Difference between revisions of "Boulder"

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A '''boulder''' is a huge stone, represented by {{lightgray|`}} by default (customisable through the <tt>[[Options#boulder|boulder]]</tt> option). Although technically considered [[item]]s, they behave differently from other items in many ways. If you move onto a [[square]] containing a boulder, you will try to push it to the next square in line.  If this fails, you will be unable to enter the square, unless your inventory is almost empty (except for [[Zorkmid|gold]]). Pushing boulders [[exercise]]s the player's [[strength]], and can be used as a "gym" to make a weak character stronger.
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A '''boulder''', {{lightgray|`}}, is a type of huge stone [[object]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. Although boulders are considered items, they tend to behave similar to a [[dungeon feature]]: they are large enough to block line of sight, and are too heavy for [[you]] to lift normally; furthermore, you cannot move to a space occupied by a boulder under most circumstances, though you can push them.
  
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Non-[[phasing]] monsters cannot enter a square containing a boulder, except for [[giant]]s. Giants may stand over and pick up boulders and throw them. A boulder thrown at you ends up on your square, and you may move off it as normal, but cannot re-enter the square without pushing the boulder out of the way. If [[polymorph]]ed into a giant, you can do the same. Boulders in your inventory while you are a giant have no weight, and you can pick one up even if carrying 52 or more other objects, like a [[loadstone]] (it will then be assigned the # inventory slot).
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The boulder symbol is customizable through the <tt>[[Options#boulder|boulder]]</tt> option; many players choose to change the symbol for boulders to make them more noticeable. Zero, {{lightgray|0}}, is a popular choice.
  
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Boulders block line of sight. Monsters cannot attack through boulders, but you can use missile weapons, wands, and spells to attack through them. [[wand of striking|Wands of striking]] or [[force bolt|spells of force bolt]] will shatter boulders, but other wands and spells (specifically the [[wand of digging]]) will pass over them with no effect on the boulder. Monsters will usually not zap a wand of striking at boulders intentionally, but they may do so as a side effect of targeting you.
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==Generation==
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Boulders are usually randomly placed during level creation, and are generally found in corridors or as part of [[rolling boulder trap]]s.
  
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Boulders can be used to block corridors, doorways and [[pit]]s. Boulders are especially useful for crossing [[Moat#Destroying_water|water]]: push them into water and they will create new dry land for you to walk (9/10 chance). If the boulder sinks without a trace, just try again with another boulder.
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Reading a [[scroll of earth]] will cause one or several boulders to fall; if read while confused, several [[rock]]s will fall instead. Reading an uncursed scroll will cause one to fall in each square around you ''and'' on you, and reading a blessed scroll omits the boulder that would land on you - reading a cursed scroll causes a single boulder to fall on you. Monsters can also read this scroll with the same effects, though they are less likely to do so unless wearing a hard [[helm]].
  
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Boulders are sometimes found as traps, where there is a hidden switch that triggers a rolling boulder, that may crush the player. They can also be summoned by using a [[scroll of earth]]. To get past a boulder, the player may break it into [[rock]]s with a [[pickaxe]], [[wand of striking]] or [[force bolt]]. This will transform it into 6 + ''d60'' rocks. It is also possible to take off all armor, drop enough (most) items from the inventory, and squeeze past it. In precise terms, if your inventory is completely empty or you are 850 or more units below your carrying capacity,{{refsrc|hack.c|287}} you can squeeze yourself onto the same square as the boulder.
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[[Sokoban]] is a [[dungeon branch]] dedicated to puzzles where boulders are used to fill pits, and is usually the reason for many players using the aforementioned <tt>boulder</tt> option - [[Luck]] penalties are usually assigned for creating or breaking boulders in this branch on an unsolved floor. See the article or the section below for more information.
  
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A spell of [[stone to flesh]] turns a boulder into a [[huge chunk of meat]], which is a normal item with none of the boulder's unique properties.
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[[Polymorph]]ing [[statues]] will sometimes produce boulders. Boulders can be [[wish]]ed for one at a time, but unless you are in the form of a [[Giant (monster attribute)|giant]] or [[titan]], the boulder will immediately be dropped to the floor.
  
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Many players choose to change the symbol for boulders to make them more noticeable, particularly during [[Sokoban]]. {{lightgray|0}} (zero) is a popular choice.
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===Monsters===
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Dwarves wielding [[pick-axe]]s or [[dwarvish mattock]]s and [[tunneling monster|other NPC monsters]] that dig around a level will leave behind boulders on 8.3% of diggable rock.{{refsrc|src/dig.c|1328|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
  
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Boulders are often used to protect [[stash]]es or [[polytrap]]s by pushing one on top of the stash or even many boulders around it as a fort.
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Non-[[undead]] giants and titans that are randomly generated have a {{frac|2}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being given a boulder]].{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|183|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=Special case for titans and most other giants}}
  
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Boulders have a 3% chance of falling down stairs if another thrown object lands on their square (even gold). Rocks and gems do not work.{{refsrc|dokick.c|1201}} You can also push them onto a [[teleport trap]] or [[level teleporter]], but you can't [[teleport control|control]] the destination. Similarly, you can knock a boulder down a hole, see the [[Boulder#Boulders_on_top_of_pits_and_holes|"Boulders on top of pits and holes"]] section below.
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==Description==
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You and other monsters cannot attack through boulders, but can use missile [[weapon]]s, [[wand]]s, and [[spell]]s to attack through them. A [[pick-axe]], a [[dwarvish mattock]], or a [[force bolt]] (from the spell or a [[wand of striking]]) will shatter boulders and leave behind several [[rock]]s (specifically 6 + ''d60''){{refsrc|src/zap.c|4720|version=NetHack 3.6.6|name=fracture_rock}}. A [[wand of teleportation]] will teleport the boulder as with any other item, and a beam of [[polymorph]] will transmute one into another item. Other wands, weapons and spells, particularly the [[wand of digging]], will have no effect on the boulder. Monsters will not target a wand of striking at boulders intentionally, and typically do so as a side effect of targeting you.
  
