovery mode) or debug mode
+ Values are `normal', `explore', or `debug'. Allows selection
+ of explore mode (also known as discovery mode) or debug mode
(also known as wizard mode) instead of normal play. Debug mode
- might only be allowed for someone logged in under a particular
- user name (on multi-user systems) or specifying a particular
+ might only be allowed for someone logged in under a particular
+ user name (on multi-user systems) or specifying a particular
character name (on single-user systems) or it might be disabled
- entirely. Requesting it when not allowed or not possible re-
+ entirely. Requesting it when not allowed or not possible re-
sults in explore mode instead. Default is normal play.
pushweapon
- Using the `w' (wield) command when already wielding something
- pushes the old item into your alternate weapon slot (default
- off). Likewise for the `a' (apply) command if it causes the
+ Using the `w' (wield) command when already wielding something
+ pushes the old item into your alternate weapon slot (default
+ off). Likewise for the `a' (apply) command if it causes the
applied item to become wielded. Persistent.
race
- Selects your race (for example, ``race:human''). Default is
- random. If you prefix a `!' or ``no'' to the value, you can
- exclude that race from being picked randomly. Cannot be set
+ Selects your race (for example, ``race:human''). Default is
+ random. If you prefix the value with `!' or ``no'', you will
+ exclude that race from being picked randomly. Cannot be set
with the `O' command. Persistent.
rest_on_space
- Make the space bar a synonym for the `.' (rest) command (de-
+ Make the space bar a synonym for the `.' (#wait) command (de-
fault off). Persistent.
role
Pick your type of character (ex. ``role:Samurai''); synonym for
- ``character''. See ``name'' for an alternate method of speci-
- fying your role. Normally only the first letter of the value
- is examined; `r' is an exception with ``Rogue'', ``Ranger'',
- and ``random'' values. If you prefix a `!' or ``no'' to the
- value, you can exclude that role from being picked randomly.
- Persistent.
+ ``character''. See ``name'' for an alternate method of speci-
+ fying your role. Normally only the first letter of the value
+ is examined; `r' is an exception with ``Rogue'', ``Ranger'',
+ and ``random'' values. If you prefix the value with `!' or
+ ``no'', you will exclude that role from being picked randomly.
+ Cannot be set with the `O' command. Persistent.
roguesymset
- This option may be used to select one of the named symbol sets
- found within ``symbols'' to alter the symbols displayed on the
+ This option may be used to select one of the named symbol sets
+ found within ``symbols'' to alter the symbols displayed on the
screen on the rogue level.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 47
+ NetHack Guidebook 59
rlecomp
When writing out a save file, perform run length compression of
- the map. Not all ports support run length compression. It has
+ the map. Not all ports support run length compression. It has
no effect on reading an existing save file.
runmode
- Controls the amount of screen updating for the map window when
- engaged in multi-turn movement (running via shift+direction or
- control+direction and so forth, or via the travel command or
+ Controls the amount of screen updating for the map window when
+ engaged in multi-turn movement (running via shift+direction or
+ control+direction and so forth, or via the travel command or
mouse click). The possible values are:
teleport - update the map after movement has finished;
crawl - like walk, but pause briefly after each step.
This option only affects the game's screen display, not the ac-
- tual results of moving. The default is `run'; versions prior
- to 3.4.1 used `teleport' only. Whether or not the effect is
+ tual results of moving. The default is `run'; versions prior
+ to 3.4.1 used `teleport' only. Whether or not the effect is
noticeable will depend upon the window port used or on the type
of terminal. Persistent.
safe_pet
- Prevent you from (knowingly) attacking your pets (default on).
+ Prevent you from (knowingly) attacking your pets (default on).
Persistent.
scores
- Control what parts of the score list you are shown at the end
- (ex. ``scores:5 top scores/4 around my score/own scores'').
- Only the first letter of each category (`t', `a', or `o') is
+ Control what parts of the score list you are shown at the end
+ (ex. ``scores:5 top scores/4 around my score/own scores'').
+ Only the first letter of each category (`t', `a', or `o') is
necessary. Persistent.
showexp
off). Persistent.
showrace
- Display yourself as the glyph for your race, rather than the
- glyph for your role (default off). Note that this setting af-
- fects only the appearance of the display, not the way the game
+ Display yourself as the glyph for your race, rather than the
+ glyph for your role (default off). Note that this setting af-
+ fects only the appearance of the display, not the way the game
treats you. Persistent.
showscore
sortloot
Controls the sorting behavior of the pickup lists for inventory
- and #loot commands and some others. Persistent. The possible
+ and #loot commands and some others. Persistent. The possible
values are:
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 48
+ NetHack Guidebook 60
full - always sort the lists;
- loot - only sort the lists that don't use inventory letters,
+ loot - only sort the lists that don't use inventory letters,
like with the #loot and pickup commands;
none - show lists the traditional way without sorting.
sortpack
- Sort the pack contents by type when displaying inventory (de-
+ Sort the pack contents by type when displaying inventory (de-
fault on). Persistent.
sparkle
Display a sparkly effect when a monster (including yourself) is
- hit by an attack to which it is resistant (default on). Per-
+ hit by an attack to which it is resistant (default on). Per-
sistent.
standout
- Boldface monsters and ``--More--'' (default off). Persistent.
+ Boldface monsters and ``--More--'' (default off). Persistent.
statushilites
- Enable coloring of status fields (default off). See ``Config-
- uring Status Hilites'' for futher information.
+ Controls how many turns status hilite behaviors highlight the
+ field. If negated or set to zero, disables status hiliting.
+ See ``Configuring Status Hilites'' for further information.
+
+ status_updates
+ Allow updates to the status lines at the bottom of the screen
+ (default true).
suppress_alert
This option may be set to a NetHack version level to suppress
symset
This option may be used to select one of the named symbol sets
found within ``symbols'' to alter the symbols displayed on the
- screen.
+ screen. Use ``symset:default'' to explicitly select the de-
+ fault symbols.
time
- Show the elapsed game time in turns on bottom line (default
+ Show the elapsed game time in turns on bottom line (default
off). Persistent.
timed_delay
- When pausing momentarily for display effect, such as with ex-
- plosions and moving objects, use a timer rather than sending
- extra characters to the screen. (Applies to ``tty'' interface
- only; ``X11'' interface always uses a timer based delay. The
+ When pausing momentarily for display effect, such as with ex-
+ plosions and moving objects, use a timer rather than sending
+ extra characters to the screen. (Applies to ``tty'' interface
+ only; ``X11'' interface always uses a timer based delay. The
default is on if configured into the program.) Persistent.
tombstone
toptenwin
Put the ending display in a NetHack window instead of on stdout
- (default off). Setting this option makes the score list visi-
- ble when a windowing version of NetHack is started without a
- parent window, but it no longer leaves the score list around
- after game end on a terminal or emulating window.
-
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 61
- NetHack Guidebook 49
+ (default off). Setting this option makes the score list visi-
+ ble when a windowing version of NetHack is started without a
+ parent window, but it no longer leaves the score list around
+ after game end on a terminal or emulating window.
travel
Allow the travel command (default on). Turning this option off
- will prevent the game from attempting unintended moves if you
+ will prevent the game from attempting unintended moves if you
make inadvertent mouse clicks on the map window. Persistent.
verbose
- Provide more commentary during the game (default on). Persis-
+ Provide more commentary during the game (default on). Persis-
tent.
+ whatis_coord
+ When using the `/' or `;' commands to look around on the map
+ with autodescribe on, display coordinates after the descrip-
+ tion. Also works in other situations where you are asked to
+ pick a location.
+
+ The possible settings are:
+
+ c - compass ('east' or '3s' or '2n,4w');
+ f - full compass ('east' or '3south' or '2north,4west');
+ m - map <x,y> (map column x=0 is not used);
+ s - screen [row,column] (row is offset to match tty usage);
+ n - none (no coordinates shown) [default].
+
+ The whatis_coord option is also used with the `/m', `/M', `/o',
+ and `/O' sub-commands of `/', where the `none' setting is over-
+ ridden with `map'.
+
+ whatis_filter
+ When getting a location on the map, and using the keys to cycle
+ through next and previous targets, allows filtering the possi-
+ ble targets.
+
+
+
+ n - no filtering [default]
+ v - in view only
+ a - in same area only
+
+ The area-filter tries to be slightly predictive -- if you're
+ standing on a doorway, it will consider the area on the side of
+ the door you were last moving towards.
+
+ Filtering can also be changed when getting a location with the
+ ``getpos.filter'' key.
