Difference between revisions of "Iron bars"

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{{features}}
 
{{features}}
'''Iron bars''' are a [[dungeon feature]] in ''[[NetHack]]'', represented by {{cyan|#}}.
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'''Iron bars''' are a [[dungeon feature]] that appear in ''[[NetHack]]'', represented by {{cyan|#}}.
  
 
==Generation==
 
==Generation==
 
Randomly generated inaccessible [[closet]]s (that have a guaranteed [[scroll of teleportation]]) have a 20% chance of having iron bars where the door would be.
 
Randomly generated inaccessible [[closet]]s (that have a guaranteed [[scroll of teleportation]]) have a 20% chance of having iron bars where the door would be.
  
There are guaranteed iron bars in the [[Wizard quest|Wizard]], [[Tourist quest|Tourist]], and [[Ranger quest]]s. The [[Minetown]] variant [[Minetown#Orcish Town|Orcish Town]] will also have several iron bars blocking off the center.
+
Iron bars also appear in the following branches and special levels:
 +
 
 +
* The [[Minetown]] variant [[Minetown#Orcish Town|Orcish Town]] will also have several iron bars blocking off entrance into the ruined town.
 +
* There are guaranteed iron bars in the [[Wizard quest|Wizard]], [[Tourist quest|Tourist]], and [[Ranger quest]]s.  
 +
* The [[Big Room]] has a wall of iron bars in the middle or the map for #8, and there is a chance of iron bars being selected as the terrain for maps of #1 and #10.
 +
* The fourth [[snake]]-filled variant of [[Medusa's Island]] has some iron bars around [[Medusa]]'s dwelling.
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
Iron bars cannot be walked or dug through, and objects thrown through them have a chance of being stopped by the iron bars. Specifically, "large" objects such as most melee [[weapon]]s, most [[armor]] or [[boulder]]s will be always stopped, while "small" objects such as most projectiles (including [[spear]]s, but not [[dagger]]s or [[boomerang]]s) or [[potion]]s will pass through with 80% chance (or 100% if the shooter is next to the bars in question).{{reffunc|mthrowu.c|hit_bars}}{{refsrc|mthrowu.c|463|nethack=3.6.1}} Spells, rays and beam attacks - such as [[dragon]] breath - will pass right through them as if they weren't there. All monsters that are [[whirly]], [[amorphous]], [[phasing]], [[tiny]], or (unless large) [[slithy]] can pass through them, including you if you have phasing or are [[polymorph]]ed into such a monster.{{reffunc|mondata.c|passes_bars}}
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Iron bars cannot be walked or [[digging|dug]] through, and objects thrown through them have a chance of being stopped by the iron bars. Specifically, large objects such as most melee [[weapon]]s, most [[armor]] or [[boulder]]s will always be stopped - smaller objects such as [[potion]]s and most [[projectile]]s (including [[spear]]s, but not [[dagger]]s or [[boomerang]]s) will pass through with 80% chance, or 100% if the monster throwing them is next to the bars in question.{{reffunc|mthrowu.c|hit_bars}}{{refsrc|mthrowu.c|463|nethack=3.6.1}} Spells, rays and beam attacks - such as [[dragon]] breath - will pass right through them as if they weren't there.
 +
 
 +
All monsters that are [[whirly]], [[amorphous]], [[phasing]], [[tiny]], or else medium-sized (or smaller) and [[slithy]] can pass through them, including you if you have any of these properties (including [[polymorph]]ing into a monster that does).{{reffunc|mondata.c|passes_bars}} Monsters with rusting or corrosive attacks, such as [[rust monster]]s and [[gray ooze]]s, can also eat through the bars.
 +
 
 +
[[Acid]] can be used to dissolve iron bars: a [[potion of acid]] can be thrown at them, or smashed onto them by using {{kbd|F}} while [[wield]]ing one (as noted above, a thrown potion potion only has a 20% chance of hitting the bars).{{refsrc|hack.c|1569|nethack=3.6.1}}{{refsrc|mthrowu.c|1115|nethack=3.6.1}} The acidic breath of a [[yellow dragon]] will dissolve the bars as well.{{refsrc|zap.c|4425|nethack=3.6.1}} Bars that are marked "[[non-diggable]]" cannot be dissolved by any of these methods.
 +
 
 +
==Strategy==
 +
Iron bars do not impede visibility, allowing spellcasting or wand-using players and monsters to direct their beams, rays and gazes through them. In particular, this can be used to pick off Orcish Town's invaders without as much immediately risk to yourself - but beware of the [[poison]]ed [[arrow]]s that many of them can fire back at you, especially if you lack [[poison resistance]].
  
