Combat - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2026-07-20T22:10:54Z

potholes

Netzhack: /* Encyclopedia entry */ line breaks

2026-05-27T11:05:36Z

‎Encyclopedia entry: line breaks

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2026-05-19T03:05:42Z

potholes

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2025-10-07T18:55:36Z

word choice

Umbire the Phantom: encyc

2025-05-21T17:29:02Z

encyc

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit - mention attack types and damage types

2025-02-22T12:00:20Z

copyedit - mention attack types and damage types

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ copyedit

2025-02-22T11:33:09Z

‎Variants: copyedit

Umbire the Phantom: /* Hero-monster combat */ pothole

2024-10-08T08:29:30Z

‎Hero-monster combat: pothole

Cathartes: grammar

2024-09-18T03:27:02Z

grammar

Cathartes: /* Hero-monster combat */ force-fight detail, monster can't melee in same turn after moving

2024-09-18T03:22:18Z

‎Hero-monster combat: force-fight detail, monster can't melee in same turn after moving

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 ===Attack type===
 {{main|Attack type}}
-Attack types govern how the hero or monster performs combat actions, such as using weapons, kicking, biting, and clawing among various other methods.
+Attack types govern how the hero or monster performs combat actions, such as [[Weapon attack|using weapons]], [[Kick attack|kicking]], [[Bite attack|biting]], and [[Claw attack|clawing]] among various other methods.
 ===Damage type===
 {{main|Damage type}}
-Damage types determine the "element" or form of hit point loss dealt to a defender and/or what status [[properties]] and other effects attacks can inflict.
+Damage types determine the "element" or form of hit point loss dealt to a defender and/or what status [[properties]] and other effects that attacks can inflict.
 ==Hero-monster combat==
@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 ** While wielding the [[artifact]] [[Stormbringer]], the [[bloodthirsty]] weapon will cause the hero to attack any monster they move into, ignoring prompts and hostility.
 * Using the [[force-fight]] command by pressing {{kbd|shift|F}} will force the next movement input to be interpreted as a melee attack, ignoring any prompts for monsters in the direction of the input given. This will also prevent the hero from moving in that or another direction (e.g. in the case of attacking a [[leprechaun]], or while stunned or confused).
-* The hero can [[kick]] at other monsters by using {{kbd|Ctrl|D}} and selecting an applicable direction.
+* The hero can [[Kick (command)|kick]] at other monsters by using {{kbd|Ctrl|D}} and selecting an applicable direction.
 * The hero can throw specific weapons or other objects via {{kbd|t}} or [[Firing|fire]] quivered items via {{kbd|f}}; they can [[quiver]] items to throw manually via {{kbd|shift|Q}}, or else select them from a prompt if they press {{kbd|f}} with nothing quivered. Throwing items at monsters does not bring up any prompts, and will anger peaceful monsters regardless of whether or not they hit them, with some notable exceptions:
 ** Throwing certain types of food at [[domestic animal]]s will either pacify them or tame them.

@@ Line 116: / Line 116: @@
 "[[Fight]]", "[[melee]]" and "combat" share the same [[encyclopedia]] entry:
 {{encyclopedia|
-[Scene: Mr. Moon and Gilbert enter tavern and discover many
+[Scene: Mr. Moon and Gilbert enter tavern and discover many corpses strewn about the place; Blind Pew is sole survivor.]
-corpses strewn about the place; Blind Pew is sole survivor.]
+Blind Pew:  Evening.  Sounded as though there has been a bit of a squabble.
-Blind Pew:  Evening.  Sounded as though there has been a bit
+Mr. Moon:  Squabble?  They're all dead.
 Blind Pew:  Oh.  Must have been more of a tiff then.
-|[ Yellowbeard, directed by Mel Damski, screenplay
+|[ Yellowbeard, directed by Mel Damski, screenplay by Graham Chapman, Peter Cook, Bernard McKenna ]}}
 ==References==

