Hit points - Revision history

Watchdog: /* Monster hit points */ fix typo

2026-06-02T18:46:06Z

‎Monster hit points: fix typo

Umbire the Phantom: /* The hero's HP */ reorganize info, fix up citations

2026-01-13T11:39:42Z

‎The hero's HP: reorganize info, fix up citations

Umbire the Phantom: /* The hero's HP */ word choice

2026-01-13T10:58:46Z

‎The hero's HP: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* The hero's HP */ citations, reorganize table for a bit more sensibility

2025-05-25T13:58:49Z

‎The hero's HP: citations, reorganize table for a bit more sensibility

Umbire the Phantom: specify ring hunger

2025-04-11T08:41:49Z

specify ring hunger

Umbire the Phantom: punc

2025-03-30T07:15:02Z

punc

Cathartes: /* Gaining and restoring hit points */ HP gain is an effect of level gain, not a special effect of !oGL or wraith corpses

2025-03-30T03:43:42Z

‎Gaining and restoring hit points: HP gain is an effect of level gain, not a special effect of !oGL or wraith corpses

Umbire the Phantom: not wrong tbh

2025-03-30T03:31:08Z

not wrong tbh

Cathartes: /* Description */ "amulet of life saving put on" is awkward; the in-game text is "(being worn)" for amulets, so might as well use "worn"

2025-03-30T03:27:49Z

‎Description: "amulet of life saving put on" is awkward; the in-game text is "(being worn)" for amulets, so might as well use "worn"

Umbire the Phantom: /* FIQHack */ pothole

2025-03-29T01:02:22Z

‎FIQHack: pothole

@@ Line 133: / Line 133: @@
 ==Monster hit points==
-A monster's HP is determined by the [[monster level]] they are generated at, then subjected to any applicable modifications:{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|983|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1212|nethack=3.6.7}} by default, monsters are generated with 1d4 hit points if they are created at level 0, and otherwise generate with an mount of HP equal to ML(d8).{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1008-L1013|nethack=3.6.7}}
+A monster's HP is determined by the [[monster level]] they are generated at, then subjected to any applicable modifications:{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|983|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1212|nethack=3.6.7}} by default, monsters are generated with 1d4 hit points if they are created at level 0, and otherwise generate with an amount of HP equal to ML(d8).{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1008-L1013|nethack=3.6.7}}
 In lieu of gaining experience, monsters gain levels by raising their maximum hit points, and their maximum hit points are also raised when their level increases directly: A monster that kills another monster will increase their maximum HP by a minimum of 1, and the maximum level a monster can reach this way is {{frac|3|2}} times their base monster level;{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1793|nethack=3.6.7}} a monster that gains levels by any other method, such as a non-cursed potion of gain level or an eaten wraith corpse, will raise their current and maximum HP by d8 along with increasing their monster level, and the default maximum level a monster can reach this way is 49.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1837|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1846|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1855|nethack=3.6.7}} Monsters that gain enough levels and HP may [[grow up]] into stronger forms.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|1858|nethack=3.6.7}} A monster's current and maximum HP are lowered when subjected to level drain, and a monster drained below level 0 will die regardless of HP.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|956|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>monhp_per_lvl(mon)</tt> function}} A monster that is below maximum HP will gain 1 HP every 20 moves, or every turn if they have regeneration.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|187|nethack=3.6.7}}

