diff --git a/doc/Guidebook.txt b/doc/Guidebook.txt index 9c25c65e2..1a362eb63 100644 --- a/doc/Guidebook.txt +++ b/doc/Guidebook.txt @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Original version - Eric S. Raymond (Edited and expanded for NetHack 3.7.0 by Mike Stephenson and others) - December 11, 2025 + February 11, 2026 @@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ employ to great advantage. - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ NetHack continues this fine tradition. Unlike text adventure games - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ The number of turns elapsed so far, displayed if you have the - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -588,7 +588,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -720,7 +720,7 @@ instead. Only these one-step movement commands cause you to - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -786,7 +786,7 @@ ing . ^ is used as shorthand elsewhere in the - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -852,7 +852,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -918,7 +918,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -984,7 +984,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1050,7 +1050,7 @@ at an adjacent "remembered, unseen monster" marker. - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1116,7 +1116,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1182,7 +1182,7 @@ (R)UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group. - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1248,7 +1248,7 @@ menu_next_page, and menu_last_page keys (`^', `<', `>', `|' by - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1314,7 +1314,7 @@ doesn't and give that name to the result, while splitting (count - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1380,7 +1380,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1446,7 +1446,7 @@ extinct. - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1512,7 +1512,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1578,7 +1578,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1644,7 +1644,7 @@ right away.) Since using this command by accident can cause - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1710,7 +1710,7 @@ Default key is `M-R'. - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1776,7 +1776,7 @@ (worn blindfold or towel or lenses, lit lamp(s) and/or candle(s), - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1842,7 +1842,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1908,7 +1908,7 @@ line will show "(no travel path)" if your character does not know - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -1974,7 +1974,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2040,7 +2040,7 @@ Set one or more intrinsic attributes. Autocompletes. Debug mode - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2106,7 +2106,7 @@ "high"] bit), you can invoke many extended commands by meta-ing the - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2172,7 +2172,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2238,7 +2238,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2304,7 +2304,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2370,7 +2370,7 @@ them). Some monsters who can open doors can also use unlocking tools. - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2436,7 +2436,7 @@ been nullified, giving access to whatever is beyond them. In the - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2502,7 +2502,7 @@ play. - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2568,7 +2568,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2634,7 +2634,7 @@ attack, when guessing where an unseen monster is or when deliberately - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2700,7 +2700,7 @@ noid_confirmation:attack option to require a response of "yes" - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2766,7 +2766,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2832,7 +2832,7 @@ are encumbered, one of the conditions Burdened, Stressed, Strained, - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2898,7 +2898,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 @@ -2922,7 +2922,59 @@ "BUCX" for Blessed, Uncursed, Cursed, or unknown. (The term beatitude is occasionally used as well.) - 7.2. Weapons (`)') + 7.2. Artifacts + + Some objects have been imbued with special powers and are known + as Artifacts. They have specific types (such as long sword or orcish + dagger) and distinct names such as Giantslayer or Grimtooth. Artifact + weapons typically do more damage than their ordinary counterparts. + Some do extra damage against all monsters, others only against spe- + cific types of monsters so aren't better than regular weapons against + other types. Some confer defensive capabilities when wielded or have + other powers that aren't listed here. + + You might find them simply lying on the floor, including but not + limited to inside shops, or be granted as a reward for "#offer" on an + altar to your patron deity. A few might be dropped by monsters, or + might be converted from an ordinary object of the same type via + assigning the right name. Or you might wish for them, if you happen + to be granted a wish, but such wishes can fail. + + Some artifacts have a specific alignment, others don't. You + won't obtain aligned ones that have a different alignment from yours + via offering and might get a shock if you attempt to wish for any of + those or find one and attempt to use it. + + Each role has a distinct artifact that is contained in the Quest + dungeon branch. These are commonly known as quest artifacts. All are + aligned and most are non-weapons. They won't be found randomly. + + The `\' and ``a' commands will list artifacts that you have fully + identified (knowing the name and item type isn't sufficient). + + 7.3. Relics + + There are three unique items that are named and have limited spe- + cial powers but aren't classified as artifacts. Each is guarded by a + particular monster and you'll need to collect all three for use late + in the game. They are the Bell of Opening, the Book of the Dead, and + the Candelabrum of Invocation. Their corresponding descriptions when + not yet identified are silver bell, papyrus spellbook, and cande- + labrum. + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 46 + + + + 7.4. Weapons (`)') Given a chance, most monsters in the Mazes of Menace will gratu- itously try to kill you. You need weapons for self-defense (killing @@ -2962,18 +3014,6 @@ And if you have proficiency in the "two weapon combat" skill, you may wield both weapons simultaneously