Original version - Eric S. Raymond
(Edited and expanded for 3.6 by Mike Stephenson and others)
+ February 3, 2023
+
1. Introduction
posted on the inn's walls getting lower and lower.
-
-
NetHack Guidebook 1
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
+ 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.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- 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 (within lim-
+ You may also choose the race of your character (within lim-
its; most roles have restrictions on which races are eligible for
them):
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
- 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 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?
- 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
+ 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
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
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
+ 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 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
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. When strength is low or
- modest, constitution also affects how much you can carry.
- With sufficiently high strength, the contribution to carry-
+ 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
+ Intelligence affects your ability to cast spells and read
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
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
ical attacks. Many dungeons show only your experience level
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
nasty and vicious. Sometimes, however, they can be helpful.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
I This marks the last known location of an invisible or other-
- wise unseen monster. Note that the monster could have
+ wise unseen monster. Note that the monster could have
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
+ 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 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
+ 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
+ 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 pos-
- sible choices. Typing `?' gives you an inventory list of these
- items, so you can see what each letter refers to. In this exam-
+ 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 pos-
+ sible choices. Typing `?' gives you an inventory list of these
+ items, so you can see what each letter refers to. In this exam-
ple, there is also a `*' indicating that you may choose an object
not on the list, if you wanted to use something unexpected. Typ-
- ing a `*' lists your entire inventory, so you can see the inven-
- tory letters of every object you're carrying. Finally, if you
+ ing a `*' lists your entire inventory, so you can see the inven-
+ tory letters of every object you're carrying. Finally, if you
change your mind and decide you don't want to do this command af-
ter 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. Com-
- mands for which counts make no sense ignore them. In addition,
- movement commands can be prefixed for greater control (see be-
+ count, so the example above would be typed "n10s" instead. Com-
+ mands for which counts make no sense ignore them. In addition,
+ movement commands can be prefixed for greater control (see be-
low). 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 default key bindings for
+ 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:
? 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
+ 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
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- info?" depending upon whether the help option is on, and
- then you will be asked to pick another location; `,' will
+ info?" depending upon 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, 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 ask-
ing for confirmation. When picking a location, pressing the
- ESC key will terminate this command, or pressing `?' will
+ ESC key will terminate this command, 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
+ 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
+ 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-
+ 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
+ < Go up to the previous level (if you are on a staircase or
ladder).
> Go down to the next level (if you are on a staircase or lad-
der).
[yuhjklbn]
- Go one step in the direction indicated (see Figure 2). If
- you sense or remember a monster there, you will fight the
- monster instead. Only these one-step movement commands
- cause you to fight monsters; the others (below) are "safe."
+ Go one step in the direction indicated (see Figure 2). If
+ you sense or remember a monster there, you will fight the
+ monster instead. Only these one-step movement commands
+ cause you to fight monsters; the others (below) are "safe."
y k u 7 8 9
\ | / \ | /
if you remember a monster there).
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
in inventory. Precede `e' with the `m' prefix to bypass at-
tempting to eat anything off the floor.
+ If you attempt to eat while already satiated, you might
+ choke to death. If you risk it, you will be asked whether
+ to "continue eating?" if you survive the first bite. You
+ can set the paranoid_confirmation:eating option to require a
+ response of yes instead of just y.
+
E Engrave a message on the floor.
E- - write in the dust with your fingers.
i List your inventory (everything you're carrying).
I List selected parts of your inventory, usually be specifying
- the character for a particular set of objects, like `[' for
+ the character for a particular set of objects, like `[' for
armor or `!' for potions.
I* - list all gems in inventory;
O Set options.
- A menu showing the current option values will be displayed.
- You can change most values simply by selecting the menu en-
+ 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-
- ing upon it, depending on your user interface). For the
- non-boolean choices, a further menu or prompt will appear
- once you've closed this menu. The available options are
- listed later in this Guidebook. Options are usually set be-
- fore the game rather than with the `O' command; see the sec-
- tion on options below.
+ ing upon it, depending on your user interface). For the
+ non-boolean choices, a further menu or prompt will appear
+ once you've closed this menu. The available options are
- ^O Show overview.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 14
- NetHack Guidebook 14
+ listed later in this Guidebook. Options are usually set be-
+ fore the game rather than with the `O' command; see the sec-
+ tion on options below.
+ ^O Show overview.
- Shortcut for "#overview": list interesting dungeon levels
+ Shortcut for "#overview": list interesting dungeon levels
visited.
- (Prior to 3.6.0, `^O' was a debug mode command which listed
+ (Prior to 3.6.0, `^O' was a debug mode command which listed
the placement of all special levels. Use "#wizwhere" to run
that command.)
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. For some inter-
+ Subsequent `^P's repeat earlier messages. For some inter-
faces, the behavior can be varied via the msg_window option.
q Quaff (drink) something (potion, water, etc).
`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
- takes several tries to find something.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 15
- NetHack Guidebook 15
+ ^R Redraw the screen.
+ s Search for secret doors and traps around you. It usually
+ takes several tries to find something.
Can also be used to figure out whether there is still a mon-
ster at an adjacent "remembered, unseen monster" marker.
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.)
^T Teleport, if you have the ability.
- v Display version number.
- V Display the game history.
- w Wield weapon.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 16
- NetHack Guidebook 16
+ v Display version number.
+
+ V Display the game history.
+ w Wield weapon.
w- - wield nothing, use your bare (or gloved) 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.)
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 "#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.
- In normal play, that's all that `^X' displays. In explore
- mode, the role and status feedback is augmented by the in-
+ In normal play, that's all that `^X' displays. In explore
+ mode, the role and status feedback is augmented by the in-
formation provided by enlightenment magic.
z Zap a wand.
Z Zap (cast) a spell.
- Z. - to cast at yourself, use `.' for the direction.
-
-
-
- __________
- (R)UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+ 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 discovered types for one class of objects.
- ! Escape to a shell.
- # Perform an extended command.
+
+ __________
+ (R)UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 18
- NetHack Guidebook 18
+ ! Escape to a shell.
+
+ # Perform an extended command.
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'.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 19
- NetHack Guidebook 19
+ 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 `@'.
Advance or check weapon and spell skills. Autocompletes.
Default key is `M-e'.
- #exploremode
- Enter the explore mode.
- #fire
- Fire ammunition from quiver. Default key is `f'.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 20
- NetHack Guidebook 20
+ #exploremode
+ Enter the explore mode.
+
+ Requires confirmation; default response is n (no). To real-
+ ly switch to explore mode, respond with y. You can set the
+ paranoid_confirmation:quit option to require a response of
+ yes instead.
+ #fire
+ Fire ammunition from quiver. Default key is `f'.
#force
Force a lock. Autocompletes. Default key is `M-f'.
#glance
- Show what type of thing a map symbol corresponds to. De-
+ Show what type of thing a map symbol corresponds to. De-
fault key is `;'.
#help
- Show the help menu. Default key is `?', and also `h' if
+ Show the help menu. Default key is `?', and also `h' if
number_pad is on.
#herecmdmenu
Inventory specific item types. Default key is `I'.
#invoke
- Invoke an object's special powers. Autocompletes. Default
+ Invoke an object's special powers. Autocompletes. Default
key is `M-i'.
#jump
- Jump to another location. Autocompletes. Default key is
+ Jump to another location. Autocompletes. Default key is
`M-j', and also `j' if number_pad is on.
#kick
- Kick something. Default key is `^D', and `k' if number_pad
+ Kick something. Default key is `^D', and `k' if number_pad
is on.
#known
Show discovered types for one class of objects. Default key
is ``'.
- #levelchange
- Change your experience level. Autocompletes. Debug mode
- only.
-
- #lightsources
- Show mobile light sources. Autocompletes. Debug mode only.
- #look
- Look at what is here, under you. Default key is `:'.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 21
- NetHack Guidebook 21
+ #levelchange
+ Change your experience level. Autocompletes. Debug mode
+ only.
+ #lightsources
+ Show mobile light sources. Autocompletes. Debug 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
ited level will be included regardless of annotations. Au-
tocompletes. Default keys are `^O', and `M-O'.
- #panic
- Test the panic routine. Terminates the current game. Auto-
- completes. Debug 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.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 22
- NetHack Guidebook 22
+ #panic
+ Test the panic routine. Terminates the current game. Auto-
+ completes. Debug mode only.
+
+ Asks for confirmation; default is n (no); continue playing.
+ To really panic, respond with y. You can set the para-
+ noid_confirmation:quit option to require a response of yes
+ instead.
+ #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. Debug mode only.
#pray
- Pray to the gods for help. Autocompletes. Default key is
+ 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
+ Show previously displayed game messages. Default key is
`^P'.
#puton
- Put on an accessory (ring, amulet, etc). Default key is
+ 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. Autocompletes.
+ 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
- intent. You can set the paranoid_confirmation option to re-
- quire a response of "yes" instead.
+ Since using this command by accident would throw away the
+ current game, you are asked to confirm your intent before
+ quitting. Default response is n (no); continue playing. To
+ really quit, respond with y. You can set the paranoid_con-
+ firmation:quit option to require 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 also `^L' if
- number_pad is on.
- #remove
- Remove an accessory (ring, amulet, etc). Default key is
- `R'.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
- #ride
- Ride (or stop riding) a saddled creature. Autocompletes.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 23
+ #quiver
+ Select ammunition for quiver. Default key is `Q'.
- NetHack Guidebook 23
+ #read
+ Read a scroll, a spellbook, or something else. Default key
+ is `r'.
+ #redraw
+ Redraw the screen. Default key is `^R', and also `^L' if
+ number_pad is on.
+ #remove
+ Remove an accessory (ring, amulet, etc). Default key is
+ `R'.
+ #ride
+ Ride (or stop riding) a saddled creature. Autocompletes.
Default key is `M-R'.
#rub
- Rub a lamp or a stone. Autocompletes. Default key is `M-
+ Rub a lamp or a stone. Autocompletes. Default key is `M-
r'.
#save
Save the game and exit the program. Default key is `S'.
#search
- Search for traps and secret doors around you. Default key
+ Search for traps and secret doors around you. Default key
is `s'.
#seeall
#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. Autocompletes. Default key is `M-s'.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- #stats
- Show memory usage statistics. Autocompletes. Debug mode
- only.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 24
+ #seetrap
+ Show the type of an adjacent trap. Default key is `^'.
+ #seeweapon
+ Show the weapon currently wielded. Default key is `)'.
- NetHack Guidebook 24
+ #shell
+ Do a shell escape. Default key is `!'.
+ #sit
+ Sit down. Autocompletes. Default key is `M-s'.
+ #stats
+ Show memory usage statistics. Autocompletes. Debug mode
+ only.
#suspend
Suspend the game. Default key is `^Z'.
Teleport around the level. Default key is `^T'.
#terrain
- Show bare map without displaying monsters, objects, or
+ Show bare map without displaying monsters, objects, or
traps. Autocompletes.
#therecmdmenu
Travel to a specific location on the map. Default key is
`_'. Using the "request menu" prefix shows a menu of inter-
esting targets in sight without asking to move the cursor.
- When picking a target with cursor and the autodescribe op-
- tion is on, the top line will show "(no travel path)" if
+ When picking a target with cursor and the autodescribe
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 25
+
+
+
+ option is on, the top line will show "(no travel path)" if
your character does not know of a path to that location.
#turn
Untrap something (trap, door, or chest). Default key is `M-
u', and `u' if number_pad is on.
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 25
-
-
-
In some circumstances it can also be used to rescue trapped
monsters.
Go up a staircase. Default key is `<'.
#vanquished
- List vanquished monsters. Autocompletes. Debug mode only.
+ List vanquished monsters. Autocompletes. Debug mode only.
#version
Print compile time options for this version of NetHack. Au-
Show vision array. Autocompletes. Debug mode only.
#wait
- Rest one move while doing nothing. Default key is `.', and
+ Rest one move while doing nothing. Default key is `.', and
also ` ' if rest_on_space is on.
#wear
Tell what a key does. Default key is `&'.
#whatis
- Show what type of thing a symbol corresponds to. Default
+ 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. Autocompletes. Default key is `M-w'.
- #wizbury
- Bury objects under and around you. Autocompletes. Debug
- mode only.
- #wizdetect
- Search for hidden things (secret doors or traps or unseen
- monsters) within a modest radius. Autocompletes. Debug
- mode only. Default key is `^E'.
- #wizgenesis
- Create a monster. May be prefixed by a count to create more
- than one. Autocompletes. Debug mode only. Default key is
- `^G'.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 26
+ #wipe
+ Wipe off your face. Autocompletes. Default key is `M-w'.
- NetHack Guidebook 26
+ #wizbury
+ Bury objects under and around you. Autocompletes. Debug
+ mode only.
+ #wizdetect
+ Search for hidden things (secret doors or traps or unseen
+ monsters) within a modest radius. Autocompletes. Debug
+ mode only. Default key is `^E'.
+ #wizgenesis
+ Create a monster. May be prefixed by a count to create more
+ than one. Autocompletes. Debug mode only. Default key is
+ `^G'.
#wizidentify
Identify all items in inventory. Autocompletes. Debug mode
Default key is `^V'.
#wizmap
- Map the level. Autocompletes. Debug mode only. Default
+ Map the level. Autocompletes. Debug mode only. Default
key is `^F'.
#wizrumorcheck
Smell monster. Autocompletes. Debug mode only.
#wizwhere
- Show locations of special levels. Autocompletes. Debug
+ Show locations of special levels. Autocompletes. Debug
mode only.
#wizwish
- Wish for something. Autocompletes. Debug mode only. De-
+ Wish for something. Autocompletes. Debug mode only. De-
fault key is `^W'.
#wmode
#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
- meta-ing the first letter of the command.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- In NT, OS/2, PC and ST NetHack, the "Alt" key can be used in
- this fashion; on the Amiga, set the altmeta option to get this
- behavior. On other systems, if typing "Alt" plus another key
- transmits a two character sequence consisting of an Escape fol-
- lowed by the other key, you may set the altmeta option to have
- NetHack combine them into meta+key.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 27
+ #?