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 * Attempting to move onto a monster's square normally will attempt to attack them.
-** The hero automatically attacks if the monster they move into is hostile, while doing so a peaceful monster will cause a "yes/no" prompt to come up asking the player if they really want to attack.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|212|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Pet]]s will not be attacked this way, and the hero will attempt to displace them instead.
+** The hero automatically attacks if the monster they move into is hostile, while doing so a peaceful monster will cause a "yes/no" prompt to come up asking the player if they really want to attack.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|212|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Pet]]s will not be attacked this way, and the hero will attempt to [[Displacing monsters|displace them instead]].
 ** A hero that is stunned or confused will attack any monster if confused movement or stunned movement would take them into that monster's square, with no prompt occurring.
 ** While wielding the [[artifact]] [[Stormbringer]], the [[bloodthirsty]] weapon will cause the hero to attack any monster they move into, ignoring prompts and hostility.
@@ Line 78: / Line 78: @@
 * Monsters that have potions with detrimental effects can use them offensively by throwing them at the hero.
 * Monsters using ranged attacks against the hero will not account for any other monsters in the attack path.
-* If the hero is [[invisible]] or has [[displacement]], the monster will attempt to move towards and/or attack the square where they believe the hero to be. Once they find the hero's square, they will always aim for that square until the hero moves again.
+* If the hero is [[invisible]] or has [[Displacement (property)|displacement]], the monster will attempt to move towards and/or attack the square where they believe the hero to be. Once they find the hero's square, they will always aim for that square until the hero moves again.
 * A hostile monster that is [[scared]] and not under the effects of conflict will flee from the hero and avoid attacking them in melee if possible, but will still use any ranged attacks they have at their disposal, and if the monster cannot move away from the hero, they may also use melee attacks.

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 * The hero is capable of [[two weapon combat]] using {{kbd|shift|X}}, which allows them to wield a weapon in each hand and attack in melee with them twice per action.
 * The hero's spellcasting uses their [[energy]] reserve and requires that they learn spells from [[spellbook]]s.
-* A hero [[polymorph]]ed into the form of a monster will use all of that monster's applicable attacks when fighting in melee - this can be dangerous when fighting monsters with passive abilities! See the section below for more details on monster attacks.
+* A hero [[polymorph]]ed into the form of a monster will use all of that monster's applicable attacks when fighting in melee&mdash;this can be dangerous when fighting monsters with passive abilities! See the section below for more details on monster attacks.
 ===Monsters===
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 * If a monster is at a distance from their target, they will only use ranged attacks, including [[breath weapon]]s and items such as thrown weapons.
 * If a monster is adjacent to their target, they will only use melee-applicable attacks, though they can also use items such as wands that can perform ranged attacks. This also applies to the hero in the form of an appropriate monster.
-* [[Passive attack]]s have a chance to trigger automatically when a monster is hit in melee, and will "counter-attack" whoever hits them; this also applies to a hero in the form of that monster. Some passive attacks may occur even if the attack that triggers them kills the monster in question.
+* [[Passive attack]]s have a chance of triggering automatically when a monster is hit in melee, and will "counter-attack" whoever hits them; this also applies to a hero in the form of that monster. Some passive attacks may occur even if the attack that triggers them kills the monster in question.
 * Similarly, there are passive attack-like abilities that trigger when certain weapons and items make contact with a monster; these also apply to the hero when in the form of such monsters, and similarly will occur in some cases where the attack killed the monster.
 * For monsters, spellcasting functions differently from that of the hero: only monsters with spellcasting in their attack sequence will actively cast spells as part of that sequence, and they use a different list of [[monster spells]] only available to them; they also do not have a set energy pool, though they do have a set amount of turns between each successful casting, with the success of each spellcasting attempt determined by chance.
@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 * The hero can throw specific weapons or other objects via {{kbd|t}} or [[Firing|fire]] quivered items via {{kbd|f}}; they can [[quiver]] items to throw manually via {{kbd|shift|Q}}, or else select them from a prompt if they press {{kbd|f}} with nothing quivered. Throwing items at monsters does not bring up any prompts, and will anger peaceful monsters regardless of whether or not they hit them, with some notable exceptions:
 ** Throwing certain types of food at [[domestic animal]]s will either pacify them or tame them.
-** Throwing [[gold]] at a hostile [[shopkeeper]] or [[Yendorian Army]] fighter has a chance to pacify them - see their articles for more details.
+** Throwing [[gold]] at a hostile [[shopkeeper]] or [[Yendorian Army]] fighter has a chance of pacifying them&mdash;see the articles on those monsters for more details.
 ** Throwing the [[quest artifact]] of the hero's role to the [[quest leader]] will cause them to catch it and return it, which does not anger them.
 * The hero can read certain scrolls with {{kbd|r}} for offensive purposes.

