Difference between revisions of "Zoo"

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A '''zoo''', also known as '''David's treasure zoo''' or just '''treasure zoo''', is a [[special room]] that is randomly generated in the Dungeons of Doom and also appears in several [[special level]]s. Most of the squares in the zoo are occupied by a [[sleep]]ing random monster and a random amount of gold.
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[[Image:Treasure zoo.jpg|thumb|right|The player encountering a treasure zoo.]]
  
== Generation ==
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A '''zoo''', short for a '''treasure zoo''', is a [[special room]] that occurs in ''[[NetHack]]''. It can be randomly generated in the Dungeons of Doom, and also appears in several [[special level]]s. Most of the squares in the zoo are occupied by a [[sleep]]ing random monster and a random amount of gold.
Zoos can be randomly generated on any level in the main branch beneath level 6.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|774|nethack=3.6.6}} Each eligible level has a one in seven chance of containing a zoo ''unless'' the level already has a shop, a throne room, or a leprechaun hall;{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|764|nethack=3.6.6}} is a maze; or is a special level. In practice, this means the player has about a 10% chance of finding one on eligible levels.
 
  
== Messages ==
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==Generation==
{{message|You hear a sound reminiscent of a seal barking.}}
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Zoos can be randomly generated on any level in the main branch beneath level 6.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|774|nethack=3.6.6}} Each normal, non-maze level has a one in seven chance of containing a zoo ''unless'' the level already has a shop, a throne room, or a leprechaun hall.{{refsrc|src/mklev.c|764|nethack=3.6.6}} In practice, this means the player has about a 10% chance of finding one on eligible levels.
{{message|You hear a sound reminiscent of an elephant stepping on a peanut.|There is a zoo on the level.}}
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{{message|You hear Doctor Dolittle!|There is a zoo on the level, and you are [[hallucinating]].}}
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===Special levels with zoos===
{{message|Welcome to David's treasure zoo!|You have entered the zoo.}}
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The top floor of [[Sokoban]] always has a zoo at the end of the fourth floor, with the closets containing the Sokoban prize behind it.  
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[[Fort Ludios]] has a zoo in the frontmost section of the level, which is the first room the player must pass through.
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In the [[Tourist quest]], a zoo can be found on the eastern end of the locate level, the Thieves' Guild Hall.
  
==Special levels with zoos==
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The middle level of the [[Wizard's Tower]] has a large zoo that must be crossed to reach the upstair.
* The top floor of [[Sokoban]] always has a zoo, guarding the Sokoban prize.
 
* The middle level of the [[Wizard's Tower]] has a large zoo.
 
* [[Fort Ludios]] has a zoo containing [[Croesus]] along with all the random monsters
 
* The Thieves' Guild Hall in the [[Tourist quest]] has a zoo.  
 
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
The main risk of zoos is being surrounded by multiple attackers, with them possibly cutting off any escape route.
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The main risk of zoos is being overwhelmed by multiple attackers, or else having any escape routes potentially cut off.
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A common strategy is to use [[stealth]], either via intrinsic or through an item such as [[elven boots]] or a [[ring of stealth]]. Stealthy characters can attack each sleeping monster one at a time without waking up the entire zoo, making combat much easier. Be careful to avoid [[kick]]ing anything or engaging exploding enemies such as [[yellow light]]s and [[gas spore]]s; blocking off pets that lack stealth may also be advisable. Stealth is not viable for the Fort Ludios zoo, as entering the level causes an alarm to sound and wakes all the monsters on the level.
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It is often safer to displace several pets into a zoo - monsters will use their ranged attack only against you, and will only attack the pet when it attacks them. You may need to stay close to keep your pets healed, however.
  
One common strategy is to use [[stealth]]. This will allow you to take on each sleeping monster one at a time, making combat much easier. Be careful to avoid things that will wake up monsters, such as letting a pet attack them, [[kick]]ing anything, and engaging exploding enemies such as [[yellow light]]s and [[gas spore]]s. In the Fort Ludios zoo, stealth does not work because entering the level causes an alarm to sound, waking all the monsters.
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For combat situations where most or all of the zoo's inhabitants have been awakened, you can opt to use a [[ring of conflict]] and turn them against each other. Keep in mind that you are still an eligible target and may still find yourself on the wrong end of some projectile attacks; conflict will also endanger your pet and/or cause them to attack you as well if they are in the area.
  