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== Tactics for pushing boulders ==
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A spell of [[stone to flesh]] turns a boulder into a [[huge chunk of meat]], which is a much less heavy object (though still quite heavy) with none of the boulder's unique properties.
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[[Image:Slashem boulders.png|thumb|Four of the boulders in this screenshot were blocking the long corridor, but through deft squeezing and pushing the hero pushed them into rooms. If that boulder in the lower-right had started at that position, it would likely be part of a boulder trap.]]
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{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|[[Shopkeeper]]s, [[aligned priest]]s, [[quest leader]]s, and the [[Rider]]s can break boulders. ({{commit|200cc21fb3a31452c4448fa835ca595fcabfc488}})}}
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 +
===Boulders and giants===
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Non-undead giants (including titans) can move over boulders, pick them up and even throw them. You can do the same if polymorphed into a giant using {{kbd|m}}, and will be given a prompt to do so if you attempt to push a boulder that cannot move in that direction. Boulders in a giant's inventory have no [[weight]], as opposed to the 6000 aum they would weigh otherwise; you can pick one up while in giant form even if all other inventory letters are in use, and it will be assigned a [[hash mark]] inventory slot ({{white|#}}, also used by [[loadstone]]s).
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 +
If a giant throws a boulder at you, it will land on your square regardless of if it actually hits you - you may move off the square as normal, but attempting to re-enter the square will require pushing the boulder out of the way. If you have [[displacement]], or you are [[invisible]] and the giant throwing the boulder cannot [[see invisible]], a thrown boulder that misses will instead land at the square where the giant thought you were.
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===Rolling boulder traps===
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{{main|Rolling boulder trap}}
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The rolling boulder trap consists of a trigger square and a single boulder placed out in the open, usually in the same room as the trap, and requires a clear path to trigger.{{refsrc|src/trap.c|398|version=NetHack 3.6.6|name="mkroll_launch"}} If you or another monster steps on that square, the boulder will roll to the opposite side, usually hitting you or that monster along with anyone else in the boulder's path;{{refsrc|src/trap.c|1534|version=NetHack 3.6.6|name="dotrap"|comment=Handling for players activating the trap}}{{refsrc|src/trap.c|2690|version=NetHack 3.6.6|name="mintrap"|comment=Handling for monsters activating the trap}} being hit by a boulder deals d20 damage.The boulder will stop rolling if it runs into something that obstructs it - a boulder that crashes into another boulder will send the second boulder rolling some distance.
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The boulder will always roll to the other launch square on the opposite side if possible - as long as the boulder is on a launch square when the trap activates, the trap can set it rolling and will do so on repeated triggers.{{refsrc|src/trap.c|1771|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} A boulder trap will not trigger its boulder to roll if the path is obstructed by a wall, or the boulder is moved by anything other than the trap itself. A boulder set rolling by this trap can disappear midway through rolling if, for example, it fills a pit, hole or trap door, or it is caught by a giant that was in the way. Stepping on a rolling boulder trap that cannot trigger a boulder will cause the trap to disappear with no other effect.
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 +
==Moving boulders==
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You (and other non-giant monsters) cannot travel past boulders without [[phasing]] - if you try to move onto a [[square]] containing a boulder, you will push it to the next square in line if possible; if there is more than one boulder on that square, you will try to push each boulder off in turn until one of them does not move.{{refsrc|src/hack.c|105|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}{{refsrc|src/hack.c|302|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} Pushing boulders this way [[exercise]]s [[strength]]. If you are [[riding]] and try to move onto a square with a boulder this way, your steed will push the boulder.{{refsrc|src/hack.c|310|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} You cannot push any boulders if you are [[levitating]], riding a levitating steed on else are on the [[Plane of Air]], due to lack of leverage.{{refsrc|src/hack.c|124|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} You also cannot push boulders if you are in a tiny-[[size]] form, though you can still squeeze past them.{{refsrc|src/hack.c|371|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
  
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If [[you]] push a boulder, then it will move to the opposite square. In the diagrams below, the # represents where the boulder will move. Boulders on each floor of [[Sokoban]] cannot be moved diagonally while solving that level; as of 3.6.1, they can be moved normally once the level is solved.
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In the diagrams below, the {{white|#}} represents where the boulder will move:
  
 
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If there is no space or if it is occupied by a [[monster]] (whether hostile, peaceful, or your pet) then you cannot move the boulder in that direction.  Failing to push a boulder will not consume a turn.  If your [[inventory]] is mostly empty, you can squeeze onto the square containing the boulder. (The fastest way to drop your inventory is to press [[D]] and then choose option "A" to drop all items.) Such squeezing is useful if there is a door, hidden space, or boulder on the other side.
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Boulders that have a wall, door or other obstruction (such as a monster or another boulder) in the direction you are pushing will not move, which does not use up a turn; you cannot push a boulder through a closed [[door]], and also cannot push a boulder diagonally through any door. You can "squeeze" through onto the same square as an obstructed boulder if you are not on a steed and either have an empty inventory (not counting any [[gold]]) or are at least 850 units below your carrying capacity.{{refsrc|src/hack.c|367|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} If a boulder becomes stuck in a corner, then you can not move it at all even if you squeeze onto its square, unless you are able to dig or otherwise maneuver around it.
  
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If a monster blocks the other side and will not move away, you have the option of squeezing onto the boulder and fighting it bare-handed and naked, or you can throw [[ranged weapon|ammunition]] or [[Mjollnir]] or zap wands past the boulder. Be careful when doing so if you cannot see your pets, as they may be the monster blocking you or directly behind it. The player below might want to toss darts, rocks, or other [[object]]s at whatever is blocking the way to some [[hole]]s {{brown|^}} in Sokoban.
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If a boulder is blocking a corridor and is pushed to a square that branches off, you can maneuver diagonally around it:
  
 
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^=[[hole|{{brown|^}}]]
 
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  # 
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..@`I^^^^^..
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You can move diagonally around boulders (but not in Sokoban) regardless of how much you are carrying. So the following boulder does not block your path provided that you know how to use '''[yubn]''' or [[numpad]] to move diagonally:
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More scenarios and applicable tactics are discussed in [[#Tactical boulder movement|the section on boulder movement below]].
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 +
Pushing a boulder into a [[hole]], [[trap door]] or [[Spiked pit|either type]] of [[pit]] will [[#Boulders and other traps|''usually'' plug it]] and turn that square into normal floor{{refsrc|src/hack.c|210|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}{{refsrc|src/hack.c|224|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} - objects in a plugged pit are buried, while objects on or near the square of a hole or trap door may be knocked through before it is plugged.{{refsrc|src/dokick.c|1537|version=NetHack 3.6.6|name=impact_drop}}
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A boulder that is pushed, rolled or thrown into a [[moat]] will fill it {{frac|9|10}} of the time and create a floor tile that you can move across, and the remaining {{frac|10}} of the time it will disappear with a splash that wakes up monsters.{{refsrc|src/do.c|60|version=NetHack 3.6.6|name=fills_up}}{{refsrc|src/do.c|90|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} This probability is reversed for [[lava]], which causes the boulder to fill the square only {{frac|10}} of the time, and disappear otherwise<ref name="fills_up"/> - lava will splash onto you in either case, which deals 3d6 fire damage to you, burns away any [[slime]] and wakes up monsters;{{refsrc|src/do.c|106|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} [[fire resistance]] reduces this to d6 damage, and the damage can also be reduced by the [[half physical damage]] property.{{refsrc|src/do.c|111|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
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 +
Boulders have a 3% chance of falling through a down stair if another thrown object lands on their square; this includes gold, but not rocks and [[gems]].{{refsrc|src/dokick.c|1431|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} You can also push them onto a [[teleport trap]] or [[level teleporter]], though there is a very low chance of it landing on the down stair's square.
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 +
===Sokoban===
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{{main|Sokoban}}
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Sokoban is a branch with special rules for boulder pushing. Namely, you cannot push boulders in Sokoban diagonally until a floor is cleared. {{refsrc|src/hack.c|145|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} Additionally, there are [[Luck]] penalties for the following boulder-related actions, if the floor is not yet solved:{{refsrc|src/hack.c|361|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}{{refsrc|src/hack.c|374|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
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 +
*Squeezing past boulders
 +
*Moving onto or picking up boulders
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*Breaking, [[polymorph]]ing, or casting stone to flesh on boulders
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*Creating boulders with a scroll of earth
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 +
===Boulders and other traps===
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{{todo|Account for trap doors, land mines and some other interactions.}}
  
