Stealing from shops - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2024-06-07T09:07:32Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: lede, pothole

2024-03-10T16:28:09Z

lede, pothole

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2023-11-12T08:30:36Z

pothole

Kahran042: Looks better this way, IMHO.

2023-06-21T02:08:10Z

Looks better this way, IMHO.

Umbire the Phantom: /* Direct theft */ section lede + upcoming

2023-06-21T01:37:50Z

‎Direct theft: section lede + upcoming

Ion frigate: Flute works better because it can't miss - however, it's actually slightly more likely to be resisted by the shopkeeper's MR

2022-11-04T11:13:42Z

Flute works better because it can't miss - however, it's actually slightly more likely to be resisted by the shopkeeper's MR

Ion frigate: Monster MR makes this pretty risky

2022-11-04T11:08:07Z

Monster MR makes this pretty risky

Furrykef: /* Consequences of theft */ sp

2022-01-03T05:58:28Z

‎Consequences of theft: sp

Actual-nh: /* Direct theft */ Try to clarify

2021-05-23T15:30:13Z

‎Direct theft: Try to clarify

Umbire the Phantom at 03:52, 12 January 2020

2020-01-12T03:52:09Z

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 When you leave the shop without paying off debts in most cases, an alarm sounds and the [[Keystone Kop (monster class)|Keystone Kops]] are summoned.
-* ''Kill the shopkeeper'': This carries the usual [[murder]] penalties, as well as being somewhat suicidal for a weak character. The presence of some items - especially a [[wand of death]] or (wand-shattering!) [[Mjollnir]] - will make this safer; indeed, this can be the best way for you to obtain such expensive items. [[Cockatrice corpse]]s also work well.
+* ''Kill the shopkeeper'': This carries the usual [[murder]] penalties, as well as being somewhat suicidal for a weak character. The presence of some items - especially a [[wand of death]] or (wand-shattering!) [[Mjollnir]] - will make this safer; indeed, this can be the best way for you to obtain such expensive items. [[Cockatrice]] [[corpse]]s also work well.
 * ''Teleport the shopkeeper'': This works if you want to avoid Kops and murder, and angers the shopkeeper unless he lands in his shop. Grab all the items you want, teleport the shopkeeper, then make a run for it, or dig down with a slow implement like a pick-axe. Note that the shopkeeper will be angered if he is teleported out of his shop by ''any'' means, even if you are not (directly) related - a quantum mechanic hitting the shopkeeper during conflict will result in the shopkeeper becoming angry at '''you'''.
 * ''Polymorph the shopkeeper'': For a weaker character, a properly identified [[wand of polymorph]] can be used to polymorph and then kill a shopkeeper. This allows the player to take all the items for free and carries no penalties (except for the 1-in-25 chance of [[system shock]], which counts as [[murder]], and the risk of creating a monster that could kill you.)  Note that due to their 50 [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR]] and 12 [[HD]], shopkeepers will resist the wand half the time, potentially leaving the character facing a still-human and now angry shopkeeper.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Players can get [[item]]s from [[shop]]s without paying [[zorkmid]]s for them by '''stealing''' desired objects.
+In ''[[NetHack]]'', players can '''steal from [[shop]]s''' to obtain desired [[item]]s without paying [[zorkmid]]s for them.
 == Shopkeeper prevention ==
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 * ''Use a [[pick-axe]] to dig a hole out of the shop.'' If the shopkeeper is adjacent, he or she will grab your "pack", thus taking everything in your inventory! This is punishment for making a hole in the shop floor.
 * ''Teleport, [[throw]], or [[kick]] any items out of the shop.'' The shopkeeper will charge you for the items, as if you now own them.
-* ''Walk out through a gap in the wall.'' Shopkeepers configure their shop walls to magically heal. Even if a [[dwarf]] or [[Umber hulk]] came by and left a gap while entering or exiting the shop, the gap will heal after 5 turns, assuming that there is no monster in the way.{{refsrc|eshk.h|8}}{{refsrc|shk.c|3073}}
+* ''Walk out through a gap in the wall.'' Shopkeepers configure their shop walls to magically heal. Even if a [[Dwarf (monster)|dwarf]] or [[umber hulk]] came by and left a gap while entering or exiting the shop, the gap will heal after 5 turns, assuming that there is no monster in the way.{{refsrc|eshk.h|8}}{{refsrc|shk.c|3073}}
 * ''Try to trap the shopkeeper with a [[bear trap]] or [[landmine]].'' The shopkeeper will disarm and pick up the trap after 5 turns.

