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* [[Detect Evil]]: Some artifacts can warn the player of particular types of hostiles.
* [[Detect Evil]]: Some artifacts can warn the player of particular types of hostiles.
* [[Deus Sex Machina]]: With proper preparation (or, as many like to say, "protection"), consorting with succubi and incubi can permanently raise your level or stats and is generally a great resource.
* [[Deus Sex Machina]]: With proper preparation (or, as many like to say, "protection"), consorting with succubi and incubi can permanently raise your level or stats and is generally a great resource.
* [[Diagonal Speed Boost]]: Naturally, as it's a roguelike. The "grid bug conduct" challenge is for your player to ignore the speed boost, which makes the game a ''lot'' harder.
* [[Diagonal Speed Boost]]: Naturally, as it's a roguelike. The "grid bug conduct" jokingly refers to players who unintentionally ignore diagonal movement (which makes the game a ''lot'' harder).
* [[Disc One Nuke]]: In quite a few ways, be it an early wish or polymorphing.
* [[Disc One Nuke]]: In quite a few ways, be it through an early wish or polymorphing.
** [[Broken Base|Some players]] regard "Elbereth" as this. Writing Elbereth in the dust with just their fingers can protect the player from almost all early monsters and many later ones. From 3.6.0 on, it was significantly nerfed to the point of causing another break in the base.
** [[Broken Base|Some players]] used to regard "Elbereth" as this. Writing Elbereth in the dust with just their fingers can protect the player from almost all early monsters and many later ones. From 3.6.0 on, it was significantly nerfed to the point of causing another break in the base.
** Due to starting skill levels, a Rogue on the very first turn can throw up to 2 daggers at a time. Developing the skill can increase that to up to 4 daggers at a time. Enchanting the daggers (or finding enchanted daggers), plus strength damage bonus, means a Rogue is almost guaranteed to be a long range killer by machine-gunning daggers; this is why Rogues start with a stack of daggers. Rangers can do the same, but have to find the daggers on their own, as well as develop the skill completely from scratch.
** Due to starting skill levels, a Rogue on the very first turn can throw up to 2 daggers at a time. Developing the skill can increase that to up to 4 daggers at a time. Enchanting the daggers (or finding enchanted daggers) and adding damage bonuses from Strength almost guarantees you'll have a long range killer that can tear through the early game by machine-gunning daggers. Rangers can do the same, but have to find the daggers on their own, as well as develop the skill completely from scratch.
** Charm monster is an invaluable spell for Tourists or Wizards... if you can find the book and have the right armor to cast it reliably. Once you do, it can prove an absolute lifesaver, as not only can you obtain powerful pets such as the people-eating purple worms, but you can also use it to deter especially menacing attackers, such as minotaurs or a freshly-summoned swarm of nasties.<!--
** Charm monster is an invaluable spell for Tourists or Wizards... if you can find the book and have the right armor to cast it reliably. Once you do, it can prove an absolute lifesaver, as not only can you obtain powerful pets such as the people-eating purple worms, but you can also use it to deter especially menacing attackers, such as minotaurs or a freshly-summoned swarm of nasties.<!--3.7
* [[Distaff Counterpart]]: [[King Mook]] names are changed to the gender-neutral "leader" and "ruler/tyrant", as well as being [[Distaff Counterpart|"queen" counterparts]]; monsters are given the appropriate title for their gender. All monster tiles are also changed to reflect their gender where applicable.-->
* [[Distaff Counterpart]]: [[King Mook]] names are changed to the gender-neutral "leader" and "ruler/tyrant", as well as being [[Distaff Counterpart|"queen" counterparts]]; monsters are given the appropriate title for their gender. All monster tiles are also changed to reflect their gender where applicable.-->
* [[Divine Assistance]]: Coaligned gods reward regular sacrifices and not-too-frequent prayers from their followers (i.e. players) with various boons such as [[Luck Manipulation Mechanic|extra luck]], blessings and even rare artifact weapons!
* [[Divine Assistance]]: Coaligned gods reward regular sacrifices and not-too-frequent prayers from their followers (i.e. players) with various boons such as [[Luck Manipulation Mechanic|extra Luck]], blessings and even rare artifact weapons!
* [[Do Not Drop Your Weapon]]: Averted - you can unequip monsters with a [[Whip It Good|bullwhip]], though enemies can do the same. Weapons can also be stolen like other items - if Magicbane is your only source of magic resistance, and you're disarmed while somebody with a touch of death is around....
* [[Do Not Drop Your Weapon]]: Averted - you can unequip monsters with a [[Whip It Good|bullwhip]], though enemies can do the same. Weapons can also be stolen like other items - if Magicbane is your only source of magic resistance, and you're disarmed while somebody with a touch of death is around...
** Eating greasy food or handling a cursed potion of oil can make your character's fingers slippery, causing them to drop their weapon and anything else they wield for a few turns; this can be remedied by using a towel to wipe them off.
** Eating greasy food or handling a cursed potion of oil can make your character's fingers slippery, causing them to drop their weapon and anything else they wield for a few turns; this can be remedied by using a towel to wipe them clean.
* [[Do Not Pass Go]]: The game displays the message "Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 zorkmids." if you [[Epic Fail|die on your first turn]].
* [[Do Not Pass Go]]: The game displays the message "Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 zorkmids." if you [[Epic Fail|die on your first turn]].
* [[Dracula]]: One of the many bosses.
* [[Dracula]]: One of the many bosses.
* [[Dual-Wielding]]: Blessed +7 Grayswandir and a blessed +7 silver saber, [[Munchkin|yeah baby!]]
* [[Dual-Wielding]]: Blessed +7 Grayswandir and a blessed +7 silver saber, [[Munchkin|yeah baby!]]
* [[Dummied Out]]: [https://nethackwiki.com/wiki/Deferred 'Deferred features'] include the shimmering dragon and vorpal jabberwock, as well as unique characters like [[Cerberus]] and Charon. There was also planned to be an artifact attack that fired magic missiles (similar to Fire and Frost Brand's secondary effects) and spellbooks that could summon spheres.
* [[Dummied Out]]: [https://nethackwiki.com/wiki/Deferred 'Deferred features'] include the shimmering dragon and vorpal jabberwock, as well as unique characters like [[Cerberus]] and Charon. There was also planned to be an artifact attack that fired magic missiles (similar to Fire and Frost Brand's planned secondary effects) and spellbooks that could summon spheres. Many of these features are used in variants.
* [[Dragon Rider]]: Dragons are a viable steed for the player character to apply a saddle to. Naturally, you'll need some luck to tame one, though you can also polymorph a pet into one or raise it from an egg.
* [[Dragon Rider]]: Dragons are a viable steed for the player character to apply a saddle to. Naturally, you'll need some luck to tame one, though you can also polymorph a pet into one or raise it from an egg.
* [[Dunce Cap]]: Appears as an actual item that [[Stuck Items|immediately autocurses and sticks to your head]] if you put it on and fixes your intelligence and wisdom stats to 6. It also shares an appearance with the [[Robe and Wizard Hat|cornuthaum]], which is only useful to wizards, making it pure (and apt) [[Schmuck Bait]].
* [[Dunce Cap]]: Appears as an item that [[Stuck Items|immediately autocurses and sticks to your head]] if you put it on and fixes your intelligence and wisdom stats to 6. It also shares an appearance with the [[Robe and Wizard Hat|cornuthaum]], which is only useful to wizards - making it pure (and apt) [[Schmuck Bait]].
* [[Dungeon Bypass]]: Pick-axes can be used to tunnel around enemies and to dig a hole through the floor of one dungeon level down to the next, letting you bypass entire levels at a time (although you will have to deal with the bypassed levels on the way back up—unless you've got another cunning plan). Wands of digging can do this much faster, but have limited charges.
* [[Dungeon Bypass]]: Pick-axes can be used to tunnel around enemies and dig a hole through the floor of one dungeon level down to the next, letting you bypass entire levels at a time (although you will have to deal with the bypassed levels on the way back up—unless you've got another cunning plan). Wands of digging can do the job much faster, but have limited charges.
* [[Dungeon Shop]]: An important source of items, and (possibly even more importantly) clues as to what the items are - their appearance is randomized for each game and use-testing can be [[Schmuck Bait|a ''very'' Bad Idea]].
* [[Dungeon Shop]]: As expected in a roguelike. Shops are an important source of items, and can even give clues as to what the items are via price identifying - their appearance is randomized for each game, and use-testing can be [[Schmuck Bait|a ''very'' Bad Idea]].
* '''[[Early Game Hell]]''': Depending on the role, but especially if you're new and playing unspoiled. And yes, this applies ''without'' potential "gnome with the wand of death" scenarios.
* '''[[Early Game Hell]]''': Depending on the role, but especially if you're new and playing unspoiled. And yes, this applies ''without'' potential "gnome with the wand of death" scenarios.
* [[Easter Egg]]: Too many to list. Most actually overlap with [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything]] in that the player is trying to do something strange, but the game gives an appropriate response instead of simply giving a generic 'you-can't-do-this' response.
* [[Easter Egg]]: Too many to list. Most actually overlap with [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything]] in that the player is trying to do something strange, but the game gives an appropriate response instead of simply giving a generic 'you-can't-do-this' response.
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* [[Elemental Embodiment]]: Earth, fire, air and water elementals show up as dungeon inhabitants and enemies; they can also be summoned by other means, much to the chagrin of anyone messing around with sinks, neutral altars or fountains. {{spoiler|Naturally, stronger versions appear all over their respective [[Elemental Plane]]s.}}
* [[Elemental Embodiment]]: Earth, fire, air and water elementals show up as dungeon inhabitants and enemies; they can also be summoned by other means, much to the chagrin of anyone messing around with sinks, neutral altars or fountains. {{spoiler|Naturally, stronger versions appear all over their respective [[Elemental Plane]]s.}}
* [[Elemental Plane]]s: {{spoiler|Four of them appear as the final levels of the game, with the Astral Plane being the last of them ([[Fridge Brilliance|likely corresponding to the 5th classical element of aether]]).}}
* [[Elemental Plane]]s: {{spoiler|Four of them appear as the final levels of the game, with the Astral Plane being the last of them ([[Fridge Brilliance|likely corresponding to the 5th classical element of aether]]).}}
* [[Elite Mook]]: Many monsters have [[Monster Lord|"lord"]] and [[King Mook|"king"]] variants, alongside other general "upgraded" forms, and it's possible for them to level up into these forms.
* [[Elite Mook]]: Many monsters have more powerful [[Monster Lord|"lord"]] and [[King Mook|"king"]] variants, alongside other general "upgraded" forms, and it's possible for them to level up into these forms.
* [[Enemy Chatter]]: Hostile monsters will threaten you if you #chat to them; hostile demons, angels and priests will utter maledictions ([[Evil Has a Bad Sense of Humor|or just straight-up painful quips]]) during battle. Your quest nemesis will also greet you with specific dialogue and continue to boast as you fight them.
* [[Enemy Chatter]]: Hostile monsters will threaten you if you #chat to them; hostile demons, angels and priests will utter maledictions ([[Evil Has a Bad Sense of Humor|or just straight-up painful quips]]) during battle. Your quest nemesis will also greet you with specific dialogue and continue to boast as you fight them.
* [[Enemy-Detecting Radar]]:
* [[Enemy-Detecting Radar]]:
** The spell and potion of monster detection reveals the current location of all monsters on the floor, hostile or otherwise; a blessed potion or high-skilled casting functions as an actual radar that lets you track monsters on the same floor for a limited amount of turns.
** The spell and potion of monster detection reveals the current location of all monsters on the floor, hostile or otherwise; a blessed potion or high-skilled casting functions as an actual radar that lets you track monsters near you on the same floor for a limited amount of turns.
** In addition to [[telepathy]] (see [[Psychic Radar]]), the warning intrinsic reveals the locations of monsters with a high-enough level - though it does not show what they are, instead using a 1-5 scale of "threat assessment" (with a higher number indicating a more dangerous monster). Warning works well in conjunction with the former to detect mindless monsters that telepathy may not catch.
** In addition to [[telepathy]] (see [[Psychic Radar]]), the warning intrinsic reveals the locations of monsters with a high-enough level - though it does not show what they are, instead using a 1-5 scale of "threat assessment" (with a higher number indicating a more dangerous monster). Warning works well in conjunction with telepathy to spot mindless monsters that the latter will not detect.
** Certain [[Weapon of X-Slaying]] artifacts warn of certain types of monsters that they are designed to work against, e.g. Sting warning of orcs.
** Certain [[Weapon of X-Slaying]] artifact) by revealing their location on the level.
* [[Enemy Scan]]: The wand of probing gives you information on any monster in its path, as well as revealing the contents of their inventory if applicable. Magicbane can also probe enemies as one of its many effects.
* [[Enemy Scan]]: The wand of probing gives you information on any monster(s) standing in the direction you zap it, as well as revealing the contents of their inventory if applicable. Magicbane can also probe enemies as one of its many effects.
** The stethoscope can also reveal some information about an adjacent monster, though to a lesser extent and without directly revealing their inventory.
** The stethoscope can also reveal some information about an adjacent monster, though to a lesser extent and without directly revealing their inventory.
* [[Enemy Summoner]]:
* [[Enemy Summoner]]: Werecreatures can call monsters within their animal's class for help, and Demons are also capable of "gating" in more of their kind when attacking in melee. {{spoiler|As can you if you attain their forms.}}
** Werecreatures can call monsters within their animal form's class for help, and demons are also capable of "gating" in more of their kind when attacking in melee. {{spoiler|As can you if you attain their forms.}}
** Many high-level spellcasters (including several quest nemeses) can summon strong monsters to surround you when casting in melee range.
** Many high-level spellcasters (including several quest nemeses) can summon strong monsters to surround you when casting in melee range.
** Any monster can technically become this if they get their hands on a wand or scroll of create monster.
** Any monster can technically become this if they get their hands on a wand or scroll of create monster.
* [[Everyone Has Standards]]: The dungeon's hostile inhabitants will become aware of your presence far quicker if you have the "aggravate monster" quality, which you can get intrinsically by [[Eat the Dog|eating domestic cats and dogs]] or [[I'm a Humanitarian|committing cannibalism]] (unless you're an orc or a Caveman in either case). Offering your pet's corpse on an altar is a great way to piss off whatever god owns it, too.
* [[Everyone Has Standards]]: The dungeon's hostile inhabitants will become aware of your presence far quicker if you have the "aggravate monster" quality, which you can get intrinsically by [[Eat the Dog|eating domestic cats and dogs]] or [[I'm a Humanitarian|committing cannibalism]] (unless you're an orc or a Caveman in either case). Offering your pet's corpse on an altar is a great way to piss off whatever god owns it, too.
