Skeleton key - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: detailing

2025-04-10T10:34:18Z

detailing

Umbire the Phantom: /* Variants */ slight detailing

2025-01-08T12:49:23Z

‎Variants: slight detailing

Umbire the Phantom: /* dNetHack */ details

2024-10-26T16:20:26Z

‎dNetHack: details

Umbire the Phantom: /* Origin */ punc

2024-10-26T14:21:01Z

‎Origin: punc

Umbire the Phantom: origin

2024-10-26T14:20:45Z

origin

Umbire the Phantom: cite exercise

2024-10-21T19:23:02Z

cite exercise

Umbire the Phantom: mimics

2024-10-21T06:36:02Z

mimics

Umbire the Phantom: expansion pass

2024-10-21T03:49:15Z

expansion pass

Umbire the Phantom: copyedit + details

2024-10-20T22:19:32Z

copyedit + details

Umbire the Phantom: fragment

2024-10-20T20:37:18Z

fragment

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 ==Generation==
-Skeleton keys make up {{frac|2|25}} of all randomly-generated tools, and are always generated uncursed outside of [[bones]] levels and [[trap]] "bones". General [[store]]s and hardware stores can sell skeleton keys.
+Skeleton keys make up {{frac|2|25}} (8%) of all randomly-generated tools, and are always generated uncursed outside of [[bones]] levels and [[trap]] "bones". General [[store]]s and hardware stores can sell skeleton keys.
 [[Shopkeeper]]s [[Monster starting inventory|always generate with]] a skeleton key.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|674|nethack=3.6.7}}
@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 [[Applying]] a skeleton key towards a [[door]] or lockable [[container]] will lock it if unlocked, or unlock it if locked, with the chance of the [[hero]] succeeding dependent on their [[dexterity]]: there is a (70+Dex)% chance of success for doors and a (75+Dex)% chance for containers, and the chance of unlocking a container is halved if the key is cursed.{{refsrc|src/lock.c|428|nethack=3.6.7|comment=skeleton keys and containers}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|434|nethack=3.6.7|comment=cursed unlocking tools}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|510|nethack=3.6.7|comment=skeleton keys and doors}} This chance is calculated and rolled during each action of the [[occupation]] until the hero either succeeds, is interrupted or gives up after 50 turns - a completed attempt to use a skeleton key [[exercise]]s dexterity regardless of success.{{refsrc|src/lock.c|104|nethack=3.6.7}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|164|nethack=3.6.7}}
-A hero applying a skeleton key to a door in Minetown in view of a [[watch]] member has a {{frac|3}} chance during each action of being interrupted and warned, causing the door to become [[Door trap|trapped]] as well{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|87|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>watch_on_duty</tt> function}} - immediately attempting to lock or unlock that door again will anger the entire watch.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|92|nethack=3.6.7|comment=angers watch if already warned}}
+A hero applying a skeleton key to a door in Minetown in view of a [[watch]] member has a {{frac|3}} chance during each action of being interrupted and warned, causing the door to become [[Door trap|trapped]] as well{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|87|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>watch_on_duty</tt> function}}&mdash;immediately attempting to lock or unlock that door again will anger the entire watch, on top of likely setting off the door trap.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|92|nethack=3.6.7|comment=angers watch if already warned}}
 A hero that applies a skeleton key on a [[mimic]] disguised as a door will uncover the mimic, and the mimic will have a {{frac|2}} chance of absorbing the tool and adding it to its inventory, which is reduced to {{frac|10}} for artifacts.{{refsrc|src/lock.c|465|nethack=3.6.7|comment=unlocking tools and mimics imitating doors}}
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 ==Strategy==
-Skeleton keys are worth carrying for any hero: it is one of the faster methods of locking and unlocking doors for most roles, and is the fastest method of locking and unlocking containers for all roles except the [[Rogue]] - they are also one unit of [[weight]] lighter than [[lock pick]]s, which can be a factor for especially cautious players and highly-efficient packrats. Most heroes will only need one unlocking tool, though they can keep a backup in case the primary one is stolen or permanently lost.
+Skeleton keys are worth carrying for any hero: it is one of the faster methods of locking and unlocking doors for most roles, and is the fastest method of locking and unlocking containers for all roles except the [[Rogue]]&mdash;they are also one unit of [[weight]] lighter than [[lock pick]]s, which can be a factor for especially cautious players and highly-efficient packrats. Most heroes will only need one unlocking tool, though they can keep a backup in case the primary one is stolen or permanently lost.
-Be careful allowing pets to obtain keys, as they will become difficult to keep out of certain rooms (e.g. keeping higher-leveled pets away from shopkeepers and aligned priests). This also means that it is possible (albeit incredibly unlikely in normal play) for a chaotic pet that picks up The Master Key of Thievery to keep it until they are killed or else have it stolen.
+Be careful allowing intelligent pets with hands to obtain keys, as they will become difficult to keep out of certain rooms (e.g. keeping higher-leveled pets away from shopkeepers and [[aligned priest]]s). This also means that it is possible, albeit incredibly unlikely in normal play, for a chaotic pet that picks up The Master Key of Thievery to keep it until they are killed, have it stolen or otherwise made to drop it.
 ==History==

