The NetHack Code 1.2.2
Originally written by Raisse the Thaumaturge (raisse@valdyas.org, in
real life Irina Rempt-Drijfhout) from an idea seeded by Ed Chang and taken
up by Dan Shiovitz. Updated for version 3.3.0 by Dylan O'Donnell.
Version information:
This is a maintenance release only. Real improvements have to wait un-
til version 2.
Forthcoming: variants, etc.
Changes in version 1.2.1: added "2"; removed "b" and "B" as obsolete;
many minor alterations throughout to reflect changes in version 3.3.0 (par-
ticularly in status line).
Changes in version 1.2.2: added "i" and "Ps"; removed "@Wp"; added some
"+++", "- ---", "?" and "!".
Acknowledgements:
Aero (aero@clark.net) contributed large chunks of "$", "E", "PS", "PP",
"N", "b" and "B", and also gave me the idea to put it into the first per-
son; Ed Chang (changed@sina.eecs.berkeley.edu) contributed "I" and part of
"Sp" and suggested the short overview, and John Fouhy (jfouhy@actrix.gen.
nz) made some helpful suggestions for "Sp". Philipp Lucas (phlucas@online-
club.de) commented on some of the version 1.2 updates. Wingnut (jry@pinn.
net) made several "*?" suggestions. Boudewijn Waijers (kroisos@win.tue.nl)
made various contributions, including "Ps" and "i".
Pat Rankin, Adam Atkinson, Jukka Lahtinen, Viljo Viitanen, as well as a
number of people whose names were unfortunately vaporized by a scroll of
install Linux, told me about platforms.
Martin Read (mpr22@hermes.cam.ac.uk) was probably the first person ac-
tually to use it.
Raisse, killed by strangulation
0. Overview
Abbreviations
[ Armour PP Polypile
) Weapons G Genocide
i Inventory C Conflict
2 Two-weapon I Intrinsics
P Prayer Ps Playing speed
S Sacrifice @W The Wizard of Yendor
D Donations N Nurses
p Pets Y PYEC
$ Gold X Experience
t Treasure So Sources
s Shops Sp Spoilers
W Wishing sb Save file backups
E Elbereth wb Wizard bones
PS Polymorph self + Death
Examples
NH 3.3.0L D Raisse-Wiz-Hum-Fem-Neu HP:150 Pw:150 AC:-20
/* no "L" or "T" as this is a "D" code */
[+ )++ i+ 2 P S+ D+ p++ $ t s++ W+ E PS+ PP+
G C I++ Ps- @W(*) N !Y X+ So Sp++ sb-- !wb
NH 3.3.0L A Reakk-Bar-Hum-Mal-Neu HP:161(257) Pw:65 AC:-40 L:20 T:54959
[+++ )++ i- !2 P S++ D++ p $ !t s W+ E--- PS-- PP++
G+ C- I++ Ps+ @W(8)tw N-- !Y X++ So++ Sp++++ !sb wb-- +0
NH 3.3.1D D Kroisos-!Rog-*-*-* HP:>200 Pw:na AC:-30(10)
[+++ )++ i+ 2 P S++ D++ p $ t++ s+++ W E- PS-- PP++++
G+ C+ I++ Ps-- !@W N !Y X So++ Sp++++ sb-- wb--
1. Preliminaries
NH
This is just to show that it's not the Geek Code.
Version
E.g.: "3.3.0", "+", "S'EM"
If you play more than one version either separate with a slash or put
the less often used one in parentheses, e.g.: "S'EM(3.3.0)".
Platform
Your type of machine. This list is far from exhaustive, but it's being
worked on.
Ac Acorn;
Am Amiga;
At Atari;
CE Windows CE;
D DOS;
L Linux;
M Mac;
O OS/2;
P Psion;
V VMS;
U Unix;
W Windows NT.
Type
The type of game that the NHC refers to:
+ silliest, saddest, most stupid or most spectacular death (option-
ally, include the cause of your death);
A ascension � latest or best ascension;
C current game;
D default � usual or preferred playing style;
F most fun game (optionally, include the cause of your death).
