Identification - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: lede

2026-04-16T10:55:29Z

lede

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-04-06T09:44:00Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: almost forgot

2025-11-12T20:28:07Z

almost forgot

Umbire the Phantom: rearrange and rephrase, really should lead with formal/direct ID first

2025-11-12T20:27:51Z

rearrange and rephrase, really should lead with formal/direct ID first

MrSurvivor1997: Not all items are necessary to identify, but random appearances are where the danger shines.

2025-11-12T20:10:17Z

Not all items are necessary to identify, but random appearances are where the danger shines.

Furey: Move File::Nh_inventory_weight.ods into "See Also", with a caveat that it was last edited in May 2014.

2024-06-04T02:34:39Z

Move File::Nh_inventory_weight.ods into "See Also", with a caveat that it was last edited in May 2014.

Cathartes: move the part about stacking into the object id section

2022-09-17T15:41:21Z

move the part about stacking into the object id section

Cathartes: /* Mechanics of identification */ distinguish between type identification and individual object identification

2022-09-17T15:33:48Z

‎Mechanics of identification: distinguish between type identification and individual object identification

Umbire the Phantom: /* Straightforward identification */ Way more elegant phrasing

2022-08-19T01:31:25Z

‎Straightforward identification: Way more elegant phrasing

Qwiption: /* Magical identification */ only way to identify enchantment level of weapons

2022-08-17T18:02:04Z

‎Magical identification: only way to identify enchantment level of weapons

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{tocright}}
-In [[NetHack]], '''identification''' is the process of determining an item's identity.
+In ''[[NetHack]]'', '''identification''' is the process of determining an item's identity.
 ==Mechanics of identification==

@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 ===Weight identification===
-The weight of an unknown object is not nearly as useful as its price, but it can provide additional clues. This goes especially for cursed equipment you don't want to wear. In some cases such as [[levitation boots]], it is unique within a price group. Another example is a gray stone in a [[box]], which might be a [[loadstone]].
+The weight of an unknown object is not nearly as useful as its price, but it can provide additional clues. This goes especially for cursed equipment you don't want to wear. In some cases such as [[levitation boots]], it is unique within a price group. Another example is a gray stone in a [[large box]], which might be a [[loadstone]].
 One practical way of weight testing is to pick up just enough rocks and gold not to be [[burdened]], pick up the object, and count the rocks and gold you need to drop to un-burden you.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:28, 12 November 2025
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		+	{{tocright}}
	In [[NetHack]], '''identification''' is the process of determining an item's identity.		In [[NetHack]], '''identification''' is the process of determining an item's identity.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Identification''' is considered by some to be the heart of [[NetHack]]. Most items in the game start unidentified and are described only by their appearance. There are many methods of identifying them. Though not all items in NetHack need to be fully identified to make good use of them (e.g. runed daggers are always [[elven dagger]]s and crude daggers are always [[orcish dagger]]s), the danger in unidentified items lies in some items having [[randomised appearance]]s in every playthrough, such as [[scrolls]], [[rings]], [[potions]], and [[amulets]].
+In [[NetHack]], '''identification''' is the process of determining an item's identity.
-== Mechanics of identification ==
+==Mechanics of identification==
+Items in ''NetHack'' can be identified by qualities such as item type, beatitude or enchantment, and similarly there are multiple methods of obtaining this information, both formally (i.e. described directly by the game) and informally&mdash;additionally, several items have [[randomized appearance]]s and are most often different between play-throughs. This mechanic is considered to be one of the game's most core aspects for multiple reasons, including simple factors such as finding useful items and avoiding dangerous ones.
 ==Straightforward identification==
@@ Line 43: / Line 25: @@
 ===Spell of identify===
 {{main|Spellbook of identify}}
 Casting this divination spell has the same effect as reading a uncursed scroll of identify (if cast at Unskilled or Basic) or a blessed scroll (if cast at Skilled or Expert).
@@ Line 55: / Line 36: @@
 ===Selling in shops===
 Selling or buying an item in a [[shop]] will cause the [[shopkeeper]] to tell you the appearance of the item. If the appearance is unique and not [[randomized appearance|randomized]], e.g. for most mundane [[armor]] and [[weapon]]s, he will identify the item class for you. This is probably only useful in [[zen]] conduct games (also: [[wand of probing]], [[potion of object detection]]).
 ==Indirect identification==
 These methods require some knowledge (acquired from spoilers or experience), often lack universality, and don't always result in formal identification of an item as they sometimes give ambiguous information.
 ===Price identification===
 {{main|Price identification}}
 Although the price a [[shopkeeper]] charges is based on your [[Attribute#Charisma|charisma]] and slightly randomized, it is still helpful to some extent, but the main approach is to price ID using the selling price. This is very effective in categorizing rings, potions and wands for further identification using other means&mdash;even more so when direct identification is not possible, e.g. early games and illiterate games.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:10, 12 November 2025
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−	'''Identification''' is considered by some to be the heart of [[NetHack]]. Most items in the game start unidentified and are described only by their appearance. There are many methods of identifying them.	+	'''Identification''' is considered by some to be the heart of [[NetHack]]. Most items in the game start unidentified and are described only by their appearance. There are many methods of identifying them. Though not all items in NetHack need to be fully identified to make good use of them (e.g. runed daggers are always [[elven dagger]]s and crude daggers are always [[orcish dagger]]s), the danger in unidentified items lies in some items having [[randomised appearance]]s in every playthrough, such as [[scrolls]], [[rings]], [[potions]], and [[amulets]].