** Some peaceful monsters and even humanoid pets will react with fright if you attack another peaceful monster.
** Do ''not'' kill a unicorn of your own alignment, even if chaotic, or you might not live to regret it. {{spoiler|You'll actually suffer a -5 Luck penalty (plus any additional applicable penalties if they were peaceful). By itself, this isn't unsurvivable, but it'll take *quite* a while to make up - better not try any wishes in the meanwhile!}}
** Do ''not'' kill a unicorn of your own alignment, even if chaotic, or you might not live to regret it. {{spoiler|You'll suffer a -5 Luck penalty (plus any additional applicable penalties if they were peaceful). By itself, this isn't unsurvivable, but it'll take *quite* a while to make up - better not try any wishes in the meanwhile!}}
* [[Everything's Better with Samurai]]: Not only can anyone get a [[Katanas Are Just Better|katana]], but a bunch of items are renamed in [[Gratuitous Japanese|Japanese]] if you play as the Samurai role.
* [[Everything's Better with Samurai]]: Not only can anyone get a [[Katanas Are Just Better|katana]], but a bunch of items are renamed in [[Gratuitous Japanese|Japanese]] if you play as the Samurai role.
* [[Everything Trying to Kill You]]: '''Oh are they ever.'''
* [[Everything Trying to Kill You]]: '''Oh are they ever.'''
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"I first mistook thee for a statue, when I regarded thy head of stone."}}
"I first mistook thee for a statue, when I regarded thy head of stone."}}
* [[Evil Tower of Ominousness]]: Both Vlad and the Wizard can be found in one; the "fake" Wizard's Towers are designed after Rodney's old dwelling from the earliest versions of ''NetHack''. {{spoiler|One of them contains a portal to the real deal.}}
* [[Evil Tower of Ominousness]]: Both Vlad and the Wizard can be found in one; the "fake" Wizard's Towers are designed after Rodney's old dwelling from the earliest versions of ''NetHack''. {{spoiler|One of them contains a portal to the real deal.}}
* [[Faceless Eye]]: Floating eyes, which can paralyze the player if struck but are rendered harmless if the player cannot see them.
* [[Faceless Eye]]: Floating eyes can paralyze the player if struck, but are rendered harmless if the player cannot see them.
* [[Fair Weather Mentor]]: There's no penalty for starving your pets to death or abandoning them when the going gets tough, except the loss of the pet. Just don't [[Eat the Dog]] unless you ''really'' have to.
* [[Fair Weather Mentor]]: There's no penalty for starving your pets to death or abandoning them on another floor besides the loss of the pet via death or untaming. Thankfully, domestic pets are at least replacable - just don't [[Eat the Dog]] unless you ''really'' have to.
* [[Fake Difficulty]]: Despite ''NetHack''{{'}}s awesomeness, it is hard not to admit that the game definitely has a share of it. Namely:
* [[Fake Difficulty]]: Despite ''NetHack''{{'}}s awesomeness, it is hard not to admit that the game definitely has a share of it. Namely:
** [[Trial and Error Gameplay]]: The game provides almost no direct information about how various spells and items work, what dangers some special monsters present, and so on. The intent is for the Oracle and various rumors to be primary sources of information... except that outside of said Oracle (and blessed fortune cookies), the information isn't guaranteed to be accurate.
** [[Trial and Error Gameplay]]: The game provides almost no direct information about how various spells and items work, what dangers some special monsters present, and so on. The intent is for the Oracle and various rumors to be primary sources of information... except that outside of said Oracle (and blessed fortune cookies), the information isn't guaranteed to be accurate.
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* [[Foe-Tossing Charge]]: The game has many instances when the player is surrounded by monsters and only needs to pass through; the easier way to do this (or something resembling this) is zapping a wand of teleport through the horde, or else breaking a spare one in two and teleporting anything within range.
* [[Foe-Tossing Charge]]: The game has many instances when the player is surrounded by monsters and only needs to pass through; the easier way to do this (or something resembling this) is zapping a wand of teleport through the horde, or else breaking a spare one in two and teleporting anything within range.
** In games where the mail option is enabled, the [[Mailer Daemon]] ([[A Worldwide Punomenon|yes, an actual demon]]) will do this in order to get to the player and deliver their message if necessary. {{spoiler|The [[Four Horsemen|Riders]] can also shove monsters out of the way to get at you on the Astral Plane.}}
** In games where the mail option is enabled, the [[Mailer Daemon]] ([[A Worldwide Punomenon|yes, an actual demon]]) will do this in order to get to the player and deliver their message if necessary. {{spoiler|The [[Four Horsemen|Riders]] can also shove monsters out of the way to get at you on the Astral Plane.}}
* [[Forgot to Feed the Monster]]: While food {{spoiler|(mostly corpses)}} is very common and you usually don't have to actively feed your pet(s), it is possible for them to starve to death. This can annoyingly be reversed if ''you're'' hungry, but your pet gets to edible food before you can. Your pet(s) can also untame or even go feral if you leave them on a different level for too long, and can end up attacking you while confused from hunger; in the case of domestic pets, feeding them will re-tame them.
* [[Forgot to Feed the Monster]]: While food {{spoiler|(mostly corpses)}} is very common and you usually don't have to actively feed your pet(s), it is possible for them to starve to death. This can annoyingly be reversed if ''you're'' hungry, but your pet gets to edible food before you can. Your pet(s) can also untame or even go feral if you leave them on a different level for too long; in the case of domestic pets, feeding them will re-tame them.
** Averted for pets that are inediate and do not need food, though tameness mechanics still apply.
** Pets that become extremely hungry will be confused and may end up attacking you. Averted for pets that are inediate and do not need food, though tameness mechanics still apply.
* [[Fourth Wall Mail Slot]]: On some Unix systems, if you receive a new email while playing, the email is brought to you on a scroll in-game, delivered by the [[A Worldwide Punomenon|mail daemon]].
* [[Fourth Wall Mail Slot]]: On some Unix systems, if you receive a new email while playing, the email is brought to you on a scroll in-game, delivered by the [[A Worldwide Punomenon|mail daemon]].
* [[Frankenstein's Monster]]: Flesh golems are modeled after him - they resist shock damage and are healed by it, and their encyclopedia entry directly quotes [[Mary Shelley]]'s ''[[Frankenstein]]''.
* [[Frankenstein's Monster]]: Flesh golems are modeled after him - they resist shock damage and are healed by it, and their encyclopedia entry directly quotes [[Mary Shelley]]'s ''[[Frankenstein]]''.
* [[Friendly Fireproof]]: ''Averted.'' Ranged attacks from any source can hit anything in the line of fire, including other peaceful or hostile monsters.
* [[Friendly Fireproof]]: Averted. Ranged attacks from any source can hit anything in the line of fire, including other peaceful or hostile monsters.
* [[From Nobody to Nightmare]]: Vlad the Impaler in 3.6.1 - he went from the butt of every player's jokes to [[Lightning Bruiser|the second-fastest monster in the game]] and a level-draining menace.
* [[From Nobody to Nightmare]]: Vlad the Impaler in 3.6.1 - he went from the butt of every player's jokes to [[Lightning Bruiser|the second-fastest monster in the game]] and a level-draining menace.
* [[Full-Frontal Assault]]: The default tiles for [[Horny Devils|foocubi]].
* [[Full-Frontal Assault]]: The default tiles for [[Horny Devils|foocubi]].
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* [[Game Mod]]: The ''NetHack'' General Public License encourages the creation of patches, variants and other similar additions, which the community [[:Category:NetHack variants|has produced many of.]]
* [[Game Mod]]: The ''NetHack'' General Public License encourages the creation of patches, variants and other similar additions, which the community [[:Category:NetHack variants|has produced many of.]]
* [[Gender Bender]]: Possible through polymorphing or with amulets of change (which are usually cursed).
* [[Gender Bender]]: Possible through polymorphing or with amulets of change (which are usually cursed).
* [[Genie in a Bottle]]: In magic lamps, as well as actual bottles. {{spoiler|(Specifically smoky potions.)}} Possible source of a wish, if handled correctly.
* [[Genie in a Bottle]]: In magic lamps, as well as actual bottles. {{spoiler|(Specifically smoky potions.)}} They're a possible source of a wish if handled correctly.
* [[Genius Bruiser]]: Players inevitably tend towards this style of play as they progress - in ''[[NetHack]]'' picking your battles wisely and having creative solutions for disposing of baddies is 70% of the final grade.
* [[Genius Bruiser]]: Players inevitably tend towards this style of play as they progress - in ''NetHack'', picking your battles wisely and having creative solutions for disposing of baddies is 70% of the final grade.
* [[Get Back Here Boss]]: Quest nemeses, end-game bosses and other powerful enemies can warp around at will, and will use this ability to run off and heal. {{spoiler|Generally speaking, they always run off to the stairs to the next floor, meaning once they start that nonsense, you should be running that way, too... or preempt them by blocking the stairs before facing them.}}
* [[Get Back Here Boss]]: Quest nemeses, end-game bosses and other powerful enemies can warp at will, and will use this ability to run off and heal. {{spoiler|Generally speaking, they always warp to the stairs leading to the previous floor, meaning once they start that nonsense, you should be running that way, too... or preempt them by blocking the stairs before facing them.}}
* [[Gods Need Prayer Badly]]: Not only seems to be averted, but your god will be cross with you if you call on them too much. {{spoiler|Yeenoghu is a notable aversion, as his encyclopedia entry explicitly states that his followers were wiped out.}}
* [[Gods Need Prayer Badly]]: Inverted - your god will be cross with you if you call on them too ''much''. {{spoiler|Yeenoghu is a notable aversion, as his encyclopedia entry explicitly states that his followers were wiped out.}}
* [[Golem]]: Various types serve as enemies; they are notable for being impossible to genocide, and can result from polymorphing piles of like items.
* [[Golem]]: Various types serve as enemies; they are notable for being impossible to genocide, and can result from polymorphing piles of like items.
* [[Gone Horribly Right]]:
* [[Gone Horribly Right]]:
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** With work, it's possible to genocide a whole range of ''weaker'' creatures. Overdo the blessed scrolls of genocide and all that's left are the very toughest creatures, which aren't genocidable. The final stages of the game become even more exciting, and frequently, much shorter, too.
** With work, it's possible to genocide a whole range of ''weaker'' creatures. Overdo the blessed scrolls of genocide and all that's left are the very toughest creatures, which aren't genocidable. The final stages of the game become even more exciting, and frequently, much shorter, too.
* [[Good Hurts Evil]]: Undead and demons take bonus damage from blessed weapons.
* [[Good Hurts Evil]]: Undead and demons take bonus damage from blessed weapons.
* [[Good Is Not Nice]]: Oh, angelic monsters such as Archons and ki-rin can be plenty nice if you're lawful, but if you're not or else anger one, ''you're in for it.''
* [[Good Is Not Nice]]: Oh, angelic monsters such as Archons and ki-rin can be plenty nice if you're lawful, but if they're hostile towards you, ''you're in for it.''
* [[Gratuitous Japanese]]: When playing a samurai, the game feedback will call certain items by their Japanese name (helmet -> ''kabuto'') or a rough Japanese equivalent (booze -> ''sake''), though they're the same item behind the scenes. The Samurai Quest is particularly full of this.
* [[Gratuitous Japanese]]: When playing a samurai, the game feedback will call certain items by their Japanese name (helmet -> ''kabuto'') or a rough Japanese equivalent (booze -> ''sake''), though they're the same item behind the scenes. The Samurai Quest is particularly full of this.
* [[Grave Humor]]: Many a randomly generated grave (i.e. not created by a player's death) comes with a humorous message. nethack.alt.org [http://www.alt.org/nethack/addmsgs/viewmsgs.php adds a ton of them.]
* [[Grave Humor]]: Many a randomly generated grave (i.e. not created by a player's death) comes with a humorous message. nethack.alt.org [http://www.alt.org/nethack/addmsgs/viewmsgs.php adds a ton of them.]
* [[Grave Robbing]]: Can be done to find gold and items, though you may also unearth mummies and zombies. Samurai and [[Adventurer Archaeologist|Archaeologists]] in particular suffer alignment penalties if they engage in this.
* [[Grave Robbing]]: You can dig up graves to find gold and items, though you may also unearth mummies and zombies. Lawful roles, including Samurai and [[Adventurer Archaeologist|Archaeologists]] in particular, suffer alignment penalties if they engage in this.
* [[Griping About Gremlins]]: ''NetHack'' gremlins are chaotic, [[Gremlins|Gizmo-like]] creatures.
* [[Griping About Gremlins]]: ''NetHack'' gremlins are chaotic, [[Gremlins|Gizmo-like]] creatures.
* [[Guardian Angel]]: {{spoiler|If you have good enough alignment and are not [[Let's You and Him Fight|generating conflict]] upon entering the Astral Plane, a tame one will be sent to assist you.}}
* [[Guardian Angel]]: {{spoiler|If you have good enough alignment and are not [[Let's You and Him Fight|generating conflict]] upon entering the Astral Plane, a tame one will be sent to assist you.}}
* [[Hailfire Peaks]]: The Valkyrie Quest has both lava and ice on the same map, explained as the result of fire giants invading the naturally frosty Valkyrie homeland.
* [[Hailfire Peaks]]: The Valkyrie quest's home level has both lava and fire traps littering the naturally-icy area, explained as the result of fire giants invading the naturally frosty Valkyrie homeland.
* [[Have a Nice Death]]: Your tombstone tells you how you died; usually that just means which monster, but sometimes, it's [http://alt.org/nethack/userdata/UltiMike/dumplog/1211469330.nh343.txt much more unique]{{Dead link}}. {{spoiler|For those who don't know where to look... he died by ''kicking a wall''.}}
* [[Have a Nice Death]]: Your tombstone tells you how you died; usually that just means which monster, but sometimes, it's much more unique. Figuring out just how to reproduce a specific death can be a non-trivial exercise in itself. ("Turned to slime by a scroll of genocide", anyone?) It's even possible to have "elementary chemistry" as a cause of death if you're careless with acid.
** Sometimes, figuring out just how to reproduce a specific death can be a non-trivial exercise in itself. ("Turned to slime by a scroll of genocide", anyone?)
** It's even possible to have 'elementary chemistry' as a cause of death, if you're careless with acid.
* [[Hawaiian-Shirted Tourist]]: All Tourists start with a Hawaiian shirt, not to mention an expensive camera.