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While boulders can be used to fill holes and pits (including spiked pits), the exact interactions and effects depend on a few factors, including: whether the boulder or the pit/hole occupied the square in question first; the source of a boulder that is moved into a pit or hole; the source of a pit or hole that occurred in a square with a pre-existing boulder; and where you are standing in relation to the pit or hole.
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Pushing a boulder into a pit or hole removes the boulder and the plugged trap, regardless of whether or not its location was known to the player character; items on the square of the pit are buried, while objects on or next to a hole's square may be buried or knocked through.<ref name="impact_drop"/> Boulders that land on the square of a pit or hole as a result of being thrown, dropped, sent from the sky by a scroll of earth, or else rolled via boulder trap will plug that trap and remove it, burying items as normal.
  
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  # 
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If you are trapped in a pit and a boulder is dropped or rolled in on top of you, the effect varies depending on if you are a giant or not. If you are a giant, the pit is filled and you are instantly freed from it without any further effect - if you are not a giant, the pit will not be filled, and there is a chance during each attempt to escape the pit that it is filled by the boulder, leaving your leg is stuck in a leftover crevice that you must pull free from. [[Zapping]] a [[wand of teleportation]] down or [[apply]]ing it while the boulder is still on that square will teleport it elsewhere, allowing you to try escaping the pit as normal. Holes that are filled while you are on their square will be plugged, just as if you were standing next to that hole.
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If a boulder is blocking a corridor, and if you are able to push it into a room or into a position like the above, then you can walk around it.
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Applying a charged [[drum of earthquake]] can create a pit underneath a boulder, which immediately fills the pit and also buries every item on that square underneath it{{refsrc|src/music.c|332|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} - interestingly, if there are multiple boulders on that square (e.g., usually from a giant dropping them all at once), they will ''also'' be buried, minus the boulder that fills the pit. If you are on top of a boulder and zap a wand of digging down on that square, you will create a hole or pit depending on the whether the level is diggable, and the trap is plugged immediately before anything can fall through or into it.{{refsrc|src/dig.c|816|version=NetHack 3.6.6|name=boulder_here}} If a boulder is already present on a square with a pit, and you manuever into that square and zap a wand of digging down, the boulder will fill the pit instead of creating a hole, with two different messages possible.<ref name="boulder_here"/>
  
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When faced with two consecutive boulders in a corridor, as shown below, you can squeeze past one to push the other.
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Though lacking any practical use, it is possible to get a boulder on top of a pit or hole outside of [[wizard mode]]: Drop a statue on top of the square via levitation, or by avoiding falling into the pit or hole when moving onto its square (which occurs with a {{frac|5}} chance).{{refsrc|src/trap.c|942|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} If you then polymorph the statue into a boulder, it will drop into and fill a pit, but not a hole - throwing other objects at a boulder that is placed on the same square as a hole in this way will cause it to fall ''through'' the hole and land on a lower level, as with boulders on a downward staircase.
  
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You cannot dig down with a pick-axe while on a square with a boulder, and breaking a wand of digging will not create a hole or pit under a boulder - both are due to special checks in the code.{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3417|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=Breaking the wand calls <code>dig_check</code> in dig.c}}{{refsrc|src/dig.c|226|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=<code>dig_check</code> checks for boulders here; <code>do_earthquake</code> is music.c does not call this function}}
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{{upcoming|3.7.0|Account for cases affected by {{commit|a18859ddb5a3407fb872538f73b67550907adf2f|commit a18859d}} - monsters that zap a wand of digging downward on an undiggable floor create a pit just as you do, and will usually fall into it immediately.}}
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However, wandering around naked with no wielded weapon, or allowing hostile monster to take from your inventory, might put you in too much danger. You might want to push the other boulder and retrieve your inventory quickly. (The fastest way to retrieve the inventory is to press [[@]] to toggle [[autopickup]] on and then move onto the square where you dropped it. Then you might want to press [[@]] again to toggle autopickup off.)
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==Strategy==
 +
{{todo|Expand this/other sections if possible.}}
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{{main|Boulder fort}}
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[[Image:Slashem boulders.png|thumb|Four of the boulders in this screenshot were blocking the long corridor, but through deft squeezing and pushing the hero pushed them into rooms. If that boulder in the lower-right had started at that position, it would likely be part of a boulder trap.]]
 +
Boulders are often used to protect [[stash]]es or [[polytrap]]s by pushing one on top of the desired square - boulders can also be arranged near a square to use as a "fort" that can keep most monsters away, minus hostile giants and phasing monsters like [[earth elemental]]s. [[Boulder fort]]s are usually created by reading a non-cursed scroll of earth, with blessed scrolls preferred to avoid taking damage in the process.  
  
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Boulders, like anything else, cannot pass diagonally through open doors. If you need to do that, destroy the [[door]] by closing it with [[c]] and then kicking it down with Control-D.
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===Tactical boulder movement===
 +
Boulder placement is often an important consideration, whether simply traveling through the dungeon or else fighting and/or evading hostile monsters.
  
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The two boulders below are stuck against a wall, and you may only push them in two directions:
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These two boulders below are stuck against a wall, and you may only push them in two directions:
  
 
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If a boulder becomes ''stuck in a corner'', then you can not move it at all, even if you squeeze onto its square (unless you are able to [[dig]] around it). In Sokoban, a 2x2 square of four boulders (or a 2x2 square of both boulders and walls) is almost likewise stuck, but you might be able to squeeze yourself to free the boulders. (Squeezing causes a [[luck]] penalty in Sokoban.) Outside of Sokoban you could have freed a boulder by moving it diagonally, but not if you have two boulders stuck against the same wall.
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These boulders are completely stuck, and require digging (or squeezing in the second case) to move:
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An example of stuck boulders:
 
 
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An example of boulders that are stuck only in Sokoban:
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However, it may still be possible to move them if there is a door that can be opened on the other side. For example, the door next to the boulder in the first diagram below is hidden, and once found and opened the boulder can be pushed through it. In the second diagram, only the first boulder can be pushed from other side of the door opened, which enables movement of the second.
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----    -+--
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S`..    .``.
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|...    ....
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===Boulders and monsters===
 
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......    ...|..
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..``..    ---`..
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I=[[Invisible monster|{{gray|I}}]]
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..``..    ..``..
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......    ......
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          #
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######@`I###
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  #       
 
