NetHack: A beginner's guide (DOSWindows)
Author: Jdude84 [Version 1.1 (7/15/02)]
Download at: http://www.nethack.org/v340/downloads.html
Table of Contents
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1. What is nethack?
2. Commands
3. Map symbols and their meanings
4. Stuck?
5. Admin. Goodies
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1.What is nethack?
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NetHack is a single player dungeon exploration game that runs on a wide
variety of computer systems, with a variety of graphical and text interfaces
all using the same game engine. Unlike many other Dungeons &
Dragons-inspired games, the emphasis in NetHack is on discovering the detail
of the dungeon and not simply killing everything in sight - in fact, killing
everything in sight is a good way to die quickly. Each game presents a
different landscape - the random number generator provides an essentially
unlimited number of variations of the dungeon and its denizens to be
discovered by the player in one of a number of characters: you can pick your
race, your role, and your gender.
Now that you have that wonderful piece of information, download it, and lets
get cracking...
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2. Commands
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To execute a command, simply type in the required character(s) at any time.
Arrow keys, number pad: Move.
' ? ' command: Brings up a help sub menu
' ? ' submenu:
a - Long descriptions of the game and commands
b - List of game commands
c - Consicse history of NetHack
d - Info on a character in the game display
e - Info on what a given key does
f - List of game options
g - Longer explanation of game options
h - List of extended commands
i - The NetHack license
j - Windows-specific help and commands
' & ' command: Tell what a command does. EG: ' & ' and then ' ? ' would tell
what the ' ? ' command does.
' > ' command: Go down to the next level if you are on a staircase or
ladder.
' < ' command: Go up to the previous level if you are on a staircase or
ladder.
' a ' command: Apply (use) a tool, such as an axe, key, or lamp.
' A' command: Remove equipment.
' A ' submenu:
a - All worn types
b - Weapons
c - Armor
' c' command: Close door (Specify direction at prompt. 4 = left, 2 = down,
etc)
' ^C ' command: Quit game.
' d ' command: Drop item. Bring up drop prompt.
drop prompt:
a - drop item a
b - drop item b
# - drop item #
3a - drop 3 of item a
3# - drop 3 of item #
' e ' command: Eat food (specify which at prompt)
' E ' command: Engrave message on floor
' f ' command: Fire an object placed in quiver.
' i ' command: List your inventory.
' k ' command: Kick. Useful for kicking open doors.
' o ' command: Open a door. Specify direction at prompt.
' O ' command: Set options.
' p ' command: pay shopping bill
' P ' command: Put an accessory on.
' q ' command: Quaff (drink) a potion. Specify at prompt.
' Q ' command: Select object for quiver. Specify at prompt.
' r ' command: Read scrollspellbook.
' R ' command: Remove acessesory.
' s ' command: Search for secret doors and traps.
' S ' command: Save game.
' t ' command: Throw an object
' T ' command: Take off armor.
' v ' command: Display version number.
' V ' command: Display game history.
' w ' command: Weild weapon.
' W ' command: Wear armor.
For more advanced commands, visit
http://www.nethack.org/v340/Guidebook.html#_TOCentry_7
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3. Map symbols and their meanings
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Half the fun is figuring out what does what in this game, and you will
sooner than you'd think, but here are most of the basic map symbols. Be
warned, there's a lot.
--- Doors ---
All doors are marked in red, and are easily noted.
| = Open door, that has not yet been entered
+ = Closed door. Open it, kick it, or pick it's lock.
--- Stairs ---
Stairs are marked in grey, and can be found pretty much anywhere.
< = Stairway leading up, be careful, sometimes you can not come back down.
>= Stairway leading down.
--- Pets ---
As far as I can fathom, the pet you get is generated at random. Pets will do
various things for you, such as fight enemies, find things, and get lost
about every other second. Pets are shadowed in grey, and their characters
themselves are in red.
d = Dog
f = Kitten
u = Saddled pony
--- Items ---
Lots, and lots of items to pick up in this game. Be careful though, unlike
all those fancy new RPGs, you can't cary 300 potions without being a little
burdened.
e = jackal corpse(s)
>(teal) = weaponry
[ (grey) = weaponry
% (grey) = goblin corpse
% (green) = lichen corpse
* (grey) = rocks
$ (yellow) = Gold pieces.
? (white) = scroll
! (red) = Potion.
--- Monsters ---
d (red) = jackal
F (green) = lichen
o (grey) = goblin
r (red) = sewer rat
x (purple) = grid bug
: (yellow) = newt
--- Other ---
^ (red) = Trap. Watch out!
^ (purple) = Teleportation Trap
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4. Stuck?
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It happens to the best of us, the worst of us. The entire point of the game,
in essence, is NOT to get stuck. Needless to say, this section
might do you some good.
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"I can't get through the door!"
Well, you're probably just trying to open it (o). You might need to kick it
down (k), or apply some lockpick tools (a). You might need to drop a few
items to kick down the door, be forewarned.
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"I don't have enough stamina to move!"
Well, mr. college graduate, drop a few items you're carrying. Eat some food,
or just..keep trying. You'll get the hang of it.
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"I swear, I've uncovered the whole map!"
Well, you quite possibly could have. The biggest oversight, is not using
stairways (< and >). If there aren't any useful stairs, look for un opened
doors. If there are paths that seem to end in the open, use the search (s)
command to perhaps open a new path, or search for new doors. Given enough
time, it should work.
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Stuck? Got a somewhat reasonable question? Fire me an e-mail at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., subject=nethack. If it's not nethack, nethack question,
or doesn't have the word nethack in it, it won't be read, which means you
won't get a reply, so make sure you include the word nethack in the subject,
got it? Good.
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5. Admin. Goodies
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--- Version History ---
Version 1.0 [7/12/02]
Pure basics. Information on game in general, where to download,
overview of how to play. More information on dungeons later.
Version 1.1 [7/15/02]
Added a few more items, monsters, and such. Added a new section, for those
often getting stuck in dungeons.
--- Copyright Notice ---
Entire document is copyright ©2002 Jdude84. Author reserves full rights
regarding use of document. Said document may not be reproduced in any way
other than the printing of, andor copying of the document in paper form.
The only website licensed to hold this, or any other of my FAQs is
http://www.gamefaqs.com
--- Contact Info ---
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Very little chance of me
responding to either. Good chance i'll read them, especially those sent to
hotmail. Cheers.