as primary and secondary; use the `X' command to engage or disengage that. Only some types of charac- - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 46 - - - ters (barbarians, for instance) have the necessary skill available. Even with that skill, using two weapons at once incurs a penalty in the chance to hit your target compared to using just one weapon at a @@ -2988,13 +3028,25 @@ each weapon which existed in AD&D does roughly the same damage to mon- sters in NetHack. Some of the more obscure weapons (such as the aklys, lucern hammer, and bec-de-corbin) are defined in an appendix to + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 47 + + + Unearthed Arcana, an AD&D supplement. The commands to use weapons are `w' (wield), `t' (throw), `f' (fire), `Q' (quiver), `x' (exchange), `X' (twoweapon), and "#enhance" (see below). - 7.2.1. Throwing and shooting + 7.4.1. Throwing and shooting You can throw just about anything via the `t' command. It will prompt for the item to throw; picking `?' will list things in your @@ -3027,19 +3079,6 @@ quiver. The fire command also has extra assistance, if fireassist is on it will try to wield a launcher matching the ammo in the quiver. - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 47 - - - Some characters have the ability to throw or shoot a volley of multiple items (from the same stack) in a single action. Knowing how to load several rounds of ammunition at once--or hold several missiles @@ -3055,11 +3094,23 @@ 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 shooting the same number (3, here) as if no limit + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 48 + + + had been specified. Once the volley is in motion, all of the items will travel in the same direction; if the first ones kill a monster, the others can still continue beyond that spot. - 7.2.2. Weapon proficiency + 7.4.2. Weapon proficiency You will have varying degrees of skill in the weapons available. Weapon proficiency, or weapon skills, affect how well you can use par- @@ -3094,24 +3145,12 @@ 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 - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 48 - - - point you can use "#enhance" to increase one or more skills. Such skills are not increased automatically because there is a limit to your total overall skills, so you need to actively choose which skills to enhance and which to ignore. - 7.2.3. Two-Weapon combat + 7.4.3. 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 use. To @@ -3121,6 +3160,18 @@ 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 weapons at once. The primary is your + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 49 + + + wielded weapon and the secondary is just an item in your inventory that's been designated as alternate weapon.) @@ -3145,7 +3196,7 @@ ons or having one of them be stolen or destroyed will also make you revert to single-weapon combat. - 7.3. Armor (`[') + 7.5. Armor (`[') Lots of unfriendly things lurk about; you need armor to protect yourself from their blows. Some types of armor offer better protec- @@ -3159,19 +3210,6 @@ Dragon scale mail 1 Plate mail, Crystal plate mail 3 Bronze plate mail, Splint mail, - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 49 - - - Banded mail, Dwarvish mithril-coat 4 Chain mail, Elven mithril-coat 5 Scale mail, Orcish chain mail 6 @@ -3188,6 +3226,18 @@ also be enchanted. Shirts are an exception; they don't provide any protection unless enchanted. Some cloaks also don't improve AC when unenchanted but all cloaks offer some protection against rust or cor- + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 50 + + + rosion to suits worn under them and against some monster touch attacks. @@ -3214,7 +3264,7 @@ can be used for armor, but pieces of armor won't be shown as likely candidates in a prompt for choosing what to put on or remove. - 7.4. Food (`%') + 7.6. 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 @@ -3227,17 +3277,6 @@ special powers when you eat them. A good rule of thumb is "you are what you eat." - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 50 - - - Some character roles and some monsters are vegetarian. Vegetar- ian monsters will typically never eat animal corpses, while vegetarian players can, but with some rather unpleasant side-effects. @@ -3247,13 +3286,24 @@ The command to eat food is `e'. - 7.5. Scrolls (`?') + 7.7. Scrolls (`?') 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 them (except for blank ones, without magic spells on them). + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 51 + + + 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 objects of subtle @@ -3281,7 +3331,7 @@ The command to read a scroll is `r'. - 7.6. Potions (`!') + 7.8. Potions (`!') Potions are distinguished by the color of the liquid inside the flask. They disappear after you quaff them. @@ -3292,21 +3342,9 @@ at them. It is also sometimes very useful to dip ("#dip") an object into a potion. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 51 - - - The command to drink a potion is `q' (quaff). - 7.7. Wands (`/') + 7.9. Wands (`/') Wands usually have multiple magical charges. Some types of wands require a direction in which to zap them. You can also zap them at @@ -3320,6 +3358,18 @@ ally, 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 + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 52 + + + of causing it to explode. The chance for such an explosion starts out very small and increases each time the wand is recharged. @@ -3337,7 +3387,7 @@ The command to use a wand is `z' (zap). To break one, use the `a' (apply) command. - 7.8. Rings (`=') + 7.10. Rings (`=') Rings are very useful items, since they are relatively permanent magic, unlike the usually fleeting effects of potions, scrolls, and @@ -3358,19 +3408,7 @@ The commands to use rings are `P' (put on) and `R' (remove). `A', `W', and `T' can also be used; see Amulets. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 52 - - - - 7.9. Spellbooks (`+') + 7.11. Spellbooks (`+') Spellbooks are tomes of mighty magic. When studied with the `r' (read) command, they transfer to the reader the knowledge of a spell @@ -3386,6 +3424,18 @@ Casting a spell calls forth magical energies and focuses them with your naked mind. Some of the magical energy released comes from + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 53 + + + within you. Casting temporarily drains your magical power, which will slowly be recovered, and causes you to need additional food. Casting of spells also requires practice. With practice, your skill in each @@ -3417,25 +3467,13 @@ of how strongly it is remembered. The `Z' (cast) command casts a spell. - 7.10. Tools (`(') + 7.12. Tools (`(') Tools are miscellaneous objects with various purposes. Some tools have a limited number of uses, akin to wand charges. For exam- ple, lamps burn out after a while. Other tools are containers, which objects can be placed into or taken out of. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 53 - - - Some tools (such as a blindfold) can be worn and can be put on and removed like other accessories (rings, amulets); see Amulets. Other tools (such as pick-axe) can be wielded as weapons in addition @@ -3448,10 +3486,22 @@ The command to use a tool is `a' (apply). - 7.10.1. Containers + 7.12.1. Containers You may encounter bags, boxes, and chests in your travels. A tool of this sort can be opened with the "#loot" extended command when + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 54 + + + you are standing on top of it (that is, on the same floor spot), or with the `a' (apply) command when you are carrying it. However, chests are often locked, and are in any case unwieldy objects. You @@ -3487,22 +3537,7 @@ tents into another container. (As of this writing, the other con- tainer must be carried rather than on the floor.) - - - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 54 - - - - 7.11. Amulets (`"') + 7.13. Amulets (`"') Amulets are very similar to rings, and often more powerful. Like rings, amulets have various magical properties, some beneficial, some @@ -3519,7 +3554,21 @@ and eyewear), but accessories won't be shown as likely candidates in a prompt for choosing what to wear or take off. - 7.12. Gems (`*') + + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 55 + + + + 7.14. 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 @@ -3530,7 +3579,7 @@ (if you have a sling). In the most desperate of cases, you can still throw them by hand. - 7.13. Large rocks (``') + 7.15. Large rocks (``') Statues and boulders are not particularly useful, and are gener- ally heavy. It is rumored that some statues are not what they seem. @@ -3556,19 +3605,7 @@ shown as ``' but by the letter representing the monster they depict instead. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 55 - - - - 7.14. Gold (`$') + 7.16. Gold (`$') 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 be influenced @@ -3582,7 +3619,22 @@ matters when you're using an object selection prompt that can filter by "BUCX" state. - 7.15. Persistence of Objects + + + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 56 + + + + 7.17. Persistence of Objects Normally, if you have seen an object at a particular map location and move to another location where you can't directly see that object @@ -3623,17 +3675,6 @@ your god for help with starvation does not violate any food challenges either. - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 56 - - - A strict vegan diet is one which avoids any food derived from animals. The primary source of nutrition is fruits and vegetables. The corpses and tins of blobs (`b'), jellies (`j'), and fungi (`F') @@ -3647,6 +3688,18 @@ Vegetarians do not eat animals; however, they are less selective about eating animal byproducts than vegans. In addition to the vegan items listed above, they may eat any kind of pudding (`P') other than + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 57 + + + the black puddings, eggs and food made from eggs (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. @@ -3689,17 +3742,6 @@ and kick weapons; use a wand, spell, or other type of item; or fight with your hands and feet. - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 57 - - - 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 @@ -3712,6 +3754,18 @@ 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 + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 58 + + + assumed to be learned from your teachers prior to the start of the game and isn't counted. @@ -3753,19 +3807,6 @@ to make a wish for an item, you may choose "nothing" if you want to decline. - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 58 - - - 8.1. Achievements End of game disclosure will also display various achievements @@ -3778,6 +3819,19 @@ Rank - Attained rank title Rank. Shop - Entered a shop. + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 59 + + + Temple - Entered a temple. Mines - Entered the Gnomish Mines. Town - Entered Mine Town. @@ -3820,18 +3874,6 @@ to revert to lower rank(s) does not discard the corresponding achieve- ment(s). - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 59 - - - There's no guaranteed Novel so the achievement to read one might not always be attainable (except perhaps by wishing). Similarly, the Big Room level is not always present. Unlike with the Novel, there's @@ -3843,6 +3885,19 @@ other instances of the same objects doesn't record the corresponding achievement. + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 60 + + + The Medusa achievement is recorded if she dies for any reason, even if you are not directly responsible, and only if she dies. @@ -3886,18 +3941,6 @@ "%USERPROFILE%\NetHack\". The file may not exist, but it is a normal ASCII text file can can be created with any text editor. After run- ning NetHack for the first time, you should find a default template - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 60 - - - for the configuration file named ".nethackrc.template" in "%USERPROFILE%\NetHack\". If you have not created the configuration file, NetHack will create one for you using the default template file. @@ -3909,6 +3952,18 @@ Any line beginning with `[' and ending in `]' is a section marker (the closing `]' can be followed by whitespace and then an arbitrary + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 61 + + + comment beginning with `#'). The text between the square brackets is the section name. Section markers are only valid after a CHOOSE directive and their names are case-insensitive. Lines after a section @@ -3952,18 +4007,6 @@ The location where saved games are kept. Defaults to HACKDIR, must be writable. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 61 - - - BONESDIR The location that bones files are kept. Defaults to HACKDIR, must be writable. @@ -3976,6 +4019,17 @@ The location that a record of game aborts and self-diagnosed game problems is kept. Defaults to HACKDIR, must be writable. + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 62 + + + AUTOCOMPLETE Enable or disable an extended command autocompletion. Autocomple- tion has no effect for the X11 windowport. You can specify multiple @@ -4018,18 +4072,6 @@ If [] is present, the preceding section is closed and no new section begins; whatever follows will be common to all sections. Otherwise - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 62 - - - the last section extends to the end of the options file. MENUCOLOR @@ -4043,6 +4085,17 @@ ROGUESYMBOLS Custom symbols for the rogue level's symbol set. See SYMBOLS below. + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 63 + + + SOUND Define a sound mapping. See the "Configuring User Sounds" section. @@ -4074,28 +4127,6 @@ Here is an example of configuration file contents: - - - - - - - - - - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 63 - - - # Set your character's role, race, gender, and alignment. OPTIONS=role:Valkyrie, race:Human, gender:female, align:lawful # @@ -4119,6 +4150,18 @@ The NETHACKOPTIONS variable is a comma-separated list of initial values for the various options. Some can only be turned on or off. + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 64 + + + 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" before the name. Others take a character string as a value. You can set string options by typing @@ -4150,18 +4193,6 @@ be set to the full name of a configuration file you want to use. If that full name doesn't start with a slash, precede it with `@' (at- sign) to let NetHack know that the rest is intended as a file name. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 64 - - - If it does start with `/', the at-sign is optional. 9.4. Customization options @@ -4185,6 +4216,18 @@ alignment Your starting alignment (align:lawful, align:neutral, or align:chaotic). You may specify just the first letter. Many roles + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 65 + + + and the non-human races restrict which alignments are allowed. See role for a description of how to use negation to exclude choices. @@ -4216,18 +4259,6 @@ autoquiver This option controls what happens when you attempt the `f' (fire) - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 65 - - - 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 @@ -4251,6 +4282,18 @@ using it; Kick - kick the door (if you omit untrap or decline to attempt untrap and you omit apply-key or you lack a key or you + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 66 + + + decline to use the key; has no effect on containers); Force - try to force a container's lid with your currently wielded weapon (if you omit untrap or decline to attempt @@ -4282,18 +4325,6 @@ catname Name your starting cat (for example "catname:Morris"). Cannot be - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 66 - - - set with the `O' command. character @@ -4318,6 +4349,17 @@ deaf Start the character permanently deaf (default false). Persistent. + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 67 + + + dropped_nopick If this option is on, items you dropped will not be automatically picked up, even if autopickup is also on and they are in @@ -4348,18 +4390,6 @@ The listings of vanquished monsters and of genocided types can be sorted, so there are two additional choices for `v' and `g': - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 67 - - - ? - prompt you and default to ask on the prompt; # - disclose it without prompting, ask for sort order. @@ -4384,6 +4414,18 @@ shows all levels you had visited but does not reveal things about them that you hadn't discovered. + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 68 + + + dogname Name your starting dog (for example "dogname:Fang"). Cannot be set with the `O' command. @@ -4414,18 +4456,6 @@ on). If this is off, dropping an object shifts all the remaining inventory letters. Persistent. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 68 - - - force_invmenu Commands asking for an inventory item show a menu instead of a text query with possible menu letters. Default is off. @@ -4449,6 +4479,19 @@ be prompted unless role and/or race forces a choice for gender. Cannot be set with the `O' command. Persistent. + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 69 + + + goldX When filtering objects based on bless/curse state (BUCX), whether to treat gold pieces as X (unknown bless/curse state, when "on") or U @@ -4479,19 +4522,6 @@ highlight pets and setting it will turn the hilite_pet option on or off as warranted. - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 69 - - - hilite_pile Visually distinguish piles of objects from individual objects (default off). The behavior of this option depends on the type of @@ -4516,6 +4546,18 @@ The "Qt" interface also supports hitpointbar, by drawing a solid bar above the name and title with a hard-coded color scheme. (As of + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 70 + + + this writing, having the bar enabled unintentionally inhibits resiz- ing the status panel. To resize that, use the #optionsfull command to toggle the hitpointbar option off, perform the resize while it's @@ -4546,18 +4588,6 @@ lootabc When using a menu to interact with a container, use the old `a', `b', and `c' keyboard shortcuts rather than the mnemonics `o', `i', - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 70 - - - and `b' (default off). Persistent. mail @@ -4582,6 +4612,18 @@ menucolors Enable coloring menu lines (default off). See "Configuring Menu + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 71 + + + Colors" on how to configure the colors. menustyle @@ -4612,18 +4654,6 @@ menu_first_page Key to jump to the first page in a menu. Default `^'. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 71 - - - menu_headings Controls how the headings in a menu are highlighted. Takes a text attribute, or text color and attribute separated by ampersand. For @@ -4648,6 +4678,18 @@ beginning of each group. You can have menus add the display symbol for the class of objects for each header line. You can also add the display symbol for the individual item in each menu entry. For a + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 72 + + + tiles map, that would be a small rendition of an object's tile. For a text map, it is the same character as is used for the object's class, which would be most useful when there are no headers separat- @@ -4678,18 +4720,6 @@ Key to search for some text and toggle selection state of matching menu items. Default `:'. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 72 - - - menu_select_all Key to select all items in a menu. Default `.'