Z-level

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See also: Tile

The elevation indicator, with both standard and ASCII graphics.

Z-Level, also known as elevation, describes vertical space (depth or altitude) within Dwarf Fortress, analogous to the Z-axis in geometry which extends out of the page towards the viewer. Each layer of view is a discrete z-level with a value relative to the bottom of the map space, indicated in the lower right corner of the screen. There is another Z-level display in the upper right corner of the main view which displays the player's z-level viewpoint relative to the surface z-level. The player moves their view from one z-level to another by moving the mouse wheel up or down. Alternatively, the player can press e to move up and c to move down.

The default settings produce levels with around 50 z-levels of land (for an embark with average elevation changes) with an additional 15 z-levels of empty sky space above the highest point of land; mountainous regions can end up with well over a hundred z-levels of caverns. 0 corresponds to sea level.

Numerous factors available in world generation impact the available z-levels, and can alter the depth of the map to a minimum of 6 and a maximum well in excess of 600. (Worldgen has 400 z-levels; maybe one can force 200 levels of sky.)

Reducing the number of z-levels, especially cavern levels, can reduce processor demand and boost framerate. Notably, a common reason players get 100+ Z-level embarks is because "Generate New World" makes ISLAND worlds, and the resulting terrain causes caverns to be a lot taller than usual.

Things affected by gravity will descend z-levels as they would in the real world, while gaseous substances such as miasma or steam are lighter than air, and will ascend z-levels.