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Be very careful in Sokoban to not stick boulders in the above manners unless you are able to solve the level with the remaining boulders.
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In the above diagram, the space opposite the boulder in the corridor is occupied by an unknown monster. In most situations, you can wait a turn or two using {{kbd|.}} or {{kbd|s}} and then try pushing again to see if the monster has moved - if so, you can gradually push the boulder down the corridor until you reach the fork and move around it.
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This is not the case in the next diagram below, where you must either squeeze past the boulder or remove the monster in question:
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@=[[You|{{white|@}}]]
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I=[[Invisible monster|{{gray|I}}]]
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#
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##@`I#######
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==Boulder creation==
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In cases such as the two above, you should also determine whether or not the monster on the other end is hostile if possible - [[telepathy]], [[monster detection]] and [[warning]] are generally useful methods to this end. If you discover a peaceful monster on the other side that you do not want to kill, you may want to try another route or else squeeze past the boulder, then push it back the other way. A [[magic whistle]] can bring [[pet]]s that block a boulder's path to your side. If all else fails, or else it is sufficiently early in the game, you may opt to drop most of your inventory with {{kbd|D}} and then squeeze onto the boulder to see who or what is obstructing you - squeezing is especially useful if there is a door, hidden space, or another boulder on the other side.
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{{todo|clarify how fast monsters dig, if tame dwarfs dig, boulder generation probability, and if it matters if the monster digs intrinsically (all hulks, woodchuck, rock mole) or with a tool}}
 
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* Sometimes, a newly created ordinary level will contain randomly placed boulders.
 
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* Rolling boulder [[trap]]s always have a matching boulder. If a boulder generates in a room rather than in a corridor, there is a trap nearby. Push the boulder one square in any direction to disarm the trap.
 
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* Sokoban levels have boulders in fixed places. See [[Sokoban]] for special properties.
 
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* [[Giant]]s and [[titan]]s will often have a boulder in their starting inventory (except if reverse [[genocide]]d).
 
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* Digging monsters will leave a boulder on 8.3% of all tiles of diggable rock they burrow through.{{refsrc|dig.c|1128}}
 
−
* Reading a [[scroll of earth]] while not [[confusion|confused]], with results depending on the scroll's [[BUC]] status.
 
−
* [[Polymorph]]ing [[statue]]s will sometimes produce boulders.
 
−
* You can [[wish]] for one boulder at a time.
 
  
−
In the [[endgame]], except for the [[Plane of Earth]], only polymorphing statues, randomly spawned giants, and wishing are sources of boulders.
+
Once you confirm a hostile is blocking a boulder's path, or you are willing to take the alignment penalty for killing a peaceful monster, you can squeeze past the boulder to fight them with whatever weapons you can bring onto the square (if any), or stay where you are and employ any [[ranged weapon]] or attack at your disposal: thrown [[projectile]]s, most spells and wands, etc. Throwing the wielded [[Mjollnir]] or a tethered aklys is somewhat risky as there is a 1% chance of the weapon failing to return, though a spare aklys can save you the trouble of having to retrieve other used projectiles from behind the boulder afterward.
  
−
==Detailed treatment of boulder, [[hole]], and [[pit]] interaction==
+
When faced with two consecutive boulders in a corridor, as shown below, you can squeeze past one to push the other:
−
{{todo|There may be some research to be done pertaining to trapdoors.}}
 
  
−
Boulders can be used to fill [[hole]]s and [[pit]]s, but the exact messages given and effects depend on a couple factors: whether the boulder or the [[pit]]/[[hole]] occupied the space first; assuming the boulder came second, where did it come from; assuming the [[pit]]/[[hole]] came second, how was it made; and where you are standing in relation to the [[pit]]/[[hole]].
+
<div class="ttyscreen">
 +
<replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
 +
##@``###
 +
###@`###
 +
###`@`##
 +
###`#@`#
 +
</replacecharsblock></div>
  
−
Pushing a boulder into a [[pit]] removes the boulder and the [[pit]], and [[pit|buries]] any [[item]]s in the [[pit]] (including other boulders if they happen to be in there, strangely enough, though getting boulders into a [[pit]] without filling it is a challenge, see [[boulder#Boulders on top of pits and holes|the section below]]). Pushing a boulder into a [[hole]] removes the boulder and the [[hole]] and destroys any [[item]]s in the [[pit]], including other boulders sitting on top of the [[hole]] (again, see the section below).
+
Whenever squeezing through boulders, be sure to retrieve your dropped inventory as promptly as possible; one quick method is to toggle [[autopickup]] via {{kbd|@}} (usually {{kbd|Shift|3}}) if you have not set any exceptions, then move onto the square where you dropped your items.
  
−
If a boulder is pushed into a [[hole]] the [[hole]] will be plugged, producing the message "The boulder falls into and plugs a [[hole]]."
+
===Movement in Sokoban===
 +
The boulder movement rules in Sokoban are a source of complication in solving the puzzle, as monsters can appear within the pit- or hole-filled sections and obstruct your path while pushing boulders:
 +
<div class="ttyscreen">
 +
<replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
 +
^=[[hole|{{brown|^}}]]
 +
@=[[you|{{white|@}}]]
 +
I=[[invisible monster|{{gray|I}}]]
  
−
If a boulder is dropped by a [[levitation|levitating]] [[giant]], thrown by a [[giant]], [[wish|wished]] for by a [[levitation|levitating]] [[player]] who is not a [[giant]] and therefore cannot hold the boulder ("Oops! The boulder drops to the floor!"), dropped from the sky via a [[scroll of earth]] while the [[player]] stands next to the [[pit]] or [[levitation|levitates]] over it, or rolled by a [[rolling boulder trap]] into a [[hole]], the [[hole]] will be plugged and the message "The boulder plugs a [[hole]]." produced.
+
------------
 +
..@`I^^^^^..
 +
------------
 +
</replacecharsblock></div>
  
−
If any of these methods (pushing, dropping as a [[levitation|levitating]] [[giant]], [[throw|throwing]] as a [[giant]], dropping as a [[levitation|levitating]] non [[giant]] via [[wish]]ing, [[read]]ing a [[scroll of earth]] while to the side or [[levitation|levitating]], or activating a [[rolling boulder trap]]) is used to fill a [[pit]], the message will be either "The boulder fills a [[pit]]." or "The boulder triggers and fills a [[pit]]." depending on whether or not the [[pit]] was known.
+
Here, squeezing yourself onto a boulder's square will induce a -1 Luck penalty. The monster in question will try to avoid falling through the hole next to them if possible, and so is likely to remain stuck unless they are killed or decide to finally move and fall through. This is especially troublesome if the monster is peaceful, since you most likely will have to take an alignment penalty alongside the Luck penalty - pray that a co-aligned [[unicorn]] does not appear between your boulder and the holes! When possible, make sure that your path leading to the holes is clear before resuming pushing boulders - magic whistles are ideal to keep pets by you, and strategically placing known cursed items can ward them off from wandering near the holes.
  
