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40d:Preferences
| This article is about an older version of DF. |
Every dwarf is born with a unique Template:L that includes likes and dislikes. A dwarf's personality also changes with time; he or she may develop new preferences for food and drink and develop new character traits.
Possible Objects of Affection or Revulsion
Each dwarf prefers particular materials, objects, animals, and foods. These types may or may not be generally thought of as preferable, valuable or even useful. A given dwarf may display many, a few, or (theoretically) even none of these preferences.
Preferences will include:
- one type of Template:L, Template:L, Template:L, or Template:L
- one type of Template:L, or Template:L
- one type of Template:L
Preferences may also include:
- a specific type of Template:L
- a type of Template:L
- a type of Template:L
- a type of decoration material: a specific type of Template:L, horn, ivory, etc.
- a type of Template:L
- a color
- a design/motif
- a Template:L (inc. picks and bolts)
- a specific Template:L
- a specific piece of Template:L
- a type of finished goods or craft
- a type of Template:L (inc. anvils)
- Template:L or Template:L components
- one or more Template:Ls, Template:Ls or Template:L (Template:Ls seem to dominate)
- a type of Template:L (or, rarely, a type of Template:L)
- one or more favourite Template:Ls (new preferences can develop during game; presumably only for food that is actually eaten and probably only if it's not part of a prepared meal[Verify])
- one or more favourite Template:Ls (new preferences can develop during game; presumably only for booze that is actually drunk[Verify])
- detesting a type of Template:L
This information can be brought up either by typing v from the unit list, or by showing a dwarf and then typing p for Prefs, z to view profile, and enter to view thoughts and preferences.
- Logem Datanamid likes Hematite, Fine pewter, Topaz, crystal glass, giant mole leather, beds, animal traps and horses for their strength. When possible, she prefers to consume turtle and Quarry bush Leaves. She absolutely detests lizards.
- She is quick to anger. She feels strong urges and seeks short-term rewards. She is somewhat reserved. She finds rules confining. She is self-disciplined. She takes time when making decisions. She needs alcohol to get through the working day. She likes working outdoors and grumbles only mildly at inclement weather.
Note that it is guaranteed that each of your initial seven dwarfs "likes working outdoors" and "grumbles only mildly at inclement weather". Template:Ls most likely will not have these preferences.
All dwarfs "need alcohol to get through the working day" - that's part of being a dwarf.
Effect on Skill Use (Crafting)
A dwarf with a preference for a material or an object will tend to produce higher-quality results for a given skill when working with that raw material or making that object. This is especially important in cases where you're short of raw materials to train on, as even a dabbling dwarf with the right preferences can occasionally produce quality objects. The dwarf above is not only an ideal candidate to become a Template:L, she has real potential as a Template:L or even Template:L as well.
Note that the material preferences can affect more than one stage in the production chain. If you're fortunate enough to have a dwarf who likes Template:L Template:L, or Template:L Template:L, it will improve both their Template:L and Template:L with those materials. It is unclear exactly how double preferences (steel and axes, obsidian and shortswords, or clear glass and windows, for instance) work, but they do seem to have a cumulative effect when producing those items from that material.
Effect on Thoughts and Behavior
Dwarves who prefer particular drinks or foods will seek them out instead of choosing whatever's closest or newest, and will get a more intense happiness boost from a given quality of food or drink. Dwarves without a preference for a drink will go for the newest brewed. The dwarf above will be especially grateful if you find some turtles or include quarry bush leaves in your prepared meals. The deciding factor is not the name of the meal but whether one or more of its ingredients is a favored one.
Dwarves will also try to acquire items they like; adopting Template:Ls, purchasing items from a Template:L, and in the case of Template:Ls, Template:L furniture in their Template:Ls or Template:L construction of items in their favourite metal/stone.
Of particular note, dwarves that like Template:Ls are more vulnerable to Template:L.
Effect on Artifacts and Demands
A dwarf's preferences have a strong impact on their Template:L construction during a Template:L. If it is possible to create an item from the moody dwarf's preferences with the chosen material and workshop, he usually (but not always) will. Even in some cases where it's not possible to create an item from a material, the dwarf will go ahead and do it anyway! This can result in things like Template:L Template:Ls (normally only wood can be used to make beds) or Template:L Template:L (normally billon is not suitable for weapons or armor).
In a similar vein, nobles will usually only demand or prohibit trade of items from their preferences list, occasionally combining them into difficult to fulfill requests (e.g. Template:L Template:L Template:L). Any noble that likes a material you cannot create (for example, one who likes Template:L items on a map without sand) should probably be Template:L at the earliest opportunity.
Civilian and Military Positions
The preferences screen also contains a short section detailing any positions a dwarf holds, his squad of dwarves and enemies of this particular dwarf. While an entire fortress may be at war with another civilization, specific dwarves only become enemies after entering into direct combat with opponents of these civilizations.
Continuing Study
Dwarven Template:L is a newer addition to Dwarf Fortress and still a work in progress. Also "under construction" is our knowledge of what certain traits mean and how they affect gameplay. We do know -- because Toady One has said so -- that there are at least a dozen or so places in the game that use personality to determine dwarven actions, so they're worth keeping in mind. The above dwarf is probably not the best choice for an expedition leader, as she is neither particularly sociable nor good at appeasing, intimidating, or comforting dwarves who come to her with troubles.