Item theft - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ pothole

2026-05-21T20:22:34Z

‎dNetHack: pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* EvilHack */ word choice

2026-05-17T01:37:46Z

‎EvilHack: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* EvilHack */ non-cursed

2026-04-27T22:50:11Z

‎EvilHack: non-cursed

Umbire the Phantom: /* EvilHack */ grease

2026-04-27T10:48:52Z

‎EvilHack: grease

Umbire the Phantom: renovate messages, add more, tailor variants to match the charm article

2026-04-27T09:43:07Z

renovate messages, add more, tailor variants to match the charm article

Umbire the Phantom: FINALLY start on messages!

2026-04-27T05:39:21Z

FINALLY start on messages!

Umbire the Phantom: /* Targeting the hero */ clarify

2026-04-27T04:45:22Z

‎Targeting the hero: clarify

Umbire the Phantom: dropped word I missed in all of That somehow

2026-04-27T02:21:02Z

dropped word I missed in all of That somehow

Umbire the Phantom: fix pothole

2026-04-26T23:30:23Z

fix pothole

Umbire the Phantom: /* Targeting monsters as a hero */ spacing

2026-04-26T23:07:26Z

‎Targeting monsters as a hero: spacing

@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], a hero with item theft attacks can toggle whether or not they keep items steal items with it using the #style [[extended command]].
-The [[User:Chris/dNetHack/Thjofastafur|Thjofastafur stave]] carved into a [[wooden]] weapon can repel monsters with item theft attacks or any form of theft attack if it is placed on the hero's square, and that weapon will also [[Warned of monster type|warn the hero of those monsters]] while wielded.
+The [[User:Chris/dNetHack/Thjofastafur|Thjofastafur]] [[stave]] carved into a [[wooden]] weapon can repel monsters with item theft attacks or any form of theft attack if it is placed on the hero's square, and that weapon will also [[Warned of monster type|warn the hero of those monsters]] while wielded.
 The [[Spirits (dNetHack)|spirit]] [[Andromalius]] grants complete protection against item theft attacks and other item-stealing attacks, and the hero will have warning of monsters with such attacks as well.

@@ Line 85: / Line 85: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], behavior for item theft attacks differentiates between monsters that are "robbers" like monkeys, [[hobbit pickpocket]]s and [[Gollum]], and "magical" thieves that teleport away like [[ice nymph]]s and other nymphs: the former will always fail against a [[Tortle (starting race)|tortle]] hero hiding in their shell, while the latter will always fail against a hiding tortle, a lawful hero wearing the [[Gauntlets of Purity]] or a [[Druid]] that is at least [[experience level]] 14.
+In [[EvilHack]], behavior for item theft attacks differentiates between monsters that are "robbers" like monkeys, [[hobbit pickpocket]]s and [[Gollum]], and "magical" thieves that teleport away like [[ice nymph]]s and other nymphs: the former will always fail to steal from a [[Tortle (starting race)|tortle]] hero hiding in their shell, while the latter will always fail to steal from a hiding tortle, a lawful hero wearing the [[Gauntlets of Purity]] or a [[Druid]] that is at least [[experience level]] 14.
 Both forms of item theft attack have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of failing to steal a non-cursed item that is [[greased]] or has the [[oilskin]] property, including naturally-oilskin items such as the [[oilskin sack]] and the [[oilskin cloak]]&mdash;grease on an item has a {{frac|2}} chance of wearing off after foiling a theft attempt.

