Knight

The knight is one of the player roles in NetHack. Knights are always lawful humans.

Starting Equipment

• +1 long sword
• +1 lance
• +1 ring mail
• +0 helmet
• +0 small shield
• +0 leather gloves
• 10 to 20 uncursed apples
• 10 to 20 uncursed carrots

Starting pet is always a pony with a saddle.

Abilities

Knights can identify all weapons and non-magical armor from the beginning. They also have a special intrinsic ability to #jump like the knight piece in chess. They are able to #turn undead, and their special spell is turn undead.

• At Experience Level 7 knights gain intrinsic speed.

Skills

Knight skills
Max	Skills
Basic	Weapons: dagger, knife, pick-axe, scimitar, club, flail, hammer, trident, bow
Skilled	Weapons: axe, short sword, broadsword, two-handed sword, saber, mace, morning star, polearms, spear, crossbow Combat: two weapon combat Spells: attack, healing, clerical
Expert	Weapons: long sword, lance Combat: bare hands, riding

Quest

Main article: Knight quest

The quest monster is a quasit. The quest nemesis is a dragon called Ixoth. He is rather tough opponent, although can be dealt with using E-word or paralysis. After the quest knights receive the Magic Mirror of Merlin which allows them to become powerful spellcasters.

Code of conduct

There are special rules of conduct for a knight:

Honor in combat

"You caitiff!"

Knights take a -1 alignment penalty for attacking sleeping, paralysed or fleeing monsters (even if the monster continues to attack while fleeing).

Frugality in food

"You feel like a glutton!"

There is a -1 alignment penalty for eating while satiated.

Honorable Shopping

"You feel like a common thief."

There is a -1 alignment penalty for digging down in a shop.

Strategy

Difficulty

The knight is controversial among NetHack players, considered by some to be a poor role, others the most interesting. It is a choice for a player thinking both about melee and magic. One could however consider that he develops his magical skills in the late game and starts out with a great deal of metal armor, which inhibits spellcasting. The knight is also the best rider in the game. Long-range weapons are clearly his great down-side.

External links

• Knight FAQ (unfinished)