Bones - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ follow-up

2025-11-30T04:46:07Z

‎Generation: follow-up

Nethacker: /* Generation */ fixed the formula

2025-11-23T05:48:43Z

‎Generation: fixed the formula

Nethacker: improved the style

2025-11-23T05:47:28Z

improved the style

Nethacker: /* Generation */ fixed font

2025-11-23T05:36:22Z

‎Generation: fixed font

Umbire the Phantom: wordsmithing et. al.

2025-02-20T18:23:49Z

wordsmithing et. al.

Show changes

Phol ende wodan: /* Description */ 3.7: can arise from the grave as a zombie; arisen monster will retain resistances the player had

2024-12-19T22:27:50Z

‎Description: 3.7: can arise from the grave as a zombie; arisen monster will retain resistances the player had

Umbire the Phantom: Undo revision 170599 by Furey (talk) will un-redlink shortly

2024-06-16T22:50:47Z

Undo revision 170599 by Furey (talk) will un-redlink shortly

Furey: /* Strategy */ Fix redlink: engraved -> engrave

2024-06-16T22:49:16Z

‎Strategy: Fix redlink: engraved -> engrave

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2024-05-22T12:56:24Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* Ethics */ copyedit

2024-05-04T03:46:29Z

‎Ethics: copyedit

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ==Generation==
-If a hero dies on an eligible dungeon level, they have a <math>\frac{\lfloor \frac{depth}{4} \rfloor}{\lfloor \frac{depth}{4} \rfloor + 1}</math> chance of leaving bones, where ''depth'' is the depth of that level.{{refsrc|src/bones.c|323|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>can_make_bones</code> function}} In practice, this means that a bones file is never created or loaded above dungeon level 4. It is also entirely possible for a bones level to be saved as bones again if it is loaded as an eligible level by another hero who is then killed on that level&mdash;in rare cases, players may encounter a triple or even quadruple bones.
+If a hero dies on an eligible dungeon level, they have a <math>\frac{\lfloor \frac{depth}{4} \rfloor}{\lfloor \frac{depth}{4} \rfloor + 1}</math> chance of leaving bones.{{refsrc|src/bones.c|323|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>can_make_bones</code> function}}
 Assuming that the level in question is eligible, there is a {{frac|2}} chance of bones being created at dungeon levels 4-7, a {{frac|2|3}} chance of bones being created at levels 8-11, a {{frac|3|4}} chance of bones being created at levels 12-15, a {{frac|4|5}} chance of bones being created at levels 16-19, and so on.
-In addition to dungeon levels 1-3, the other following levels are ineligible to create bones files on:{{refsrc|src/bones.c|20|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>no_bones_level</code> function}}
+This means that a bones file is never created or loaded above dungeon level 4&mdash;in addition, the other following levels are ineligible to create bones files on:{{refsrc|src/bones.c|20|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>no_bones_level</code> function}}
 * Any level with [[dungeon branch]] stairs or a [[magic portal]] (including a level that has a portal in a [[Fake Wizard's Tower]])
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 Bones files created in eligible [[special level]]s such as [[Minetown]] may be loaded as a different depth, and are generally exceptions to ad-hoc rules regarding dungeon generation (e.g. "no [[polymorph traps]] above dungeon level 8").
 ===Fake bones===

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ==Generation==
-If a hero dies on an eligible dungeon level, they have a <math>\frac{\lfloor \frac{Depth}{4} \rfloor}{\lfloor \frac{Depth}{4} \rfloor + 1}</math> chance of leaving bones, where ''Depth'' is the depth of that level.{{refsrc|src/bones.c|323|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>can_make_bones</code> function}} In practice, this means that a bones file is never created or loaded above dungeon level 4. It is also entirely possible for a bones level to be saved as bones again if it is loaded as an eligible level by another hero who is then killed on that level&mdash;in rare cases, players may encounter a triple or even quadruple bones.
+If a hero dies on an eligible dungeon level, they have a <math>\frac{\lfloor \frac{depth}{4} \rfloor}{\lfloor \frac{depth}{4} \rfloor + 1}</math> chance of leaving bones, where ''depth'' is the depth of that level.{{refsrc|src/bones.c|323|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>can_make_bones</code> function}} In practice, this means that a bones file is never created or loaded above dungeon level 4. It is also entirely possible for a bones level to be saved as bones again if it is loaded as an eligible level by another hero who is then killed on that level&mdash;in rare cases, players may encounter a triple or even quadruple bones.
 Assuming that the level in question is eligible, there is a {{frac|2}} chance of bones being created at dungeon levels 4-7, a {{frac|2|3}} chance of bones being created at levels 8-11, a {{frac|3|4}} chance of bones being created at levels 12-15, a {{frac|4|5}} chance of bones being created at levels 16-19, and so on.

