40d:Frequently Asked Questions

v0.34.11 · v0.31.25 · v0.28.181.40d · v0.23.130.23a This article is about an older version of DF. More Info

xTATTEREDx  · +FINE+  · *SUPERIOR*  · ≡EXCEPTIONAL≡  · ☼MASTERWORK☼

General

Game Basics FAQ
What is the Z-Axis?
What is the point of the game?
Fun
How quickly does time pass in Dwarf Fortress?
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Game Interface FAQ
Menu interface guide
What do these symbols represent?
What do the flashing icons mean?
How do I make the game run faster?
How do I accomplish tasks with fewer keystrokes?
What are good key bindings if I have a laptop or unusual keyboard?
Where can I get color graphic tiles for this game?
On the z stocks page, why are numbers displayed in yellow such as 10? 20? etc
What do the C H and S in the top left border mean?
What configuration options are available?
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Beginner's guide FAQ
Basic getting started guide
Where in the world should I settle?
What skills and items should I equip my dwarves with?
Where in my area should I build my fort?
What should I build first?
How do I assign tasks to specific dwarves?
How do I get more dwarves?
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Environment

Magma FAQ
Practically everything Magma related
What can I use to make magma-proof items?
How do I channel magma?
Digging designation canceled: Warm stone located
Where can I find magma?
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Wood FAQ
Do I really need wood?
Where can I get wood?
Where can I get even more wood?
Is it possible to grow trees underground?
How long do tower-caps take to grow?
Do dead trees spawn new trees?
How much protection does wood armor provide?
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Water FAQ
How do I move water up levels?
How do I stop water moving up levels?
Can dwarves swim to the surface for air?
How long does it take for a dwarf/goblin/creature to drown?
How deep is the water?
Is it possible to melt ice?
How do I build a well?
How do I channel a path for water?
Will water push items around?
Can I build a dam to stop the water?
Digging designation canceled: Damp stone located
What is the best way to proceed on a map with no rivers? Will my dwarves die of thirst?
How can I divert a river to allow safe(ish) indoor fishing?
How can I dig through an aquifer?
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Fortress

Buildings, Constructions and Rooms FAQ
Why when I try to build a bed/door/chair does it say needs bed/door/chair?
How do I construct a wall from a particular direction?
How do I designate rooms or areas?
Help! My doors are stuck open!
Once placed, can furniture be moved?
How do I increase the value of a room quickly and easily?
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Moods FAQ
What's the easiest way to check dwarves happiness?
How do I get my dwarves to sleep peacefully?
How can I keep my dwarves happy?
What does "taken by mood" mean?
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Workshops FAQ
How do I make steel?
How do I make glass?
How do I make cloth?
How do I make soap?
My items are 'stuck' in a workshop; how do I stop this from happening?
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Error Messages FAQ
Dwarf cancels Store Item: Job item misplaced
Dwarf cancels Store Item: Item inaccessible
Dwarf cancels Construct Building: Item blocking site
Dwarf cancels task: Dropoff inaccessible
Dwarf cancels task: Dangerous terrain
Dwarf cancels task: Could not find path
Dwarf cancels task: Forbidden area
Dwarf cancels task: Job item lost or destroyed
Dwarf cancels Pickup Equipment: Equipment mismatch
Dwarf cancels task: Interrupted
Dwarf cancels task: Handling dangerous creature
Diplomacy Stymied - A diplomat has left unhappy
Dwarf cancels construct "Rock object": Needs non-economic rock
Cat cancels Store Item in Stockpile: Too injured
Digging designation canceled: Warm / Damp stone located
Miner cancels dig: Inappropriate dig square
Dwarf cancels fill pond: Inappropriate building
Their wagons have bypassed your inaccessible site
Dwarf cancels Construct Building: cannot reach site
Dwarf cancels construct "Rock short sword": Needs sharpenable rock
Dwarf cancels construction of Wall: Creature occupying site
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Skills

Farming FAQ
How do I build a farm?
How large a farm do I need?
What is the best crop?
How do I manage my seeds and crops?
What does "Reserved Barrels" and "Reserved Bins" mean?
Why are crops sometimes displayed with red writing?
What do I do with these inedible crops?
What does the option "Fallow" mean?
My dwarves will only farm on a small part of the fields, why is this?
How do I make absolutely sure my farm plot is all set to produce crops?
If I don't see any dwarves working my farm plot, does that mean there's something wrong?
Can you grow surface crops on multiple z levels in a tower if the floors are glass even though there's soil on the glass?
What is the "seas fert" option for?
How do you create a custom stockpile that accepts only prepared foods?
How do you successfully breed and utilize animals(grazing, non-grazing and poultry)?
How often do you need to irrigate your farm fields?
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Military FAQ
How do I get my dwarves to fight?
Recruiting, equipping, and managing your military
How do I train my dwarves' martial skills?
How to train civilians into super-soldiers
How do I keep armor from slowing my soldiers down?
How do I train and deploy animals when needed?
Help! My civilians keep running into combat!
How do I remove weapons from caged prisoners?
How do I stop my dwarves from dropping clothes all over the barracks?
How do I stop my dwarves whom I want to train into marksdwarves from wrestling?
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Mining FAQ
How do I get my dwarves to haul stones only from certain areas?
How do I find ores to mine?
How do I get my dwarves to haul ores and ignore useless stones?
How do I get rid of all this stone?
How do I stop miners from falling in channels as they dig them?
What causes a cave-in?
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