+ Help menu: get the list of available extended commands.
- NetHack Guidebook 27
+ 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
+ meta-ing the first letter of the command.
+ In NT, OS/2, PC and ST NetHack, the "Alt" key can be used in
+ this fashion; on the Amiga, set the altmeta option to get this
+ behavior. On other systems, if typing "Alt" plus another key
+ transmits a two character sequence consisting of an Escape fol-
+ lowed by the other key, you may set the altmeta option to have
+ NetHack combine them into meta+key.
M-? #? (not supported by all platforms)
M-q #quit
- M-r #rub
- M-R #ride
- M-s #sit
- M-t #turn
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- M-T #tip
- M-u #untrap
- M-v #version
- M-w #wipe
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 28
+ M-r #rub
+ M-R #ride
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ M-s #sit
+ M-t #turn
+ M-T #tip
+ M-u #untrap
+ M-v #version
- NetHack Guidebook 28
+ M-w #wipe
- If the number_pad option is on, some additional letter com-
+ If the number_pad option is on, some additional letter com-
mands are available:
h #help
5. Rooms and corridors
- 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.
+ 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'
5.1. Doorways
Doorways connect rooms and corridors. Some doorways have no
- doors; you can walk right through. Others have doors in them,
+ doors; you can walk right through. Others have doors in them,
which may be open, closed, or locked. To open a closed door, use
- the `o' (open) command; to close it again, use the `c' (close)
+ the `o' (open) command; to close it again, use the `c' (close)
command.
- You can get through a locked door by using a tool to pick
+ You can get through a locked door by using a tool to pick
the lock with the `a' (apply) command, or by kicking it open with
the `^D' (kick) command.
- Open doors cannot be entered diagonally; you must approach
- them straight on, horizontally or vertically. Doorways without
- doors are not restricted in this fashion.
-
- Doors can be useful for shutting out monsters. Most mon-
- sters cannot open doors, although a few don't need to (for exam-
- ple, ghosts can walk through doors).
- Secret doors are hidden. You can find them with the `s'
- (search) command. Once found they are in all ways equivalent to
- normal doors.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- 5.2. Traps (`^')
- There are traps throughout the dungeon to snare the unwary
- delver. For example, you may suddenly fall into a pit and be
- stuck for a few turns trying to climb out. Traps don't appear on
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 29
+ Open doors cannot be entered diagonally; you must approach
+ them straight on, horizontally or vertically. Doorways without
+ doors are not restricted in this fashion.
- NetHack Guidebook 29
+ Doors can be useful for shutting out monsters. Most mon-
+ sters cannot open doors, although a few don't need to (for exam-
+ ple, ghosts can walk through doors).
+ Secret doors are hidden. You can find them with the `s'
+ (search) command. Once found they are in all ways equivalent to
+ normal doors.
+ 5.2. Traps (`^')
+ There are traps throughout the dungeon to snare the unwary
+ delver. For example, you may suddenly fall into a pit and be
+ stuck for a few turns trying to climb out. Traps don't appear on
your map until you see one triggered by moving onto it, see some-
thing fall into it, or you discover it with the `s' (search) com-
- mand. Monsters can fall prey to traps, too, which can be a very
+ mand. Monsters can fall prey to traps, too, which can be a very
useful defensive strategy.
There is a special pre-mapped branch of the dungeon based on
- the classic computer game "Sokoban." The goal is to push the
- boulders into the pits or holes. With careful foresight, it is
- possible to complete all of the levels according to the tradi-
- tional rules of Sokoban. Some allowances are permitted in case
+ the classic computer game "Sokoban." The goal is to push the
+ boulders into the pits or holes. With careful foresight, it is
+ possible to complete all of the levels according to the tradi-
+ tional rules of Sokoban. Some allowances are permitted in case
the player gets stuck; however, they will lower your luck.
5.3. Stairs and ladders (`<', `>')
- In general, each level in the dungeon will have a staircase
+ In general, each level in the dungeon will have a staircase
going up (`<') to the previous level and another going down (`>')
- to the next level. There are some exceptions though. For in-
- stance, fairly early in the dungeon you will find a level with
+ to the next level. There are some exceptions though. For in-
+ stance, fairly early in the dungeon you will find a level with
two down staircases, one continuing into the dungeon and the oth-
- er branching into an area known as the Gnomish Mines. Those
- mines eventually hit a dead end, so after exploring them (if you
- choose to do so), you'll need to climb back up to the main dun-
+ er branching into an area known as the Gnomish Mines. Those
+ mines eventually hit a dead end, so after exploring them (if you
+ choose to do so), you'll need to climb back up to the main dun-
geon.
- 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
+ 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
previously visited level, it will be loaded from its file on disk
- and reactivated. If you're moving to a level which has not yet
- been visited, it will be created (from scratch for most random
+ and reactivated. If you're moving to a level which has not yet
+ been visited, it will be created (from scratch for most random
levels, from a template for some "special" levels, or loaded from
the remains of an earlier game for a "bones" level as briefly de-
- scribed below). Monsters are only active on the current level;
+ scribed below). Monsters are only active on the current level;
those on other levels are essentially placed into stasis.
- Ordinarily when you climb a set of stairs, you will arrive
- on the corresponding staircase at your destination. However,
- pets (see below) and some other monsters will follow along if
- they're close enough when you travel up or down stairs, and occa-
- sionally one of these creatures will displace you during the
- climb. When that occurs, the pet or other monster will arrive on
- the staircase and you will end up nearby.
+ Ordinarily when you climb a set of stairs, you will arrive
+ on the corresponding staircase at your destination. However,
- Ladders serve the same purpose as staircases, and the two
- types of inter-level connections are nearly indistinguishable
- during game play.
- 5.4. Shops and shopping
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- Occasionally you will run across a room with a shopkeeper
- near the door and many items lying on the floor. You can buy
- items by picking them up and then using the `p' command. You can
- inquire about the price of an item prior to picking it up by us-
- ing the "#chat" command while standing on it. Using an item
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 30
- NetHack Guidebook 30
+ pets (see below) and some other monsters will follow along if
+ they're close enough when you travel up or down stairs, and occa-
+ sionally one of these creatures will displace you during the
+ climb. When that occurs, the pet or other monster will arrive on
+ the staircase and you will end up nearby.
+ Ladders serve the same purpose as staircases, and the two
+ types of inter-level connections are nearly indistinguishable
+ during game play.
+ 5.4. Shops and shopping
- prior to paying for it will incur a charge, and the shopkeeper
- won't allow you to leave the shop until you have paid any debt
- you owe.
+ Occasionally you will run across a room with a shopkeeper
+ near the door and many items lying on the floor. You can buy
+ items by picking them up and then using the `p' command. You can
+ inquire about the price of an item prior to picking it up by us-
+ ing the "#chat" command while standing on it. Using an item pri-
+ or to paying for it will incur a charge, and the shopkeeper won't
+ allow you to leave the shop until you have paid any debt you owe.
You can sell items to a shopkeeper by dropping them to the
floor while inside a shop. You will either be offered an amount
* 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
- 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
- own accord.
- * Shops do not get restocked with new items, regardless of inven-
- tory depletion.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- 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
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 31
+ * 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.
- NetHack Guidebook 31
+ * 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
(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" (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
+ 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 mon-
- sters such as a shopkeeper or the Oracle of Delphi can produce
+ sters 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
+ 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.
monster has moved and you don't wish to fight, you can use the
`m' command to move without fighting; likewise, if you don't re-
member a monster but want to try fighting anyway, you can use the
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 32
+
+
+
`F' command.
6.2. Your pet
Initially, your pet may even be better at killing things than
you, which makes pets useful for low-level characters.
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 32
-
-
-
Your pet will follow you up and down staircases if it is
next to you when you move. Otherwise your pet will be stranded
and may become wild. Similarly, when you trigger certain types
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.
+ successful, it will be transferred to that creature's inventory.
Use the "#loot" command while adjacent to a saddled creature
- to try to remove the saddle from that creature. If successful,
+ to try to remove the saddle from that creature. If successful,
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.
- 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.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- 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
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 33
- NetHack Guidebook 33
+ 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.
- persist 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.
+ 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
When you find something in the dungeon, it is common to want
to pick it up. In NetHack, this is accomplished automatically by
- walking over the object (unless you turn off the autopickup op-
- tion (see below), or move with the `m' prefix (see above)), or
+ walking over the object (unless you turn off the autopickup op-
+ tion (see below), or move with the `m' prefix (see above)), or
manually by using the `,' command.
- If you're carrying too many items, NetHack will tell you so
- and you won't be able to pick up anything more. Otherwise, it
- will add the object(s) to your pack and tell you what you just
+ If you're carrying too many items, NetHack will tell you so
+ and you won't be able to pick up anything more. Otherwise, it
+ will add the object(s) to your pack and tell you what you just
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 and
- sturdier you are, the less the additional load will affect you.
+ 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 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-
+ 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
+ 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.
- If you are encumbered, one of the conditions "Burdened",
+ NetHack will tell you how badly you have loaded yourself.
+ If you are encumbered, one of the conditions "Burdened",
"Stressed", "Strained", "Overtaxed" or "Overloaded" will be shown
on the bottom line status display.
When you pick up an object, it is assigned an inventory let-
- ter. Many commands that operate on objects must ask you to find
- out which object you want to use. When NetHack asks you to
- choose a particular object you are carrying, you are usually pre-
- sented with a list of inventory letters to choose from (see Com-
- mands, above).
+ ter. Many commands that operate on objects must ask you to find
- Some objects, such as weapons, are easily differentiated.
- Others, like scrolls and potions, are given descriptions which
- vary according to type. During a game, any two objects with the
- same description are the same type. However, the descriptions
- will vary from game to game.
- When you use one of these objects, if its effect is obvious,
- 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, 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,
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 34
- NetHack Guidebook 34
+ out which object you want to use. When NetHack asks you to
+ choose a particular object you are carrying, you are usually pre-
+ sented with a list of inventory letters to choose from (see Com-
+ mands, above).
+ Some objects, such as weapons, are easily differentiated.
+ Others, like scrolls and potions, are given descriptions which
+ vary according to type. During a game, any two objects with the
+ same description are the same type. However, the descriptions
+ will vary from game to game.
- specifying a space as the value will remove the prior name in-
+ When you use one of these objects, if its effect is obvious,
+ 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, 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
- Any object that you find may be cursed, even if the object
+ Any object that you find may be cursed, even if the object
is otherwise helpful. The most common effect of a curse is being
- stuck with (and to) the item. Cursed weapons weld themselves to
- your hand when wielded, so you cannot unwield them. Any cursed
- item you wear is not removable by ordinary means. In addition,
- cursed arms and armor usually, but not always, bear negative en-
+ stuck with (and to) the item. Cursed weapons weld themselves to
+ your hand when wielded, so you cannot unwield them. Any cursed
+ item you wear is not removable by ordinary means. In addition,
+ cursed arms and armor usually, but not always, bear negative en-
chantments that make them less effective in combat. Other cursed
objects may act poorly or detrimentally in other ways.
- Objects can also be blessed. Blessed items usually work
- better or more beneficially than normal uncursed items. For ex-
+ Objects can also be blessed. Blessed items usually work
+ better or more beneficially than normal uncursed items. For ex-
ample, a blessed weapon will do more damage against demons.
Objects which are neither cursed nor blessed are referred to
- as uncursed. They could just as easily have been described as
- unblessed, but the uncursed designation is what you will see
- within the game. A "glass half full versus glass half empty"
+ as uncursed. They could just as easily have been described as
+ 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.
There are magical means of bestowing or removing curses upon
- objects, so even if you are stuck with one, you can still have
- the curse lifted and the item removed. Priests and Priestesses
- have an innate sensitivity to this property in any object, so
- they can more easily avoid cursed objects than other character
+ objects, so even if you are stuck with one, you can still have
+ the curse lifted and the item removed. Priests and Priestesses
+ have an innate sensitivity to this property in any object, so
+ they can more easily avoid cursed objects than other character
roles.
- An item with unknown status will be reported in your inven-
+ 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
+ distinguished in your inventory by the presence of the word
"cursed", "uncursed" or "blessed" in the description of the item.
- In some cases "uncursed" will be omitted as being redundant when
- enough other information is displayed. The implicit_uncursed op-
- tion can be used to control this; toggle it off to have "un-
- cursed" be displayed even when that can be deduced from other at-
- tributes.
+ In some cases "uncursed" will be omitted as being redundant when
- 7.2. Weapons (`)')
- Given a chance, most monsters in the Mazes of Menace will
- gratuitously try to kill you. You need weapons for self-defense
- (killing them first). Without a weapon, you do only 1-2 hit
- points of damage (plus bonuses, if any). Monk characters are an
- exception; they normally do more damage with bare (or gloved)
- hands than they do with weapons.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- There are wielded weapons, like maces and swords, and thrown
- weapons, like arrows and spears. To hit monsters with a weapon,
- you must wield it and attack them, or throw it at them. You can
- simply elect to throw a spear. To shoot an arrow, you should
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 35
- NetHack Guidebook 35
+ enough other information is displayed. The implicit_uncursed op-
+ tion can be used to control this; toggle it off to have "un-
+ cursed" be displayed even when that can be deduced from other at-
+ tributes.
+ 7.2. Weapons (`)')
+ Given a chance, most monsters in the Mazes of Menace will
+ gratuitously try to kill you. You need weapons for self-defense
+ (killing them first). Without a weapon, you do only 1-2 hit
+ points of damage (plus bonuses, if any). Monk characters are an
+ exception; they normally do more damage with bare (or gloved)
+ hands than they do with weapons.
- first wield a bow, then throw the arrow. Crossbows shoot cross-
+ There are wielded weapons, like maces and swords, and thrown
+ weapons, like arrows and spears. To hit monsters with a weapon,
+ you must wield it and attack them, or throw it at them. You can
+ simply elect to throw a spear. To shoot an arrow, you should
+ first wield a bow, then throw the arrow. Crossbows shoot cross-
bow bolts. Slings hurl rocks and (other) stones (like gems).
