# Nethack help! (Spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 2, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932 "2003-11-02T03:06:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/61 "2003-11-06T20:05:17Z")
Eating a leprechaun gives one a bad case of teleportitis. Just so y’all know. ---
**Author:** ![Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/62 "2003-11-06T21:16:24Z")
But as someone mentioned earlier, eating a Tengu (usually) gives one teleport control. For non spellcasters this is an incredibly wonderful use for those otherwise ignored spell points. Hell, even for spellcasters, it’s still pretty useful. (Activated by Ctrl-T, IIRC) ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2003, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/63 "2003-11-06T22:14:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Orbifold \* > \*\*Whoops, I forgot one: you can also petrify trolls. \*\* Except for Rock Trolls, I believe. And Water Trolls don’t drown, of course. Another way to get rid of the buggers is to stuff the corpse into a box or chest. – Justin ---
**Author:** ![Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/64 "2003-11-07T04:36:03Z")
Ah, forgot to mention this back on cockatrice/statues: Statues, especially on levels where a cockatrice/Medusa can be found, often contain useful goodies, provided one has the right tool to get at said goodies. Not a smart move for archeologists, though. Historic statues, an’ such. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/65 "2003-11-07T04:53:56Z")
> [@](#): > > But as someone mentioned earlier, eating a Tengu (usually) gives one teleport control. Not always. ::sigh:: I need to find another tengu or three. > [@](#): > > Statues, especially on levels where a cockatrice/Medusa can be found, often contain useful goodies, provided one has the right tool to get at said goodies. > > Not a smart move for archeologists, though. Historic statues, an’ such. Might be a smart move for a chaotic barbarian, though, hmmmm? I’ve got TWO pickaxes AND a blessed mattock! ---
**Author:** ![Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/66 "2003-11-07T05:09:29Z")
Yep, sounds like it’s time fer some **Statue Smitin’!** [sup]TM[/sup] ---
**Author:** ![TVAA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TVAA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVAA)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/67 "2003-11-07T13:09:54Z")
Y’know, there are several quite comprehensive NetHack guides online… they don’t take a lot of searching to find. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/68 "2003-11-07T14:19:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TVAA \* > \*\*Y’know, there are several quite comprehensive NetHack guides online… they don’t take a lot of searching to find. \*\* Many of them assume knowledge that I don’t have. Also, I KNOW the people who post here. I know which ones are fairly trustworthy, and which ones post things that they’ve pulled out of their ass. ---
**Author:** ![MindWanderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@MindWanderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindWanderer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/69 "2003-11-07T15:40:10Z")
I’d heard of nethack before this thread started, but all this discussion got me actually downloading it. I’ve tried a bunch of professions, but my current rogue orc is a blast with the daggers. They seem to be better than melee. I tried a tourist and died very very quick. I’ve been keeping the guide webpage open as I play so I can check stuff I don’t know how to do. I made it as far as dungeon level 6 yesterday as a monk, got killed by a white unicorn. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/70 "2003-11-07T16:18:53Z")
Never go into a shop while wearing a Hawaiian shirt, at least not where the shopkeeper can see it. You can wear the shirt under your armor, which is a good idea if the shirt has been blessed. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/71 "2003-11-07T16:38:36Z")
You mean, “if the shirt has been blessed _and enchanted to +6_,” right? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/72 "2003-11-08T15:13:52Z")
Another bit of spoilerish advice. If one is lucky enough to find both a ring of polymorph control, and a wand of polymorph, neat tricks can be pulled off. [WonderHack Powers Activate! Shape of a Xorn!] If you’re polymorphed into something that can eat metal, you can consume certain magic items (rings and amulets) and gain their abilities as intrinsic, without having to lug the things around, and risk having them snatched or ruined in combat. Only works about half the time, so there’s an element of randomness to it. And only works if the ring you want is actually metallic in that session of Hack. “Ring of fire resistance? Gulp. Ring of teleport control? Munch. Amulet of magical breathing? Gobble.” Tasty, and it’s good for you too. Sadly, my ring of polymorph control is a ruby ring, hence, no munchies. And the ring of shock resistance that I ate didn’t take. Off to find another, I guess… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/73 "2003-11-08T18:12:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\*You mean, “if the shirt has been blessed _and enchanted to +6_,” right? 😉 \*\* Uh…right, couldn’t remember the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/74 "2003-11-08T18:52:44Z")
> [@](#): > > [WonderHack Powers Activate! Shape of a Xorn!] > > If you’re polymorphed into something that can eat metal, you can consume certain magic items (rings and amulets) and gain their abilities as intrinsic, without having to lug the things around, and risk having them snatched or ruined in combat. Now THAT sounds like FUN. My characters always seem to find nymphs and succubi irresistable. Those monsters can charm the socks (and shoes, and helmets, and…) right off my characters. Unfortunately. I’m a BIG fan of missile weapons in certain circumstances. And why won’t unicorns stay in my line of fire? How am I supposed to throw gems at them if they won’t hold still? Am I only supposed to throw gems at unicorns of my alignment, or will any color do? ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/75 "2003-11-08T19:33:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > \*\*And why won’t unicorns stay in my line of fire? How am I supposed to throw gems at them if they won’t hold still? Am I only supposed to throw gems at unicorns of my alignment, or will any color do? \*\* Just keep trying. If you follow a unicorn around long enough, sooner or later you’ll get them in your line of fire long enough to toss a gem at them. The faster you are, the sooner that will happen too. You can throw gems at unicorns of any alignment, but the results are better with unicorns of the same alignment. ---
**Author:** ![Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/76 "2003-11-10T04:06:18Z")
I think the only unicorns that are non-hostile towards you _are_ the ones of your alignment, so you can really only give the gems to them anyhow. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/77 "2003-11-10T04:44:10Z")
Eh, I’ve had unicorns of opposite alignment come up and attack me, and when I throw a gem at them, they quit the attack and disappear. Sometimes the unicorn graciously accepts my gift, sometimes hesitatingly accepts it. I guess it depends on whether or not I’m throwing a real gem? ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/78 "2003-11-10T04:56:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > **Not always. ::sigh:: I need to find another tengu or three.** I suspect this thread just became dangerous… ::YOINK!:: ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/79 "2003-11-10T05:17:33Z")
Don’t worry, **Tengu,** I let that character die, as Set was very angry at him. And I have no intention of eating a leprechaun again. Unless I’m very hungry, of course. ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932/80 "2003-11-10T05:47:31Z")
Lynn - the outcome of tossing a gem at a unicorn (I think) has to do with whether or not it’s a real gem, the your alignment vs the unicorn’s color, and if the gem is cursed, blessed, or neutral. Exactly what the reaction means will require more work (and more characters who actually get deep enough to run onto unicorns). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nethack-help-spoilers/210932.md?page=5)