It is often safer to displace several pets into a zoo, rather than fight it out yourself. Monsters will use their ranged attack only against you, and will only attack the pet when it attacks them. If you use pets, though, you may need to stay close to heal them.
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==History==
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Treasure zoos first appear in ''Hack for PDP-11'' a variant of [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]] - [[Hack 1.0]] is the first to use the name '''David's treasure zoo'''. In Hack 1.0 and [[Hack 1.0.1]], if a player's login name was "david", the treasure zoo would appear much more frequently for that character.<ref>[[Source:Hack_1.0/mklev.c#line147|Hack 1.0 mklev.c, line 147]]</ref>
  
For combat situations where most or all of the zoo's inhabitants have been awakened, you can opt to use a [[ring of conflict]] and turn them against each other. Keep in mind that you are still an eligible target for attack, and may still find yourself on the wrong end of some projectile attacks; conflict will also endanger your pet and/or cause them to attack you as well if they are in the area.
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==Origin==
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The "David" that the zoos are named for refers to [[David S. H. Rosenthal]], who was a co-worker of [[Andries Brouwer]] in 1982.
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==Messages==
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{{message|You hear a sound reminiscent of a seal barking.<br>You hear a sound reminiscent of an elephant stepping on a peanut.|There is a zoo on the level.}}
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{{message|You hear Doctor Dolittle!|As above, but you are [[hallucinating]].}}
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{{message|Welcome to David's treasure zoo!|You have entered the zoo.}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
 
{{nethack-366}}
 
{{nethack-366}}
 
 
[[Category:Special rooms]]
 
[[Category:Special rooms]]

Latest revision as of 21:12, 20 October 2021

The player encountering a treasure zoo.

A zoo, short for a treasure zoo, is a special room that occurs in NetHack. It can be randomly generated in the Dungeons of Doom, and also appears in several special levels. Most of the squares in the zoo are occupied by a sleeping random monster and a random amount of gold.

Generation

Zoos can be randomly generated on any level in the main branch beneath level 6.[1] Each normal, non-maze level has a one in seven chance of containing a zoo unless the level already has a shop, a throne room, or a leprechaun hall.[2] In practice, this means the player has about a 10% chance of finding one on eligible levels.

Special levels with zoos

The top floor of Sokoban always has a zoo at the end of the fourth floor, with the closets containing the Sokoban prize behind it.

Fort Ludios has a zoo in the frontmost section of the level, which is the first room the player must pass through.

In the Tourist quest, a zoo can be found on the eastern end of the locate level, the Thieves' Guild Hall.

The middle level of the Wizard's Tower has a large zoo that must be crossed to reach the upstair.

Strategy

The main risk of zoos is being overwhelmed by multiple attackers, or else having any escape routes potentially cut off.

A common strategy is to use stealth, either via intrinsic or through an item such as elven boots or a ring of stealth. Stealthy characters can attack each sleeping monster one at a time without waking up the entire zoo, making combat much easier. Be careful to avoid kicking anything or engaging exploding enemies such as yellow lights and gas spores; blocking off pets that lack stealth may also be advisable. Stealth is not viable for the Fort Ludios zoo, as entering the level causes an alarm to sound and wakes all the monsters on the level.

It is often safer to displace several pets into a zoo - monsters will use their ranged attack only against you, and will only attack the pet when it attacks them. You may need to stay close to keep your pets healed, however.

For combat situations where most or all of the zoo's inhabitants have been awakened, you can opt to use a ring of conflict and turn them against each other. Keep in mind that you are still an eligible target and may still find yourself on the wrong end of some projectile attacks; conflict will also endanger your pet and/or cause them to attack you as well if they are in the area.

History

Treasure zoos first appear in Hack for PDP-11 a variant of Jay Fenlason's Hack - Hack 1.0 is the first to use the name David's treasure zoo. In Hack 1.0 and Hack 1.0.1, if a player's login name was "david", the treasure zoo would appear much more frequently for that character.[3]

Origin

The "David" that the zoos are named for refers to David S. H. Rosenthal, who was a co-worker of Andries Brouwer in 1982.

Messages

You hear a sound reminiscent of a seal barking.
You hear a sound reminiscent of an elephant stepping on a peanut.
There is a zoo on the level.
You hear Doctor Dolittle!
As above, but you are hallucinating.
Welcome to David's treasure zoo!
You have entered the zoo.

References