* [[Hawaiian-Shirted Tourist]]: All Tourists start with a Hawaiian shirt, not to mention an expensive camera.
* [[Healing Hands]]: There's an entire school of healing spells, and enemy casters can usually heal themselves with their magic.
* [[Healing Hands]]: There's an entire school of healing spells, and enemy casters can usually heal themselves with their magic.
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** Between 10pm and 6am, some creatures are slightly more dangerous.
** Between 10pm and 6am, some creatures are slightly more dangerous.
** From midnight till 1am, undead do twice as much damage, and you get a different message when entering graveyards.
** From midnight till 1am, undead do twice as much damage, and you get a different message when entering graveyards.
* [[Hollywood Acid]]: Averted in that most acid attacks only cause a few hit points of damage, and corrode metal items instead of instantly dissolving them.
* [[Hollywood Acid]]: Averted in that most acid attacks cause relatively lower damage, and corrode metal items instead of instantly dissolving them.
* [[Holy Burns Evil]]: Werecreatures, vampires, and demons are weak to silver.
* [[Holy Burns Evil]]: Werecreatures, vampires, and demons are weak to silver.
* [[Horny Devils]]: Foocubi (the gender-neutral name used for the succubus and incubus) can seduce the character (or just about anything of the opposite sex, including a dragon steed), cause a random effect (positive or negative depending on stats and chance) and teleport away.
* [[Horny Devils]]: Foocubi (the gender-neutral name used for the succubus and incubus) can seduce the character (or just about anything of the opposite sex, including a dragon steed), cause a random effect (positive or negative depending on stats and chance) and teleport away.
* [[Horsemen of the Apocalypse]]: {{spoiler|Death, Pestilence, and Famine (referred to as The Riders) make an appearance as endbosses in the Astral Plane. War is ''the player''.}}
* [[Horsemen of the Apocalypse]]: {{spoiler|Death, Pestilence, and Famine (referred to as The Riders) make an appearance as endbosses in the Astral Plane. War is ''the player''.}}
* [[HP to One]]: The player can do this to certain monsters. {{spoiler|Specifically, if you're being engulfed by something that isn't whirly, zapping a wand of digging inside them will reduce them to 1 HP and force them to expel you.}}
* [[HP to One]]: The player can do this to certain monsters. {{spoiler|Specifically, if you're being engulfed by something solid, zapping a wand of digging through them will reduce them to 1 HP and force them to expel you.}}
* [[Human Sacrifice]]: Same-species sacrifice is possible, but highly unadvisable unless you're chaotic.
* [[Human Sacrifice]]: Same-species sacrifice is possible, but highly unadvisable unless you're chaotic.
* [[I Fought the Law and the Law Won]]: Keystone Kops spawn in large numbers if you [[Shoplift and Die|rob a store]], even by accident. They are among the only monsters in the game that can never be rendered permanently extinct; no matter how many armies of them you defeat, there'll always be another pack ready to jump you NEXT time you step outta line. Downplayed in that you ''can'' fight and defeat them, though sometimes it may be less tedious or dangerous to just pay up.
* [[I Fought the Law and the Law Won]]: Keystone Kops spawn in large numbers if you [[Shoplift and Die|rob a store]], even by accident. They are among the only monsters in the game that can never be rendered permanently extinct; no matter how many armies of them you defeat, there'll always be another pack ready to jump you NEXT time you step outta line. Downplayed in that you ''can'' fight and defeat them, though sometimes it may be less tedious or dangerous to just pay up.
* [[Implacable Man]]: Subverted; even when you're high level and well-tooled for melee with AC well in the negatives and a ring of regeneration, and you can smite an entire room of trolls and dragons, taking blows and regenerating the damage faster than they can dish it out, you can still get absolutely destroyed without the proper resistances, and in some cases even ''with'' them!
* [[Implacable Man]]: Subverted; even when you're high level and well-tooled for melee with AC well in the negatives and a ring of regeneration, and you can smite an entire room of trolls and dragons, taking blows and regenerating the damage faster than they can dish it out, you can still get absolutely destroyed without the proper resistances, and in some cases even ''with'' them!
* [[Improvised Weapon]]: You can wield nearly any item and use it for the blunt-force trauma if nothing else.
* [[Improvised Weapon]]: You can wield nearly any item and use it for the blunt-force trauma if nothing else.
* [[Infinity+1 Sword]]: Grayswandir is a silver saber which deals double damage to all monsters (instead of just extra damage like other artifacts) plus the usual extra damage to silver-hating monsters. It's widely considered the best artifact in the game, to the point that even non-Lawfuls may choose to wish for it in the late game - it's not intelligent, so it won't evade their grasp and the artifact blast only does 4d4 damage.
* [[Infinity+1 Sword]]: Grayswandir is a silver saber which deals double damage to ''all'' monsters (instead of just extra damage like other artifacts) plus the usual extra damage to silver-hating monsters. It's widely considered the best artifact in the game, to the point that even non-Lawfuls may choose to wish for it in the late game - it's not intelligent and won't evade their grasp, and the artifact blast only does 4d4 damage, making it ideal to carve through the demonic forces of Gehennom.
** Ranged attacks that make use of a weapon at skilled level or better can kill enemies before they even get withing melee range, and is typically called [http://nethack.wikia.com/wiki/Storm "storm" damage].
** Ranged attacks that make use of a multi-shot weapon at skilled level or better can kill enemies before they even get withing melee range (typically called [http://nethack.wikia.com/wiki/Storm "storm" damage]).
** [[Kill It with Ice|Cone of cold]] and [[Kill It with Fire|fireball]] cast at skilled or better level can created repeated area-of-effect explosions that rack up tons of damage.
** [[Kill It with Ice|Cone of cold]] and [[Kill It with Fire|fireball]] cast at skilled or better level can created repeated area-of-effect explosions that rack up tons of damage.
** [[Magic Missile]] for Wizards will make short work of nearly anything without reflection, up to and including the final bosses.
** [[Magic Missile]] in the hands of a Wizard will make short work of nearly anything without reflection, up to and including the final bosses.
* [[I'm a Humanitarian]]: Eating your own species is possible, but in most scenarios it's also a Very Bad Idea™.
* [[I'm a Humanitarian]]: Eating your own species is possible, but in most scenarios it's also a Very Bad Idea™.
* [[Interface Screw]]: The ''[[Rogue (video game)|Rogue]]'' level, a [[Shout-Out]] to the GUI of ''NetHack''{{'}}s predecessor, can be confusing to navigate if you're new or used to playing with tilesets.
* [[Interface Screw]]: The ''[[Rogue (video game)|Rogue]]'' level can be confusing to navigate if you're new or used to playing with tilesets, as it uses the GUI of ''NetHack''{{'}}s predecessor.
** Some of the [[Standard Status Effects]] can prove horrendous. When confused or stunned, moving takes you in the wrong direction most of the time; when hallucinating, you can't tell friend from foe. When blinded, you can't see anything, and unless you have a means of telepathy, you risk bumping into or touching something that may turn lethal in short order. Better not get blinded in shops and towns!
** Some of the [[Standard Status Effects]] can prove horrendous. When confused or stunned, moving takes you in the wrong direction most of the time; when hallucinating, you can't tell friend from foe. When blinded, you can't see anything, and unless you have a means of telepathy, you risk bumping into or touching something that may turn lethal in short order. Better not get blinded in shops and towns!
* [[Inventory Management Puzzle]]: You can carry a lot of swag with the right items, but eventually you'll have to start stashing; to be as certain as possible of not losing a cache, you can {{spoiler|put it in a pit and push a boulder on top of it}} or {{spoiler|put it in a (preferably locked) chest, on a scroll of scare monster, on a dungeon tile which has "Elbereth" engraved on it. If it's not a permanent Elbereth, peaceful monsters can wander across it and scuff it out. Then the gelatinous cube shows up...}}
* [[Inventory Management Puzzle]]: For sufficiently advanced and/or paranoid players, most of the difficulty (and/or tedium) will come from this. You can carry a lot of swag with the right items, but eventually you'll have to start stashing; to be as certain as possible of not losing a cache, you can {{spoiler|put it in a pit and push a boulder on top of it}} or {{spoiler|put it in a (preferably locked) chest, on a scroll of scare monster, on a dungeon tile which has "Elbereth" engraved on it. If it's not a permanent Elbereth, peaceful monsters can wander across it and scuff it out. Then the gelatinous cube shows up...}}
* [[Invisibility]]: Available through [[Invisibility Cloak|a cloak]] and a ring, as well as intrinsic invisibility conferred by wand (permanent), potion or spell (temporary). Note that it doesn't make you completely undetectable; monsters will try to guess your location and attack where they think you are, and some monsters can see invisible creatures soutright. All of the above items can also be used by monsters, making the "see invisible" intrinsic important.
** For sufficiently advanced and/or paranoid players, most of the difficulty (and/or tedium) will come from this.
* [[Invisible Monster]]: In addition to the above being available to monsters, the stalker is a form of elemental that is naturally invisible at all times. Eating one can provide a source of invisibility and the ability to see other invisible beings. {{spoiler|The method its corpse provides you with the latter will also turn you invisible indefinitely, however.}}
* [[Invisibility]]: Available via both [[Invisibility Cloak|a cloak]] and a ring, as well as intrinsic invisibility conferred by wand (permanent), potion or spell (temporary). Note that it doesn't make you completely undetectable; monsters will try to guess your location and attack where they think you are. All of the above items can also be used by monsters, making the "see invisible" intrinsic very important.
* [[Just Add Water]]: Several types. For example, alchemy can be used to mix potions and generate more-useful ones.
* [[Invisible Monster]]: In addition to the above being available to monsters, the stalker is naturally invisible at all times, and can provide a source of invisibility and the ability to see other invisible beings. {{spoiler|The method its corpse provides you with the latter will turn you invisible indefinitely, however.}}
* [[Katanas Are Just Better]]: They use the same skill as the long sword, but have slightly higher damage against small monsters and are +1 to hit. Snickersnee is an artifact katana that serves as the first sacrifice gift for Samurai.
* [[Just Add Water]]: Several types.
* [[Kick the Dog]]: You can do this if you like, even literally. [[You Bastard]]. Seeing as your pet is your loving sidekick and one of your more useful assets, this is usually an accident when it happens. {{spoiler|On occasion, you may have to go so far as to [[Shoot the Dog]] if it turns on you. Offering your pet on an altar makes that altar's god angry at you, by the way.}}
** Alchemy can be used to mix less-useful potions and generate more-useful ones.
* [[Katanas Are Just Better]]: They use the same skill as the long sword, but have slightly higher damage against small monsters and are +1 to hit.
* [[Kick the Dog]]: You can do this if you like, literally even. [[You Bastard]]. Seeing as your pet is your loving sidekick and one of your more useful assets, this is usually an accident when it happens. {{spoiler|On occasion, you may have to go so far as to [[Shoot the Dog]] if it turns on you. Offering your pet on an altar makes that altar's god angry at you, by the way.}}
* [[King Mook]]: Gnome kings, dwarf kings, ogre king, Elvenkings, and queen bees. They are the strongest of their respective monster classes, and can even appear in throne rooms occupying the square with the throne - except for queen bees, which appear in beehives instead.
* [[King Mook]]: Gnome kings, dwarf kings, ogre king, Elvenkings, and queen bees. They are the strongest of their respective monster classes, and can even appear in throne rooms occupying the square with the throne - except for queen bees, which appear in beehives instead.
** [[Monster Lord]]: "Lord" variants of the above monsters (minus bees) appear as well, and can grow up into their respective "king" forms.
** [[Monster Lord]]: "Lord" variants of the above monsters (minus bees) appear as well, and can grow up into their respective "king" forms.
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* [[Late Arrival Spoiler]]: Part and parcel with a game that's been active since 1987.
* [[Late Arrival Spoiler]]: Part and parcel with a game that's been active since 1987.
* [[Leaning on the Fourth Wall]]: Applying a stethoscope to listen to the very bottom of the screen gives the message "''You hear a faint typing noise.''"
* [[Leaning on the Fourth Wall]]: Applying a stethoscope to listen to the very bottom of the screen gives the message "''You hear a faint typing noise.''"
* [[Let's You and Him Fight]]: Invoked with the ring of conflict - wearing one causes every nearby monster (that ''isn't'' you) to start attacking any other nearby monster. (''Including'' you!) The Sceptre of Might can also be literally invoked to generate conflict.
* [[Let's You and Him Fight]]: Invoked with the ring of conflict - wearing one causes every nearby monster (that ''isn't'' you) to start attacking any other nearby monster. (''Including'' you!) The Sceptre of Might can also be invoked literally to generate conflict.
* [[Level Grinding]]: Possible, but depending on the scenario it's not always recommended.
* [[Level Grinding]]: Possible, but depending on the scenario it's not always recommended.
** Priests and Wizards have quest branches that can generate a lot of wraiths, whose corpses can be eaten to gain an experience level.
** Priests and Wizards have quest branches that can generate a lot of wraiths, whose corpses can be eaten to gain an experience level.
** The "pudding farming" method allowed you to collect massive amounts of hit points, as well as really good loot, at the cost of turning a lot of the game into a tedious slog, to the point that prior to 3.6.0,<ref>This version introduced globs that replaced the corpses of puddings as death drops; they could no longer be sacrificed or farmed for items, and cloned puddings give much fewer points.</ref> a player joked that the Dev Team didn't need to invent a punishment for pudding farming because there already was one—{{spoiler|[[Ironic Hell|"it's called pudding farming."]]}}
** The "pudding farming" method allowed you to collect massive amounts of hit points, as well as really good loot, at the cost of [[Victory Is Boring|turning the remainder of the game into a tedious slog]]. Prior to the release of 3.6.0,<ref>This version introduced globs that replaced the corpses of puddings as death drops; they could no longer be sacrificed or farmed for items, and cloned puddings give much fewer points.</ref> a player joked that the Dev Team didn't need to invent a punishment for pudding farming because there already was one—{{spoiler|[[Ironic Hell|"it's called pudding farming."]]}}
** [[Anti-Grinding]]: Leveling up too much before you find good equipment is a good way to get yourself into trouble.
** [[Anti-Grinding]]: Leveling up too much before you find good equipment is a good way to get yourself into trouble.
* [[Level Scaling]]: The level of enemies you'll face is based on the average of your character level and the depth you've reached in the dungeon.
* [[Level Scaling]]: The level of enemies you'll face is based on the average of your character level and the depth you've reached in the dungeon.
