Difference between revisions of "Rock"

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: ''For the dungeon feature of solid rock, see [[Solid rock]]''.
 
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{{weapon
 
{{weapon
 
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   |skill=sling
 
   |skill=sling
 
   |cost=0
 
   |cost=0
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  |noenchant=true
 
   |weight=10
 
   |weight=10
 
   |material=mineral
 
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}}
 
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:''For the dungeon feature, see [[Solid rock]]''.
  
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A '''rock''' is a [[projectile]] weapon. You can throw it by hand, but most monsters prefer to use a [[sling]]; so should you. If you kill a [[hobbit]], you might find a sling. [[Wield]] the sling, then [[throw]] or [[firing|fire]] the rock.
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A '''rock''' is a common type of  [[stone]] that appears in ''[[Nethack]]''. It is a [[stackable]] stone that can be used a [[projectile]] weapon by [[throw]]ing them or [[firing]] them from a [[wield]]ed [[sling]]; slung rocks can also be [[multishot]]. Rocks are made of [[mineral]], and have no resale value in [[shop]]s.
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[[Digging tool]]s will make rocks out of [[statue]]s and [[boulder]]s, but they're rarely in short supply; zapping a [[wand of digging]] or casting the [[Spellbook of dig|spell of dig]] upwards can also cause a rock to fall on your head, though the former method is far more helpful. A [[falling rock trap]] will also cause a rock to fall and bonk you on the head, though this is generally considered a hazard, especially in the early game. Rocks have no resale value in [[shop]]s.
 
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Rocks, [[flint stone]]s and [[luckstone]]s are also generalized and referred to as "stones", especially in messages indicating they are dropped by [[pet]]s.
 
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Rocks can be [[multishot]].
 
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==History==
 
  
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In the early versions of hack121 and PDP-11, rocks were instead called "bullets." Though, while a [[wikipedia:Sling bullet|sling bullet]] is certainly a rock, a rock is not necessarily a bullet. Sling bullets were much more aerodynamically rounded, albeit any rock off the ground could certainly do in a pinch.
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==Generation==
 +
The [[Caveman]] [[role]] starts with 18-33 rocks to use as sling ammo.{{refsrc|src/u_init.c|55|version=NetHack 3.6.7}}
  
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In [[Hack 1.0]], the literal rock was added, alongside the "sling bullet."
+
In addition to random generation, rocks can be found or made in various circumstances:
  
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In [[NetHack 3.0.0]], the sling bullet was removed, and its description changed to the somewhat more sensible "flint stone", to imply a much more general case. It was furthermore removed from the [[weapon]] class in [[inventory]], and instead moved to the "stones" category.
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* Hitting [[statue]]s and [[boulder]]s with [[digging tool]]s, a [[wand of striking]] or a {{spell of|force bolt}} spell will shatter them into several rocks.
 +
* Using a [[footrice]] [[corpse]] or egg for [[stoning]] [[tiny]]-sized monsters produces rocks instead of a [[statue]]. Hitting a footrice with an [[egg]] will turn it into a rock.
 +
* [[Clay golem]]s leave behind several rocks as a special [[death drop]] instead of a [[corpse]].  
 +
* The [[falling rock trap]] will drop a rock on the head of whatever triggers it, dealing 2d6 damage; a metal [[helm]] heavily reduces damage.
 +
* [[Read]]ing a [[scroll of earth]] while [[confused]] will cause several rocks to fall, with the patterns being the same as a normal scroll of earth dependent on its beatitude.
 +
* Zapping a [[ray]] from the [[wand of digging]] or {{spell of|dig}} spell upwards can cause a rock to fall on your head.
 +
* [[Tunneling monster]]s leave rocks behind as they dig around the level, and [[metallivore]]s sometimes produce rocks after eating metallic objects.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
 +
Rocks are incredibly commonplace, and can accordingly be put to several uses by players.
  