@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], [[Clockwork Automaton (starting race)|clockwork automata]] require skeleton keys in order to be wound up and maintain their "nutrition", since they cannot eat food of any kind. Each turn is worth 10 nutrition, and another non-hostile monster that is [[Intelligent monster|intelligent]] and has hands must perform this action for them: a tame monster will perform the action if the hero [[chat]]s to them, and a peaceful monster can do so if they are paid.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], [[Clockwork Automaton (starting race)|clockwork automata]] heroes require skeleton keys in order to be wound up and maintain their "nutrition", since they cannot eat food of any kind. Each turn is worth 10 nutrition, and another non-hostile monster that is [[Intelligent monster|intelligent]] and has hands must perform this action for them: a tame monster will perform the action for a clockwork hero that [[chat]]s to them, and a peaceful monster can do so if they are paid.
 ===xNetHack===
@@ Line 105: / Line 105: @@
 In [[SpliceHack]], [[Black market (SpliceHack)#One-eyed Sam|One-eyed Sam]] the black marker proprietor is always generated with a skeleton key.
-A lock pick can be created by combining two skeleton keys at a [[furnace]], and two lock picks can be combined at a furnace to create a skeleton key.
+A skeleton key can be created by combining two lock picks at a [[furnace]], and two skeleton keys can be combined to create a lock pick.
 ===EvilHack===
@@ Line 115: / Line 115: @@
 Upgrading a skeleton key will produce a lock pick and vice versa.
-Skeletons may drop skeleton keys made of bone upon death.
+Skeletons may drop skeleton keys made of bone upon death as in xNetHack.
 ==References==

@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 ===dNetHack===
-In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], [[Clockwork Automaton (starting race)|clockwork automata]] require skeleton keys in order to be wound up and maintain their "nutrition", since they cannot eat food of any kind. Each turn is worth 10 nutrition, and another non-hostile monster must perform this action for them: a tame monster will perform the action if the hero [[chat]]s to them, and they can also pay a peaceful monster with hands to wind them up.
+In [[dNetHack]], [[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]], [[Clockwork Automaton (starting race)|clockwork automata]] require skeleton keys in order to be wound up and maintain their "nutrition", since they cannot eat food of any kind. Each turn is worth 10 nutrition, and another non-hostile monster that is [[Intelligent monster|intelligent]] and has hands must perform this action for them: a tame monster will perform the action if the hero [[chat]]s to them, and a peaceful monster can do so if they are paid.
 ===xNetHack===