- Enchanted weapons have a "plus" (or "to hit enhancement"
- which can be either positive or negative) that adds to your
- chance to hit and the damage you do to a monster. The only way
+ Enchanted weapons have a "plus" (or "to hit enhancement"
+ which can be either positive or negative) that adds to your
+ chance to hit and the damage you do to a monster. The only way
to determine a weapon's enchantment is to have it magically iden-
- tified somehow. Most weapons are subject to some type of damage
+ tified somehow. Most weapons are subject to some type of damage
like rust. Such "erosion" damage can be repaired.
- The chance that an attack will successfully hit a monster,
- and the amount of damage such a hit will do, depends upon many
- factors. Among them are: type of weapon, quality of weapon (en-
+ The chance that an attack will successfully hit a monster,
+ and the amount of damage such a hit will do, depends upon many
+ 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
+ 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
vulnerable to certain types of weapons.
- 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
- can have another weapon ready to use by setting things up with
- the `x' command, which exchanges your primary (the one being
- wielded) and alternate weapons. And if you have proficiency in
- the "two weapon combat" skill, you may wield both weapons simul-
+ 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
+ can have another weapon ready to use by setting things up with
+ the `x' command, which exchanges your primary (the one being
+ wielded) and alternate weapons. And if you have proficiency in
+ the "two weapon combat" skill, you may wield both weapons simul-
taneously as primary and secondary; use the `X' command to engage
- or disengage that. Only some types of characters (barbarians,
+ or disengage that. Only some types of characters (barbarians,
for instance) have the necessary skill available. Even with that
- skill, using two weapons at once incurs a penalty in the chance
+ skill, using two weapons at once incurs a penalty in the chance
to hit your target compared to using just one weapon at a time.
- 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
+ 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
to taking off other worn items.
- Those of you in the audience who are AD&D players, be aware
- that each weapon which existed in AD&D does roughly the same dam-
- age to monsters in NetHack. Some of the more obscure weapons
- (such as the aklys, lucern hammer, and bec-de-corbin) are defined
- in an appendix to Unearthed Arcana, an AD&D supplement.
-
- The commands to use weapons are `w' (wield), `t' (throw),
- `f' (fire, an alternate way of throwing), `Q' (quiver), `x' (ex-
- change), `X' (twoweapon), and "#enhance" (see below).
- 7.2.1. Throwing and shooting
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- You can throw just about anything via the `t' command. It
- will prompt for the item to throw; picking `?' will list things
- in your inventory which are considered likely to be thrown, or
- picking `*' will list your entire inventory. After you've chosen
- what to throw, you will be prompted for a direction rather than
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 36
- NetHack Guidebook 36
+ Those of you in the audience who are AD&D players, be aware
+ that each weapon which existed in AD&D does roughly the same dam-
+ age to monsters in NetHack. Some of the more obscure weapons
+ (such as the aklys, lucern hammer, and bec-de-corbin) are defined
+ in an appendix to Unearthed Arcana, an AD&D supplement.
+ The commands to use weapons are `w' (wield), `t' (throw),
+ `f' (fire, an alternate way of throwing), `Q' (quiver), `x' (ex-
+ change), `X' (twoweapon), and "#enhance" (see below).
+ 7.2.1. Throwing and shooting
- for a specific target. The distance something can be thrown de-
+ You can throw just about anything via the `t' command. It
+ will prompt for the item to throw; picking `?' will list things
+ in your inventory which are considered likely to be thrown, or
+ picking `*' will list your entire inventory. After you've chosen
+ what to throw, you will be prompted for a direction rather than
+ for a specific target. The distance something can be thrown de-
pends mainly on the type of object and your strength. Arrows can
- be thrown by hand, but can be thrown much farther and will be
+ be thrown by hand, but can be thrown much farther and will be
more likely to hit when thrown while you are wielding a bow.
- You can simplify the throwing operation by using the `Q'
- command to select your preferred "missile", then using the `f'
- command to throw it. You'll be prompted for a direction as
- above, but you don't have to specify which item to throw each
+ You can simplify the throwing operation by using the `Q'
+ command to select your preferred "missile", then using the `f'
+ command to throw it. You'll be prompted for a direction as
+ above, but you don't have to specify which item to throw each
time you use `f'. There is also an option, autoquiver, which has
NetHack choose another item to automatically fill your quiver (or
- quiver sack, or have at the ready) when the inventory slot used
+ quiver sack, or have at the ready) when the inventory slot used
for `Q' runs out.
- Some characters have the ability to fire a volley of multi-
- ple items in a single turn. Knowing how to load several rounds
+ Some characters have the ability to fire a volley of multi-
+ 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
- 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
+ and still hit a target is not an easy task. Rangers are among
+ 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
wielding one to shoot bolts, or in sling skill if you're wielding
one to shoot stones). The number of items that the character has
- a chance to fire varies from turn to turn. You can explicitly
- limit the number of shots by using a numeric prefix before the
- `t' or `f' command. For example, "2f" (or "n2f" if using num-
+ a chance to fire varies from turn to turn. You can explicitly
+ limit the number of shots by using a numeric prefix before the
+ `t' or `f' command. For example, "2f" (or "n2f" if using num-
ber_pad mode) would ensure that at most 2 arrows are shot even if
- you could have fired 3. If you specify a larger number than
- would have been shot ("4f" in this example), you'll just end up
+ you could have fired 3. If you specify a larger number than
+ 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 oth-
ers can still continue beyond that spot.
- 7.2.2. Weapon proficiency
- You will have varying degrees of skill in the weapons avail-
- able. Weapon proficiency, or weapon skills, affect how well you
- can use particular types of weapons, and you'll be able to im-
- prove your skills as you progress through a game, depending on
- your role, your experience level, and use of the weapons.
- For the purposes of proficiency, weapons have been divided
- up into various groups such as daggers, broadswords, and
- polearms. Each role has a limit on what level of proficiency a
- character can achieve for each group. For instance, wizards can
- become highly skilled in daggers or staves but not in swords or
- bows.
- The "#enhance" extended command is used to review current
- weapons proficiency (also spell proficiency) and to choose which
- skill(s) to improve when you've used one or more skills enough to
- become eligible to do so. The skill rankings are "none" (some-
- times also referred to as "restricted", because you won't be able
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- to advance), "unskilled", "basic", "skilled", and "expert". Re-
+ 7.2.2. Weapon proficiency
+
+ You will have varying degrees of skill in the weapons avail-
+ able. Weapon proficiency, or weapon skills, affect how well you
+ can use particular types of weapons, and you'll be able to im-
+ prove your skills as you progress through a game, depending on
+ your role, your experience level, and use of the weapons.
+
+ For the purposes of proficiency, weapons have been divided
+ up into various groups such as daggers, broadswords, and
+ polearms. Each role has a limit on what level of proficiency a
+ character can achieve for each group. For instance, wizards can
+ become highly skilled in daggers or staves but not in swords or
+ bows.
+
+ The "#enhance" extended command is used to review current
+ weapons proficiency (also spell proficiency) and to choose which
+ skill(s) to improve when you've used one or more skills enough to
+ become eligible to do so. The skill rankings are "none" (some-
+ times also referred to as "restricted", because you won't be able
+ to advance), "unskilled", "basic", "skilled", and "expert". Re-
stricted skills simply will not appear in the list shown by "#en-
hance". (Divine intervention might unrestrict a particular
skill, in which case it will start at unskilled and be limited to
- basic.) Some characters can enhance their barehanded combat or
+ basic.) Some characters can enhance their barehanded combat or
martial arts skill beyond expert to "master" or "grand master".
Use of a weapon in which you're restricted or unskilled will
incur a modest penalty in the chance to hit a monster and also in
- the amount of damage done when you do hit; at basic level, there
- is no penalty or bonus; at skilled level, you receive a modest
- bonus in the chance to hit and amount of damage done; at expert
- level, the bonus is higher. A successful hit has a chance to
- boost your training towards the next skill level (unless you've
- 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
- 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
+ the amount of damage done when you do hit; at basic level, there
+ is no penalty or bonus; at skilled level, you receive a modest
+ bonus in the chance to hit and amount of damage done; at expert
+ level, the bonus is higher. A successful hit has a chance to
+ boost your training towards the next skill level (unless you've
+ 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
+ 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
to enhance and which to ignore.
7.2.3. Two-Weapon combat
Some characters can use two weapons at once. Setting things
- up to do so can seem cumbersome but becomes second nature with
+ up to do so can seem cumbersome but becomes second nature with
use. To wield two weapons, you need to use the "#twoweapon" com-
- mand. But first you need to have a weapon in each hand. (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
+ mand. But first you need to have a weapon in each hand. (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 after
- you stop -- or before you begin, for that matter -- wielding two
+ you stop -- or before you begin, for that matter -- wielding two
weapons at once. The primary is your wielded weapon and the sec-
- ondary is just an item in your inventory that's been designated
- as alternate weapon.)
+ ondary is just an item in your inventory that's been designated
- 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
- swap your primary into your off hand, wield whatever you want as
- secondary weapon, then swap them both back into the intended
- hands. If your secondary or alternate weapon is correct but your
- primary one is not, simply use `w' to wield the primary. Lastly,
- if neither hand holds the correct weapon, use `w', `x', `w' to
- first wield the intended secondary, swap it to off hand, and then
- wield the primary.
- The whole process can be simplified via use of the push-
- weapon option. When it is enabled, then using `w' to wield some-
- thing causes the currently wielded weapon to become your alter-
- nate weapon. So the sequence `w', `w' can be used to first wield
- the weapon you intend to be secondary, and then wield the one you
- want as primary which will push the first into secondary posi-
- tion.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 38
- NetHack Guidebook 38
+ 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
+ swap your primary into your off hand, wield whatever you want as
+ secondary weapon, then swap them both back into the intended
+ hands. If your secondary or alternate weapon is correct but your
+ primary one is not, simply use `w' to wield the primary. Lastly,
+ if neither hand holds the correct weapon, use `w', `x', `w' to
+ first wield the intended secondary, swap it to off hand, and then
+ wield the primary.
+ The whole process can be simplified via use of the push-
+ weapon option. When it is enabled, then using `w' to wield some-
+ thing causes the currently wielded weapon to become your alter-
+ nate weapon. So the sequence `w', `w' can be used to first wield
+ the weapon you intend to be secondary, and then wield the one you
+ want as primary which will push the first into secondary posi-
+ tion.
- When in two-weapon combat mode, using the `X' command tog-
- gles back to single-weapon mode. Throwing or dropping either of
+ When in two-weapon combat mode, using the `X' command tog-
+ gles back to single-weapon mode. Throwing or dropping either of
the weapons or having one of them be stolen or destroyed will al-
so make you revert to single-weapon combat.
Lots of unfriendly things lurk about; you need armor to pro-
tect yourself from their blows. Some types of armor offer better
- protection than others. Your armor class is a measure of this
+ protection than others. Your armor class is a measure of this
protection. Armor class (AC) is measured as in AD&D, with 10 be-
- ing the equivalent of no armor, and lower numbers meaning better
- armor. Each suit of armor which exists in AD&D gives the same
+ ing the equivalent of no armor, and lower numbers meaning better
+ 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
leather jacket 9
no armor 10
- You can also wear other pieces of armor (for example hel-
- mets, boots, shields, cloaks) to lower your armor class even fur-
- ther, but you can only wear one item of each category (one suit
- of armor, one cloak, one helmet, one shield, and so on) at a
- time.
-
- If a piece of armor is enchanted, its armor protection will
- be better (or worse) than normal, and its "plus" (or minus) will
- subtract from your armor class. For example, a +1 chain mail
- would give you better protection than normal chain mail, lowering
- your armor class one unit further to 4. When you put on a piece
- of armor, you immediately find out the armor class and any
- "plusses" it provides. Cursed pieces of armor usually have nega-
- tive 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-
- hibit spell casting.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 39
- NetHack Guidebook 39
+ You can also wear other pieces of armor (for example hel-
+ mets, boots, shields, cloaks) to lower your armor class even fur-
+ ther, but you can only wear one item of each category (one suit
+ of armor, one cloak, one helmet, one shield, and so on) at a
+ time.
+ If a piece of armor is enchanted, its armor protection will
+ be better (or worse) than normal, and its "plus" (or minus) will
+ subtract from your armor class. For example, a +1 chain mail
+ would give you better protection than normal chain mail, lowering
+ your armor class one unit further to 4. When you put on a piece
+ of armor, you immediately find out the armor class and any
+ "plusses" it provides. Cursed pieces of armor usually have nega-
+ tive 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-
+ 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 usual-
- ly stay fresh, but ice boxes are heavy, and tins take a while to
+ ly 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
+ 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
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-
+ 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
+ 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
+ Scrolls are labeled with various titles, probably chosen by
ancient wizards for their amusement value (for example "READ ME,"
- or "THANX MAUD" backwards). Scrolls disappear after you read
+ 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,
- 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
- 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" en-
- vironment variable to the file name of your mailbox. You may al-
- so 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 variables are
- ignored. You can disable the mail daemon by turning off the mail
- option.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 40
- NetHack Guidebook 40
+ 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
+ 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" en-
+ vironment variable to the file name of your mailbox. You may al-
+ so 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 variables 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 (`/')
- Wands usually have multiple magical charges. Some types of
+ 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
+ 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.
+ 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
+ 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
- the wall, you might decide to go for broke and break your wand.
- This is not for the faint of heart. Doing so will almost cer-
- tainly cause a catastrophic release of magical energies.
-
- When you have fully identified a particular wand, inventory
- display will include additional information in parentheses: the
- number of times it has been recharged followed by a colon and
- 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 wall, you might decide to go for broke and break your wand.
- The command to use a wand is `z' (zap). To break one, use
- the `a' (apply) command.
- 7.8. Rings (`=')
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- Rings are very useful items, since they are relatively per-
- manent magic, unlike the usually fleeting effects of potions,
- scrolls, and wands.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 41
+ This is not for the faint of heart. Doing so will almost cer-
+ tainly cause a catastrophic release of magical energies.
