Knight

The knight is one of the player roles in NetHack. Knights are always lawful humans.

Starting Equipment

• +1 long sword
• +1 lance
• +1 ring mail
• +0 helmet
• +0 small shield
• +0 leather gloves
• 10 to 20 uncursed apples
• 10 to 20 uncursed carrots

Starting pet is always a pony with a saddle.

Abilities

Knights can identify all weapons and non-magical armor from the beginning. They also have a special intrinsic ability to #jump like the knight piece in chess. They are able to #turn undead, and their special spell is turn undead.

• At Experience Level 7 knights gain intrinsic speed.

Skills

Knight skills
Max	Skills
Basic	Weapons: dagger, knife, pick-axe, scimitar, club, flail, hammer, trident, bow
Skilled	Weapons: axe, short sword, broadsword, two-handed sword, saber, mace, morning star, polearms, spear, crossbow Combat: two weapon combat Spells: attack, healing, clerical
Expert	Weapons: long sword, lance Combat: bare hands, riding

Quest

Main article: Knight quest

The quest monster is a quasit. The quest nemesis is a dragon called Ixoth. He is a rather tough opponent, although he can be dealt with by using Elbereth or paralysis. Knights receive the Magic Mirror of Merlin after the quest, which allows them to become powerful spellcasters.

Code of conduct

There are special rules of conduct for a knight:

Honor in combat

"You caitiff!"

Knights take a -1 alignment penalty for attacking sleeping, paralysed or fleeing monsters (even if the monster continues to attack while fleeing).

Frugality in food

"You feel like a glutton!"

There is a -1 alignment penalty for eating while satiated.

Honorable Shopping

"You feel like a common thief."

There is a -1 alignment penalty for digging down in a shop.

Strategy

Difficulty

The knight is controversial among NetHack players, considered by some to be a poor role, others the most interesting. It is a choice for a player thinking both about melee and magic. One could however consider that he develops his magical skills in the late game and starts out with a great deal of metal armor, which inhibits spellcasting. The knight is also the best rider in the game. Long-range weapons are clearly his great down-side.

External links

• Knight FAQ (unfinished)