−
The situation is slightly more complex if you are in the [[pit]] when a boulder is dropped into it. (This can happen if while in the [[pit]] and not [[levitation|levitating]] you use a [[cursed]] or [[uncursed]] [[scroll of earth]], drop a boulder as a [[giant]], [[throw]] a boulder up or down as a [[giant]], wish for a boulder as a non [[giant]], or have a [[monster]] trigger a [[rolling boulder trap]] that sends a boulder down on top of you. Presumably it can also happen if a [[giant]] can be convinced to [[throw]] a boulder at you while you're in the [[pit]].)
+
In addition to cornered boulders, a 2x2 square composed of boulders and/or wall squares is likewise considered stuck by branch rules, as moving them diagonally is not permitted unless the floor is already solved:
  
−
If a boulder is dropped/rolled into a [[pit]] while you're in it, the "The boulder drops into the [[pit]] with you.". If you are a [[giant]], the [[pit]] is filled and you are instantly freed from the [[pit]] (so a [[cursed]] [[scroll of earth]] would be a fast way for a [[giant]] to escape a [[pit]] trap). If you are not a [[giant]], the [[pit]] is not filled until you escape from it. Escaping will take longer than normal because there is a chance each action that your leg gets stuck. ("Your leg gets stuck in a crevice." immediately followed by "You free your leg.") If you [[zap]] down (not up!) or [[apply]] a [[wand of teleportation]] before escaping, the boulder will be [[teleport|teleported away]]; this will allow you to escape the [[pit]] like normal, the [[pit]] will not be filled, and the boulder will not be removed.
+
<div class="ttyscreen">
 +
<replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
 +
......     ...|..
 +
..``..    ---`..
 +
..``..    ..``..
 +
......    ......
 +
</replacecharsblock></div>
  
−
You cannot be "in" a [[hole]], so filling a [[hole]] while standing on it is the same as filling it while standing near it.
+
Be very careful in Sokoban to not stick boulders in the above manners, unless you are able to solve the level with the remaining boulders.
  
−
More interesting still are situations in which the [[pit]]/[[hole]] is created underneath a preexisting boulder. (This is easy in [[wizard mode]], just [[wish]] for a [[pit]] or [[hole]] while standing on a boulder.)
+
==History==
 +
Boulders have been present in the game since [[Hack 1.0]]. From this version to [[NetHack 2.3e]], they were known as '''enormous rocks'''.
  
−
One way to [[digging|dig]] under a boulder is to move into it as a [[giant]] or squeeze into its space as a non [[giant]]. This requires that the boulder cannot be pushed in the direction you're moving from. Once on it, you may [[zap]] a [[wand of digging]] downwards. This will produce either a [[pit]] or a [[hole]], depending on whether the level you are on has [[digging|diggable]] floors. The [[pit]] or [[hole]] will be filled immediately with the message "KADOOM! The boulder falls in!" and nothing will be able to fall through the [[hole]] before it is closed.{{refsrc|dig.c|684}}
+
==Messages==
 +
{{message|With <great/little> effort, you move the boulder.|You moved into a boulder and pushed it; the word "little" occurs if you are in the form of a giant or titan.}}
 +
{{message|You try to move the boulder, but in vain.|The boulder you are pushing is obstructed.}}
  
−
Attempting to [[digging|dig]] down with a [[pick-axe]] while on a boulder will fail, "There isn't enough room to dig in here."
+
==Variants==
 +
===SLASH'EM===
 +
In [[SLASH'EM]], rays from the spell of dig or wand of digging will vaporize boulders.
  
−
It is possible to create a [[pit]] under a boulder by applying a charged [[drum of earthquake]]. If you are within sight of the boulder this will produce the message "KADOOM! The boulder falls into a chasm!". If you are standing on the boulder when you apply the drum of earthquake you will instead see "KADOOM! The boulder falls into a chasm below you!".{{refsrc|music.c|286}} Either way, the boulder will immediately fill the [[pit]]. Interestingly, unlike digging a [[pit]] under a boulder with a [[wand of digging]], this will immediately [[pit|bury]] every [[item]] on the square with the boulder. (If there are multiple boulders on the square where the [[pit]] is created, all but one will be [[pit|buried]], and the extra one will be removed (it "filled the [[pit]]").)
+
Tiny monsters can squeeze past boulders, while hiding monsters such as [[cave spider]]s and [[slithy]] monsters such as [[snake]]s can use boulders to hide.
  
−
It is not possible to create a [[pit]] or [[hole]] underneath a boulder by [[Wand#Breaking_wands|breaking]] a [[wand of digging]], there are special checks in place to prevent this.{{refsrc|apply.c|2698|comment=Breaking the wand calls {{function|dig.c|dig_check}}}}{{refsrc|dig.c|196|comment={{function|dig.c|dig_check|x}} checks for boulders}}{{reffunc|music.c|do_earthquake|comment=This function does not call {{function|dig.c|dig_check|x}}}}
+
===GruntHack===
 +
In [[GruntHack]], [[Giant (starting race)|player giants]] can move over and pick up boulders as other giants can.
  
−
There is one more message than can be produced by filling a [[pit]] with a boulder. First, obtain a [[pit]] with a boulder sitting on/in it (no distinction is made between being "on" or "in" for items, including boulders) on a [[digging|diggable]] floor (see the next section), then stand on the boulder and [[zap]] [[digging]] down. There is a 50% chance of getting the message "The boulder settles into the [[pit]].", otherwise you will get the standard "KADOOM! The boulder falls in!".{{refsrc|dig.c|684}}
+
===SporkHack===
 +
[[SporkHack]] adds the [[ceiling collapse trap]], which may drop several boulders and rocks on and around the trap when activating; they are capable of dealing immense damage that can potentially kill high-HP characters even if they are wearing a hard helmet.
  
−
While you can get a boulder over a [[hole]], you cannot get on top of it to [[zap]] [[digging]] downwards, because you must be [[levitation|levitating]] to float over the [[hole]], and when [[levitation|levitating]] you cannot move on top of or squeeze in with boulders (the levitation check takes place before the "are you trying to push the boulder or get on it" check). You can, with luck, get on top of a [[hole]] without falling in, but this seems to be impossible when there is a boulder on the square.
+
===EvilHack===
 +
In [[EvilHack]], boulders are stackable. Giants are also a playable race in EvilHack, with the same ability to pick move over and pick up boulders - a boulder carried by a player giant weighs 6 aum rather than 0, in order to prevent them amassing an endless amount; boulders can also be stacked like other [[projectile]]s.
  
−
==Boulders on top of [[pit]]s and [[hole]]s==
+
===SlashTHEM===
−
Normally, any action that would put a boulder on top of a [[pit]] or [[hole]] would fill the [[pit]] or plug the [[hole]]. The easy way around this is to be in [[wizard mode]] and wish for a [[hole]] or [[pit]] while already standing on a boulder. However, it is possible, albeit probably a waste of time, to do this in a non wizard game as well.
+
In addition to [[SLASH'EM]] changes above, [[SlashTHEM]] also includes ceiling collapse traps from SporkHack; giants are also a playable race, with the ability to move over and pick up boulders as in other variants.
  