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*With a [[stone to flesh]] spell, rocks can be turned into [[meatball]]s. Along with casting stone to flesh at a Tiny-sized statue, this is the only way of gaining meatballs, which, however, unfortunately have a very low nutrition value, and their turns-to-eat to [[nutrition]] ratio being the worst in the game. Meatballs can, however, be used as miniature [[tripe ration]]s to train the [[apport]] of a pet, and do have a value of 1 [[zorkmid]] for sale, turning worthless rocks into saleable items.
+
===Combat===
 +
As weapons, rocks are the most accessible means of dealing with enemies from a distance in the early game - even without a sling, they can provide a useful option against [[sessile]] or slow-moving foes with dangerous melee or passive attacks, such as [[mold]]s, [[floating eye]]s and [[jellies]]. This is especially useful for spellcasting characters (e.g. [[wizard]]s) aiming to preserve their magic [[power]] for other purposes, or else any character lacking a viable choice or looking to preserve better weapons (such as [[dagger]]s or [[dart]]s). The player can carry as many as they deem necessary without encumbering themselves; once no longer needed or more reliable options are found, the rocks can safely be disposed of as [[junk]].
  
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:* One trick is to cast [[polymorph]] on the resulting meatballs, which, with even one casting, can easily create enough food to last ''the entire game''—the odds of getting, from a non-shuddering polymorph, a (stack of) food item of at least 100 nutrition is 48.3%. As starvation is mostly a threat only in the early game, and at that, usually only until [[Sokoban]], this is generally only useful should a [[wand of polymorph]] be found early, should food be particularly rare, or should one be trying [[conduct]]s (where [[vegan]] [[extinctionist]] is a particularly gruesome combination). This may furthermore be useful in reducing [[encumbrance]], where it's not terribly difficult to get a sizeable stack of [[lembas wafer]]s.
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===Other uses for rocks===
 +
The [[stone to flesh]] spell turns rocks into meatballs, which is the only other way to do so besides casting the spell at a tiny-sized statue. Meatballs can be used to train the [[apport]] of a carnivorous or omnivorous pet, and [[polypiling]] meatballs via the wand or spell can easily create enough food to last the entire game — the odds of getting one or more food items with at least 100 nutrition from a non-shuddering polymorph is 48.3%.
  
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*They are often overlooked as a useful ranged weapon. Because they are so plentiful, you can find or create them as needed to slay slow moving monsters that are nevertheless dangerous in melee, such as [[Jelly|jellies]] and [[Eel|eels]]. This may also be helpful in that rocks are [[Junk|disposable]], unlike highly enchanted [[arrow]]s, [[dart]]s, or most of all, [[dagger]]s; losing them to the water is no great loss.
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Rocks themselves can be polypiled into valuable [[gem]]s for various uses, from selling to jewelers to maximizing [[Luck]] with [[unicorn]]s, or to haul them with you during the [[ascension run]] for a much higher [[score]] (with one example being [[DeathOnAStick]]'s infamous gem-farming ascension attempt).
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:* They are quite helpful for this in the early game, where both their weight and low damage is less of a factor. For example, it's quite easy to get a stack large enough to deal with any [[floating eye]]s. Their high weight makes them a liability to carry, however, in the mid to late game.
 
  
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== Origin ==
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As starvation is mostly a threat only in the early game and usually only until [[Sokoban]], this is generally only useful if a [[wand of polymorph]] be found early, food is particularly rare, or a player is maintaining specific [[conduct]]s (where [[vegan]] [[extinctionist]] is a particularly gruesome combination). It can also be used to lower [[encumbrance]] from carrying food if the polymorph produces a sizable stack of [[lembas wafer]]s.
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{{Wikipedia|Sling bullet}}[[File:Sling_bullets_clay_and_stone.JPG|thumb|Bullets of clay and stone]]
 
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Where even the bow predates recorded history, the simple hurled stone is earlier still; it is the oldest projectile weapon in all history. Their size varied greatly, from a size no larger than a mere pebble (2 oz), to fist-sized stones weighing a pound or more. In the hands of a skilled slinger, with sling, these stones could be hurled upwards of 400 meters (1300 feet), at speeds of 250 miles per hour<ref>http://www.slinging.org/</ref>, and can deliver as much as 3.6 [[wikipedia:Kilonewton|kilonewton]]s of force<ref>Ancient Discoveries: Lost Science of the Bible</ref>. By no means puny, as they are often portrayed.
 