@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 ==Origin==
 {{wikipedia}}
-A skeleton key is a type of master key whose serrated edge has been removed in such a way that it can open numerous locks, most commonly warded locks: a master key system of lever locks normally has the same lever heights in all locks, and each door will have different or wards so that they can only be opened by the correctly warded key or the master key - the skeleton key's warded section is removed so that it opens all the doors of a system, and is so named because the key has been reduced to its "bare bones" or essential parts. Though skeleton keys are often associated with picking locks for illicit purposes, (e.g. releasing handcuffs), legitimate skeleton or master keys are used in many modern contexts where lock operation is required and the original key has been lost or is not available. In hotels without electronic locks, skeleton keys are used by housekeeping services to enter the rooms.
+A skeleton key is a type of master key whose serrated edge has been removed in such a way that it can open numerous locks, most commonly warded locks: a master key system of lever locks normally has the same lever heights in all locks, and each door will have different or wards so that they can only be opened by the correctly warded key or the master key - the skeleton key's warded section is removed so that it opens all the doors of a system, and is so named because the key has been reduced to its "bare bones" or essential parts. Though skeleton keys are often associated with picking locks for illicit purposes (e.g. releasing handcuffs), legitimate skeleton or master keys are used in many modern contexts where lock operation is required and the original key has been lost or is not available. In hotels without electronic locks, skeleton keys are used by housekeeping services to enter the rooms.
 ==Variants==

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:20, 26 October 2024
Line 76:		Line 76:

	The ability of monsters to unlock doors using keys and other tools is introduced in [[NetHack 3.6.0]] via {{commit\|c1393e508f05dda4c32b292d202c6bc82f48a354}} and {{commit\|74f08dcb224c063dfc71d2e501e6c5ac30fe3714}}.		The ability of monsters to unlock doors using keys and other tools is introduced in [[NetHack 3.6.0]] via {{commit\|c1393e508f05dda4c32b292d202c6bc82f48a354}} and {{commit\|74f08dcb224c063dfc71d2e501e6c5ac30fe3714}}.
		+
		+	==Origin==
		+	{{wikipedia}}
		+	A skeleton key is a type of master key whose serrated edge has been removed in such a way that it can open numerous locks, most commonly warded locks: a master key system of lever locks normally has the same lever heights in all locks, and each door will have different or wards so that they can only be opened by the correctly warded key or the master key - the skeleton key's warded section is removed so that it opens all the doors of a system, and is so named because the key has been reduced to its "bare bones" or essential parts. Though skeleton keys are often associated with picking locks for illicit purposes, (e.g. releasing handcuffs), legitimate skeleton or master keys are used in many modern contexts where lock operation is required and the original key has been lost or is not available. In hotels without electronic locks, skeleton keys are used by housekeeping services to enter the rooms.

	==Variants==		==Variants==

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:36, 21 October 2024
Line 23:		Line 23:

	A hero applying a skeleton key to a door in Minetown in view of a [[watch]] member has a {{frac\|3}} chance during each action of being interrupted and warned, causing the door to become [[Door trap\|trapped]] as well{{refsrc\|src/monmove.c\|87\|nethack=3.6.7\|comment=<tt>watch_on_duty</tt> function}} - immediately attempting to lock or unlock that door again will anger the entire watch.{{refsrc\|src/monmove.c\|92\|nethack=3.6.7\|comment=angers watch if already warned}}		A hero applying a skeleton key to a door in Minetown in view of a [[watch]] member has a {{frac\|3}} chance during each action of being interrupted and warned, causing the door to become [[Door trap\|trapped]] as well{{refsrc\|src/monmove.c\|87\|nethack=3.6.7\|comment=<tt>watch_on_duty</tt> function}} - immediately attempting to lock or unlock that door again will anger the entire watch.{{refsrc\|src/monmove.c\|92\|nethack=3.6.7\|comment=angers watch if already warned}}
		+
		+	A hero that applies a skeleton key on a [[mimic]] disguised as a door will uncover the mimic, and the mimic will have a {{frac\|2}} chance of absorbing the tool and adding it to its inventory, which is reduced to {{frac\|10}} for artifacts.{{refsrc\|src/lock.c\|465\|nethack=3.6.7\|comment=unlocking tools and mimics imitating doors}}

	[[Intelligent monster]]s with [[hand]]s that are not [[tiny]] will pick up a skeleton key and use it to unlock locked doors, and [[pet]]s that can use keys will hold on to them for this purpose.{{refsrc\|src/monmove.c\|47\|nethack=3.6.7}}		[[Intelligent monster]]s with [[hand]]s that are not [[tiny]] will pick up a skeleton key and use it to unlock locked doors, and [[pet]]s that can use keys will hold on to them for this purpose.{{refsrc\|src/monmove.c\|47\|nethack=3.6.7}}