@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 In [[EvilHack]], behavior for item theft attacks differentiates between monsters that are "robbers" like monkeys, [[hobbit pickpocket]]s and [[Gollum]], and "magical" thieves that teleport away like [[ice nymph]]s and other nymphs: the former will always fail against a [[Tortle (starting race)|tortle]] hero hiding in their shell, while the latter will always fail against a hiding tortle, a lawful hero wearing the [[Gauntlets of Purity]] or a [[Druid]] that is at least [[experience level]] 14.
-Both forms of item theft attack have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of failing to steal an item that is [[greased]] or has the [[oilskin]] property, including naturally-oilskin items such as the [[oilskin sack]] and the [[oilskin cloak]]&mdash;grease on an item has a {{frac|2}} chance of wearing off after foiling a theft attempt.
+Both forms of item theft attack have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of failing to steal a non-cursed item that is [[greased]] or has the [[oilskin]] property, including naturally-oilskin items such as the [[oilskin sack]] and the [[oilskin cloak]]&mdash;grease on an item has a {{frac|2}} chance of wearing off after foiling a theft attempt.
 A [[Convict/EvilHack|Convict]] or [[Rogue/EvilHack|Rogue]] can employ their [[thievery]] skill to steal items in a similar manner, with the ability to steal gold and welded items as well&mdash;this has a chance of angering peaceful targets.

@@ Line 85: / Line 85: @@
 ===EvilHack===
-In [[EvilHack]], behavior for item theft attacks differentiates between monsters that are "robbers" like monkeys, [[hobbit pickpocket]]s and [[Gollum]], and "magical" thieves that teleport away like [[ice nymph]]s and other nymphs: the former will always fail against a [[Tortle (starting race)|tortle]] hero hiding in their shell, while the latter will always fail against a hiding tortle, a lawful hero wearing the [[Gauntlets of Purity]] or a [[Druid]] that is at least [[experience level]] 14. Both forms of item theft attack have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of failing to steal an item that is [[greased]] or has the [[oilskin]] property, including naturally-oilskin items such as the [[oilskin sack]] and the [[oilskin cloak]].
+In [[EvilHack]], behavior for item theft attacks differentiates between monsters that are "robbers" like monkeys, [[hobbit pickpocket]]s and [[Gollum]], and "magical" thieves that teleport away like [[ice nymph]]s and other nymphs: the former will always fail against a [[Tortle (starting race)|tortle]] hero hiding in their shell, while the latter will always fail against a hiding tortle, a lawful hero wearing the [[Gauntlets of Purity]] or a [[Druid]] that is at least [[experience level]] 14.
 A [[Convict/EvilHack|Convict]] or [[Rogue/EvilHack|Rogue]] can employ their [[thievery]] skill to steal items in a similar manner, with the ability to steal gold and welded items as well&mdash;this has a chance of angering peaceful targets.

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 ==Messages==
-{{for|the messages used by the similar charming attack|Charm#Messages}}
+Many of the messages used are shared with those of [[Charm#Messages|charming attacks]].
 {{message|<The monster> stole <an item>!|A monster landed an item theft attack on you.}}
 {{message|<The monster> tries to run away with your <item>.|The monster begins fleeing after a successful theft.}}
@@ Line 64: / Line 65: @@
 {{message|<The monster> tries to rob you, but isn't interested in gold.|As above, but there is also gold in your inventory.}}
 {{message|Somebody tries to rob you, but finds nothing to steal.|In either of the two cases above, while you are [[blind]].}}
 ==Variants==
-''NetHack'' [[variant]]s may add new monsters with item-theft attacks, and most (but not all) will restrict the ability to teleport after a successful theft to nymphs and similar monsters.
+''NetHack'' [[variant]]s may add new monsters with item-theft attacks, and may also extend the ability to certain roles. Some variants may also add means of resisting the attacks and/or restrict the ability to teleport after a successful theft to nymphs and similar monsters.
 ===SLASH'EM===
-[[SLASH'EM]] adds some monsters with item theft attacks:
+In [[SLASH'EM]], [[Pack rat (SLASH'EM)|pack rats]] behave as monkeys do when stealing items&mdash;all other monsters with single-item theft attacks follow the same rules for single-item theft attacks that nymphs in ''NetHack'' do, including teleporting away after a successful theft. This means that non-nymph monsters like [[dwarf thieves]] and [[gnome thieves]] can also teleport upon stealing from the hero.
-* {{monsymlink|dwarf thief}} ([[touch attack]])
+===EvilHack===
-* {{monsymlink|pixie}} (claw attack)
+In [[EvilHack]], behavior for item theft attacks differentiates between monsters that are "robbers" like monkeys, [[hobbit pickpocket]]s and [[Gollum]], and "magical" thieves that teleport away like [[ice nymph]]s and other nymphs: the former will always fail against a [[Tortle (starting race)|tortle]] hero hiding in their shell, while the latter will always fail against a hiding tortle, a lawful hero wearing the [[Gauntlets of Purity]] or a [[Druid]] that is at least [[experience level]] 14. Both forms of item theft attack have a {{frac|3|4}} chance of failing to steal an item that is [[greased]] or has the [[oilskin]] property, including naturally-oilskin items such as the [[oilskin sack]] and the [[oilskin cloak]].
-The pack rat is the only animal of the group, so all monsters other than pack rats and monkeys follow the same rules for stealing items from targets that nymphs in ''NetHack'' do (including teleporting away after a successful theft).
+A [[Convict/EvilHack|Convict]] or [[Rogue/EvilHack|Rogue]] can employ their [[thievery]] skill to steal items in a similar manner, with the ability to steal gold and welded items as well&mdash;this has a chance of angering peaceful targets.
 ==References==