+
+ whatis_menu
+ When getting a location on the map, and using a key to cycle
+ through next and previous targets, use a menu instead to pick a
+ target. (default off)
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 62
+
+
+
+ whatis_moveskip
+ When getting a location on the map, and using shifted movement
+ keys or meta-digit keys to fast-move, instead of moving 8 units
+ at a time, move by skipping the same glyphs. (default off)
+
windowtype
- Select which windowing system to use, such as ``tty'' or
- ``X11'' (default depends on version). Cannot be set with the
+ Select which windowing system to use, such as ``tty'' or
+ ``X11'' (default depends on version). Cannot be set with the
`O' command.
zerocomp
- When writing out a save file, perform zero-comp compression of
- the contents. Not all ports support zero-comp compression. It
+ When writing out a save file, perform zero-comp compression of
+ the contents. Not all ports support zero-comp compression. It
has no effect on reading an existing save file.
9.5. Window Port Customization options
- Here are explanations of the various options that are used
- to customize and change the characteristics of the windowtype
+ Here are explanations of the various options that are used
+ to customize and change the characteristics of the windowtype
that you have chosen. Character strings that are too long may be
- truncated. Not all window ports will adjust for all settings
- listed here. You can safely add any of these options to your
- config file, and if the window port is capable of adjusting to
- suit your preferences, it will attempt to do so. If it can't it
- will silently ignore it. You can find out if an option is sup-
- ported by the window port that you are currently using by check-
- ing to see if it shows up in the Options list. Some options are
- dynamic and can be specified during the game with the `O' com-
+ truncated. Not all window ports will adjust for all settings
+ listed here. You can safely add any of these options to your
+ config file, and if the window port is capable of adjusting to
+ suit your preferences, it will attempt to do so. If it can't it
+ will silently ignore it. You can find out if an option is sup-
+ ported by the window port that you are currently using by check-
+ ing to see if it shows up in the Options list. Some options are
+ dynamic and can be specified during the game with the `O' com-
mand.
align_message
- Where to align or place the message window (top, bottom, left,
+ Where to align or place the message window (top, bottom, left,
or right)
align_status
- Where to align or place the status window (top, bottom, left,
+ Where to align or place the status window (top, bottom, left,
or right).
ascii_map
- NetHack should display an ascii character map if it can.
+ If NetHack can, it should display an ascii character map if it
+ can.
color
- NetHack should display color if it can for different monsters,
- objects, and dungeon features
+ If NetHack can, it should display color if it can for different
+ monsters, objects, and dungeon features.
eight_bit_tty
- NetHack should pass eight-bit character values (for example,
- specified with the traps option) straight through to your ter-
- minal (default off).
-
+ If NetHack can, it should pass eight-bit character values (for
+ example, specified with the traps option) straight through to
+ your terminal (default off).
+ font_map
+ if NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for the
+ map window.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 50
+ NetHack Guidebook 63
- font_map
- NetHack should use a font by the chosen name for the map win-
- dow.
font_menu
- NetHack should use a font by the chosen name for menu windows.
+ If NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for
+ menu windows.
font_message
- NetHack should use a font by the chosen name for the message
- window.
+ If NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for the
+ message window.
font_status
- NetHack should use a font by the chosen name for the status
- window.
+ If NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for the
+ status window.
font_text
- NetHack should use a font by the chosen name for text windows.
+ If NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for
+ text windows.
font_size_map
- NetHack should use this size font for the map window.
+ If NetHack can, it should use this size font for the map win-
+ dow.
font_size_menu
- NetHack should use this size font for menu windows.
+ If NetHack can, it should use this size font for menu windows.
font_size_message
- NetHack should use this size font for the message window.
+ If NetHack can, it should use this size font for the message
+ window.
font_size_status
- NetHack should use this size font for the status window.
+ If NetHack can, it should use this size font for the status
+ window.
font_size_text
- NetHack should use this size font for text windows.
+ If NetHack can, it should use this size font for text windows.
fullscreen
- NetHack should try and display on the entire screen rather than
- in a window.
+ If NetHack can, it should try and display on the entire screen
+ rather than in a window.
large_font
- NetHack should use a large font.
+ If NetHack can, it should use a large font.
map_mode
- NetHack should display the map in the manner specified.
+ If NetHack can, it should display the map in the manner speci-
+ fied.
mouse_support
Allow use of the mouse for input and travel.
player_selection
- NetHack should pop up dialog boxes, or use prompts for charac-
- ter selection.
+ If NetHack can, it should pop up dialog boxes, or use prompts
+ for character selection.
popup_dialog
- NetHack should pop up dialog boxes for input.
-
+ If NetHack can, it should pop up dialog boxes for input.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
- NetHack Guidebook 51
+ NetHack Guidebook 64
preload_tiles
- NetHack should preload tiles into memory. For example, in the
- protected mode MSDOS version, control whether tiles get pre-
- loaded into RAM at the start of the game. Doing so enhances
- performance of the tile graphics, but uses more memory. (de-
- fault on). Cannot be set with the `O' command.
+ If NetHack can, it should preload tiles into memory. For exam-
+ ple, in the protected mode MSDOS version, control whether tiles
+ get pre-loaded into RAM at the start of the game. Doing so en-
+ hances performance of the tile graphics, but uses more memory.
+ (default on). Cannot be set with the `O' command.
scroll_amount
- NetHack should scroll the display by this number of cells when
- the hero reaches the scroll_margin.
+ If NetHack can, it should scroll the display by this number of
+ cells when the hero reaches the scroll_margin.
scroll_margin
- NetHack should scroll the display when the hero or cursor is
- this number of cells away from the edge of the window.
+ If NetHack can, it should scroll the display when the hero or
+ cursor is this number of cells away from the edge of the win-
+ dow.
selectsaved
- NetHack should display a menu of existing saved games for the
- player to choose from at game startup, if it can. Not all ports
- support this option.
+ If NetHack can, it should display a menu of existing saved
+ games for the player to choose from at game startup, if it can.
+ Not all ports support this option.
softkeyboard
- Display an onscreen keyboard. Handhelds are most likely to
+ Display an onscreen keyboard. Handhelds are most likely to
support this option.
splash_screen
- NetHack should display an opening splash screen when it starts
- up (default yes).
+ If NetHack can, it should display an opening splash screen when
+ it starts up (default yes).
tiled_map
- NetHack should display a tiled map if it can.
+ If NetHack can, it should display a tiled map if it can.
tile_file
- Specify the name of an alternative tile file to override the
+ Specify the name of an alternative tile file to override the
default.
tile_height
- Specify the preferred height of each tile in a tile capable
+ Specify the preferred height of each tile in a tile capable
port.
tile_width
Use bold black instead of blue for black glyphs (TTY only).
use_inverse
- NetHack should display inverse when the game specifies it.
+ If NetHack can, it should display inverse when the game speci-
+ fies it.
vary_msgcount
- NetHack should display this number of messages at a time in the
- message window.
+ If NetHack can, it should display this number of messages at a
+ time in the message window.
- windowcolors
- NetHack should display windows with the specified
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 52
+ NetHack Guidebook 65
+ windowcolors
+ If NetHack can, it should display windows with the specified
foreground/background colors if it can.
wraptext
- NetHack port should wrap long lines of text if they don't fit
- in the visible area of the window.
+ If NetHack can, it should wrap long lines of text if they don't
+ fit in the visible area of the window.
9.6. Platform-specific Customization options
- Here are explanations of options that are used by specific
+ Here are explanations of options that are used by specific
platforms or ports to customize and change the port behavior.
altkeyhandler
- Select an alternate keystroke handler dll to load (Win32 tty
- NetHack only). The name of the handler is specified without
+ Select an alternate keystroke handler dll to load (Win32 tty
+ NetHack only). The name of the handler is specified without
the .dll extension and without any path information. Cannot be
set with the `O' command.
altmeta
On other (non-Amiga) systems where this option is available, it
- can be set to tell nethack to convert a two character sequence
- beginning with ESC into a meta-shifted version of the second
+ can be set to tell NetHack to convert a two character sequence
+ beginning with ESC into a meta-shifted version of the second
character (default off).
- This conversion is only done for commands, not for other input
+ This conversion is only done for commands, not for other input
prompts. Note that typing one or more digits as a count prefix
- prior to a command--preceded by n if the number_pad option is
- set--is also subject to this conversion, so attempting to abort
- the count by typing ESC will leave nethack waiting for another
- character to complete the two character sequence. Type a sec-
- ond ESC to finish cancelling such a count. At other prompts a
- single ESC suffices.
+ prior to a command -- preceded by n if the number_pad option is
+ set -- is also subject to this conversion, so attempting to
+ abort the count by typing ESC will leave NetHack waiting for
+ another character to complete the two character sequence. Type
+ a second ESC to finish cancelling such a count. At other
+ prompts a single ESC suffices.
BIOS
Use BIOS calls to update the screen display quickly and to read
- the keyboard (allowing the use of arrow keys to move) on ma-
- chines with an IBM PC compatible BIOS ROM (default off, OS/2,
+ the keyboard (allowing the use of arrow keys to move) on ma-
+ chines with an IBM PC compatible BIOS ROM (default off, OS/2,
PC, and ST NetHack only).
flush
page_wait
(default on, Mac NetHack only).
