Elbereth (dNetHack)
In dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack, Elbereth is no longer the sole form of protective engraving, with the ward system taking on the primary role of defensive measure for characters to use against monsters. Elbereth itself can still be engraved by a hero, but offers much more limited and conditional forms of protection in contrast to engraving the name in NetHack - dNetHack and its variants are based on NetHack 3.4.3, where the ability to engrave Elbereth is at its strongest.
Description
A single square can contain a ward and an engraving, allowing Elbereth to be combined with another engraved ward. Elbereth is also functional in Gehennom and on the Elemental Planes, as all wards are.
Elbereth's functions in dNetHack, notdNetHack and notdNetHack depend on the hero's race. If the hero engraving Elbereth is not an elf or a worshiper of an elven god or holy drow goddess, then Elbereth only works against the following monsters:
If the character engraving Elbereth is elven, or else serves a god within the female shared elven pantheon (Varda Elentari, Vaire, Nessa), the male shared elven pantheon (Manwe Sulimo, Mandos, Lorien), the elven Ranger pantheon (Orome, Yavanna, Tulkas), or a holy drow goddess (Eilistraee, the lawful goddess of the female drow shared pantheon, or Pen'a, the neutral goddess of the drow Healer pantheon), then it functions as it does in NetHack 3.4.3. Specifically:
- A valid Elbereth square only requires the name to be present in the engraving (e.g. "EngberethElberethElbcrelh" constitutes a valid Elbereth square), making engraving Elbereth multiple times and then fighting monsters a valid strategy.
Elbereth does not work in the Anachrononaut quest, regardless of the hero engraving it.
A user has suggested improving this page or section as follows:
"Finish listing Elbereth functions for elves, flesh out strategy below"
Strategy
A lit lightsaber or raygun set to "heat" can be used to burn Elbereth into the floor, as if using a wand of fire.