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* [[Life Drain]]: Appears as an attack spell and an ability used by monsters such as vampires and foocubi. The Healer quest artifact can also drain the life of its targets, and {{spoiler|Stormbringer}} is capable of doing the same.
* [[Life Drain]]: Appears as an attack spell and an ability used by monsters such as vampires and foocubi. The Healer quest artifact can also drain the life of its targets, and {{spoiler|Stormbringer}} is capable of doing the same.
** [[Level Drain]]: Also tends to double as this, particularly when used by players.
** [[Level Drain]]: Also tends to double as this, particularly when used by players.
* [[Logical Weakness]]: Tridents do additional damage to aquatic monsters; axes do extra damage to wood golems; clay golems can be destroyed in one shot if you've read the original folk tale and {{spoiler|erase the runes on their foreheads}}. [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything/NetHack|The list goes on...]]
* [[Logical Weakness]]: Tridents do additional damage to aquatic monsters that are swimming; axes do extra damage to wood golems; and clay golems can be destroyed in one shot if you've read the original folk tale {{spoiler|and know how to erase the runes on their foreheads}}. [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything/NetHack|The list goes on...]]
* [[Luck-Based Mission]]: Luck (both in the sense of [[Luck Stat|the stat and RNG]]) plays an important role in NetHack; if the [[Random Number God]] wants to kill you, it probably will, because at any given moment, there are many things that can go wrong. Taking precautions that will let you ''survive'' its wrath is an important part of the game.
* [[Luck-Based Mission]]: Luck (both in the sense of [[Luck Stat|the stat and RNG]]) plays an important role in NetHack; if the [[Random Number God]] wants to kill you, it probably will, because at any given moment, there are many things that can go wrong. Taking precautions that will let you ''survive'' its wrath is an important part of the game.
** Christian Bressler, aka 'Marvin the Paranoid Android', ascended [http://alt.org/nethack/ascstreak.html 23 times in a row] over a three month span on the public server NAO, mostly to show that any individual game could be won. Including one of every class for the first 13, prior to doing conducts.
** Christian Bressler, aka 'Marvin the Paranoid Android', ascended [http://alt.org/nethack/ascstreak.html 23 times in a row] over a three month span on the public server NAO, mostly to show that any individual game could be won. Including one of every class for the first 13, prior to doing conducts.
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** One of the various traps that an adventurer can encounter is a pit. Sometimes, this pit has spikes. Sometimes, these spikes are poisoned. And sometimes, poison is instantly lethal. Therefore, characters who don't possess poison resistance could theoretically die at any given moment from wandering into one; the truly paranoid will try to only step where they've seen other monsters step safely, or search when that's not possible.
** One of the various traps that an adventurer can encounter is a pit. Sometimes, this pit has spikes. Sometimes, these spikes are poisoned. And sometimes, poison is instantly lethal. Therefore, characters who don't possess poison resistance could theoretically die at any given moment from wandering into one; the truly paranoid will try to only step where they've seen other monsters step safely, or search when that's not possible.
* [[Luck Stat]]: Exists in the game and is affected by circumstances such as moon phase, date, and other factors, e.g. [[Thirteen Is Unlucky|Friday the 13th]] naturally results in lower base Luck.
* [[Luck Stat]]: Exists in the game and is affected by circumstances such as moon phase, date, and other factors, e.g. [[Thirteen Is Unlucky|Friday the 13th]] naturally results in lower base Luck.
** [[Luck Manipulation Mechanic]]: Your capital-L Luck can be raised and lowered through various actions, ranging from the standard (gaining luck by sacrificing to your god or losing Luck by breaking a mirror) to the unusual and frankly absurd (losing 1 point of Luck for hitting a blind floating eye<ref>Though this only occurs with a 1/500 chance</ref>). {{spoiler|Luck normally times out by 1 point every 600th turn of the game - having a [[Good Luck Charm|noncursed luck item]] such as a luckstone boosts your Luck and partially or completely prevents it from timing out.}}
** [[Luck Manipulation Mechanic]]: Your capital-L Luck can be raised and lowered through various actions, ranging from the standard (gaining Luck by sacrificing to your god or losing Luck by breaking a mirror) to the unusual and frankly absurd (losing 1 point of Luck for hitting a blind floating eye<ref>Though this only occurs with a 1/500 chance</ref>). {{spoiler|Luck normally times out by 1 point every 600th turn of the game - having a [[Good Luck Charm|noncursed luck item]] such as a luckstone boosts your Luck and partially or completely prevents it from timing out.}}
* [[MacGuffin]]: The Amulet of Yendor is the primary one, and each role also has a quest artifact specific to them, guarded by their quest nemesis. Said nemesis, Vlad the Impaler, and the Wizard of Yendor also guard the three items needed to access the Amulet of Yendor.
* [[MacGuffin]]: The Amulet of Yendor is the primary one, and each role also has a quest artifact specific to them, guarded by their quest nemesis. Said nemesis, Vlad the Impaler, and the Wizard of Yendor also guard the three items needed to access the Amulet of Yendor.
* [[Macrogame]]/[[Metagame]]:
* [[Macrogame]]/[[Metagame]]:
** Bones files add another dimension to playing NetHack when on an online server (or playing locally and using Hearse). These allow you to possibly stumble upon the "bones" of your previous characters and others, loading the floor in question as it was at their time of death instead of creating a new level. The good news is that you can take whatever items they left behind once you deal with their ghost - the bad news is that whatever killed them might still be around...
** Bones files add another dimension to playing NetHack when on an online server (or playing locally and using Hearse). These allow you to possibly stumble upon the "bones" of your previous characters and others, loading the floor in question as it was at their time of death instead of creating a new level. The good news is that you can take whatever items they left behind once you deal with their ghost - the bad news is that whatever killed them might still be around...
** Many sort-of-intentional deaths are caused on the first few levels by people repeatedly seeking some early advantage: quaffing from fountains (as "supplication" to the [[Random Number God]] for a wish, in case you’re curious), or kicking sinks for a ring and then dying if a foocubus or black pudding comes up and they can’t handle it (or don’t want to waste time handling it). This is a form of startscumming, and not everyone thinks it's a-OK.
** Many sort-of-intentional deaths are caused on the first few levels by people repeatedly seeking some early advantage: quaffing from fountains (as "supplication" to the [[Random Number God]] for a wish, in case you’re curious), or kicking sinks for a ring and then dying if a foocubus or black pudding comes up and they can’t handle it (or don’t want to waste time handling it). This is a form of startscumming, and not everyone thinks it's a-OK.
** In regards to intentional deaths, some players have used it as a form of [[griefing]] by intentionally luring or creating powerful monsters to reasonably early levels, then dying to them in the hopes of creating an "impossible" bones file that stonewalls other players.
** In regards to intentional deaths, some players have used it as a form of [[griefing]] by intentionally luring or creating powerful monsters to reasonably early levels, then dying to them in the hopes of creating an "impossible" bones file that stonewalls other players. Measures have been taken to prevent this on servers.
** A somewhat more benign use of bones involves "stuffing", creating as many bones as possible on a given level in the hopes of coming across them with another character - doing this on purpose is still considered bad form, with the exception of specialized [[speedrun]]s.
** A somewhat more benign use of bones involves "stuffing" - creating as many bones as possible on a given level in the hopes of coming across them with another character. Doing this on purpose is still considered bad form, with the exception of specialized [[speedrun]]s.
* [[Mad Oracle]]: Downplayed with the Oracle of Delphi, who is always guaranteed to appear in every game (barring bones shenanigans). She can be paid for consultations, which is one of the main ways an unspoiled player can learn about the game - where the "Mad" aspect comes in is that her minor consultations, while cheap and always true, are [[Cryptic Conversation|a bit on]] [[Vagueness Is Coming|the obtuse side]]. While on her level, you can also hear "conclusive ravings".
* [[Mad Oracle]]: Downplayed with the Oracle of Delphi, who is always guaranteed to appear in every game (barring bones shenanigans). She can be paid for consultations, which is one of the main ways an unspoiled player can learn about the game - where the "Mad" aspect comes in is that her minor consultations, while cheap and always true, are [[Cryptic Conversation|a bit on]] [[Vagueness Is Coming|the obtuse side]]. While on her level, you can also hear "conclusive ravings".
* [[Magic Mirror]]: Appears as one of many quest artifacts.
* [[Magic Mirror]]: Appears as one of many quest artifacts.
* [[Magic Missile]]: One of the many spells available in the game, and can become ridiculously powerful due to scaling with your level.
* [[Magic Missile]]: One of the many spells available in the game, and can become ridiculously powerful due to scaling with your level. Other monsters such as Angels and the Oracle also have this as a natural ability, as does {{spoiler|the demon lord Yeenoghu}}.
* [[Magic Pants]]: Subverted - if you change into a much larger form, then the armor you're wearing will be torn apart and destroyed. If you turn into something exceptionally weak and puny, you'll be half-squashed by the same armor and find it harder if not impossible to move.
* [[Magic Pants]]: Subverted - if you change into a much larger form, then the armor you're wearing will be torn apart and destroyed. If you turn into something exceptionally weak and puny, you'll be half-squashed by the same armor and find it harder if not impossible to move.
** Despite the amount of slots available, there are no ''mention'' of pants in the game whatsoever. If you sit on a cockatrice corpse, however, you don't turn to stone, so you must be wearing pants. Since they don't tear apart or anything, they must be magic. [[Exact Words|So the pants are magic, but it's averted with the rest of your clothing.]]
** Despite the amount of slots available, there are no ''mention'' of pants in the game whatsoever. If you sit on a cockatrice corpse, however, you don't turn to stone, so you must be wearing pants. Since they don't tear apart or anything, [[Exact Words|the pants are thus magic, but it's averted with the rest of your clothing.]]
* [[Magic Points]]: Replaces the [[Vancian Magic]] system as of 3.3.0.
* [[Magic Points]]: Replaces the [[Vancian Magic]] system as of 3.3.0.
* [[Magikarp Power]]/[[Lethal Joke Character]]: Arguably, all the "weak" character classes have this to some extent - but it's most noticeable with the Tourist, who might (arguably) be the easiest role to win with if you survive past [[the Quest]]. But that's usually a ''big'' [[Nintendo Hard|"if."]]
* [[Magikarp Power]]/[[Lethal Joke Character]]: Arguably, all the "weak" character classes have this to some extent - but it's most noticeable with the Tourist, who might (arguably) be the easiest role to win with if you survive past [[the Quest]]. But that's usually [[Nintendo Hard|a ''big'' "if."]]
** Throwing darts are sufficient for most roles as a ranged attack, even if they lack the related skill; there are also plenty of dart traps to un-trap for more darts. {{Spoiler|Poison them with a potion of sickness and they can be a big help.}}
** Throwing darts are sufficient for most roles as a ranged attack, even if they lack the related skill; there are also plenty of dart traps to un-trap for more darts. {{Spoiler|Poison them with a potion of sickness and they can be a big help.}}
* [[Mailer Daemon]]: A literal one - it delivers messages from other users when playing on a server. The daemon normally appears and disappears within one turn without giving a chance for the player to interact with it. However, a [[Crazy Prepared]] player [[Lord British Postulate|can kill it]], [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything|rendering it extinct and preventing further messages from being delivered]]. {{spoiler|To do this, the player needs to stone-to-flesh a statue of a mail daemon, which is not something that occurs naturally but needs to be wished for, and to be prepared to kill the resulting daemon in one turn, as it otherwise disappears with a cry of "I'm late!"}}
* [[Mailer Daemon]]: A literal one - it delivers messages from other users when playing on a server. The daemon normally appears and disappears within one turn without giving the player a chance to interact with it. However, a [[Crazy Prepared]] player [[Lord British Postulate|can kill it]], [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything|rendering it extinct and preventing further messages from being delivered]]. {{spoiler|To do this, the player needs to stone-to-flesh a statue of a mail daemon, which is not something that occurs naturally but needs to be wished for, and have enough speed and powerful enough weapons to kill the daemon in one turn - too slow and it disappears with a cry of "I'm late!"}}
* [[Make a Wish]]: The most certain, and in some cases only, way of getting some desirable rare items. On the other hand, it may be much more useful to wish for an item with an important [[Mundane Utility]].
* [[Make a Wish]]: The most certain, and in some cases only, way of getting some desirable rare items. On the other hand, it may be much more useful to wish for an item with an important [[Mundane Utility]].
* [[The Many Deaths of You]]: There are many (''many'', '''many''') ways to die, leading to a lot of [[Trial and Error Gameplay]]. Some can only realistically be obtained by deliberately setting out to collect them.
* [[The Many Deaths of You]]: There are many (''many'', '''many''') ways to die, leading to a lot of [[Trial and Error Gameplay]]. Some can only realistically be obtained by deliberately setting out to collect them.
* [[Medusa]]: Appears as a boss on her own unique level, with some elements, such as a statue of Perseus, that allude to her myth.
* [[Medusa]]: Appears as a boss on her own unique level which has elements that allude to her myth, such as a statue of Perseus.
* [[Meta Multiplayer]]:
* [[Meta Multiplayer]]:
** Nethack tracks the top 1000 player scores, which can be seen by other players on the same system (e.g. a public server), and "bones files" that store the contents of a level on which a character died may be loaded in lieu of normal level generation. The program Hearse can be used to exchange bones files with other players when playing outside servers (which store bones for use in other games by default).
** Nethack tracks the top 1000 player scores, which can be seen by other players on the same system (e.g., a public server), and "bones files" that store the contents of a level on which a character died may be loaded in lieu of normal level generation. The program Hearse can be used to exchange bones files with other players when playing outside servers (which store bones for use in other games by default).
** Public servers also have specialized bots that print text for significant in-game events (e.g. Hardfought's Beholder announces significant events, such as when a player has completed a branch, picked up a notable item or killed a noteworthy enemy, and also announcements certain conduct-breaking actions).
** Public servers also have specialized bots that print text for significant in-game events; for example, NAO's Rodney announces ended games (i.e. deaths, escapes and ascensions), and Hardfought's Beholder announces other significant events - such as when a player has completed a branch, picked up a notable item, killed a noteworthy enemy, or commits certain conduct-breaking actions.
* [[Metasyntactic Variable]]: "Foo" is a loanword often used in discussion of NetHack, typically involving sets of creatures with similar characteristics (e.g. [[Horny Devils|foocubi]] and [[Our Werebeasts Are Different|werefoo]]).
* [[Metasyntactic Variable]]: "Foo" is a loanword from hacker jargon often used in discussion of NetHack, typically involving sets of creatures with similar characteristics (e.g. [[Horny Devils|foocubi]] and [[Our Werebeasts Are Different|werefoo]]).
