Difference between revisions of "Rock mole"

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  |attributes={{attributes|A rock mole|tunnel=1|animal=1|nohands=1|metallivore=1|hostile=1|greedy=1|jewels=1|collect=1|infravisible=1}}
|tunnel=1|animal=1|nohands=1|metallivore=1|hostile=1|=
 
|greedy=1|jewels=1|collect=1|infravisible=1}}
 
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line754]]
 
  |reference=[[monst.c#line754]]
 
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The '''rock mole''' is a monster that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a [[rodent]] that can [[tunneling monster|dig tunnels through the dungeon]]. They are able to eat anything metal, including amulets and some rings, as well as zorkmids. Sometimes they will even eat the iron spikes out of [[pits]]! Somewhat surprisingly, they cannot actually eat [[rock]]s or [[stone]]s outside of variants.
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A '''rock mole''', {{monsym|rock mole}} is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It is a [[metalllivorous]] [[rodent]] that can [[tunnel]] through the dungeon, pick up [[gold]] and [[gem]]s, and can be seen via [[infravision]].
  
== Strategy ==
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A rock mole has a single bite attack.
Rock moles pick up [[gem]]s they find buried in the walls. If you leave a rock mole alone for a while and then kill it, you can pick up the fruits of its mining. They will eat the gold pieces that also tend to be buried in walls, though. If you find a rock mole in a [[treasure zoo]], it is wise to kill it quickly before it eats all the gold.
 
  
You can remove [[punishment]] by getting a rock mole to eat your ball and chain.
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==Generation==
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Randomly-generated rock moles are always created hostile.
  
Players polymorphed into rock moles can try [[eating jewelry]]. However, polymorphing into a [[xorn]] also allows for this, and xorns are generally better polymorph forms.
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Rock moles appear among the random {{white|r}} that are part of the first [[quest]] monster class for [[Healer]]s and make up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters randomly generated on the [[Healer quest]].  
  
== Variants ==
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==Strategy==
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Rock moles are generally more of an annoyance than a threat: their bite is not too damaging on its own, and they move at a very slow 3 [[speed]], but their [[AC]] of 0 will make it difficult for early characters to hit them when they first appear. A rock mole will generally tunnel to and fro towards any gold and other metal items that it wants to eat, which also makes it prudent for loot-seeking characters to eliminate one as soon as possible. [[Kick]]ing a rock mole can suffice to slowly kill one if you are having trouble hitting with other weapons and/or are trying to conserve resources - do ''not'' use [[projectile]]s made of materials that a rock mole can eat!
  
In [[SlashTHEM]], rock moles are [[lithivore]]s and can eat [[Mineral|stone]] and other lithic materials. Polymorphing into a rock mole allows you to eat a [[loadstone]] and dispose of it.
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Like other metallivores, rock moles are especially annoying in [[treasure zoo]]s, where they will usually attempt to eat all the gold present once awakened: [[stealth]] can give you time to work your way towards the offender. Rock moles can also be somewhat useful as well: a rock mole can end [[punishment]] by eating the [[heavy iron ball]], and [[polymorph]]ing into a rock mole allows a character to [[Eating jewelry|eat metallic jewewlry]] - the [[xorn]] is generally a better polymorph form for this purpose, though there are some scenarios where it is not available (e.g. a [[Wizard]] [[genociding]] xorns to generate more [[wraith]]s for [[Wraith farming|farming purposes]].
  
== Encyclopedia entry ==
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==History==
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The rock mole first appears in [[NetHack 1.3d]] - from this version to [[NetHack 2.3e]], the rock mole appears if the ROCKMOLE [[compile-time option]] is defined, and is otherwise replaced by the [[giant rat]]. [[NetHack 3.0.0]] includes both the giant rat and rock mole in its default bestiary.
  
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==Variants==
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===SlashTHEM===
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In [[SlashTHEM]], rock moles are [[lithivore]]s and can eat [[Mineral|stone]] and other lithic materials.
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==Encyclopedia entry==
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
{{encyclopedia|
 
A rock mole is a member of the rodent family.  They get their name from their ability to tunnel through rock in the same fashion that a mole tunnels through earth.  They are known to eat anything they come across in their diggings, although it is still unknown how they convert some of these things into something of nutritional value.
 
A rock mole is a member of the rodent family.  They get their name from their ability to tunnel through rock in the same fashion that a mole tunnels through earth.  They are known to eat anything they come across in their diggings, although it is still unknown how they convert some of these things into something of nutritional value.
 
}}
 
}}
 
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{{nethack-367}}
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
 
[[Category:Monsters]]
{{nethack-364}}
 

Revision as of 10:33, 30 January 2024

A rock mole, r is a type of monster that appears in NetHack. It is a metalllivorous rodent that can tunnel through the dungeon, pick up gold and gems, and can be seen via infravision.

A rock mole has a single bite attack.

Generation

Randomly-generated rock moles are always created hostile.

Rock moles appear among the random r that are part of the first quest monster class for Healers and make up 24175 of the monsters randomly generated on the Healer quest.

Strategy

Rock moles are generally more of an annoyance than a threat: their bite is not too damaging on its own, and they move at a very slow 3 speed, but their AC of 0 will make it difficult for early characters to hit them when they first appear. A rock mole will generally tunnel to and fro towards any gold and other metal items that it wants to eat, which also makes it prudent for loot-seeking characters to eliminate one as soon as possible. Kicking a rock mole can suffice to slowly kill one if you are having trouble hitting with other weapons and/or are trying to conserve resources - do not use projectiles made of materials that a rock mole can eat!

Like other metallivores, rock moles are especially annoying in treasure zoos, where they will usually attempt to eat all the gold present once awakened: stealth can give you time to work your way towards the offender. Rock moles can also be somewhat useful as well: a rock mole can end punishment by eating the heavy iron ball, and polymorphing into a rock mole allows a character to eat metallic jewewlry - the xorn is generally a better polymorph form for this purpose, though there are some scenarios where it is not available (e.g. a Wizard genociding xorns to generate more wraiths for farming purposes.

History

The rock mole first appears in NetHack 1.3d - from this version to NetHack 2.3e, the rock mole appears if the ROCKMOLE compile-time option is defined, and is otherwise replaced by the giant rat. NetHack 3.0.0 includes both the giant rat and rock mole in its default bestiary.

Variants

SlashTHEM

In SlashTHEM, rock moles are lithivores and can eat stone and other lithic materials.

Encyclopedia entry

A rock mole is a member of the rodent family. They get their name from their ability to tunnel through rock in the same fashion that a mole tunnels through earth. They are known to eat anything they come across in their diggings, although it is still unknown how they convert some of these things into something of nutritional value.