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 ==Description==
-[[Applying]] a skeleton key towards a [[door]] or lockable [[container]] will lock it if unlocked, or unlock it if locked, with the chance of the [[hero]] succeeding dependent on their [[dexterity]]: there is a (70+Dex)% chance of success for doors and a (75+Dex)% chance for containers, and the chance of unlocking a container is halved if the key is cursed.{{refsrc|src/lock.c|428|nethack=3.6.7|comment=skeleton keys and containers}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|434|nethack=3.6.7|comment=cursed unlocking tools}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|510|nethack=3.6.7|comment=skeleton keys and doors}} This chance is calculated and rolled during each turn of the [[occupation]] until the hero either succeeds, is interrupted or gives up after 50 turns - a complete (non-interrupted) attempt to use a skeleton key [[exercise]]s dexterity.
+[[Applying]] a skeleton key towards a [[door]] or lockable [[container]] will lock it if unlocked, or unlock it if locked, with the chance of the [[hero]] succeeding dependent on their [[dexterity]]: there is a (70+Dex)% chance of success for doors and a (75+Dex)% chance for containers, and the chance of unlocking a container is halved if the key is cursed.{{refsrc|src/lock.c|428|nethack=3.6.7|comment=skeleton keys and containers}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|434|nethack=3.6.7|comment=cursed unlocking tools}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|510|nethack=3.6.7|comment=skeleton keys and doors}} This chance is calculated and rolled during each action of the [[occupation]] until the hero either succeeds, is interrupted or gives up after 50 turns - a completed attempt to use a skeleton key [[exercise]]s dexterity regardless of success.
-A hero applying a skeleton key to a door in Minetown in view of a [[watch]] member has a {{frac|3}} chance each turn of being interrupted and warned, causing the door to become [[Door trap|trapped]] as well - immediately attempting to lock or unlock that door again will anger the entire watch.
+A hero applying a skeleton key to a door in Minetown in view of a [[watch]] member has a {{frac|3}} chance during each action of being interrupted and warned, causing the door to become [[Door trap|trapped]] as well{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|87|nethack=3.6.7|comment=<tt>watch_on_duty</tt> function}} - immediately attempting to lock or unlock that door again will anger the entire watch.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|92|nethack=3.6.7|comment=angers watch if already warned}}
-[[Intelligent monster]]s with [[hand]]s that pick up a skeleton key will use it to unlock locked doors, and [[pet]]s that can use keys will hold on to them for this purpose.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|47|nethack=3.6.7}}
+[[Intelligent monster]]s with [[hand]]s that are not [[tiny]] will pick up a skeleton key and use it to unlock locked doors, and [[pet]]s that can use keys will hold on to them for this purpose.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|47|nethack=3.6.7}}
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|b12ea03d110dd3cd55104e623510d5da0809b5cd}}, intelligent monsters will also use keys to unlock containers.}}
+{{upcoming|3.7.0|Per {{commit|b12ea03d110dd3cd55104e623510d5da0809b5cd}}, intelligent monsters with hands will also use keys to unlock containers.}}
 ==Strategy==
-Skeleton keys are worth carrying for any hero: it is one of the faster methods of locking and unlocking doors for most roles, and is the fastest method of locking and unlocking containers for all roles except the [[Rogue]] - they are also one unit of [[weight]] lighter than lock picks, which can be a factor for especially cautious players and highly-efficient packrats. Most heroes will only need one unlocking tool, though they can keep a backup in case the primary one is stolen or permanently lost.
+Skeleton keys are worth carrying for any hero: it is one of the faster methods of locking and unlocking doors for most roles, and is the fastest method of locking and unlocking containers for all roles except the [[Rogue]] - they are also one unit of [[weight]] lighter than [[lock pick]]s, which can be a factor for especially cautious players and highly-efficient packrats. Most heroes will only need one unlocking tool, though they can keep a backup in case the primary one is stolen or permanently lost.
 Be careful allowing pets to obtain keys, as they will become difficult to keep out of certain rooms (e.g. keeping higher-leveled pets away from shopkeepers and aligned priests). This also means that it is possible (albeit incredibly unlikely in normal play) for a chaotic pet that picks up The Master Key of Thievery to keep it until they are killed or else have it stolen.
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 The skeleton key first appears alongside other unlocking tools in [[NetHack 3.0.0]] - from this version to [[NetHack 3.0.10]], including variants based on those versions, there are also special shaped keys that fit specific locks on [[chest]]s and [[large box]]es: a triangular key can only open a container with a triangular keyhole, while a skeleton key can be used for any keyhole, but locks and unlocks slower in comparison.
-Below is a list of keys and the locks that they fit in [[NetHack 3.0.10]]:
+Below is a list of keys in NetHack 3.0.10 and the locks that they fit in:
 {|class="wikitable"
@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 ===SLASH'EM===
-In [[SLASH'EM]], non-artifact skeleton keys that are not blessed have a {{frac|15}} chance of breaking when applied.{{refsrc|lock.c|412|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=skeleton keys and containers}}{{refsrc|lock.c|515|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=skeleton keys and doors}} This makes it useful for a hero to keep multiple unlocking tools on hand. Monsters cannot use skeleton keys.
+In [[SLASH'EM]], non-artifact skeleton keys that are not blessed have a {{frac|15}} chance of breaking when applied.{{refsrc|lock.c|412|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=skeleton keys and containers}}{{refsrc|lock.c|515|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2|comment=skeleton keys and doors}} This makes it useful for a hero to keep multiple unlocking tools on hand, which can be safely ditched once they can bless a couple or else obtain an artifact tool. Monsters cannot use skeleton keys.
-SLASH'EM adds the three [[Alignment key (SLASH'EM)|alignment keys]], which are [[intelligent artifact]]s that correspond to each of the three alignments: at least two of the three are required to unlock the artifact doors on the top floor of [[Vlad's Tower]], and a hero can also use the key of their alignment to reliably lock and unlock doors and containers without the key breaking.
+[[Upgrading]] a [[credit card]] or lock pick will produce a skeleton key, and upgrading a skeleton key will produce a lock pick.
 ==References==