+ When you have fully identified a particular wand, inventory
+ display will include additional information in parentheses: the
+ number of times it has been recharged followed by a colon and
+ then by its current number of charges. A current charge count of
+ -1 is a special case indicating that the wand has been cancelled.
- NetHack Guidebook 41
+ 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,
+ scrolls, and wands.
Putting on a ring activates its magic. You can wear only
two rings, one on each ring finger.
7.9. Spellbooks (`+')
Spellbooks are tomes of mighty magic. When studied with the
- `r' (read) command, they transfer to the reader the knowledge of
- a spell (and therefore eventually become unreadable) -- unless
- the attempt backfires. Reading a cursed spellbook or one with
+ `r' (read) command, they transfer to the reader the knowledge of
+ a spell (and therefore eventually become unreadable) -- unless
+ 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
+ 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. Casting temporarily drains your magical
+ 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,
+ 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'
+ 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.
+ cation rather than just specify a particular direction. Other
- Just as weapons are divided into groups in which a character
- 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
- 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
- "Weapon proficiency".)
- Casting a spell also requires flexible movement, and wearing
- various types of armor may interfere with that.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- The command to read a spellbook is the same as for scrolls,
- `r' (read). The `+' command lists each spell you know along with
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 42
- NetHack Guidebook 42
+ 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
+ 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
+ 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
+ "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,
+ `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 a tool 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 com-
- mand 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
+ You may encounter bags, boxes, and chests in your travels.
+ A tool of this sort can be opened with the "#loot" extended com-
+ mand 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
+ 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
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'
- (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.
- 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
- cases, you can still throw them by hand.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 43
+ Only one amulet may be worn at a time, around your neck.
+ The commands to use amulets are the same as for rings, `P'
+ (put on) and `R' (remove).
- NetHack Guidebook 43
+ 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.
+ 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
+ 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
+ For some configurations of the program, statues are no
+ longer shown as ``' but by the letter representing the monster
they depict instead.
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 where you 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
- exception is that if the object gets covered by the "remembered,
- unseen monster" marker. When 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,
+ cation and move to another location where you can't directly see
+ that object any more, it 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
+ exception is that if the object gets covered by the "remembered,
+ unseen monster" marker. When 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 it
- is the top one of a pile.
-
- 8. Conduct
- As if winning NetHack were not difficult enough, certain
- players seek to challenge themselves by imposing restrictions on
- the way they play the game. The game automatically tracks some
- of these challenges, which can be checked at any time with the
- #conduct command or at the end of the game. When you perform an
- action which breaks a challenge, it will no longer be listed.
- This gives players extra "bragging rights" for winning the game
- with these challenges. Note that it is perfectly acceptable to
- win the game without resorting to these restrictions and that it
- is unusual for players to adhere to challenges the first time
- they win the game.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- Several of the challenges are related to eating behavior.
- The most difficult of these is the foodless challenge. Although
+ 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 it
+ is the top one of a pile.
+
+ 8. Conduct
+
+ As if winning NetHack were not difficult enough, certain
+ players seek to challenge themselves by imposing restrictions on
+ the way they play the game. The game automatically tracks some
+ of these challenges, which can be checked at any time with the
+ #conduct command or at the end of the game. When you perform an
+ action which breaks a challenge, it will no longer be listed.
+ This gives players extra "bragging rights" for winning the game
+ with these challenges. Note that it is perfectly acceptable to
+ win the game without resorting to these restrictions and that it
+ is unusual for players to adhere to challenges the first time
+ they win the game.
+
+ 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
- a physiological need for water; thus there is no restriction on
- drinking beverages, even if they provide some minor food bene-
- fits. Calling upon your god for help with starvation does not
+ a physiological need for water; thus there is no restriction on
+ drinking beverages, even if they provide some minor food bene-
+ fits. Calling upon your god for help with starvation does not
violate any food challenges either.
- A strict vegan diet is one which avoids any food derived
+ A strict vegan diet is one which avoids any food derived
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
- 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
+ fungi (`F') are also considered to be vegetable matter. Certain
+ 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
while polymorphed into a creature that can digest it is also con-
- sidered vegan food. Note however that eating such items still
+ sidered vegan food. Note however that eating such items still
counts against foodless conduct.
- Vegetarians do not eat animals; however, they are less se-
- lective about eating animal byproducts than vegans. In addition
+ Vegetarians do not eat animals; however, they are less se-
+ lective about eating animal byproducts than vegans. In addition
to the vegan items listed above, they may eat any kind of pudding
(`P') other than the black puddings, eggs and food made from eggs
- (fortune cookies and pancakes), food made with milk (cream pies
+ (fortune cookies and pancakes), food made with milk (cream pies
and candy bars), and lumps of royal jelly. Monks are expected to
observe a vegetarian diet.
- Eating any kind of meat violates the vegetarian, vegan, and
- foodless conducts. This includes tripe rations, the corpses or
- tins of any monsters not mentioned above, and the various other
- chunks of meat found in the dungeon. Swallowing and digesting a
+ Eating any kind of meat violates the vegetarian, vegan, and
+ foodless conducts. This includes tripe rations, the corpses or
+ tins of any monsters not mentioned above, and the various other
+ chunks of meat found in the dungeon. Swallowing and digesting a
monster while polymorphed is treated as if you ate the creature's
- corpse. Eating leather, dragon hide, or bone items while poly-
- morphed into a creature that can digest it, or eating monster
+ corpse. Eating leather, dragon hide, or bone items while poly-
+ morphed into a creature that can digest it, or eating monster
brains while polymorphed into a mind flayer, is considered eating
- an animal, although wax is only an animal byproduct.
- Regardless of conduct, there will be some items which are
- indigestible, and others which are hazardous to eat. Using a
- swallow-and-digest attack against a monster is equivalent to eat-
- ing the monster's corpse. Please note that the term "vegan" is
- used here only in the context of diet. You are still free to
- choose not to use or wear items derived from animals (e.g.
- leather, dragon hide, bone, horns, coral), but the game will not
- keep track of this for you. Also note that "milky" potions may
- be a translucent white, but they do not contain milk, so they are
- compatible with a vegan diet. Slime molds or player-defined
- "fruits", although they could be anything from "cherries" to
- "pork chops", are also assumed to be vegan.
- 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
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 45
- NetHack Guidebook 45
+ an animal, although wax is only an animal byproduct.
+ Regardless of conduct, there will be some items which are
+ indigestible, and others which are hazardous to eat. Using a
+ swallow-and-digest attack against a monster is equivalent to eat-
+ ing the monster's corpse. Please note that the term "vegan" is
+ used here only in the context of diet. You are still free to
+ choose not to use or wear items derived from animals (e.g.
+ leather, dragon hide, bone, horns, coral), but the game will not
+ keep track of this for you. Also note that "milky" potions may
+ be a translucent white, but they do not contain milk, so they are
+ compatible with a vegan diet. Slime molds or player-defined
+ "fruits", although they could be anything from "cherries" to
+ "pork chops", are also assumed to be vegan.
- 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
+ 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 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.
- Most players fight with a wielded weapon (or tool intended
+ 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
+ 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).
- This is a particularly difficult challenge, although it is still
+ In NetHack, a pacifist refuses to cause the death of any
+ other monster (i.e. if you would get experience for the death).
+ This is a particularly difficult challenge, although it is still
possible to gain experience by other means.
An illiterate character cannot read or write. This includes
- reading a scroll, spellbook, fortune cookie message, or t-shirt;
+ reading a scroll, spellbook, fortune cookie message, or t-shirt;
writing a scroll; or making an engraving of anything other than a
- single "X" (the traditional signature of an illiterate person).
+ single "X" (the traditional signature of an illiterate person).
Reading an engraving, or any item that is absolutely necessary to
- win the game, is not counted against this conduct. The identity
- of scrolls and spellbooks (and knowledge of spells) in your
- starting inventory is assumed to be learned from your teachers
+ win the game, is not counted against this conduct. The identity
+ of scrolls and spellbooks (and knowledge of spells) in your
+ starting inventory is assumed to be learned from your teachers
prior to the start of the game and isn't counted.
- There are several other challenges tracked by the game. It
+ There are several other challenges tracked by the game. It
is possible to eliminate one or more species of monsters by geno-
- cide; playing without this feature is considered a challenge.
+ cide; playing without this feature is considered a challenge.
When the game offers you an opportunity to genocide monsters, you
- may respond with the monster type "none" if you want to decline.
- You can change the form of an item into another item of the same
- type ("polypiling") or the form of your own body into another
- creature ("polyself") by wand, spell, or potion of polymorph;
- avoiding these effects are each considered challenges. Polymor-
- phing monsters, including pets, does not break either of these
- challenges. Finally, you may sometimes receive wishes; a game
- without an attempt to wish for any items is a challenge, as is a
- game without wishing for an artifact (even if the artifact imme-
- diately disappears). When the game offers you an opportunity 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.
+ may respond with the monster type "none" if you want to decline.
+ You can change the form of an item into another item of the same
+ type ("polypiling") or the form of your own body into another
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
+ NetHack Guidebook 46
- NetHack Guidebook 46
+ creature ("polyself") by wand, spell, or potion of polymorph;
+ avoiding these effects are each considered challenges. Polymor-
+ phing monsters, including pets, does not break either of these
+ challenges. Finally, you may sometimes receive wishes; a game
+ without an attempt to wish for any items is a challenge, as is a
+ game without wishing for an artifact (even if the artifact imme-
+ diately disappears). When the game offers you an opportunity 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,
+ 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-
+ 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
+ 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 MS-DOS and Windows, it is
- "defaults.nh" in the same folder as nethack.exe or nethackW.exe.
- On UNIX, Linux, and Mac OS X it is ".nethackrc" in the user's
- home directory. The file may not exist, but it is a normal ASCII
- text file and can be created with any text editor.
+ ent operating systems.
+
+ On UNIX, Linux, and Mac OS X it is ".nethackrc" in the us-
+ er's home directory. The file may not exist, but it is a normal
+ ASCII text file and can be created with any text editor.
- Any line in the configuration file starting with `#' is
+ On Windows, it is ".nethackrc" in the folder "\%USERPRO-
+ FILE%\NetHack\(rq. The file may not exist, but it is a normal
+ ASCII text file can can be created with any text editor. After
+ running NetHack for the first time, you should find a default
+ template for the configuration file named ".nethackrc.template"
+ in "\%USERPROFILE%\NetHack\(rq. If you had not created the con-
+ figuration file, NetHack will create the configuration file for
+ you using the default template file.
+
+ On MS-DOS, it is "defaults.nh" in the same folder as
+ nethack.exe.
+
+ Any line in the configuration file starting with `#' is
treated as a comment. Empty lines are ignored.
- 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.
+ 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
- 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:
- 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 separated by commas in
- a single OPTIONS statement. (Comma separated options are pro-
- cessed from right to left.)
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- Example:
- OPTIONS=dogname:Fido
- OPTIONS=!legacy,autopickup,pickup_types:$"=/!?+
- HACKDIR
- Default location of files NetHack needs. On Windows HACKDIR
- defaults to the location of the NetHack.exe or NetHackw.exe
- file so setting HACKDIR to override that is not usually
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 47
+ select that section. Section names are case insensitive.
+ You can use different configuration statements in the file,
+ some of which can be used multiple times. In general, the state-
+ ments are written in capital letters, followed by an equals sign,
+ followed by settings particular to that statement.
- NetHack Guidebook 47
+ Here is a list of allowed statements:
+ OPTIONS
+ There are two types of options, boolean and compound options.
+ Boolean options toggle a setting on or off, while compound op-
+ tions take more diverse values. Prefix a boolean option with
+ "no" or `!' to turn it off. For compound options, the option
+ name and value are separated by a colon. Some options are per-
+ sistent, and apply only to new games. You can specify multiple
+ OPTIONS statements, and multiple options separated by commas in
+ a single OPTIONS statement. (Comma separated options are pro-
+ cessed from right to left.)
+ Example:
- necessary or recommended.
+ OPTIONS=dogname:Fido
+ OPTIONS=!legacy,autopickup,pickup_types:$"=/!?+
+
+ 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
AUTOCOMPLETE
Enable or disable an extended command autocompletion. Autocom-
pletion has no effect for the X11 windowport. You can specify
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 48
+
+
+
multiple autocompletions. To enable autocompletion, list the
extended command. Prefix the command with "!" to disable the
autocompletion for that command.
- Example:
+ Example:
- AUTOCOMPLETE=zap,!annotate
+ AUTOCOMPLETE=zap,!annotate
AUTOPICKUP_EXCEPTION
Set exceptions to the pickup_types option. See the "Configur-
Format is key followed by the command, separated by a colon.
See the "Changing Key Bindings" section for more information.
- Example:
+ Example:
- BIND=^X:getpos.autodescribe
+ 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:
+ 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
+ MENUCOLOR
+ Highlight menu lines with different colors. See the "Configur-
+ ing Menu Colors" section.
+ MSGTYPE
+ Change the way messages are shown in the top status line. See
+ the "Configuring Message Types" section.
+ ROGUESYMBOLS
+ Custom symbols for for the rogue level's symbol set. See SYM-
+ BOLS below.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ SOUND
+ Define a sound mapping. See the "Configuring User Sounds" sec-
+ tion.
+ SOUNDDIR
+ Define the directory that contains the sound files. See the
+ "Configuring User Sounds" section.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack Guidebook 48
- 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
+ NetHack Guidebook 49
- 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 "Configur-
- ing Menu Colors" section.
SYMBOLS
- Override one or more symbols in the symbols files. See the
+ Override one or more symbols in the symbol set used for all
+ dungeon levels except for the special rogue level. See the
"Modifying NetHack Symbols" section.
- Example:
+ Example:
- SYMBOLS=S_boulder:0
+ # replace small punctuation (tick marks) with digits
+ SYMBOLS=S_boulder:0,S_golem:7
WIZKIT
Debug mode only: extra items to add to initial inventory.
names, one per line, up to a maximum of 128 lines. Each line
is processed 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" sec-
- tion.