- rawio
- Force raw (non-cbreak) mode for faster output and more bullet-
- proof input (MS-DOS sometimes treats `^P' as a printer toggle
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 53
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 66
- without it) (default off, OS/2, PC, and ST NetHack only).
- Note: DEC Rainbows hang if this is turned on. Cannot be set
+ rawio
+ Force raw (non-cbreak) mode for faster output and more bullet-
+ proof input (MS-DOS sometimes treats `^P' as a printer toggle
+ without it) (default off, OS/2, PC, and ST NetHack only).
+ Note: DEC Rainbows hang if this is turned on. Cannot be set
with the `O' command.
soundcard
mand.
subkeyvalue
- (Win32 tty NetHack only). May be used to alter the value of
+ (Win32 tty NetHack only). May be used to alter the value of
keystrokes that the operating system returns to NetHack to help
- compensate for international keyboard issues. OPTIONS=subkey-
- value:171/92 will return 92 to NetHack, if 171 was originally
- going to be returned. You can use multiple subkeyvalue state-
+ compensate for international keyboard issues. OPTIONS=subkey-
+ value:171/92 will return 92 to NetHack, if 171 was originally
+ going to be returned. You can use multiple subkeyvalue state-
ments in the config file if needed. Cannot be set with the `O'
command.
video
Set the video mode used (PC NetHack only). Values are `autode-
- tect', `default', or `vga'. Setting `vga' (or `autodetect'
- with vga hardware present) will cause the game to display
+ tect', `default', or `vga'. Setting `vga' (or `autodetect'
+ with vga hardware present) will cause the game to display
tiles. Cannot be set with the `O' command.
videocolors
- Set the color palette for PC systems using NO_TERMS (default
- 4-2-6-1-5-3-15-12-10-14-9-13-11, (PC NetHack only). The order
- of colors is red, green, brown, blue, magenta, cyan,
- bright.white, bright.red, bright.green, yellow, bright.blue,
- bright.magenta, and bright.cyan. Cannot be set with the `O'
+ Set the color palette for PC systems using NO_TERMS (default
+ 4-2-6-1-5-3-15-12-10-14-9-13-11, (PC NetHack only). The order
+ of colors is red, green, brown, blue, magenta, cyan,
+ bright.white, bright.red, bright.green, yellow, bright.blue,
+ bright.magenta, and bright.cyan. Cannot be set with the `O'
command.
videoshades
Set the intensity level of the three gray scales available (de-
fault dark normal light, PC NetHack only). If the game display
- is difficult to read, try adjusting these scales; if this does
- not correct the problem, try !color. Cannot be set with the
+ is difficult to read, try adjusting these scales; if this does
+ not correct the problem, try !color. Cannot be set with the
`O' command.
9.7. Regular Expressions
- Regular expressions are normally POSIX extended regular ex-
- pressions. It is possible to compile NetHack without regular ex-
- pression support on a platform where there is no regular expres-
- sion library. While this is not true of any modern platform, if
- your NetHack was built this way, patterns are instead glob pat-
- terns.
+ Regular expressions are normally POSIX extended regular ex-
+ pressions. It is possible to compile NetHack without regular ex-
+ pression support on a platform where there is no regular expres-
+ sion library. While this is not true of any modern platform, if
+ your NetHack was built this way, patterns are instead glob pat-
+ terns. This applies to Autopickup exceptions, Message types, Menu
+ colors, and User sounds.
- 9.8. Configuring Autopickup Exceptions
- You can further refine the behavior of the autopickup option
- beyond what is available through the pickup_types option.
- By placing autopickup_exception lines in your configuration
- file, you can define patterns to be checked when the game is
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 54
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 67
+
+ 9.8. Configuring Autopickup Exceptions
+
+ You can further refine the behavior of the autopickup option
+ beyond what is available through the pickup_types option.
+ By placing autopickup_exception lines in your configuration
+ file, you can define patterns to be checked when the game is
about to autopickup something.
autopickup_exception
any corpse from autopickup. The last example results in the ex-
clusion of items known to be cursed from autopickup.
- 9.9. Configuring Message Types
+ 9.9. Changing Key Bindings
- You can change the way the messages are shown in the message
- area, when the message matches a user-defined pattern.
+ It is possible to change the default key bindings of some
+ special commands, menu accelerator keys, and extended commands,
+ by using BIND stanzas in the configuration file. Format is key,
+ followed by the command to bind to, separated by a colon. The
+ key can be a single character (``x''), a control key (``^X'',
+ ``C-x''), a meta key (``M-x''), or a three-digit decimal ASCII
+ code.
- In general, the config file entries to configure the message
- types look like this: MSGTYPE=type "pattern"
+ For example:
- type - how the message should be shown;
- pattern - the pattern to match.
+ BIND=^X:getpos.autodescribe
+ BIND={:menu_first_page
+ BIND=v:loot
- The pattern should be a regular expression.
- Allowed types are:
- show - show message normally.
- hide - never show the message.
- stop - wait for user with more-prompt.
- norep - show the message once, but not again if no other message is shown in between.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- Here's an example of message types using NetHack's internal
- pattern matching facility:
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 68
+ Extended command keys
+ You can bind multiple keys to the same extended command. Unbind
+ a key by using ``nothing'' as the extended command to bind to.
+ You can also bind the ``<esc>'', ``<enter>'', and ``<space>''
+ keys.
- NetHack Guidebook 55
+ Menu accelerator keys
+ The menu control or accelerator keys can also be rebound via
+ OPTIONS-lines in the config file. You cannot bind object sym-
+ bols into menu accelerators.
+
+ Special command keys
+ Below are the special commands you can rebind. Some of them can
+ be bound to same keys with no problems, others are in the same
+ "context", and if bound to same keys, only one of those com-
+ mands will be available. Special command can only be bound to a
+ single key.
+
+ count
+ Prefix key to start a count, to repeat a command this many
+ times. With number_pad only. Default is 'n'.
+
+ doinv
+ Show inventory. With number_pad only. Default is '0'.
+
+ fight
+ Prefix key to force fight a direction. Default is 'F'.
+
+ fight.numpad
+ Prefix key to force fight a direction. With number_pad only.
+ Default is '-'.
+
+ getdir.help
+ When asked for a direction, the key to show the help. Default
+ is '?'.
+
+ getdir.self
+ When asked for a direction, the key to target yourself. Default
+ is '.'.
+
+ getdir.self2
+ When asked for a direction, the key to target yourself. Default
+ is 's'.
+
+ getpos.autodescribe
+ When asked for a location, the key to toggle autodescribe. De-
+ fault is '#'.
+
+ getpos.all.next
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest inter-
+ esting thing. Default is 'a'.
+
+ getpos.all.prev
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to previous closest
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 69
+
+
+
+ interesting thing. Default is 'A'.
+
+ getpos.door.next
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest door
+ or doorway. Default is 'd'.
+
+ getpos.door.prev
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to previous closest
+ door or doorway. Default is 'D'.
+
+ getpos.help
+ When asked for a location, the key to show help. Default is
+ '?'.
+
+ getpos.mon.next
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest mon-
+ ster. Default is 'm'.
+
+ getpos.mon.prev
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to previous closest
+ monster. Default is 'M'.
+
+ getpos.obj.next
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest ob-
+ ject. Default is 'o'.
+
+ getpos.obj.prev
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to previous closest
+ object. Default is 'O'.
+
+ getpos.menu
+ When asked for a location, and using one of the next or previ-
+ ous keys to cycle through targets, toggle showing a menu in-
+ stead. Default is '!'.
+
+ getpos.moveskip
+ When asked for a location, and using the shifted movement keys
+ or meta-digit keys to fast-move around, move by skipping the
+ same glyphs instead of by 8 units. Default is '*'.
+
+ getpos.filter
+ When asked for a location, change the filtering mode when using
+ one of the next or previous keys to cycle through targets. Tog-
+ gles between no filtering, in view only, and in the same area
+ only. Default is '"'.
+
+ getpos.pick
+ When asked for a location, the key to choose the location, and
+ possibly ask for more info. Default is '.'.
+
+ getpos.pick.once
+ When asked for a location, the key to choose the location, and
+ skip asking for more info. Default is ','.
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 70
+
+
+
+ getpos.pick.quick
+ When asked for a location, the key to choose the location, skip
+ asking for more info, and exit the location asking loop. De-
+ fault is ';'.
+
+ getpos.pick.verbose
+ When asked for a location, the key to choose the location, and
+ show more info without asking. Default is ':'.
+
+ getpos.self
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to your location. De-
+ fault is '@'.
+
+ getpos.unexplored.next
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest unex-
+ plored location. Default is 'x'.