. @@ -4714,6 +4744,18 @@ Prompt for new form whenever any monster changes shape (default off). Debug mode only. + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 73 + + + montelecontrol Prompt for destination whenever any monster gets teleported (default off). Debug mode only. @@ -4744,18 +4786,6 @@ For backward compatibility, no value needs to be specified (which defaults to "full"), or it can be negated (which defaults to "sin- - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 73 - - - gle"). name @@ -4781,6 +4811,17 @@ null Send padding nulls to the terminal (default on). Persistent. + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 74 + + + number_pad Use digit keys instead of letters to move (default 0 or off). Valid settings are: @@ -4810,18 +4851,6 @@ paranoid_confirmation A space separated list of specific situations where alternate - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 74 - - - prompting is desired. The default is "paranoid_confirmation:pray swim trap". @@ -4847,6 +4876,18 @@ immediately praying; on by default; (to require "yes" rather than just `y', set Confirm too); trap - require `y' to confirm an attempt to move into or onto + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 75 + + + a known trap, unless doing so is considered to be harmless; when enabled, this confirmation is also used for moving into visible gas cloud regions; (to require @@ -4876,18 +4917,6 @@ new entries and remove some old ones, you can use multiple para- noid_confirmation option settings, or you can use the `+' form and list entries to be added by their name and entries to be removed by - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 75 - - - `!' and name. The positive (no `!') and negative (with `!') entries can be intermixed. @@ -4913,6 +4942,18 @@ full - show full inventory including gold; in-use - only show items which are in use (worn, wielded, lit lamp). + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 76 + + + Default is none but if perm_invent gets set to true while it is none it will be changed to all. @@ -4941,19 +4982,6 @@ Loaded), you will be asked if you want to continue. (Default `S'). Persistent. - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 76 - - - pickup_stolen If this option is on and autopickup is also on, try to pick up things that a monster stole from you, even if they aren't in @@ -4981,6 +5009,17 @@ symbol for venom and you won't come across any venom items so won't unintentionally pick such up. + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 77 + + + 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 @@ -5008,18 +5047,6 @@ query_menu Use a menu when asked specific yes/no queries, instead of a prompt. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 77 - - - quick_farsight When set, usually prevents the "you sense your surroundings" message where play pauses to allow you to browse the map whenever clairvoy- @@ -5047,6 +5074,18 @@ on whether or not you win the game than your actions later in the game). This option exists partly as an acknowledgement that some players will insist on doing so anyway, and partly because rerolling + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 78 + + + may be necessary for certain types of challenge games. rest_on_space @@ -5074,18 +5113,6 @@ If role is not specified, there is no default value; player will be prompted. Cannot be set with the `O' command. Persistent. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 78 - - - 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 @@ -5113,6 +5140,18 @@ depend upon the window port used or on the type of terminal. Per- sistent. + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 79 + + + safe_pet Prevent you from (knowingly) attacking your pets (default on). Per- sistent. @@ -5139,19 +5178,6 @@ Show your accumulated experience points on bottom line (default off). Persistent. - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 79 - - - showrace Display yourself as the glyph for your race, rather than the glyph for your role (default off). Note that this setting affects only @@ -5179,6 +5205,19 @@ Controls the sorting behavior for the output of the `\' and ``' com- mands. Persistent. + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 80 + + + The possible values are: o - list object types by class, in discovery order within each @@ -5205,19 +5244,6 @@ with the #loot and pickup commands; none - show lists the traditional way without sorting; default. - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 80 - - - sortpack Sort the pack contents by type when displaying inventory (default on). Persistent. @@ -5247,6 +5273,17 @@ Allow sounds to be emitted from an integrated sound library (default on). + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 81 + + + sparkle Display a sparkly effect when a monster (including yourself) is hit by an attack to which it is resistant (default on). Persistent. @@ -5271,19 +5308,6 @@ notification messages about feature changes for that and prior ver- sions (for example "suppress_alert:3.3.1"). - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 81 - - - 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 @@ -5313,6 +5337,19 @@ dow, but it no longer leaves the score list around after game end on a terminal or emulating window. + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 82 + + + travel Allow the travel command via mouse click (default on). Turning this option off will prevent the game from attempting unintended moves if @@ -5339,20 +5376,9 @@ s - screen [row,column] (row is offset to match tty usage); n - none (no coordinates shown) [default]. - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 82 - - - - The whatis_coord option is also used with the "/m", "/M", "/o", - and "/O" sub-commands of `/', where the "none" setting is over- - ridden with "map". + The whatis_coord option is also used with the "/m", "/M", "/o", and + "/O" sub-commands of `/', where the "none" setting is overridden + with "map". whatis_filter When getting a location on the map, and using the keys to cycle @@ -5378,6 +5404,18 @@ 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 + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 83 + + + time, move by skipping the same glyphs. (default off) windowtype @@ -5402,20 +5440,6 @@ contents. Not all ports support zero-comp compression. It has no effect on reading an existing save file. - - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 83 - - - 9.5. Window Port Customization options Here are explanations of the various options that are used to @@ -5446,6 +5470,18 @@ IBMgraphics if your display supports them. Setting ascii_map to True forces tiled_map to be False. + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 84 + + + color