Lessons learned the hard way - Revision history

Caesium-132: added {{languages}}

2026-05-15T23:02:32Z

added {{languages}}

Caesium-132: {{kbd|.}} {{kbd|s}}

2026-05-15T03:09:41Z

Caesium-132: added Commentary: In NetHack 5.0.0, the game will prevent you from persistently getting hit if you are hit when holding down {kbd|.} or {kbd|s}.

2026-05-15T03:08:51Z

added Commentary: In NetHack 5.0.0, the game will prevent you from persistently getting hit if you are hit when holding down {kbd|.} or {kbd|s}.

Ais523: /* Gehennom */ OK, discovered a new lesson already

2026-05-03T00:30:03Z

‎Gehennom: OK, discovered a new lesson already

NDusN: New experimental section focusing on conduct play; I have a few from my currently ongoing wishless game, most of which are revolved around getting that cursed scroll of genocide (no pun intended)(or maybe intended? ;) for GDSM

2025-12-01T15:19:42Z

New experimental section focusing on conduct play; I have a few from my currently ongoing wishless game, most of which are revolved around getting that cursed scroll of genocide (no pun intended)(or maybe intended? ;) for GDSM

Umbire the Phantom: this is ideally what we use commentary for - much of this is probably due for sorting by version

2025-07-08T22:37:57Z

this is ideally what we use commentary for - much of this is probably due for sorting by version

Quietust: /* Ascension run */ missed this spot

2025-07-08T22:20:40Z

‎Ascension run: missed this spot

Quietust: /* Ascension run */ probably best to assume that most players are on the latest version, so don't suggest using levitation on the plane of water

2025-07-08T22:17:00Z

‎Ascension run: probably best to assume that most players are on the latest version, so don't suggest using levitation on the plane of water

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2025-01-16T20:10:08Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2025-01-16T18:18:10Z

potholes

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:02, 15 May 2026
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	[[File:You_die....png\|frame\|You die...(again)]]		[[File:You_die....png\|frame\|You die...(again)]]
	'''Lessons learned the hard way''' was a set of statements hosted by [[Rodney (bot)\|Rodney]]. It eventually became so large that it had to be removed from the database, as Rodney would become unresponsive to everyone else whenever someone requested the entry. Prior to eventually being moved onto [[NetHackWiki]], it was hosted by [[GreyKnight]].		'''Lessons learned the hard way''' was a set of statements hosted by [[Rodney (bot)\|Rodney]]. It eventually became so large that it had to be removed from the database, as Rodney would become unresponsive to everyone else whenever someone requested the entry. Prior to eventually being moved onto [[NetHackWiki]], it was hosted by [[GreyKnight]].

@@ Line 98: / Line 98: @@
 * If you find a dead end, don't hold down '''s'''. It'll just make things worse if you encounter a monster and are still searching.
 ** Commentary: Use a [[numeric prefix]] instead, like n10s or just 10s if using vikeys.
-** Commentary: In NetHack 5.0.0, the game will prevent you from persistently getting hit if you are hit when holding down {kbd|.} or {kbd|s}.
+** Commentary: In NetHack 5.0.0, the game will prevent you from persistently getting hit if you are hit when holding down {{kbd|.}} or {{kbd|s}}.
 * When you find a [[small mimic]] in a shop, be sure to attack it, not the shopkeeper! There's no way to say that you meant to hit the mimic!
 * Similarly, when attacking a mimic with wands or spells, check your [[rebound]] path every single time. The shopkeeper does not stand still while you're fighting.

@@ Line 98: / Line 98: @@
 * If you find a dead end, don't hold down '''s'''. It'll just make things worse if you encounter a monster and are still searching.
 ** Commentary: Use a [[numeric prefix]] instead, like n10s or just 10s if using vikeys.
 * When you find a [[small mimic]] in a shop, be sure to attack it, not the shopkeeper! There's no way to say that you meant to hit the mimic!
 * Similarly, when attacking a mimic with wands or spells, check your [[rebound]] path every single time. The shopkeeper does not stand still while you're fighting.

@@ Line 353: / Line 353: @@
 * [[Balrogs]] can fly over lava and bullwhip your weapon into it. Have fun getting it out, especially if surrounded.
 * Don't dig next to the lava unless you like dying a fiery death.
 ===[[Ascension run]]===

@@ Line 371: / Line 371: @@
 * If you lack [[reflection]], don't forget about [[Medusa]].
 * Polymorphing into a (master) [[mind flayer]] on Astral might not be such a good idea - eating the brains of any [[Rider]] will kill you instantly.
 == See also ==