+
+ getpos.unexplored.prev
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to previous closest
+ unexplored location. Default is 'X'.
+
+ getpos.valid
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to show valid target
+ locations. Default is '$'.
+
+ getpos.valid.next
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest valid
+ location. Default is 'z'.
+
+ getpos.valid.prev
+ When asked for a location, the key to go to previous closest
+ valid location. Default is 'Z'.
+ nopickup
+ Prefix key to move without picking up items. Default is 'm'.
+ redraw
+ Key to redraw the screen. Default is '^R'.
+
+ redraw.numpad
+ Key to redraw the screen. With number_pad only. Default is
+ '^L'.
+
+ repeat
+ Key to repeat previous command. Default is '^A'.
+
+ reqmenu
+ Prefix key to request menu from some commands. Default is 'm'.
+
+ run
+ Prefix key to run towards a direction. Default is 'G'.
+
+ run.nopickup
+ Prefix key to run towards a direction without picking up items
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 71
+
+
+
+ on the way. Default is 'M'.
+
+ run.numpad
+ Prefix key to run towards a direction. With number_pad only.
+ Default is '5'.
+
+ rush
+ Prefix key to rush towards a direction. Default is 'g'.
+
+ 9.10. Configuring Message Types
+
+ You can change the way the messages are shown in the message
+ area, when the message matches a user-defined pattern.
+
+ In general, the config file entries to configure the message
+ types look like this: MSGTYPE=type "pattern"
+
+ type - how the message should be shown;
+ pattern - the pattern to match.
+
+ The pattern should be a regular expression.
+
+ Allowed types are:
+
+ show - show message normally;
+ hide - never show the message;
+ stop - wait for user with more-prompt;
+ norep - show the message once, but not again if no other mes-
+ sage is shown in between.
+
+ Here's an example of message types using NetHack's internal
+ pattern matching facility:
MSGTYPE=stop "You feel hungry."
MSGTYPE=hide "You displaced *."
- specifies that whenever a message "You feel hungry" is shown,
+ specifies that whenever a message ``You feel hungry'' is shown,
the user is prompted with more-prompt, and a message matching
- "You displaced <something>." is not shown at all.
+ ``You displaced <something>.'' is not shown at all.
The order of the defined MSGTYPE-lines is important; the last
matching rule is used. Put the general case first, exceptions
below them.
- 9.10. Configuring Menu Colors
+ 9.11. Configuring Menu Colors
Some platforms allow you to define colors used in menu lines
when the line matches a user-defined pattern. At this time the
In general, the config file entries to configure the menu
color mappings look like this:
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 72
+
+
+
MENUCOLOR="pattern"=color&attribute
pattern - the pattern to match;
MENUCOLOR="* cursed *"=red
MENUCOLOR="* cursed *(being worn)"=red&underline
- specifies that any menu line with " blessed " contained in it
- will be shown in green color, lines with " cursed " will be
- shown in red, and lines with " cursed " followed by "(being
- worn)" on the same line will be shown in red color and under-
+ specifies that any menu line with `` blessed '' contained in it
+ will be shown in green color, lines with `` cursed '' will be
+ shown in red, and lines with `` cursed '' followed by ``(being
+ worn)'' on the same line will be shown in red color and under-
lined. You can have multiple MENUCOLOR entries in your config
file, and the last MENUCOLOR-line in your config file that
+ matches a menu line will be used for the line.
+ Note that if you intend to have one or more color specifica-
+ tions match `` uncursed '', you will probably want to turn the
+ implicit_uncursed option off so that all items known to be un-
+ cursed are actually displayed with the ``uncursed'' description.
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
+ 9.12. Configuring User Sounds
+ Some platforms allow you to define sound files to be played
+ when a message that matches a user-defined pattern is delivered
+ to the message window. At this time the Qt port and the win32tty
+ and win32gui ports support the use of user sounds.
- NetHack Guidebook 56
+ The following config file entries are relevant to mapping
+ user sounds to messages:
+ SOUNDDIR
+ The directory that houses the sound files to be played.
- matches a menu line will be used for the line.
- Note that if you intend to have one or more color specifica-
- tions match " uncursed ", you will probably want to turn the im-
- plicit_uncursed option off so that all items known to be uncursed
- are actually displayed with the ``uncursed'' description.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- 9.11. Configuring User Sounds
- Some platforms allow you to define sound files to be played
- when a message that matches a user-defined pattern is delivered
- to the message window. At this time the Qt port and the win32tty
- and win32gui ports support the use of user sounds.
- The following config file entries are relevant to mapping
- user sounds to messages:
- SOUNDDIR
- The directory that houses the sound files to be played.
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 73
+
+
SOUND
An entry that maps a sound file to a user-specified message
The pattern should be a POSIX extended regular expression.
- 9.12. Configuring Status Hilites
+ 9.13. Configuring Status Hilites
Your copy of NetHack may have been compiled with support for
- ``Status Hilites''. If so, you can customize your game display
+ ``Status Hilites''. If so, you can customize your game display
by setting thresholds to change the color or appearance of fields
in the status display.
- For example, the following line in your config file will
- cause the hitpoints field to display in the color red if your
+ The format for defining status colors is:
+
+ OPTION=hilite_status: field-name/behavior/color&attributes
+
+ For example, the following line in your config file will
+ cause the hitpoints field to display in the color red if your
hitpoints drop to or below a threshold of 30%:
- OPTION=hilite_status: hitpoints/30%/red/normal
+ OPTION=hilite_status: hitpoints/<30%/red/normal
- For another example, the following line in your config file
+ For another example, the following line in your config file
will cause wisdom to be displayed red if it drops and green if it
rises.
- OPTION=hilite_status: wisdom/updown/red/green
+ OPTION=hilite_status: wisdom/down/red/up/green
You can adjust the display of the following status fields:
+ title strength dexterity
+ constitution intelligence wisdom
+ charisma alignment score
+ carrying-capacity gold power
+ power-max experience-level armor-class
+ HD time hunger
+ hitpoints hitpoints-max dungeon-level
+ experience condition
+ The pseudo-field `characteristics' can be used to set all six
+ of Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, and Cha at once. `HD' is `hit
+ dice', an approximation of experience level displayed when
+ polymorphed. `experience', `time', and `score' are condition-
+ ally displayed depending upon your other option settings.
+ Instead of a behavior, `condition' takes the following condi-
+ tion flags: stone, slime, strngl, foodpois, termill, blind,
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 57
+ NetHack Guidebook 74
- title strength dexterity
- constitution intelligence wisdom
- charisma alignment score
- carrying-capacity gold power
- power-max experience-level armor-class
- HD time hunger
- hitpoints hitpoints-max dungeon-level
- experience condition
+
+ deaf, stun, conf, hallu, lev, fly, and ride. You can use `ma-
+ jor_troubles' as an alias for stone through termill, `mi-
+ nor_troubles' for blind through hallu, `movement' for lev, fly,
+ and ride, and `all' for every condition.
+
+ Allowed behaviors are "always", "up", "down", "changed", a per-
+ centage or absolute number threshold, or a text to match
+ against.
+
+ * "always" will set the default attributes for that field.
+
+ * "up" and "down" set the field attributes for when the
+ field value changes upwards or downwards. This attribute
+ times out after statushilites turns.
+
+ * "changed" sets the field attribute for when the field val-
+ ue changes. This attribute times out after statushilites
+ turns.
+
+ * percentage sets the field attribute when the field value
+ matches the percentage. If the percentage is prefixed with
+ '<' or '>', it also matches when value is below or above
+ the percentage. Only valid for `power' and `hitpoints'
+ fields.
+
+ * absolute value sets the attribute when the field value
+ matches that number. If the number is prefixed with '<' or
+ '>', it also matches when value is below or above.
+
+ * text match sets the attribute when the field value matches
+ the text. Text matches can only be used for `alignment',
+ `carrying-capacity', and `dungeon-level'.
Allowed colors are black, red, green, brown, blue, magenta,
cyan, gray, orange, lightgreen, yellow, lightblue, lightmagen-
ta, lightcyan, and white.
- Allowed attributes are bold, inverse, normal. Note that the
- platform used may interpret the attributes any way it wants.
+ Allowed attributes are bold, inverse, underline, blink, dim,
+ and normal. Note that the platform used may interpret the at-
+ tributes any way it wants.
+
+ The in-game options menu can help you determine the correct
+ syntax for a config file.
+
+ The whole feature can be disabled by setting option sta-
+ tushilites to 0.
+
+ Example hilites:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
- Behaviours can occur based on percentage thresholds, updown, or
- absolute values. The in-game options menu can help you deter-
- mine the correct syntax for a config file.
- The whole feature can be disabled by setting option sta-
- tushilites off.
