Pick-axe - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ nndnh

2025-10-24T07:38:40Z

‎dNetHack: nndnh

Umbire the Phantom: punc

2025-10-24T07:38:23Z

punc

Umbire the Phantom: word choice

2025-07-08T07:31:36Z

word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Generation */ formatting

2025-05-09T19:06:24Z

‎Generation: formatting

Umbire the Phantom: another quick-ish one here

2024-09-24T14:23:39Z

another quick-ish one here

Cathartes: /* Pick-axe skill */ mattock is not a weapon-tool

2024-08-24T02:30:04Z

‎Pick-axe skill: mattock is not a weapon-tool

Umbire the Phantom: /* Shopkeepers and pick-axes */ word choice

2024-04-24T22:23:00Z

‎Shopkeepers and pick-axes: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: variant pass

2024-04-24T22:20:48Z

variant pass

JASON10668: Add languages template.

2024-02-21T02:58:48Z

Add languages template.

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ xnh + them

2023-12-10T19:43:55Z

‎Variants: xnh + them

@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-[[dNetHack]] and [[notdNetHack]] lower the pick-axe's weight to 80 aum, and add the [[Hook (dNetHack)|hook]] as a weapon that uses the pick-axe skill.
+[[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]] lower the pick-axe's weight to 80 aum, and add the [[Hook (dNetHack)|hook]] as a weapon that uses the pick-axe skill.
 [[Spirits (dNetHack)#Fafnir, Jotunn Dragon|Fafnir]] is a spirit that grants skill in pick-axes while bound.

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 ===Finding a pick-axe===
-Pick-axes are fairly common within the dungeon despite their low generation rate - as dwarves are [[tunneling monster]]s and very common in the [[Gnomish Mines]], you will usually hear them digging before you see them. Dwarven players, [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomish]] players and lawful-aligned characters unwilling to risk [[alignment record|early alignment penalties]] can have a [[pet]] attack a peaceful dwarf and kill them to obtain one. Other alignments and races instead must contend with fighting off dwarves digging towards their positions, as their digging can disrupt use of chokepoints; pets are still more than useful in this scenario, though dwarves are somewhat tougher for them to kill.
+Pick-axes are fairly common within the dungeon despite their low generation rate&mdash;as dwarves are [[tunneling monster]]s and very common in the [[Gnomish Mines]], you will usually hear them digging before you see them. Dwarven players, [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomish]] players and lawful-aligned characters unwilling to risk [[alignment record|early alignment penalties]] can have a [[pet]] attack a peaceful dwarf and kill them to obtain one. Other alignments and races instead must contend with fighting off dwarves digging towards their positions, as their digging can disrupt use of chokepoints; pets are still more than useful in this scenario, though dwarves are somewhat tougher for them to kill.
 ===Shopping with pick-axes===
 If you have a pick-axe and want to enter a shop, you can drop it at the entrance to the shop (not counting the doorway), place it into a [[container]], or try to force your way in by moving behind another [[monster]]. Once inside, shopkeepers do not mind you have a pick-axe out, as long as you do not dig through their walls - additionally, if you dig a hole in the floor, objects on that square and adjacent squares can fall through, which counts as [[shoplifting]] and will anger the shopkeeper.
-Pick-axes can be used to [[Stealing from shops|steal from shops]] by picking up all of the shop's merchandise and digging out of the shop, then through the floor - this will only work if the shop is big enough for you to get enough distance from the shopkeeper, and you may need to place additional obstructions between you and them (e.g., a [[scroll of earth]]); a [[wand of digging]] may be more ideal. You can also dig straight through the floor, but obstructing the shopkeeper is far more necessary, or they will otherwise steal every non-worn and non-wielded item in your inventory as you fall. Stealing will naturally anger the shopkeeper, and [[Keystone Kop (monster class)|Keystone Kops]] will begin to generate when you return to that dungeon level, so plan accordingly.
+Pick-axes can be used to [[Stealing from shops|steal from shops]] by picking up all of the shop's merchandise and digging out of the shop, then through the floor&mdash;this will only work if the shop is big enough for you to get enough distance from the shopkeeper, and you may need to place additional obstructions between you and them (e.g., a [[scroll of earth]]); a [[wand of digging]] may be more ideal. You can also dig straight through the floor, but obstructing the shopkeeper is far more necessary, or they will otherwise steal every non-worn and non-wielded item in your inventory as you fall. Stealing will naturally anger the shopkeeper, and [[Keystone Kop (monster class)|Keystone Kops]] will begin to generate when you return to that dungeon level, so plan accordingly.
 ===Conduct===
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 [[Upgrading]] a pick-axe will produce a dwarvish mattock, and vice versa. This results in a [[Bug Hall of Fame|ludicrously game-breaking]] [[bug]]: You can enchant a weapon to +127 by polymorphing it into a dwarvish mattock, upgrading it to a pick-axe, then further polymorphing it into a [[tinning kit]] or an [[expensive camera]], charging that tool until it has 127 charges, and finally waiting for it to revert. A +127 [[long sword]] can be turned into a super-powerful [[Excalibur]], while a +127 [[bow]] or other [[launcher]] can fire 40 or more [[projectile]]s at once.
-A pick-axe is always generated in the [[mine king level]]. This is intended to prevent the player being trapped if they entered the level from the Gnome King's Wine Cellar variant of [[Mines' End]] - this can occur if a character is [[level teleport]]ed or else falls through a hole or [[trap door]] and lands in the gem cache. It may also double as a homage to SLASH'EM predecessor variant [[SLASH 6]]: the [[Gnome (role)|Gnome]] role's [[quest artifact]] was a pick-axe called [[The Pick of Flandal Steelskin]], and the mine king level is based on the [[Gnome quest]] home level.
+A pick-axe is always generated in the [[mine king level]]. This is intended to prevent the player being trapped if they entered the level from the Gnome King's Wine Cellar variant of [[Mines' End]]&mdash;this can occur if a character is [[level teleport]]ed or else falls through a hole or [[trap door]] and lands in the gem cache. It may also double as a homage to SLASH'EM predecessor variant [[SLASH 6]]: the [[Gnome (role)|Gnome]] role's [[quest artifact]] was a pick-axe called [[The Pick of Flandal Steelskin]], and the mine king level is based on the [[Gnome quest]] home level.
 ===UnNetHack===

