Game stages - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: potholes et. al.

2025-01-29T18:32:51Z

potholes et. al.

MrSurvivor1997: /* Late game threats */ Archonstorms are something to beware of in the late game.

2024-11-22T18:59:28Z

‎Late game threats: Archonstorms are something to beware of in the late game.

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit to upcoming

2024-09-27T19:33:59Z

copyedit to upcoming

MrSurvivor1997: /* The early game */ It’s all about taking your time, NetHack is not a race.

2024-07-25T15:01:36Z

‎The early game: It’s all about taking your time, NetHack is not a race.

Umbire the Phantom: pothole, lede

2024-03-11T11:45:44Z

pothole, lede

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2024-02-19T13:35:06Z

potholes

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2023-12-12T21:07:33Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2023-08-04T19:39:23Z

potholes

Umbire the Phantom at 11:56, 2 February 2022

2022-02-02T11:56:11Z

Umbire the Phantom at 11:55, 2 February 2022

2022-02-02T11:55:58Z

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 ==The early game==
-The first stage is the early game where survival and sometimes securing [[food]] is of supreme importance. For many roles, the [[pet#starting_pet|starting pet]] is likely more powerful than the character itself. Securing basic [[armor]] and [[weapon|weaponry]] is a top priority; use your [[pet]] to [[curse testing#pet_testing|test]] the [[BUC]] status of items before you use or wear them. Many new players have trouble finding enough food: when they are [[Nutrition|weak with hunger]] they should probably [[prayer|pray]] for nutrition and save their [[permafood]] for when they cannot pray. More experienced players will find they have enough [[food]] almost all the time and will want to eat the [[permafood]] and conserve their ability to pray. Safe [[corpse]]s are preferable to both, of course. Above all else, take your time and be careful, unless you have chosen to [[speedrun]], NetHack is not a race! The early game can be the most difficult stage of [[NetHack]].
+The first stage is the early game where survival and sometimes securing [[food]] is of supreme importance. For many roles, the starting [[pet]] is likely more powerful than the character itself. Securing basic [[armor]] and [[weapon]]ry is a top priority; use your [[pet]] to [[Curse testing#pet_testing|test]] the [[beatitude]] of items before you use or wear them. Many new players have trouble finding enough food: when they are [[Nutrition|weak with hunger]] they should probably [[pray]] for nutrition and save their [[permafood]] for when they cannot pray. More experienced players will find they have enough [[food]] almost all the time and will want to eat the permafood and conserve their ability to pray. Safe [[corpse]]s are preferable to both, of course. Above all else, take your time and be careful: unless you have chosen to [[speedrun]], ''NetHack'' is not a race! The early game can be the most difficult stage of the game.
 ===Early game threats===
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 * Team {{mcsl|a}}: As a rule of thumb, any [[monster]] represented by an {{monclasssym|a}} is a huge threat to an early character. They have high [[speed]], and get multiple attacks on each of their many [[turn]]s. To top it off, all of these monsters are generated in groups. Engrave [[Elbereth]] at first sight with these creatures, even if just with your [[fingers]]. Using [[attack wand]]s is not out of the question either.
 ** {{monsymlink|soldier ant}} and {{monsymlink|killer bee}}: These can [[poison]] you to reduce your [[strength]], [[hit points]], or even cause [[instadeath|instant death]] if the RNG hates you. [[Magic cancellation]] will help block the [[poison]] but not the physical damage.
-** {{monsymlink|fire ant}}: These cannot [[poison]] you, but instead can light you on [[fire]], causing [[scroll]]s to [[fire|burn]], [[potion]]s to [[fire|boil]], and some [[armor]] to smolder. Again, [[magic cancellation]] can help somewhat by blocking the fire damage, but not the physical damage.
+** {{monsymlink|fire ant}}: These cannot [[poison]] you, but instead can light you on [[Fire (element)|fire]], causing [[scroll]]s to burn, [[potion]]s to boil, and some [[armor]] to smoulder. Again, [[magic cancellation]] can help somewhat by blocking the fire damage, but not the physical damage.
 ** {{monsymlink|giant ant}}: These are mercifully much weaker than their soldier cousins, but are not to be underestimated; many a character has been killed by these insects.
 ** {{monsymlink|giant beetle}}: These are an exception; they are very slow and have only one attack. Characters can easily use [[hit and run]] tactics to defeat them.
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 ** {{monsymlink|minotaur}}: If something is going to kill you in melee, this is it.
 ** {{monsymlink|mind flayer}} and {{monsymlink|master mind flayer}}: Amnesia is still a substantial setback, and a brainless death is still possible. And remember that unlike most of the post-[[Castle]] blunders you could make, all the [[amulets of life saving]] in the world won't save you from brainlessness.
-** {{monsymlink|green slime}}: Not especially dangerous, but (rarely) being touched by them or (definitely) eating them can start a long [[delayed_instadeath|delayed instadeath]] ([[sliming]]) curable by [[fire]]. Be aware that they exist.
+** {{monsymlink|green slime}}: Not especially dangerous, but their touch attacks or consumption of their globs can start a [[delayed instadeath]] by [[sliming]], which is curable with methods such as [[fire]] or the {{+ of|cure sickness}} spell. Be aware that they exist.
 ** {{monsymlink|Juiblex}}: A [[major demon]] who inhabits [[Juiblex's swamp|his own swamp]], guaranteed to appear in [[Gehennom]]. He is easy to kill but will almost surely infect you with a deadly [[sickness]] at least once, which you must remember to cure with your [[unicorn horn]].
 ** {{monsymlink|Demogorgon}}: Not guaranteed to appear (in [[vanilla]]), but can ruin an ascension run if you're not prepared; he's quite nasty. Read his article for tips.
 ** {{monsymlink|chickatrice}} and {{monsymlink|cockatrice}}: A monster wielding a cockatrice corpse is one of the few truly frightening things at this point, and the cockatrice itself presents many possible [[YASD]]s.
 ** {{monsymlink|master lich}} and {{monsymlink|arch-lich}}: These purple Ls will begin appearing frequently in [[Gehennom]]. They are stronger than the [[lich]] and demilich. They are also [[covetous]], giving them the ability to teleport back and forth between you and the [[staircase|upstairs]] where they will heal. They have a much higher [[magic resistance (monster)|magic resistance]] and base level, practically guaranteeing that they can cast their full repertoire of spells.
-** {{monsymlink|archon}}: If a player has genocided too many monsters, they may experience an [[Archonstorm]], where archons replace many spawned monsters and will summon more archons via the [[summon nasties]] spell?
+** {{monsymlink|archon}}: If a player has genocided too many monsters, they may experience an [[Archonstorm]], where archons replace many spawned monsters and will summon more archons via the [[summon nasties]] spell.
 ==The [[ascension run]]==

