Dwarf Fortress Wiki - User contributions [en]

v0.31:Sparring

2011-11-10T12:26:54Z

Tarkalak: /* Individual Training */

{{av}} {{Quality|Fine}}

== Introduction ==
'''Sparring''' is a form of non-lethal melee {{l|combat}}, led by the {{l|Militia captain}} in charge of the respective {{l|squad}}, to train {{L|soldier}}s in their {{l|combat skill}}s in {{L|fortress mode}}. Sparring takes place at a {{L|barracks}}; on-duty soldiers will engage in training activities such as sparring and {{l|observer|watching}} combat demonstrations while off-duty soldiers will primarily conduct {{l|combat drills|individual training drills}}. Training is a safe way to get experienced soldiers.

== Equipment ==
The weapon you wish for a squad to use can be chosen through the {{K|m}}ilitary screen, and then the {{K|e}}quip selection. When soldiers spar, they practice (and thereby gain experience) with whatever {{L|weapon}} and {{L|armor}} they have been assigned, including {{L|shield}}s. Your soldiers will put on their {{L|uniform}}s and grab their weapons once they are assigned equipment in a squad (and don't have any other civilian jobs).

==Organized squad training==
You cannot directly assign a soldier to spar. Instead, you need to {{l|schedule}} his or her squad to train. This is accomplished by opening the {{k|m}}{{l|military interface|ilitary screen}}. Open the {{k|a}}lerts panel, then assign the squad to Active/Training (or establish a more complex schedule of alerts). Now {{k|q}}uery the {{l|bed}}, {{l|weapon rack}}, and/or {{l|armor stand}} to designate a barracks. Highlight which squad you wish to train and press {{k|t}}. A {{Tile|T|3:0:1}} should appear on the right side of the screen beside that squad's name. Now your squad is set to be training, and has a place to train in. A squad set to the default Alert/Training alert level (or a more complicated schedule using the advanced calendar system) will predominantly train in their training barracks and occasionally engage in their civilian lives. A squad with active orders delivered through the squad menu will first carry out those orders, taking breaks to eat or sleep, but will not train. To change the number of dwarves assigned to train in a squad, open the {{k|m}}ilitary screen, go to the {{k|s}}chedule screen, then {{k|e}}dit the order for each month by pressing {{k|+}}{{k|*}}{{k|-}} or {{k|/}} to change the minimum number of dwarves assigned for that month.

#Define a squad with members (equip with whatever armor and weapons you like)
#Designate a {{L|barracks}} and have the squad set to train there
#Have an active training order for the squad
#Lower the minimum required dwarves for the order to be equal or less than your squad

==Individual Training==
Your soldiers will continue to do jobs outside the military if they don't have a place to spar or an active schedule. {{L|Personality_trait|Motivated}} dwarves will also conduct individual training. This happens if:
* the dwarf squad has no scheduled orders
* the squad has a designated barracks to train at
* the dwarf is on break (dwarfs with no job do not go on individual combat drill)

==Other Notes==
=== Injury===
Dwarves are very unlikely to hurt each other while sparring, even when equipped with otherwise lethal weapons. They can however have accidents due to them dodging an attack: falling in the water or down to a lower level may happen to them depending on the surroundings of your barracks.

Also, dwarves can dodge up one level if they are next to wall. Make sure they can walk back down or build roof, because otherwise you risk military dwarf trapping himself and starving to death.

===Default Schedule===
The default Active/Training alert requires a full 10 member squad. This can be changed from the {{L|Scheduling}} menu. If you have a dwarf die, remember that another member must be appointed or the minimum number required to train lowered to accommodate the new squad count.

===Happy Soldiers===
Be kind to your soldiers. Civilians with no military experience will get bad thoughts from going on duty. Soldiers will get a bad thought if they don't have any civilian experience. Having the wrong number assigned to train in a squad can also generate bad {{L|Thought|thoughts}}.

=== Training on disarmed prisoners ===
A very effective way to train your dwarves is to let them fight stripped prisoners while heavily armored and carrying training weapons themselves. Keep in mind that a dwarf needs be attacked to increase his or her defensive skills up. In other words: if you're interested in having your dwarves quickly train as Dodgers, Armor Users and Shield Users, it'll be far more efficient to set-up multiple small pits where dwarves can train one on one against disarmed prisoners.

See {{L|Cage#Remotely_Opening_Cages|Remotely Opening Cages}} for more information.