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 ==The hero's HP==
-A hero's starting HP at the beginning of a game is the sum of their [[role]] and [[race]]'s base HP statistics.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|608|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|635|nethack=3.6.7}} The HP gains for each race and role when generating a hero or raising their [[experience level]] are defined by the <tt>RoleAdvance</tt> structure.{{refsrc|include/you.h|23|nethack=3.6.7|name="advance"|comment=<tt>RoleAdvance</tt> defines HP and energy gains for initial character creation and experience level gain}}
+The HP gains for each race and role when generating a hero or raising their [[experience level]] are defined by the <tt>RoleAdvance</tt> structure.{{refsrc|include/you.h|23|nethack=3.6.7|name="advance"|comment=<tt>RoleAdvance</tt> defines HP and energy gains for initial character creation and experience level gain}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|981|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>newhp()</tt> function}} A hero's base starting HP at the beginning of a game is the sum of their [[role]] and [[race]]'s base HP statistics.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|608|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|635|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|987|nethack=3.6.7|comment=starting HP in <tt>newhp()</tt>}}
-The amount of HP that a hero gains whenever they gain an experience level is determined by their race, role and current [[constitution]], including the "cutoff" level associated with that role:{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|981|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|include/you.h|23|nethack=3.6.7}} if the hero's experience level is less than their role "cutoff" level prior to gaining a level, the amount of HP gained is randomized based on the roll of a die, with [[Barbarian]]s using a [[d notation|d10]], [[Ranger]]s using a d6, and all other roles using a d8, and otherwise the hero will gain a set amount of HP based on their role{{refsrc|src/exper.c|292|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>newhp()</code> is called before your level is incremented}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|999|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Both <tt>lofix</tt> are always 0; both <tt>hirnd</tt> are always 0}}&mdash;a bonus or penalty based on constitution is applied in either case.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1012|nethack=3.6.7|name="conmod"}} The hero will always gain at least one maximum hit point each time they gain an experience level, even when they are already at the maximum experience level of 30.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1028|nethack=3.6.7}}
+The amount of HP that a hero gains whenever they gain an experience level is determined by their race, role and current [[constitution]], including the "cutoff" level associated with that role:{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|998|nethack=3.6.7|comment=HP gains on level up}}<ref name="advance"/> if the hero's experience level is less than their role "cutoff" level prior to gaining a level, the amount of HP gained is randomized based on the roll of a die, with [[Barbarian]]s using a [[d notation|d10]], [[Ranger]]s using a d6, and all other roles using a d8, and otherwise the hero will gain a set amount of HP based on their role{{refsrc|src/exper.c|292|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>newhp()</tt> is called before your level is incremented}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|999|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Both <tt>lofix</tt> are always 0; both <tt>hirnd</tt> are always 0}}&mdash;a bonus or penalty based on constitution is applied in either case.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1012-L1026|nethack=3.6.7|name="conmod"}} The hero will always gain at least one maximum hit point each time they gain an experience level, even when they are already at the maximum experience level of 30.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1028-L1031|nethack=3.6.7}}
 The starting HP and HP gains for each race, role and level of constitution when gaining an experience level are detailed in the tables below:

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 A hero's starting HP at the beginning of a game is the sum of their [[role]] and [[race]]'s base HP statistics.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|608|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|635|nethack=3.6.7}} The HP gains for each race and role when generating a hero or raising their [[experience level]] are defined by the <tt>RoleAdvance</tt> structure.{{refsrc|include/you.h|23|nethack=3.6.7|name="advance"|comment=<tt>RoleAdvance</tt> defines HP and energy gains for initial character creation and experience level gain}}
-The amount of HP that a hero gains whenever they gain an experience level is determined by their race, role and current [[constitution]], including the "cutoff" level associated with that role:{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|981|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|include/you.h|23|nethack=3.6.7}} if the hero's experience level is less than their role "cutoff" level prior to gaining a level, the amount of HP gained is randomized based on the roll of a die, with [[Barbarian]]s using a [[d notation|d10]], [[Ranger]]s using a d6, and all other roles using a d8, and otherwise the hero will gain a set amount of HP based on their role{{refsrc|src/exper.c|292|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>newhp()</code> is called before your level is incremented}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|999|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Both <tt>lofix</tt> are always 0; both <tt>hirnd</tt> are always 0}}&mdash;a bonus or penalty based on constitution is applied in either case.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1012|nethack=3.6.7|name="conmod"}} The hero will always gain at least one hit point per level, even when they are already at the maximum experience level of 30.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1028|nethack=3.6.7}}
+The amount of HP that a hero gains whenever they gain an experience level is determined by their race, role and current [[constitution]], including the "cutoff" level associated with that role:{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|981|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|include/you.h|23|nethack=3.6.7}} if the hero's experience level is less than their role "cutoff" level prior to gaining a level, the amount of HP gained is randomized based on the roll of a die, with [[Barbarian]]s using a [[d notation|d10]], [[Ranger]]s using a d6, and all other roles using a d8, and otherwise the hero will gain a set amount of HP based on their role{{refsrc|src/exper.c|292|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>newhp()</code> is called before your level is incremented}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|999|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Both <tt>lofix</tt> are always 0; both <tt>hirnd</tt> are always 0}}&mdash;a bonus or penalty based on constitution is applied in either case.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1012|nethack=3.6.7|name="conmod"}} The hero will always gain at least one maximum hit point each time they gain an experience level, even when they are already at the maximum experience level of 30.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1028|nethack=3.6.7}}
 The starting HP and HP gains for each race, role and level of constitution when gaining an experience level are detailed in the tables below:

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 ==The hero's HP==
-A hero's starting HP at the beginning of a game is the sum of their [[role]] and [[race]]'s base HP statistics.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|608|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|635|nethack=3.6.7}}
+A hero's starting HP at the beginning of a game is the sum of their [[role]] and [[race]]'s base HP statistics.{{refsrc|src/allmain.c|608|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|635|nethack=3.6.7}} The HP gains for each race and role when generating a hero or raising their [[experience level]] are defined by the <tt>RoleAdvance</tt> structure.{{refsrc|include/you.h|23|nethack=3.6.7|name="advance"|comment=<tt>RoleAdvance</tt> defines HP and energy gains for initial character creation and experience level gain}}
-The amount of HP that a hero gains whenever they gain an [[experience level]] is determined by their race, role and current [[constitution]], including the "cutoff" level associated with that role:{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|981|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|include/you.h|23|nethack=3.6.7}} if the hero's experience level is less than their role "cutoff" level prior to gaining a level, the amount of HP gained is randomized based on the roll of a die, with [[Barbarian]]s using a [[d notation|d10]], [[Ranger]]s using a d6, and all other roles using a d8, and otherwise the hero will gain a set amount of HP based on their role{{refsrc|src/exper.c|292|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>newhp()</code> is called before your level is incremented}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|999|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Both <tt>lofix</tt> are always 0; both <tt>hirnd</tt> are always 0}}&mdash;a bonus or penalty based on constitution is applied in either case. The hero will always gain at least one hit point per level, even when they are already at the maximum experience level of 30.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1028|nethack=3.6.7}}
+The amount of HP that a hero gains whenever they gain an experience level is determined by their race, role and current [[constitution]], including the "cutoff" level associated with that role:{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|981|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|include/you.h|23|nethack=3.6.7}} if the hero's experience level is less than their role "cutoff" level prior to gaining a level, the amount of HP gained is randomized based on the roll of a die, with [[Barbarian]]s using a [[d notation|d10]], [[Ranger]]s using a d6, and all other roles using a d8, and otherwise the hero will gain a set amount of HP based on their role{{refsrc|src/exper.c|292|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>newhp()</code> is called before your level is incremented}}{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|999|nethack=3.6.7|comment=Both <tt>lofix</tt> are always 0; both <tt>hirnd</tt> are always 0}}&mdash;a bonus or penalty based on constitution is applied in either case.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1012|nethack=3.6.7|name="conmod"}} The hero will always gain at least one hit point per level, even when they are already at the maximum experience level of 30.{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1028|nethack=3.6.7}}
-The HP gains from race, role and constitution when gaining an experience level are detailed in the tables below:
+The starting HP and HP gains for each race, role and level of constitution when gaining an experience level are detailed in the tables below:
 {| class="prettytable striped"
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 {| class="prettytable striped"
-! Race{{refsrc|src/role.c|617|nethack=3.6.7}}  !! Pre-cutoff !! Post-cutoff !! Starting
+! Race{{refsrc|src/role.c|617|nethack=3.6.7}} !! Starting !! Pre-cutoff !! Post-cutoff
 |-
-| [[Human (starting race)|Human]] || d2 || 1 || 2
+| [[Human (starting race)|Human]] || 2 || d2 || 1
 |-
-| [[Elf (starting race)|Elf]] || d1 || 1 || 1
+| [[Elf (starting race)|Elf]] || 1 || d1 || 1
 |-
-| [[Dwarf (starting race)|Dwarf]] || d3 || 2 || 4
+| [[Dwarf (starting race)|Dwarf]] || 4 || d3 || 2
 |-
-| [[Gnome (starting race)|Gnome]] || d1 || 0 || 1
+| [[Gnome (starting race)|Gnome]] || 1 || d1 || 0
 |-
-| [[Orc (starting race)|Orc]] || d1 || 0 || 1
+| [[Orc (starting race)|Orc]] || 1 || d1 || 0
 |}
 {| class="prettytable"
-! [[Constitution|Con]] !! Modifier{{refsrc|src/attrib.c|1012|nethack=3.6.7}}
+! [[Constitution|Con]] !! Modifier<ref name="conmod"/>
 |-
 | ≤ 3 || -2