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 ** {{monsymlink|chickatrice}} and {{monsymlink|cockatrice}}: A monster wielding a cockatrice corpse is one of the few truly frightening things at this point, and the cockatrice itself presents many possible [[YASD]]s.
 ** {{monsymlink|master lich}} and {{monsymlink|arch-lich}}: These purple Ls will begin appearing frequently in [[Gehennom]]. They are stronger than the [[lich]] and demilich. They are also [[covetous]], giving them the ability to teleport back and forth between you and the [[staircase|upstairs]] where they will heal. They have a much higher [[magic resistance (monster)|magic resistance]] and base level, practically guaranteeing that they can cast their full repertoire of spells.
 ==The [[ascension run]]==

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 ** Until you're protected from the wand of death, you may want to take extra care around monsters that are eligible for it: stay out of zapping range until you can attack, get powerful weapons to kill them quickly, and have a means of [[teleportation]], [[sleep]], or [[paralysis]] on hand in case you find out a monster has a wand of death (and you are still alive to worry about it). The most common monsters you will encounter at this stage that are eligible for the wand of death include {{brown|T}} [[Troll (monster class)|trolls]], {{brown|O}} [[Ogre (monster class)|ogres]], {{gray|H}} [[giants]], {{green|@}} [[elves]], and members of {{gray|@}} [[Yendorian army|the Yendorian army]].
-{{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 [[gain ability]].}}
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Unicorn horns can no longer restore reduced attributes. Alternatives include {{! of|restore ability|or=1|gain ability}} potions, the {{+ of|restore ability}} spell, or [[prayer]].}}
 ==The late game==