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 ==Strategy==
 Early in the game, it is often a good strategy to stay away from sleeping nymphs unless you can kill them with ranged attacks or have a pet that can fight them off. If dealing with multiple item-stealing monsters individual names so you know which monster to chase in case they manage to steal something particular.
 ==Variants==

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 ** Nymphs can steal all of the above listed items that animals cannot, though they will still avoid taking items that would be too heavy for them to carry. They can also charm the hero into handing over cursed armor and weapons that are welded to them, and can unlink a chained heavy iron ball in order to steal the ball itself if it is in the hero's inventory and targeted for theft.
-If the monster steals the target item successfully, they will begin fleeing, and a nymph will attempt to [[teleport]] away as well unless they are on a [[no-teleport level]].{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1375-L1386|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Knight]]s are not subjected to caitiff penalties for attacking a fleeing monster that stole something with an item theft attack, provided that the attacker was not under [[conflict]] and is not fleeing after ending the hero's punishment by stealing a heavy iron ball.{{refsrc|src/steal.c|458-L461|nethack=3.6.7}}
+If the monster steals the target item successfully, they will begin fleeing, and a nymph will attempt to [[teleport]] away as well unless they are on a [[no-teleport level]].{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1375-L1386|nethack=3.6.7}} [[Knight]]s are not subjected to caitiff penalties for attacking a fleeing monster that stole something with an item theft attack unless the monster stole the item under [[conflict]], started fleeing after charming the hero into handing over their armor, or else started fleeing after ending the hero's punishment by stealing a heavy iron ball from them.{{refsrc|src/steal.c|165-L170|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/steal.c|458-L461|nethack=3.6.7}}
 A nymph that targets a hero [[polymorph]]ed into a nymph or foocubus with a theft attack will speak to them instead of stealing items, and always teleports away afterward.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1348-L1355|nethack=3.6.7}} A monster that steals a [[footrice]] [[corpse]] and is not wearing gloves will be subjected to instant [[stoning]].{{refsrc|src/steal.c|470-L475|nethack=3.6.7}} Item theft will always fail if there is nothing eligible to steal.{{refsrc|src/steal.c|268-L280|nethack=3.6.7}} Item theft attempts that 'miss' a [[mounted]] hero can fall upon their [[steed]] instead, and if the steed's saddle is stolen this way, then the hero will be dismounted without suffering any damage.{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1333-L1336|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/steed.c|509-L513|nethack=3.6.7}}

