Difference between revisions of "Dwarf (starting race)"

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{{Languages}}
 
{{Wikipedia|Dwarf}}
 
{{Wikipedia|Dwarf}}
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{{otheruses|dwarves in general|the specific monster|Dwarf (monster)}}
  
== Introduction ==
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A '''dwarf''' is a type of [[monster]] in ''[[NetHack]]'', and is also a playable [[race]]. It also characterizes several dwarf-related monsters.
You can play ''[[NetHack]]'' or ''[[SLASH'EM]]'' as a '''Dwarf''' [[h]]<ref>You will see yourself as [[@]] (unless you have [[Options#showrace|showrace]] on), but you are considered to be ''both'' [[@]] and letter [[h]]. Therefore, using blessed [[genocide]] to eliminate [[mind flayer]]s is a bad idea, as it will result in an [[instadeath]].</ref>. Dwarves have [[infravision]], good physical [[attribute]]s, and poor spellcasting attributes.  As a dwarf, you will also find the dwarvish inhabitants of the [[Gnomish Mines]] to be generally peaceful.
 
  
Dwarves are always [[Lawful]]. They can be [[Archaeologist]]s, [[Caveman|Cavemen]], or [[Valkyrie]]s.   Curiously, the there is really no dwarf role that seems especially "dwarvish"--cavemen are primitive, archaeologists are combat-averse scientists, and valkyries are all female!  The typical fantasy vision of the warrior/craftsman/miner is therefore not really available to the player of NetHack...at least not at present.  The Elven [[ranger]] and Orcish [[barbarian]] seem much closer to the typical conception of those races.
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According to the guide book:
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{{guidebook|Dwarves are smaller than humans or elves, but are stocky and solid individuals. Dwarves' most notable trait is their great expertise in mining and metalwork. Dwarvish armor is said to be second in quality not even to the mithril armor of the Elves.}}
  
Playing as a random dwarf is a good way to focus on a small number of [[role]]s.
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== Racial benefits and restrictions ==
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Dwarves are always [[lawful]]. They can be [[Archeologist]]s, [[Caveman|Cavemen]], or [[Valkyrie]]s.  
  
== List of dwarf [[monster]]s ==
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Dwarves have [[intrinsic]] [[infravision]]. From an [[attribute]] perspective, dwarves have good physical attributes (the highest dexterity and constitution), but those are offset by the lowest mental attributes. The following table outlines their maximum (unaided) attribute levels.
{{monster
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|name=dwarf
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{| class="prettytable"
|symbol={{red|h}}
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! Strength
|tile=[[Image:Dwarf.png]]
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! Dexterity
|difficulty=4
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! Constitution
|level=4
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! Intelligence
|experience=22
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! Wisdom
|speed=6
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! Charisma
|AC=10
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|-
|MR=10
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| 18/** || 20 || 20 || 16 || 16 || 16
|align=5
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|}
|frequency=Rare
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|genocidable=Yes
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When playing as a dwarf, you will see yourself as {{white|@}} (unless you have [[Options#showrace|showrace]] on), but you are considered to be ''both'' {{white|@}} and {{white|h}}. For this reason, using blessed [[genocide]] to eliminate [[mind flayer]]s (entering <code>h</code> at the prompt) is a [[Bad Idea]], as it will result in an [[instadeath]]. Therefore, dwarves must use two uncursed genocides to eliminate both [[mind flayer]]s and [[master mind flayer]]s, while other characters can eliminate them both with a single blessed genocide.
|attacks=Weapon 1d8
 
|weight=900
 
|nutr=300
 
|size=Medium
 
|resistances=None
 
|resistances conveyed=None
 
}}
 
In the vanilla 3.4.3 dungeon, you can encounter:
 
* dwarf
 
* [[dwarf lord]]
 
* [[dwarf king]]
 
* [[dwarf mummy]]
 
* [[dwarf zombie]]
 
  
Dwarf mummy is [[M]], dwarf zombie is [[Z]], and the rest of the above are all [[h]]. A "dwarf corpse" is dropped by the undead dwarves and is also found in graves left by player dwarves in [[bones]].
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Curiously, there is no dwarf role that seems especially "dwarvish"&mdash;Cavemen are primitive, Archeologists are combat-averse scientists, and Valkyries are Norse psychopomps. The typical fantasy vision of the dwarf warrior, craftsman, or miner is therefore not really available to the player of ''NetHack''.
  
