Sokoban - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: potholes and word choice

2026-05-18T22:34:28Z

potholes and word choice

Umbire the Phantom: move to history section

2026-04-14T18:06:54Z

move to history section

Ais523: /* Stash location */ rm outdated advice: in 3.6.7 Sokoban guilt does not apply once the level is completed

2026-04-14T17:56:53Z

‎Stash location: rm outdated advice: in 3.6.7 Sokoban guilt does not apply once the level is completed

Umbire the Phantom: need to verify this at some point or other...

2026-02-11T06:07:53Z

need to verify this at some point or other...

Umbire the Phantom: restore cited commits

2026-01-23T21:53:56Z

restore cited commits

Phol ende wodan: Heavy rewrite: move Sokoban rules into the Description section, making the Level descriptions section its own top-level one that describes only the levels. Move a couple 3.7 sokoban pet rules into Description, and 0 for boulders into Strategy.

2026-01-23T21:01:48Z

Heavy rewrite: move Sokoban rules into the Description section, making the Level descriptions section its own top-level one that describes only the levels. Move a couple 3.7 sokoban pet rules into Description, and 0 for boulders into Strategy.

Umbire the Phantom: /* Out-of-game practice */ fragment, better description for twonegatives

2025-11-30T06:14:57Z

‎Out-of-game practice: fragment, better description for twonegatives

Umbire the Phantom: followup, separate dispersemedia and nethackathon resources for clarity

2025-11-30T06:13:52Z

followup, separate dispersemedia and nethackathon resources for clarity

Joeljpa: /* Out-of-game practice */ improve #annotate and merge alternative url entry

2025-11-23T14:43:51Z

‎Out-of-game practice: improve #annotate and merge alternative url entry

Joeljpa: /* Out-of-game practice */ gurrhack no longer in Play store, replace url

2025-11-23T14:38:44Z

‎Out-of-game practice: gurrhack no longer in Play store, replace url

@@ Line 333: / Line 333: @@
 ** An [[aklys]] is the ideal choice, as it returns to your hand for repeated throwing, and can easily be obtained from the [[Gnome (monster class)|gnomes]] in the [[Gnomish Mines|Mines]]. Note that there is a {{frac|100}} chance of it failing to return, so have a spare or some other solution available.
 ** If the monster is a coaligned [[unicorn]], you risk a large luck penalty for killing it; if you determine by whatever means that the monster is a coaligned unicorn, you can toss gems to it to compensate for the inevitable luck hit. Sokoban is no-teleport, so the unicorn cannot leave of its own accord. Also, you cannot kill unicorns with rocks, an easily accessible missile weapon.
-** Force bolts and the wand of striking will destroy boulders, but other methods are safe. [[Pacifist]]s may want to strip naked and [[displace]] their [[pet]] onto the [[boulder]]. If you have a [[magic whistle]], you can stand next to the boulder and apply the whistle until your pet appears on the other side of the boulder. Let your pet kill the obstructing monster and then use the whistle to get them out of the way.
+** Force bolts and the wand of striking will destroy boulders, but other methods are safe. [[Pacifist]]s may want to strip naked and squeeze onto the boulder's square, then [[Displacing monsters|displace]] their [[pet]] onto the [[boulder]]. If you have a [[magic whistle]], you can stand next to the boulder and apply the whistle until your pet appears on the other side of the boulder. Let your pet kill the obstructing monster and then use the whistle to get them out of the way.
 * Hit the boulder with a [[wand of teleport]] (no luck penalty) after you finish as many other boulders as possible. While the new location may not be better than the old one, it often can't be much worse.
@@ Line 431: / Line 431: @@
 Sokoban in [[DynaHack]] has three floors and uses maps from both UnNetHack and SLASH'EM, among other variants. The random rings and wands that are normally scattered in Sokoban are instead placed within a sack on Sokoban's final level, with the standard prizes moved to [[Mines' End]], making the Sokoban branch more optional.
-The prize selection is derived from earlier versions of UnNetHack: the choices are a bag of holding, a cloak of magic resistance or [[Cloak of displacement|displacement]], and an amulet of reflection, {{of|amulet|life saving|or=1|ESP}}.
+The prize selection is derived from earlier versions of UnNetHack: the choices are a bag of holding, a cloak of magic resistance or displacement, and an amulet of reflection, {{of|amulet|life saving|or=1|ESP}}.
 ===NetHack Fourk===