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 ==Variants==
 [[Variant]]s of ''NetHack'' frequently introduce changes to combat mechanics, which vary depending on the version of ''NetHack'' that variant is based on.
 ==References==

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 The hero and monsters can attack using the following methods:
-* A [[weapon]] or other item that they [[wield]] in one [[hand]] or [[Two-handed weapon|both hands]]
+* [[Fight]]ing with a [[weapon]] or other item that they [[wield]] in either one [[hand]] or [[Two-handed weapon|both hands]]
-* Fighting in melee without a wielded weapon
+* Fighting unarmed in melee without a wielded weapon
-* [[Projectile]]s and other items that can be [[thrown]], shot or [[Firing|fired]], with some requiring a specific [[launcher]]
+* [[Projectile]]s and other items that can be [[thrown]], shot or [[fired]], with some requiring a specific [[launcher]]
 * Certain [[scroll]]s that can be [[read]] for offensive purposes
 * Certain [[potion]]s and [[comestible]]s that can be used offensively by wielding them or throwing them
 * [[Wand]]s that can be [[zapped]] if the user has hands
 * [[Tools]] that can be [[applied]] for offensive purposes, or else used in melee like weapons
-* Using [[spellcasting]] to perform magic for attacks and other purposes
+* Using [[spellcasting]] to perform magic, with some spells exclusive to the hero and others [[Monster spell|exclusive to monsters]]
 ===The hero===
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 * For unarmed melee combat, some of the roles available to the hero have access to the [[bare hands]] [[skill]], while others make use of [[martial arts]].
-* The hero is capable of [[twoweapon]] combat using {{kbd|shift|X}}, which allows them to wield a weapon in each hand and attack in melee with them twice per action.
+* The hero is capable of [[two weapon combat]] using {{kbd|shift|X}}, which allows them to wield a weapon in each hand and attack in melee with them twice per action.
 * The hero's spellcasting uses their [[energy]] reserve and requires that they learn spells from [[spellbook]]s.
 * A hero [[polymorph]]ed into the form of a monster will use all of that monster's applicable attacks when fighting in melee - this can be dangerous when fighting monsters with passive abilities! See the section below for more details on monster attacks.
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 * [[Passive attack]]s have a chance to trigger automatically when a monster is hit in melee, and will "counter-attack" whoever hits them; this also applies to a hero in the form of that monster. Some passive attacks may occur even if the attack that triggers them kills the monster in question.
 * Similarly, there are passive attack-like abilities that trigger when certain weapons and items make contact with a monster; these also apply to the hero when in the form of such monsters, and similarly will occur in some cases where the attack killed the monster.
-* For monsters, spellcasting functions differently from that of the hero: only monsters with spellcasting in their attack sequence will actively cast spells as part of that sequence, and they use a different list of [[monster spells]] only available to them; they also do not have a set energy pool, though they do have a cooldown, with the success of each spellcasting attempt determined by chance.
+* For monsters, spellcasting functions differently from that of the hero: only monsters with spellcasting in their attack sequence will actively cast spells as part of that sequence, and they use a different list of [[monster spells]] only available to them; they also do not have a set energy pool, though they do have a set amount of turns between each successful casting, with the success of each spellcasting attempt determined by chance.
-===Effects of combat===
+==Combat elements==
-Various effects of combat, such as the ability of a combatant to hit another, the odds of a combatant hitting successfully or else being hit, and the amount of damage combatants take from being hit, depend on several factors.
+There are various factors that affect the performance of a hero or monster engaged in combat, such as the ability of a combatant to hit another, the odds of a combatant hitting successfully or else being hit, and the amount of damage combatants take from being hit:
-* [[Speed]] determines how many rounds of combat a hero or monster gets each turn.
+* [[Speed]] determines how many rounds of combat a hero or monster can get each turn.
-* [[To-hit]] chances and [[damage]] are calculated using several variables, such as [[skill]] level and whether or not an item is designed to be used as a weapon in a certain way (i.e. in melee, thrown, shot, fired, etc.) - each weapon has its own hit dice and to-hit bonuses or penalties.
+* [[To-hit]] chances and [[damage]] are calculated using several variables, such as whether or not an item is designed to be used as a weapon in a certain way (i.e. in melee, thrown, shot, fired, etc.) and the user's [[skill]] level in their combat method of choice.