  
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Sling bullets would frequently be salvaged from river depths, where the rushing water would slowly shape the stone round. Some would be purpose-made from clay—where this imparted far more consistency and quality—or in some cases, cast lead; lead would make the bullets far heavier for a given volume, meaning that they would have much more force for the same level of air resistance. This form of casting was furthermore immensely simple, compared to the manufacture of spear or broad iron arrowheads, extending its use, especially in ancient times, where smelting was still a rare art.
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==History==
 +
Rocks as items are introduced in [[Hack 1.0]]. Prior to this, early versions of hack121 and PDP-11, variants of [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], did not have rocks - they instead used various types of "bullets", specifically [[sling bullet]]s.
  
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Sling bullets have died off in modern use, though the sling itself is still used.
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==Variants==
 +
===UnNetHack===
 +
In [[UnNetHack]], various rocks appear on both variants of the [[Ruins of Moria]]'s last floor. The intact variant has 21 rocks within the Twenty-First Hall, along with a flint stone and a [[lembas wafer]]; the "ruined" variant instead has the first versions statue's shattered into piles of rocks, and other rock piles are scattered across the map.
  
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<references/>
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===SlashTHEM===
 +
In [[SlashTHEM]], [[lithivore]]s can consume rocks, and they consider it a treat similarly to carnivorous pets and meatballs.
  
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{Encyclopedia|
 
{{Encyclopedia|
−
Bilbo saw that the moment had come when he must do something.
+
Bilbo saw that the moment had come when he must do something. He could not get up at the brutes and he had nothing to shoot with; but looking about he saw that in this place there were many stones lying in what appeared to be a now dry little watercourse.  Bilbo was a pretty fair shot with a stone, and it did not take him long to find a nice smooth egg-shaped one that fitted his hand cosily.  As a boy he used to practise throwing stones at things, until rabbits and squirrels, and even birds, got out of his way as quick as lightning if they saw him stoop; and even grownup he had still spent a deal of his time at quoits, dart-throwing, shooting at the wand, bowls, ninepins and other quiet games of the aiming and throwing sort - indeed he could do lots of things, besides blowing smoke-rings, asking riddles and cooking, that I haven't time to tell you about.  There is no time now.  While he was picking up stones, the spider had reached Bombur, and soon he would have been dead.  At that moment Bilbo threw.
−
He could not get up at the brutes and he had nothing to shoot
+
The stone struck the spider plunk on the head, and it dropped senseless off the tree, flop to the ground, with all its legs  curled up.
−
with; but looking about he saw that in this place there were
 
−
many stones lying in what appeared to be a now dry little
 
−
watercourse.  Bilbo was a pretty fair shot with a stone, and
 
−
it did not take him long to find a nice smooth egg-shaped one
 
−
that fitted his hand cosily.  As a boy he used to practise
 
−
throwing stones at things, until rabbits and squirrels, and
 
−
even birds, got out of his way as quick as lightning if they
 
−
saw him stoop; and even grownup he had still spent a deal of
 
−
his time at quoits, dart-throwing, shooting at the wand,
 
−
bowls, ninepins and other quiet games of the aiming and
 
−
throwing sort - indeed he could do lots of things, besides
 
−
blowing smoke-rings, asking riddles and cooking, that I
 
−
haven't time to tell you about.  There is no time now.  While
 
−
he was picking up stones, the spider had reached Bombur, and
 
−
soon he would have been dead.  At that moment Bilbo threw.
 
−
The stone struck the spider plunk on the head, and it dropped
 
−
senseless off the tree, flop to the ground, with all its legs
 
−
  curled up.
 
 
         [ The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien ]
 
         [ The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien ]
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Gems]]
 
[[Category:Gems]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]
 
[[Category:Weapons]]

Latest revision as of 11:39, 23 November 2023

* Rock.png
Name rock
Appearance rock
Damage vs. small 1d3
Damage vs. large 1d3
To-hit bonus +0
Weapon skill sling
Size one-handed
Base price 0 zm
Weight 10
Material mineral
For the dungeon feature, see Solid rock.