2. Status line
Name, class, race, gender, alignment
These should be self-evident. If you play a "D" type of game, an "*"
indicates "random", while an "!" prefix means "anything but".
Note: If you've got "D" for the Type above, you can use the rest of
this section to indicate the minimum you want before you feel comfort-
able.
Hit points
Maximum hit points; optionally current hit points with max HP in paren-
theses, as they appear on the status line.
Power
Maximum power; optionally current power with max Pw in parentheses, for
spellcasting types.
AC
This is your AC in full (usual) armour. Put intrinsic (naked) AC in
parentheses if you're so inclined. This could eventually be refined to
include AC with special equipment or a range of AC in different circum-
stances.
Level
Self-evident. Could include XP but that would probably be redundant un-
less you're at level 30.
Turns
If your status line shows them. The same goes for score.
3. Equipment
- --- This section starts a new line of the NHC ---
[ Armour
[+++ I go for the best and nothing less if I have to wish for every
single thing. I enchant it till it vibrates. Not satisfied with
anything worse than AC-40. I enjoy the lengthy discussions on
the newsgroup about the relative merits of +5 oilskin over GDSM
versus SDSM and a cloak of magic resistance.
[++ My first wish goes on GDSM and I spend quite some time to get
properly kitted out (speed boots, shield of reflection, gaunt-
lets of power or dexterity, oilskin cloak), but I don't mind
waiting until I can polypile or buy something if I don't have it
right away. AC should be at least around �30 before I enter Ge-
hennom.
[+ I wear dwarvish mithril, an iron helm and well-enchanted boots,
gloves and cloak. Or maybe I'm a Monk and I'm having to make up
a lack of body armour by filling the other slots with good
items.
[ I try to get my AC well below 0 before I do anything potentially
dangerous. Most of my equipment comes from Boyabai's used armour
dealership, the Gnomish Mines or soldiers' barracks.
[- I wear whatever is handy, as long as I have some kind of gloves
to protect myself from carelessly tinning a cockatrice. I'm
still wearing that +2 orcish helm that I picked up in the Mines.
If something gets damaged I get myself a new one from a passing
elf or hill orc.
[-- I'm in cursed, rusty, tattered or otherwise deplorable armour.
![ I'm trying to ascend naked.
[? Why isn't my character wearing pants?
) Weapons
)+++ I know all the damage tables by heart and carry a +7 artefact
weapon for every occasion.
)++ I have an artefact weapon appropriate for my alignment, enchant-
ed to +6 or so, and wield that by preference unless something
comes up that asks for other measures. All my weapons are
properly blessed and rustproofed.
)+ I have an artefact weapon, but no scroll of enchant weapon yet
so it's still at +0. Throwing daggers is not beneath me.
) I have a favourite weapon and I'm so comfortable with it that I
don't even know or care what it does extra damage to, if any-
thing.
)- I've just been made Envoy of Balance and wouldn't give up Vorpy
if it became cursed, rusty and -2.
)-- I'm wielding a pick-axe.
)--- I'm wielding a cursed sling.
!) I'm trying to ascend bare-handed.
i Inventory
i++ I know the difference between the various menustyles and often
switch between them as to not lose my touch.
i+ I use the same character for every type of item and put all
other items in a bag when I have one.
i I use the Ins key to look at my inventory.
i- Don't you hate it when you continually have to drop those rocks
you're picking up all the time?
i-- What does "overtaxed" mean? Is the IRS after me?
!i I am trying to ascend without ever looking at my inventory: I
memorize every item's character.
i? Fixinv? What do you mean fixinv?
4. Playing style
2 Two-weapon combat
2+++ A +7 silver saber goes with anything.
2++ I'm wielding two well-enchanted weapons whenever I can. One of
them's an artefact if I can manage it.
2+ Two weapons are better than one in the more dangerous situa-
tions.
2 If I'm not restricted in two-weapon, I'll use it if I've got
weapons that make it worthwhile.
2- I usually prefer wearing a shield for reflection or the extra
AC.
2-- I'm restricted in two-weapon combat. Why bother?
!2 Two-weapon combat is unbalanced. I won't use it.