-** Items that are not designed to function as weapons can still deal a base amount of damage when used as one, which is generally calculated based on their weight unless otherwise specified; wielding or throwing specific items, e.g. potions or the [[corpse]] or [[egg]] of a [[cockatrice]] or [[chickatrice]], can also have certain additional effects in addition to damage.
+** Each weapon has its own hit dice and to-hit bonuses or penalties. Items that are not designed to function as weapons can still deal a base amount of damage when used as one, which is generally calculated based on their weight unless otherwise specified; wielding or throwing specific items, e.g. potions or the [[corpse]] or [[egg]] of a [[cockatrice]] or [[chickatrice]], can also have certain additional effects in addition to damage.
 ** Exceptions to the above rule are the [[cream pie]] and [[expensive camera]]: both are coded to not deal damage at all if a hero or monster is hit by one.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|892|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=attacking with a wielded camera}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|998|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=attacking with a thrown or wielded cream pie}}
 * [[Armor class]] determines how likely a target combatant is to be hit, as well as how much damage they take upon being hit.
 ==Hero-monster combat==
@@ Line 50: / Line 58: @@
 ** The hero automatically attacks if the monster they move into is hostile, while doing so a peaceful monster will cause a "yes/no" prompt to come up asking the player if they really want to attack.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|212|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} [[Pet]]s will not be attacked this way, and the hero will attempt to displace them instead.
 ** A hero that is stunned or confused will attack any monster if confused movement or stunned movement would take them into that monster's square, with no prompt occurring.
-** While wielding the [[artifact]] [[Stormbringer]], the [[bloodthirsty]] weapon will cause the hero to attack any monster they move into, ignoring prompts.
+** While wielding the [[artifact]] [[Stormbringer]], the [[bloodthirsty]] weapon will cause the hero to attack any monster they move into, ignoring prompts and hostility.
 * Using the [[force-fight]] command by pressing {{kbd|shift|F}} will force the next movement input to be interpreted as a melee attack, ignoring any prompts for monsters in the direction of the input given. This will also prevent the hero from moving in that or another direction (e.g. in the case of attacking a [[leprechaun]], or while stunned or confused).
 * The hero can [[kick]] at other monsters by using {{kbd|Ctrl|D}} and selecting an applicable direction.
@@ Line 70: / Line 78: @@
 * Monsters that have potions with detrimental effects can use them offensively by throwing them at the hero.
 * Monsters using ranged attacks against the hero will not account for any other monsters in the attack path.
-* If the hero is [[invisible]] or has [[displacement]], the monster will attempt to move towards and/or attack the square where they believe the hero to be. Once they find the hero, they will not miss attacks this way until the hero moves again.
+* If the hero is [[invisible]] or has [[displacement]], the monster will attempt to move towards and/or attack the square where they believe the hero to be. Once they find the hero's square, they will always aim for that square until the hero moves again.
 * A hostile monster that is [[scared]] and not under the effects of conflict will flee from the hero and avoid attacking them in melee if possible, but will still use any ranged attacks they have at their disposal, and if the monster cannot move away from the hero, they may also use melee attacks.
@@ Line 80: / Line 88: @@
 ==Combat between monsters==
-Monsters attack each other under the following circumstances:
+Monsters will attack each other under the following circumstances:
 * Pets will target other non-tame monsters that are in range of their attacks, whether or not those monsters are hostile to the hero.
@@ Line 91: / Line 99: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Managing combat is naturally a vital component of survival for any hero in ''NetHack'': this includes using [[trap]]s and other elements of the dungeon to your advantage, as well as employing tactics such as [[hit and run]], and even just knowing when to engage in combat to begin with - discretion is the better part of valor. Understanding a monster's attack sequences and how monsters in general fight is also important when dealing with a hostile monster or keeping a monster as a pet.
+Managing combat is naturally a vital component of survival for any hero in ''NetHack'': this includes using [[trap]]s and other elements of the dungeon to your advantage, as well as employing tactics such as [[hit and run]], and even just knowing when to engage in combat to begin with&mdash;discretion is the better part of valor. Understanding a monster's attack sequences and how monsters in general fight is also important when dealing with a hostile monster or keeping a monster as a pet.
 ===Pacifism and combat===