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 ==The early game==
-The first stage is the early game where survival and sometimes securing [[food]] is of supreme importance. For many roles, the [[pet#starting_pet|starting pet]] is likely more powerful than the character itself. Securing basic [[armor]] and [[weapon|weaponry]] is a top priority; use your [[pet]] to [[curse testing#pet_testing|test]] the [[BUC]] status of items before you use or wear them. Many new players have trouble finding enough food: when they are [[Nutrition|weak with hunger]] they should probably [[prayer|pray]] for nutrition and save their [[permafood]] for when they cannot pray. More experienced players will find they have enough [[food]] almost all the time and will want to eat the [[permafood]] and conserve their ability to pray. Safe [[corpse]]s are preferable to both, of course. Above all else, take it slow and be careful! The early game can be the most difficult stage of [[NetHack]].
+The first stage is the early game where survival and sometimes securing [[food]] is of supreme importance. For many roles, the [[pet#starting_pet|starting pet]] is likely more powerful than the character itself. Securing basic [[armor]] and [[weapon|weaponry]] is a top priority; use your [[pet]] to [[curse testing#pet_testing|test]] the [[BUC]] status of items before you use or wear them. Many new players have trouble finding enough food: when they are [[Nutrition|weak with hunger]] they should probably [[prayer|pray]] for nutrition and save their [[permafood]] for when they cannot pray. More experienced players will find they have enough [[food]] almost all the time and will want to eat the [[permafood]] and conserve their ability to pray. Safe [[corpse]]s are preferable to both, of course. Above all else, take your time and be careful, unless you have chosen to [[speedrun]], NetHack is not a race! The early game can be the most difficult stage of [[NetHack]].
 ===Early game threats===

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-Like most games, a [[Player|character's]] progress through [[NetHack]] can be broken down into several '''game stages'''.
+Like most games, a [[player]] character's progress through ''[[NetHack]]'' can be broken down into several '''game stages'''.
 {{tocright}}
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 ===Midgame threats===
 * {{monsymlink|lich}} and {{monsymlink|demilich}}: These [[undead]] monstrosities are likely to be the first truly threatening [[monster spells#mage_spells|spellcasting monsters]] the player encounters. Normal liches are relatively slow, but have a toolbox of spells allowing them to [[drain strength|lower your strength]], [[curse items|curse your items]], [[destroy armor|destroy your precious armor]], even [[summon nasties]], and high level demiliches can even cast [[touch of death]]. Demiliches are also faster. [[Elbereth]] can prevent them from touching you or using their worst spells on you, and it is therefore highly recommended. Blessed [[scroll of genocide|scrolls of genocide]] are often used on liches, and has the benefit of also annihilating their stronger cousins, [[master lich|master]] and [[arch-lich]]es which cast the same set of spells but are more likely to be high enough level to use the monster dangerous ones, [[summon nasties]] and [[touch of death]].
-* {{monsymlink|mind flayer}} and {{monsymlink|master mind flayer}}: These flying abominations are not spellcasters, but instead have the ability to suck your brain. This attack drains your [[attribute|intelligence]], and can also cause you to [[amnesia|forget object identities and level layouts]]. If they reduce you to below 3 [[intelligence]], you will die instantly and cannot be saved even with an [[amulet of life saving]]. Attack them from range whenever possible; if you must fight them in melee, wear a (preferably [[greased]]) helmet and use [[Elbereth]] religiously. If they are within one [[turn]]'s movement of you you should engrave [[Elbereth]] with a guaranteed one turn source, e.g. a [[wand of fire]] or an [[athame]]. After they are dead, you can use a [[unicorn horn]] to restore your [[intelligence]], but you will not recover lost object identities or level maps. [[Genocide]] is also popular here, but beware: if you are a [[dwarf]], blessed-genociding 'h' will [[instadeath|instantly kill you]].
+* {{monsymlink|mind flayer}} and {{monsymlink|master mind flayer}}: These flying abominations are not spellcasters, but instead have the ability to suck your brain. This attack drains your [[attribute|intelligence]], and can also cause you to [[amnesia|forget object identities and level layouts]]. If they reduce you to below 3 [[intelligence]], you will die instantly and cannot be saved even with an [[amulet of life saving]]. Attack them from range whenever possible; if you must fight them in melee, wear a (preferably [[greased]]) helmet and use [[Elbereth]] religiously. If they are within one [[turn]]'s movement of you you should engrave [[Elbereth]] with a guaranteed one turn source, e.g. a [[wand of fire]] or an [[athame]]. After they are dead, you can use a [[unicorn horn]] to restore your [[intelligence]], but you will not recover lost object identities or level maps. [[Genocide]] is also popular here, but beware: if you are a [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarf]], blessed-genociding 'h' will [[instadeath|instantly kill you]].
 * {{monsymlink|titan}}: While normally quite rare, one variant of [[Medusa's Island]] contains a guaranteed titan near the up [[staircase]]. They are almost always [[peaceful]] to [[lawful]] characters, but [[neutral]] and [[chaotic]] characters are out of luck. They are probably the first monster you will encounter capable of casting [[summon nasties]], and worse, they are immune to [[genocide]]. They respect [[Elbereth]], but be wary as several of their summoned minions ignore it.
 * {{monclasssym|;}} [[Sea monster]]s: Two sea monsters in particular, the {{cyan|;}} [[giant eel]] and the {{blue|;}} [[electric eel]], possess a two-move [[drowning attack]] that [[instadeath|kills you instantly]]. The move will fail if you wear a [[greased]] or [[oilskin cloak]], however. If you lack either, be adjacent to [[moat|water]] as little as possible. Electric eels can also destroy your [[ring]]s with their electrical attacks&mdash;including a worn [[ring of levitation]]. They are sometimes [[genocide]]d, but less commonly than the previous two monster types. Eels and [[shark]]s are guaranteed around [[Medusa's island]] and in the [[Castle]] moat. They will appear in [[special room#swamp|swamps]] as well, but those are rather rare. {{monsymlink|Kraken}}s, {{monsymlink|couatl}}s, and {{monsymlink|python}}s are also capable of drowning you, but krakens are slow and couatls and pythons rarely near water.

