Exercise - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: hatnote

2026-02-04T12:57:59Z

hatnote

Tomsod: /* Attribute checks */ clarify & simplify ("no matter what happens" actually confused me until I read carefully)

2025-11-22T16:18:51Z

‎Attribute checks: clarify & simplify ("no matter what happens" actually confused me until I read carefully)

Furey: typo: "Engage it melee combat" -> "Engage in melee combat"

2023-08-28T12:06:02Z

typo: "Engage it melee combat" -> "Engage in melee combat"

Darth l33t: /* How to exercise */ more practical methods

2023-01-22T15:51:49Z

‎How to exercise: more practical methods

Cathartes: exercise/abuse methods are on individual attribute pages, not on the Attribute page anymore

2023-01-12T03:34:25Z

exercise/abuse methods are on individual attribute pages, not on the Attribute page anymore

Umbire the Phantom: cleanup description some, thanks for the typo fix

2022-09-26T12:05:55Z

cleanup description some, thanks for the typo fix

Z2oh: fix typo

2022-09-25T18:46:31Z

fix typo

Umbire the Phantom at 13:09, 30 June 2022

2022-06-30T13:09:49Z

Cathartes: use the rn1 template

2022-03-20T05:22:07Z

use the rn1 template

Cathartes: update refs to 3.6.6; correct check interval (a previous editor misunderstood the meaning of rn1)

2022-03-19T17:31:09Z

update refs to 3.6.6; correct check interval (a previous editor misunderstood the meaning of rn1)

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:57, 4 February 2026
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−	~~: ''~~"Abuse" ~~redirects here. For~~ pet abuse~~, see~~ [[Tameness#Abuse\|Tameness § Abuse]]~~.''~~	+	{{redirects-here\|"Abuse"\|pet abuse\|[[Tameness#Abuse\|Tameness § Abuse]]}}
−
	In ''[[NetHack]]'', '''exercise''' refers to gradually increasing your [[attribute]]s over time by repeating certain actions while avoiding performing others.		In ''[[NetHack]]'', '''exercise''' refers to gradually increasing your [[attribute]]s over time by repeating certain actions while avoiding performing others.

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 ===Attribute checks===
-''NetHack'' does exercise checks at certain times: The first check happens on turn 600, and subsequent checks occur at random intervals of {{rn1|200|800}} turns from the last one.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|590|nethack=3.6.6}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|608|nethack=3.6.6}} Upon a check, each counter is examined. If the corresponding attribute is already 18 or greater, nothing is done. Otherwise a random number between 0 and 49 inclusive is chosen. If it is greater than <math>|(2/3)*counter|</math> for a non-wisdom attribute or <math>|counter|</math> for wisdom, nothing is done. Otherwise, the attribute is changed by adding 1 if the counter was positive and subtracting 1 if it was negative, and the counter is set to zero. Afterwards, no matter what happened, the counter is halved, rounding toward 0.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|526|nethack=3.6.6}}
+''NetHack'' does exercise checks at certain times: the first check happens on turn 600, and subsequent checks occur at random intervals of {{rn1|200|800}} turns from the last one.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|590|nethack=3.6.6}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|608|nethack=3.6.6}} Upon a check, each counter is examined.  If [[rn2]](50) is less than or equal to <math>|counter|</math> for wisdom or {{frac|2|3}} <math>|counter|</math> for other attributes, the attribute is changed by adding 1 if the counter was positive and subtracting 1 if it was negative&mdash;this will fail if the attribute would be increased above the racial maximum ''or'' above 18, or decreased below the racial minimum (always 3 in vanilla).  Then, if the attribute was successfully changed, the counter is set to zero; otherwise it's merely halved, rounding toward 0.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|526|nethack=3.6.6}}
 ==Abuse==

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ===How to exercise===
 Here are examples of how to efficiently exercise strength, dexterity, constitution, and wisdom:
-* Engage it melee combat or push [[boulder]]s around for '''[[strength]]'''.
+* Engage in melee combat or push [[boulder]]s around for '''[[strength]]'''.
 * Hit monsters in melee or with [[projectile]]s, or use an [[unlocking tool]] to lock or unlock doors or containers for '''[[dexterity]]'''.
 * [[Eat]] and avoid becoming [[hungry]] or [[satiated]] for '''[[constitution]]'''.