-
- Here is a short example of config file contents:
-
-
-
-
+ Example:
+ WIZKIT=~/wizkit.txt
+ Here is an example of configuration file contents:
+ # Set your character's role, race, gender, and alignment.
+ OPTIONS=role:Valkyrie, race:Human, gender:female, align:lawful
+ #
+ # Turn on autopickup, set automatically picked up object types
+ OPTIONS=autopickup,pickup_types:$"=/!?+
+ #
+ # Map customization
+ OPTIONS=color # Display things in color if possible
+ OPTIONS=lit_corridor # Show lit corridors differently
+ OPTIONS=hilite_pet,hilite_pile
+ # Replace small punctuation (tick marks) with digits
+ SYMBOLS=S_boulder:0,S_golem:7
+ #
+ # No startup splash screen. Windows GUI only.
+ OPTIONS=!splash_screen
+ 9.3. Using the NETHACKOPTIONS environment variable
+ The NETHACKOPTIONS variable is a comma-separated list of
+ initial values for the various options. Some can only be turned
+ on or off. You turn one of these on by adding the name of the
+ option to the list, and turn it off by typing a `!' or "no" be-
+ fore the name. Others take a character string as a value. You
+ can set string options by typing the option name, a colon or
+ equals sign, and then the value of the string. The value is ter-
+ minated by the next comma or the end of string.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack Guidebook 49
- # Set your character's role, race, gender, and alignment.
- OPTIONS=role:Valkyrie, race:Human, gender:female, align:lawful
- #
- # Turn on autopickup, set automatically picked up object types
- OPTIONS=autopickup,pickup_types:$"=/!?+
- # Show colored text if possible
- OPTIONS=color
- # Show lit corridors differently
- OPTIONS=lit_corridor
- #
- # No startup splash screen. Windows GUI only.
- OPTIONS=!splash_screen
+ NetHack Guidebook 50
- 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
- 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 color
is on, legacy is off, character name is set to "Blue Meanie", and
as a file name. If it does start with `/', the at-sign is op-
tional.
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 50
-
-
-
9.4. Customization options
Here are explanations of what the various options do. Char-
get a location on the map (default true). The whatis_coord op-
tion controls whether the description includes map coordinates.
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 51
+
+
+
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 when nothing is quivered or readied (default
- false). 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, enchant-
+ This option controls what happens when you attempt the `f'
+ (fire) command when nothing is quivered or readied (default
+ false). 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, enchant-
ment, damage, or quality of the weapon; you are free to manual-
- ly fill your quiver or quiver sack or make ready with the `Q'
+ ly 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. Persistent.
Start the character permanently blind (default false). Persis-
tent.
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 51
-
-
-
bones
- Allow saving and loading bones files (default true). Persis-
+ Allow saving and loading bones files (default true). Persis-
tent.
boulder
- Set the character used to display boulders (default is the
+ Set the character used to display boulders (default is the
"large rock" class symbol, ``').
catname
- Name your starting cat (for example "catname:Morris"). Cannot
+ Name your starting cat (for example "catname:Morris"). Cannot
be set with the `O' command.
character
- Synonym for "role" to pick the type of your character (for ex-
+ Synonym for "role" to pick the type of your character (for ex-
ample "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
- (because too much space might overflow the calculation and end
+ 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.
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 52
+
+
+
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
sponse of `n' for each candidate). Persistent. The possibili-
ties are:
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 52
-
-
-
i - disclose your inventory;
a - disclose your attributes;
v - summarize monsters that have been vanquished;
Order of the disclosure categories does not matter, program
display for end-of-game disclosure follows a set sequence.
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 53
+
+
+
(for example "disclose:yi na +v -g o") The example sets inven-
tory to prompt and default to yes, attributes to prompt and de-
fault to no, vanquished to disclose without prompting, genocid-
ed to not disclose and not prompt, conduct to implicitly prompt
- and default to no, and overview to disclose without prompting.
+ and default 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.
set with the `O' command.
extmenu
- Changes the extended commands interface to pop-up a menu of
+ 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 for the tty interface (default off).
-
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 53
-
-
+ tional interface except that it does not require that you hit
+ Enter. It is implemented for the tty interface (default off).
For the X11 interface, which always uses a menu for choosing an
extended command, it controls whether the menu shows all avail-
option will take precedence. The default is to randomly pick
an appropriate gender. If you prefix the value with `!' or
"no", you will exclude that gender from being picked randomly.
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 54
+
+
+
Cannot be set with the `O' command. Persistent.
goldX
herecmd_menu
When using a windowport that supports mouse and clicking on
yourself or next to you, show a menu of possible actions for
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 54
-
-
-
the location. Same as "#herecmdmenu" and "#therecmdmenu" com-
mands.
Ignore interrupt signals, including breaks (default off). Per-
sistent.
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 55
+
+
+
implicit_uncursed
Omit "uncursed" from inventory lists, if possible (default on).
on). Persistent.
lit_corridor
- Show corridor squares seen by night vision or a light source
+ Show corridor squares seen by night vision or a light source
held by your character as lit (default off). Persistent.
lootabc
- When using a menu to interact with a container, use the old
- `a', `b', and `c' keyboard shortcuts rather than the mnemonics
+ When using a menu to interact with a container, use the old
+ `a', `b', and `c' keyboard shortcuts rather than the mnemonics
`o', `i', and `b' (default off). Persistent.
mail
Enable mail delivery during the game (default on). Persistent.
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 55
-
-
-
male
An obsolete synonym for "gender:male". Cannot be set with the
`O' command.
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
- Menu character accelerator to jump to the first page in a menu.
- Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Default `^'.
- menu_headings
- 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 February 3, 2023
- 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 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 56
+ menu_first_page
+ Menu character accelerator to jump to the first page in a menu.
+ Implemented by the Amiga, Gem and tty ports. Default `^'.
- NetHack Guidebook 56
+ menu_headings
+ 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 `@'.
+ 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-
+ 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
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
`,'.
monpolycontrol
Prompt for new form whenever any monster changes shape (default
- off). Debug mode only.
- mouse_support
- Allow use of the mouse for input and travel. Valid settings
- are:
-
- 0 - disabled
- 1 - enabled and make OS adjustments to support mouse use in the game
- 2 - like 1 but does not make any OS adjustments
- Omitting a value is the same as specifying 1 and negating
- mouse_support is the same as specifying 0.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- msghistory
- The number of top line messages to keep (and be able to recall
- with `^P') (default 20). Cannot be set with the `O' command.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 57
+ off). Debug mode only.
+ mouse_support
+ Allow use of the mouse for input and travel. Valid settings
+ are:
- NetHack Guidebook 57
+ 0 - disabled
+ 1 - enabled and make OS adjustments to support mouse use
+ 2 - like 1 but does not make any OS adjustments
+ Omitting a value is the same as specifying 1 and negating
+ mouse_support is the same as specifying 0.
+ msghistory
+ The number of top line messages to keep (and be able to recall
+ with `^P') (default 20). Cannot be set with the `O' command.
msg_window
- Allows you to change the way recalled messages are displayed.
- Currently it is only supported for tty (all four choices) and
- for curses (`f' and `r' choices, default `r'). The possible
+ Allows you to change the way recalled messages are displayed.
+ Currently it is only supported for tty (all four choices) and
+ for curses (`f' and `r' choices, default `r'). The possible
values 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
+ 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
+ Set your character's name (defaults to your user name). You
+ 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
Use digit keys instead of letters to move (default 0 or off).
Valid settings are:
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 58
+
+
+
0 - move by letters; "yuhjklbn"
1 - move by numbers; digit `5' acts as `G' movement prefix
2 - like 1 but `5' works as `g' prefix instead of as `G'
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'
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 58
-
-
-
("n12s").
packorder
ing a peaceful monster;
wand-break - require "yes" rather than `y' to confirm breaking
a wand;
+ eating - require "yes" rather than `y' to confirm whether
+ to continue eating;
Were-change - require "yes" rather than `y' to confirm changing
- form due to lycanthropy when hero has polymorph
+ form due to lycanthropy when hero has polymorph
control;
- pray - require `y' to confirm an attempt to pray rather
+ 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
+ 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 setting
- 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-
- plement this feature.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- petattr
- Specifies one or more text highlighting attributes to use when
- showing pets on the map. Effectively a superset of the
- hilite_pet boolean option. Curses interface only; value is one
- or more of the following letters.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 59
- NetHack Guidebook 59
+ 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 setting
+ 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-
+ plement this feature.
+
+ petattr
+ Specifies one or more text highlighting attributes to use when
+ showing pets on the map. Effectively a superset of the
+ hilite_pet boolean option. Curses interface only; value is one
+ or more of the following letters.
n - Normal text (no highlighting)
i - Inverse video (default)
l - Left line indicator
r - Right line indicator
- Some of those choices might not work, particularly the final
- three, depending upon terminal hardware or terminal emulation
+ Some of those choices might not work, particularly the final
+ three, depending upon terminal hardware or terminal emulation
software.
- Currently multiple highlight-style letters can be combined by
- simply stringing them together (for example, "bk"), but in the
- future they might require being separated by plus signs (such
- as "b+k", which works already). When using the `n' choice, it
- should be specified on its own, not in combination with any of
+ Currently multiple highlight-style letters can be combined by
+ simply stringing them together (for example, "bk"), but in the
+ future they might require being separated by plus signs (such
+ as "b+k", which works already). When using the `n' choice, it
+ should be specified on its own, not in combination with any of
the other letters.
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", "dog",
+ 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 ignored. For
- example, "horse" will only be honored when playing a knight.
+ you are currently playing, it will be silently ignored. For
+ example, "horse" will only be honored when playing 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
- match an autopickup exception. Default is on. Persistent.
- 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.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- 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.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 60
- NetHack Guidebook 60
-
+ 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
+ match an autopickup exception. Default is on. Persistent.
+ 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.
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 ran-
- dom. If you prefix the value with `!' or "no", you will ex-
+ dom. If you prefix the value with `!' or "no", you will ex-
clude 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 `.' (#wait) command (de-
+ Make the space bar a synonym for the `.' (#wait) command (de-
fault off). Persistent.
role
- Pick your type of character (for example "role:Samurai"); syn-
- onym for "character". See "name" for an alternate method of
- specifying your role. Normally only the first letter of the
- value is examined; `r' is an exception with "Rogue", "Ranger",
+ Pick your type of character (for example "role:Samurai"); syn-
+ onym for "character". See "name" for an alternate method of
+ specifying 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
+ 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
- screen on the rogue level.
- rlecomp
- When writing out a save file, perform run length compression of
- 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
- mouse click). The possible values are:
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- teleport - update the map after movement has finished;
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 61
- NetHack Guidebook 61
+ roguesymset
+ 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.
+ rlecomp
+ When writing out a save file, perform run length compression of
+ 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
+ mouse click). The possible values are:
+ teleport - update the map after movement has finished;
run - update the map after every seven or so steps;
walk - update the map after each step;
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.
sanity_check
off). Debug mode only.
scores
- Control what parts of the score list you are shown at the end
- (for example "scores:5 top scores/4 around my score/own
+ Control what parts of the score list you are shown at the end
+ (for example "scores:5 top scores/4 around my score/own
scores"). Only the first letter of each category (`t', `a', or
`o') is necessary. Persistent.
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
Show your approximate accumulated score on bottom line (default
off). Persistent.
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 62
+
+
+
silent
Suppress terminal beeps (default on). Persistent.
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:
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.
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 62
-
-
-
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.
statushilites
- Controls how many turns status hilite behaviors highlight the
- field. If negated or set to zero, disables status hiliting.
+ 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
+ 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
- alert notification messages about feature changes for that and
+ This option may be set to a NetHack version level to suppress
+ alert notification messages about feature changes for that and
prior versions (for example "suppress_alert:3.3.1").
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. Use "symset:default" to explicitly select the default
+ This option may be used to select one of the named symbol sets
+ found within "symbols" to alter the symbols displayed on the
+ screen. Use "symset:default" to explicitly select the default
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 de-
- fault is on if configured into the program.) Persistent.
+ 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
- tombstone
- Draw a tombstone graphic upon your death (default on). Persis-
- tent.
- 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 February 3, 2023
- travel
- Allow the travel command (default on). Turning this option off
- will prevent the game from attempting unintended moves if you
- make inadvertent mouse clicks on the map window. Persistent.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 63
- NetHack Guidebook 63
+ default is on if configured into the program.) Persistent.
+
+ tombstone
+ Draw a tombstone graphic upon your death (default on). Persis-
+ tent.
+ 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.
+ travel
+ Allow the travel command (default on). Turning this option off
+ 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
+ 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:
whatis_filter
When getting a location on the map, and using the keys to cycle
- through next and previous targets, allows filtering the possi-
+ 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
+ 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)
- 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
- When the program has been built to support multiple interfaces,
- select which one to use, such as "tty" or "X11" (default de-
- pends on build-time settings; use "#version" to check). Cannot
- be set with the `O' command.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 64
+ Filtering can also be changed when getting a location with the
+ "getpos.filter" key.
- NetHack Guidebook 64
+ 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)
+ 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
+ When the program has been built to support multiple interfaces,
+ select which one to use, such as "tty" or "X11" (default de-
+ pends on build-time settings; use "#version" to check). Cannot
+ be set with the `O' command.
- When used, it should be the first option set since its value
- might enable or disable the availability of various other op-
- tions. For multiple lines in a configuration file, that would
- be the first non-comment line. For a comma-separated list in
+ When used, it should be the first option set since its value
+ might enable or disable the availability of various other op-
+ tions. For multiple lines in a configuration file, that would
+ be the first non-comment line. For a comma-separated list in
NETHACKOPTIONS or an OPTIONS line in a configuration file, that
would be the rightmost option in the list.
off). Debug mode only.
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-
- mand.