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 * {{monsymlink|chickatrice}} and {{monsymlink|cockatrice}}: These monsters are possibly the most complex monsters in the game; it is important to understand what will and what will not [[stoning|petrify]] you. The main article goes into detail, but the gist is that touching a cockatrice, living or dead, in any way, will kill you instantly. If [[gloves]] are worn, they can be touched with your [[hands]], but beware of [[Cockatrice#Use as a weapon|wielding their corpse]]&mdash;should you fall in a [[pit]] or down a [[staircase]], you will touch it no matter what you wear. Should you begin to stiffen from their hiss, eat a [[lizard]] or [[acid|acidic corpse]], cast {{spell of|stone to flesh}} at yourself, or quaff a [[potion of acid]] posthaste; if no other option is available, [[pray]]. With correct precautions, they become less dangerous and more of a powerful weapon. Just beware of leaving them on the floor, in case you walk over it while [[blind]]ed or have it used against you by an [[intelligent monster|intelligent]] foe.
 * {{monsymlink|rust monster}}: These monsters can be unbelievably irritating. Both their main attacks and their [[passive attack]] will cause [[metal]] items to [[erosion|rust]], reducing their effectiveness. They will also eat any [[metal]] items they find, including good items you may have wanted to obtain. If they are alone, you can simply punch them to death while wearing no [[metal]] [[armor]] uncovered by a cloak; they can do no physical damage. If not alone, use the almighty [[Elbereth|E-Word]] or zap them with [[wand]]s and spells. A [[unicorn horn]] is a good weapon here too.
-* {{monsymlink|minotaur}}: These monsters ignore [[Elbereth]] and have very high damage, but they also have no [[Magic resistance (monster)|magic resistance]]. They are generated by the [[summon nasties]] spell and can be created inside any [[maze]]. They will not normally appear before late game, but the [[Castle]] contains a small piece of [[maze]] and there can be up to 3 complete [[maze]] levels between [[Medusa's Island]] and the [[Castle]], giving you plenty of chances to meet them early. A minotaur at the [[Castle]] is particularly dangerous because the [[maze]] is so small; if it appears there you are usually forced to fight it.
+* {{monsymlink|minotaur}}: These monsters ignore [[Elbereth]] and have very high damage, but they also have no [[Magic resistance (monster)|magic resistance]]. They are generated by the [[summon nasties]] spell and can be created inside any [[maze]]. They will not normally appear before late game, but the [[Castle]] contains a small piece of [[maze]] and there can be up to 3 complete [[maze]] levels between [[Medusa's Island]] and the Castle, giving you plenty of chances to meet them early. A minotaur at the [[Castle]] is particularly dangerous because the [[maze]] is so small; if it appears there you are usually forced to fight it.
-* [[wand_of_death|Wands of Death]]: Attack wands are always something to be worried about until you get [[reflection]] or [[magic resistance]], but once you're past the early game, the danger becomes much more serious: level 8+ intelligent monsters can generate with this wand as an offensive item. If you still don't have reflection and magic resistance after clearing Sokoban and [[Mine's End]], it may be worth going out of your way to get protection from this wand. Possible strategies include:
+* [[Wand of death]]: Attack wands are always something to be worried about until you get [[reflection]] or [[magic resistance]], but once you're past the early game, the danger becomes much more serious: level 8+ intelligent monsters can generate with this wand as an offensive item. If you still don't have reflection and magic resistance after clearing Sokoban and [[Mine's End]], it may be worth going out of your way to get protection from this wand. Possible strategies include:
-** Blessing and using [[magic_lamp|magic lamps]] and [[Smoky_and_milky_potions|smoky potions]], sitting on [[throne|thrones]], and using [[fountains]] on early floors for a chance to wish for reflection or magic resistance;
