The dungeon in GnollHack consists of a main sequence of levels known as the /Dungeon/The Dungeons of Doom, which extends from the surface down to the gateway of Gehennom. Along the way, brave adventurers will discover numerous branches and special levels.
Unlike standard NetHack, GnollHack introduces several new distinct branches and specialized levels, offering new challenges, monsters, and loot. This guide provides an overview of the dungeon structure.
The Main Dungeon
/Dungeon/The Dungeons of Doom
The Dungeons of Doom is the primary trunk of the game, spanning approximately 25 to 30 levels. The deeper you go, the more dangerous the monsters become. All other early and mid-game branches and special levels are connected directly to the Dungeons of Doom.
Dungeon Branches
Branches are multi-level sub-dungeons that diverge from the main path. They often feature unique tilesets, specific enemy types, and special rules.
| Branch | Branched From | Description |
|---|---|---|
| /Dungeon/The Gnomish Mines | Dungeons of Doom (Levels 2-5) | A chaotic, unlit cavern system filled with gnomes and dwarves. Contains special levels like Mine Town. |
| Sokoban | Dungeons of Doom (Levels 6-9) | A puzzle branch where you must push boulders into pits without using traditional magic or breaking walls. |
| /Dungeon/The Quest | Dungeons of Doom (Levels 11-16) | A role-specific quest branch. You must be level 14 to enter the portal. Message: "You feel an almost forgotten tug…" |
| Fort Ludios | Dungeons of Doom (Levels 12-21) | A hidden fortress guarded by soldiers and Croesus. The portal is usually found in a vault. Message: "You hear someone counting money." |
| Gehennom | Dungeons of Doom (Levels 24-26) | The fiery, maze-like underworld. It is the second major half of the game, filled with demons, undead, and the Wizard of Yendor. |
| Vlad's Tower | Gehennom (Levels 9-14) | A dark, undead-filled tower containing the Candelabrum of Invocation. |
| Plane of the Modron | Gehennom (Levels 3-5) | A geometric plane inhabited by Modrons. New in GnollHack. |
| Hellish Pastures | Gehennom (Levels 8-14) | A hidden bovine level (the cow level) filled with demonic bovines. New in GnollHack. |
| /Dungeon/The Large Circular Dungeon | Gnomish Mines (Levels 4-8) | A high-tech dungeon involving quantum mechanics, accessible via a portal located below Mine Town. New in GnollHack. |
| /Dungeon/The Elemental Planes | Level 1 (Post-Sanctum) | The endgame sequence containing the Planes of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and the Astral Plane. |
Special Levels
Special levels are distinct, single levels that appear within the branches above. They usually have a fixed layout or guaranteed features.
The Dungeons of Doom
| Special Level | Level Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Delphi | 5-8 | Home to the Oracle, who provides minor and major consultations. |
| Big Room | 10-13 | A massive, open single-room level filled with monsters. |
| Treasure Island | 14-19 | A water-heavy treasure trove. New in GnollHack. |
| Medusa's Island | 21-23 | A water-filled cavern housing Medusa. Message: "You hear the splashing of a naiad." |
| Minotaur Maze | 22-24 | A maze-like level with Minotaurs. New in GnollHack. |
| Underground Castle | 23-25 | The heavily fortified gateway to Gehennom, containing the Wand of wishing. |
The Gnomish Mines
| Special Level | Level Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mine Town | 3-5 | A bustling subterranean town with shops, a temple, and guards. Message: "You hear the sound of a cash register." |
| Mines' End | 8-10 | The deepest part of the mines, containing the The Gladstone. |
Gehennom
| Special Level | Level Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Valley of the Dead | 1 | A sprawling graveyard that transitions the player from the Dungeons of Doom to Gehennom. |
| Dis | 2 | The iron city ruled by Dispater. |
| Maladomini | 4-9 | The corrupted domain of Baalzebub, Lord of the Flies. |
| Jubilex's Realm | 4-9 | A disgusting, swampy lair filled with acidic ooze and the Faceless Lord. |
| Orcus Town | 5-16 | A ruined, demonic reflection of a town ruled by Orcus. |
| Wizard's Tower | 10-12 | A three-level tower holding the Wizard of Yendor and the Book of the Dead. |
| Lair of Tarrasque | 9-19 | The lair of the fearsome Tarrasque. New in GnollHack. |
| Yeenaghu's Domain | 9-19 | The realm of the demon lord of gnolls. New in GnollHack. |
| Moloch's Sanctum | 18-21 | The lowest level of Gehennom, housing the Amulet of Yendor and the High Priest of Moloch. |
ℹ️ Note: For more in-depth strategies, maps, and specific monster spawns, click on the links for each individual branch or special level.