* [[Mighty Glacier]]: Many quadrupeds qualify as this.
* [[Mighty Glacier]]: Mumakil and baluchitheria. The former is somewhat slow, but hard to hit possesses a headbutt attack with the highest possible single roll for damage in the game; the latter is slightly faster and tougher, but has less AC, though it can still do solid amounts of damage.
** Rothes are an early game example that move somewhat slow, but get 3 attacks per turn, and often generate in herds. They are usually among the earliest instances where a player will have to employ crowd control and kiting to avoid being battered to death.
** Mumakil and baluchitheria. The former is somewhat slow but hard to hit, and possesses a headbutt attack with the highest possible single roll for damage in the game; the latter is slightly faster and tougher, but has less AC, though it can still do solid amounts of damage.
** The wumpus is extremely slow and often generates asleep, but its sole bite attack can deal solid damage.
* [[Minigame Zone]]:
* [[Minigame Zone]]:
** The ''[[Sokoban]]'' branch. Interestingly, the [[Mini Game]] is done with the same mechanics as the rest of the game, with only minimal changes to Sokoban's mechanics itself; boulders can't be pushed diagonally, you can't fly over holes in the floor, and certain other things (e.g. using spells to get rid of boulders) will give you a luck penalty.
** The ''[[Sokoban]]'' branch. The [[Mini Game]] uses the same mechanics as the rest of the game, with only minimal changes to the adapted Sokoban mechanics themselves; boulders can't be pushed diagonally as usual, but you also can't fly over the pits and holes in the floor, and certain actions (e.g. making or removing boulders) will incur a Luck penalty.
** One way to enter the Castle is to invoke this by winning a game of [[Master Mind]].
** One way to enter the Castle is to invoke this by winning a game of [[Master Mind]].
** In the endgame, {{spoiler|wielding the Amulet of Yendor lets you play hot/cold to find the hidden portals to the next level.}}
** In the endgame, {{spoiler|wielding the Amulet of Yendor lets you play hot/cold to find the hidden portals to the next level.}}
* [[Mission from God]]: The [[Excuse Plot]].
* [[Mission from God]]: The core of the [[Excuse Plot]].
* [[Money for Nothing]]: There are some things worth spending gold on, but the fact that you can kill almost anything you gave your gold to means that generally, once you're done with getting your protection and items, you're more or less done with money as well - unless you plan to try [[Bribing Your Way to Victory]] against some of the demon lords you'll meet.
* [[Money for Nothing]]: There are some things worth spending gold on, but the fact that you can kill almost anything you gave your gold to means that generally, once you're done with getting your protection and items, you're more or less done with money as well - unless you plan to try [[Bribing Your Way to Victory]] against some of the demon lords you'll meet.
* [[Monsters Everywhere]]: Horses, bees, trolls, elves, snakes, demons - and everything in between. They seem to just grow out of the rock, or perhaps they are spawned by the evil Wizard...
* [[Monsters Everywhere]]: Horses, bees, trolls, elves, snakes, demons - and everything in between. They seem to just grow out of the rock, or perhaps they are spawned by the evil Wizard...
** [[Fridge Logic|But why then does he spawn a puny rat to defeat the hero that just killed five dragons without breaking a sweat?]] Maybe to maintain a certain ambiance? Kitten and vampire lord, fighting side by side!
** [[Fridge Logic|But why then does he spawn a puny rat to defeat the hero that just killed five dragons without breaking a sweat?]] Maybe to maintain a certain ambiance? Kitten and vampire lord, fighting side by side!
* [[Mook Bouncer]]: The quantum mechanic has a "teleport" attack, which is based on its [[Punny Name]] along with many of its other elements, and sends you to a random spot on the same floor.
* [[Mook Bouncer]]: The quantum mechanic has a teleport attack, which is based on its [[Punny Name]] along with many of its other elements, and sends you to a random spot on the same floor.
** {{spoiler|Angering your quest leader or guardians will get you ejected from that branch, in most cases permanently.}}
** {{spoiler|Angering your quest leader or guardians will get you ejected from that branch, in most cases permanently.}}
* [[Mounted Combat]]: Possible with many roles as long as you have a saddle and a compatible steed to apply it to.
* [[Mounted Combat]]: Possible with any role as long as you have a saddle and a compatible steed to apply it to, though only certain roles can actually level up the riding skill.
** [[Powerup Mount]]: While riding, your movement speed is set to that of your steed, and your carrying capacity is maxed out; polearms can be used more effectively at close range while riding. In addition, flying mounts can carry you over water, and you don't have to worry about falling off one by traveling downstairs while burdened.
** [[Powerup Mount]]: While riding, your movement speed is set to that of your steed, and your carrying capacity is maxed out; polearms can be used more effectively at close range while riding. In addition, flying mounts can carry you over water, and you don't have to worry about falling off one by traveling downstairs while burdened.
** However, you cannot eat food (notably corpses) off the ground while riding, and can only pick up items off the ground with at least Basic riding skill; monster attacks may also fall upon your steed instead of you (though your steed will counterattack if able - better hope a footrice attack doesn't go astray!). [[Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking|You also can't enter shops while mounted.]]
** However, you cannot eat food (notably corpses) off the ground while riding, and can only pick up items off the ground with at least Basic riding skill. Monster attacks may also fall upon your steed instead of you - better hope a footrice attack doesn't go astray! [[Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking|You also can't enter shops while mounted.]]
* [[Multi-Armed and Dangerous]]: Mariliths - while they can't wield more than two weapons, they get several claw attacks per turn.
* [[Multi-Armed and Dangerous]]: Mariliths. While they can't actually wield more than two weapons, they still get several "claw" attacks per turn.
* [[Multiple Head Case]]: Ettins are two-headed relatives to giants that get two attacks instead of one, and can ignore player stealth a majority of the time. Also the case with {{spoiler|Demogorgon}}.
* [[Multiple Head Case]]: Ettins are two-headed relatives to giants that get two attacks instead of one, and can ignore player stealth a majority of the time. Also the case with {{spoiler|Demogorgon}}.
* [[Mundane Utility]]:
* [[Mundane Utility]]:
** Basic leather gloves do nothing for you besides covering your hands and providing extra AC. But even that is enough for the mid-game and on: {{spoiler|Having any form of gloves lets you wield cockatrice corpses safely, and they can be enchanted to provide even more AC.}}
** Basic leather gloves do nothing for you besides covering your hands and providing extra AC. But even that is enough for the mid-game and on: {{spoiler|Having any form of gloves lets you wield cockatrice corpses safely, and they can be enchanted to provide even more AC.}}
** Simple sacks let you carry objects within them, which can also protect them from some types of damage and allows you to carry more than the 52-character limit. {{spoiler|It can also hold bags of tricks and wands of cancellation, which would explode a [[Bag of Holding]].}}
** Simple sacks let you carry objects within them, which can also protect them from some types of damage and allows you to carry more than the 52-character limit. {{spoiler|It can also hold bags of tricks and wands of cancellation that would explode a [[Bag of Holding]] if placed inside one.}}
* [[Mushroom Samba]]: The hallucination effect can be obtained by drinking a certain type of potion, eating the corpses of monsters with stun attacks (including some fungi), and being hit by an exploding (and usually invisible) black light. [[Interface Screw|This causes nearby monsters and items to appear as random other items or monsters that don't actually exist, and also gives alternate messages for some other effects.]]
* [[Mushroom Samba]]: The hallucination effect can be obtained by drinking a certain type of potion, eating the corpses of monsters with stun attacks (including some fungi), and being hit by an exploding (and usually invisible) black light. [[Interface Screw|This causes nearby monsters and items to appear as random other items or monsters that don't actually exist, and also gives alternate messages for some other effects.]]
* [[Needle in a Stack of Needles]]: One of the things the [[Recurring Boss|Wizard of Yendor]] can do to make your life more difficult is steal the [[MacGuffin|Amulet of Yendor]] and then leave a fake behind. Do ''not'' try to enter the endgame without the real one... {{spoiler|Quaffing a cursed potion of gain level on dungeon level 1 is a failsafe way to exit the Dungeons of Doom. [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything|If the player's not carrying the Amulet of Yendor, they just "feel uneasy" and nothing happens; if they do have the real Amulet, it's up and out into the Planes.]]}}
* [[Needle in a Stack of Needles]]: One of the things the [[Recurring Boss|Wizard of Yendor]] can do to make your life more difficult is steal the [[MacGuffin|Amulet of Yendor]] and then leave a fake behind. Do ''not'' try to enter the endgame without the real one... {{spoiler|Quaffing a cursed potion of gain level on dungeon level 1 is a failsafe way to exit the Dungeons of Doom. [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything|If the player's not carrying the Amulet of Yendor, they just "feel uneasy" and nothing happens; if they do have the real Amulet, it's up and out into the Planes.]]}}
* [[Nerf Arm]]: Cream pies are surprisingly useful as weapons, and you can eat them.
* [[Nerf Arm]]: Cream pies are surprisingly useful as weapons, and you can eat them.
* [[Nintendo Hard]]: To the point where there is no shame in dying on the second or third level if you're a new player. One can die in less than 50 turns if they don't know what they're doing, and it's not unheard of for players to die [[Press Start to Game Over|on their ''first turn.'']]
* [[Nintendo Hard]]: To the point where there is no shame in dying on the second or third level if you're a new player. One can die in less than 50 turns if they don't know what they're doing, and it's not unheard of for players to die [[Press Start to Game Over|on their ''first turn'']] (though that's much more due to bad luck than a lack of skill).
* [[Nobody Poops]]: No matter how much meat you or your pet consume, you'll never feel unpleasantly "backed up" (though you do risk choking), and there's no toilets in the dungeon anyway. [[Comically Missing the Point|Although there are sinks]]. See also [[Bottomless Bladder]] above.
* [[Nobody Poops]]: No matter how much food you or your pet consume, you'll never feel unpleasantly "backed up", though you do risk choking if you eat while oversatiated. There's no toilets in the dungeon anyway. [[Comically Missing the Point|Although there are sinks]]. See also [[Bottomless Bladder]] above.
* [[No Fair Cheating]]: Attempting to alter a save file will usually trigger a [[Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies|dungeon collapse]], immediately ending the game (with the cause listed as "death by trickery").
* [[No Fair Cheating]]: Attempting to alter a save file will usually trigger a [[Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies|dungeon collapse]], immediately ending the game (with the cause listed as "death by trickery").
* [[No Hero Discount]]: Played with - you can actually get a discount off base prices if your Charisma is high enough. The Healer and Tourist, the only roles that start with any gold, have stats that slant in favor of high Charisma, as does the Knight.
* [[No Hero Discount]]: Played with - you can actually get a discount off base prices if your Charisma is high enough. The Healer and Tourist, the only roles that start with any gold, have stats that slant in favor of high Charisma, as does the Knight.
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* [[Non-Human Undead]]: Zombie and mummy giants, elves, dwarves, orcs, and gnomes can be found along with the regular ol' human variant.
* [[Non-Human Undead]]: Zombie and mummy giants, elves, dwarves, orcs, and gnomes can be found along with the regular ol' human variant.
* [[No Ontological Inertia]]: Once you clear a Sokoban level, the movement restrictions regarding boulders are lifted, as are the penalties for breaking boulders.
* [[No Ontological Inertia]]: Once you clear a Sokoban level, the movement restrictions regarding boulders are lifted, as are the penalties for breaking boulders.
<!--3.7 **Some demon lords and princes enforce [[Teleport Interdiction|no-teleport clauses]] on the entire floor of their current level, which is lifted upon their defeat.-->
<!--3.7 ** Some demon lords and princes enforce [[Teleport Interdiction|no-teleport clauses]] on the entire floor of their current level, which is lifted upon their defeat.-->
* [[Nostalgia Level]]: The Rogue level, a reference to the original "Roguelike", is presented in black and white, with different symbols for various features and objects, and even [[Unexpected Gameplay Change|some changes to game mechanics]] (such as monsters not leaving corpses).
* [[Nostalgia Level]]: The Rogue level, a reference to the original "Roguelike", is presented in black and white, with different symbols for various features and objects, and even [[Unexpected Gameplay Change|some changes to game mechanics]] (such as monsters not leaving corpses).
* [[Not Enough to Bury]]: Some monsters are coded to [https://nethackwiki.com/wiki/Corpseless never leave corpses.] Liches are an example. as their bodies crumble to dust upon death.
* [[Not Enough to Bury]]: Some monsters are coded to [https://nethackwiki.com/wiki/Corpseless never leave corpses.] Liches are an example, as their bodies crumble to dust upon death. And this can happen to ''you'' if you're hit by a disintegration blast without reflection or resistance.
* [[Not the Fall That Kills You]]: Subverted - falling into a pit (or {{spoiler|falling into a sink while floating above it}}) will damage and even kill you, [[Spikes of Doom|especially if there's spikes involed]]. Falling through a hole or trap door, on the other hand, has you land harmlessly on a lower floor, and can be used to [[Dungeon Bypass|drop past several floors]] - but beware of [[Level Scaling|more difficult monsters.]]
* [[Not the Fall That Kills You]]: Subverted - falling into a pit (or {{spoiler|falling into a sink while floating above it}}) will damage and even kill you, [[Spikes of Doom|especially if there's spikes involed]]. Falling through a hole or trap door, on the other hand, has you land harmlessly on a lower floor, and can be used to [[Dungeon Bypass|drop past several floors]] - but beware of [[Level Scaling|more difficult monsters.]]
* [[The Nudifier]]: Any piece of armor can be destroyed via the scroll of destroy armor and the 'destroy armor' spell used by certain monsters.
* [[The Nudifier]]: Any piece of armor can be destroyed via the scroll of destroy armor and the 'destroy armor' spell used by certain monsters.
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** A wand of death, the finger of death, a bad roll on a poison check with no resistance, anything involving your bare skin and [[Taken for Granite|anything even tangentially related to a footrice or their eggs, Medusa's gaze...]]
** A wand of death, the finger of death, a bad roll on a poison check with no resistance, anything involving your bare skin and [[Taken for Granite|anything even tangentially related to a footrice or their eggs, Medusa's gaze...]]
** Other situations can be "effective" one-hit kills, such as hitting a floating eye (which leaves you paralyzed and helpless for several turns, meaning ''anything'' can get free shots at you) or encountering anything from a soldier ant ([[Memetic Mutation|Go Team a!]]) to monsters like the leocrotta, mumak and minotaurs when completely unprepared for melee.