+** Blessing and using [[magic lamp]]s and [[smoky potion]]s, sitting on [[throne]]s, and using [[fountains]] on early floors for a chance to wish for reflection or magic resistance;
-** Diving down to [[Medusa%27s Island]] for the possible [[shield of reflection]] in the statue of Perseus;
+** Diving down to Medusa's Island for the possible [[shield of reflection]] in the statue of Perseus;
-** Diving down to the [[castle]] to get the [[wand of wishing]];
+** Diving down to the Castle to get the [[wand of wishing]];
-** Finishing the [[quest]] as soon as possible to get reflection or magic resistance from your [[quest artifact]] (varies by role and [[quest nemesis]] difficulty);
+** Finishing the [[Quest]] as soon as possible to get reflection or magic resistance from your [[quest artifact]] (varies by role and [[quest nemesis]] difficulty);
-** Obtaining [[polymorph control]] and a way to [[polymorph]] yourself so you can turn into an [[undead]] creature to become immune to wands of death.<!--(The [[Potion_of_blood#Potion_of_Vampire_Blood|potions of vampire blood]] added in [[SLASH%27EM]] and [[UnNetHack]] make this much simpler, offering a guaranteed polymorph into a {{monsymlink|vampire}}, which is not only undead, but can also wear all armor and has intrinsic [[regeneration]], a [[Drain_life|life-draining]] bite, and the ability to [[fly]]. [[Vampire_(starting_race)|Players that start as vampires]], of course, don't have to worry about wands of death to begin with.)-->
+** Obtaining [[polymorph control]] and a way to [[polymorph]] yourself so you can turn into an [[undead]] creature to become immune to wands of death.<!--(The [[Potion of vampire blood|potions of vampire blood]] added in [[SLASH'EM]] and [[UnNetHack]] make this much simpler, offering a guaranteed polymorph into a {{monsymlink|vampire}}, which is not only undead, but can also wear all armor and has intrinsic [[regeneration]], a [[life drain]]ing bite, and the ability to [[fly]]. [[Vampire_(starting_race)|Players that start as vampires]], of course, don't have to worry about wands of death to begin with.)-->
 ** Until you're protected from the wand of death, you may want to take extra care around monsters that are eligible for it: stay out of zapping range until you can attack, get powerful weapons to kill them quickly, and have a means of [[teleportation]], [[sleep]], or [[paralysis]] on hand in case you find out a monster has a wand of death (and you are still alive to worry about it). The most common monsters you will encounter at this stage that are eligible for the wand of death include {{brown|T}} [[Troll (monster class)|trolls]], {{brown|O}} [[Ogre (monster class)|ogres]], {{gray|H}} [[giants]], {{green|@}} [[elves]], and members of {{gray|@}} [[Yendorian army|the Yendorian army]].

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 * {{monsymlink|mind flayer}} and {{monsymlink|master mind flayer}}: If you get amnesiaed now you will have to remap the levels you lost with [[The Wizard of Yendor]] on your tail.
 * {{yellow|%}} [[Cockatrice]] corpses: These are a common choice on the ascension run, especially on the [[Astral Plane]]; as always, be careful with them.
-* The [[Astral Plane]], the last level in the game, is by far the place where most ascension run deaths take place. Move slow and play carefully. Request the help of the players in [[Freenode|#nethack]] if you need it. [[Player monster]]s in particular may spawn with [[Vorpal Blade]] if it hasn't been generated yet, and can use that to kill you instantly with a 5% chance.
+* The [[Astral Plane]], the last level in the game, is by far the place where most ascension run deaths take place. Move slow and play carefully. Request the help of the players in [[Libera|#nethack]] if you need it. [[Player monster]]s in particular may spawn with [[Vorpal Blade]] if it hasn't been generated yet, and can use that to kill you instantly with a 5% chance.
 {{nethack-366}}
 [[Category:Articles for beginners]]
 [[Category:Game stages]]
 [[Category:Strategy]]