---
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-16
type: mechanic
id: roguelike--family-16
lang: en
title: Stealth and non-combat actions
summary: >-
  Tools, trade and stealth allow exploration and ways around threats without
  direct combat.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-16/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-16.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-16.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Roguelikes and roguelites
  - Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
  - source-9a1664e49d0e8f50
  - source-87856bbeffa16f0c
sources:
  - id: source-9a1664e49d0e8f50
    title: NetHack (menucolors)
    url: 'https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nethack-inventory.png'
    verifiedAt: null
  - id: source-87856bbeffa16f0c
    title: NetHack Guidebook
    url: 'https://www.nethack.org/v343/Guidebook.html'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: roguelike
    id: family-16
    title: Roguelikes and roguelites
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/roguelike/#family-16'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Stealth and non-combat actions
    description: >-
      Tools, trade and stealth allow exploration and ways around threats without
      direct combat.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/systems-nethack-inventory.webp
      width: 644
      height: 461
      game: NetHack (menucolors)
      sourceUrl: 'https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nethack-inventory.png'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Nethack-inventory.png
      credit: 'NetHack developers; screenshot by Shen, 2006, with the menucolors patch'
      rights: >-
        NetHack General Public License. Converted to WebP on 2026-10-22.
        License: https://www.nethack.org/common/license.html; bundled copy:
        images/mechanics/nethack-license.txt. Source:
        https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nethack-inventory.png
      caption: A lamp and key among NetHack’s tools
      alt: A lamp and key among NetHack’s tools
      markers:
        - x: 55
          'y': 84
          label: Tools provide actions beyond directly attacking
    tips:
      - Distinguish useful non-combat tools from decorative items.
    examples:
      - title: NetHack Guidebook
        url: 'https://www.nethack.org/v343/Guidebook.html'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/roguelike
---
# Stealth and non-combat actions

id: roguelike--family-16
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-16
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-16/

Tools, trade and stealth allow exploration and ways around threats without direct combat.

## At a glance

![A lamp and key among NetHack’s tools](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/systems-nethack-inventory.webp)

[NetHack (menucolors)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nethack-inventory.png) · NetHack General Public License. Converted to WebP on 2026-10-22. License: https://www.nethack.org/common/license.html; bundled copy: images/mechanics/nethack-license.txt. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nethack-inventory.png

1. Tools provide actions beyond directly attacking

- Distinguish useful non-combat tools from decorative items.

- [NetHack Guidebook](https://www.nethack.org/v343/Guidebook.html)

## How it works

Stealth and interactions outside of combat allow you to circumvent threats or solve problems through other actions.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-16-variants"></a>

- Discreet movement <a id="variant-roguelike-16-01"></a>
- Noise that attracts enemies <a id="variant-roguelike-16-02"></a>
- Camouflage and invisibility <a id="variant-roguelike-16-03"></a>
- Distracting the enemy with an object or sound <a id="variant-roguelike-16-04"></a>
- Sleeping and bypassing enemies <a id="variant-roguelike-16-05"></a>
- Stealing items <a id="variant-roguelike-16-06"></a>
- Picking locks <a id="variant-roguelike-16-07"></a>
- Hacking devices and systems <a id="variant-roguelike-16-08"></a>
- Disarming traps <a id="variant-roguelike-16-09"></a>
- Negotiations instead of fighting <a id="variant-roguelike-16-10"></a>
- Bribery and trade exchange <a id="variant-roguelike-16-11"></a>
- Persuasion, intimidation and deception <a id="variant-roguelike-16-12"></a>
- Performance checks in events <a id="variant-roguelike-16-13"></a>
- Using an object to solve a problem alternatively <a id="variant-roguelike-16-14"></a>

## Context and limits

A wide author's map of classic turn-based roguelikes, modern roguelites and hybrids. Families describe options for organizing a run, and not mandatory features of the genre. Constant metaprogression is not found in all roguelikes. Related systems can be combined; the list is not a closed standard.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [NetHack (menucolors)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nethack-inventory.png) (id: source-9a1664e49d0e8f50)
- [NetHack Guidebook](https://www.nethack.org/v343/Guidebook.html) (id: source-87856bbeffa16f0c)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors