Nethack

• You'll be killed. A lot.

• To be killed less, engrave 'Elbereth'. This can be done with your hand and causes most monsters to not attack you and it can save your life. @ (humans and elves) are the main group that don't respect it.

• 'Elbereth' engraving stacks. If you are engraving using your hand it won't always be successful, but after getting one down you can then engrave another so it becomes 'ElberethElbereth'. The words will eventually rub away so if you are in a perilous situation, ensure you continually write Elbereth (although only one at a time so it only takes one turn).

• When at all possible, lead an enemy into a corridor. This ensures you will only be fighting at the most one at a time. Being swarmed by killer ants or rothes can kill any player.

• Find a good spoiler site, like Wikihack and the Nethack spoiler page with links.

• Good beginner classes are Priest and Samurai. Don't play as Archaeologist, Healer or Tourist; these are handicapped classes designed to give veteran players a challenge.

• 99% of the time, you shouldn't use un-identified items.

• If your pet will stand on an item, it isn't cursed and it's safe to wear/wield so you can get armour faster. If a pet is forced onto a cursed item it will "move reluctantly" which means you shouldn't try it on.