** Other situations can be "effective" one-hit kills, such as hitting a floating eye (which leaves you paralyzed and helpless for several turns, meaning ''anything'' can get free shots at you) or encountering anything from a soldier ant ([[Memetic Mutation|Go Team a!]]) to monsters like the leocrotta, mumak and minotaurs when completely unprepared for melee.
** Drowning attacks are technically a two-hit kill, but feel like a one-hit kill; if a monster is already securely wrapped around you near water and lands the attack again, it instantly pulls you in and drowns you.
** Drowning attacks are technically a two-hit kill, but feel like a one-hit kill; if a monster is already securely wrapped around you near water and lands the grabbing attack again, it instantly pulls you in and drowns you.
* [[Optional Sexual Encounter]]: Succubi and incubi - the page image for that trope is from this game.
* [[Optional Sexual Encounter]]: Succubi and incubi - the page image for that trope is from this game.
* [[Orcus on His Throne]]: Various monsters such as [[King Mook]]s and Croesus can be found "asleep" on thrones in special throne rooms. {{spoiler|The [[Trope Namer]] himself appears, but is an exception to the rule.}}
* [[Orcus on His Throne]]: Various monsters such as [[King Mook]]s and Croesus can be found "asleep" on thrones in special throne rooms. {{spoiler|The [[Trope Namer]] himself appears, but is an exception to the rule.}}
* [[Our Demons Are Different]]: Demons tend to occur primarily in the Valley of the Dead and [[Fire and Brimstone Hell|Gehennom]], and are immune to fire, poison, death rays and [[Level Drain]]s.
* [[Our Demons Are Different]]: Demons tend to appear primarily in graveyards, the Valley of the Dead and [[Fire and Brimstone Hell|Gehennom]], and they are immune to fire, poison, death rays and [[Level Drain]]s.
* [[Our Dragons Are Different]]: ''NetHack'' dragons are of the quadrupedal variety; they can pick up items, but lack "hands" to actually use them with, and each type has their own breath weapon that they generally use at a distance. They tend to appear in late-dungeon throne rooms, near and within castles, and are "nasties" that can be summoned by enemy spellcasters.
* [[Our Dragons Are Different]]: ''NetHack'' dragons are of the quadrupedal variety; they can pick up items, but lack "hands" to actually use them with, and each type has their own breath weapon that they generally use at a distance. They tend to appear in late-dungeon throne rooms, near and within castles, and are "nasties" that can be summoned by enemy spellcasters.
* [[Our Ghosts Are Different]]: Ghosts occur in graveyards and abandoned temples, and in most cases where a player's death leaves a bones file, you can find their ghost near their belongings along with any pets they had - and whatever killed them. While ghosts themselves are not all that damaging, they can prove very hard to hit due to their AC.
* [[Our Ghosts Are Different]]: Ghosts occur in graveyards and abandoned temples, and in most cases where a player's death leaves a bones file, you can find the character's ghost near their belongings, along with any pets they had - as well as whatever killed them. While ghosts themselves are not all that damaging, they can prove very hard to hit due to their AC.
* [[Our Giants Are Bigger]]: Giants can't wear body armor, but can still use other armor and weapons, and their strength lets them carry boulders with ease.
* [[Our Giants Are Bigger]]: Giants can't wear body armor, but can somehow still use other armor and weapons, and their strength lets them carry boulders with ease.
* [[Our Werebeasts Are Different]]: [[Werewolves]], wererats, and werejackals exist, and each of them can call their 'fellow' beasts for help.
* [[Our Werebeasts Are Different]]: [[Werewolves]], wererats, and werejackals exist, and each of them can call their 'fellow' beasts for help.
* [[Palette Swap]]: The standard game is constructed entirely of ASCII characters, leading to a lot of creature-overlap both in cases of [[Underground Monkey]] (e.g. wolves and winter wolves) and otherwise. You definitely still don't want to confuse a dwarf king with a mind flayer (both are a purple {{color|purple|h}}). Or a Mordor orc with a floating eye (one a dark blue {{color|darkblue|o}}, one a dark blue {{color|darkblue|e}}.) Various alternate tilesets can be used to supply more information.
* [[Palette Swap]]: The standard game is constructed entirely of ASCII characters, leading to a lot of creature-overlap both in cases of [[Underground Monkey]] (e.g. wolves and winter wolves) and otherwise. You definitely still don't want to confuse a dwarf king with a mind flayer (both are a purple {{color|purple|h}}). Or a Mordor orc with a floating eye (one a dark blue {{color|darkblue|o}}, one a dark blue {{color|darkblue|e}}.) Various alternate tilesets can be used to supply more information.
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* [[Pinball Projectile]]: Rays from spells and wands can be bounced off walls to hit tricky targets. They might also bounce back at ''you''.
* [[Pinball Projectile]]: Rays from spells and wands can be bounced off walls to hit tricky targets. They might also bounce back at ''you''.
* [[Portal Door]]: You're guaranteed to encounter at least a few of them, including the one leading to your quest. {{spoiler|Another is necessary to reach the Wizard of Yendor, and the Elemental Planes past the Plane of Earth can only be reached via a portal you have to find in each one.}}
* [[Portal Door]]: You're guaranteed to encounter at least a few of them, including the one leading to your quest. {{spoiler|Another is necessary to reach the Wizard of Yendor, and the Elemental Planes past the Plane of Earth can only be reached via a portal you have to find in each one.}}
* [[Press Start to Game Over]]: If you're very unlucky with the [[Randomly Generated Levels]], or else going out of your way, it's possible to die on your first turn, and there's even a special [[Have a Nice Death]] message for it; ais523 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9oMSPzChgk proved] that this is indeed possible before you even have control of your character. {{spoiler|Grayswandir was generated on the upstairs; the player character picked it up due to autopickup, and it blasted him.}} He did some calculations and estimated a 1 in 3 million chance (roughly) of this occurring.
* [[Press Start to Game Over]]: If you're very unlucky with the [[Randomly Generated Levels]], or else going out of your way, it's possible to die on your first turn, and there's even a special [[Have a Nice Death]] message for it; ais523 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9oMSPzChgk proved] that this is indeed possible before you even have control of your character. {{spoiler|Grayswandir was generated on the upstairs; the neutral-aligned player character picked it up due to autopickup, and the lawful artifact blasted them to death.}} He did some calculations and estimated a 1 in 3 million chance (roughly) of this occurring.
* [[Psychic Radar]]: When blinded, telepaths can see any non-mindless monster on the current floor; extrinsic telepathy additionally lets you see the ones closer to you when not blinded.
* [[Psychic Radar]]: When blinded, telepaths can see any non-mindless monster on the current floor; extrinsic telepathy additionally lets you see the ones closer to you when not blinded.
* [[Psycho Electric Eel]]: Watery areas and swamps can generate them, and they're a major hazard.
* [[Psycho Electric Eel]]: Watery areas and swamps can generate them, and they're a major hazard.
* [[Public Domain Artifact]]s: Several of them can appear in the game. {{spoiler|Stormbringer of ''[[The Elric Saga]]'', [[The Hobbit (novel)|''The Hobbit'''s]] Orcrist and Sting, Snickersnee from ''[[The Mikado]]'', [[King Arthur]]'s sword Excalibur, [[Norse Mythology|Thor's trademark weapon Mjollnir]], and the ''tsurugi'' of [[wikipedia:Muramasa|Muramasa]]. There's also Grayswandir from [[Roger Zelazny]]'s ''[[Book of Amber]]'', which technically won't be public domain for another 80 years yet.}}
* [[Public Domain Artifact]]s: Several of them can appear in the game: [[The Hobbit (novel)|''The Hobbit'' universe's]] Orcrist and Sting, Snickersnee from ''[[The Mikado]]'', [[King Arthur]]'s sword Excalibur, [[Norse Mythology|Thor's trademark weapon Mjollnir]], and the ''tsurugi'' of [[wikipedia:Muramasa|Muramasa]]. There's also {{spoiler|Stormbringer of ''[[The Elric Saga]]'', and Grayswandir from [[Roger Zelazny]]'s ''[[Book of Amber]]'', which technically won't be public domain for another 80 years yet.}}
* [[Public Domain Character]]s: [[Dracula|Vlad the Impaler]] and the various deities, among others .
* [[Public Domain Character]]s: [[Dracula|Vlad the Impaler]] and the various deities, among others.
** [[Classical Mythology]]: [[Medusa]], the [[Mad Oracle|Oracle of Delphi]], and several other beings appear as NPCs. [[Cerberus]] and Charon are [[Dummied Out]] examples.
** [[Classical Mythology]]: [[Medusa]], the [[Mad Oracle|Oracle of Delphi]], and several other beings appear as NPCs. [[Cerberus]] and Charon are [[Dummied Out]] examples.
* [[The Quest]]: There's one for every role that takes them back to their home land, with [[The Mentor|their leader]] assigning them to retrieve a special artifact from a unique boss monster, or "quest nemesis" (thus doubling as a [[Fetch Quest]]). Said nemesis also has one of the three [[Plot Coupon]]s needed to complete the game.
* [[The Quest]]: There's one for every role that takes them back to their home land, with [[The Mentor|their leader]] assigning them to retrieve a special artifact from a unique boss monster, or "quest nemesis" (thus doubling as a [[Fetch Quest]]). Said nemesis also has one of the three [[Plot Coupon]]s needed to complete the game.
* [[Randomly Generated Levels]]: Most of the dungeon floors in ''NetHack'' are created the second you enter them - the exceptions include non-filler Quest levels, the Castle, and any floor that bones occur on.
* [[Randomly Generated Levels]]: Most of the dungeon floors in ''NetHack'' are created the second you enter them - the exceptions include non-filler Quest levels, the Castle, and any floor that bones occur on.
** Levels that are not randomly generated but have no set appearance, e.g., Mines' End, Sokoban, and Medusa's island, are instead created by choosing a layout from a set of templates.
** Levels that are not randomly generated but have no set appearance (e.g., Mines' End, Sokoban, and Medusa's island), are instead created by choosing a layout from a set of templates. There are also levels that will always have certain fixtures within them while randomly generating the rest of the level around it
* [[Rare Candy]]: Potions of gain level and wraith corpses give level-ups, and potions of gain ability (especially blessed) and the "gain ability" effect of magic fountains increase stats.
* [[Rare Candy]]: Potions of gain level and wraith corpses give level-ups, and potions of gain ability (especially blessed) and the "gain ability" effect of magic fountains increase stats.
* [[Reality Ensues]]: Since [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything]], a lot of interactions ([[Yet Another Stupid Death|and the deaths that can result from them]]) are surprisingly logical, often distressingly so.
* [[Reality Ensues]]: Since [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything]], a lot of interactions ([[Yet Another Stupid Death|and the deaths that can result from them]]) are surprisingly logical, often distressingly so.
* [[Regenerating Health]]: All monsters can regenerate health gradually outside of combat, including the player; in the latter case, it's subject to how encumbered they are.
* [[Regenerating Health]]: All monsters can regenerate health gradually outside of combat, including the player; in the latter case, it's subject to how encumbered they are.
** A ring of regeneration can improve regeneration rates at the cost of lowering your nutrition faster, and the Healer quest artifact provides this perk without the latter downside. Werecreatures and trolls are among the monsters that boast impressive heightened regeneration.
** A ring of regeneration can improve regeneration rates at the cost of lowering your nutrition faster, and the Healer quest artifact provides this perk without the latter downside. Werecreatures and trolls boast impressive heightened regeneration.
* [[Religion Is Magic]]:
* [[Religion Is Magic]]:
** Donating to temple priests (of any stripe, not just ones serving your god) can grant you additional favors such as bonus AC and alignment. Co-aligned temples can additionally serve as sanctuary, causing non-angelic hostiles to flee from you.
** Donating to temple priests (of any stripe, not just ones serving your god) can grant you additional favors such as bonus AC and alignment. Co-aligned temples can additionally serve as sanctuary, causing non-angelic hostiles to flee from you.
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* [[Required Secondary Powers]]:
* [[Required Secondary Powers]]:
** Scrolls of fire and books of fireball can't burn; wands and books of cancellation can't be cancelled; wands, potions, and books of polymorph can't be polymorphed, and wands of lightning cannot be destroyed by shock damage.
** Scrolls of fire and books of fireball can't burn; wands and books of cancellation can't be cancelled; wands, potions, and books of polymorph can't be polymorphed, and wands of lightning cannot be destroyed by shock damage.
** Receiving an artifact weapon as a gift from your god will unrestrict the corresponding weapon skill if it is not available, allowing you to attain at least Basic skill with that weapon. Certain artifacts also have secondary effects tied to their element (e.g. Fire Brand and Frost Brand provide fire and cold resistance respectively).
** Receiving an artifact weapon as a gift from your god will unrestrict the corresponding weapon skill if it is not available, allowing you to attain at least Basic skill with that weapon. Certain artifacts also have secondary effects tied to their element (e.g., Fire Brand and Frost Brand provide fire and cold resistance respectively while wielded).
* [[Resurrective Immortality]]: Trolls will continually revive from their corpses unless they are killed in a way that doesn't leave a body, or else if the corpses are stored or disposed of. {{spoiler|This is also true of the Riders on the Astral Plane, who additionally cannot be eaten or tinned and are too heavy to lift.}}
* [[Resurrective Immortality]]: Trolls will continually revive from their corpses unless they are killed in a way that doesn't leave a body, or else if the corpses are stored or disposed of. {{spoiler|This is also true of the Riders on the Astral Plane, who additionally cannot be eaten or tinned and are too heavy to lift.}}
** The Wizard of Yendor will revive an endless amount of times no matter how you actually kill him, and will harass you remotely even while dead. Once he does revive, he'll immediately appear in front of you to continue the fight. {{spoiler|He's guaranteed to resurrect/reappear at least once on the Plane of Earth, and will harass you this way until you make it to the Astral Plane.}}
** The Wizard of Yendor can revive as well and will do so an endless amount of times, no matter how you actually kill him. {{spoiler|He can harass you remotely even while dead, and once he does revive, he'll immediately appear in front of you to continue the fight. He's guaranteed to resurrect or reappear at least once on the Plane of Earth, and will harass you this way until you make it to the Astral Plane.}}
* [[Ret-Gone]]: A scroll of genocide not only kills all monsters of a given type, it removes them from the current game and prevents them from generating in any other way. If you genocide cockatrices and you were holding a cockatrice corpse in your hand and three of their eggs in your backpack, they'll all vanish. If you had a tin filled with red dragon meat and you genocide red dragons, that tin becomes empty. And you'll find yourself unable to polymorph into the genocided form now, even if you had already done so before.