If NetHack can, it should display color if it can for different mon- sters, objects, and dungeon features (default on). @@ -5471,17 +5507,6 @@ If NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for the sta- tus window. - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 84 - - - font_text If NetHack can, it should use a font by the chosen name for text windows. @@ -5510,6 +5535,19 @@ non-map data (such as menu selector letters). Curses interface only; default is on. + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 85 + + + large_font If NetHack can, it should use a large font. @@ -5536,18 +5574,6 @@ scroll_margin If NetHack can, it should scroll the display when the hero or cursor - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 85 - - - is this number of cells away from the edge of the window. selectsaved @@ -5575,6 +5601,19 @@ The curses interface does likewise if the align_status option is set to top or bottom but ignores statuslines when set to left or right. + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 86 + + + The Qt interface already displays more than 3 lines for status so uses the statuslines value differently. A value of 3 renders status in the Qt interface's original format, with the status window spread @@ -5601,19 +5640,6 @@ options to select an alternate tile file. See NetHack.ad, the sam- ple X "application defaults" file. - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 86 - - - tile_height Specify the preferred height of each tile in a tile capable port. @@ -5642,6 +5668,18 @@ persistent inventory window if enabled. Curses interface only. Acceptable values are + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 87 + + + 0 - off, never show borders 1 - on, always show borders 2 - auto, on if display is at least (24+2)x(80+2) [default] @@ -5667,19 +5705,6 @@ OPTION=windowcolors:style foreground/background - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 87 - - - where style is one of "menu", "message", "status", or "text", and foreground and background are colors, either numeric (hash sign fol- lowed by three pairs of hexadecimal digits, #rrggbb), one of the @@ -5709,6 +5734,18 @@ OPTION=crash_urlmax:bytes This option is used to limit the length of the URLs generated + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 88 + + + and is only needed if your browser cannot handle arbitrarily long URLs. @@ -5735,17 +5772,6 @@ complete the two character sequence. Type a second ESC to finish cancelling such a count. At other prompts a single ESC suffices. - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 88 - - - BIOS Use BIOS calls to update the screen display quickly and to read the keyboard (allowing the use of arrow keys to move) on machines with @@ -5774,6 +5800,18 @@ 16 colors, a mode that is compatible with all VGA hardware. Third party tilesets will probably not work. Setting "autodetect" attempts "vesa", then "vga", and finally sets "default" if neither + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 89 + + + of those modes works. Cannot be set with the `O' command. video_height @@ -5800,18 +5838,6 @@ Regular expressions are normally POSIX extended regular expres- sions. It is possible to compile NetHack without regular expression support on a platform where there is no regular expression library. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 89 - - - While this is not true of any modern platform, if your NetHack was built this way, patterns are instead glob patterns; regardless, this document refers to both as `regular expressions.' This applies to @@ -5840,6 +5866,18 @@ The autopickup_exception rules are processed in the order in which they appear in your configuration file, thus allowing a later rule + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 90 + + + to override an earlier rule. Exceptions can be set with the `O' command, but because they are not @@ -5867,17 +5905,6 @@ character ("x"), a control key ("^X", "C-x"), a meta key ("M-x"), a mouse button, or a three-digit decimal ASCII code. - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 90 - - - For example: BIND=^X:getpos.autodescribe @@ -5905,6 +5932,18 @@ text", and if bound to same keys, only one of those commands will be available. Special command can only be bound to a single key. + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 91 + + + count Prefix key to start a count, to repeat a command this many times. With number_pad only. Default is `n'. @@ -5933,17 +5972,6 @@ When asked for a location, the key to toggle autodescribe. Default is `#'. - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 91 - - - getpos.all.next When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest interesting thing. Default is `a'. @@ -5971,6 +5999,17 @@ When asked for a location, the key to go to previous closest mon- ster. Default is `M'. + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 92 + + + getpos.obj.next When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest object. Default is `o'. @@ -5998,18 +6037,6 @@ getpos.pick When asked for a location, the key to choose the location, and pos- sibly ask for more info. When simulating a mouse click after being - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 92 - - - asked for a direction (see getdir.mouse above), the key to use to respond as right click. Default is `.'. @@ -6036,6 +6063,19 @@ When asked for a location, the key to go to next closest unexplored location. Default is `x'. + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 93 + + + getpos.unexplored.prev When asked for a location, the key to go to previous closest unex- plored location. Default is `X'. @@ -6063,19 +6103,6 @@ type - how the message should be shown; pattern - the pattern to match. - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 93 - - - The pattern should be a regular expression. Allowed types are: @@ -6103,6 +6130,18 @@ Some platforms allow you to define colors used in menu lines when the line matches a user-defined pattern. At this time the tty, + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 94 + + + curses, win32tty and win32gui interfaces support this. In general, the configuration file entries to describe the menu @@ -6131,17 +6170,6 @@ Here's an example of menu colors using NetHack's internal pattern matching facility: - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 94 - - - MENUCOLOR="* blessed *"=green MENUCOLOR="* cursed *"=red MENUCOLOR="* cursed *(being worn)"=red&underline @@ -6168,6 +6196,18 @@ The following configuration file entries are relevant to mapping user sounds to messages: + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 95 + + + SOUNDDIR The directory that houses the sound files to be played. @@ -6194,20 +6234,6 @@ - - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 95 - - - 9.14. Configuring Status Hilites Your copy of NetHack may have been compiled with support for @@ -6236,6 +6262,18 @@ Allowed colors are black, red, green, brown, blue, magenta, cyan, gray, orange, light-green, yellow, light-blue, light-magenta, light- + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 96 + + + 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. @@ -6261,19 +6299,6 @@ You can adjust the appearance of the following status fields: title dungeon-level experience-level strength gold experience - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 96 - - - dexterity hitpoints HD constitution hitpoints-max time intelligence power hunger @@ -6303,6 +6328,18 @@ * "always" will set the default attributes for that field. + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 97 + + + * "up", "down" set the field attributes for when the field value changes upwards or downwards. This attribute times out after statushilites turns. @@ -6328,18 +6365,6 @@ is based on the progress from the start of the current experi- ence level to the start of the next level. So if level 2 starts at 20 points and level 3 starts at 40 points, having 30 - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 97 - - - 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 @@ -6368,6 +6393,19 @@ The in-game options menu can help you determine the correct syn- tax for a configuration file. + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 98 + + + The whole feature can be disabled by setting option statushilites to 0. @@ -6393,19 +6431,6 @@ The options that are used to select a particular symbol set from the symbol file are: - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 98 - - - symset Set the name of the symbol set that you want to load. @@ -6434,6 +6459,19 @@ [ S_armor (suit or piece of armor) [ S_armour (suit or piece of armor) ^ S_arrow_trap (arrow trap) + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 99 + + + 0 S_ball (iron ball) # S_bars (iron bars) B S_bat (bat or bird) @@ -6459,19 +6497,6 @@ # S_darkroom (dark room) ^ S_dart_trap (dart trap) & S_demon (major demon) - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 99 - - - * S_digbeam (dig beam) > S_dnladder (ladder down) > S_dnstair (staircase down) @@ -6500,6 +6525,19 @@ F S_fungus (fungus or mold) * S_gem (gem or rock) S_ghost (ghost) + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 100 + + + H S_giant (giant humanoid) G S_gnome (gnome) ' S_golem (golem) @@ -6525,19 +6563,6 @@ } S_lava (molten lava) } S_lavawall (wall of lava) l S_leprechaun (leprechaun) - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 100 - - - ^ S_level_teleporter (level teleporter) L S_lich (lich) y S_light (light) @@ -6566,6 +6591,19 @@ = S_ring (ring) ` S_rock (boulder or statue) r S_rodent (rodent) + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 101 + + + ^ S_rolling_boulder_trap (rolling boulder trap) . S_room (floor of a room) / S_rslant (diagonal beam [zap animation]) @@ -6591,19 +6629,6 @@ | S_sw_ml (swallow middle left) | S_sw_mr (swallow middle right) - S_sw_tc (swallow top center) - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 101 - - - / S_sw_tl (swallow top left) \ S_sw_tr (swallow top right) - S_tdwall (wall) @@ -6632,6 +6657,19 @@ ^ S_vibrating_square (vibrating square) . S_vodbridge (vertical lowered drawbridge) - S_vodoor (open door in vertical wall) + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 102 + + + v S_vortex (vortex) | S_vwall (vertical wall) / S_wand (wand) @@ -6658,18 +6696,6 @@ * S_rock is misleadingly named; rocks and stones use S_gem. Statues and boulders are the rock being referred to, but since version - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 102 - - - 3.6.0, statues are displayed as the monster they depict. So S_rock is only used for boulders and not used at all if overridden by the more specific S_boulder. @@ -6698,6 +6724,18 @@ The list of acceptable glyphid's can be produced by nethack --dumpg- lyphids. Individual NetHack glyphs can be specified using the G_ pre- + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 103 + + + fix, or you can use an S_ symbol for a glyphid and store the custom representation for all NetHack glyphs that would map to that particu- lar symbol. @@ -6725,17 +6763,6 @@ are often useful in giving players a better sense of the overall loca- tion of items on the screen. - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 103 - - - 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 mes- @@ -6764,6 +6791,17 @@ paranoid_confirmation:swim Prevent walking into water or lava. + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 104 + + + accessiblemsg Adds direction or location information to messages. @@ -6789,19 +6827,6 @@ When targeting with cursor, describe the cursor position with coor- dinates relative to your character. - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 104 - - - whatis_filter:area When targeting with cursor, filter possible locations so only those in the same area (eg. same room, or same corridor) are considered. @@ -6831,6 +6856,18 @@ 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 + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 105 + + + mode. SHELLERS = A list of users who are allowed to use the shell escape @@ -6855,19 +6892,6 @@ SEDUCE = 0 or 1 to disable or enable, respectively, the SEDUCE option. When disabled, incubi and succubi behave like nymphs. - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 105 - - - CHECK_PLNAME = Setting this to 1 will make the EXPLORERS, WIZARDS, and SHELLERS check for the player name instead of the user's login name. @@ -6898,6 +6922,18 @@ ity for players to set S_pet_override and S_hero_override symbols in their configuration file. + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 106 + + + 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 locations. @@ -6922,18 +6958,6 @@ panying the program contains a comment which lists the meaning of the various bits used. Intended for server systems supporting simultaneous play by multiple players (to be clear, each one running - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 106 - - - a separate single player game), for displaying their game progress to observers. Only relevant if the program was built with LIVELOG enabled. When available, it should be left commented out on single @@ -6964,6 +6988,18 @@ 