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Difference between revisions of "Megabeast"

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'''Megabeasts''' are special and very powerful "boss" [[creature]]s (distinct from, and larger than, [[semi-megabeast]]s) who are created during [[world generation]], each associated with a number of [[sphere]]s. They are named [[historical figure]]s, and the game will [[announcement|announce]] their presence by name.  
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[[File:megabeast_preview.png|right]]'''Megabeasts''' are special and very powerful "boss" [[creature]]s who are created during [[world generation]], each associated with a number of [[sphere]]s. They are named [[historical figure]]s - the game will [[announcement|announce]] their presence by name. They are similar to [[semi-megabeast]]s, but tend to be larger, rarer and more powerful.
  
The megabeast species are the [[dragon]], the [[hydra]], the [[roc]] and the [[bronze colossus]]. [[Forgotten beast]]s and [[titan]]s are procedurally generated megabeasts.
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Graphically, the sprites that [[titan]]s and [[forgotten beast]]s use will be of black, mysterious-looking creatures that resemble the generated appearance they've been given. This same setup is used for other procedurally-generated creatures, such as [[demon]]s, [[experiment]]s and [[bogeyman|bogeymen]].
  
== Description ==
+
==Megabeast species==
[[File:Megabeast.jpg|thumb|320px|right|''Art by Joujeen'']]Megabeasts are created systematically during world generation. Newly-generated worlds are populated by initial populations of [[historical figure]]s, megabeasts among them. The amount of megabeasts created at world generation is random, but based on two factors: the size of the world ("World Size"), and their prevalence ("Number of Beasts"). Megabeasts' presence (or lack thereof) is a major factor in world history. Over time, they will accumulate long [[kill list]]s, and the baddest of the bunch will acquire nicknames and [[deity|god]]-like associations with their [[sphere]]s.
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*[[File:Bronze colossus sprite.png|15px]] / {{Tile|C|6:0}} [[Bronze colossus]]
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*[[File:Dragon sprite.png|30px]] / {{Tile|D|2:0}} [[Dragon]]
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*[[File:Beast sprites preview anim.gif|30px]] / {{Tile|?|7:1}} [[Forgotten beast]]
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*[[File:Hydra sprite.png|30px]] / {{Tile|H|4:1}} [[Hydra]]
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*[[File:Roc sprite.png|30px]] / {{Tile|R|7:1}} [[Roc]]
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*[[File:Beast sprites preview anim.gif|30px]] / {{Tile|?|7:1}} [[Titan]]
  
Megabeasts are a distinct and serious threat to early development, threatening many a young outpost; but, inevitably, as the world matures, populations rise, and new settlements are founded, they become increasingly harassed. Although megabeasts will come out on top of almost any encounter, enough dice rolls and they ''will'' go down, felled by a lucky human or other sapient creature clearing the way for their fellows. The longer the world history, the more megabeasts are confronted and killed off, and the safer the world becomes for [[civilization]]. In most worlds, calendar [[Calendar#Ages|ages]] go through three stages, the Age of Myth, the Age of Legends, and the Age of Heroes, each with a progressively-higher % of megabeasts killed.
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==Description==
 +
{{imagefix|[[File:megabeast_icons_anim.gif]]|7}}[[File:megabeast2_dastactic.jpg|thumb|310px|right|Looks like it makes ear-piercing screech sounds.<br><small>''Art by DasTactic''</small>]]
 +
[[File:megabeast_devilingo.jpg|thumb|310px|right|"Nooo! Our least favorite pharaoh was in that temple."<br><small>''Art by Devilingo''</small>]]
 +
Megabeasts are created systematically during world generation. Newly-generated worlds are populated by initial populations of [[historical figure]]s, megabeasts among them. The amount of megabeasts created at world generation is random, but based on two factors: the size of the world ("World Size"), and their prevalence ("Number of Beasts"). Megabeasts' presence (or lack thereof) is a major factor in world history. Over time, they will accumulate long [[kill list]]s, and the baddest of the bunch will acquire nicknames and [[deity|god]]-like associations with their [[sphere]]s.
  
Some megabeasts (namely, all but the bronze colossus and procedurally generated ones) can reproduce during world generation, but such an event is fantastically unlikely, for two reasons: The first is that megabeasts are immensely rare and elusive, and almost never bump into one another. The second is that the starting population of megabeasts is also their population cap, meaning that other megabeasts must die before new ones can be born. Megabeasts will reproduce within players' fortresses if they are lucky enough to [[cage trap|cage]] and [[animal training|train]] two specimens of opposite sexes.
+
Megabeasts are a distinct and serious threat to early development, threatening many a young outpost; but, inevitably, as the world matures, populations rise, and new settlements are founded, they become increasingly harassed. Although megabeasts will come out on top of almost any encounter, enough dice rolls and they ''will'' go down, felled by a lucky human - or other sapient creature - clearing the way for their fellows. The longer the world history, the more megabeasts are confronted and killed off, and the safer the world becomes for [[civilization]]. In most worlds, calendar [[Calendar#Ages|ages]] go through three stages, the Age of Myth, the Age of Legends, and the Age of Heroes, each with a progressively-higher % of megabeasts killed.
  