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 ==Strategy==
-Pick-axes are generally the long-term digging tool of choice after a wand of digging. One of the more common early uses for a pick-axe is finding and looting [[vault]]s for gold to use in shops and/or at [[temple]]s. You may also unearth [[gem]]s and [[gold]] embedded in the walls - while finding vaults will suffice most times, searching for random gold and gems with the aid of [[object detection]] (usually via a [[potion of object detection|potion]]) is a viable option for those attempting a [[protection racket]], particularly Archeologists.
+Pick-axes are generally the long-term digging tool of choice after a wand of digging. One of the more common early uses for a pick-axe is finding and looting [[vault]]s for gold to use in shops and/or at [[temple]]s. You may also unearth [[gem]]s and [[gold]] embedded in the walls&mdash;while finding vaults will suffice most times, additionally mining random gold and gems from the walls is a viable option for those attempting a [[protection racket]], particularly Archeologists. This is most easily done with the aid of [[object detection]], usually via [[Potion of object detection|the potion]].
 Another general use is to cut a cleaner and/or shorter path between staircases on a dungeon level, as well as smashing boulders blocking your path; this is particularly worthwhile with [[Gehennom]] [[maze]]s, especially for navigating your way through later on during the [[ascension run]]. A pick-axe can be used to break stuck and/or obstructive boulders in [[Sokoban]] - note that breaking boulders here causes a -1 [[Luck]] penalty, unless you are on a level you have already solved. Still another use is to break statues and get at [[Statue#Statue contents|their potential contents]]. Smashed boulders and statues will also crumble into [[rock]]s, which you can [[throw]] or [[sling]] as projectiles or turn into meatballs via [[stone to flesh]].
-Pick-axes are fairly heavy at 100 [[aum]], which can prove inconvenient - especially if you start with a low carry cap due to weak [[strength]] and/or [[constitution]]. A non-cursed [[bag of holding]] makes them far more tolerable to keep with you long-term; the wand of digging and wand of striking may be preferred over a pick-axe in certain instances, such as digging through non-Gehennom mazes, though they have limited charges.
+Pick-axes are fairly heavy at 100 [[aum]], which can prove inconvenient especially if you start with a low [[carry capacity]] due to weak [[strength]] and/or [[constitution]]. A non-cursed [[bag of holding]] makes them far more tolerable to keep with you long-term; the wand of digging and wand of striking may be preferred over a pick-axe in certain instances, such as digging through non-Gehennom mazes, though they have limited charges.
 ===As a weapon===