	== Mechanics of identification ==		== Mechanics of identification ==

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 The weight of an unknown object is not nearly as useful as its price, but it can provide additional clues. This goes especially for cursed equipment you don't want to wear. In some cases such as [[levitation boots]], it is unique within a price group. Another example is a gray stone in a [[box]], which might be a [[loadstone]].
-One practical way of weight testing is to pick up just enough rocks and gold not to be [[burdened]], pick up the object, and count the rocks and gold you need to drop to un-burden you. The spreadsheet [[File:Nh_inventory_weight.ods]] can count up your inventory weight.
+One practical way of weight testing is to pick up just enough rocks and gold not to be [[burdened]], pick up the object, and count the rocks and gold you need to drop to un-burden you.
 ===Behavior identification===
@@ Line 122: / Line 122: @@
 ==See also==
 * [[Curse testing]] lets you know the [[BUC]] status of an individual item.
 ==External links==

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 ===Individual object identification===
-Each individual object has properties that can be identified: [[BUC]] for everything except gold pieces, erodeproofness for weapons and armor, and enchantment or charges for weapons, armor, wands, and some rings and tools.
+Each individual object has properties that can be identified: [[BUC]] for everything except gold pieces, [[erodeproof]]ness for weapons and armor, and [[enchantment]] or [[charge]]s for weapons, armor, wands, and some rings and tools.
-[[Stack]]able objects with the exact same BUC/erodeproofness/enchantment status will not stack if their identification statuses are different.
+[[Stack]]able objects with the exact same BUC/erodeproofness/enchantment status will not stack if their identification statuses are different.  For example, if you split a stack of unidentified items, and then formally identify any property of one of split stacks (through any means, whether it is a scroll of identify, or dropping one stack on an altar to formally BUC it), the other stack will not have this object-specific identification "transfer" to it if you attempt to re-merge the stack, although both stacks will still be type-identified.  In order to ensure that stacks merge, you must make sure that their identification statuses are also identical.
 ==Straightforward identification==
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 |}
 <nowiki>* If your Luck is positive, you will identify two items instead of one.</nowiki>
 ===Spell of identify===