In world generation, all megabeasts claim and live in a [[lair]], a hunting (or, perhaps, ''haunting'') ground from which they will attack other creatures, both wildlife and civilized settlements. A megabeast sharing its lair with another megabeast of the other gender is also far more likely to reproduce than if the two had been wandering the world. Lairs can and do change, however, sometimes regularly, and older megabeasts have called many a place their home. Also, megabeasts have been found fighting each other, leading to hilarious reports of fireballs and [[cave in]]s.
+
Some megabeasts (namely, all but the bronze colossus and procedurally-generated ones) can reproduce during world generation, but such an event is fantastically unlikely, for two reasons: The first is that megabeasts are immensely rare and elusive, and almost never bump into one another. The second is that the starting population of megabeasts is also their population cap, meaning that other megabeasts must die before new ones can be born. Megabeasts will reproduce within players' fortresses if they are lucky enough to [[cage trap|cage]] and [[animal training|train]] two specimens of opposite sexes.
  
Megabeasts will not attack the player until they have accumulated a minimum wealth of 100,000☼ or a minimum population of 80 dwarves. What megabeasts appear, if any do at all, is influenced by which ones are closest to the player; a dragon with a lair nearby is far more likely to attack than a roc several weeks away. Nonetheless, force-quitting and loading a fortress from a few days before a megabeast attack may result in a different one arriving on the same day, or later, or nothing arriving at all, depending on what has survived world generation.
+
In world generation, all megabeasts claim and live in a [[lair]], a hunting (or, perhaps, ''haunting'') ground from which they will attack other creatures, both wildlife and civilized settlements. A megabeast sharing its lair with another megabeast of the other gender is also far more likely to reproduce, than if the two had been wandering the world. Lairs can and do change, however, sometimes regularly, and older megabeasts have called many a place their home. Also, megabeasts have been found fighting each other, leading to hilarious reports of fireballs and [[cave in]]s.
 +
 
 +
Most megabeasts will not attack the player until they have accumulated a minimum [[wealth]] of 100,000☼, exported wealth of at least 10,000☼, ''and'' a minimum population of 80 dwarves. Titans ignore exported wealth, and the only requirements for forgotten beasts are 50,000☼ in created wealth and a discovered [[cavern]].  What megabeasts appear, if any do at all, is also influenced by which ones are closest to the player; a dragon with a lair nearby is far more likely to attack than a roc several weeks away. Nonetheless, force-quitting and loading a fortress from a few days before a megabeast attack may result in a different one arriving on the same day, or later, or nothing arriving at all, depending on what has survived world generation.
  
 
Megabeast and night creature attacks are handled the same way as caravan/diplomat visits and migrant waves - at the beginning of the season, the game decides that it's going to happen and sets a timer, and the event happens once the timer runs out.  Notably, megabeast and night creature events simply choose a random "eligible" (i.e. able to survive in your fortress's biome) creature from anywhere in the world, and make it instantly appear at your doorstep.
 
Megabeast and night creature attacks are handled the same way as caravan/diplomat visits and migrant waves - at the beginning of the season, the game decides that it's going to happen and sets a timer, and the event happens once the timer runs out.  Notably, megabeast and night creature events simply choose a random "eligible" (i.e. able to survive in your fortress's biome) creature from anywhere in the world, and make it instantly appear at your doorstep.
  
 
After an attack on a settlement in worldgen, megabeasts tend to be worshipped by [[dwarves]], most likely out of fear and the hope that worshiping the megabeast may persuade it to not eat its worshippers (this currently does not work at all). The megabeast is listed as ''object of worship'' on the dwarves' [[relationship]] screen. This does not change your dwarves' behaviour when confronted with an object of worship, nor the megabeast's behaviour when bumping into its worshippers.
 
After an attack on a settlement in worldgen, megabeasts tend to be worshipped by [[dwarves]], most likely out of fear and the hope that worshiping the megabeast may persuade it to not eat its worshippers (this currently does not work at all). The megabeast is listed as ''object of worship'' on the dwarves' [[relationship]] screen. This does not change your dwarves' behaviour when confronted with an object of worship, nor the megabeast's behaviour when bumping into its worshippers.
 +
 +
==Attributes==
 +
The different types of large, unique creatures have similar, though slightly differing properties. These behaviors are mostly of interest to [[Modding|modders]] creating custom creatures.
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 +
|+ Monster tokens
 +
|-
 +
! Attribute !! {{token|MEGABEAST|c}}<br>{{token|SEMIMEGABEAST|c}} !! {{token|TITAN|c}} !! {{token|FEATURE_BEAST|c}} !! {{token|POWER|c}} !! {{token|UNIQUE_DEMON|c}} !! {{token|DEMON|c}} !! {{token|NIGHT_CREATURE|c}} !! Others
 +
|-
 +
|| Rampages || Yes || Yes || Yes || || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
|| Exclude from [[Stockpile]] || || Yes || Yes || || || Yes || Yes || {{token|EQUIPMENT|c}}
 +
|-
 +
|| Makes [[Relationship|Friends]] in Worldgen || || No || No || || || No || No || {{token|EQUIPMENT|c}} can't
 +
|-
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|| Can be [[Experiment]] || || No || No || No || No || || || {{token|SUPERNATURAL|c}}, and castes with {{token|FANCIFUL|c}}
 +
|-
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|| Defines [[Calendar|Ages]] || Yes || Yes || Yes || || || || || [[Deity|Deities]], [[force]]s, and [[Noble|positions]] with [[Position token#PRECEDENCE|precedence]] 1
 +
|-
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|| Worldgen Beast || Yes || Yes || || Yes || || || {{token|NIGHT_CREATURE_HUNTER}} only ||
 +
|-
 +
|| Worldgen Monster || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || || || {{token|NIGHT_CREATURE_HUNTER}} only ||
 +
|-
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|| Precludes Religious Worship || No || Yes || Yes || Impersonates Deity || Impersonates Deity || Yes || Yes ||
 +
|-
 +
|| Can be [[Preference|preferred]] [[pet]]  || || No || No ||  || No || || || {{token|EQUIPMENT|c}} can't
 +
|-
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|| Unknown to [[civilization]]s (?)  || || || Yes ||  || || || ||
 +
|}
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 +
Source: [[User:Putnam3145]] on [https://discord.com/channels/329272032778780672/629902895138996264/1297666983306858646 Kitfox Games Discord]
 