2? Why does my weapon resist being held second?
P Prayer
P++ I've hacked the source to have my prayer timeout on the status
line so I can get the maximum out of my god.
P+ I plan my prayers so as to have the most chance to get my god to
do what I want.
P I pray whenever I'm in need. All the better if I'm close to an
altar and have a potion or two of water handy.
P- I usually forget to pray until it's too late.
P-- I've pissed off my god by praying once too often.
!P Gods? Who needs them?
P? I always pray before eating an item, but my god doesn't seem to
like it when I eat too much.
S Sacrifice
S++ I've set up a base in a temple, collected and charged bags of
tricks and wands of create monster, and sacrifice until I'm blue
in the face and my god finally gives me Grayswandir.
S+ I try to convert most altars I come across and hang around for a
bit to see if my god feels like giving me something.
S I make a sacrifice on every co-aligned altar � just in case.
S- I've accidentally #offered a white unicorn on a lawful altar.
S-- I've accidentally converted myself.
S--- I've accidentally converted myself, and now my Quest Leader
doesn't want anything to do with me.
!S I'm an atheist. If it didn't make such a lot of difference in my
score I'd rather escape with the Amulet of Yendor than sacrifice
it.
S? NetHack is a game for pagans! See the error of your ways, stop
playing and repent!
D Donations
D++ I plunder Fort Ludios as well as every vault I can find and do-
nate time and time again for that extra point of protection or
that extra time of clairvoyance.
D+ I collect enough gold to donate until the priests start appreci-
ating my selfless generosity.
D I donate whatever I have to the priest in Mine Town and when I
meet another one I'll see if I have some more in store.
D- If I happen to have some gold I don't mind giving it to a
priest, but mostly it's just too much trouble.
D-- I've strayed and need those donations to have the priests ab-
solve me.
D--- All I ever get is two bits for an ale.
!D I'd rather wear a cloak of protection, thank you.
D? Do priests need money then?
p Pets
p+++ I make an art out of taming one pet after another and polymorph-
ing them into ever more powerful creatures.
p++ I like to keep a pet or two on hand, preferably powerful, to
take care of priests and shopkeepers.
p+ I try to keep my pets alive as long as possible and tame some
more if I lose them. When they trip a poly trap or obstinately
refuse to move off the poly pile it's nice if they turn into
something interesting.
p Pets are all right to lift things from shops and to spot cursed
items, but it's no great loss if they snuff it.
p- Pets are a nuisance, but deliberately losing them goes just a
little too far.
p-- I forget my pet on level 1.
p--- I kill that annoying pet on level 1.
!p All my pets get killed by falling rocks.
p? Why is the studio audience applauding?
$ Gold
$++++ I am Croesus.
$+++ I hang onto every zorkmid I encounter. When I get identify
scrolls, the first thing I do is bless them and identify all my
gems, and then sell them all to shopkeepers. I train my pets to
steal them back so I can sell them again. Croesus has a bank ac-
count with me.
$++ When there's a vault on the level, I'll waste as much time as
needed with a pick-axe in order to find it. My goal in life is
to buy as much protection as I can before I hit level 10. I
don't buy from shopkeepers � that's what pets are for!
$+ I like the score that money gives me. I burn up potions of ob-
ject detection just to find vaults. But if I'm carrying so much
that I'm stressed, I have no qualms about dropping it.
$ I'm a spender, not a saver. If I find an "ad aerarium" message
I'm inclined to go and pick up the loot, but like the cookie
says, "money lost, little lost". Let's not forget priests...
$- Money is the first thing I drop when I get burdened. I carry
just enough for my immediate needs and leave the rest for the
dwarves to pick up.
$-- I load my sling with zorkmids instead of rocks.
!$ I'm trying for a no-intrinsic-protection ascension. Don't even
tempt me with money.