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 ==Direct theft==
-When you leave the shop without paying off debts in most cases, an alarm sounds and the [[Keystone Kops]] are summoned.
+When you leave the shop without paying off debts in most cases, an alarm sounds and the [[Keystone Kop (monster class)|Keystone Kops]] are summoned.
 * ''Kill the shopkeeper'': This carries the usual [[murder]] penalties, as well as being somewhat suicidal for a weak character. The presence of some items - especially a [[wand of death]] or (wand-shattering!) [[Mjollnir]] - will make this safer; indeed, this can be the best way for you to obtain such expensive items. [[Cockatrice corpse]]s also work well.

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 * ''Put the shopkeeper to sleep'': A wand of sleep can put shopkeepers to sleep, but the sleep [[ray]] can miss, and even if it hits the shopkeeper has a 50% chance of resisting. A [[magic flute]] cannot miss, although the shopkeeper has a slightly higher chance of resisting the effect.
-{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Shopkeepers will now remove pits webs as well.}}
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Shopkeepers will now remove pits and webs as well.}}
 ==Bug exploits==

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 ==Direct theft==
 * ''Kill the shopkeeper'': This carries the usual [[murder]] penalties, as well as being somewhat suicidal for a weak character. The presence of some items - especially a [[wand of death]] or (wand-shattering!) [[Mjollnir]] - will make this safer; indeed, this can be the best way for you to obtain such expensive items. [[Cockatrice corpse]]s also work well.
-* ''Teleport the shopkeeper'': This works if you want to avoid Kops and murder. This angers the shopkeeper unless he lands in his shop. Grab all the items you want, teleport the shopkeeper, then make a run for it, or dig down with a slow implement like a pick-axe. Note that the shopkeeper will be angered if he is teleported out of his shop by ''any'' means, even if you are not (directly) related. A quantum mechanic hitting the shopkeeper during conflict will result in the shopkeeper becoming angry at '''you'''.
+* ''Teleport the shopkeeper'': This works if you want to avoid Kops and murder, and angers the shopkeeper unless he lands in his shop. Grab all the items you want, teleport the shopkeeper, then make a run for it, or dig down with a slow implement like a pick-axe. Note that the shopkeeper will be angered if he is teleported out of his shop by ''any'' means, even if you are not (directly) related - a quantum mechanic hitting the shopkeeper during conflict will result in the shopkeeper becoming angry at '''you'''.
 * ''Polymorph the shopkeeper'': For a weaker character, a properly identified [[wand of polymorph]] can be used to polymorph and then kill a shopkeeper. This allows the player to take all the items for free and carries no penalties (except for the 1-in-25 chance of [[system shock]], which counts as [[murder]], and the risk of creating a monster that could kill you.)  Note that due to their 50 [[Magic resistance (monster)|MR]] and 12 [[HD]], shopkeepers will resist the wand half the time, potentially leaving the character facing a still-human and now angry shopkeeper.
-*''Dig out of the shop with unpaid items'': If you have no means of protection from the shopkeeper, you should use a fast method, like a [[wand of digging]] (not a pick-axe). If you can surround the shopkeeper with traps, monsters, or [[boulder]]s, the shopkeeper will be unable to reach you and you can slowly dig out; keep in mind, though, that shopkeepers are generated with a [[wand of striking]] and sometimes also a [[wand of magic missile]]. You can also surround yourself with [[boulder]]s and dig your way out. Finally, if the shop is large enough, even a slow implement like a pick-axe will allow you to escape. If you dig a hole downwards, the shopkeeper may follow you through your hole. If the shop is too small to use your wand of digging, you can still zap it horizontally, walk out, and let the Kops shield you from the shopkeeper when you zap it down.<br/>Reading the source, it seems the shopkeeper will always grab your non-worn/wielded items and fall down with you unless:
+* ''Dig out of the shop with unpaid items'': If you have no means of protection from the shopkeeper, you should use a fast method, like a [[wand of digging]] (not a pick-axe). If you can surround the shopkeeper with traps, monsters, or [[boulder]]s, the shopkeeper will be unable to reach you and you can slowly dig out; keep in mind, though, that shopkeepers are generated with a [[wand of striking]] and sometimes also a [[wand of magic missile]]. You can also surround yourself with [[boulder]]s and dig your way out. Finally, if the shop is large enough, even a slow implement like a pick-axe will allow you to escape. If you dig a hole downwards, the shopkeeper may follow you through your hole. If the shop is too small to use your wand of digging, you can still zap it horizontally, walk out, and let the Kops shield you from the shopkeeper when you zap it down.<br/>Reading the source, it seems the shopkeeper will always grab your non-worn/wielded items and fall down with you unless:
 *#there is no available square next to you where he could teleport to
 *#you are not in a radius 5 square centered on the shopkeeper
@@ Line 48: / Line 49: @@
 * ''Put the shopkeeper to sleep'': A wand of sleep can put shopkeepers to sleep, but the sleep [[ray]] can miss, and even if it hits the shopkeeper has a 50% chance of resisting. A [[magic flute]] cannot miss, although the shopkeeper has a slightly higher chance of resisting the effect.
-When you leave the shop, an alarm sounds and the [[Keystone Kops]] are summoned.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Shopkeepers will now remove pits webs as well.}}
 ==Bug exploits==