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ==Descrption==
-Item theft attacks are distinct from the [[charming]] ability of [[Nymph (monster class)|nymphs]] that can steal multiple items, as well as the outcome of a [[foocubus]] [[seduction]] attack used against monsters{{refsrc|include/monattk.h|59|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|include/monattk.h|72|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;these damage types both use some of the same code as item theft, but are defined by different flags.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1336-L1337|nethack=3.6.7|comment=per comment, "for now these are the same"}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1314-L1316|nethack=3.6.7|name="montheft"|comment=similar comment to <tt>mhitu.c</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1774-L1779|nethack=3.6.7|name="takeit"|comment=no comment in <tt>uhitm.c</tt>, but all cases observably make the same call to <tt>steal_it()</tt>}} It is also distinct the [[gold-stealing]] abilities of [[leprechaun]]s and the [[Amulet theft]] ability of covetous monsters like [[quest nemeses]] and the [[Wizard of Yendor]].
+Item theft attacks are distinct from the [[charming]] ability of [[Nymph (monster class)|nymphs]] that can steal multiple items, as well as the outcome of a [[foocubus]] [[seduction]] attack used against monsters{{refsrc|include/monattk.h|59|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|include/monattk.h|72|nethack=3.6.7}}&mdash;these damage types both use some of the same code as item theft, but are defined by different flags.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1336-L1337|nethack=3.6.7|comment=per comment, "for now these are the same"}}{{refsrc|src/mhitm.c|1314-L1316|nethack=3.6.7|name="montheft"|comment=similar comment to <tt>mhitu.c</tt>}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1774-L1779|nethack=3.6.7|name="takeit"|comment=no comment in <tt>uhitm.c</tt>, but all cases observably make the same call to <tt>steal_it()</tt>}} It is also distinct from the [[gold-stealing]] abilities of [[leprechaun]]s and the [[Amulet theft]] ability of covetous monsters like [[quest nemeses]] and the [[Wizard of Yendor]].
 The four monsters that have item theft attacks are the [[monkey]], [[wood nymph]], [[water nymph]], and [[mountain nymph]]&mdash;these monsters all use [[claw attack]]s in order to steal items. [[Magic cancellation]] does not protect against item-stealing attacks. Monsters that have charm attacks or can initiate foocubus-style encounters (which consists of nymphs and actual foocubi) are immune to item theft in this manner.{{refsrc|src/mhitu.c|1343-L1354|nethack=3.6.7}}

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 ===Targeting monsters as a hero===
-A hero that uses an item theft attack while wielding a weapon will attack with that weapon&mdash;a hero in the form of a nymph must be empty-handed in order to perform the actual item theft with their initial attack. The conditions described for monster-versus-monster combat above also apply to heroes that steal items from monsters this way, and the hero will automatically drop any stolen items that either cannot fit in their inventory, or else would prompt a warning from the game about their [[encumbrance]] increasing.<ref name="takeit"/>{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1518-L1627|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1594-L1596|nethack=3.6.7}} If the hero steals an item that would petrify them (i.e. stealing a footrice corpse while not wearing gloves), the attack routine will be interrupted by the hero becoming a [[statue]], even if [[life saving]] subsequently occurs.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1600-L1601|nethack=3.6.7}} The attack routine is also interrupted if the target monster becomes petrified as a result of the hero stealing worn gloves from them while they are wielding a footrice corpse, since the remaining items will then be placed in the resulting statue.{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1605-L1609|nethack=3.6.7}}
+A hero that uses an item theft attack while wielding a weapon will attack with that weapon&mdash;a hero in the form of a nymph must be empty-handed in order to perform the actual item theft with their initial attack. The conditions described for monster-versus-monster combat above also apply to heroes that steal items from monsters this way, and the hero will automatically drop any stolen items that either cannot fit in their inventory, or else would prompt a warning from the game about their [[encumbrance]] increasing.<ref name="takeit"/>{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1518-L1627|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/uhitm.c|1594-L1596|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ==Strategy==