@@ Line 225: / Line 225: @@
 * min cap is +0.01 hp/turn
-In addition, [[hunger]] from a worn [[ring of regeneration]] only applies when the hero is not at maximum HP. See the linked article at the top of the section for more information.
+In addition, [[ring hunger]] from a worn [[ring of regeneration]] only applies when the hero is not at maximum HP. See the linked article at the top of the section for more information.
 ==External links==

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 ** Quaffing an uncursed [[potion of full healing]] increases maximum HP by 4, while a blessed potion increases it by 8.
 * A successful [[prayer]] while the hero's maximum HP is no more than 5 * (2+XL), their [[god]] will increase their maximum HP by a random amount and fully heal them.
-* A hero that gains a level by any method&mdash;including natural experience point gain, quaffing a non-cursed [[potion of gain level]], [[eating]] a [[wraith]] [[corpse]], or having an "educational experience" with a [[foocubus]]&mdash;will increase their current and maximum HP.  This gain will be reversed if the level is subsequently lost.
+* A hero that gains a level by any method&ndash;including natural experience point gain, quaffing a non-cursed [[potion of gain level]], [[eating]] a [[wraith]] [[corpse]], or having an "educational experience" with a [[foocubus]]&ndash;will increase their current and maximum HP.  This gain will be reversed if the level is subsequently lost.
 * Successfully praying to the hero's god at a co-aligned [[altar]] may grant a [[favor]] that surrounds them with a "golden glow", fully healing them if possible and increasing maximum HP by 5 similar to a blessed potion of full healing&mdash;the effect can also restore a lost experience level.
 * A [[nurse]] that is healing the hero (i.e. hitting them while they are not [[wield]]ing a [[weapon]] and wearing no [[armor]]) has a {{frac|7}} chance of increasing their maximum HP by 1, provided that this maximum is less than a roll of 5 * XL + (2 + XL)[[d notation|d10]].

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 A hero or monster whose hit points reach zero will usually [[die]], with the following exceptions:
-* Reaching 0 HP with a [[put on|worn]] [[amulet of life saving]] will cause the amulet to activate, restoring the hero or monster wearing it to life and destroying the amulet unless they are in a non-living form.
+* Reaching 0 HP with a [[Put on|worn]] [[amulet of life saving]] will cause the amulet to activate, restoring the hero or monster wearing it to life and destroying the amulet unless they are in a non-living form.
 * A [[Vampire (monster attribute)|vampire]] that is shapeshifted into another form will arise in their base form if killed by any means.{{refsrc|src/mon.c|2190|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<code>if (!vamp_stone(mdef))</code> is used to exclude shifted vampires from instant death by stoning}}
 * A hero that is [[polymorph]]ed and has their HP reduced to 0 will return to base form, unless they are wearing an [[amulet of unchanging]] or have 0 HP in their base form as well.{{refsrc|src/polyself.c|1070|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/polyself.c|1086|nethack=3.6.7}}