$? As soon as I pick up a zorkmid that #%@$& lep runs up and robs
me!
t Treasure
t++ I've identified every gem and worked out exactly how much my
collection is worth. I intend to polypile rocks before I depart
this world for the Elemental Planes. I quaff potions of object
detection on every level and dig out the gems.
t+ I've identified most gems and keep the most valuable ones to
take to the next world. The rest goes to unicorns or to shop-
keepers when I run out of cash or credit.
t I've identified all colours of glass by killing glass golems, so
I can safely assume that all the rest are gems. Whenever a
scroll of identify has a slot left I use it on *.
t- I'm not going to waste my valuable scrolls of identify on mere
baubles.
t-- I carry a sack full of unidentified gems.
!t I can't be bothered with treasure � it just adds encumbrance
that I've got better uses for.
s Shops
s+++ Shops exist for me to plunder, shopkeepers exist to rob blind or
kill as soon as I get a chance.
s++ Shops are fun. I can get rid of all those useless items and make
some money in the process. Shopkeepers are there for me to out-
wit and get the merchandise from under their noses.
s+ I like to go shopping with my pet, sell something, buy some-
thing, steal something, whatever takes my fancy.
s I buy a thing or two when I need it and while I'm inside sell
some spare items, but I'm not really interested.
s- I don't bother searching for shops, they never have the things I
need anyway.
s-- I'd genocide shopkeepers if I could.
!s The only shop in my current game is the lighting store in Mine
Town and it only stocks cursed brass lanterns and mimics.
s? Who is that person cursing shoplifters?
5. Indulgences and restrictions
W Wishing
W+++ I'd wish for my own Quest artefact and the Amulet if I'd get
away with it. As it is I'll have to settle for other classes'
Quest artefacts.
W++ I wish for artefact weapons even if they're the wrong alignment.
In the early stages of the game I quaff from every fountain un-
til a water demon either kills me or gives me a wish.
W+ I consider wishing for artefacts an abuse if not a cheat, but
everything else I can get is all right to wish for.
W I wish for what I need as and when I need it.
W- I wish for speed boots only to find a pair in the armour shop on
the next level down.
W-- I wish I could do without wishing.
W--- I tend to die with two blessed magic lamps in my BoH.
!W I'm on a wishless ascension.
W? I have the knack of wishing for exactly the wrong thing.
E Elbereth
E+++ If I can't get Magicbane, my first wish is for an athame so I
can engrave 4 copies of the E-word on every square.
E++ I keep a magic marker or a wand of lightning on hand especially
to write the E-word. I also write it in the dust with my fingers
on every occasion, if only as an exercise in wisdom.
E+ I put at least one E-word on each level, just in case. I'm glad
I picked up Magicbane from that bones pile, or I would have been
dead six times over.
E I'm a wizard. 'Nuff said.
E- I write the E-word only as a last resort, or to protect the
chests containing my valuables.
E-- I'd like to be able to use the E-word, but all my daggers have
gone dull.
E--- The E-word is for wimps. Grayswandir works much better.
!E My source code has #define ELBERETH commented out.
E? What was it again? "Owlbreath" or "Galadriel"?
PS Polymorph self
PS+++ I've eaten amulets of unchanging until I can get to stay as a
xorn.
PS++ A ring of polymorph control is one of my first priorities. Once
I've got it I rarely spend time as anything except a vampire
lord. I've genocided humans, just in case.
PS+ Wands of polymorph have better uses, but I'll drink from a sink
all day. I have a few favourite forms to poly into and know what
to use them for. Also, it's sometimes profitable to become a new
(wo)man, elf, etc.
PS Polymorphing has its uses, but it tends to happen to me at the
wrong times. I don't drink from sinks till I have dragon scale
mail.
PS- I can do a lot more damage in my own form.
PS-- Polymorphing is just a good way to lose your cloak and armour.
PS--- I'm wearing a cursed ring of polymorph.
PS---- If I don't find an amulet of unchanging on dungeon level one, I
quit and start another character.
PS? Why do I keep turning into all those monsters?
PP Polypiling
PP++++ My name is Efembe.
PP+++ I set up a base in an empty locked room in Mine Town and another
one in Fort Ludios and carefully sort, cancel and polypile any-
thing that could yield something.
PP++ I've had a few fits of polypiling and now I'm collecting stuff
for the next one.