+ truncated. Not all window ports will adjust for all settings
+ listed here. You can safely add any of these options to your
+ configuration file, and if the window port is capable of adjust-
+ ing 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 supported by the window port that you are currently using by
+ checking to see if it shows up in the Options list. Some options
+ are dynamic and can be specified during the game with the `O'
+ command.
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)
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 65
+
+
+
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
- If NetHack can, it should display an ascii character map if it
+ If NetHack can, it should display an ascii character map if it
can.
color
monsters, objects, and dungeon features.
eight_bit_tty
- If NetHack can, it should pass eight-bit character values (for
- example, specified with the traps option) straight through to
+ 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
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 65
-
-
-
map window.
font_menu
- If NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for
+ If NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for
menu windows.
font_message
status window.
font_text
- If NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for
+ If NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for
text windows.
font_size_map
- If NetHack can, it should use this size font for the map win-
+ If NetHack can, it should use this size font for the map win-
dow.
font_size_menu
- If NetHack can, it should use this size font for menu windows.
+ If NetHack can, it should use this size font for menu windows.
font_size_message
If NetHack can, it should use this size font for the message
window.
font_size_text
- If NetHack can, it should use this size font for text windows.
-
- fullscreen
- If NetHack can, it should try and display on the entire screen
- rather than in a window.
+ If NetHack can, it should use this size font for text windows.
- guicolor
- Use color text and/or highlighting attributes when displaying
- some non-map data (such as menu selector letters). Curses in-
- terface only; default is on.
- large_font
- If NetHack can, it should use a large font.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- map_mode
- If NetHack can, it should display the map in the manner speci-
- fied.
- player_selection
- If NetHack can, it should pop up dialog boxes, or use prompts
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 66
+ fullscreen
+ If NetHack can, it should try and display on the entire screen
+ rather than in a window.
- NetHack Guidebook 66
+ guicolor
+ Use color text and/or highlighting attributes when displaying
+ some non-map data (such as menu selector letters). Curses in-
+ terface only; default is on.
+ large_font
+ If NetHack can, it should use a large font.
+ map_mode
+ If NetHack can, it should display the map in the manner speci-
+ fied.
+ player_selection
+ If NetHack can, it should pop up dialog boxes, or use prompts
for character selection.
popup_dialog
preload_tiles
If NetHack can, it should preload tiles into memory. For exam-
- ple, in the protected mode MS-DOS 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
+ ple, in the protected mode MS-DOS 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. (default on). Cannot be set with the `O' command.
scroll_amount
- If NetHack can, it should scroll the display by this number of
+ If NetHack can, it should scroll the display by this number of
cells when the hero reaches the scroll_margin.
scroll_margin
- 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-
+ 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
- If NetHack can, it should display a menu of existing saved
+ 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
it starts up (default yes).
statuslines
- Number of lines for traditional below-the-map status display.
- Acceptable values are 2 and 3 (default is 2). Curses and tty
- interfaces only.
+ Number of lines for traditional below-the-map status display.
- term_cols and
- term_rows
- Curses interface only. Number of columns and rows to use for
- the display. Curses will attempt to resize to the values spec-
- ified but will settle for smaller sizes if they are too big.
- Default is the current window size.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- tiled_map
- 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
- default.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 67
+ Acceptable values are 2 and 3 (default is 2). Curses and tty
+ interfaces only.
+ term_cols and
- NetHack Guidebook 67
+ term_rows
+ Curses interface only. Number of columns and rows to use for
+ the display. Curses will attempt to resize to the values spec-
+ ified but will settle for smaller sizes if they are too big.
+ Default is the current window size.
+ tiled_map
+ 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
+ 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
If NetHack can, it should display windows with the specified
foreground/background colors. Windows GUI only. The format is
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 68
+
+
+
OPTION=windowcolors:wintype foreground/background
where wintype is one of "menu", "message", "status", or
If NetHack can, it should wrap long lines of text if they don't
fit in the visible area of the window.
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 68
-
-
-
9.6. Platform-specific Customization options
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
- the .dll extension and without any path information. Cannot be
- set with the `O' command.
+ altkeyhandling
+ Select an alternate way to handle keystrokes (Win32 tty NetHack
+ only). The name of the handling type is one of "default",
+ "ray", "340".
altmeta
On Amiga, this option controls whether typing "Alt" plus anoth-
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
+ 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
+ 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
- (default off, Amiga NetHack only).
- MACgraphics
- (default on, Mac NetHack only).
- 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
- 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.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- soundcard
- (default on, PC NetHack only). Cannot be set with the `O'
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 69
- NetHack Guidebook 69
+ flush
+ (default off, Amiga NetHack only).
+ MACgraphics
+ (default on, Mac NetHack only).
+
+ 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
+ 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.
- command.
+ soundcard
+ (default on, PC NetHack only). Cannot be set with the `O' com-
+ 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-
- ments in the config file if needed. Cannot be set with the `O'
- command.
+ 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 configuration 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. This applies to Autopickup exceptions, Message types, Menu
- colors, and User sounds.
+ Regular expressions are normally POSIX extended regular ex-
+ pressions. It is possible to compile NetHack without regular
- 9.8. Configuring Autopickup Exceptions
- You can further refine the behavior of the autopickup option
- beyond what is available through the pickup_types option.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- 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
- Sets an exception to the pickup_types option. The autopick-
- up_exception option should be followed by a regular expression
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 70
+ expression support on a platform where there is no regular ex-
+ pression library. While this is not true of any modern platform,
+ if your NetHack was built this way, patterns are instead glob
+ patterns. This applies to Autopickup exceptions, Message types,
+ Menu colors, and User sounds.
- NetHack Guidebook 70
+ 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.
- to be used as a pattern to match against the singular form of
+ autopickup_exception
+ Sets an exception to the pickup_types option. The autopick-
+ up_exception option should be followed by a regular expression
+ to be used as a pattern to match against the singular form of
the description of an object at your location.
- In addition, some characters are treated specially if they oc-
+ In addition, some characters are treated specially if they oc-
cur as the first character in the pattern, specifically:
< - always pickup an object that matches rest of pattern;
> - never pickup an object that matches rest of pattern.
- A "never pickup" rule takes precedence over an "always pickup"
- rule if both match.
+ The autopickup_exception rules are processed in the order in
+ which they appear in your configuration file, thus allowing a
+ later rule to override an earlier rule.
- Exceptions can be set with the `O' command, but ones set that
- way will not be preserved across saves and restores.
+ Exceptions can be set with the `O' command, but because they
+ are not included in your configuration file, they won't be in
+ effect if you save and then restore your game. autopickup_ex-
+ ception rules and not saved with the game.
Here are some examples:
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"),
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 71
+
+
+
a meta key ("M-x"), or a three-digit decimal ASCII code.
For example:
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.
+ OPTIONS lines in the configuration file. You cannot bind ob-
+ ject symbols into menu accelerators.
Special command keys
Below are the special commands you can rebind. Some of them
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 71
-
-
-
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
commands will be available. Special command can only be bound
fault is `s'.
getpos.autodescribe
- When asked for a location, the key to toggle autodescribe. De-
- fault is `#'.
+ When asked for a location, the key to toggle autodescribe.
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 72
+
+
+
+ Default is `#'.
getpos.all.next
When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest inter-
When asked for a location, the key to show help. Default is
`?'.
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 72
-
-
-
getpos.mon.next
When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest mon-
ster. Default is `m'.
Toggles between no filtering, in view only, and in the same
area only. Default is `"'.
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 73
+
+
+
getpos.pick
When asked for a location, the key to choose the location, and
possibly ask for more info. Default is `.'.
When asked for a location, the key to go to your location. De-
fault is `@'.
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 73
-
-
-
getpos.unexplored.next
When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest unex-
plored location. Default is `x'.
repeat
Key to repeat previous command. Default is `^A'.
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 74
+
+
+
reqmenu
Prefix key to request menu from some commands. Default is `m'.
Prefix key to run towards a direction. Default is `G'.
run.nopickup
- Prefix key to run towards a direction without picking up items
+ Prefix key to run towards a direction without picking up items
on the way. Default is `M'.
run.numpad
- Prefix key to run towards a direction. With number_pad only.
+ Prefix key to run towards a direction. With number_pad only.
Default is `5'.
rush
You can change the way the messages are shown in the message
area, when the message matches a user-defined pattern.
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 74
-
-
-
- In general, the config file entries to configure the message
- types look like this: MSGTYPE=type "pattern"
+ In general, the configuration file entries to describe the
+ message types look like this: MSGTYPE=type "pattern"
type - how the message should be shown;
pattern - the pattern to match.
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-
+ 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
+ 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,
- the user is prompted with more-prompt, and a message matching
+ 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.
- The order of the defined MSGTYPE-lines is important; the last
- matching rule is used. Put the general case first, exceptions
+ The order of the defined MSGTYPE lines is important; the last
+ matching rule is used. Put the general case first, exceptions
below them.
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 75
+
+
+
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
- tty, win32tty and win32gui support this.
+ when the line matches a user-defined pattern. At this time the
+ tty, curses, win32tty and win32gui interfaces support this.
- In general, the config file entries to configure the menu
- color mappings look like this:
+ In general, the configuration file entries to describe the
+ menu color mappings look like this:
MENUCOLOR="pattern"=color&attribute
pattern - the pattern to match;
- color - the color to use for lines matching the pat-
+ color - the color to use for lines matching the pat-
tern;
- attribute - the attribute to use for lines matching the
- pattern. The attribute is optional, and if
+ attribute - the attribute to use for lines matching the
+ pattern. The attribute is optional, and if
left out, you must also leave out the preced-
- ing ampersand. If no attribute is defined,
+ ing ampersand. If no attribute is defined,
no attribute is used.
The pattern should be a regular expression.
- Allowed colors are black, red, green, brown, blue, magenta,
- cyan, gray, orange, light-green, yellow, light-blue, light-
+ Allowed colors are black, red, green, brown, blue, magenta,
+ cyan, gray, orange, light-green, yellow, light-blue, light-ma-
+ genta, light-cyan, and white. And no-color, the default fore-
+ ground color, which isn't necessarily the same as any of the
+ other colors.
+
+ Allowed attributes are none, bold, dim, underline, blink, and
+ inverse. "Normal" is a synonym for "none". Note that the
+ platform used may interpret the attributes any way it wants.
+
+ Here's an example of menu colors using NetHack's internal pat-
+ tern matching facility:
+ MENUCOLOR="* blessed *"=green
+ MENUCOLOR="* cursed *"=red
+ MENUCOLOR="* cursed *(being worn)"=red&underline
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ 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-
+ uration file, and the last MENUCOLOR line 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 im-
+ plicit_uncursed option off so that all items known to be uncursed
+ are actually displayed with the "uncursed" description.
- NetHack Guidebook 75
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- magenta, light-cyan, and white. And no-color, the default
- foreground color, which isn't necessarily the same as any of
- the other colors.
- Allowed attributes are none, bold, dim, underline, blink, and
- inverse. "Normal" is a synonym for "none". Note that the
- platform used may interpret the attributes any way it wants.
- Here's an example of menu colors using NetHack's internal pat-
- tern matching facility:
- MENUCOLOR="* blessed *"=green
- MENUCOLOR="* cursed *"=red
- MENUCOLOR="* cursed *(being worn)"=red&underline
+ NetHack Guidebook 76
- 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 im-
- plicit_uncursed option off so that all items known to be uncursed
- are actually displayed with the "uncursed" description.
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
+ 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:
+ The following configuration file entries are relevant to
+ mapping user sounds to messages:
SOUNDDIR
The directory that houses the sound files to be played.
SOUND
- An entry that maps a sound file to a user-specified message
- pattern. Each SOUND entry is broken down into the following
+ An entry that maps a sound file to a user-specified message
+ pattern. Each SOUND entry is broken down into the following
parts:
- MESG - message window mapping (the only one supported in
+ MESG - message window mapping (the only one supported in
3.6);
pattern - the pattern to match;
sound file - the sound file to play;
The pattern should be a POSIX extended regular expression.
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 76
-
-
-
9.13. Configuring Status Hilites
Your copy of NetHack may have been compiled with support for
OPTION=hilite_status:wisdom/down/red/up/green
Allowed colors are black, red, green, brown, blue, magenta,
- cyan, gray, orange, light-green, yellow, light-blue, light-magen-
- ta, light-cyan, and white. And "no-color", the default fore-
- ground color on the display, which is not necessarily the same as
- black or white or any of the other colors.
+ cyan, gray, orange, light-green, yellow, light-blue, light-
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 77
+
+
+
+ magenta, light-cyan, and white. And "no-color", the default
+ foreground color on the display, which is not necessarily the
+ same as black or white or any of the other colors.
Allowed attributes are none, bold, dim, underline, blink,
and inverse. "Normal" is a synonym for "none"; they should not
You can adjust the appearance of the following status
fields:
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 77
-
-
-
title dungeon-level experience-level
strength gold experience
dexterity hitpoints HD
* "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.
+ * "up", "down" set the field attributes for when the field
+ value changes upwards or downwards. This attribute times
- * "changed" sets the field attribute for when the field val-
- ue changes. This attribute times out after statushilites
- turns. (If a field has both a "changed" rule and an "up"
- or "down" rule which matches a change in the field's val-
- ue, the "up" or "down" one takes precedence.)
- * percentage sets the field attribute when the field value
- matches the percentage. It is specified as a number be-
- tween 0 and 100, followed by `%' (percent sign). If the
- percentage is prefixed with `<=' or `>=', it also matches
- when value is below or above the percentage. Use prefix
- `<' or `>' to match when strictly below or above. (The
- numeric limit is relaxed slightly for those: >-1% and
- <101% are allowed.) Only valid for "hitpoints" and "pow-
- er" fields.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- * absolute value sets the attribute when the field value
- matches that number. The number must be 0 or higher, ex-
- cept for "armor-class' which allows negative values, and
- may optionally be preceded by `='. If the number is pre-
- ceded by `<=' or `>=' instead, it also matches when value
- is below or above. If the prefix is `<' or `>', only
- match when strictly above or below.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 78
- NetHack Guidebook 78
+ out after statushilites turns.