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 ==History==
-In [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and previous versions, including variants based on those versions, the speed system uses a flat and consistent movement rate for the hero and monsters. As a result, combat works much differently in those versions of ''NetHack'' than they do in [[NetHack 3.6.0]] and any version since (including applicable variants).
+In [[NetHack 3.4.3]] and previous versions, including variants based on those versions, the speed system uses a flat and consistent movement rate for the hero and monsters. As a result, combat works much differently in those versions of ''NetHack'' than it does in [[NetHack 3.6.0]] and any version since (including applicable variants).
 ==Variants==

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 ** A hero that is stunned or confused will attack any monster if confused movement or stunned movement would take them into that monster's square, with no prompt occurring.
 ** While wielding the [[artifact]] [[Stormbringer]], the [[bloodthirsty]] weapon will cause the hero to attack any monster they move into, ignoring prompts.
-* Using the force-[[fight]] command by pressing {{kbd|shift|F}} will force the next movement input to be interpreted as a melee attack, ignoring any prompts for monsters in the direction of the input given.
+* Using the force-[[fight]] command by pressing {{kbd|shift|F}} will force the next movement input to be interpreted as a melee attack, ignoring any prompts for monsters in the direction of the input given. This will also prevent the hero from moving in that or another direction (e.g. in the case of attacking a [[leprechaun]], or while stunned or confused).
 * The hero can [[kick]] at other monsters by using {{kbd|Ctrl|D}} and selecting an applicable direction.
 * The hero can throw specific weapons or other objects via {{kbd|t}} or [[Firing|fire]] quivered items via {{kbd|f}}; they can [[quiver]] items to throw manually via {{kbd|shift|Q}}, or else select them from a prompt if they press {{kbd|f}} with nothing quivered. Throwing items at monsters does not bring up any prompts, and will anger peaceful monsters regardless of whether or not they hit them, with some notable exceptions:
@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 For monsters, they will only target the hero if they are hostile or under the effects of [[conflict]], and attack under the following conditions:
-* Monsters that have weapon attacks can throw or shoot at the hero if they are in range and the monster has an applicable projectile (including appropriate launchers if necessary). Otherwise, if they are not adjacent to the hero, the monster will attempt to move closer to them, and attack if that movement places them adjacent to the hero; they will also attack if they are already adjacent to the hero at the start of their turn.
+* Monsters that have weapon attacks can throw or shoot at the hero if they are in range and the monster has an applicable projectile (including appropriate launchers if necessary). Otherwise, if they are not adjacent to the hero, the monster will attempt to move closer to them; they will attack if they are already adjacent to the hero at the start of their turn.
 * Monsters with breath weapons or spitting attacks will only use them if the hero is in range and not adjacent to that monster.
 * Monsters carrying [[cream pie]]s will throw them at the hero.
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 * Monsters using ranged attacks against the hero will not account for any other monsters in the attack path.
 * If the hero is [[invisible]] or has [[displacement]], the monster will attempt to move towards and/or attack the square where they believe the hero to be. Once they find the hero, they will not miss attacks this way until the hero moves again.
-* A hostile monster that is [[scared]] and not under the effects of conflict will flee from the hero and avoid attacking them in melee if possible - they will still use any ranged attacks they have at their disposal, and if the monster cannot move away from the hero, they may also use melee attacks.
+* A hostile monster that is [[scared]] and not under the effects of conflict will flee from the hero and avoid attacking them in melee if possible, but will still use any ranged attacks they have at their disposal, and if the monster cannot move away from the hero, they may also use melee attacks.
 In either case, if the attack target dies midway through the attacker carrying out an attack sequence, the rest of that sequence is aborted.