−
First, obtain a [[pit]] or [[hole]] of your choosing. Drop a (preferably [[blessed]]) [[statue]] on top of it, either by [[levitation|levitating]] or stepping on top of it (with a [[hole]] you can get lucky and not fall in). Now [[polymorph]] the [[statue]] until it becomes a boulder. If your boulder is over a [[pit]], you can step onto it and achieve the "The boulder settles into the [[pit]]." message mentioned above. If your boulder is over a [[hole]] you can [[throw]] [[item]]s at it, like [[gold]], and the boulder will eventually fall down the [[hole]], without plugging it, and land on a lower level.
 
−
== Pushing multiple boulders ==
 
−
When there is more than one boulder on a square, when you move to it, you will try to push each boulder in turn until one of them does not move.
 
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
{{encyclopedia|
−
I worked the lever well under, and stretched my back; the end
+
I worked the lever well under, and stretched my back; the end of the stone rose up, and I kicked the fulcrum under.  Then, when I was going to bear down, I remembered there was something to get out from below; when I let go of the lever, the stone would fall again.  I sat down to think, on the root of the oak tree; and, seeing it stand about the ground, I saw my way.  It was lucky I had brought a longer lever.  It would just reach to wedge under the oak root.
−
of the stone rose up, and I kicked the fulcrum under.  Then,
+
Bearing it down so far would have been easy for a heavy man, but was a hard fight for me.  But this time I meant to do it if it killed me, because I knew it could be done.  Twice I got it nearly there, and twice the weight bore it up again; but when I flung myself on it the third time, I heard in my ears the sea-sound of Poseidon.  Then I knew this time I would do it; and so I did.
−
when I was going to bear down, I remembered there was
 
−
something to get out from below; when I let go of the lever,
 
−
the stone would fall again.  I sat down to think, on the root
 
−
of the oak tree; and, seeing it stand about the ground, I saw
 
−
my way.  It was lucky I had brought a longer lever.  It would
 
−
just reach to wedge under the oak root.
 
−
Bearing it down so far would have been easy for a heavy man,
 
−
but was a hard fight for me.  But this time I meant to do it
 
−
if it killed me, because I knew it could be done.  Twice I
 
−
got it nearly there, and twice the weight bore it up again;
 
−
but when I flung myself on it the third time, I heard in my
 
−
ears the sea-sound of Poseidon.  Then I knew this time I
 
−
would do it; and so I did.
 
 
|[ The King Must Die, by Mary Renault ]
 
|[ The King Must Die, by Mary Renault ]
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
−
 
+
{{nethack-366}}
−
{{nethack-343}}
+
[[Category:Items]]
−
[[Category:Dungeon features]]
 

Latest revision as of 23:53, 1 January 2024

For the option, see option#boulder.
Item classes
" Amulets [ Armor
% Comestibles $ Coins
* Gems ! Potions
= Rings ? Scrolls
+ Spellbooks ` Statues
( Tools ` Boulders
) Weapons / Wands
` Boulder.png
Name boulder
Appearance boulder
Base price 0 zm
Weight 6000

A boulder, `, is a type of huge stone object that appears in NetHack. Although boulders are considered items, they tend to behave similar to a dungeon feature: they are large enough to block line of sight, and are too heavy for you to lift normally; furthermore, you cannot move to a space occupied by a boulder under most circumstances, though you can push them.

The boulder symbol is customizable through the boulder option; many players choose to change the symbol for boulders to make them more noticeable. Zero, 0, is a popular choice.

Generation

Boulders are usually randomly placed during level creation, and are generally found in corridors or as part of rolling boulder traps.

Reading a scroll of earth will cause one or several boulders to fall; if read while confused, several rocks will fall instead. Reading an uncursed scroll will cause one to fall in each square around you and on you, and reading a blessed scroll omits the boulder that would land on you - reading a cursed scroll causes a single boulder to fall on you. Monsters can also read this scroll with the same effects, though they are less likely to do so unless wearing a hard helm.

Sokoban is a dungeon branch dedicated to puzzles where boulders are used to fill pits, and is usually the reason for many players using the aforementioned boulder option - Luck penalties are usually assigned for creating or breaking boulders in this branch on an unsolved floor. See the article or the section below for more information.

Polymorphing statues will sometimes produce boulders. Boulders can be wished for one at a time, but unless you are in the form of a giant or titan, the boulder will immediately be dropped to the floor.

Monsters

Dwarves wielding pick-axes or dwarvish mattocks and other NPC monsters that dig around a level will leave behind boulders on 8.3% of diggable rock.[1]

Non-undead giants and titans that are randomly generated have a 1⁄2 chance of being given a boulder.[2]

Description

You and other monsters cannot attack through boulders, but can use missile weapons, wands, and spells to attack through them. A pick-axe, a dwarvish mattock, or a force bolt (from the spell or a wand of striking) will shatter boulders and leave behind several rocks (specifically 6 + d60)[3]. A wand of teleportation will teleport the boulder as with any other item, and a beam of polymorph will transmute one into another item. Other wands, weapons and spells, particularly the wand of digging, will have no effect on the boulder. Monsters will not target a wand of striking at boulders intentionally, and typically do so as a side effect of targeting you.

A spell of stone to flesh turns a boulder into a huge chunk of meat, which is a much less heavy object (though still quite heavy) with none of the boulder's unique properties.

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (NetHack 3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Shopkeepers, aligned priests, quest leaders, and the Riders can break boulders. (commit 200cc21f)

Boulders and giants

Non-undead giants (including titans) can move over boulders, pick them up and even throw them. You can do the same if polymorphed into a giant using m, and will be given a prompt to do so if you attempt to push a boulder that cannot move in that direction. Boulders in a giant's inventory have no weight, as opposed to the 6000 aum they would weigh otherwise; you can pick one up while in giant form even if all other inventory letters are in use, and it will be assigned a hash mark inventory slot (#, also used by loadstones).

If a giant throws a boulder at you, it will land on your square regardless of if it actually hits you - you may move off the square as normal, but attempting to re-enter the square will require pushing the boulder out of the way. If you have displacement, or you are invisible and the giant throwing the boulder cannot see invisible, a thrown boulder that misses will instead land at the square where the giant thought you were.

Rolling boulder traps

Main article: Rolling boulder trap

The rolling boulder trap consists of a trigger square and a single boulder placed out in the open, usually in the same room as the trap, and requires a clear path to trigger.[4] If you or another monster steps on that square, the boulder will roll to the opposite side, usually hitting you or that monster along with anyone else in the boulder's path;[5][6] being hit by a boulder deals d20 damage.The boulder will stop rolling if it runs into something that obstructs it - a boulder that crashes into another boulder will send the second boulder rolling some distance.