- 9.13. Modifying NetHack Symbols
+ NetHack Guidebook 75
+
+
+
+ OPTION=hilite_status: gold/up/yellow/down/brown
+ OPTION=hilite_status: characteristics/up/green/down/red
+ OPTION=hilite_status: hitpoints/100%/gray&normal
+ OPTION=hilite_status: hitpoints/<100%/green&normal
+ OPTION=hilite_status: hitpoints/<66%/yellow&normal
+ OPTION=hilite_status: hitpoints/<50%/orange&normal
+ OPTION=hilite_status: hitpoints/<33%/red&bold
+ OPTION=hilite_status: hitpoints/<15%/red&inverse
+ OPTION=hilite_status: condition/major/orange&inverse
+ OPTION=hilite_status: condition/lev+fly/red&inverse
+
+ 9.14. Modifying NetHack Symbols
NetHack can load entire symbol sets from the symbol file.
config file option. Symbols are specified as name:value pairs.
Note that NetHack escape-processes the value string in conven-
tional C fashion. This means that \ is a prefix to take the fol-
- lowing character literally. Thus \ needs to be represented as \\.
- The special escape form \m switches on the meta bit in the symbol
- value, and the \^ prefix causes the following character to be
- treated as a control character.
+ lowing character literally. Thus \ needs to be represented as
+ \\. The special prefix form \m switches on the meta bit in the
+ symbol value, and the ^ prefix causes the following character to
+ be treated as a control character.
- NetHack Symbols
+ NetHack Symbols
Default Symbol Name Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
S_air (air)
_ S_altar (altar)
" S_amulet (amulet)
A S_angel (angelic being)
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 58
-
-
-
a S_ant (ant or other insect)
^ S_anti_magic_trap (anti-magic field)
[ S_armor (suit or piece of armor)
- S_blcorn (bottom left corner)
b S_blob (blob)
+ S_book (spellbook)
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 76
+
+
+
) S_boomleft (boomerang open left)
( S_boomright (boomerang open right)
` S_boulder (boulder)
$ S_coin (pile of coins)
# S_corr (corridor)
- S_crwall (wall)
+ # S_darkroom (dark room)
^ S_dart_trap (dart trap)
& S_demon (major demon)
* S_digbeam (dig beam)
E S_elemental (elemental)
/ S_explode1 (explosion top left)
- S_explode2 (explosion top center)
- `\' S_explode3 (explosion top right)
+ \ S_explode3 (explosion top right)
| S_explode4 (explosion middle left)
S_explode5 (explosion middle center)
| S_explode6 (explosion middle right)
- `\' S_explode7 (explosion bottom left)
+ \ S_explode7 (explosion bottom left)
- S_explode8 (explosion bottom center)
/ S_explode9 (explosion bottom right)
e S_eye (eye or sphere)
S_ghost (ghost)
H S_giant (giant humanoid)
G S_gnome (gnome)
+ ' S_golem (golem)
+ | S_grave (grave)
+ g S_gremlin (gremlin)
+ - S_hbeam (horizontal beam [zap animation])
+ # S_hcdbridge (horizontal raised drawbridge)
+ + S_hcdoor (closed door in horizontal wall)
+ . S_hodbridge (horizontal lowered drawbridge)
+ | S_hodoor (open door in horizontal wall)
+ ^ S_hole (hole)
+ @ S_human (human or elf)
+ h S_humanoid (humanoid)
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 59
+ NetHack Guidebook 77
- ' S_golem (golem)
- | S_grave (grave)
- g S_gremlin (gremlin)
- - S_hbeam (wall)
- # S_hcdbridge (horizontal raised drawbridge)
- + S_hcdoor (closed door)
- | S_hodoor (open door)
- ^ S_hole (hole)
- @ S_human (human or elf)
- h S_humanoid (humanoid)
- S_hwall (horizontal wall)
+ . S_ice (ice)
i S_imp (imp or minor demon)
+ I S_invisible (invisible monster)
J S_jabberwock (jabberwock)
j S_jelly (jelly)
k S_kobold (kobold)
y S_light (light)
# S_litcorr (lit corridor)
: S_lizard (lizard)
- `\' S_lslant (wall)
+ \ S_lslant (diagonal beam [zap animation])
^ S_magic_portal (magic portal)
^ S_magic_trap (magic trap)
m S_mimic (mimic)
] S_mimic_def (mimic)
M S_mummy (mummy)
N S_naga (naga)
+ . S_ndoor (doorway witout door)
n S_nymph (nymph)
O S_ogre (ogre)
o S_orc (orc)
` S_rock (boulder or statue)
r S_rodent (rodent)
^ S_rolling_boulder_trap (rolling boulder trap)
- / S_rslant (wall)
+ . S_room (floor of a room)
+ / S_rslant (diagonal beam [zap animation])
^ S_rust_trap (rust trap)
R S_rustmonst (rust monster or disenchanter)
? S_scroll (scroll)
# S_sink (sink)
^ S_sleeping_gas_trap (sleeping gas trap)
+ S S_snake (snake)
+ s S_spider (arachnid or centipede)
+ ^ S_spiked_pit (spiked pit)
+ ^ S_squeaky_board (squeaky board)
+ 0 S_ss1 (magic shield 1 of 4)
+ # S_ss2 (magic shield 2 of 4)
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 60
+ NetHack Guidebook 78
- S S_snake (snake)
- s S_spider (arachnid or centipede)
- ^ S_spiked_pit (spiked pit)
- ^ S_squeaky_board (squeaky board)
- 0 S_ss1 (magic shield 1 of 4)
- # S_ss2 (magic shield 2 of 4)
@ S_ss3 (magic shield 3 of 4)
* S_ss4 (magic shield 4 of 4)
^ S_statue_trap (statue trap)
S_stone (dark part of a room)
+ ] S_strange_obj (strange object)
- S_sw_bc (swallow bottom center)
- `\' S_sw_bl (swallow bottom left)
+ \ S_sw_bl (swallow bottom left)
/ S_sw_br (swallow bottom right)
| S_sw_ml (swallow middle left)
| S_sw_mr (swallow middle right)
- S_sw_tc (swallow top center)
/ S_sw_tl (swallow top left)
- `\' S_sw_tr (swallow top right)
+ \ S_sw_tr (swallow top right)
- S_tdwall (wall)
^ S_teleportation_trap (teleportation trap)
- S_throne (opulent throne)
+ \ S_throne (opulent throne)
- S_tlcorn (top left corner)
| S_tlwall (wall)
( S_tool (useful item (pick-axe key lamp...))
< S_upladder (ladder up)
< S_upstair (staircase up)
V S_vampire (vampire)
- | S_vbeam (wall)
+ | S_vbeam (vertical beam [zap animation])
# S_vcdbridge (vertical raised drawbridge)
- + S_vcdoor (closed door)
+ + S_vcdoor (closed door in vertical wall)
+ . S_venom (splash of venom)
^ S_vibrating_square (vibrating square)
- - S_vodoor (open door)
+ . S_vodbridge (vertical lowered drawbridge)
+ - S_vodoor (open door in vertical wall)
v S_vortex (vortex)
| S_vwall (vertical wall)
/ S_wand (wand)
x S_xan (xan or other mythical/fantastic insect)
X S_xorn (xorn)
Y S_yeti (apelike creature)
+ Z S_zombie (zombie)
+ z S_zruty (zruty)
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 61
+ NetHack Guidebook 79
- Z S_zombie (zombie)
- z S_zruty (zruty)
- 9.14. Configuring NetHack for Play by the Blind
+ There is one additional class of object, described as
+ ``strange object'', which will occasionally be the shape taken on
+ by mimics and shown as `]' for maps displayed as text characters.
+ Although the displayed character is the same as the default value
+ for `S_mimic_def', it is a different symbol and there is no cor-
+ responding `S_strange_object' symbol nor any way to assign an al-
+ ternate value for it.
+
+ 9.15. Configuring NetHack for Play by the Blind
NetHack can be set up to use only standard ASCII characters
for making maps of the dungeons. This makes the MS-DOS versions
These co-ordinates are often useful in giving players a better
sense of the overall location of items on the screen.
+ NetHack can also be compiled with support for sending the
+ game messages to an external program, such as a text-to-speech
+ synthesizer. If the #version extended command shows ``external
+ program as a message handler'', your NetHack has been compiled
+ with the capability. When compiling NetHack from source on Linux
+ and other POSIX systems, define MSGHANDLER to enable it. To use
+ the capability, set the environment variable NETHACK_MSGHANDLER
+ to an executable, which will be executed with the game message as
+ the program's only parameter.
+
While it is not difficult for experienced users to edit the
defaults.nh file to accomplish this, novices may find this task
somewhat daunting. Included within the ``symbols'' file of all
roguesymset:NHAccess
Load a symbol set for the rogue level that is appropriate for
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 80
+
+
+
use by blind players.
menustyle:traditional
This will assist in the interface to speech synthesizers.