A [[potion of acid]] can be used to dissolve iron bars by hitting them while [[wield]]ing one.{{refsrc|hack.c|1569|nethack=3.6.1}}{{refsrc|mthrowu.c|1115|nethack=3.6.1}} Throwing can also work - but as noted above, the potion only has a 20% chance of hitting the bars. The [[acid]]ic breath of a [[yellow dragon]] will dissolve the bars as well.{{refsrc|zap.c|4425|nethack=3.6.1}} However, if the bars are marked [[non-diggable]], they cannot be dissolved by any of these methods.
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The iron bars on the fourth variant of Medusa's Island present a significant hazard - you may inadvertently catch a glimpse of Medusa through the bars as you approach her, depending on where she is first generated, and risk turning yourself to stone. As such, wearing a [[blindfold]] or [[towel]] beforehand may be a good idea, especially if you lack a [[reflection]] source.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
{{todo|Bug still valid for 3.6.0?}}
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Iron bars first appear in [[NetHack 3.1.0]], when the [[Quest]] was introduced to the game.
Dissolving iron bars with acid was added in [[3.6.1]].
 
  
Prior to version [[3.6.0]], iron bars were never randomly generated in vanilla NetHack.
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In version [[3.4.0]], a potential bug occurred with whirly and/or amorphous [[engulfing|engulfers]] passing through iron bars while [[engulfing]] a monster that cannot.
  
In version [[3.4.0]], a monster that can pass through iron bars can still do so even while [[engulfing]] a monster that cannot. This may be a bug.
+
[[NetHack 3.6.0]] was the first version in which iron bars can randomly generate through the previously discussed method, and the first in which monsters could eat through them; dissolving iron bars with acid was added in [[3.6.1]].
 +
 
 +
{{todo|Is the 3.4 bug still valid for 3.6.0?}}
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
 
===SLASH'EM===
 
===SLASH'EM===
In [[SLASH'EM]], iron bars may be found in some of the new levels of [[Sokoban]], but aren't randomly generated. They are also found in [[Grund's Stronghold]], and may comprise the walls of some maze levels, like in [[Gehennom]]. Iron bar mazes are especially annoying during the ascension run.
+
In [[SLASH'EM]], iron bars may be found in some of the new levels of [[Sokoban]], and also appear in [[Grund's Stronghold]]. Some maze levels within the dungeon may be partially comprised of iron bars, e.g. in [[Gehennom]]; these can prove especially annoying during the [[ascension run]].
  
Most creatures cannot pass through the bars, but a [[doppelganger]] character may still [[liquid leap]] through them.  
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In addition to the applicable methods described above, player [[Doppelganger (starting race)|Doppleganger]]s can use the [[liquid leap]] technique to pass through them. This can even be used on the iron bars in Sokoban, which otherwise prevents creatures from passing through them.
  
 
===UnNetHack===
 
===UnNetHack===
In [[UnNetHack]], iron bars may be found in some of the new levels of [[Sokoban]]. They sometimes are generated on room-and-corridor dungeon levels instead of doorways. There is a small chance that levels in [[Gehennom]] may have iron bars instead of walls, making it difficult to hack a path.
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In [[UnNetHack]], as in SLASH'EM above, iron bars appear in some of the new levels of [[Sokoban]] (a few of which are from SLASH'EM) and in Gehennom mazes. They also appear much more frequently within the main dungeon, often replacing doorways and sections of rock wall within room-and-corridor levels.
  
Creatures ''are'' able to pass through Sokoban bars. Some are created around the exit if you are attempting to steal from the [[Black Market]].
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A ring of iron bars is created around the [[magic portal]] connecting the [[Black Market]] to the main dungeon if you attempt to steal anything from their shops.
  
Iron bars may be eaten by [[metallivore]]s{{refsrc|src/hack.c|731|unnethack=1499}}{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|1307|unnethack=1499}} and dissolved by a [[Dragon|acid breath]] (with a 20% chance){{refsrc|src/zap.c|3915|unnethack=1499}} or a [[potion of acid]].{{refsrc|src/mthrowu.c|856|unnethack=1499}}
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Iron bars may be eaten by [[metallivore]]s, and may also dissolved by acid breath from dragons (with a 20% chance)or a potion of acid.{{refsrc|src/zap.c|3915|unnethack=1499}} {{refsrc|src/mthrowu.c|856|unnethack=1499}}{{refsrc|src/hack.c|731|unnethack=1499}}{{refsrc|src/monmove.c|1307|unnethack=1499}}  
  
 
===SporkHack===
 
===SporkHack===
In [[SporkHack]], iron bars are sometimes generated on room-and-corridor dungeon levels instead of doorways.
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In [[SporkHack]], iron bars are sometimes generated as part of room-and-corridor dungeon levels.
  
