Difference between revisions of "Pick-axe"

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(Generation: correct generation probability on dwarves)
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{{weapon|name=pick-axe|glyph=(|tile=[[image:pick-axe.png]]|smalldmg=1d6|largedmg=1d3|skill=pick-axe|cost=50|weight=100|material=iron}}
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{{weapon
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  |name=pick-axe
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  |glyph=(
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  |tile=[[image:pick-axe.png]]
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  |smalldmg=1d6
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  |largedmg=1d3
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  |skill=pick-axe
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  |cost=50
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  |weight=100
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  |material=iron}}
  
A '''pick-axe''' is a very useful [[tool]] that can be used as a [[weapon]].  A similar item is the [[dwarvish mattock]].
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A '''pick-axe''' is a kind of [[tool]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is made of [[iron]]. While classified as a tool and designed for [[digging]], it can also be used as a [[weapon]] - the [[dwarvish mattock]] is a similar [[weapon-tool]] primarily classified as a weapon.
  
The pick-axe is classified as a tool in the [[inventory]], while the dwarvish mattock is classified as a weapon.
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==Generation==
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[[Archeologist]]s start with a +0 pick-axe.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|34|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
  
==Digging==
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Pick-axes make up about 0.5% of randomly generated tools (on the floor, as [[death drop]]s and in [[shop]]s). With the exception of [[bones]] files, they always generate [[uncursed]].
{{main|Digging}}
 
  
A pick-axe can be (a)pplied to [[digging|dig]] into [[wall]]s or through the [[floor]], or to smash [[doors]], [[boulder]]s and [[statue]]s. If you apply it upward, a [[rock]] will fall from the ceiling and bonk you on the head. If you have the ''autodig'' [[option]] enabled and are currently wielding a pick-axe or mattock, you can dig into walls or the ground by simply walking into them (or pressing >). This does not work for boulders, statues, or doors.
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[[Dwarf (monster)|Dwarves]] have a {{frac|4}} chance of [[monster starting inventory|being generated with]] a pick-axe.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|336|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=a pick-axe is given {{frac|3}} of {{frac|3|4}} of the time, and a mattock is given {{frac|2}} of {{frac|4}} of the time}} [[Elvenking]]s have a {{frac|2|3}} chance of generating with a pick-axe; the guaranteed Elvenking on the [[Plane of Earth]] will always generate with one.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|257|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
  
 
==Pick-axe skill==
 
==Pick-axe skill==
 
 
{{pick-axe skill table}}
 
{{pick-axe skill table}}
  
In the #enhance screen, the pick-axe [[skill]] applies to both the pick-axe and the two-handed [[dwarvish mattock]] (unidentified appearance of which is "broad pick"). There are no artifact pick-axes.
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The pick-axe and the dwarvish mattock use the '''pick-axe''' [[skill]].
  
== Generation ==
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==Description==
 
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{{main|Digging}}
Pick-axes make up about 0.5% of randomly generated tools (on the floor, as [[death drop]]s and in [[shop]]s). [[Archeologist]]s start with a [[Enchantment|+0]] pick-axe.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|34|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
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You can [[apply]] a pick-axe to tunnel through [[wall]]s or the [[floor]], dig through [[doors]] and smash [[boulder]]s and [[statue]]s. If you apply it upward, a [[rock]] will fall from the ceiling and bonk you on the head. If you have the ''autodig'' [[option]] enabled and are currently wielding a pick-axe, you can dig into walls or the ground by simply walking into them (or pressing {{kbd|>}}); this does not work for boulders, statues, or doors. You can dig faster by [[Enchantment|enchanting]] the pick-axe, playing as a [[dwarf]] and/or using [[Digging#Digging speed|other available methods]] - somewhat unusually, your skill level in pick-axe has no bearing on your digging speed.
  