== See also==

{{L|Archery}}

{{L|Military}}

{{L|Danger_room|Danger Room}}

{{Military FAQ}}

v0.31 Talk:Sparring

2011-11-10T12:25:16Z

Tarkalak:

==Individual Combat Drill==
I have corrected a remark on the ICD part that said that ICD happens when a dwarf has no job. However ICD is happening when a dwarf is ON BREAK not when he/she has NO JOB. I have confirmed that on my fortress where I have jobless dwarfs not going to individual combat drills and when I remove from the military a dwarf who is on ICD, he/she immediately goes on break and vice versa. --[[User:tarkalak|tarkalak]]

==This isn't funny, guys==
But it is [[Fun]]. How do I get them to use wooden training sword for training and metal swords for everything else? I spent months watching my swordsdwarves beating an ettin with what are essentially sticks, and when I finally get them using metal swords, one trainee sticks one in his sparring partner's stomach and twists it around! I thought they were supposed to be smart enough to switch on their own; I'm feeling pretty dumb that I can't even get them to switch on command. Help? --[[User:Zombiejustice|Zombiejustice]] 01:21, 11 April 2010 (UTC)

:Pffft, ''you'' feel dumb, I can't even ''get them to spar'' in the current setup :/ Stupid drills and lessons [[User:Greep|Greep]] 01:13, 17 April 2010 (UTC)

:Don't feel dumb, the military is horrendously bugged right now and some people are even having a hard time getting them to pick up something. [[Special:Contributions/24.255.86.193|24.255.86.193]]

::I'm having the problem right now. They picked stuff up fine (more or less), but this current fort, I can't even get hunters to pick up their stuff. --[[User:LegacyCWAL|LegacyCWAL]] 17:49, 22 April 2010 (UTC)

:Just to annoy you a little bit, my dwarves train fine, level up quite fast, train with steel and bronze weapons and i have yet to see any injury :P I will admit though that the military screen gave me quite a bit of headache at first. --[[Special:Contributions/92.202.9.88|92.202.9.88]] 14:26, 17 April 2010 (UTC)

::For my edification, are they sparring with these metal weapons, or doing individual training? --[[User:Zombiejustice|Zombiejustice]] 22:56, 17 April 2010 (UTC)

::I'm with Greep; my dwarves don't spar whatsoever. I have the military screen largely figured out, I have my barracks designated for training, another for sleeping, etc. but I only see them standing around in a large group "Waiting for Combat Training" and whatnot. I never see my recruits pushing eachother around with the occasional smear of blood across the wall, like they use to (sparring, basically). Are they supposed to just stand around now and passively gain military skill, or do they move around? If so, '''HOW DO I GET THEM TO SPAR'''?! Much thanks. --[[User:Bronzebeard|Bronzebeard]] 02:58, 18 April 2010 (UTC)

:::To get them to spar, assign the squad a barracks, make an alert for that squad with a schedule that calls for training, and give that squad that alert. --[[User:Zombiejustice|Zombiejustice]] 19:23, 22 April 2010 (UTC)

::::I've done all that. I don't see any sparring, though, unless it's been entirely taken out of the game and replaced with "individual combat drills" and demonstrations. The latter never seem to work because, for whatever reason, the dwarves can't all be there at the same time (unless they do work without the entire squad) BUT I have noticed that one way or another, my dwarves are improving their combat skills by just standing around doing drills and demonstrations. I have to assume that sparring -- dwarves knocking each other around -- has been eliminated from the game. --[[User:Bronzebeard|Bronzebeard]] 19:29, 23 April 2010 (UTC)
::::: My dwarves spar sometimes. Like most of the military jobs in 0.31.03 it seems to be somewhat buggy. All I did to get them to spar originally was to assign them a firing range, a barracks (both designated as training) and set their schedule to 'Train'. Getting them to not put each other in hospital on the other hand... [[User:Bpuk|Bpuk]] 22:38, 23 April 2010 (UTC)
:::::I've just figured out that along with the 'C' and 'H' at the upper left corner of the screen, there is also an 'S' that pertains to sparring announcements (an 'S' I've never seen, mind you), so traditional sparring must, clearly, still be around -- I apologize. However I've, again, yet to see it. --[[Special:Contributions/76.110.216.178|76.110.216.178]] 03:10, 30 April 2010 (UTC)
::::::Don't worry if your dwarves are just standing around attending "Demonstrations" or "Individual Combat Drills". They still gain military skill. In my current fortress, I put a few of my useless dwarves into the military, including one who already had good fighting skills, before I had forged any weapons. By the time I supplied them with battleaxes, the one had taught the others to become competent dodgers. Once I gave them all weapons, they just stood around doing individual drills, but they still gained skill (only novice so far).--[[User:Aegeus|Aegeus]] 01:26, 14 June 2010 (UTC)

:My dwarves pick their weapons and armor as soon as I order them, too bad that they do "sparring" instead of "demonstrations" or "combat drills". Lethal sparring. Sparring with exceptional iron short swords is deadlier than a GCS attack, even with full iron gear.

::For me (in 31.11), my dwarfs "lightly tap" eachother with their weapon while sparring. Even with copper battle axe. No Dwarf was hurt until now.
::: ''The expedition leader hacks the recruit in the upper body with her (copper battle axe) lightly tapping the target.'' --[[Special:Contributions/94.217.127.39|94.217.127.39]] 09:33, 24 July 2010 (UTC)

:I've been wanting to add a little blurb in the training section about training with hammers--there's no training hammer you can build, but you can assign wooden crossbows to hammerdwarves and, without bolts, they'll train hammer, and won't bludgeon each other to death. I've never actually contributed to a wiki before, and don't want to commit a faux pas by improper editing...
::I say go for it. If there is an error in your change someone else can just pitch in and correct it.