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 ===How to exercise===
-Here are examples of how to exercise strength, dexterity, constitution, and wisdom:
+Here are examples of how to efficiently exercise strength, dexterity, constitution, and wisdom:
-* Push [[boulder]]s around for '''[[strength]]'''.
+* Engage it melee combat or push [[boulder]]s around for '''[[strength]]'''.
-* Wield a bladed [[weapon]] and #[[force]] open locked [[chest]]s for '''[[dexterity]]'''.
+* Hit monsters in melee or with [[projectile]]s, or use an [[unlocking tool]] to lock or unlock doors or containers for '''[[dexterity]]'''.
 * [[Eat]] and avoid becoming [[hungry]] or [[satiated]] for '''[[constitution]]'''.
-* [[Engrave]] [[Elbereth]] with uppercase "E" and lowercase "lbereth" for '''[[wisdom]]'''.
+* Cast [[spell]]s, [[search]] for hidden things, or [[engrave]] [[Elbereth]] with uppercase "E" and lowercase "lbereth" for '''[[wisdom]]'''.
 For more complete lists of exercise methods, see the relevant attribute pages.

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 * [[Engrave]] [[Elbereth]] with uppercase "E" and lowercase "lbereth" for '''[[wisdom]]'''.
-For a more complete list of exercise methods, see the [[attribute]] page.
+For more complete lists of exercise methods, see the relevant attribute pages.
 ===Attribute checks===
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 ==Abuse==
-Abuse is the opposite of exercise - acts of abuse can undo exercise, or even cause your strength, dexterity, constitution, or wisdom to drop.
+Abuse is the opposite of exercise - acts of abuse can undo exercise, or even cause your [[strength]], [[dexterity]], [[constitution]], or [[wisdom]] to drop.
-Each act of abuse has an exactly 50% chance of reducing the attribute's exercise counter by 1.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|426|nethack=3.6.6}} For a comprehensive list of abuse methods, see the [[attributes]] page. If your stats get lowered, use a [[unicorn horn]], [[potion of restore ability|potion]] or [[spellbook of restore ability|spell]] of restore ability to heal any such loss.
+Each act of abuse has an exactly 50% chance of reducing the attribute's exercise counter by 1.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|426|nethack=3.6.6}} For a comprehensive list of abuse methods, see the relevant attribute pages. If your stats get lowered, use a [[unicorn horn]], [[potion of restore ability|potion]] or [[spellbook of restore ability|spell]] of restore ability to heal any such loss.
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Unicorn horns can no longer restore reduced attributes. Alternatives include [[Potion of restore ability|potions of restore ability]], the [[Spellbook of restore ability|restore ability spell]], [[prayer]], or finding a way to exercise or increase that attribute again.}}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 : ''"Abuse" redirects here. For pet abuse, see [[Tameness#Abuse|Tameness § Abuse]].''
-In ''[[NetHack]]'', '''exercise''' refers to slowly increasing your [[attribute]]s over time by repeating certain actions while avoiding performing others.
+In ''[[NetHack]]'', '''exercise''' refers to gradually increasing your [[attribute]]s over time by repeating certain actions while avoiding performing others.
 ==Description==
-Of the six attributes ([[strength]], [[dexterity]], [[constitution]], [[intelligence]], [[wisdom]], and [[charisma]]), you can only exercise four; there is no way to exercise intelligence or charisma. (Charisma can be increased by stepping into a [[magic trap]], and intelligence by eating a [[mind flayer]] corpse or quaffing a blessed [[potion of enlightenment]]. All attributes can be raised by quaffing a [[potion of gain ability]] (best if blessed) or drinking from a magic [[fountain]] (best if your [[Luck]] is greater than 3)).
+Exercising an attribute has a chance of (18 &minus; current attribute value) in 19 of incrementing the attribute's ''exercise counter'', whose maximum value is 50.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|426|nethack=3.6.6}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|410|nethack=3.6.6}} The "current attribute value" also includes modifiers from items - one relevant example is that wearing [[gauntlets of power]] has a side-effect of completely preventing strength from being exercised.
-Exercise does not cause immediate gains in your attributes. Instead, exercising an attribute has a chance of (18 &minus; current attribute value) in 19 of incrementing the attribute's ''exercise counter'', whose maximum value is 50.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|426|nethack=3.6.6}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|410|nethack=3.6.6}} The "current attribute value" also includes modifiers from items; thus, in particular, wearing [[gauntlets of power]] has a side-effect of completely preventing strength from being exercised.
+You can only exercise four of the six attributes: [[strength]], [[dexterity]], [[constitution]], and [[wisdom]] - there is no way to exercise [[intelligence]] or [[charisma]], though they can be increased by other means, e.g. a [[potion of gain ability]].
 ===How to exercise===

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 ''NetHack'' does ''exercise checks'' at certain times. Upon a check, each counter is examined. If the corresponding attribute is already 18 or greater, nothing is done. Otherwise a random number between 0 and 49 inclusive is chosen. If it is greater than <math>|(2/3)*counter|</math> for a non-wisdom attribute or <math>|counter|</math> for wisdom, nothing is done. Otherwise, the attribute is changed by adding 1 if the counter was positive and subtracting 1 if it was negative, and the counter is set to zero. Afterwards, no matter what happened, the counter is halved, rounding toward 0.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|526|nethack=3.6.6}}
-The first check happens on turn 600.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|590|nethack=3.6.6}} Subsequent checks occur at random intervals from 800 to 999 turns{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|608|nethack=3.6.6}} from the last one.
+The first check happens on turn 600.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|590|nethack=3.6.6}} Subsequent checks occur at random intervals of {{rn1|200|800}} turns from the last one.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|608|nethack=3.6.6}}
 ==Abuse==

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 For a more complete list of exercise methods, see the [[attribute]] page.
-Exercise does not cause immediate gains in your attributes. Instead, exercising an attribute has a chance of (18 &minus; current attribute value) in 19 of incrementing the attribute's ''exercise counter'', whose maximum value is 50.{{reffunc|attrib.c|exercise}} The "current attribute value" also includes modifiers from items; thus, in particular, wearing [[gauntlets of power]] has a side-effect of completely preventing strength from being exercised.
+Exercise does not cause immediate gains in your attributes. Instead, exercising an attribute has a chance of (18 &minus; current attribute value) in 19 of incrementing the attribute's ''exercise counter'', whose maximum value is 50.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|426|nethack=3.6.6}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|410|nethack=3.6.6}} The "current attribute value" also includes modifiers from items; thus, in particular, wearing [[gauntlets of power]] has a side-effect of completely preventing strength from being exercised.
-''NetHack'' does ''exercise checks'' at certain times. Upon a check, each counter is examined. If the corresponding attribute is already 18 or greater, nothing is done. Otherwise a random number between 0 and 49 inclusive is chosen. If it is greater than <math>|(2/3)*counter|</math> for a non-wisdom attribute or <math>|counter|</math> for wisdom, nothing is done. Otherwise, the attribute is changed by adding 1 if the counter was positive and subtracting 1 if it was negative, and the counter is set to zero. Afterwards, no matter what happened, the counter is halved, rounding toward 0.{{reffunc|attrib.c|exerchk}} <ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20071109210037/http://www.geocities.com/dcorbett42/nethack/exercise.htm</ref>
+''NetHack'' does ''exercise checks'' at certain times. Upon a check, each counter is examined. If the corresponding attribute is already 18 or greater, nothing is done. Otherwise a random number between 0 and 49 inclusive is chosen. If it is greater than <math>|(2/3)*counter|</math> for a non-wisdom attribute or <math>|counter|</math> for wisdom, nothing is done. Otherwise, the attribute is changed by adding 1 if the counter was positive and subtracting 1 if it was negative, and the counter is set to zero. Afterwards, no matter what happened, the counter is halved, rounding toward 0.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|526|nethack=3.6.6}}
-The first check happens on turn 600. Subsequent checks occur at random intervals from 200 (inclusive) to 800 (exclusive) turns{{reffunc|attrib.c|exerchk}} from the last one.
+The first check happens on turn 600.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|590|nethack=3.6.6}} Subsequent checks occur at random intervals from 800 to 999 turns{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|608|nethack=3.6.6}} from the last one.
 ==Abuse==
@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 Abuse is the opposite of exercise. Acts of abuse can undo exercise, or even cause your strength, dexterity, constitution, or wisdom to drop. For a comprehensive list of abuse methods, see the [[attributes]] page. If your stats get lowered, use a [[unicorn horn]] to heal any such loss. In [[UnNetHack]] and [[SporkHack]], this won't work – use a [[potion of restore ability|potion]] or [[spellbook of restore ability|spell]] of restore ability, instead.
-Each act of abuse has an exactly 50% chance of reducing the attribute's exercise counter by 1.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20071109210037/http://www.geocities.com/dcorbett42/nethack/exercise.htm</ref>
+Each act of abuse has an exactly 50% chance of reducing the attribute's exercise counter by 1.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|426|nethack=3.6.6}}
 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Unicorn horns can no longer restore reduced attributes. Alternatives include [[Potion of restore ability|potions of restore ability]], the [[Spellbook of restore ability|restore ability spell]], [[prayer]], or finding a way to exercise or increase that attribute again.}}
@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 <references/>
 [[Category:Strategy]]
-{{nethack-361}}
+{{nethack-366}}