[[Dwarves]] are often generated with pick-axes (or dwarvish mattocks) in their inventory. The probability is 25% for a pick-axe and 12.5% for a mattock.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|336|version=NetHack 3.6.0|comment=a pick-axe is given {{frac|3}} of {{frac|3|4}} of the time, and a mattock is given {{frac|2}} of {{frac|4}} of the time}}  A dwarf with a pick-axe will automatically [[Digging|dig]] through the walls of its [[dungeon level]] and will pick up any gems it happens across.  If you spend a lot of time on this level, the dwarf will eventually tear up a good portion of it.
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[[Shopkeeper]]s will attempt to block off the entrance of their [[shop]]s if you have a pick-axe in your inventory. You can drop it at the entrance to the shop (not counting the doorway), place it into a [[container]], or try to force your way in by moving behind another [[monster]]. Trying to throw a pick-axe in diagonally will cause the shopkeeper to swiftly catch it; pulling out a pick-axe from a container you are carrying while already in the shop will cause the shopkeeper to yell at you - there is no other effect, however, and you can continue to shop as normal. Digging a pit in the floor will have them warn you about falling through; the real danger is that if you make the pit into a hole, objects on that square and adjacent squares can fall through the hole - this counts as [[shoplifting|theft]] and will anger the shopkeeper.
  
[[Elvenking]]s are also eligible to be generated with pick-axes; the guaranteed [[Elvenking]] on the [[Plane of Earth]] has a 66% chance of carrying a pick-axe.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|257|version=NetHack 3.6.0}}
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==Strategy==
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Pick-axes have many uses that make them valuable tools to carry around - one of the more common early uses for a pick-axe is finding and looting [[vault]]s for gold to use in shops and/or at [[temple]]s. While digging, you may also unearth [[gem]]s and [[gold]] embedded in the walls - unearthing vaults will suffice for a majority of characters, but searching for random gold and gems with the aid of [[object detection]] (usually via a [[potion of object detection|potion]]) is a viable option for those attempting a [[protection racket]], particularly Archeologists.
  
== Strategy ==
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Another general use is to cut a cleaner and/or shorter path between staircases on a dungeon level, as well as smashing boulders blocking your path; this is particularly useful with [[Gehennom]] [[maze]]s, especially when navigating your way out during the [[ascension run]]. A pick-axe can be used to break obstructing and/or stuck boulders in [[Sokoban]] - note that breaking boulders here causes a -1 [[Luck]] penalty, unless you are on a level you have already solved. Still another use is to break statues and get at [[Statue#Statue contents|their potential contents]]. Smashed boulders and statues will also crumble into [[rock]]s, which you can [[throw]] or [[sling]] as projectiles.
  
Pick-axes (and mattocks) have many uses that make them valuable tools to carry around:
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Pick-axes can be used to steal from shops by picking up all of the shop's merchandise and digging out of the shop, then through the floor - this will only work if the shop is big enough for you to get distance from the shopkeeper, and you may need to place additional obstructions between you and them (e.g., a [[scroll of earth]]); a [[wand of digging]] may be more ideal. You can also dig straight through the floor, but obstructing the shopkeeper is far more necessary, of they will otherwise steal every non-worn and non-wielded item in your inventory as you fall. Doing this will naturally anger the shopkeeper, and [[Keystone Kop]]s will begin to generate when you return to that dungeon level, so plan accordingly.
  
* You can smash boulders. This is useful if they are in your way, or if you want to create some [[rock]]s to throw or sling. (Breaking boulders in [[Sokoban]] causes a -1 [[Luck]] penalty, unless you are on a level you have already solved in version [[NetHack 3.6.0|3.6.0]].)
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Pick-axes are fairly heavy at 100 aum, which can prove inconvenient especially if you start with a low carry cap due to weak [[strength]] and/or [[constitution]] - a non-cursed [[bag of holding]] makes them far more tolerable to keep with you long-term. The wand of digging and wand of striking may be preferred over a pick-axe in certain instances, such as digging through non-Gehennom mazes, though they have limited charges.
* You can smash [[statues]] to find the [[Statue#Statue contents|spellbooks that might be inside]].
 
* You can search for [[vault]]s and loot them.
 
* If a particular dungeon level has a very long or circuitous path between staircases, you can cut a shorter path to ease your future travels through the level. This is particularly useful in [[maze]] levels in [[Gehennom]].
 
* Most [[dungeon level|level]]s have [[gem]]s and gold embedded in the walls, and you can mine for them. This is generally a waste of time, but it might be useful if you're an [[archeologist]] attempting the [[protection racket]].
 
* You can [[shoplifting|steal from a shop]] with the help of a pick-axe: Pick up all the shop's merchandise, then escape from the shop by digging downward through the floor. Be cautious when using this technique, however, as shopkeepers are capable of stealing everything you are not wearing or wielding as you fall through the floor. (You can help to prevent this by digging a series of pits around the shopkeeper to prevent him from reaching you.) This will also result in an angry [[shopkeeper]] and a horde of [[Keystone Kop]]s on the level of the shop, so be careful when you come back through.  Shopkeepers will preempt this theft by blocking you from entering their shop with a pick-axe or mattock in your main inventory, although you may still sneak it inside in a [[container]] or throw it through the door diagonally.
 