* [[Ret-Gone]]: A scroll of genocide not only kills all monsters of a given type, it removes them from the current game and prevents them from generating in any other way. If you genocide cockatrices and you were holding a cockatrice corpse in your hand and three of their eggs in your backpack, they'll all vanish. If you had a tin filled with red dragon meat and you genocide red dragons, that tin becomes empty. And you'll find yourself unable to polymorph into the genocided form now, even if you had already done so before.
** {{spoiler|Also, if you genocide your own base species or role while polymorphed, the game will say "You feel empty inside", and you will die if you try to turn back; if you quit before dying, the death message will read "quit while already on Charon's boat."}}
** {{spoiler|Also, if you genocide your own base species or role while polymorphed, the game will say "You feel empty inside", and you will die if you try to turn back; if you quit anytime afterward, the death message will read "quit while already on Charon's boat."}}
* [[Robe and Wizard Hat]]: Appear as items in the game. The Wizard role starts with a cloak of magic resistance, and is the only role that can reap the benefits of the trademark pointy hat (called a "cornuthaum"). A more "traditional" robe that improves spellcasting success is also one of the many cloaks available, and Priests start the game with one.
* [[Robe and Wizard Hat]]: Appear as items in the game. The Wizard role starts with a cloak of magic resistance, and is the only role that can reap benefits from the trademark pointy hat (called a "cornuthaum"). A more "traditional" robe that improves spellcasting success is also one of the many cloaks available, and Priests start the game with one.
* [[Rodents of Unusual Size]]: Named as one of the many [[Mushroom Samba|hallucinatory monsters]]. Giant rats and rabid rats are also common early-game enemies.
* [[Rodents of Unusual Size]]: Giant rats and rabid rats are common early-game enemies, and ROUS are one of the many [[Mushroom Samba|hallucinatory monsters]].
* ''[[Rogue (video game)|Rogue]]'': ''NetHack''{{'}}s predecessor, which has a [[Shout-Out]] level dedicated to it and adapts some of its rules.
* ''[[Rogue (video game)|Rogue]]'': ''NetHack''{{'}}s predecessor, which has a [[Shout-Out]] level dedicated to it and adapts some of its rules.
* [[Rule of Three]]: There are three alignments, with a god to each alignment, and there are three end game bosses to fight for the three items needed to obtain the Amulet of Yendor. {{spoiler|You also face the other three Horsemen of the Apocalypse.}}
* [[Rule of Three]]: There are three alignments, with a god to each alignment, and there are three end game bosses to fight for the three items needed to obtain the Amulet of Yendor. {{spoiler|You also face the other three Horsemen of the Apocalypse.}}
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** The "explore" and "[[Debug Mode|wizard]]" modes are an exception that allow you to keep an old save file - in normal play, once a saved game is restored, the file used to hold the saved data is deleted. In explore and wizard mode, once restoration is accomplished you are asked whether to keep or delete the file, and keeping it lets you quit without saving and later restore it again (which can be used troubleshoot and test multiple outcomes from a given scenario, for example).
** The "explore" and "[[Debug Mode|wizard]]" modes are an exception that allow you to keep an old save file - in normal play, once a saved game is restored, the file used to hold the saved data is deleted. In explore and wizard mode, once restoration is accomplished you are asked whether to keep or delete the file, and keeping it lets you quit without saving and later restore it again (which can be used troubleshoot and test multiple outcomes from a given scenario, for example).
* [[Save Scumming]]: Like just about any roguelike, NetHack erases your save upon death; as explained above, it is still possible to do, but heavily discouraged unless there's an actual purpose to it.
* [[Save Scumming]]: Like just about any roguelike, NetHack erases your save upon death; as explained above, it is still possible to do, but heavily discouraged unless there's an actual purpose to it.
** Some players will do the inverse and "start scum," repeatedly starting and quitting the game until they get a favorable set of starting equipment or stats. This is usually done with wizards, due to the ridiculous (and pre-identified!) magical items a lucky wizard can start the game with. A little over 50% of all NAO games are turn-0 quits, and a good portion of those are wizards. Whether or not it's acceptable depends on the circumstances - for what it's worth, even the best start in the world won't matter if the player is subsequently terrible or else just plain unlucky afterward.
** Some players will do the inverse and "start scum", repeatedly starting and quitting the game until they get a favorable set of starting equipment or stats. This is usually done with wizards, due to the ridiculous (and pre-identified!) magical items a lucky wizard can start the game with. A little over 50% of all NAO games are turn-0 quits, and a good portion of those are wizards. Whether or not it's acceptable depends on the circumstances - for what it's worth, even the best start in the world won't matter if the player is subsequently terrible or else just plain unlucky afterward.
* [[Schizophrenic Difficulty]]: Despite dangers like arch-liches, mindflayers, and {{spoiler|Rodney chasing you}}, the game gets much, ''much'' easier after the first dozen levels or so due to the necessity of being [[Crazy Prepared]] for early monsters considered to be [[Demonic Spider|vastly overpowered]], such as soldier ants, leocrottas, and chameleons.
* [[Schizophrenic Difficulty]]: Despite dangers like arch-liches, mindflayers, and {{spoiler|Rodney chasing you}}, the game gets much, ''much'' easier after the first dozen levels or so due to the necessity of being [[Crazy Prepared]] for early monsters considered to be [[Demonic Spider|vastly overpowered]], such as soldier ants, leocrottas, and chameleons.
* [[Schmuck Bait]]: The community refers to tactics that are very likely to [[Yet Another Stupid Death|kill the player]] as Bad Ideas™.<ref>[[Tradesnark]] optional.</ref> Go ahead, try that scroll labeled READ ME and see what happens.
* [[Schmuck Bait]]: The community refers to tactics that are very likely to [[Yet Another Stupid Death|kill the player]] as Bad Ideas™.<ref>[[Tradesnark]] optional.</ref> Go ahead, try that scroll labeled READ ME and see what happens.
** Trying on unidentified items randomly qualifies as this, since many such items have at least one variant designed to punish this type of thoughtlessness (e.g. rings of hunger, amulets of strangulation) - such items will also often generate cursed for added insult to injury.
** Using and trying on unidentified items randomly qualifies as this, since many such items have at least one type designed to punish this type of thoughtlessness (e.g. rings of hunger, amulets of strangulation, scrolls of amnesia). Worn items of this kind will also often generate cursed for added insult to injury.
* [[Sdrawkcab Name]]: Yendor. The Wizard of Yendor is [[Fan Nickname|affectionately referred to as]] Rodney as a consequence, [[Captain Obvious|which is Yendor backwards.]] The origin is part-[[J. R. R. Tolkien]] inspiration and part ''Rogue'' allusion (Rodney is the default name of its player character), among a few other possible sources.
* [[Sdrawkcab Name]]: Yendor. The Wizard of Yendor is [[Fan Nickname|affectionately referred to as]] Rodney as a consequence, [[Captain Obvious|which is Yendor backwards.]] The origin is part-[[J. R. R. Tolkien]] inspiration and part ''Rogue'' allusion (Rodney is the default name of its player character), among a few other possible sources.
* [[Sealed Room in the Middle of Nowhere]]: Vaults can be found on random levels and accessed by digging to them or teleporting there, which can happen by accident. A guard comes along to check it occasionally, and can even help you escape if you have no other means to (though you'll have to drop your gold first). However, you can fool them through a few means.
* [[Sealed Room in the Middle of Nowhere]]: Vaults can be found on random levels and accessed by digging to them or teleporting there, which can happen by accident. A guard comes along to check it occasionally, and can even help you escape if you have no other means to (though you'll have to drop your gold first). However, you can fool them through a few means.
** The Rogue quest's goal level consists of these, and unlike vaults you can't dig into them through the walls, forcing you to find another way to get at the quest nemesis.
** The Rogue quest's goal level consists of these, and unlike vaults you can't dig into them through the walls, forcing you to find another way to get at the quest nemesis.
* [[Self-Imposed Challenge]]: Formally known as "conducts", NetHack's randomization allows for a ''lot'' of them; the distinction between an "official" and "unofficial" conduct is whether or not the game actively keeps track of how much you adhere to it. The game also has options that can alter the starting character to fit the desired conduct.
* [[Self-Imposed Challenge]]: Formally known as "conducts", NetHack's randomization allows for a ''lot'' of them; the distinction between an "official" and "unofficial" conduct is whether or not the game actively keeps track of how you adhere to it. The game also has options that can alter the starting character to fit the desired conduct.
** [[Blind Weaponmaster]]: The "zen" conduct - beat the game while permanently blind.
** [[Blind Weaponmaster]]: The "zen" conduct - beat the game while permanently blind.
** [[Dungeon Bypass]]: The main idea of "digging for victory", and often invoked by real-time and minimum-turncount speedrunners - dig down to reach the Castle as fast as possible, snag the wand and wish up a kit, and then win the game from there.
** [[Dungeon Bypass]]: The main idea of "digging for victory", and often invoked by real-time and minimum-turncount speedrunners - dig down to reach the Castle as fast as possible, snag the wand and wish up a kit, and then win the game from there.
** [[Flat Earth Atheist]]: The "atheist" conduct involves not using any of the religious elements of the game ({{spoiler|except for sacrificing the Amulet of Yendor, and even then, there's a patch to eliminate this, too}}), satisfying the technical specs of this trope. Of course, actually playing this way pretty much requires you to know not to do these things.
** [[Flat Earth Atheist]]: The "atheist" conduct involves not using any of the religious elements of the game ({{spoiler|except for sacrificing the Amulet of Yendor, and even then, there's a patch to eliminate this, too}}), satisfying the technical specs of this trope.
** [[Full-Frontal Assault]]: The "nudist" conduct - in other words, no armor whatsoever, meaning you'll have to find other ways to gain vital resistances and improve your defense.
** [[Full-Frontal Assault]]: The "nudist" conduct - in other words, no armor whatsoever, meaning you'll have to find other ways to gain vital resistances and improve your defense.
** [[Kill'Em All]]: The game also tracks whether or not you genocide other monsters and how many; related to this, the "extinctionist" conduct requires the player to render as many monsters in the game extinct as possible by killing enough of them.
** [[Kill'Em All]]: The game also tracks whether or not you genocide other monsters and how many; related to this, the "extinctionist" conduct requires the player to render as many monsters in the game extinct as possible by killing enough of them.
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** [[Low-Level Run]]: The "protection racket" is a 'lesser' form of self-imposed challenge that seeks out as much gold as possible and beelines straight to Minetown to donate it all to a temple priest. Since donation effects are based on donating a certain amount of golds times your current experience level, protection racketeers will want to be as low-level as possible, and this is often done as part of [[Pacifist Run]]s.
** [[Low-Level Run]]: The "protection racket" is a 'lesser' form of self-imposed challenge that seeks out as much gold as possible and beelines straight to Minetown to donate it all to a temple priest. Since donation effects are based on donating a certain amount of golds times your current experience level, protection racketeers will want to be as low-level as possible, and this is often done as part of [[Pacifist Run]]s.
* [[Shapeshifter Mode Lock]]: Amulets of unchanging can be worn for this effect, and rings of protection from shape changers can enforce this on other monsters, forcing them into their base form. This will also happen if you genocide your race/role while polymorphed - try to change back and you will die.
* [[Shapeshifter Mode Lock]]: Amulets of unchanging can be worn for this effect, and rings of protection from shape changers can enforce this on other monsters, forcing them into their base form. This will also happen if you genocide your race/role while polymorphed - try to change back and you will die.
* [[Shock and Awe]]: Certain electric monsters have shocking attacks that can destroy your wands and rings in open inventory. There is also the wand of lightning, as well as the lightning spell sometimes used by hostile priests.
* [[Shock and Awe]]: Certain electric monsters have shocking attacks that can destroy your wands and rings in open inventory. There is also the wand of lightning, the lightning spell sometimes used by hostile priests, and the [[Bolt of Divine Retribution|lightning bolts]] from angry gods.
* [[Shoplift and Die]]: Shopkeepers don't take kindly to being attacked or having their wares stolen, and will pursue you until you kill them, pay them back or otherwise pacify them.
* [[Shoplift and Die]]: Shopkeepers don't take kindly to being attacked or having their wares stolen, and will pursue you until you kill them, pay them back or otherwise pacify them.
* [[Shout-Out]]: The game shouts out ''[[Rogue (video game)|Rogue]]'' in the form of the Rogue level, includes a lot of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' and ''[[Lord of the Rings]]'' references, [[Reference Overdosed|and many more.]]
* [[Shout-Out]]: The game shouts out ''[[Rogue (video game)|Rogue]]'' in the form of the Rogue level, includes a lot of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' and ''[[Lord of the Rings]]'' references, [[Reference Overdosed|and many,]] [[NetHack/Shout-Out|''many'' more]].
** [http://nethackwiki.com/wiki/Hallucinatory_monster Fighting monsters while hallucinating generates a ton of them.]
** [http://nethackwiki.com/wiki/Hallucinatory_monster Fighting monsters while hallucinating generates a ton of them.]
** The [[Hawaiian-Shirted Tourist|Tourist]] class is basically one big [[Shout-Out]] to [[Discworld]]. The quest leader's name is even Twoflower! In addition, when [[Terry Pratchett]] passed away from Alzheimer's in early 2015, NetHack 3.6.0 (released later that year) contained a few tributes to the author:
** The [[Hawaiian-Shirted Tourist|Tourist]] class is basically one big [[Shout-Out]] to [[Discworld]]. The quest leader's name is even Twoflower! In addition, when [[Terry Pratchett]] passed away from Alzheimer's in early 2015, NetHack 3.6.0 (released later that year) contained a few tributes to the author:
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** ''[[Dune]]'' - Worm tooth/crysknife.
** ''[[Dune]]'' - Worm tooth/crysknife.
** ''[[Zork]]'' - zorkmids.
** ''[[Zork]]'' - zorkmids.
* [[Sidequest]]: The Gnomish Mines, Fort Ludios, and ''[[Block Puzzle|Sokoban]]'' are all optional; Fort Ludios also isn't guaranteed to appear in a given game.
* [[Sidequest]]: The Gnomish Mines, Fort Ludios, and [[Block Puzzle|Sokoban]] branches are all optional; Fort Ludios also isn't guaranteed to appear in a given game.
* [[Silliness Switch]]: Hallucinations, caused by magic or dodgy food. Non-hallucinating silliness includes kitchen sinks, tourists, cameras, Hawaiian shirts, and even the [[Keystone Kops]].