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 * ''Levelport'': Pick up all the items you would like to steal and [[levelport]], e.g. through a cursed or confused [[scroll of teleportation]] or a cursed [[potion of gain level]].  The typical alarm will sound and the keystone kops will be after you on the level that the shop is located.  Controlled levelporting is safe, as long as you can deal with the enemies if you go back to the shop level.  Uncontrolled levelporting carries the usual risks.
 * It is possible to ''accidentally'' steal from a shop if you have uncontrolled [[teleportitis]]. This can be avoided by dropping gold in the shop to establish credit. Any items taken out of the shop without paying will be deducted from your credit.
-* ''Put the shopkeeper to sleep'': This method seems to work better with a magic flute than with a wand of sleep.
+* ''Put the shopkeeper to sleep'': A wand of sleep can put shopkeepers to sleep, but the sleep [[ray]] can miss, and even if it hits the shopkeeper has a 50% chance of resisting. A [[magic flute]] cannot miss, although the shopkeeper has a slightly higher chance of resisting the effect.
 When you leave the shop, an alarm sounds and the [[Keystone Kops]] are summoned.

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 Indirect theft carries no in-game consequences. [[Death by boredom|Tedium]] and the chance a gecko will kill you if you are holding down the '.' key are the chief dangers.
-Direct theft, however, is dangerous. First of all, successfully stealing from a shop summons Keystone Kops – they are numerous, but for higher level characters they are merely more of a nuisance. The larger worry is the shopkeeper, who tends to be both high level and equipped with dangerous wands, usually a [[wand of striking]] and/or [[wand of magic missle|magic missle]]. One extremely helpful technique is to dig a series of [[pit]] traps outside of the entrance to the shop – this will hinder the shopkeeper if he tries to leave the shop and pursue you. However, be careful when doing this in Minetown, as the watchmen will become hostile if they fall into your pit traps.
+Direct theft, however, is dangerous. First of all, successfully stealing from a shop summons Keystone Kops – they are numerous, but for higher level characters they are merely more of a nuisance. The larger worry is the shopkeeper, who tends to be both high level and equipped with dangerous wands, usually a [[wand of striking]] and/or [[wand of magic missile|magic missile]]. One extremely helpful technique is to dig a series of [[pit]] traps outside of the entrance to the shop – this will hinder the shopkeeper if he tries to leave the shop and pursue you. However, be careful when doing this in Minetown, as the watchmen will become hostile if they fall into your pit traps.
 The Keystone Kops are only summoned if you leave the shop without paying with the shopkeeper present. Killing the shopkeeper, or teleporting him out of his store, does not generate Kops.