  
Killing dwarves is an easy way to find a pick-axe. (If your character is dwarven, make sure not to [[Cannibalism|eat]] or [[sacrifice]] their corpses!) Players often head towards the [[Gnomish Mines]], where many dwarves are auto-generated, with the specific purpose of obtaining a pick-axe. Like most tools, pick-axes are always generated [[uncursed]], so it is safe to wield one that you find as long as you are not on a bones level; this does not extend to mattocks, which are considered weapons and not tools.
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===Finding a pick-axe===
 
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One of the easiest means to nab a pick-axe is to kill a dwarf. Many dwarves appear in the [[Gnomish Mines]], but will mostly generate as peaceful to [[lawful]], dwarven, or [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomish]] players - while other players may face more danger from hostile dwarves, players that generate peaceful dwarves take a penalty to their [[alignment record]] for killing them directly. A [[pet]] can be a valuable ally to overpower a digging dwarf with in either instance.
The main issue with pick-axes is that they are quite heavy (100 units, or 1/10 of [[encumbrance#Carrying capacity|maximum carrying capacity]]); players at the beginning of the game may not be able to carry one in addition to their other items and remain unburdened. This problem is reduced somewhat once you have a [[bag of holding]], although players who are digging frequently (for instance, to move around in mazes in [[Gehennom]] more easily) will probably not want to put their pick-axe in a bag and necessitate removing it every few turns. If you choose not to carry a pick-axe, [[wand of digging|wands of digging]] and [[wand of striking|wands of striking]] together will accomplish everything a pick-axe does, although they have limited charges, which makes some uses like mining impractical.
 
 
 
It is possible to increase the speed at which you dig with a pick-axe by [[Digging#Digging speed|various means]].
 
 
 
=== Conduct ===
 
  
 +
===Conduct===
 
Players who are aiming for the [[weaponless]] [[conduct]] must be very careful when using pick-axes: bumping into a monster while digging or forgetting to unwield the pickaxe before fighting again will break the conduct. This is so easy to do that some players recommend not using a pick-axe at all if attempting weaponless.
 
Players who are aiming for the [[weaponless]] [[conduct]] must be very careful when using pick-axes: bumping into a monster while digging or forgetting to unwield the pickaxe before fighting again will break the conduct. This is so easy to do that some players recommend not using a pick-axe at all if attempting weaponless.
 
=== Shops ===
 
 
Shopkeepers will not allow you into their shops if you have a pick-axe in your inventory. You can either drop it at the entrance to the shop (the doorway will not work) or place it into a container.
 
  
 
==SLASH'EM==
 
==SLASH'EM==
 
 
In [[SLASH'EM]], pick-axes weigh just 75 units.
 
In [[SLASH'EM]], pick-axes weigh just 75 units.
  
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==See also==
 
==See also==
* [[Crystal pick]] - a new tool that uses the pick-axe skill in [[UnNetHack]]
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* [[Crystal pick]], a new tool that uses the pick-axe skill in [[UnNetHack]]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
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{{nethack-366}}
 
[[Category:Tools]]
 
[[Category:Tools]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
{{nethack-360}}
 

Revision as of 00:10, 1 November 2021

( Pick-axe.png
Name pick-axe
Appearance pick-axe
Damage vs. small 1d6
Damage vs. large 1d3
To-hit bonus +0
Weapon skill pick-axe
Size one-handed
Base price 50 zm
(+10/positive
enchant)
Weight 100
Material iron

A pick-axe is a kind of tool that appears in NetHack. It is made of iron. While classified as a tool and designed for digging, it can also be used as a weapon - the dwarvish mattock is a similar weapon-tool primarily classified as a weapon.

Generation

Archeologists start with a +0 pick-axe.[1]

Pick-axes make up about 0.5% of randomly generated tools (on the floor, as death drops and in shops). With the exception of bones files, they always generate uncursed.