PP+ I collect unicorn horns and figurines to polypile for magic
markers. There's nothing like turning a huge pile of corpses in-
to K-rations.
PP I've polypiled once or twice to get everything I want � now I
can just leave useless stuff lying around.
PP- I never seem to get the right stuff by polypiling, so I'd rather
save that wand of polymorph to use on monsters or on myself.
PP-- I've been killed by too many iron golems.
!PP Polypiling's more balanced than it used to be, but I still con-
sider it a challenge not to use it.
PP? Shuddering vibrations? Could that be the famous vibrating
square?
G Genocide
- --- This section starts a new line of the NHC ---
G+++ I use an amulet of unchanging to safely genocide my own race. By
the time I reach the Planes, everything's A, E and &.
G++ I really go over the top genociding. I've even been known to ge-
nocide my own race. Reverse-genocide is my hobby.
G+ I have a "must-genocide" list, work on that carefully, and keep
extra scrolls for when I run into serious trouble.
G I genocide purple worms early in the game to let shriekers
shriek away all they like. I'll do L and R when (if?) I get that
far.
G- I genocide indiscriminately without first checking if the scroll
is cursed.
G-- I was killed by a genocide spell.
!G "Live and let live".
G? Why did genociding @ kill my orcish barbarian?
C Conflict
C+++ I eat my ring of conflict as soon as I get the chance.
C++ My ring of conflict is never far out of reach. My preferred wea-
pon is Stormbringer.
C+ I use my ring of conflict to create havoc and join the fray.
C I use my ring of conflict to create havoc so I can get away.
C- I have a ring of conflict in a bag somewhere.
C-- My ring of conflict is on my hand � and cursed.
!C I do without conflict because I want the XP for myself.
C? Why is my kitten biting me?
I Intrinsics
I+++ I keep a checklist of every possible intrinsic from the spoilers
and mark them off as I go along. I often spend time as a xorn to
eat all those yummy rings.
I++ I have an idea of which intrinsics I need in the different sta-
ges of the game, and I know how to get them.
I+ I make it a point to eat floating eyes and tengu.
I I play barbarians so I can eat everything.
I- I eat leprechaun corpses to get out of shops and have been kill-
ed by every shopkeeper in the dungeon.
I-- I usually die after attacking floating eyes hand-to-hand. If I
survive to Gehennom, I die from losing strength to the fire
traps.
I--- My Valkyries choke on white dragon corpses.
!I I don't eat corpses and avoid crowning.
I? I just felt a chill � who left the door open?
Ps Playing speed
Ps+++ 4 hours of real time playing should be enough for anyone to as-
cend!
Ps++ I ascend in, say, 30 000 moves, sometimes less.
Ps+ My best ascension is about 100 000 moves.
Ps My healer left the dungeon with 1563 gold in only 1 move!
Ps- My character died of starvation.
Ps-- I don't ascend. Instead, I linger around hoarding treasure and
other valuables.
Ps--- I always take a long time to consider every move.
!Ps I don't play.
Ps? I type so fast, I always run into floating eyes.
6. The Wizard of Yendor
@W The Wizard of Yendor
This takes arguments in parentheses to indicate what you did to him,
what he did to you (alternatively: what you're prepared to do to him
once you meet him) and how many times you killed him before you finally
got him off your back.
p I paralyzed him.
w I zapped a wand of death at him.
t I tinned him.
d He double-troubled me.
* Anything goes with the Wiz (as the only argument except "(#)").
(#) I killed him # times.
!@W I've never even seen him.
@W? Where do I find the land of Yendor where this fabled wizard
lives?
!@W? I got the Amulet of Yendor and escaped with it � now why didn't
I win?
7. Abuses
N Nurses
N+++ I've crashed the game by overflowing the hit point variable.
N++ I don't only dance with nurses, but carefully prepare a room for
it on a no-teleport level and work out a wield-and-unwield
schedule to get my HP well into the hundreds.
N+ I dance with nurses to get into shape for important events, such
as killing the Wizard, but let events take their natural course
after I've called them in.
N I'm willing to strip for a nurse if there's nothing harmful in
the vicinity.