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 ==Description==
-[[Applying]] a skeleton key towards a [[door]] or lockable [[container]] will lock it if unlocked, or unlock it if locked: the chance of the [[hero]] succeeding is [[dexterity]]-based, with a (70+Dex)% chance for doors and a (75+Dex)% chance for boxes, and the chance of unlocking a container is halved if the key is cursed.{{refsrc|src/lock.c|428|nethack=3.6.7|comment=skeleton keys and containers}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|434|nethack=3.6.7|comment=cursed unlocking tools}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|510|nethack=3.6.7|comment=skeleton keys and doors}} A hero applying a skeleton key to a door in Minetown in view of a [[watch]] member has a {{frac|3}} chance each turn of being interrupted and warned, causing the door to become [[Door trap|trapped]] as well - attempting to
+[[Applying]] a skeleton key towards a [[door]] or lockable [[container]] will lock it if unlocked, or unlock it if locked: the chance of the [[hero]] succeeding is [[dexterity]]-based, with a (70+Dex)% chance for doors and a (75+Dex)% chance for boxes, and the chance of unlocking a container is halved if the key is cursed.{{refsrc|src/lock.c|428|nethack=3.6.7|comment=skeleton keys and containers}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|434|nethack=3.6.7|comment=cursed unlocking tools}}{{refsrc|src/lock.c|510|nethack=3.6.7|comment=skeleton keys and doors}} A hero applying a skeleton key to a door in Minetown in view of a [[watch]] member has a {{frac|3}} chance each turn of being interrupted and warned, causing the door to become [[Door trap|trapped]] as well - immediately attempting to lock or unlock that door again will anger the entire watch.
 [[Intelligent monster]]s with [[hand]]s that pick up a key will use it to unlock locked doors, and [[pet]]s that can use keys will hold on to them for this purpose.{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|47|nethack=3.6.7}}