# Human (starting race)
You can play NetHack as a human. You will see yourself as @, and are considered the @ human or elf monster class for game purposes.
According to the guidebook:

Humans are by far the most common race of the surface world, and are thus the norm by which other races are often compared. Although they have no special abilities, they can succeed in any role.

Contents

1 Racial benefits and restrictions
2 Human items
3 Strategy
4 Encyclopedia entry

Racial benefits and restrictions
Humans are the standard by which the benefits and restrictions of other races are measured; thus in many senses, they have no benefits or restrictions. They start with no intrinsics. They suffer the penalty for cannibalism if they eat any monster with the human monster attribute.
The only major disadvantage of humans is that they lack the infravision that all other races have.
No monsters are more inclined to be peaceful toward human players. Gnome and orc monsters will be hostile toward human players.
Humans may be any alignment and take any role. Their attributes are mostly average, though their maximum Strength is high. The following table outlines their maximum (unaided) attribute levels.

CharacterRace

Strength

Dexterity

Constitution

Intelligence

Wisdom

Charisma

Human
18/**
18
18
18
18
18

Human items
Humans start with the default equipment for each role.

Strategy
Humans have no special advantages - while they should generally follow the strategies for their chosen role and alignment, they may need to compensate for a lack of advantages that other playable species have. Their lack of infravision in particular makes telepathy or a light source necessary resources, especially when traversing the Gnomish Mines early on. In terms of the Mines, they should also be wary of the inhabitants - most dwarves will not mind lawful humans, but will attack human heroes of other alignments, while gnomes do not care for humans regardless of alignment.

Encyclopedia entry

These strange creatures live mostly on the surface of the earth, gathering together in societies of various forms, but occasionally a stray will descend into the depths and commit mayhem among the dungeon residents who, naturally, often resent the intrusion of such beasts.  They are capable of using weapons and magic, and it is even rumored that the Wizard of Yendor is a member of this species.

 