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ==Generation==
-If a hero dies on an eligible dungeon level, they have a <math>\frac{\lfloor \mathrm{Depth}{4} \rfloor}{\lfloor \mathrm{Depth}{4} \rfloor + 1}</math> chance of leaving bones, where Depth is the depth of that level.{{refsrc|src/bones.c|323|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>can_make_bones</code> function}} In practice, this means that a bones file is never created or loaded above dungeon level 4. It is also entirely possible for a bones level to be saved as bones again if it is loaded as an eligible level by another hero who is then killed on that level&mdash;in rare cases, players may encounter a triple or even quadruple bones.
+If a hero dies on an eligible dungeon level, they have a <math>\frac{\lfloor \frac{Depth}{4} \rfloor}{\lfloor \frac{Depth}{4} \rfloor + 1}</math> chance of leaving bones, where ''Depth'' is the depth of that level.{{refsrc|src/bones.c|323|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>can_make_bones</code> function}} In practice, this means that a bones file is never created or loaded above dungeon level 4. It is also entirely possible for a bones level to be saved as bones again if it is loaded as an eligible level by another hero who is then killed on that level&mdash;in rare cases, players may encounter a triple or even quadruple bones.
-Assuming that the level in question is eligible, the odds of a bones file being created can be expressed as inversely proportional to the equation ''floor(depth/4) + 1'' - there is a {{frac|2}} chance of bones being created at dungeon levels 4-7, a {{frac|2|3}} chance of bones being created at levels 8-11, a {{frac|3|4}} chance of bones being created on DL 12-15, a {{frac|4|5}} chance of bones being created on DL 16-19, and so on.
+Assuming that the level in question is eligible, there is a {{frac|2}} chance of bones being created at dungeon levels 4-7, a {{frac|2|3}} chance of bones being created at levels 8-11, a {{frac|3|4}} chance of bones being created at levels 12-15, a {{frac|4|5}} chance of bones being created at levels 16-19, and so on.
 In addition to dungeon levels 1-3, the other following levels are ineligible to create bones files on:{{refsrc|src/bones.c|20|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>no_bones_level</code> function}}

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ==Generation==
-If a hero dies on an eligible dungeon level, they have a <math>\frac{\lfloor \frac{depth}{4} \rfloor}{\lfloor \frac{depth}{4} \rfloor + 1}</math> chance of leaving bones, where ''D'' is equivalent to the depth of that level.{{refsrc|src/bones.c|323|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>can_make_bones</code> function}} In practice, this means that a bones file is never created or loaded above dungeon level 4. It is also entirely possible for a bones level to be saved as bones again if it is loaded as an eligible level by another hero who is then killed on that level&mdash;in rare cases, players may encounter a triple or even quadruple bones.
+If a hero dies on an eligible dungeon level, they have a <math>\frac{\lfloor \mathrm{Depth}{4} \rfloor}{\lfloor \mathrm{Depth}{4} \rfloor + 1}</math> chance of leaving bones, where Depth is the depth of that level.{{refsrc|src/bones.c|323|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>can_make_bones</code> function}} In practice, this means that a bones file is never created or loaded above dungeon level 4. It is also entirely possible for a bones level to be saved as bones again if it is loaded as an eligible level by another hero who is then killed on that level&mdash;in rare cases, players may encounter a triple or even quadruple bones.
 Assuming that the level in question is eligible, the odds of a bones file being created can be expressed as inversely proportional to the equation ''floor(depth/4) + 1'' - there is a {{frac|2}} chance of bones being created at dungeon levels 4-7, a {{frac|2|3}} chance of bones being created at levels 8-11, a {{frac|3|4}} chance of bones being created on DL 12-15, a {{frac|4|5}} chance of bones being created on DL 16-19, and so on.

@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 * If the character was killed or petrified by a [[cockatrice]] or [[chickatrice]], a statue of the character containing their inventory is left instead of a monster and/or corpse.
 * If the character was killed by [[sliming]], the ghost is replaced with a named [[green slime]].
 If the cause of death does not leave behind a statue or a mummy, a [[headstone]] will be generated on the spot where the character was killed, with any monster that represents the former player character generated [[asleep]] atop it; every item in the former character's inventory will be placed atop the headstone, along with their corpse if applicable. A character that dies and leaves behind a statue will instead have their inventory made into the statue's contents.

