Object materials
| Object materials | |
|---|---|
| Author | L |
| Download | link |
| NetHack PatchDB | unknown |
Object materials is the name of a system that allows various objects to generate made of something different from their ordinary base material. It was first introduced in NetHack brass, and L later made it into a standalone patch.
Variants that incorporate some kind of object materials include GruntHack, dNetHack, xNetHack, SpliceHack, and EvilHack; GruntHack's implementation is much different from that of L's patch, and thus different from other variant implementations.
A user has suggested improving this page or section as follows:
"All the variants that implement object materials do them slightly differently, and should be noted. Also, add a section describing what unusual properties might come from different-material objects. For example, flesh objects can be eaten."
Contents
Summary
The general purpose of the patch is to increase the variance in equipment that a player may come across in NetHack and/or its variants, as well as the strategies employed with such items. This can have diverse effects on a given game: one hero may realize too late that their gold wand of death was a valid target for an overlooked leprechaun; another may employ a pair of mithril short swords to slice their way through hordes of orcs; still others may try to assemble an all-silver full-body set of armor to thoroughly demon-proof themselves before entering Gehennom; and aspiring casters will try to wear as much non-metallic clothing as possible.
Artifacts
Artifacts, including artifact weapons, tend to have a set base material; it is sometimes possible to name or create certain artifacts such as Sting and Excalibur, with a weapon of the desired material, though whether this is allowed depends on the variant.
Monsters and object materials
In games with some form of object materials included (typically variants), monsters also have various interactions with each type of object, the more common of which are listed below.
Material hatred
Material hatred is used to refer to any particular material that deals extra damage to a certain type of monster, much like the standard interactions between werecreatures and silver (e.g. elves may have an aversion to iron weapons).
Golems
Golems that are generated randomly or via polypiling in games with object materials may death drop items made of that material among the pile of objects left behind as their standard "corpse".
Leprechauns
Leprechauns in games with object materials are usually given the ability to steal items made of gold in addition to gold coins.
Croesus
Many variants with object materials give Croesus golden weapons and/or armor.
Object materials by variant
Below is a list of each variant's implementation of object materials.