The boulder will always roll to the other launch square on the opposite side if possible - as long as the boulder is on a launch square when the trap activates, the trap can set it rolling and will do so on repeated triggers.[7] A boulder trap will not trigger its boulder to roll if the path is obstructed by a wall, or the boulder is moved by anything other than the trap itself. A boulder set rolling by this trap can disappear midway through rolling if, for example, it fills a pit, hole or trap door, or it is caught by a giant that was in the way. Stepping on a rolling boulder trap that cannot trigger a boulder will cause the trap to disappear with no other effect.

Moving boulders

You (and other non-giant monsters) cannot travel past boulders without phasing - if you try to move onto a square containing a boulder, you will push it to the next square in line if possible; if there is more than one boulder on that square, you will try to push each boulder off in turn until one of them does not move.[8][9] Pushing boulders this way exercises strength. If you are riding and try to move onto a square with a boulder this way, your steed will push the boulder.[10] You cannot push any boulders if you are levitating, riding a levitating steed on else are on the Plane of Air, due to lack of leverage.[11] You also cannot push boulders if you are in a tiny-size form, though you can still squeeze past them.[12]

In the diagrams below, the # represents where the boulder will move:

@     @     @       #     #     #     
 `    `    `   #`@   `    `    `   @`#
  #   #   #           @   @   @       

Boulders that have a wall, door or other obstruction (such as a monster or another boulder) in the direction you are pushing will not move, which does not use up a turn; you cannot push a boulder through a closed door, and also cannot push a boulder diagonally through any door. You can "squeeze" through onto the same square as an obstructed boulder if you are not on a steed and either have an empty inventory (not counting any gold) or are at least 850 units below your carrying capacity.[13] If a boulder becomes stuck in a corner, then you can not move it at all even if you squeeze onto its square, unless you are able to dig or otherwise maneuver around it.

If a boulder is blocking a corridor and is pushed to a square that branches off, you can maneuver diagonally around it:

  #  
##`##

More scenarios and applicable tactics are discussed in the section on boulder movement below.

Pushing a boulder into a hole, trap door or either type of pit will usually plug it and turn that square into normal floor[14][15] - objects in a plugged pit are buried, while objects on or near the square of a hole or trap door may be knocked through before it is plugged.[16]

A boulder that is pushed, rolled or thrown into a moat will fill it 9⁄10 of the time and create a floor tile that you can move across, and the remaining 1⁄10 of the time it will disappear with a splash that wakes up monsters.[17][18] This probability is reversed for lava, which causes the boulder to fill the square only 1⁄10 of the time, and disappear otherwise[17] - lava will splash onto you in either case, which deals 3d6 fire damage to you, burns away any slime and wakes up monsters;[19] fire resistance reduces this to d6 damage, and the damage can also be reduced by the half physical damage property.[20]

Boulders have a 3% chance of falling through a down stair if another thrown object lands on their square; this includes gold, but not rocks and gems.[21] You can also push them onto a teleport trap or level teleporter, though there is a very low chance of it landing on the down stair's square.

Sokoban

Main article: Sokoban

Sokoban is a branch with special rules for boulder pushing. Namely, you cannot push boulders in Sokoban diagonally until a floor is cleared. [22] Additionally, there are Luck penalties for the following boulder-related actions, if the floor is not yet solved:[23][24]

  • Squeezing past boulders
  • Moving onto or picking up boulders
  • Breaking, polymorphing, or casting stone to flesh on boulders
  • Creating boulders with a scroll of earth

Boulders and other traps

A user has suggested improving this page or section as follows:

"Account for trap doors, land mines and some other interactions."

While boulders can be used to fill holes and pits (including spiked pits), the exact interactions and effects depend on a few factors, including: whether the boulder or the pit/hole occupied the square in question first; the source of a boulder that is moved into a pit or hole; the source of a pit or hole that occurred in a square with a pre-existing boulder; and where you are standing in relation to the pit or hole.

Pushing a boulder into a pit or hole removes the boulder and the plugged trap, regardless of whether or not its location was known to the player character; items on the square of the pit are buried, while objects on or next to a hole's square may be buried or knocked through.[16] Boulders that land on the square of a pit or hole as a result of being thrown, dropped, sent from the sky by a scroll of earth, or else rolled via boulder trap will plug that trap and remove it, burying items as normal.

If you are trapped in a pit and a boulder is dropped or rolled in on top of you, the effect varies depending on if you are a giant or not. If you are a giant, the pit is filled and you are instantly freed from it without any further effect - if you are not a giant, the pit will not be filled, and there is a chance during each attempt to escape the pit that it is filled by the boulder, leaving your leg is stuck in a leftover crevice that you must pull free from. Zapping a wand of teleportation down or applying it while the boulder is still on that square will teleport it elsewhere, allowing you to try escaping the pit as normal. Holes that are filled while you are on their square will be plugged, just as if you were standing next to that hole.

Applying a charged drum of earthquake can create a pit underneath a boulder, which immediately fills the pit and also buries every item on that square underneath it[25] - interestingly, if there are multiple boulders on that square (e.g., usually from a giant dropping them all at once), they will also be buried, minus the boulder that fills the pit. If you are on top of a boulder and zap a wand of digging down on that square, you will create a hole or pit depending on the whether the level is diggable, and the trap is plugged immediately before anything can fall through or into it.[26] If a boulder is already present on a square with a pit, and you manuever into that square and zap a wand of digging down, the boulder will fill the pit instead of creating a hole, with two different messages possible.[26]

Though lacking any practical use, it is possible to get a boulder on top of a pit or hole outside of wizard mode: Drop a statue on top of the square via levitation, or by avoiding falling into the pit or hole when moving onto its square (which occurs with a 1⁄5 chance).[27] If you then polymorph the statue into a boulder, it will drop into and fill a pit, but not a hole - throwing other objects at a boulder that is placed on the same square as a hole in this way will cause it to fall through the hole and land on a lower level, as with boulders on a downward staircase.

You cannot dig down with a pick-axe while on a square with a boulder, and breaking a wand of digging will not create a hole or pit under a boulder - both are due to special checks in the code.[28][29]

The following information pertains to an upcoming version (3.7.0). If this version is now released, please verify that it is still accurate, then update the page to incorporate this information.

Account for cases affected by commit a18859d - monsters that zap a wand of digging downward on an undiggable floor create a pit just as you do, and will usually fall into it immediately.

Strategy

A user has suggested improving this page or section as follows:

"Expand this/other sections if possible."

Main article: Boulder fort
Four of the boulders in this screenshot were blocking the long corridor, but through deft squeezing and pushing the hero pushed them into rooms. If that boulder in the lower-right had started at that position, it would likely be part of a boulder trap.

Boulders are often used to protect stashes or polytraps by pushing one on top of the desired square - boulders can also be arranged near a square to use as a "fort" that can keep most monsters away, minus hostile giants and phasing monsters like earth elementals. Boulder forts are usually created by reading a non-cursed scroll of earth, with blessed scrolls preferred to avoid taking damage in the process.