@@ Line 96: / Line 96: @@
 Bones levels can be a double-edged sword: the bones pile they contain will have all the dead adventurer's possessions, including several valuable additions to bolster a character's current kit, but a majority of those items will be cursed - it is usually a [[bad idea]] to [[quaff]], [[read]], [[wield]], or [[wear]] anything from a bones pile until its beatitude has been properly identified. The bones pile may also contain several artifacts: this also includes typically-unwanted ones, and any amount of artifacts will increase the count for that game and make future [[wish]]es for artifacts more difficult. The level will also contain most of the monsters present at the time of the character's death, most likely including the one that killed the previous character; if that monster has dangerous [[armor]], [[weapon]]s, [[wand]]s, and/or other items, it is also very likely to use them against the current character that discovered it.
-A ghost or other similar monster created on top of the bones pile can prevent monsters from gaining access to the former character's inventory until it is woken up and moves off the pile, keeping dangerous items out of their hands until you can get to them; conversely, a bones wraith or vampire that is woken up will immediately try to pick up and equip what they can to use against a character. It is a good idea to turn off [[autopickup]] temporarily before stepping onto the bones pile, in order to prevent sudden and accidental [[encumbrance]] while sorting through its contents; [[stealth]] may also be worthwhile for keeping the bones monster asleep until you can determine an ideal approach. If a headstone is generated under a bones pile, [[Elbereth]] cannot be [[engrave]]d to keep away monsters, though a [[scroll of scare monster]] (including an existing one in the pile) will deter most of them.
+A ghost or other similar monster created on top of the bones pile can prevent monsters from gaining access to the former character's inventory until it is woken up and moves off the pile, keeping dangerous items out of their hands until you can get to them; conversely, a bones wraith or vampire that is woken up will immediately try to pick up and equip what they can to use against a character. It is a good idea to turn off [[autopickup]] temporarily before stepping onto the bones pile, in order to prevent sudden and accidental [[encumbrance]] while sorting through its contents; [[stealth]] may also be worthwhile for keeping the bones monster asleep until you can determine an ideal approach. If a headstone is generated under a bones pile, [[Elbereth]] cannot be [[engraved]] to keep away monsters, though a [[scroll of scare monster]] (including an existing one in the pile) will deter most of them.
 ===Cursed bags===

@@ Line 78: / Line 78: @@
 *''<nowiki><level></nowiki>'' is one of:
 ** Numbers 1 through 53 &ndash; these correspond to ordinary levels that are eligible for leaving bones. This number is offset from the first of the branch appropriate&mdash;e.g. if the bones are on the second level of the mines, the filename would be "bonM0.2".
-** O &ndash; [[Oracle]] (if <nowiki><branch></nowiki> is "D", as the Oracle can only be in the Dungeons of Doom and Orcus Town shares "O")
+** O &ndash; [[Oracle (level)|Oracle]] (if <nowiki><branch></nowiki> is "D", as the Oracle can only be in the Dungeons of Doom and Orcus Town shares "O")
 ** T &ndash; [[Minetown]]
 ** R &ndash; [[Rogue level]]

@@ Line 176: / Line 176: @@
 ===Ethics===
-From a game design point of view, bones are potentially unbalancing, and a few players object to using bones items for this reason - finding one's own bones is an even more difficult position. Luckily, on a [[public server]] there are enough players that this is unlikely to happen frequently. If a public server provides [[dumplog]]s, other players that encounter bones may look up the dumplogs to see which one corresponds to the bones level and what items it contains were carried.
+From a game design point of view, bones are potentially unbalancing, and a few players object to using bones items for this reason - finding one's own bones is an even more difficult position. Luckily, on a [[public server]] there are enough players that this is unlikely to happen frequently, though this poses a different wrinkle: If a public server provides [[dumplog]]s, other players that encounter bones may look up the dumplogs to see which one corresponds to the bones level and what items it contains were carried. Some players [[Cheating#Probably cheating|consider this cheating]] and frown upon it, to the point of once being a subject of endless [[RGRN]] debates about the value of such wins - while using bones items in a normal game is perfectly fine, it can often make a difficult game much easier by providing items that the current player has not "earned" yet; [[speed run]]s typically do not load bones files at all, unless actively performing bones-stuffed play.
 With all this in mind, being able to "effortlessly" determine bones contents does not guarantee that a player will be able to use those items effectively, much less perform well in later stages of the game: Even with "perfect" outside knowledge of bones items, resources are still necessary to uncurse and properly utilize most of them, and this assumes that a character can reach the bones pile safely to begin with - every bones pile looks "free" until you are blindsided by [[Yeenoghu]] or a former character's pet [[arch-lich]]!