The standard '''dwarf''', {{red|h}}, is a [[monster]] in [[NetHack]]. They are not a serious threat even at low levels, however they can be generated with a very low [[AC]] due to their [[armor]], and can turn up unexpectedly by [[digging]].
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== Dwarvish monsters ==
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The monster flag M2_DWARF determines if a monster is considered to be a sort of dwarf or otherwise of dwarvish origin. The following monsters have this flag:
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* {{monsymlink|dwarf}}
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* {{monsymlink|dwarf lord}}
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* {{monsymlink|dwarf king}}
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* {{monsymlink|dwarf mummy}}
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* {{monsymlink|dwarf zombie}}
  
 
== Dwarvish items ==
 
== Dwarvish items ==
In [[objects.c]], vanilla 3.4.3 also defines several dwarven objects. They are listed below. The weapon damage figures are copied from [[weap-343.txt]], the armor class figures are from [[armr-343.txt]].
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The following objects are defined as dwarven objects.{{refsrc|obj.h|295|nethack=3.6.1}} Strangely, the code doesn't actually use this definition anywhere.
  
 
[[Weapon]]s:
 
[[Weapon]]s:
* [[dwarvish mattock]] (broad pick) - d12/d8+2d6
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* [[Dwarvish mattock]] (broad pick)
* [[dwarvish short sword]] (broad short sword) - d7/d8
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* [[Dwarvish short sword]] (broad short sword)
* [[dwarvish spear]] (stout spear) - d8/d8
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* [[Dwarvish spear]] (stout spear)
  
 
[[Armor]]:
 
[[Armor]]:
* [[dwarvish iron helm]] (hard hat) - AC 2
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* [[Dwarvish iron helm]] (hard hat)
* [[dwarvish mithril-coat]] - AC 6
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* [[Dwarvish mithril-coat]]
* [[dwarvish cloak]] (hooded cloak) - AC 0
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* [[Dwarvish cloak]] (hooded cloak)
* [[dwarvish roundshield]] (large round shield) - AC 2
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* [[Dwarvish roundshield]] (large round shield)
  
You can use the above list to identify if any item is dwarvish. No dwarvish [[artifact]]s currently exist in the game. Note that dwarvish mattocks have a -1 to-hit penalty.
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No dwarvish [[artifact]]s currently exist in the game.
  
Dwarvish items are said to be exceptional metalworks. (Those crude [[orc]]ish items have the opposite reputation.) The mithril-coat will never rust nor corrode, and carries three points of [[magic cancellation]].
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Dwarvish items are said to be exceptional metalworks, and their stats generally show this: they are superior to orcish and non-racial counterparts, and are largely better (if heavier) than elven counterparts.
  
The dwarvish mithril-coat gives one more point of AC protection than the elven mithril-coat, however the dwarvish cloak gives one less point than the elven counterpart. The dwarvish shield is quite heavy compared to the elven one, even though they have the same AC.
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== Strategy ==
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With a peaceful [[Gnomish Mines]] and the best [[HP]] increase per level of any race, dwarves are arguably the strongest race in NetHack.
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Their poor spellcasting ability is largely irrelevant, as the roles that dwarves can play aren't particularly well suited to casting spells.
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Dwarven [[Valkyrie]] is often recommended as the most straightforward and beginner-friendly role.
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==dNetHack==
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Dwarves in [[dNetHack]] can additionally take on the [[Noble]] or [[Knight]] role. Dwarves in one of these roles get special quests, the [[Dwarf Noble]] and [[Dwarf Knight]] quest. Dwarves begin the game knowing all four [[stave-ward]]s.
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==Encyclopedia entry==
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{{encyclopedia|
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Dwarfs have faces like men (ugly men, with wrinkled, leathery skins), but are generally either flat-footed, duck-footed, or have feet pointing backwards.  They are of the earth, earthy, living in the darkest of caverns and venturing forth only with the cloaks by which they can make themselves invisible, and others disguised as toads.  Miners often come across them, and sometimes establish reasonably close relations with them.... The miners of Cornwall were always delighted to hear a bucca busily mining away, for all dwarfs have an infallible nose for precious metals.
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Among other things, dwarfs are rightly valued for their skill as blacksmiths and jewellers: they made Odin his famous spear Gungnir, and Thor his hammer; for Freya they designed a magnificent necklace, and for Frey a golden boar.  And in their spare time they are excellent bakers.  Ironically, despite their odd feet, they are particularly fond of dancing.  They can also see into the future, and consequently are excellent meteorologists.  They can be free with presents to people they like, and a dwarvish gift is likely to turn to gold in the hand.  But on the whole they are a snappish lot.
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|[ The Immortals, by Derek and Julia Parker ]
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}}
  
== Footnotes ==
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== References ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
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{{nethack-361}}
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Races]]
 
[[Category:Races]]

Latest revision as of 22:24, 21 November 2023

This article is about dwarves in general. For the specific monster, see Dwarf (monster).