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 ==Generation==
-Pick-axes make up about 0.5% of randomly generated tools (on the floor, as [[death drop]]s and in [[shop]]s). With the exception of [[bones]] files, they always generate [[uncursed]].
+All [[Archeologist]]s start the game with a +0 pick-axe.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|35|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
-All [[Archeologist]]s start the game with a +0 pick-axe.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|35|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
+Pick-axes make up {{frac|50}} (2%) of all randomly-generated tools on the floor, in [[shop]]s and left as [[death drop]]s. With the exception of [[bones]] files, they always generate [[uncursed]]. General [[store]]s and hardware stores can stock pick-axes.
 Live [[Dwarf (monster attribute)|dwarves]] have a {{frac|4}} chance of [[monster starting inventory|being generated with]] a pick-axe.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|384|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=a pick-axe is given {{frac|3}} of {{frac|3|4}} of the time, and a mattock is given {{frac|2}} of {{frac|4}} of the time}} [[Elvenking]]s have a {{frac|2|3}} chance of generating with a pick-axe, and the guaranteed Elvenking on the [[Plane of Earth]] will always generate with one.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|254|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
    |material=iron}}
-A '''pick-axe''' is a type of [[tool]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a tool designed for [[digging]] that can also be used as a [[weapon]], and is made of [[iron]].
+A '''pick-axe''' is a type of [[weapon-tool]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is designed for [[digging]], and is made of [[iron]].
 ==Generation==
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 ==Description==
 {{main|Digging}}
-You can [[apply]] a pick-axe to tunnel through [[solid rock]] [[wall]]s or the [[floor]], dig through [[doors]] and smash [[boulder]]s and [[statue]]s. If you apply it upward, a [[rock]] will fall from the ceiling and bonk you on the head; if you apply it downward, you will dig a [[pit]] in the ground, and digging down while in a pit will create a hole. If you have the ''autodig'' [[option]] enabled and are currently wielding a pick-axe, you can dig into walls or the ground by simply walking into them (or pressing {{kbd|>}}); this does not work for boulders, statues, or doors. You can dig faster by [[Enchantment|enchanting]] the pick-axe, playing as a [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarf]] and/or using [[Digging#Digging speed|other available methods]] - somewhat unusually, your skill level in pick-axe has no bearing on your digging speed.
+The hero can [[apply]] a pick-axe to tunnel through [[solid rock]] [[wall]]s or the [[floor]], dig through [[doors]] and smash [[boulder]]s and [[statue]]s. If a hero applies one upward, a [[rock]] will fall from the ceiling and bonk them on the head. If they apply it downward, they will dig a [[pit]] in the ground, and digging down while in a pit will create a [[hole]]; applying a pick-axe down onto a [[sink]] will turn it into a [[fountain]]. Certain [[tunnel]]ing monsters such as dwarves can dig through a level if they have a pick-axe wielded.
-Applying a pick-axe down onto a [[sink]] will turn it into a [[fountain]].
+If the ''autodig'' is [[option]] enabled and the hero is currently wielding a pick-axe, they can dig into walls or the ground by simply walking into them (or pressing {{kbd|>}}); this does not work for boulders, statues, or doors. A hero can dig faster by [[Enchantment|enchanting]] the pick-axe, playing as a [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarf]] and/or using [[Digging#Digging speed|other available methods]] - somewhat unusually, skill level in pick-axe has no bearing on digging speed.
-If digging using a pick-axe on the Plane of Earth, there is a {{frac|3}} chance of creating either an [[earth elemental]] or [[xorn]] on each adjacent square.{{refsrc|src/dig.c|444|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Digging through the Plane of Earth with a non-blessed pick-axe has an independent {{frac|6}} chance of causing a 3x3 area around you to cave in, which is increased to {{frac|4}} for a cursed pick - conversely, a blessed has a {{frac|3}} chance of immediately clearing the same area of rock around you.
+If digging using a pick-axe on the Plane of Earth, there is a {{frac|3}} chance of creating either an [[earth elemental]] or [[xorn]] on each adjacent square.{{refsrc|src/dig.c|444|version=NetHack 3.6.7}} Digging through the Plane of Earth with a non-blessed pick-axe has an independent {{frac|6}} chance of causing a 3x3 area around the hero to cave in, which is increased to {{frac|4}} for a cursed pick - conversely, a blessed has a {{frac|3}} chance of immediately clearing the same area of rock around them.
-Certain [[tunnel]]ing monsters such as dwarves can dig through a level if they have a pick-axe on hand.
+[[Eating]] a non-blessed [[tin]] while wielding a pick-axe will use it to open the tin in six turns at most.{{refsrc|src/eat.c|1497|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
 ===Shopkeepers and pick-axes===
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 {{nethack-367}}
 [[Category:Tools]]
-[[Category:Weapons]]
+[[Category:Weapon-tools]]