=== version 31.12 ===

I would really appreciate a keystroke-by-keystroke explanation of how to set up a training schedule. I'm trying to decipher it on my own right now, and will post when I get a chance, but in the meantime....if you know, please share? [[User:Romeofalling|Romeofalling]] 22:18, 15 August 2010 (UTC)
:I added in some more specific directions in the introduction as well as cleaned up the language a bit. I also added the bit about the danger room. Try my directions and see if you get better results. I have consistently been able to get my squads to train using the past two versions by following those instructions. If they still won't train I will write out a more detailed synopsis.[[User:Furlion|Furlion]] 07:09, 16 August 2010 (UTC)
::Thanks! That was very clear and concise. Would it be possible for you to make similar clarifications about how to integrate Scheduling into these sorts of training routines? In my specific case now that I've managed to train successfully, I'm trying to figure out how to set up 3 two-dwarf squads of melee combatants so that at any given month, one is training, one is on patrol, and the third is working their civilian jobs. [[User:Romeofalling|Romeofalling]] 21:49, 16 August 2010 (UTC)
:::Check my user talk page today or tomorrow. I am going to write up a little tutorial similar to the one found [http://df.magmawiki.com/index.php/DF2010:Military_interface here]. See if that link gets you anymore help then check my page. Glad my write up helped you get started training!--[[User:Furlion|Furlion]] 07:03, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

== Injuries? ==

Have there actually been any reported sparring injuries in 0.31.12? A single one? Anywhere? I suspect the part of the page that discusses injuries may be out of date, but I don't want to change it prematurely. --[[User:Greycat|Greycat]] 16:33, 28 August 2010 (UTC)
:Actually now that you mention it, I was letting my squad train with real weapons and no one has suffered an injury yet. Or at least, I have yet to notice one. I would say that carefully monitoring a full squad of 10 for a whole year of training and seeing if anyone has been injured would be long enough to be considered verified. --[[User:Furlion|Furlion]] 16:18, 29 August 2010 (UTC)
::They are only "lightly tapping" each other with exceptional steel spears and masterwork steel battleaxes now. And doing actual sparring is slow but way faster than "individual combat drill".--[[User:Another|Another]] 14:02, 19 September 2010 (UTC)
::: Oh yeah, I have seen the same, just that my dorfs are training with adamantine axes. At first I was like "SHIT" when my dorfs spar, cause I don't have a armorer yet, but they only tap each other, noone got any injurys yet.--[[User:Niggy|Niggy]] 11:39, 9 October 2010 (UTC)
:::: As the consensus seems to be that dorfs no longer hurt each other, I'm changing the page. [[User:Calite|Calite]] 14:04, 9 October 2010 (UTC)

==Danger Room==
There is currently a {{l|Danger_room|Danger Room}} article so I am going to remove the text and instead put a link the See Also links. --[[User:Furlion|Furlion]] 05:33, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

== 31.17 training oddity ==

I do not know, if this is the best place but I noticed this little thing: if you schedule you dwarves to train and order says "minimum 1 dwarf" there will never be ''more than one'' dwarf training at a time. When I changed order to "minimum 3 dwarf" two more dwarves rushed in almost immediately. I will look on Mantis for this.--[[User:SanDiego|SanDiego]] 15:44, 23 November 2010 (UTC)
:That is correct. Also, if you put in 10 minimum, and you only have eight, ''they won't train at all.'' So it is a minimum, and a maximum. Although, if you train less than you have (which you should, so they get breaks) the other may engage in individual combat drills when they are not active.
::And so, in other words, the "minimum" setting of dwarves to train is actually the exact number (?)

== Three-way sparring match ==
I'm currently observing a three-way sparring match taking place in my fortress (df 31.18). Never knew this was possible before; don't know if it needs to be worked into the article or what. (It does seem like it would impact the "optimum squad size".) —[[User:Chaos|Chaos]] 18:17, 24 December 2010 (UTC)

One of the dwarfs left the match without terminating it for the other two, incidentally. —[[User:Chaos|Chaos]] 18:21, 24 December 2010 (UTC)

: I can confirm that this happened in my fort as well. [[User:Qwertyu|Qwertyu]] 13:36, 10 January 2011 (UTC)

== Dwarves Training With Other Squads ==

I can confirm that dwarves that share a barracks for training will train with dwarves from other squads. My Captain of the Guard, who is in a one-dwarf squad, will 'organize combat training' with the other dwarves in the barracks.

==Size of squad==
I have a squad of 5 and all 5 are sparing. Removed the error from the page.--[[User:Kwieland|Kwieland]] 17:54, 11 May 2011 (UTC)