 
===dNetHack===
 
===dNetHack===
In [[dNetHack]], iron bars can be broken with wands of striking.
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In [[dNetHack]], iron bars can be broken with a [[wand of striking]].
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
 
{{nethack-366}}
 
{{nethack-366}}
 
[[Category:Dungeon features]]
 
[[Category:Dungeon features]]

Revision as of 13:53, 24 February 2022

Iron bars are a dungeon feature that appear in NetHack, represented by #.

Generation

Randomly generated inaccessible closets (that have a guaranteed scroll of teleportation) have a 20% chance of having iron bars where the door would be.

Iron bars also appear in the following branches and special levels:

  • The Minetown variant Orcish Town will also have several iron bars blocking off entrance into the ruined town.
  • There are guaranteed iron bars in the Wizard, Tourist, and Ranger quests.
  • The Big Room has a wall of iron bars in the middle or the map for #8, and there is a chance of iron bars being selected as the terrain for maps of #1 and #10.
  • The fourth snake-filled variant of Medusa's Island has some iron bars around Medusa's dwelling.

Description

Iron bars cannot be walked or dug through, and objects thrown through them have a chance of being stopped by the iron bars. Specifically, large objects such as most melee weapons, most armor or boulders will always be stopped - smaller objects such as potions and most projectiles (including spears, but not daggers or boomerangs) will pass through with 80% chance, or 100% if the monster throwing them is next to the bars in question.[1][2] Spells, rays and beam attacks - such as dragon breath - will pass right through them as if they weren't there.

All monsters that are whirly, amorphous, phasing, tiny, or else medium-sized (or smaller) and slithy can pass through them, including you if you have any of these properties (including polymorphing into a monster that does).[3] Monsters with rusting or corrosive attacks, such as rust monsters and gray oozes, can also eat through the bars.

Acid can be used to dissolve iron bars: a potion of acid can be thrown at them, or smashed onto them by using F while wielding one (as noted above, a thrown potion potion only has a 20% chance of hitting the bars).[4][5] The acidic breath of a yellow dragon will dissolve the bars as well.[6] Bars that are marked "non-diggable" cannot be dissolved by any of these methods.

Strategy

Iron bars do not impede visibility, allowing spellcasting or wand-using players and monsters to direct their beams, rays and gazes through them. In particular, this can be used to pick off Orcish Town's invaders without as much immediately risk to yourself - but beware of the poisoned arrows that many of them can fire back at you, especially if you lack poison resistance.

The iron bars on the fourth variant of Medusa's Island present a significant hazard - you may inadvertently catch a glimpse of Medusa through the bars as you approach her, depending on where she is first generated, and risk turning yourself to stone. As such, wearing a blindfold or towel beforehand may be a good idea, especially if you lack a reflection source.

History

Iron bars first appear in NetHack 3.1.0, when the Quest was introduced to the game.

In version 3.4.0, a potential bug occurred with whirly and/or amorphous engulfers passing through iron bars while engulfing a monster that cannot.

NetHack 3.6.0 was the first version in which iron bars can randomly generate through the previously discussed method, and the first in which monsters could eat through them; dissolving iron bars with acid was added in 3.6.1.

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

"Is the 3.4 bug still valid for 3.6.0?"

Variants

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, iron bars may be found in some of the new levels of Sokoban, and also appear in Grund's Stronghold. Some maze levels within the dungeon may be partially comprised of iron bars, e.g. in Gehennom; these can prove especially annoying during the ascension run.

In addition to the applicable methods described above, player Dopplegangers can use the liquid leap technique to pass through them. This can even be used on the iron bars in Sokoban, which otherwise prevents creatures from passing through them.

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, as in SLASH'EM above, iron bars appear in some of the new levels of Sokoban (a few of which are from SLASH'EM) and in Gehennom mazes. They also appear much more frequently within the main dungeon, often replacing doorways and sections of rock wall within room-and-corridor levels.

A ring of iron bars is created around the magic portal connecting the Black Market to the main dungeon if you attempt to steal anything from their shops.

Iron bars may be eaten by metallivores, and may also dissolved by acid breath from dragons (with a 20% chance)or a potion of acid.[7] [8][9][10]

SporkHack

In SporkHack, iron bars are sometimes generated as part of room-and-corridor dungeon levels.

dNetHack

In dNetHack, iron bars can be broken with a wand of striking.

References