* [[Silliness Switch]]: The hallucinations caused by potions, [[Mushroom Samba|halluncination-inducing food]] (which essentially consists of corpses from monsters with stun attacks), and black lights serve as this. Non-hallucinating silliness includes kitchen sinks, tourists, cameras, Hawaiian shirts, and even the [[Keystone Kops]].
* [[Skeleton Key]]: Present and able to unlock any door or chest; the NetHack 3.0 series introduced the unlocking tools, and had different kinds of keys that could only open corresponding types of locks. These were removed for the skeleton key in 3.1.0. {{spoiler|The Rogue quest artifact is a magical thief-aiding key.}}
* [[Skeleton Key]]: Present and able to unlock any door or chest; the NetHack 3.0 series introduced the unlocking tools, and had different kinds of keys that could only open corresponding types of locks. 3.1.0 removed the shaped keys and allowed unlocking tools to open any door. The Rogue quest artifact is a magical thief-aiding key.
* [[Songs in the Key of Lock]]: One way of getting into the Castle. A side effect allows you to easily kill off most of the monsters in the castle: {{spoiler|Playing the pass-tune again closes the drawbridge, and any monster on the drawbridge will be crushed to death when it closes. Wash, rinse, repeat. This also destroys any loot they're carrying, though.}}
* [[Songs in the Key of Lock]]: One way of getting into the Castle. A side effect allows you to easily kill off most of the monsters in the castle: {{spoiler|Playing the pass-tune again closes the drawbridge, and any monster on the drawbridge will be crushed to death when it closes. Wash, rinse, repeat. This also destroys any loot they're carrying, though.}}
* [[Sorting Algorithm of Weapon Effectiveness]]: Somewhat subverted, both for good and ill as far as the player is concerned.
* [[Sorting Algorithm of Weapon Effectiveness]]: Somewhat subverted, both for good and ill as far as the player is concerned.
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* [[Super Weight]]: You start at [[Action Survivor|zero]] or occasionally [[Badass Normal|one]] on [[All The Tropes]]' scale... except for the [[Lethal Joke Character|Tourist]], who starts at [[Mistaken for Badass|negative one]]. You spend the game [[Took a Level in Badass|climbing the scale]]. {{spoiler|All the way to four.}}
* [[Super Weight]]: You start at [[Action Survivor|zero]] or occasionally [[Badass Normal|one]] on [[All The Tropes]]' scale... except for the [[Lethal Joke Character|Tourist]], who starts at [[Mistaken for Badass|negative one]]. You spend the game [[Took a Level in Badass|climbing the scale]]. {{spoiler|All the way to four.}}
* [[Swamps Are Evil]]: Rooms on later floors in the main dungeon may contain swamps full of eels and fungi. {{spoiler|In Gehennom, Juiblex's lair is a gigantic swamp.}}
* [[Swamps Are Evil]]: Rooms on later floors in the main dungeon may contain swamps full of eels and fungi. {{spoiler|In Gehennom, Juiblex's lair is a gigantic swamp.}}
* [[Taken for Granite]]: Can occur with Medusa as well as cockatrices, one of the game's many [[Goddamned Bats]]. {{spoiler|If you manage to kill the 'trice or its younger variants, you can then wield its corpse, turning its power against your enemies. Make sure to wear gloves, though, and ''don't trip.''}}
* [[Taken for Granite]]: Can occur with Medusa as well as cockatrices, one of the game's many [[Goddamned Bats]]. {{spoiler|If you manage to kill the 'trice or its younger variant and it leaves a corpse, you can then wield its corpse, turning its power against your enemies. Make sure to wear gloves, though, and ''don't trip.''}}
* [[Talking Is a Free Action]]: [[Played With|Varies very much with the action in question]]. Since this is one of the earliest rogue-likes, the genre staple of "nothing moves until you move" is in effect. As for what ''is'' and ''isn't'' a free action...
* [[Talking Is a Free Action]]: [[Played With|Varies very much with the action in question]]. Since this is one of the earliest rogue-likes, the genre staple of "nothing moves until you move" is in effect. As for what ''is'' and ''isn't'' a free action...
** Talking itself? Ohohoho, ''no it ain't.'' Using the extended #chat command to interact with a monster will print an appropriate response and use up a turn '''''unless''''' the monster in question has no response to give (as opposed to simply being unable to, e.g. due to sleep or paralysis).
** Talking itself? Ohohoho, ''no it ain't''. Using the extended #chat command to interact with a monster will print an appropriate response and use up a turn '''''unless''''' the monster in question has no response to give (as opposed to simply being unable to, e.g. due to sleep or paralysis).
** Looking through your inventory is very much a free action, and is recommended before taking action in heated situations. You can also #adjust which letter each item (or stack of items) in the main inventory is tied to, as well as merge or spilt those stacks up, all without using any actual turns or actions.
** Looking through your inventory is very much a free action, and is recommended before taking action in heated situations. You can also #adjust which letter each item (or stack of items) in the main inventory is tied to, as well as merge or spilt those stacks up, all without using any actual turns or actions.
** You can use the quiver command (<code>Q</code>) to ready any projectiles you have for throwing vire the fire command without using up actions.
** You can use the quiver command (<code>Q</code>) to ready any projectiles you have for throwing vire the fire command without using up actions.
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* [[Underground Level]]: ''Most'' of the dungeon branches are this, with the exception of certain locations in [[the Quest]].
* [[Underground Level]]: ''Most'' of the dungeon branches are this, with the exception of certain locations in [[the Quest]].
* [[Unicorn]]s: One for each of the three alignments, and they're even eligible for riding as steeds. All three will try to [[Chess Motifs|keep a knight's move away from you]], and you'll need to be pretty fast or sneaky to get next to one. Also, killing or sacrificing one of your own alignment is a '''''really''''' Bad Idea.
* [[Unicorn]]s: One for each of the three alignments, and they're even eligible for riding as steeds. All three will try to [[Chess Motifs|keep a knight's move away from you]], and you'll need to be pretty fast or sneaky to get next to one. Also, killing or sacrificing one of your own alignment is a '''''really''''' Bad Idea.
* [[Unique Enemy]]:
* [[Unique Enemy]]: The [[Mailer Daemon]]. {{spoiler|Finding a way to kill one successfully will render it extinct for the rest of that game, preventing any more in-game mail from being received.}}
** The [[Mailer Daemon]]. {{spoiler|Finding a way to kill one successfully will render it extinct for the rest of that game, preventing any more in-game mail from being received.}}
** Only three Erinyes and nine Nazguls can be found in the dungeons. A popular [[Self-Imposed Challenge]] is to try ascending with {{spoiler|all of their invisibility rings, which they are guaranteed to appear with, often naming them for [[The Lord of the Rings|each the Rings from their source material}}.
* [[Unexpected Gameplay Change]]:
* [[Unexpected Gameplay Change]]:
** The Rogue Level is [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|a level that resembles]] [[Rogue (video game)|Rogue]], i.e. all-white ASCII in a different font, and uses some of that game's rules. Monsters don't leave corpses upon death, and doorways cannot be entered [[Diagonal Speed Boost|diagonally.]]
** The Rogue Level is [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|a level that resembles]] [[Rogue (video game)|Rogue]], i.e. all-white ASCII in a different font, and uses some of that game's rules. Monsters don't leave corpses upon death, and doorways cannot be entered [[Diagonal Speed Boost|diagonally.]]
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* [[Unusable Enemy Equipment]]: Averted; with the exception of most corpses, if an enemy has it, you can kill them and use it - provided it doesn't kill you first. Monsters have a starting inventory and also [[Randomly Drops|death drops]], so it can be hard to tell the difference if the monster dies without a chance to use the item. Getting particular items such as wands of death, potions of gain level, and {{spoiler|the amulet of life saving}} off enemies is particularly frustrating.
* [[Unusable Enemy Equipment]]: Averted; with the exception of most corpses, if an enemy has it, you can kill them and use it - provided it doesn't kill you first. Monsters have a starting inventory and also [[Randomly Drops|death drops]], so it can be hard to tell the difference if the monster dies without a chance to use the item. Getting particular items such as wands of death, potions of gain level, and {{spoiler|the amulet of life saving}} off enemies is particularly frustrating.
** "That was my [[Impossible Item Drop|prized wand of nothing]], [[You Bastard]]! I was saving that!"
** "That was my [[Impossible Item Drop|prized wand of nothing]], [[You Bastard]]! I was saving that!"
* [[Unwinnable]]: If you {{spoiler|convert by sacrificing at another god's altar ''before'' spoiler|your quest master gives you the okay to go on your quest}}, you'll be unable to {{spoiler|get the Bell of Opening}}. {{spoiler|Attacking your quest master before getting permission to go on the quest also accomplishes this, as does failing the alignment test seven times.}}
* [[Unwinnable]]: If you {{spoiler|convert by sacrificing at another god's altar ''before'' spoiler|your quest master gives you the okay to go on your quest}}, you'll be unable to {{spoiler|get the Bell of Opening}} and complete the game. {{spoiler|Attacking your quest master before getting permission to go on the quest also accomplishes this, as does failing the alignment test seven times.}}
** [[Unwinnable by Insanity]]: In fairness, both of these are things you essentially have to go out of your way to do in most scenarios.
** [[Unwinnable by Insanity]]: In fairness, both of these are things you essentially have to go out of your way to do in most scenarios, or else have a very unfortunate series of accidents.
* [[Useless Useful Stealth]]: Averted - stealth can be a very good intrinsic to have, especially when clearing out monster-filled zoos such as the one in Sokoban. Even in a scenario where kicking or causing something to explode wakes the entire room of monsters up, you still have plenty of other crowd control skills you can fall back on. Stealth also has multiple sources (including some elven gear), and some roles gain it through leveling up.
* [[Useless Useful Stealth]]: Averted - stealth can be a very good intrinsic to have, especially when clearing out monster-filled zoos such as the one in Sokoban. Even in a scenario where kicking or causing something to explode wakes the entire room of monsters up, you still have plenty of other crowd control skills you can fall back on. Stealth also has multiple sources (including some elven gear and even a godly gift), and some roles gain it through leveling up.
* [[Vancian Magic]]: The spellcasting system used in older versions of ''NetHack''; the Wizard Patch for [[SLASH'EM]] exchanged this for a more standard [[Magic Points]] system, and was fully merged into the main line of releases as of version 3.3.0.
* [[Vancian Magic]]: The spellcasting system used in older versions of ''NetHack''; the Wizard Patch for [[SLASH'EM]] exchanged this for a more standard [[Magic Points]] system, and was fully merged into the main line of releases as of version 3.3.0.
** Wands still operate on this logic, requiring no magical aptitude to use but possessing a limited number of charges. Scrolls are similar as well, allowing one casting of a given spell per scroll read, and many wands and scrolls have a spell counterpart (e.g. cancellation, fireball, identify, remove curse).
** Wands still operate on this logic, requiring no magical aptitude to use but possessing a limited number of charges. Scrolls are similar as well, allowing one casting of a given spell per scroll read, and many wands and scrolls have a spell counterpart (e.g. cancellation, fireball, identify, remove curse).
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** For non-chaotics, murder penalties only apply if you kill "always peaceful" humans (e.g. watchmen, shopkeepers, etc.); many other peaceful non-human monsters incur a minor alignment penalty in comparison unless they were coaligned or you killed them without angering them.
** For non-chaotics, murder penalties only apply if you kill "always peaceful" humans (e.g. watchmen, shopkeepers, etc.); many other peaceful non-human monsters incur a minor alignment penalty in comparison unless they were coaligned or you killed them without angering them.
** On that note, player characters are generally forbidden from [[Human Sacrifice|sacrificing]] members of their own species (unless Chaotic) or [[I'm a Humanitarian|eating corpses of their species]] (unless the player is an orc or Caveman). Every other being they come across - including many sentient and even sapient monsters? Fair game!
** On that note, player characters are generally forbidden from [[Human Sacrifice|sacrificing]] members of their own species (unless Chaotic) or [[I'm a Humanitarian|eating corpses of their species]] (unless the player is an orc or Caveman). Every other being they come across - including many sentient and even sapient monsters? Fair game!
* [[Whip It Good]]: Bullwhips are an available type of weapon. [[Adventure Archaeologist]]s start with a bullwhip, and all balrogs and some horned devils will generate with one.
* [[Whip It Good]]: Bullwhips are an available weapon type. [[Adventure Archaeologist]]s start with a +2 bullwhip, and all balrogs and some horned devils will generate with one.
* [[With This Herring]]: The Tourist class is the most obvious example, but several other classes qualify.
* [[With This Herring]]: The Tourist class is the most obvious example, but several other classes qualify.
* [[A Worldwide Punomenon]]: Levitating characters will sink if they float over a sink. Drinking a cursed potion of gain level causes a character to move up a dungeon level. Scrolls of mail, on UNIX systems, are delivered by a ''mail daemon''. If you try to identify a wand of ''striking'' by engraving something on the floor, you'll receive a message that it "unsuccessfully fights your attempt to write". And that's just for starters! Boy howdy, [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything]].
* [[A Worldwide Punomenon]]: Levitating characters will sink if they float over a sink. Drinking a cursed potion of gain level causes a character to move up a dungeon level. Scrolls of mail, on UNIX systems, are delivered by a ''mail daemon''. If you try to identify a wand of ''striking'' by engraving something on the floor, you'll receive a message that it "unsuccessfully fights your attempt to write". And that's just for starters! Boy howdy, [[The Dev Team Thinks of Everything]].
* [[You Will Not Evade Me]]: Once you've found him and woken him up, The Wizard of Yendor will reappear periodically wherever you are, and taunt you for thinking you could elude him (if he was alive and on a different dungeon level). A slightly different taunt appears if he was killed instead.
* [[You Will Not Evade Me]]: Once you've found him and woken him up, The Wizard of Yendor will reappear periodically wherever you are, and taunt you for thinking you could elude him (if he was alive and on a different dungeon level). {{spoiler|This applies even after you've killed him, with a slightly different taunt applied.}}
** Several high-level covetous monsters, including the Wizard, will also teleport to your location constantly as long as you are on the same level. All of them combine this with [[Get Back Here Boss]] as mentioned above for maximum annoyance.
** Several high-level covetous monsters, including the Wizard, will also teleport to your location constantly as long as you are on the same level. All of them combine this with [[Get Back Here Boss]] as mentioned above for maximum annoyance.
** {{spoiler|The Riders implement this in an unusual way - trying to teleport them or their corpses away has a 12/13 chance of warping them right next to you.}}
** {{spoiler|The Riders implement this in an unusual way - trying to teleport them or their corpses away has a 12/13 chance of warping them right next to you.}}