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 + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 107 + + + 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. @@ -6986,20 +7022,6 @@ switching during play does not. The other benefits of explore mode are left for the trepid reader to discover. - - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 107 - - - 11.1. Debug mode Debug mode, also known as wizard mode, is undocumented aside from @@ -7032,6 +7054,18 @@ Jay Fenlason wrote the original Hack, with help from Kenny Wood- land, Mike Thome, and Jon Payne. + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 108 + + + Andries Brouwer did a major re-write while at Stichting Mathema- tisch Centrum (now Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica), transforming Hack into a very different game. He published the Hack source code for use @@ -7054,18 +7088,6 @@ Mike Stephenson merged these various versions back together, incorporating many of the added features, and produced NetHack version 1.4 in 1987. He then coordinated a cast of thousands in enhancing and - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 108 - - - debugging NetHack 1.4 and released NetHack versions 2.2 and 2.3. Like Hack, they were released by posting their source code to Usenet where they remained available in various archives accessible via ftp and @@ -7098,6 +7120,18 @@ Janet Walz, the NetHack Development Team which now included Ken Arromdee, David Cohrs, Jean-Christophe Collet, Kevin Darcy, Matt Day, Timo Hakulinen, Steve Linhart, Dean Luick, Pat Rankin, Eric Raymond, + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 109 + + + and Eric Smith undertook a radical revision of 3.0. They re-struc- tured the game's design, and re-wrote major parts of the code. They added multiple dungeons, a new display, special individual character @@ -7120,18 +7154,6 @@ Timo Hakulinen ported NetHack 3.1 to OS/2. Eric Smith ported NetHack 3.1 to the Atari. Pat Rankin, with help from Joshua - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 109 - - - Delahunty, was responsible for the VMS version of NetHack 3.1. Michael Allison ported NetHack 3.1 to Windows NT. @@ -7164,6 +7186,18 @@ thirteen members of the original NetHack Development Team remained on the team at the start of work on that release. During the interval between the release of 3.1.3 and 3.2.0, one of the founding members of + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 110 + + + the NetHack Development Team, Dr. Izchak Miller, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. That release of the game was dedicated to him by the development and porting teams. @@ -7186,18 +7220,6 @@ Warren Cheung combined SLASH with the Wizard Patch to produce Slash'EM, and with the help of Kevin Hugo, added more features. Kevin - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 110 - - - later joined the NetHack Development Team and incorporated the best of these ideas into NetHack 3.3. @@ -7230,6 +7252,18 @@ and Ranger roles joined Archeologists, Barbarians, Cavemen, Healers, Knights, Priests, Rogues, Samurai, Tourists, Valkyries and of course, Wizards. It was also the first version to allow you to ride a steed, + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 111 + + + and was the first version to have a publicly available web-site list- ing all the bugs that had been discovered. Despite that constantly growing bug list, 3.3 proved stable enough to last for more than a @@ -7253,17 +7287,6 @@ Dean Luick, Mark Modrall, and Kevin Hugo maintained and enhanced the Macintosh port of 3.4. - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 111 - - - Michael Allison, David Cohrs, Alex Kompel, Dion Nicolaas, and Yitzhak Sapir maintained and enhanced 3.4 for the Microsoft Windows platform. Alex Kompel contributed a new graphical interface for the @@ -7295,6 +7318,18 @@ In September 2014, an interim snapshot of the code under develop- ment was released publicly by other parties. Since that code was a + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 112 + + + work-in-progress and had not gone through the process of debugging it as a suitable release, it was decided that the version numbers present on that code snapshot would be retired and never used in an official @@ -7318,18 +7353,6 @@ game, author Terry Pratchett, passed away. NetHack 3.6.0 introduced a tribute to him. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 112 - - - 3.6.0 was released in December 2015, and merged work done by the development team since the release of 3.4.3 with some of the beloved community patches. Many bugs were fixed and some code was restruc- @@ -7362,6 +7385,17 @@ Rankin, Derek S. Ray, Alex Smith, Mike Stephenson, Janet Walz, and Paul Winner. + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 113 + + + In early May 2019, another 320 bug fixes along with some enhance- ments and the adopted curses window port, were released as 3.6.2. @@ -7384,18 +7418,6 @@ NetHack 3.6.7 was released on February 16, 2023 containing a security fix and some bug fixes. - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 113 - - - The official NetHack web site is maintained by Ken Lorber at https://www.nethack.org/. @@ -7430,12 +7452,13 @@ + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 - + NetHack Guidebook 114 @@ -7452,13 +7475,40 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - NetHack Guidebook 114 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + @@ -7466,6 +7516,18 @@ From time to time, some depraved individual out there in netland sends a particularly intriguing modification to help out with the + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 115 + + + game. The NetHack Development Team sometimes makes note of the names of the worst of these miscreants in this, the list of Dungeoneers: @@ -7515,23 +7577,23 @@ Andy Church Jeff Bailey Pasi Kallinen Andy Swanson Jochen Erwied Pat Rankin Andy Thomson John Kallen Patric Mueller - - - - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 - - - - - - NetHack Guidebook 115 - - - 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 + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 + + + + + + NetHack Guidebook 116 + + + Boudewijn Waijers Jonathan Handler Richard Addison Bruce Cox Joshua Delahunty Richard Beigel Bruce Holloway Karl Garrison Richard P. Hughey @@ -7584,13 +7646,17 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + + + + + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026 - NetHack Guidebook 116 + NetHack Guidebook 117 @@ -7650,7 +7716,7 @@ - NetHack 3.7.0 December 11, 2025 + NetHack 3.7.0 February 11, 2026