@@ Line 373: / Line 373: @@
 ==History==
-Sokoban first appears in [[NetHack 3.3.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including some variants based on these versions, luck penalties apply for [[#Sokoban and luck|most of the aforementioned actions]] minus jumping, even if the level is solved. In addition, the prize for the last Sokoban level does not have a cursed scroll of scare monster present, and depends on which final level map was generated: Sokoban Level 4a always has a bag of holding, and Sokoban Level 4b always has an amulet of reflection.
+Sokoban first appears in [[NetHack 3.3.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 3.4.3]], including some variants based on these versions, luck penalties apply for [[#Sokoban and luck|most of the aforementioned actions]] minus jumping, and will be applied even if it occurs on a solved level. In addition, the prize for the last Sokoban level does not have a cursed scroll of scare monster present, and depends on which final level map was generated: Sokoban Level 4a always has a bag of holding, and Sokoban Level 4b always has an amulet of reflection. A commonplace strategy when [[altar farming]] using an [[altar]] on or near the Sokoban level in these versions is to take deliberate luck penalties in the branch in order to avoid [[crowning]].
-Starting in [[NetHack 3.6.0]], the current rules regarding luck and boulder movement are applied, the cursed scroll of scare monster is generated on the prize square, and both final levels have a {{frac|2}} chance (50%) of either prize item.
+Starting in [[NetHack 3.6.0]], the current rules regarding luck and boulder movement are introduced, as is the cursed scroll of scare monster generated on the prize square, and both final levels have a {{frac|2}} chance (50%) of either prize item.
 ==Origin==

@@ Line 356: / Line 356: @@
 * There are spare boulders which can be used to further block off a [[safe area]].
 * There is a long corridor which can be used for [[polypiling]].
 ===Out-of-game practice===

@@ Line 399: / Line 399: @@
 Some of the new Sokoban levels have [[iron bars]] - a [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]] character can [[liquid leap]] through them, though this will incur a luck penalty, and the bars cannot be crossed by any other means (e.g., by polyself into a small or [[slithy]] monster such as a [[snake]]).
-Several public server versions of SLASH'EM include a patch that adds the [[acid hound]], which corrodes the floor to create pits when killed; these can be very troublesome if they appear in Sokoban, as they may make solving the level impossible without using a scroll of earth.
+Some public server versions of SLASH'EM include a patch that adds the [[acid hound]], which corrodes the floor to create pits when killed; these can be very troublesome if they appear in Sokoban, as they may make solving the level impossible without using a scroll of earth.
 ===NetHack brass===

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 * Level teleportation does not work, and will not work even after the level is solved.
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|* Pets will avoid the space opposite a boulder from you while in Sokoban.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|The following mechanical changes are added per {{commit|d4ac146c5f8bf28d5553300e08e5addf13a96405}} and {{commit|f12635ccd91b21bf8038880043a5244b3e0371d8}}:
 * Monsters will not generate in the corridor containing the pits and holes, in order to avoid one appearing there while you are already pushing the boulder down the corridor and getting stuck between the boulder and a hole.}}