+ nomenu_overlay
+ Show menus on a cleared screen and aligned to the left edge.
+
number_pad
A lot of speech access programs use the number-pad to review
the screen. If this is the case, disable the number_pad option
and use the traditional Rogue-like commands.
- 9.15. Global Configuration for System Administrators
-
- If NetHack is compiled with the SYSCF option, a system ad-
- ministrator should set up a global configuration; this is a file
- in the same format as the traditional per-user configuration file
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
+ autodescribe
+ Automatically describe the terrain under the cursor when tar-
+ geting.
+ mention_walls
+ Give feedback messages when walking towards a wall or when
+ travel command was interrupted.
+ whatis_coord:compass
+ When targeting with cursor, describe the cursor position with
+ coordinates relative to your character.
+ whatis_filter:area
+ When targeting with cursor, filter possible locations so only
+ those in the same area (eg. same room, or same corridor) are
+ considered.
- NetHack Guidebook 62
+ whatis_moveskip
+ When targeting with cursor and using fast-move, skip the same
+ glyphs instead of moving 8 units at a time.
+ nostatus_updates
+ Prevent updates to the status lines at the bottom of the
+ screen, if your screen-reader reads those lines. The same in-
+ formation can be seen via the #attributes command.
+ 9.16. Global Configuration for System Administrators
+ If NetHack is compiled with the SYSCF option, a system ad-
+ ministrator should set up a global configuration; this is a file
+ in the same format as the traditional per-user configuration file
(see above). This file should be named sysconf and placed in the
same directory as the other NetHack support files. The options
recognized in this file are listed below. Any option not set us-
es a compiled-in default (which may not be appropriate for your
system).
- WIZARDS A space-separated list of user names who are allowed to
- play in wizard mode (the debugging mode, not the magic-using
+ WIZARDS = A space-separated list of user names who are allowed
+ to play in wizard mode (the debugging mode, not the magic-using
role). A value of a single asterisk (*) allows anyone to start
a game in wizard mode.
- SHELLERS A list of users who are allowed to use the shell es-
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 81
+
+
+
+ SHELLERS = A list of users who are allowed to use the shell es-
cape command (!). The syntax is the same as WIZARDS.
- EXPLORERS A list of users who are allowed to use the explore
+ EXPLORERS = A list of users who are allowed to use the explore
mode. The syntax is the same as WIZARDS.
- MAXPLAYERS Limit the maximum number of games that can be run-
+ MAXPLAYERS = Limit the maximum number of games that can be run-
ning at the same time.
- SUPPORT A string explaining how to get local support (no de-
+ SUPPORT = A string explaining how to get local support (no de-
fault value).
- RECOVER A string explaining how to recover a game on this sys-
- tem (no default value).
+ RECOVER = A string explaining how to recover a game on this
+ system (no default value).
- SEDUCE 0 or 1 to disable or enable, respectively, the SEDUCE
- option (see the source for details on this function).
+ SEDUCE = 0 or 1 to disable or enable, respectively, the SEDUCE
+ option. When disabled, incubi and succubi behave like nymphs.
- CHECK_SAVE_UID 0 or 1 to disable or enable, respectively, the
- UID checking for savefiles.
+ CHECK_PLNAME = Setting this to 1 will make the EXPLORERS, WIZ-
+ ARDS, and SHELLERS check for the player name instead of the us-
+ er's login name.
+
+ CHECK_SAVE_UID = 0 or 1 to disable or enable, respectively, the
+ UID (used identification number) checking for save files (to
+ verify that the user who is restoring is the same one who
+ saved).
The following options affect the score file:
- PERSMAX Maximum number of entries for one person.
+ PERSMAX = Maximum number of entries for one person.
- ENTRYMAX Maximum number of entries in the score file.
+ ENTRYMAX = Maximum number of entries in the score file.
- POINTSMIN Minimum number of points to get an entry in the score
- file.
+ POINTSMIN = Minimum number of points to get an entry in the
+ score file.
- PERS_IS_UID 0 or 1 to use user names or numeric userids, re-
+ PERS_IS_UID = 0 or 1 to use user names or numeric userids, re-
spectively, to identify unique people for the score file.
- MAX_STATUENAME_RANK Maximum number of score file entries to use
- for random statue names (default is 10).
+ MAX_STATUENAME_RANK = Maximum number of score file entries to
+ use for random statue names (default is 10).
- 10. Scoring
+ DUMPLOGFILE = A filename where the end-of-game dumplog is
+ saved. Not defining this will prevent dumplog from being cre-
+ ated. Only available if your game is compiled with DUMPLOG. Al-
+ lows the following placeholders:
- NetHack maintains a list of the top scores or scorers on
- your machine, depending on how it is set up. In the latter case,
- each account on the machine can post only one non-winning score
- on this list. If you score higher than someone else on this
- list, or better your previous score, you will be inserted in the
+ %% - literal '%'
+ %v - version (eg. "3.6.1-0")
+ %u - game UID
+ %t - game start time, UNIX timestamp format
+ %T - current time, UNIX timestamp format
+ %d - game start time, YYYYMMDDhhmmss format
+ %D - current time, YYYYMMDDhhmmss format
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 63
+ NetHack Guidebook 82
+
+
+ %n - player name
+ %N - first character of player name
+ 10. Scoring
- proper place under your current name. How many scores are kept
+ NetHack maintains a list of the top scores or scorers on
+ your machine, depending on how it is set up. In the latter case,
+ each account on the machine can post only one non-winning score
+ on this list. If you score higher than someone else on this
+ list, or better your previous score, you will be inserted in the
+ proper place under your current name. How many scores are kept
can also be set up when NetHack is compiled.
- Your score is chiefly based upon how much experience you
+ Your score is chiefly based upon how much experience you
gained, how much loot you accumulated, how deep you explored, and
how the game ended. If you quit the game, you escape with all of
- your gold intact. If, however, you get killed in the Mazes of
+ your gold intact. If, however, you get killed in the Mazes of
Menace, the guild will only hear about 90% of your gold when your
- corpse is discovered (adventurers have been known to collect
- finder's fees). So, consider whether you want to take one last
- hit at that monster and possibly live, or quit and stop with
- whatever you have. If you quit, you keep all your gold, but if
+ corpse is discovered (adventurers have been known to collect
+ finder's fees). So, consider whether you want to take one last
+ hit at that monster and possibly live, or quit and stop with
+ whatever you have. If you quit, you keep all your gold, but if
you swing and live, you might find more.
- If you just want to see what the current top players/games
+ If you just want to see what the current top players/games
list is, you can type nethack -s all on most versions.
-
11. Explore mode
- NetHack is an intricate and difficult game. Novices might
+ NetHack is an intricate and difficult game. Novices might
falter in fear, aware of their ignorance of the means to survive.
- Well, fear not. Your dungeon comes equipped with an ``explore''
+ Well, fear not. Your dungeon comes equipped with an ``explore''
or ``discovery'' mode that enables you to keep old save files and
- cheat death, at the paltry cost of not getting on the high score
+ cheat death, at the paltry cost of not getting on the high score
list.
- There are two ways of enabling explore mode. One is to
- start the game with the -X command-line switch or with the play-
- mode:explore option. The other is to issue the ``#exploremode''
- extended command while already playing the game. Starting a new
+ There are two ways of enabling explore mode. One is to
+ start the game with the -X command-line switch or with the play-
+ mode:explore option. The other is to issue the ``#exploremode''
+ extended command while already playing the game. Starting a new
game in explore mode provides your character with a wand of wish-
- ing in initial inventory; switching during play does not. The
- other benefits of explore mode are left for the trepid reader to
+ ing in initial inventory; switching during play does not. The
+ other benefits of explore mode are left for the trepid reader to
discover.
11.1. Debug mode
Debug mode, also known as wizard mode, is undocumented aside
- from this brief description. It is intended for tracking down
- problems within the program rather than to provide god-like pow-
- ers to your character, and players who attempt debugging are ex-
- pected to figure out how to use it themselves. It is initiated
- by starting the game with the -D command-line switch or with the
+ from this brief description. It is intended for tracking down
+ problems within the program rather than to provide god-like pow-
+ ers to your character, and players who attempt debugging are ex-
+ pected to figure out how to use it themselves. It is initiated
+ by starting the game with the -D command-line switch or with the
playmode:debug option.
- For some systems, the player must be logged in under a par-
- ticular user name to be allowed to use debug mode; for others,
- the hero must be given a particular character name (but may be
- any role; there's no connection between ``wizard mode'' and the
- Wizard role). And on any system, the program might have been
- configured to omit debug mode entirely. Attempting to start a
- game in debug mode when not allowed or not available will result
- in falling back to explore mode instead.