@@ Line 355: / Line 355: @@
 ===[[Ascension run]]===
-* Trying to use [[water walking boots]] or [[levitation]] to cross the [[plane of water]] will result in you drowning. The water is ''above'' you, too.
+* Using [[water walking boots]] on the [[plane of water]] will result in you drowning. [[Levitation]], on the other hand, will work safely.
-**Prior to version 3.6, levitation actually worked here.
+** Commentary: As of version 3.6, released after this post was made, you can't levitate there either.
 * Don't try to disarm/disarmor your [[Archon]] with F command when [[polymorph]]ed into a [[Nymph (monster class)|nymph]]. You can untame it.
 ** Commentary: Instead, [[scroll of enchant armor|enchant]] its new [[armor]] better than what it's currently wearing, and drop the armor in front of your [[pet]]. It will change once it eventually picks it up. [[Weapon]]s are a bit trickier&mdash;a [[bullwhip]] is a safe way to disarm your pet. To keep it from swapping artifacts, you want it to drop as many items as possible before you give it its new weapon.
@@ Line 366: / Line 366: @@
 * Despite an Archon being a very powerful and useful pet capable of dispatching many enemies on its own, it is not immune to being engulfed and digested.
 * Don't let your flying steed die when you're over water or lava. [[Fire elemental]]s on the [[Plane of Fire]] can do a lot of damage to a steed without [[fire resistance]].
-* A steam vortex will happily carry you out of an air bubble on the Plane of Water.  You'll drown as soon as you're expelled.
+* A steam vortex will happily carry you out of an air bubble on the Plane of Water, even if you aren't levitating.  You'll drown as soon as you're expelled.
 * [[Far look]] won't tell you if a high altar is co-aligned - [[Altar#High altars|"aligned" and "co-aligned" are not the same.]]
 * If you lack [[reflection]], don't forget about [[Medusa]].

@@ Line 165: / Line 165: @@
 ** Commentary: Your [[cloak]] will rip, and your mail will revert to scales.
 * [[BUC|BUC-testing]] potions at an [[altar]] while levitating will result in acrimony and broken glass.
-* Make sure there is no co-aligned priest in the firing line before zapping [[Speed monster]] at your pet.  This will anger the priest and you won't be able to enter his temple without being attacked.
+* Make sure there is no co-aligned priest in the firing line before zapping {{of|wand|speed monster}} at your pet.  This will anger the priest and you won't be able to enter his temple without being attacked.
 ** If you manage to escape, don't return to that level with uncontrolled [[teleportitis]] as the RNG will teleport you into his temple and he will kill you.
 * When playing with number_pad off, be careful when going northwest. "Really attack Izchak?"

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 * Be very careful with uncontrolled [[teleportitis]] and [[quantum mechanic]]s in stores!
 ** Commentary: [[Teleportitis#Shopping with uncontrolled teleportitis|Drop your gold first.]]
-* Never eat [[tin]]s in shops whilst wielding potentially expensive [[artifact]]s. Also don't let [[nymph]]s get near you.
+* Never eat [[tin]]s in shops whilst wielding potentially expensive [[artifact]]s. Also don't let [[Nymph (monster class)|nymphs]] get near you.
 ** Commentary: Doubly true if you're in the [[black market]].
 * Remember, "Thou shalt not worship graven images"
@@ Line 276: / Line 276: @@
 * Just because you beat [[Sokoban]] and got a [[bag of holding]] doesn't mean you're invincible.
 * When in [[Sokoban]], and you are at the fringe of death, do not try to teleport away using a scroll of teleportation. Sokoban is a [[non-teleport level|no-teleport area]], which will result in a few more hits from that monster you are trying to flee from, possibly resulting in your death.
-* When you solve a [[Sokoban]] level and open the door at the end of the hall, it will be packed with monsters. One might just be a [[Nymph]] who will charm you, steal your [[wand of death]], fail to teleport then use it on you.
+* When you solve a [[Sokoban]] level and open the door at the end of the hall, it will be packed with monsters. One might just be a [[Nymph (monster class)|nymph]] who will charm you, steal your [[wand of death]], fail to teleport then use it on you.
 ** Instead, displace a pet inside, or fight diagonally at the door because monsters are less likely to zap you at melee range.
 ** For that matter, always use [[telepathy]] to scout out the [[treasure zoo]] before rushing inside.
@@ Line 357: / Line 357: @@
 * Using [[water walking boots]] on the [[plane of water]] will result in you drowning. [[Levitation]], on the other hand, will work safely.
 **Commentary: As of version 3.6, you can't levitate there either.
-* Don't try to disarm/disarmor your [[Archon]] with F command when [[polymorph]]ed into a [[nymph]]. You can untame it.
+* Don't try to disarm/disarmor your [[Archon]] with F command when [[polymorph]]ed into a [[Nymph (monster class)|nymph]]. You can untame it.
 ** Commentary: Instead, [[scroll of enchant armor|enchant]] its new [[armor]] better than what it's currently wearing, and drop the armor in front of your [[pet]]. It will change once it eventually picks it up. [[Weapon]]s are a bit trickier&mdash;a [[bullwhip]] is a safe way to disarm your pet. To keep it from swapping artifacts, you want it to drop as many items as possible before you give it its new weapon.
 * Zapping a high priest/priestess on the Astral Plane with a wand of teleportation to move them off an altar DOES NOT WORK. It makes them angry instead, even if they were peaceful beforehand.