N- I'd like to try the nurse dance, but I've run out of scrolls of
genocide and/or unholy water.
N-- I don't take my clothes off for any monster, not even a nurse.
N--- I got killed by a nurse.
!N I avoid nurses like the plague.
N? You cannibal! You will regret this!
Y PYEC
Y++ I use my first wish to get the PYEC and only play neutral char-
acters for that express purpose.
Y+ I wish for the PYEC if I'm neutral and have everything else I
want.
Y I'm a tourist. I've justly deserved it, and I can make the best
use of it.
Y- I've tried to get the PYEC, but it slipped through my hands.
Y-- I found the PYEC on a bones pile and use it for opening doors.
!Y I don't wish for quest artefacts.
Y? "Please, Mr. Asidonhopo, may I charge it?"
8. Experience and knowledge
X Experience
X++++ I've ascended every combination of race, class and alignment.
There isn't a challenge ascension I haven't done.
X+++ I've ascended every class and I've done a few vegetarians and
atheists too. Now for the really challenging handicaps.
X++ I've ascended most classes and am now trying to do without some
things that make it too easy.
X+ I've ascended a few classes, but I'm not up to a handicap game
yet.
X I've been in Gehennom and got swallowed by Juiblex.
X- I've seen Medusa, worse luck.
X-- I can't seem to be able to get past the Oracle level.
X--- Can I eat that lichen corpse? My dog doesn't seem to like it.
!X I can't seem to be able to leave level 1. Or figure out what the
keys do, for that matter.
X? HEY ALL YOU HACKERS DO YOU KNOW A HACK FOR ms wORD???
So Sources
So++++ I'm on the Dev Team.
So+++ I've memorized large chunks of the source code and have hacked
my own version of NH.
So++ I have the sources online and refer to them frequently.
So+ I've looked at the source and understood most of it.
So I've looked at the sources, but my C isn't what it used to be.
So- I don't bother with the sources. Let the real wizards do that if
they like.
So-- I can't figure out what the .h files are for.
So--- I couldn't find the nethack.exe file. Didn't I tell you I have a
Windows system?
!So Reading source takes the fun out of the game.
So? Hey � where are the line numbers and GOTO's in this program?
Sp Spoilers
Sp++++ I've written publicly available spoiler files.
Sp+++ I know most public spoiler files practically by heart and have
written some for my own personal use.
Sp++ I know all sorts of esoteric stuff, but I still get surprised
every now and again. I know what weapons and armour to use, and
which monster corpses do what.
Sp+ I've read all the spoilers and occasionally refer to them if I'm
not sure what a message means.
Sp I don't mind reading spoilers posted to the newsgroup.
Sp- I rely on the Oracle. If I can't afford a consultation, I tend
to die from being poisoned or wearing the wrong armour.
Sp-- I rely on fortune cookies. They say eating too many of them can
be fatal, but I don't care.
!Sp I'm going to solve this damn game by myself, no matter how long
it takes.
Sp? Don't you know you shouldn't eat spoiled corpses?
8. Cheats
sb Save file backups
sb++ Of course I back up save files. It's the only way to win.
sb+ I back up save files to insure against particularly stupid
deaths. I've even been tempted to use them on occasion.
sb I make backups to insure against typos.
sb- I back up save files, but I've never used one.
sb-- I make backups to insure against irrecoverable game crashes.
sb--- I'm too lazy to make backups.
!sb I don't make backups on principle.
sb? I don't know where the save files are on my system.
wb Wizard bones
wb++ I deliberately create bones files in wizard mode so I can cheat
without actually doing anything illegal.
wb+ I save bones files created in wizard mode, never mind what's in
them.
wb I use wizard bones when I find them and silently thank whoever
left them.
wb- There seem to be no wizard bones on our system.
wb-- I delete all wizard bones from the system.
!wb I object to using wizard bones files and if I do find one I
leave all the stuff well alone.
wb? I don't know how to get into wizard mode, let alone how to leave
a bones file.
9. Death (yours)
+# Number of times died. N/A in a "D" code � everybody hopes to die
0 times, of course.
++ I try to die as often as possible before I ascend (only in a "D"
code).