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 == Mechanics of identification ==
-NetHack gives three 'levels' of identification:
+===Type identification===
-===Auto-identification===
+====Formal type identification====
-Also known as '''formal identification''', '''auto-identification''' causes an item to be called by its proper name, overriding its appearance and anything you may have [[call]]ed the item.
+Also known as '''auto-identification''', ''formal identification''' causes a type of item to be called by its proper name, overriding its appearance and anything you may have [[call]]ed the type.
-===Identification with a prompt===
+====Informal type identification with a prompt====
-In some cases, you will be prompted to say what you want to [[call]] an item that you have just used. This can occur, for example, if you are hit by a [[potion]] thrown by a [[monster]] in circumstances that will not auto-identify it. Potions used by monsters giving unusual effects will also do this, such as a [[cursed]] [[potion of gain level]]. Dropping rings down sinks sometimes yields such a prompt too.  If the item is already called by a name, you are not asked for a new name; if it was used up, you can #name the item from the discoveries list.
+In some cases, you will be prompted to say what you want to [[call]] an type of item that has just been used, either by you or a monster. This can occur, for example, if you are hit by a [[potion]] thrown by a [[monster]] in circumstances that will not auto-identify it. Potions used by monsters giving unusual effects will also do this, such as a [[cursed]] [[potion of gain level]]. Dropping rings down sinks sometimes yields such a prompt too.  If the type is already called by a name, you are not asked for a new name; if it was used up, you can #name the item from the discoveries list.
-===Identification with no prompt===
+====Informal type identification with no prompt====
-In some cases, the effect of an action will unambiguously identify it to a fully spoiled player, however NetHack declines to auto-identify it. This happens in most cases when [[engraving]] with [[wand]]s, and when an item's [[Price identification|price]] uniquely identifies it. In these cases, and any ambiguous cases that reduce the possibilities, you will have to use #name to call the item an appropriate name.
+In some cases, the effect of an action will unambiguously identify it to a fully spoiled player, even though NetHack declines to auto-identify it. This happens in most cases when [[engraving]] with [[wand]]s, and when an item's [[Price identification|price]] uniquely identifies it. In these cases, and any ambiguous cases that reduce the possibilities, you will have to use #name to call the type an appropriate name.
 Sometimes, a certain action will use up an item in one case, and retain it in another. In these cases, you should call the item by the name of the item that would disappear, then rename it afterwards if it is still available. A common situation for this is throwing gems to unicorns; the unicorn will "gratefully" accept valuable gems, "graciously" accept glass which is not #named, and be "not interested in your junk" and drop #named glass. #naming the gem to distinguish one or the other first means you will know when you next find one.  If you have a single gem of a type, you can #name it "good red", throw it, and if the unicorn refuses the gem, rename it to "red glass".  Various cases of #[[dip]]ping items into potions fall into this category too.
 ==Straightforward identification==

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 ==Straightforward identification==
 None of these methods are based on the item's behavior, all are universal, and all result in formal identification by the game engine (don't require naming).
 ===Initial knowledge===
 Items that you start with are automatically identified for you. This is particularly useful for wizards, who will have 2 spellbooks, 3 scrolls, 2 rings and 1 wand identified from the beginning. In addition, depending on your role you may have some knowledge in weapons and armors. Also, if you start with an [[oil lamp]], the [[potion of oil]] will be identified for you.
-===Magical identification===
+===Scroll of identify===
 When reading a [[scroll of identify]], you will be allowed to ID one or more of your possessions depending on the scroll's [[beatitude]]. The odds are:
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 39: / Line 35: @@
 <nowiki>* If your Luck is positive, you will identify two items instead of one.</nowiki>
-====Spell of identify====
+Weapons that are identified have their [[enchantment]] revealed, including those in your starting inventory. If you separate or drop part of a stack of unidentified weapons, and then magically identifying the remaining stack, the previous stack will not have this identification "transfer" to it if you attempt to re-merge the stack. Reading a [[scroll of enchant weapon]] always has the same effect, but does not auto-identify the scroll unless you have knowledge of that weapon's enchantment.
 {{main|Spellbook of identify}}
 Casting this divination spell has the same effect as reading a uncursed scroll of identify (if cast at Unskilled or Basic) or a blessed scroll (if cast at Skilled or Expert).
-====Sitting on a throne====
+===Sitting on a throne===
 One of the possible [[throne]] effects is the same as that of reading a blessed scroll of identify.