+ * "changed" sets the field attribute for when the field val-
+ ue changes. This attribute times out after statushilites
+ turns. (If a field has both a "changed" rule and an "up"
+ or "down" rule which matches a change in the field's val-
+ ue, the "up" or "down" one takes precedence.)
+ * percentage sets the field attribute when the field value
+ matches the percentage. It is specified as a number be-
+ tween 0 and 100, followed by `%' (percent sign). If the
+ percentage is prefixed with `<=' or `>=', it also matches
+ when value is below or above the percentage. Use prefix
+ `<' or `>' to match when strictly below or above. (The
+ numeric limit is relaxed slightly for those: >-1% and
+ <101% are allowed.) Only four fields support percentage
+ rules. Percentages for "hitpoints" and "power" are
+ straightforward; they're based on the corresponding maxi-
+ mum field. Percentage highlight rules are also allowed
+ for "experience level" and "experience points" (valid when
+ the showexp option is enabled). For those, the percentage
+ is based on the progress from the start of the current ex-
+ perience level to the start of the next level. So if lev-
+ el 2 starts at 20 points and level 3 starts at 40 points,
+ having 30 points is 50% and 35 points is 75%. 100% is
+ unattainable for experience because you'll gain a level
+ and the calculations will be reset for that new level, but
+ a rule for =100% is allowed and matches the special case
+ of being exactly 1 experience point short of the next lev-
+ el.
+
+ * absolute value sets the attribute when the field value
+ matches that number. The number must be 0 or higher, ex-
+ cept for "armor-class' which allows negative values, and
+ may optionally be preceded by `='. If the number is pre-
+ ceded by `<=' or `>=' instead, it also matches when value
+ is below or above. If the prefix is `<' or `>', only
+ match when strictly above or below.
* text match sets the attribute when the field value matches
the text. Text matches can only be used for "alignment",
the character's name is ignored.
The in-game options menu can help you determine the correct
- syntax for a config file.
+ syntax for a configuration file.
The whole feature can be disabled by setting option sta-
tushilites to 0.
Example hilites:
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 79
+
+
+
OPTION=hilite_status: gold/up/yellow/down/brown
OPTION=hilite_status: characteristics/up/green/down/red
OPTION=hilite_status: hitpoints/100%/gray&normal
play on the rogue level.
You can also override one or more symbols using the SYMBOLS
- 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 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.
+ and ROGUESYMBOLS configuration file options. Symbols are speci-
+ fied as name:value pairs. Note that NetHack escape-processes the
+ value string in conventional C fashion. This means that \ is a
+ prefix to take the following 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
- Default Symbol Name Description
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- S_air (air)
- _ S_altar (altar)
+ NetHack Symbols
+ Symbol Name Description
+ -----------------------------------------------------------------
+ S_air (air)
+ _ S_altar (altar)
+ " S_amulet (amulet)
+ A S_angel (angelic being)
+ a S_ant (ant or other insect)
+ ^ S_anti_magic_trap (anti-magic field)
+ [ S_armor (suit or piece of armor)
+ [ S_armour (suit or piece of armor)
+ ^ S_arrow_trap (arrow trap)
+ 0 S_ball (iron ball)
+ # S_bars (iron bars)
+ B S_bat (bat or bird)
+ ^ S_bear_trap (bear trap)
+ - S_blcorn (bottom left corner)
+ b S_blob (blob)
+ + S_book (spellbook)
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack Guidebook 79
+ NetHack Guidebook 80
- " S_amulet (amulet)
- A S_angel (angelic being)
- a S_ant (ant or other insect)
- ^ S_anti_magic_trap (anti-magic field)
- [ S_armor (suit or piece of armor)
- [ S_armour (suit or piece of armor)
- ^ S_arrow_trap (arrow trap)
- 0 S_ball (iron ball)
- # S_bars (iron bars)
- B S_bat (bat or bird)
- ^ S_bear_trap (bear trap)
- - S_blcorn (bottom left corner)
- b S_blob (blob)
- + S_book (spellbook)
- ) S_boomleft (boomerang open left)
- ( S_boomright (boomerang open right)
- ` S_boulder (boulder)
- - S_brcorn (bottom right corner)
- C S_centaur (centaur)
- _ S_chain (iron chain)
- # S_cloud (cloud)
- c S_cockatrice (cockatrice)
- $ 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)
- > S_dnladder (ladder down)
- > S_dnstair (staircase down)
- d S_dog (dog or other canine)
- D S_dragon (dragon)
- ; S_eel (sea monster)
- E S_elemental (elemental)
- / S_explode1 (explosion top left)
- - S_explode2 (explosion top center)
- \ 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_explode8 (explosion bottom center)
- / S_explode9 (explosion bottom right)
- e S_eye (eye or sphere)
- ^ S_falling_rock_trap (falling rock trap)
- f S_feline (cat or other feline)
- ^ S_fire_trap (fire trap)
- ! S_flashbeam (flash beam)
- % S_food (piece of food)
- { S_fountain (fountain)
- F S_fungus (fungus or mold)
- * S_gem (gem or rock)
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ ) S_boomleft (boomerang open left)
+ ( S_boomright (boomerang open right)
+ ` S_boulder (boulder)
+ - S_brcorn (bottom right corner)
+ C S_centaur (centaur)
+ _ S_chain (iron chain)
+ # S_cloud (cloud)
+ c S_cockatrice (cockatrice)
+ $ 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)
+ > S_dnladder (ladder down)
+ > S_dnstair (staircase down)
+ d S_dog (dog or other canine)
+ D S_dragon (dragon)
+ ; S_eel (sea monster)
+ E S_elemental (elemental)
+ / S_explode1 (explosion top left)
+ - S_explode2 (explosion top center)
+ \ 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_explode8 (explosion bottom center)
+ / S_explode9 (explosion bottom right)
+ e S_eye (eye or sphere)
+ ^ S_falling_rock_trap (falling rock trap)
+ f S_feline (cat or other feline)
+ ^ S_fire_trap (fire trap)
+ ! S_flashbeam (flash beam)
+ % S_food (piece of food)
+ { S_fountain (fountain)
+ F S_fungus (fungus or mold)
+ * S_gem (gem or rock)
+ 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 February 3, 2023
- NetHack Guidebook 80
+ NetHack Guidebook 81
- 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)
- - 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)
- K S_kop (Keystone Kop)
- ^ S_land_mine (land mine)
- } S_lava (molten lava)
- l S_leprechaun (leprechaun)
- ^ S_level_teleporter (level teleporter)
- L S_lich (lich)
- y S_light (light)
- # S_litcorr (lit corridor)
- : S_lizard (lizard)
- \ 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 without door)
- n S_nymph (nymph)
- O S_ogre (ogre)
- o S_orc (orc)
- p S_piercer (piercer)
- ^ S_pit (pit)
- # S_poisoncloud (poison cloud)
- ^ S_polymorph_trap (polymorph trap)
- } S_pool (water)
- ! S_potion (potion)
- P S_pudding (pudding or ooze)
- q S_quadruped (quadruped)
- Q S_quantmech (quantum mechanic)
- = S_ring (ring)
- ` S_rock (boulder or statue)
- r S_rodent (rodent)
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ - 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)
+ K S_kop (Keystone Kop)
+ ^ S_land_mine (land mine)
+ } S_lava (molten lava)
+ l S_leprechaun (leprechaun)
+ ^ S_level_teleporter (level teleporter)
+ L S_lich (lich)
+ y S_light (light)
+ # S_litcorr (lit corridor)
+ : S_lizard (lizard)
+ \ 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 without door)
+ n S_nymph (nymph)
+ O S_ogre (ogre)
+ o S_orc (orc)
+ p S_piercer (piercer)
+ ^ S_pit (pit)
+ # S_poisoncloud (poison cloud)
+ ^ S_polymorph_trap (polymorph trap)
+ } S_pool (water)
+ ! S_potion (potion)
+ P S_pudding (pudding or ooze)
+ q S_quadruped (quadruped)
+ Q S_quantmech (quantum mechanic)
+ = S_ring (ring)
+ ` S_rock (boulder or statue)
+ r S_rodent (rodent)
+ ^ S_rolling_boulder_trap (rolling boulder trap)
+ . 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 February 3, 2023
- NetHack Guidebook 81
+ NetHack Guidebook 82
- ^ S_rolling_boulder_trap (rolling boulder trap)
- . 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)
- @ 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_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_tdwall (wall)
- ^ S_teleportation_trap (teleportation trap)
- \ S_throne (opulent throne)
- - S_tlcorn (top left corner)
- | S_tlwall (wall)
- ( S_tool (useful item (pick-axe, key, lamp...))
- ^ S_trap_door (trap door)
- t S_trapper (trapper or lurker above)
- - S_trcorn (top right corner)
- # S_tree (tree)
- T S_troll (troll)
- | S_trwall (wall)
- - S_tuwall (wall)
- U S_umber (umber hulk)
- u S_unicorn (unicorn or horse)
- < S_upladder (ladder up)
- < S_upstair (staircase up)
- V S_vampire (vampire)
- | S_vbeam (vertical beam [zap animation])
- # S_vcdbridge (vertical raised drawbridge)
- + S_vcdoor (closed door in vertical wall)
- . S_venom (splash of venom)
- ^ S_vibrating_square (vibrating square)
- . S_vodbridge (vertical lowered drawbridge)
- - S_vodoor (open door in vertical wall)
- v S_vortex (vortex)
-
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ @ S_ss3 (magic shield 3 of 4)
+ * S_ss4 (magic shield 4 of 4)
+ ^ S_statue_trap (statue trap)
+ S_stone (solid rock or unexplored terrain
+ or dark part of a room)
+ ] S_strange_obj (strange object)
+ - S_sw_bc (swallow bottom center)
+ \ 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_tdwall (wall)
+ ^ S_teleportation_trap (teleportation trap)
+ \ S_throne (opulent throne)
+ - S_tlcorn (top left corner)
+ | S_tlwall (wall)
+ ( S_tool (useful item (pick-axe, key, lamp...))
+ ^ S_trap_door (trap door)
+ t S_trapper (trapper or lurker above)
+ - S_trcorn (top right corner)
+ # S_tree (tree)
+ T S_troll (troll)
+ | S_trwall (wall)
+ - S_tuwall (wall)
+ U S_umber (umber hulk)
+ u S_unicorn (unicorn or horse)
+ < S_upladder (ladder up)
+ < S_upstair (staircase up)
+ V S_vampire (vampire)
+ | S_vbeam (vertical beam [zap animation])
+ # S_vcdbridge (vertical raised drawbridge)
+ + S_vcdoor (closed door in vertical wall)
+ . S_venom (splash of venom)
+ ^ S_vibrating_square (vibrating square)
+ . S_vodbridge (vertical lowered drawbridge)
+ - S_vodoor (open door in vertical wall)
+ v S_vortex (vortex)
+ | S_vwall (vertical wall)
+ / S_wand (wand)
+ } S_water (water)
+ ) S_weapon (weapon)
+ " S_web (web)
+ w S_worm (worm)
+ ~ S_worm_tail (long worm tail)
+ W S_wraith (wraith)
+ x S_xan (xan or other extraordinary insect)
+ X S_xorn (xorn)
+ Y S_yeti (apelike creature)
+ Z S_zombie (zombie)
+ z S_zruty (zruty)
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack Guidebook 82
+ NetHack Guidebook 83
+
+
+ S_pet_override (any pet if ACCESSIBILITY=1 is set)
+ S_hero_override (hero if ACCESSIBILITY=1 is set)
+ Notes:
- | S_vwall (vertical wall)
- / S_wand (wand)
- } S_water (water)
- ) S_weapon (weapon)
- " S_web (web)
- w S_worm (worm)
- ~ S_worm_tail (long worm tail)
- W S_wraith (wraith)
- 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)
-
- 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.
+ * Several symbols in this table appear to be blank. They are the
+ space character, except for S_pet_override and S_hero_override
+ which don't have any default value and can only be used if en-
+ abled in the "sysconf" file.
+
+ * S_rock is misleadingly named; rocks and stones use S_gem.
+ Statues and boulders are the rock being referred to, but since
+ version 3.6.0, statues are displayed as the monster they de-
+ pict. So S_rock is only used for boulders and not used at all
+ if overridden by the more specific S_boulder.
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
- of NetHack completely accessible to the blind who use speech
- and/or Braille access technologies. Players will require a good
- working knowledge of their screen-reader's review features, and
- will have to know how to navigate horizontally and vertically
- character by character. They will also find the search capabili-
- ties of their screen-readers to be quite valuable. Be certain to
- examine this Guidebook before playing so you have an idea what
- the screen layout is like. You'll also need to be able to locate
- the PC cursor. It is always where your character is located.
- Merely searching for an @-sign will not always find your charac-
+ NetHack can be set up to use only standard ASCII characters
+ for making maps of the dungeons. This makes the MS-DOS versions
+ of NetHack completely accessible to the blind who use speech
+ and/or Braille access technologies. Players will require a good
+ working knowledge of their screen-reader's review features, and
+ will have to know how to navigate horizontally and vertically
+ character by character. They will also find the search capabili-
+ ties of their screen-readers to be quite valuable. Be certain to
+ examine this Guidebook before playing so you have an idea what
+ the screen layout is like. You'll also need to be able to locate
+ the PC cursor. It is always where your character is located.
+ Merely searching for an @-sign will not always find your charac-
ter since there are other humanoids represented by the same sign.
- Your screen-reader should also have a function which gives you
- the row and column of your review cursor and the PC cursor.
- These co-ordinates are often useful in giving players a better
+ Your screen-reader should also have a function which gives you
+ the row and column of your review cursor and the PC cursor.
