Falling rock trap

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^ falling rock trap Falling rock trap.png
Generates Anywhere
Effect Drops rocks

A falling rock trap is a type of trap that appears in Nethack.

Generation

If a trap door would be randomly generated on a level with a non-diggable floor, it is replaced with a falling rock trap.

Description

When triggered, the falling rock trap will either drop a rock that hits whoever triggered it on the head for 2d6 damage and lands on the ground, or disappears with a 115 chance; if the victim is wearing a metallic helm, the damage is reduced to 2.[1][2]

Removal

One way to remove a falling rock trap is to trigger it repeatedly until it runs out of rocks.

Strategy

Early pet deaths are often due to this type of trap, earning it the nicknames "Puppy Pounder" and "Kitty Killer". The falling rock trap can be used as a source of rocks for cheap ammunition.

One of the early game weaknesses of an elven leather helm is the fact that it does not protect against damage from falling rock traps.

History

The falling rock trap was added in NetHack 3.1.0.

Messages

A trapdoor in the ceiling opens and a rock falls on your head!
You triggered a falling rock trap.
A trapdoor in the sky opens and a rock falls on your head!
As above, but the trap is outdoors, e.g. in the Home level of some Quests.
A trapdoor in the ceiling opens, but nothing falls out!
You triggered a falling rock trap, but it ran out of rocks and disappeared.
A trapdoor in the sky opens, but nothing falls out!
As above, but the trap is outdoors.
Fortunately, you are wearing a hard helmet.
Your metallic helmet protected you from the falling rock.
Your <helmet> does not protect you.
Your non-metallic helmet did not protect you from the falling rock.
<monster> is hit by a rock!
A monster triggered a falling rock trap.[3]
A trap door above <monster> opens, but nothing falls out!
A monster triggered a falling rock trap but it ran out of rocks and disappeared.

References