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 {{pick-axe skill table}}
-The pick-axe and the [[dwarvish mattock]] use the '''pick-axe''' [[skill]]. The mattock is considered a [[weapon-tool]] and primarily classified as a weapon.
+The pick-axe and the [[dwarvish mattock]] use the '''pick-axe''' [[skill]]. The pick-axe is considered a [[weapon-tool]], while the mattock is classified as a weapon.
 Attacking with a pick-axe weapon gives a +2 to-hit bonus against [[xorn]]s.

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 ===Shopkeepers and pick-axes===
-[[Shopkeeper]]s will attempt to block off the entrance of their [[shop]]s if you have a pick-axe in your inventory. Trying to throw a pick-axe in diagonally will cause the shopkeeper to swiftly catch it; pulling out a pick-axe from a container you are carrying while already in the shop will cause the shopkeeper to yell at you - there is no other effect, however, and you can continue to shop as normal. Digging a pit in the floor will have them warn you about falling through; digging a hole while in a pit may cause adjacent items to fall through, and the shopkeeper will run to try and grab your pack if this occurs or you still have unpaid items. Attempting to dig through a shop wall or door will print a message and cause you to abort the attempt, though by constantly resuming you will eventually succeed and potentially anger the shopkeeper.{{refsrc|src/dig.c|475|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=This code is called after the digging energy has been applied to the door or wall}}{{refsrc|src/dig.c|407|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=This code is called if enough digging energy has been applied to break the wall; notably, it comes before the previously referenced line that aborts the attempt}}
+[[Shopkeeper]]s will attempt to block off the entrance of their [[shop]]s if you have a pick-axe in your inventory. Trying to throw a pick-axe in past the shopkeeper will cause them to swiftly catch it and keep it in their inventory. Pulling out a pick-axe from a container you are carrying while already in the shop will cause the shopkeeper to yell at you; there is no other effect, however, and you can continue to shop as normal.
 ===Pick-axes and the watch===

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 ==Variants==
-Some variants ensure that player dwarves can attain skill in pick-axe.
+Some variants lower the weight of pick-axes, while others ensure that player dwarves can attain skill in pick-axe.
 ===SLASH'EM===
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 ===UnNetHack===
-[[UnNetHack]] adds the [[crystal pick]] as a tool that uses the pick-axe skill. [[Crystal ice wall]]s can only be dug through with a crystal pick.
+[[UnNetHack]] adds the [[crystal pick]] as a tool that uses the pick-axe skill and can be used to dig through [[crystal ice wall]]s.
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[The Rogue Gear-Spirits]] acts as a double damage pick-axe when used as a melee weapon, and can also be used to dig like one.
+[[dNetHack]] and [[notdNetHack]] lower the pick-axe's weight to 80 aum, and add the [[Hook (dNetHack)|hook]] as a weapon that uses the pick-axe skill.
 ===xNetHack===
-In [[xNetHack]], player dwarves can always reach a minimum of skilled in pick-axes.
+In [[xNetHack]], dwarven characters can always reach a minimum of skilled in pick-axes.
 ===SpliceHack===
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 ===SlashTHEM===
-In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, the [[Undertaker]] role starts each game with a pick-axe as their alternate weapon. Player dwarves can also reach a minimum of skilled in pick-axes.
+In [[SlashTHEM]], in addition to SLASH'EM details, the [[Undertaker]] role starts each game with a pick-axe as their alternate weapon. Dwarven characters can reach a minimum of Skilled in pick-axes.
 ==Encyclopedia==

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:58, 21 February 2024
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