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 ==Description==
-There are a total of 8 maps for Sokoban, with two for each of the four floors. The levels are ascending in dungeon depth (i.e., the 2nd level is above the 1st etc); however, monster difficulty increases as if descending to lower dungeon levels. Sokoban in ''NetHack'' is further complicated by the presence of [[monster]]s in the puzzles, so some concessions have been made:
+There are a total of 8 maps for Sokoban, with two for each of the four floors. The levels ascend in dungeon depth (i.e., the 2nd level is above the 1st etc); however, [[level difficulty]] increases as if descending to lower dungeon levels. Sokoban in ''NetHack'' is further complicated by the presence of [[monster]]s in the puzzles. It is possible to solve every Sokoban level just by moving boulders around orthogonally.
-* Diagonal moves of the boulders are still not allowed, but the player character may move diagonally if there is space to do so, and may also attack, fire or cast spells diagonally.
+===Luck penalties===
-* It is possible to create or destroy boulders (e.g. with a {{spell of|force bolt}} or a [[wand of striking]]), as well as move over them in limited circumstances, but a [[luck]] penalty is applied for each offense.
+There are some actions that the original Sokoban game does not allow that are legal in ''NetHack'', but are considered "cheating" and apply a -1 penalty to luck until the level has been solved.
-* Other spells, wands and projectiles can be shot past boulders as normal.
+* Breaking a boulder.
-If playing with text mode, you might want to change the [[Options#boulder|boulder symbol]] to {{lightgray|0}}.
+The following actions are arguably cheating at Sokoban, but do ''not'' incur a luck penalty:
-===Level descriptions===
+==Level descriptions==
-All walls in Sokoban are undiggable and block [[phasing]]; the floor is undiggable only on the first level. All levels are no-teleport, and it is impossible for the player to level-teleport between Sokoban levels. Each level is fully mapped upon arrival.
+All walls in Sokoban are undiggable and block [[phasing]]; the floor is undiggable only on the first level. All levels are no-teleport.
 On each level, there is one random [[ring]], one random [[wand]], and four (stacks of) [[comestible]]s randomly placed around the map. Additionally, the final floor of the branch contains a [[treasure zoo]] guarding a [[bag of holding]] or [[amulet of reflection]] in one of three [[closet]]s, with an equal chance of each item.{{refsrc|dat/sokoban.des|530|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}{{refsrc|dat/sokoban.des|631|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}) The prize sits on a burnt [[Elbereth]] and a cursed [[scroll of scare monster]], and both prize items are generated normally.
@@ Line 272: / Line 297: @@
 </replacecharsblock>}}</div>
 |}
 ==Strategy==
@@ Line 299: / Line 302: @@
 For level-specific strategies, see the articles on the level maps linked above.
 ===Puzzle===
@@ Line 313: / Line 318: @@
 * Be aware of mimics imitating boulders. Unlike real boulders, mimics will not appear until they are in your line of sight, but a space containing a boulder may also contain a mimic mimicking a boulder, if that makes sense. You can move diagonally between mimicked boulders.
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|Displacement of peaceful monsters is now possible, making it much easier to move them out of the path.
+{{upcoming|3.7.0|Displacement of peaceful monsters is now possible, making it much easier to move them out of the path, and monsters will not generate in the corridor of pits or holes.}}
 ===Stuck boulders===

@@ Line 361: / Line 361: @@
 * And if all else fails, you can practice in [[wizard mode]] on a local build or on mobile (e.g. with [https://github.com/gurrhack/NetHack-Android/releases the Nethack Android port by gurr])&mdash;in wizard mode, use {{kbd|ctrl|v}} to level teleport to Sokoban's entrance, and use the #wizmakemap [[extended command]] and then and using [[Wizard mode]]. Use the [[Wizard_mode#Commands|level teleport option]], go to the entry to Sokoban, and use the recreate map option to try again.
-Additionally, the
+Additionally, there are several web sites that host resources for Sokoban:
-* [http://nhss.twonegatives.com/ An implementation of nhss] in clojurescript
+* [http://nhss.twonegatives.com/ twonegatives.com] hosts an implementation of nhss in clojurescript.
 * [https://nethackathon.org/annotate/ #annotate at NetHackathon], a companion app that offers Sokoban practice alongside other resources&mdash;users can flip levels horizontally or vertically (for use with [[NetHack 3.7.0]], which enables level flipping for Sokoban), and can also record their solutions.
 * [https://dispersemedia.com/sokoban/ dispersemedia.com] offers a standalone Sokoban simulator that also has level flipping and can track local scores per client.

