---
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-40
type: mechanic
id: roguelike--family-40
lang: en
title: Characteristic mechanics of classic roguelikes that are often overlooked
summary: >-
Food, pets, remains of earlier heroes and voluntary restrictions add
interconnected challenges within a run.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-40/'
jsonUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-40.json
markdownUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-40.md
aliases:
- Classic roguelike systems
tags:
- Roguelikes and roguelites
- Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
- source-06bbf50733ce87d7
- source-9a1664e49d0e8f50
- source-87856bbeffa16f0c
sources:
- id: source-06bbf50733ce87d7
title: Official Guide
url: 'https://www.nethack.org/v367/Guidebook.html'
verifiedAt: null
- 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-40
title: Roguelikes and roguelites
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/roguelike/#family-40'
categoryIds:
- section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
preview:
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
title: Classic roguelike systems
description: >-
Food, pets, remains of earlier heroes and voluntary restrictions add
interconnected challenges within a run.
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: Food supplies are part of exploration preparation
alt: Food supplies are part of exploration preparation
markers:
- x: 54
'y': 30
label: Three food rations are counted separately from apples and oranges
tips:
- Show how an additional system affects decisions within the run.
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
---
# Characteristic mechanics of classic roguelikes that are often overlooked
id: roguelike--family-40
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-40
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-40/
Food, pets, remains of earlier heroes and voluntary restrictions add interconnected challenges within a run.
## At a glance
[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. Three food rations are counted separately from apples and oranges
- Show how an additional system affects decisions within the run.
- [NetHack Guidebook](https://www.nethack.org/v343/Guidebook.html)
## How it works
Many of these interactions are documented in NetHack, including pets, remains of past characters, food, and voluntary behavior restrictions. NetHack Guide
## Variants
### Variants and applications
- Eating the bodies of creatures with consequences for the character
- Obtaining resistances and other properties through food
- Food prohibitions and behavioral restrictions
- Transforming a character or enemy into another creature
- Transforming objects into other objects
- Desire: Obtaining an item through a special rare action
- Species Extermination: Eliminating a specific type of creature from the world
- Theft and use of player items by opponents
- Monsters picking up equipment lying on the ground
- Taming and feeding animals
- Using a pet to test item properties
- Special interactions with altars, fountains, graves and other objects
- Inscriptions on the surface with playful action
- Removal of levels and permanent damage to characteristics
- Deferred fatal conditions requiring specific rescue
- Preservation of bodies, things and dangers of the previous deceased hero in a new playthrough
## 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.
- [Official Guide](https://www.nethack.org/v367/Guidebook.html) (id: source-06bbf50733ce87d7)
- [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