K-ration
A K-ration is a kind of comestible that appears in Nethack. It is similar to a cram ration, and is suitable for vegans.
Generation
Yendorian Army fighters(of all ranks) have a 1⁄3 chance of being generated with a K-ration.[1]
Strategy
K-rations can be eaten in one move, making them valuable for quick nutrition in desperate situations, and are plentiful if you can clear out barracks, such as those found in Fort Ludios and the Castle. Though K-rations and C-rations are effectively identical, K-rations have a higher nutrition value, tied with the lembas wafer for the highest amount of nutrition per turn unless you are an elven character. As such, they are highly preferred on the Astral Plane, particularly if you have to deal with Famine.
History
The K-ration first appears in NetHack 2.3e.
Origin
K-rations were daily combat rations for the US Army in World War I. They were often non-vegetarian.
Messages
- This K-ration is bland.
- You ate a non-cursed K-ration.
Encyclopedia entry
The K ration was the [ Quartermaster Subsistence Research
and Development Laboratory's ] answer to the demand for an
individual, easy-to-carry ration that could be used in
assault and combat operations. It was noted for compactness
and superior packaging and was acknowledged as the ration
that provided the greatest variety of nutritionally balanced
components within the smallest space.
[ Special Rations for the Armed Forces, 1946-53,
by Franz A. Koehler ]
