Protection racket

The protection racket is a strategy for reaching Minetown at experience level 1, with lots of gold, and hence purchasing a large amount of divine protection for a small amount.

Use of your starting pet is essential, as killing monsters yourself will soon raise your level, and not killing them will result in your swift death. Healers are widely considered best for this task, as the healing spell can be used to keep your pet alive for longer. Gnomish Healers have an extra advantage: more of the monsters in the mines will be peaceful. Finally, Healers start with a large amount of gold to donate to the Minetown priest.

For characters other than gnomish Healers, the chances of surviving the protection racket are slim, and hence it is a metastrategy. Conversely, it is arguable that the protection racket is actually the best strategy for gnomish Healers.