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 83
- NetHack Guidebook 64
+ For some systems, the player must be logged in under a par-
+ ticular user name to be allowed to use debug mode; for others,
+ the hero must be given a particular character name (but may be
+ any role; there's no connection between ``wizard mode'' and the
+ Wizard role). And on any system, the program might have been
+ configured to omit debug mode entirely. Attempting to start a
+ game in debug mode when not allowed or not available will result
+ in falling back to explore mode instead.
12. Credits
- The original hack game was modeled on the Berkeley UNIX
- rogue game. Large portions of this paper were shamelessly
- cribbed from A Guide to the Dungeons of Doom, by Michael C. Toy
- and Kenneth C. R. C. Arnold. Small portions were adapted from
+ The original hack game was modeled on the Berkeley UNIX
+ rogue game. Large portions of this paper were shamelessly
+ cribbed from A Guide to the Dungeons of Doom, by Michael C. Toy
+ and Kenneth C. R. C. Arnold. Small portions were adapted from
Further Exploration of the Dungeons of Doom, by Ken Arromdee.
NetHack is the product of literally dozens of people's work.
- Main events in the course of the game development are described
+ Main events in the course of the game development are described
below:
-
- Jay Fenlason wrote the original Hack, with help from Kenny
+ Jay Fenlason wrote the original Hack, with help from Kenny
Woodland, Mike Thome and Jon Payne.
Andries Brouwer did a major re-write, transforming Hack into
- a very different game, and published (at least) three versions
+ a very different game, and published (at least) three versions
(1.0.1, 1.0.2, and 1.0.3) for UNIX machines to the Usenet.
- Don G. Kneller ported Hack 1.0.3 to Microsoft C and MS-DOS,
- producing PC HACK 1.01e, added support for DEC Rainbow graphics
- in version 1.03g, and went on to produce at least four more ver-
+ Don G. Kneller ported Hack 1.0.3 to Microsoft C and MS-DOS,
+ producing PC HACK 1.01e, added support for DEC Rainbow graphics
+ in version 1.03g, and went on to produce at least four more ver-
sions (3.0, 3.2, 3.51, and 3.6).
- R. Black ported PC HACK 3.51 to Lattice C and the Atari
+ R. Black ported PC HACK 3.51 to Lattice C and the Atari
520/1040ST, producing ST Hack 1.03.
Mike Stephenson merged these various versions back together,
- incorporating many of the added features, and produced NetHack
- 1.4. He then coordinated a cast of thousands in enhancing and
- debugging NetHack 1.4 and released NetHack versions 2.2 and 2.3.
+ incorporating many of the added features, and produced NetHack
+ 1.4. He then coordinated a cast of thousands in enhancing and
+ debugging NetHack 1.4 and released NetHack versions 2.2 and 2.3.
Later, Mike coordinated a major rewrite of the game, heading
a team which included Ken Arromdee, Jean-Christophe Collet, Steve
Olaf Seibert ported NetHack 2.3 and 3.0 to the Amiga. Norm
Meluch, Stephen Spackman and Pierre Martineau designed overlay
code for PC NetHack 3.0. Johnny Lee ported NetHack 3.0 to the
- Macintosh. Along with various other Dungeoneers, they continued
- to enhance the PC, Macintosh, and Amiga ports through the later
- revisions of 3.0.
- Headed by Mike Stephenson and coordinated by Izchak Miller
- and Janet Walz, the development team which now included Ken Ar-
- romdee, David Cohrs, Jean-Christophe Collet, Kevin Darcy, Matt
- Day, Timo Hakulinen, Steve Linhart, Dean Luick, Pat Rankin, Eric
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 84
- NetHack Guidebook 65
+ Macintosh. Along with various other Dungeoneers, they continued
+ to enhance the PC, Macintosh, and Amiga ports through the later
+ revisions of 3.0.
+ Headed by Mike Stephenson and coordinated by Izchak Miller
+ and Janet Walz, the development team which now included Ken Ar-
+ romdee, David Cohrs, Jean-Christophe Collet, Kevin Darcy, Matt
+ Day, Timo Hakulinen, Steve Linhart, Dean Luick, Pat Rankin, Eric
Raymond, and Eric Smith undertook a radical revision of 3.0.
They re-structured the game's design, and re-wrote major parts of
the code. They added multiple dungeons, a new display, special
diagnosed with cancer and passed away. That release of the game
was dedicated to him by the development and porting teams.
- During the lifespan of NetHack 3.1 and 3.2, several enthusi-
- asts of the game added their own modifications to the game and
- made these ``variants'' publicly available:
- Tom Proudfoot and Yuval Oren created NetHack++, which was
- quickly renamed NetHack--. Working independently, Stephen White
- wrote NetHack Plus. Tom Proudfoot later merged NetHack Plus and
- his own NetHack-- to produce SLASH. Larry Stewart-Zerba and War-
- wick Allison improved the spell casting system with the Wizard
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack Guidebook 66
+ NetHack Guidebook 85
+
+ During the lifespan of NetHack 3.1 and 3.2, several enthusi-
+ asts of the game added their own modifications to the game and
+ made these ``variants'' publicly available:
+ Tom Proudfoot and Yuval Oren created NetHack++, which was
+ quickly renamed NetHack--. Working independently, Stephen White
+ wrote NetHack Plus. Tom Proudfoot later merged NetHack Plus and
+ his own NetHack-- to produce SLASH. Larry Stewart-Zerba and War-
+ wick Allison improved the spell casting system with the Wizard
Patch. Warwick Allison also ported NetHack to use the Qt inter-
face.
Pat Rankin maintained 3.4 for VMS.
- Michael Allison maintained NetHack 3.4 for the MS-DOS plat-
- form. Paul Winner and Yitzhak Sapir provided encouragement.
- Dean Luick, Mark Modrall, and Kevin Hugo maintained and en-
- hanced the Macintosh port of 3.4.
- Michael Allison, David Cohrs, Alex Kompel, Dion Nicolaas,
- and Yitzhak Sapir maintained and enhanced 3.4 for the Microsoft
- Windows platform. Alex Kompel contributed a new graphical inter-
- face for the Windows port. Alex Kompel also contributed a
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ NetHack Guidebook 86
- NetHack Guidebook 67
+ Michael Allison maintained NetHack 3.4 for the MS-DOS plat-
+ form. Paul Winner and Yitzhak Sapir provided encouragement.
+
+ Dean Luick, Mark Modrall, and Kevin Hugo maintained and en-
+ hanced the Macintosh port of 3.4.
- Windows CE port for 3.4.1.
+ Michael Allison, David Cohrs, Alex Kompel, Dion Nicolaas,
+ and Yitzhak Sapir maintained and enhanced 3.4 for the Microsoft
+ Windows platform. Alex Kompel contributed a new graphical inter-
+ face for the Windows port. Alex Kompel also contributed a Win-
+ dows CE port for 3.4.1.
Ron Van Iwaarden was the sole maintainer of NetHack for OS/2
the past several releases. Unfortunately Ron's last OS/2 machine
Tung Nguyen. Some of those variants continue to be developed,
maintained, and enjoyed by the community to this day.
- At the beginning of development for what would eventually
- get released as 3.6.0, the development team consisted of Warwick
- Allison, Michael Allison, Ken Arromdee, David Cohrs, Jessie Col-
- let, Ken Lorber, Dean Luick, Pat Rankin, Mike Stephenson, Janet
- Walz, and Paul Winner. Leading up to the release of 3.6.0 in
- early 2015, new members Sean Hunt, Pasi Kallinen, and Derek S.
- Ray joined the NetHack development team.
-
In September 2014, an interim snapshot of the code under de-
velopment was released publicly by other parties. Since that code
was a work-in-progress and had not gone through the process of
fect, stating that there would never be a 3.4.4, 3.5, or 3.5.0
official release version.
- In November 2014, preparation began for the release of
- NetHack 3.6. The 3.6 version merges work done by the development
- team since the previous release with some of the beloved communi-
- ty patches. Many bugs were fixed and a large amount of code was
- restructured.
-
- The development team, as well as Steve VanDevender and Kevin
- Smolkowski ensured that NetHack 3.6.0 continued to operate on
- various Unix flavors and maintained the X11 interface.
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 68
-
-
-
- Ken Lorber, Haoyang Wang, Pat Rankin, and Dean Luick main-
- tained the port of NetHack 3.6.0 for Mac.
-
- Michael Allison, Derek S. Ray, Yitzhak Sapir, Alex Kompel,
- and Dion Nicolaas maintained the port of NetHack 3.6.0 for Mi-
- crosoft Windows.
-
- The official NetHack web site is maintained by Ken Lorber at
- http://www.nethack.org/.
-
- SHOUT-OUTS
-
- The devteam would like to give a special "shout-out" to
- thank the generous people primarily responsible for the public
- NetHack servers available for playing the game at nethack.alt.org
- and devnull.net. In addition to providing a way for the public to
- play a game of NetHack from almost anywhere, they have hosted an-
- nual NetHack tournaments for many, many years.