+ 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
+ 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
+ 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
+ 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 of-
+ ficial distributions of NetHack is a symset called NHAccess. Se-
+ lecting that symset in your configuration file will cause the
+ game to run in a manner accessible to the blind. After you have
+ gained some experience with the game and with editing files, you
+ may want to alter settings via SYMBOLS= and ROGUESYMBOLS= in your
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack Guidebook 83
+ NetHack Guidebook 84
- somewhat daunting. Included within the "symbols" file of all of-
- ficial distributions of NetHack is a symset called NHAccess. Se-
- lecting that symset in your configuration file will cause the
- game to run in a manner accessible to the blind. After you have
- gained some experience with the game and with editing files, you
- may want to alter settings via SYMBOLS= in your configuration
- file to better suit your preferences. The most crucial settings
- to make the game accessible are:
+ configuration file to better suit your preferences. See the pre-
+ vious section for the special symbols S_pet_override to force a
+ consistent symbol for all pets and S_hero_override to force a
+ unique symbol for the player character if accessibility is en-
+ abled in the sysconf file.
+
+ The most crucial settings to make the game more accessible
+ are:
symset:NHAccess
Load a symbol set appropriate for use by blind players.
roguesymset:NHAccess
- Load a symbol set for the rogue level that is appropriate for
+ Load a symbol set for the rogue level that is appropriate for
use by blind players.
menustyle:traditional
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
+ 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.
autodescribe
- Automatically describe the terrain under the cursor when tar-
+ Automatically describe the terrain under the cursor when tar-
geting.
mention_walls
- Give feedback messages when walking towards a wall or when
+ 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
+ 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
+ When targeting with cursor, filter possible locations so only
+ those in the same area (eg. same room, or same corridor) are
considered.
whatis_moveskip
- When targeting with cursor and using fast-move, skip the same
+ 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.
+ 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.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack Guidebook 84
+ NetHack Guidebook 85
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
+ 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
+ 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
+ es a compiled-in default (which may not be appropriate for your
system).
- WIZARDS = A space-separated list of user names who are allowed
+ WIZARDS = A space-separated list of user names who are allowed
to play in debug mode (commonly referred to as wizard mode). A
value of a single asterisk (*) allows anyone to start a game in
debug mode.
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-
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
+ 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. When disabled, incubi and succubi behave like nymphs.
+ SEDUCE = 0 or 1 to disable or enable, respectively, the SEDUCE
+ option. When disabled, incubi and succubi behave like nymphs.
CHECK_PLNAME = Setting this to 1 will make the EXPLORERS, WIZ-
ARDS, and SHELLERS check for the player name instead of the us-
spectively, to identify unique people for the score file.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack Guidebook 85
+ NetHack Guidebook 86
MAX_STATUENAME_RANK = Maximum number of score file entries to
use for random statue names (default is 10).
+ ACCESSIBILITY = 0 or 1 to disable or enable, respectively, the
+ ability for players to set S_pet_override and S_hero_override
+ symbols in their configuration file.
+
+ PORTABLE_DEVICE_PATHS = 0 or 1 Windows OS only, the game will
+ look for all of its external files, and write to all of its
+ output files in one place rather than at the standard loca-
+ tions.
+
DUMPLOGFILE = A filename where the end-of-game dumplog is
- saved. Not defining this will prevent dumplog from being cre-
+ 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:
%% - literal `%'
- %v - version (eg. "3.6.2-0")
+ %v - version (eg. "3.6.3-0")
%u - game UID
%t - game start time, UNIX timestamp format
%T - current time, UNIX timestamp format
10. Scoring
- NetHack maintains a list of the top scores or scorers on
+ 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
+ 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
- falter in fear, aware of their ignorance of the means to survive.
- 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
- 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"
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack Guidebook 86
+ NetHack Guidebook 87
+
+
+
+ 11. Explore mode
+ 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" 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
+ list.
- 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 and the various "debug mode only"
- commands listed among the command descriptions. It is intended
+ from this brief description and the various "debug mode only"
+ commands listed among the command descriptions. It is intended
for tracking down problems within the program rather than to pro-
- vide god-like powers to your character, and players who attempt
- debugging are expected to figure out how to use it themselves.
- It is initiated by starting the game with the -D command-line
+ vide god-like powers to your character, and players who attempt
+ debugging are expected 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). Attempting to start a game in debug mode when not
- allowed or not available will result in falling back to explore
+ 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). 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
- (1.0.1, 1.0.2, and 1.0.3) for UNIX machines to the Usenet.
+ a very different game, and published (at least) three versions
- 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
- 520/1040ST, producing ST Hack 1.03.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- Mike Stephenson merged these various versions back together,
- incorporating many of the added features, and produced NetHack
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 88
- NetHack Guidebook 87
+ (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-
+ sions (3.0, 3.2, 3.51, and 3.6).
+ R. Black ported PC HACK 3.51 to Lattice C and the Atari
+ 520/1040ST, producing ST Hack 1.03.
- 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.
+ 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.
Later, Mike coordinated a major rewrite of the game, heading
a team which included Ken Arromdee, Jean-Christophe Collet, Steve
Jon W{tte and Hao-yang Wang, with help from Ross Brown, Mike
Engber, David Hairston, Michael Hamel, Jonathan Handler, Johnny
Lee, Tim Lennan, Rob Menke, and Andy Swanson, developed NetHack
- 3.1 for the Macintosh, porting it for MPW. Building on their de-
- velopment, Barton House added a Think C port.
+ 3.1 for the Macintosh, porting it for MPW. Building on their
- Timo Hakulinen ported NetHack 3.1 to OS/2. Eric Smith port-
- ed NetHack 3.1 to the Atari. Pat Rankin, with help from Joshua
- Delahunty, was responsible for the VMS version of NetHack 3.1.
- Michael Allison ported NetHack 3.1 to Windows NT.
- Dean Luick, with help from David Cohrs, developed NetHack
- 3.1 for X11. Warwick Allison wrote a tiled version of NetHack
- for the Atari; he later contributed the tiles to the NetHack De-
- velopment Team and tile support was then added to other plat-
- forms.
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 89
- NetHack Guidebook 88
+ development, Bart House added a Think C port.
+ Timo Hakulinen ported NetHack 3.1 to OS/2. Eric Smith port-
+ ed NetHack 3.1 to the Atari. Pat Rankin, with help from Joshua
+ Delahunty, was responsible for the VMS version of NetHack 3.1.
+ Michael Allison ported NetHack 3.1 to Windows NT.
+
+ Dean Luick, with help from David Cohrs, developed NetHack
+ 3.1 for X11. Warwick Allison wrote a tiled version of NetHack
+ for the Atari; he later contributed the tiles to the NetHack De-
+ velopment Team and tile support was then added to other plat-
+ forms.
The 3.2 NetHack Development Team, comprised of Michael Alli-
son, Ken Arromdee, David Cohrs, Jessie Collet, Steve Creps, Kevin
lison, Ken Arromdee, David Cohrs, Jessie Collet, Steve Creps,
Kevin Darcy, Timo Hakulinen, Kevin Hugo, Steve Linhart, Ken Lor-
ber, Dean Luick, Pat Rankin, Eric Smith, Mike Stephenson, Janet
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 90
+
+
+
Walz, and Paul Winner, released 3.3.0 in December 1999 and 3.3.1
in August of 2000.
first version to allow you to ride a steed, and was the first
version to have a publicly available web-site listing all the
bugs that had been discovered. Despite that constantly growing
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 89
-
-
-
bug list, 3.3 proved stable enough to last for more than a year
and a half.
The release of NetHack 3.4.3 in December 2003 marked the be-
ginning of a long release hiatus. 3.4.3 proved to be a remarkably
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 91
+
+
+
stable version that provided continued enjoyment by the community
for more than a decade. The NetHack Development Team slowly and
quietly continued to work on the game behind the scenes during
In September 2014, an interim snapshot of the code under de-
velopment was released publicly by other parties. Since that code
-
-
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
-
- NetHack Guidebook 90
-
-
-
was a work-in-progress and had not gone through the process of
debugging it as a suitable release, it was decided that the ver-
sion numbers present on that code snapshot would be retired and
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,
+ Michael Allison, David Cohrs, Bart House, Pasi Kallinen,
Alex Kompel, Dion Nicolaas, Derek S. Ray and Yitzhak Sapir main-
tained the port of NetHack 3.6 for Microsoft Windows.
+
+
+
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
+
+
+
+
+
+ NetHack Guidebook 92
+
+
+
Pat Rankin attempted to keep the VMS port running for
NetHack 3.6, hindered by limited access. Kevin Smolkowski has up-
dated and tested it for the most recent version of OpenVMS (V8.4
The NetHack Development Team at the time of release of 3.6.1 con-
sisted 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.
+ In early May 2019, another 320 bug fixes along with some en-
+ hancements and the adopted curses window port, were released as
+ 3.6.2.
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
-
-
-
-
+ Bart House, who had contributed to the game as a porting
+ team participant for decades, joined the NetHack Development Team
+ in late May 2019.
- NetHack Guidebook 91
+ NetHack 3.6.3 was released on December 5, 2019 containing
+ over 190 bug fixes to NetHack 3.6.2.
+ NetHack 3.6.4 was released on December 18, 2019 containing a
+ security fix and a few bug fixes.
+ NetHack 3.6.5 was released on January 27, 2020 containing
+ some security fixes and a small number of bug fixes.
- Patric Mueller, Pat Rankin, Derek S. Ray, Alex Smith, Mike
- Stephenson, Janet Walz, and Paul Winner.
+ NetHack 3.6.6 was released on March 8, 2020 containing a se-
+ curity fix and some bug fixes.
- In early May 2019, another 320 bug fixes along with some en-
- hancements and the adopted curses window port, were released as
- 3.6.2.
+ NetHack 3.6.7 was released in February 2023 containing a se-
+ curity fix and some bug fixes.
The official NetHack web site is maintained by Ken Lorber at
- http://www.nethack.org/.
+ https://www.nethack.org/.
12.1. SPECIAL THANKS
On behalf of the NetHack community, thank you very much once
- again to M. Drew Streib and Pasi Kallinen for providing a public
- NetHack server at nethack.alt.org. Thanks to Keith Simpson and
+ again to M. Drew Streib and Pasi Kallinen for providing a public
+ NetHack server at nethack.alt.org. Thanks to Keith Simpson and
Andy Thomson for hardfought.org. Thanks to all those unnamed dun-
- geoneers who invest their time and effort into annual NetHack
- tournaments such as Junethack, The November NetHack Tournament
- and in days past, devnull.net (gone for now, but not forgotten).
+ geoneers who invest their time and effort into annual NetHack
+ tournaments such as Junethack, The November NetHack Tournament
+ and in days past, devnull.net (gone for now, but not forgotten).
- - - - - - - - - - -
- From time to time, some depraved individual out there in
- netland sends a particularly intriguing modification to help out
- with the game. The NetHack Development Team sometimes makes 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
- Alex Smith Jean-Christophe Collet Olaf Seibert
- Andreas Dorn Jeff Bailey Pasi Kallinen
- Andy Church Jochen Erwied Pat Rankin
- Andy Swanson John Kallen Patric Mueller
- Ari Huttunen John Rupley Paul Winner
- Barton House John S. Bien Pierre Martineau
- Benson I. Margulies Johnny Lee Ralf Brown
- Bill Dyer Jon W{tte Ray Chason
- Boudewijn Waijers Jonathan Handler Richard Addison
- Bruce Cox Joshua Delahunty Richard Beigel
- Bruce Holloway Karl Garrison 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
- Dion Nicolaas Leon Arnott Sean Hunt
- Dylan O'Donnell M. Drew Streib Stephen Spackman
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack Guidebook 93
- NetHack Guidebook 92
+ - - - - - - - - - -
- 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
+ From time to time, some depraved individual out there in
+ netland sends a particularly intriguing modification to help out
+ with the game. The NetHack Development Team sometimes makes 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
+ Andy Thomson John Kallen Patric Mueller
+ Ari Huttunen John Rupley Paul Winner
+ Bart House John S. Bien Pierre Martineau
+ Benson I. Margulies Johnny Lee Ralf Brown
+ Bill Dyer Jon W{tte Ray Chason
+ Boudewijn Waijers Jonathan Handler Richard Addison
+ Bruce Cox Joshua Delahunty Richard Beigel
+ Bruce Holloway Karl Garrison Richard P. Hughey
+ Bruce Mewborne Keizo Yamamoto Rob Menke
+ Carl Schelin Keith Simpson Robin Bandy
+ Chris Russo Ken Arnold Robin Johnson
+ David Cohrs Ken Arromdee Roderick Schertler
+ David Damerell Ken Lorber Roland McGrath
+ David Gentzel Ken Washikita Ron Van Iwaarden
+ David Hairston Kevin Darcy Ronnen Miller
+ Dean Luick Kevin Hugo Ross Brown
+ Del Lamb Kevin Sitze Sascha Wostmann
+ Derek S. Ray Kevin Smolkowski Scott Bigham
+ Deron Meranda Kevin Sweet Scott R. Turner
+ Dion Nicolaas Lars Huttar Sean Hunt
+ Dylan O'Donnell Leon Arnott Stephen Spackman
+ Eric Backus M. Drew Streib Stefan Thielscher
+ Eric Hendrickson Malcolm Ryan Stephen White
+ Eric R. Smith Mark Gooderum Steve Creps
+ Eric S. Raymond Mark Modrall Steve Linhart
+ Erik Andersen Marvin Bressler Steve VanDevender
+ Fredrik Ljungdahl Matthew Day Teemu Suikki
+ Frederick Roeber Merlyn LeRoy Tim Lennan
+ Gil Neiger Michael Allison Timo Hakulinen
+ Greg Laskin Michael Feir Tom Almy
+ Greg Olson Michael Hamel Tom West
+ Gregg Wonderly Michael Sokolov Warren Cheung
+ Hao-yang Wang Mike Engber Warwick Allison
+ Helge Hafting Mike Gallop Yitzhak Sapir
+ Irina Rempt-Drijfhout Mike Passaretti
+ Izchak Miller Mike Stephenson
Brand and product names are trademarks or registered trade-
marks of their respective holders.
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-
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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-
-
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-
-
-
-
-
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-
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- NetHack 3.6 May 7, 2019
+ NetHack 3.6 February 3, 2023
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