Human (starting race)

You can play NetHack as a human. You will see yourself as @|, and are considered the human or elf monster class for game purposes.

Racial benefits and restrictions
Humans are the standard by which the benefits and restrictions of other races are measured; thus in many senses, they have no benefits or restrictions. They start with no intrinsics. They suffer the penalty for cannibalism if they eat any monster with the human monster attribute.

No monsters are more inclined to be peaceful toward human players. Gnome and orc monsters will be hostile toward human players.

Humans may be any alignment and take any role. Their attributes are by definition average. The following table outlines their maximum (unaided) attribute levels.

Human items
Humans start with the default equipment for each role.

Strategy
Humans have no special advantages or disadvantages and should follow the strategies for their chosen role and alignment.