Knight

The knight is one of the player roles in NetHack. Knights are always lawful humans.

Starting Equipment

 * +1 long sword
 * +1 lance
 * +1 ring mail
 * +0 helmet
 * +0 small shield
 * +0 leather gloves
 * 10 to 20 uncursed apples
 * 10 to 20 uncursed carrots

Starting pet is always a pony with a saddle.

Abilities
Knights can identify all weapons and non-magical armor from the beginning. They also have a special intrinsic ability to #jump like the knight piece in chess. They are able to #turn undead, and their special spell is turn undead.

Quest

 * Main article: Knight quest

The quest monster is a quasit. The quest nemesis is a dragon called Ixoth. He is rather tough opponent, although can be dealt with using E-word or paralysis. After the quest one receives the Magic mirror of Merlin which allows them to become powerful spellcasters.

Code of conduct
There are special rules of conduct for a knight:

Honor in combat
"You caitiff!"

Knights take a -1 alignment penalty for attacking sleeping, paralysed or fleeing monsters (even if the monster continues to attack while fleeing).

Frugality in food
"You feel like a glutton!"

There is a -1 alignment penalty for eating while satiated.

Honorable Shopping
"You feel like a common thief."

There is a -1 alignment penalty for digging down in a shop.

Difficulty
The knight is controversial among NetHacker players, by some considered very poor role, by some as one of the most, or even the most interesting role. It is a choice for a player thinking both about melee and magic. One could however consider that he develops his magical skills in the late game. The knight is also the best rider in the game. Long-range weapons are clearly his great down-side.