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
   |digwalls=no
 }}
 '''Sokoban''' ("warehouse keeper" in Japanese) is a [[branch]] of the dungeon in ''[[NetHack]]'' that is modeled on and named after a game where a character is navigated through a series of levels. The object is to move objects to cover goal squares.
@@ Line 355: / Line 354: @@
 ===Out-of-game practice===
-There are various ways you can do this on your computer.
+You can also practice Sokoban through various methods on your own computer:
-*[http://github.com/hackedhead/nhss nhss] (originally by IanK of [http://iank.org/ iank.org]) is a C/terminal tool that sets up a Nethack-like environment (basic movement and boulder pushing only) that can be used to figure a level out before actually playing it, thus reducing the chances of rendering a level unsolvable. It can also record sessions and play them back step by step.
+* [http://github.com/hackedhead/nhss nhss] (originally by IanK of [http://iank.org/ iank.org]) is a C/terminal tool that sets up a Nethack-like environment (basic movement and boulder pushing only) to figure a level out before actually playing it, thus reducing the chances of rendering a level unsolvable. It can also record sessions and play them back step by step.
-*Unaffiliated but related to nhss, [http://www.electricmonk.nl/Miscellaneous/Nethack Nethack's Sokoban levels for various Sokoban implementations] (XSok, Sokoban++, YSokoban, Universal Sokoban format and Games 4 Brains Sokoban format) which you can use to practice the levels in other Sokoban games.
+* Related to nhss, [http://www.electricmonk.nl/Miscellaneous/Nethack Nethack's Sokoban levels for various Sokoban implementations] (XSok, Sokoban++, YSokoban, Universal Sokoban format and Games 4 Brains Sokoban format) which you can use to practice the levels in other Sokoban games.
-*Even more unaffiliated with any of the above, [http://joshua.tejat.net/private/public/nh-soko.zip Nethack's Sokoban levels] for [http://www.nongnu.org/enigma/ Enigma].
+* [http://joshua.tejat.net/private/public/nh-soko.zip Nethack's Sokoban levels] for [http://www.nongnu.org/enigma/ Enigma] also provides a method of practicing levels.
-*You can practise it on mobile with [https://github.com/gurrhack/NetHack-Android/releases the Nethack Android port by gurr] and using [[Wizard mode]]. Use the [[Wizard_mode#Commands|level teleport option]], go to the entry to Sokoban, and use the recreate map option to try again.
+* And if all else fails, you can practice in [[wizard mode]] on a local build or on mobile (e.g. with [https://github.com/gurrhack/NetHack-Android/releases the Nethack Android port by gurr])&mdash;in wizard mode, use {{kbd|ctrl|v}} to level teleport to Sokoban's entrance, and use the #wizmakemap [[extended command]] and then and using [[Wizard mode]]. Use the [[Wizard_mode#Commands|level teleport option]], go to the entry to Sokoban, and use the recreate map option to try again.
-Some web apps links where you can practise:
+Additionally, the
-* [http://nhss.twonegatives.com/ An unaffiliated version of nhss], also called NHSS
+* [http://nhss.twonegatives.com/ An implementation of nhss] in clojurescript
-* [https://nethackathon.org/annotate/ #annotate at NetHackathon], a companion app that has Sokoban practice besides price identification, tracking intrinsic abilities and personal notes. It allows you flip the levels for practice with the level flipping introduced in [[NetHack 3.7.0]], and records user solutions. Here is  [https://dispersemedia.com/sokoban/ an alternative url] to just the standalone Sokoban app.
+* [https://nethackathon.org/annotate/ #annotate at NetHackathon], a companion app that offers Sokoban practice alongside other resources&mdash;users can flip levels horizontally or vertically (for use with [[NetHack 3.7.0]], which enables level flipping for Sokoban), and can also record their solutions.
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20200131120459/http://www.erimsever.com:80/sokoban.htm Sokoban Erim via Wayback Archive - a comprehensive collection of Sokoban resources]
+* [https://dispersemedia.com/sokoban/ dispersemedia.com] offers a standalone Sokoban simulator that also has level flipping and can track local scores per client.
 ==History==