A rock is a common type of stone that appears in Nethack. It is a stackable stone that can be used a projectile weapon by throwing them or firing them from a wielded sling; slung rocks can also be multishot. Rocks are made of mineral, and have no resale value in shops.

Generation

The Caveman role starts with 18-33 rocks to use as sling ammo.[1]

In addition to random generation, rocks can be found or made in various circumstances:

Strategy

Rocks are incredibly commonplace, and can accordingly be put to several uses by players.

Combat

As weapons, rocks are the most accessible means of dealing with enemies from a distance in the early game - even without a sling, they can provide a useful option against sessile or slow-moving foes with dangerous melee or passive attacks, such as molds, floating eyes and jellies. This is especially useful for spellcasting characters (e.g. wizards) aiming to preserve their magic power for other purposes, or else any character lacking a viable choice or looking to preserve better weapons (such as daggers or darts). The player can carry as many as they deem necessary without encumbering themselves; once no longer needed or more reliable options are found, the rocks can safely be disposed of as junk.

Other uses for rocks

The stone to flesh spell turns rocks into meatballs, which is the only other way to do so besides casting the spell at a tiny-sized statue. Meatballs can be used to train the apport of a carnivorous or omnivorous pet, and polypiling meatballs via the wand or spell can easily create enough food to last the entire game — the odds of getting one or more food items with at least 100 nutrition from a non-shuddering polymorph is 48.3%.

Rocks themselves can be polypiled into valuable gems for various uses, from selling to jewelers to maximizing Luck with unicorns, or to haul them with you during the ascension run for a much higher score (with one example being DeathOnAStick's infamous gem-farming ascension attempt).

As starvation is mostly a threat only in the early game and usually only until Sokoban, this is generally only useful if a wand of polymorph be found early, food is particularly rare, or a player is maintaining specific conducts (where vegan extinctionist is a particularly gruesome combination). It can also be used to lower encumbrance from carrying food if the polymorph produces a sizable stack of lembas wafers.

History

Rocks as items are introduced in Hack 1.0. Prior to this, early versions of hack121 and PDP-11, variants of Jay Fenlason's Hack, did not have rocks - they instead used various types of "bullets", specifically sling bullets.

Variants

UnNetHack

In UnNetHack, various rocks appear on both variants of the Ruins of Moria's last floor. The intact variant has 21 rocks within the Twenty-First Hall, along with a flint stone and a lembas wafer; the "ruined" variant instead has the first versions statue's shattered into piles of rocks, and other rock piles are scattered across the map.

SlashTHEM

In SlashTHEM, lithivores can consume rocks, and they consider it a treat similarly to carnivorous pets and meatballs.

Encyclopedia entry

Bilbo saw that the moment had come when he must do something. He could not get up at the brutes and he had nothing to shoot with; but looking about he saw that in this place there were many stones lying in what appeared to be a now dry little watercourse. Bilbo was a pretty fair shot with a stone, and it did not take him long to find a nice smooth egg-shaped one that fitted his hand cosily. As a boy he used to practise throwing stones at things, until rabbits and squirrels, and even birds, got out of his way as quick as lightning if they saw him stoop; and even grownup he had still spent a deal of his time at quoits, dart-throwing, shooting at the wand, bowls, ninepins and other quiet games of the aiming and throwing sort - indeed he could do lots of things, besides blowing smoke-rings, asking riddles and cooking, that I haven't time to tell you about. There is no time now. While he was picking up stones, the spider had reached Bombur, and soon he would have been dead. At that moment Bilbo threw.
The stone struck the spider plunk on the head, and it dropped senseless off the tree, flop to the ground, with all its legs curled up.
        [ The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien ]

References

  1. ↑ src/u_init.c in NetHack 3.6.7, line 55
Retrieved from "https://nethackwiki.com/index.php?title=Rock&oldid=157409"