Rogue

This article is about the player class. For the game, see Rogue (game).

The Rogue is a player class. Rogues are skilled thieves. NetHack says of them:

       I understand the business, I hear it: to have an open ear, a
       quick eye, and a nimble hand, is necessary for a cut-purse; a
       good nose is requisite also, to smell out work for the other
       senses.  I see this is the time that the unjust man doth
       thrive. <...> The prince himself is about a piece of iniquity,
       stealing away from his father with his clog at his heels:  if
       I thought it were a piece of honesty to acquaint the king
       withal, I would not do't:  I hold it the more knavery to
       conceal it; and therein am I constant to my profession.
               [ Autolycus the Rogue, from The Winter's Tale by
               William Shakespeare ]

Strategy

• Rogues have very low HP growth. Because of this, melee combat is dangerous. Rogues are better suited to fighting with ranged attacks; like daggers, crossbows, darts, and knives.
• Rogues start with a lot of daggers and they should be thrown often. The skill should be raised to expert before anything else, as they can throw up to 4 daggers at once at expert. They also have a high dexterity, so it is rare for them to miss.
• Rogues can gain an additional +d(XL) "backstab" damage when striking a fleeing monster. Because of this, Elbereth, scrolls of scare monster, tooled horns are useful to rogues in close quarters. This is extremely powerful when combined with thrown daggers.

Starting equipment

• an uncursed +0 short sword
• 6—16 uncursed +0 daggers
• an uncursed +1 leather armor
• an uncursed potion of sickness
• an uncursed lock pick
• an uncursed sack
• a 20 % chance of a blindfold

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