Tactical boulder movement

Boulder placement is often an important consideration, whether simply traveling through the dungeon or else fighting and/or evading hostile monsters.

These two boulders below are stuck against a wall, and you may only push them in two directions:

-----------          ------           
|...`.....|          |....|    -------
|.........|     #####..`...####......|
|.........|     #    ------    |.....|
---.-------   ###              -------

These boulders are completely stuck, and require digging (or squeezing in the second case) to move:


----     ----
|`..     .``.
|...     ....

However, it may still be possible to move them if there is a door that can be opened on the other side. For example, the door next to the boulder in the first diagram below is hidden, and once found and opened the boulder can be pushed through it. In the second diagram, only the first boulder can be pushed from other side of the door opened, which enables movement of the second.


----     -+--
S`..     .``.
|...     ....

Boulders and monsters

          #
######@`I###
   #        

In the above diagram, the space opposite the boulder in the corridor is occupied by an unknown monster. In most situations, you can wait a turn or two using . or s and then try pushing again to see if the monster has moved - if so, you can gradually push the boulder down the corridor until you reach the fork and move around it.

This is not the case in the next diagram below, where you must either squeeze past the boulder or remove the monster in question:

#
##@`I#######

In cases such as the two above, you should also determine whether or not the monster on the other end is hostile if possible - telepathy, monster detection and warning are generally useful methods to this end. If you discover a peaceful monster on the other side that you do not want to kill, you may want to try another route or else squeeze past the boulder, then push it back the other way. A magic whistle can bring pets that block a boulder's path to your side. If all else fails, or else it is sufficiently early in the game, you may opt to drop most of your inventory with D and then squeeze onto the boulder to see who or what is obstructing you - squeezing is especially useful if there is a door, hidden space, or another boulder on the other side.

Once you confirm a hostile is blocking a boulder's path, or you are willing to take the alignment penalty for killing a peaceful monster, you can squeeze past the boulder to fight them with whatever weapons you can bring onto the square (if any), or stay where you are and employ any ranged weapon or attack at your disposal: thrown projectiles, most spells and wands, etc. Throwing the wielded Mjollnir or a tethered aklys is somewhat risky as there is a 1% chance of the weapon failing to return, though a spare aklys can save you the trouble of having to retrieve other used projectiles from behind the boulder afterward.

When faced with two consecutive boulders in a corridor, as shown below, you can squeeze past one to push the other:


##@``###
###@`###
###`@`##
###`#@`#

Whenever squeezing through boulders, be sure to retrieve your dropped inventory as promptly as possible; one quick method is to toggle autopickup via @ (usually Shift + 3) if you have not set any exceptions, then move onto the square where you dropped your items.

Movement in Sokoban

The boulder movement rules in Sokoban are a source of complication in solving the puzzle, as monsters can appear within the pit- or hole-filled sections and obstruct your path while pushing boulders:

------------
..@`I^^^^^..
------------

Here, squeezing yourself onto a boulder's square will induce a -1 Luck penalty. The monster in question will try to avoid falling through the hole next to them if possible, and so is likely to remain stuck unless they are killed or decide to finally move and fall through. This is especially troublesome if the monster is peaceful, since you most likely will have to take an alignment penalty alongside the Luck penalty - pray that a co-aligned unicorn does not appear between your boulder and the holes! When possible, make sure that your path leading to the holes is clear before resuming pushing boulders - magic whistles are ideal to keep pets by you, and strategically placing known cursed items can ward them off from wandering near the holes.

In addition to cornered boulders, a 2x2 square composed of boulders and/or wall squares is likewise considered stuck by branch rules, as moving them diagonally is not permitted unless the floor is already solved:


......     ...|..
..``..     ---`..
..``..     ..``..
......     ......

Be very careful in Sokoban to not stick boulders in the above manners, unless you are able to solve the level with the remaining boulders.

History

Boulders have been present in the game since Hack 1.0. From this version to NetHack 2.3e, they were known as enormous rocks.

Messages

With <great/little> effort, you move the boulder.
You moved into a boulder and pushed it; the word "little" occurs if you are in the form of a giant or titan.
You try to move the boulder, but in vain.
The boulder you are pushing is obstructed.

Variants

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, rays from the spell of dig or wand of digging will vaporize boulders.

Tiny monsters can squeeze past boulders, while hiding monsters such as cave spiders and slithy monsters such as snakes can use boulders to hide.

GruntHack

In GruntHack, player giants can move over and pick up boulders as other giants can.

SporkHack

SporkHack adds the ceiling collapse trap, which may drop several boulders and rocks on and around the trap when activating; they are capable of dealing immense damage that can potentially kill high-HP characters even if they are wearing a hard helmet.

EvilHack

In EvilHack, boulders are stackable. Giants are also a playable race in EvilHack, with the same ability to pick move over and pick up boulders - a boulder carried by a player giant weighs 6 aum rather than 0, in order to prevent them amassing an endless amount; boulders can also be stacked like other projectiles.

SlashTHEM

In addition to SLASH'EM changes above, SlashTHEM also includes ceiling collapse traps from SporkHack; giants are also a playable race, with the ability to move over and pick up boulders as in other variants.

Encyclopedia entry

I worked the lever well under, and stretched my back; the end of the stone rose up, and I kicked the fulcrum under. Then, when I was going to bear down, I remembered there was something to get out from below; when I let go of the lever, the stone would fall again. I sat down to think, on the root of the oak tree; and, seeing it stand about the ground, I saw my way. It was lucky I had brought a longer lever. It would just reach to wedge under the oak root.
Bearing it down so far would have been easy for a heavy man, but was a hard fight for me. But this time I meant to do it if it killed me, because I knew it could be done. Twice I got it nearly there, and twice the weight bore it up again; but when I flung myself on it the third time, I heard in my ears the sea-sound of Poseidon. Then I knew this time I would do it; and so I did.

[ The King Must Die, by Mary Renault ]

References

  1. ↑ src/dig.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 1328
  2. ↑ src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 183: Special case for titans and most other giants
  3. ↑ src/zap.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 4720
  4. ↑ src/trap.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 398
  5. ↑ src/trap.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 1534: Handling for players activating the trap
  6. ↑ src/trap.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 2690: Handling for monsters activating the trap
  7. ↑ src/trap.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 1771
  8. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 105
  9. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 302
  10. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 310
  11. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 124
  12. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 371
  13. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 367
  14. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 210
  15. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 224
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 src/dokick.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 1537
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 src/do.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 60
  18. ↑ src/do.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 90
  19. ↑ src/do.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 106
  20. ↑ src/do.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 111
  21. ↑ src/dokick.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 1431
  22. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 145
  23. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 361
  24. ↑ src/hack.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 374
  25. ↑ src/music.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 332
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 src/dig.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 816
  27. ↑ src/trap.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 942
  28. ↑ src/apply.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 3417: Breaking the wand calls dig_check in dig.c
  29. ↑ src/dig.c in NetHack 3.6.6, line 226: dig_check checks for boulders here; do_earthquake is music.c does not call this function
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