-
- On behalf of the NetHack community, thank you very much to
- M. Drew Streib, Pasi Kallinen and Robin Bandy.
-
- - - - - - - - - - -
-
- From time to time, some depraved individual out there in
- netland sends a particularly intriguing modification to help out
- with the game. The Gods of the Dungeon sometimes make note of
- the names of the worst of these miscreants in this, the list of
- Dungeoneers:
-
- Adam Aronow Janet Walz Nathan Eady
- Alex Kompel Janne Salmijarvi Norm Meluch
- Andreas Dorn Jean-Christophe Collet Olaf Seibert
- Andy Church Jeff Bailey Pasi Kallinen
- Andy Swanson Jochen Erwied Pat Rankin
- Ari Huttunen John Kallen Paul Winner
- Barton House John Rupley Pierre Martineau
- Benson I. Margulies John S. Bien Ralf Brown
- Bill Dyer Johnny Lee Ray Chason
- Boudewijn Waijers Jon W{tte Richard Addison
- Bruce Cox Jonathan Handler Richard Beigel
- Bruce Holloway Joshua Delahunty Richard P. Hughey
- Bruce Mewborne Keizo Yamamoto Rob Menke
- Carl Schelin Ken Arnold Robin Bandy
- Chris Russo Ken Arromdee Robin Johnson
- David Cohrs Ken Lorber Roderick Schertler
- David Damerell Ken Washikita Roland McGrath
- David Gentzel Kevin Darcy Ron Van Iwaarden
- David Hairston Kevin Hugo Ronnen Miller
- Dean Luick Kevin Sitze Ross Brown
- Del Lamb Kevin Smolkowski Sascha Wostmann
- Derek S. Ray Kevin Sweet Scott Bigham
- Deron Meranda Lars Huttar Scott R. Turner
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 69
-
-
-
- Dion Nicolaas Leon Arnott Sean Hunt
- Dylan O'Donnell M. Drew Streib Stephen Spackman
- Eric Backus Malcolm Ryan Stefan Thielscher
- Eric Hendrickson Mark Gooderum Stephen White
- Eric R. Smith Mark Modrall Steve Creps
- Eric S. Raymond Marvin Bressler Steve Linhart
- Erik Andersen Matthew Day Steve VanDevender
- Frederick Roeber Merlyn LeRoy Teemu Suikki
- Gil Neiger Michael Allison Tim Lennan
- Greg Laskin Michael Feir Timo Hakulinen
- Greg Olson Michael Hamel Tom Almy
- Gregg Wonderly Michael Sokolov Tom West
- Hao-yang Wang Mike Engber Warren Cheung
- Helge Hafting Mike Gallop Warwick Allison
- Irina Rempt-Drijfhout Mike Passaretti Yitzhak Sapir
- Izchak Miller Mike Stephenson
- J. Ali Harlow Mikko Juola
-
- Brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks
- of their respective holders.
-
+ In January 2015, preparation began for the release of
+ NetHack 3.6.
+ At the beginning of development for what would eventually
+ get released as 3.6.0, the development team consisted of Warwick
+ Allison, Michael Allison, Ken Arromdee, David Cohrs, Jessie Col-
+ let, Ken Lorber, Dean Luick, Pat Rankin, Mike Stephenson, Janet
+ Walz, and Paul Winner. In early 2015, ahead of the release of
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+ NetHack Guidebook 87
+ 3.6.0, new members Sean Hunt, Pasi Kallinen, and Derek S. Ray
+ joined the NetHack development team.
+ Near the end of the development of 3.6.0, one of the signif-
+ icant inspirations for many of the humorous and fun features
+ found in the game, author Terry Pratchett, passed away. NetHack
+ 3.6.0 introduced a tribute to him.
+ 3.6.0 was released in December 2015, and merged work done by
+ the development team since the release of 3.4.3 with some of the
+ beloved community patches. Many bugs were fixed and some code was
+ restructured.
+ In late April 2018, several hundred bug fixes for 3.6.0 and
+ some new features were assembled and released as NetHack 3.6.1.
+ The development team at the time of release of 3.6.1 consisted of
+ Warwick Allison, Michael Allison, Ken Arromdee, David Cohrs,
+ Jessie Collet, Pasi Kallinen, Ken Lorber, Dean Luick, Patric
+ Mueller, Pat Rankin, Derek S. Ray, Alex Smith, Mike Stephenson,
+ Janet Walz, and Paul Winner.
+ The development team, as well as Steve VanDevender and Kevin
+ Smolkowski, ensured that NetHack 3.6 continued to operate on var-
+ ious UNIX flavors and maintained the X11 interface.
+ Ken Lorber, Haoyang Wang, Pat Rankin, and Dean Luick main-
+ tained the port of NetHack 3.6 for Mac OSX.
+ Michael Allison, David Cohrs, Barton House, Pasi Kallinen,
+ Alex Kompel, Dion Nicolaas, Derek S. Ray and Yitzhak Sapir main-
+ tained the port of NetHack 3.6 for Microsoft Windows.
+ Pat Rankin attempted to keep the VMS port running for
+ NetHack 3.6.1, hindered by limited access. Kevin Smolkowski has
+ updated and tested it for the most recent version of OpenVMS
+ (V8.4 as of this writing) on Alpha and Integrity (aka Itanium aka
+ IA64) but not VAX.
+ Ray Chason resurrected the msdos port for 3.6.1 and contrib-
+ uted the necessary updates to the community at large.
+ The official NetHack web site is maintained by Ken Lorber at
+ http://www.nethack.org/.
+ 12.1. SPECIAL THANKS
+ On behalf of the NetHack community, thank you very much once
+ again to M. Drew Streib, Pasi Kallinen and Robin Bandy for pro-
+ viding public NetHack servers at nethack.alt.org and devnull.net
+ and/or for hosting annual NetHack tournaments.
+ - - - - - - - - - -
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
+ NetHack Guidebook 88
- NetHack 3.6 December 7, 2015
+ From time to time, some depraved individual out there in
+ netland sends a particularly intriguing modification to help out
+ with the game. The Gods of the Dungeon sometimes make note of
+ the names of the worst of these miscreants in this, the list of
+ Dungeoneers:
+ Adam Aronow J. Ali Harlow Mikko Juola
+ Alex Kompel Janet Walz Nathan Eady
+ Alex Smith Janne Salmijarvi Norm Meluch
+ Andreas Dorn Jean-Christophe Collet Olaf Seibert
+ Andy Church Jeff Bailey Pasi Kallinen
+ Andy Swanson Jochen Erwied Pat Rankin
+ Ari Huttunen John Kallen Patric Mueller
+ Barton House John Rupley Paul Winner
+ Benson I. Margulies John S. Bien Pierre Martineau
+ Bill Dyer Johnny Lee Ralf Brown
+ Boudewijn Waijers Jon W{tte Ray Chason
+ Bruce Cox Jonathan Handler Richard Addison
+ Bruce Holloway Joshua Delahunty Richard Beigel
+ Bruce Mewborne Keizo Yamamoto Richard P. Hughey
+ Carl Schelin Ken Arnold Rob Menke
+ Chris Russo Ken Arromdee Robin Bandy
+ David Cohrs Ken Lorber Robin Johnson
+ David Damerell Ken Washikita Roderick Schertler
+ David Gentzel Kevin Darcy Roland McGrath
+ David Hairston Kevin Hugo Ron Van Iwaarden
+ Dean Luick Kevin Sitze Ronnen Miller
+ Del Lamb Kevin Smolkowski Ross Brown
+ Derek S. Ray Kevin Sweet Sascha Wostmann
+ Deron Meranda Lars Huttar Scott Bigham
+ Dion Nicolaas Leon Arnott Scott R. Turner
+ Dylan O'Donnell M. Drew Streib Sean Hunt
+ Eric Backus Malcolm Ryan Stephen Spackman
+ Eric Hendrickson Mark Gooderum Stefan Thielscher
+ Eric R. Smith Mark Modrall Stephen White
+ Eric S. Raymond Marvin Bressler Steve Creps
+ Erik Andersen Matthew Day Steve Linhart
+ Frederick Roeber Merlyn LeRoy Steve VanDevender
+ Gil Neiger Michael Allison Teemu Suikki
+ Greg Laskin Michael Feir Tim Lennan
+ Greg Olson Michael Hamel Timo Hakulinen
+ Gregg Wonderly Michael Sokolov Tom Almy
+ Hao-yang Wang Mike Engber Tom West
+ Helge Hafting Mike Gallop Warren Cheung
+ Irina Rempt-Drijfhout Mike Passaretti Warwick Allison
+ Izchak Miller Mike Stephenson Yitzhak Sapir
+
+ Brand and product names are trademarks or registered trade-
+ marks of their respective holders.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 April 27, 2018
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