Dwarves have a 14 chance of being generated with a pick-axe.[2] Elvenkings have a 23 chance of generating with a pick-axe; the guaranteed Elvenking on the Plane of Earth will always generate with one.[3]

Pick-axe skill

Pick-axe
Max Role
Basic
Skilled
Expert

The pick-axe and the dwarvish mattock use the pick-axe skill.

Description

Main article: Digging

You can apply a pick-axe to tunnel through walls or the floor, dig through doors and smash boulders and statues. If you apply it upward, a rock will fall from the ceiling and bonk you on the head. If you have the autodig option enabled and are currently wielding a pick-axe, you can dig into walls or the ground by simply walking into them (or pressing >); this does not work for boulders, statues, or doors. You can dig faster by enchanting the pick-axe, playing as a dwarf and/or using other available methods - somewhat unusually, your skill level in pick-axe has no bearing on your digging speed.

Shopkeepers will attempt to block off the entrance of their shops if you have a pick-axe in your inventory. You can drop it at the entrance to the shop (not counting the doorway), place it into a container, or try to force your way in by moving behind another monster. Trying to throw a pick-axe in diagonally will cause the shopkeeper to swiftly catch it; pulling out a pick-axe from a container you are carrying while already in the shop will cause the shopkeeper to yell at you - there is no other effect, however, and you can continue to shop as normal. Digging a pit in the floor will have them warn you about falling through; the real danger is that if you make the pit into a hole, objects on that square and adjacent squares can fall through the hole - this counts as theft and will anger the shopkeeper.

Strategy

Pick-axes have many uses that make them valuable tools to carry around - one of the more common early uses for a pick-axe is finding and looting vaults for gold to use in shops and/or at temples. While digging, you may also unearth gems and gold embedded in the walls - unearthing vaults will suffice for a majority of characters, but searching for random gold and gems with the aid of object detection (usually via a potion) is a viable option for those attempting a protection racket, particularly Archeologists.

Another general use is to cut a cleaner and/or shorter path between staircases on a dungeon level, as well as smashing boulders blocking your path; this is particularly useful with Gehennom mazes, especially when navigating your way out during the ascension run. A pick-axe can be used to break obstructing and/or stuck boulders in Sokoban - note that breaking boulders here causes a -1 Luck penalty, unless you are on a level you have already solved. Still another use is to break statues and get at their potential contents. Smashed boulders and statues will also crumble into rocks, which you can throw or sling as projectiles.

Pick-axes can be used to steal from shops by picking up all of the shop's merchandise and digging out of the shop, then through the floor - this will only work if the shop is big enough for you to get distance from the shopkeeper, and you may need to place additional obstructions between you and them (e.g., a scroll of earth); a wand of digging may be more ideal. You can also dig straight through the floor, but obstructing the shopkeeper is far more necessary, of they will otherwise steal every non-worn and non-wielded item in your inventory as you fall. Doing this will naturally anger the shopkeeper, and Keystone Kops will begin to generate when you return to that dungeon level, so plan accordingly.

Pick-axes are fairly heavy at 100 aum, which can prove inconvenient especially if you start with a low carry cap due to weak strength and/or constitution - a non-cursed bag of holding makes them far more tolerable to keep with you long-term. The wand of digging and wand of striking may be preferred over a pick-axe in certain instances, such as digging through non-Gehennom mazes, though they have limited charges.

Finding a pick-axe

One of the easiest means to nab a pick-axe is to kill a dwarf. Many dwarves appear in the Gnomish Mines, but will mostly generate as peaceful to lawful, dwarven, or gnomish players - while other players may face more danger from hostile dwarves, players that generate peaceful dwarves take a penalty to their alignment record for killing them directly. A pet can be a valuable ally to overpower a digging dwarf with in either instance.

Conduct

Players who are aiming for the weaponless conduct must be very careful when using pick-axes: bumping into a monster while digging or forgetting to unwield the pickaxe before fighting again will break the conduct. This is so easy to do that some players recommend not using a pick-axe at all if attempting weaponless.

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, pick-axes weigh just 75 units.

Encyclopedia

The mine is full of holes;
With the wound of pickaxes.
But look at the goldsmith's store.
There, there is gold everywhere.

[ Divan-i Kebir Meter 2, by Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi ]

See also

References

  1. src/u_init.c in NetHack 3.6.0, line 34
  2. src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.0, line 336: a pick-axe is given 13 of 34 of the time, and a mattock is given 12 of 14 of the time
  3. src/makemon.c in NetHack 3.6.0, line 257