A dwarf is a type of monster in NetHack, and is also a playable race. It also characterizes several dwarf-related monsters.

According to the guide book:

Dwarves are smaller than humans or elves, but are stocky and solid individuals. Dwarves' most notable trait is their great expertise in mining and metalwork. Dwarvish armor is said to be second in quality not even to the mithril armor of the Elves.


Racial benefits and restrictions

Dwarves are always lawful. They can be Archeologists, Cavemen, or Valkyries.

Dwarves have intrinsic infravision. From an attribute perspective, dwarves have good physical attributes (the highest dexterity and constitution), but those are offset by the lowest mental attributes. The following table outlines their maximum (unaided) attribute levels.

Strength Dexterity Constitution Intelligence Wisdom Charisma
18/** 20 20 16 16 16

When playing as a dwarf, you will see yourself as @ (unless you have showrace on), but you are considered to be both @ and h. For this reason, using blessed genocide to eliminate mind flayers (entering h at the prompt) is a Bad Idea, as it will result in an instadeath. Therefore, dwarves must use two uncursed genocides to eliminate both mind flayers and master mind flayers, while other characters can eliminate them both with a single blessed genocide.

Curiously, there is no dwarf role that seems especially "dwarvish"—Cavemen are primitive, Archeologists are combat-averse scientists, and Valkyries are Norse psychopomps. The typical fantasy vision of the dwarf warrior, craftsman, or miner is therefore not really available to the player of NetHack.

Dwarvish monsters

The monster flag M2_DWARF determines if a monster is considered to be a sort of dwarf or otherwise of dwarvish origin. The following monsters have this flag:

Dwarvish items

The following objects are defined as dwarven objects.[1] Strangely, the code doesn't actually use this definition anywhere.

Weapons:

Armor:

No dwarvish artifacts currently exist in the game.

Dwarvish items are said to be exceptional metalworks, and their stats generally show this: they are superior to orcish and non-racial counterparts, and are largely better (if heavier) than elven counterparts.

Strategy

With a peaceful Gnomish Mines and the best HP increase per level of any race, dwarves are arguably the strongest race in NetHack.

Their poor spellcasting ability is largely irrelevant, as the roles that dwarves can play aren't particularly well suited to casting spells.

Dwarven Valkyrie is often recommended as the most straightforward and beginner-friendly role.

dNetHack

Dwarves in dNetHack can additionally take on the Noble or Knight role. Dwarves in one of these roles get special quests, the Dwarf Noble and Dwarf Knight quest. Dwarves begin the game knowing all four stave-wards.

Encyclopedia entry

Dwarfs have faces like men (ugly men, with wrinkled, leathery skins), but are generally either flat-footed, duck-footed, or have feet pointing backwards. They are of the earth, earthy, living in the darkest of caverns and venturing forth only with the cloaks by which they can make themselves invisible, and others disguised as toads. Miners often come across them, and sometimes establish reasonably close relations with them.... The miners of Cornwall were always delighted to hear a bucca busily mining away, for all dwarfs have an infallible nose for precious metals.
Among other things, dwarfs are rightly valued for their skill as blacksmiths and jewellers: they made Odin his famous spear Gungnir, and Thor his hammer; for Freya they designed a magnificent necklace, and for Frey a golden boar. And in their spare time they are excellent bakers. Ironically, despite their odd feet, they are particularly fond of dancing. They can also see into the future, and consequently are excellent meteorologists. They can be free with presents to people they like, and a dwarvish gift is likely to turn to gold in the hand. But on the whole they are a snappish lot.

[ The Immortals, by Derek and Julia Parker ]

References


This page may need to be updated for the current version of NetHack.

It may contain text specific to NetHack 3.6.1. Information on this page may be out of date.

Editors: After reviewing this page and making necessary edits, please change the {{nethack-361}} tag to the current version's tag or {{noversion}} as appropriate.