<noinclude>
 
<noinclude>
 +
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
{{catbox|DF2014:Megabeasts}}
 
{{catbox|DF2014:Megabeasts}}

Latest revision as of 10:17, 21 October 2024

This article is about the current version of DF.
Note that some content may still need to be updated.

Dwarf head pixel.png  This article or section contains minor spoilers. You may want to avoid reading it.
Megabeast preview.png

Megabeasts are special and very powerful "boss" creatures who are created during world generation, each associated with a number of spheres. They are named historical figures - the game will announce their presence by name. They are similar to semi-megabeasts, but tend to be larger, rarer and more powerful.

Graphically, the sprites that titans and forgotten beasts use will be of black, mysterious-looking creatures that resemble the generated appearance they've been given. This same setup is used for other procedurally-generated creatures, such as demons, experiments and bogeymen.

Megabeast species[edit]

Description[edit]

Megabeast icons anim.gif
Looks like it makes ear-piercing screech sounds.
Art by DasTactic
"Nooo! Our least favorite pharaoh was in that temple."
Art by Devilingo

Megabeasts are created systematically during world generation. Newly-generated worlds are populated by initial populations of historical figures, megabeasts among them. The amount of megabeasts created at world generation is random, but based on two factors: the size of the world ("World Size"), and their prevalence ("Number of Beasts"). Megabeasts' presence (or lack thereof) is a major factor in world history. Over time, they will accumulate long kill lists, and the baddest of the bunch will acquire nicknames and god-like associations with their spheres.

Megabeasts are a distinct and serious threat to early development, threatening many a young outpost; but, inevitably, as the world matures, populations rise, and new settlements are founded, they become increasingly harassed. Although megabeasts will come out on top of almost any encounter, enough dice rolls and they will go down, felled by a lucky human - or other sapient creature - clearing the way for their fellows. The longer the world history, the more megabeasts are confronted and killed off, and the safer the world becomes for civilization. In most worlds, calendar ages go through three stages, the Age of Myth, the Age of Legends, and the Age of Heroes, each with a progressively-higher % of megabeasts killed.

Some megabeasts (namely, all but the bronze colossus and procedurally-generated ones) can reproduce during world generation, but such an event is fantastically unlikely, for two reasons: The first is that megabeasts are immensely rare and elusive, and almost never bump into one another. The second is that the starting population of megabeasts is also their population cap, meaning that other megabeasts must die before new ones can be born. Megabeasts will reproduce within players' fortresses if they are lucky enough to cage and train two specimens of opposite sexes.

In world generation, all megabeasts claim and live in a lair, a hunting (or, perhaps, haunting) ground from which they will attack other creatures, both wildlife and civilized settlements. A megabeast sharing its lair with another megabeast of the other gender is also far more likely to reproduce, than if the two had been wandering the world. Lairs can and do change, however, sometimes regularly, and older megabeasts have called many a place their home. Also, megabeasts have been found fighting each other, leading to hilarious reports of fireballs and cave ins.

Most megabeasts will not attack the player until they have accumulated a minimum wealth of 100,000☼, exported wealth of at least 10,000☼, and a minimum population of 80 dwarves. Titans ignore exported wealth, and the only requirements for forgotten beasts are 50,000☼ in created wealth and a discovered cavern. What megabeasts appear, if any do at all, is also influenced by which ones are closest to the player; a dragon with a lair nearby is far more likely to attack than a roc several weeks away. Nonetheless, force-quitting and loading a fortress from a few days before a megabeast attack may result in a different one arriving on the same day, or later, or nothing arriving at all, depending on what has survived world generation.

Megabeast and night creature attacks are handled the same way as caravan/diplomat visits and migrant waves - at the beginning of the season, the game decides that it's going to happen and sets a timer, and the event happens once the timer runs out. Notably, megabeast and night creature events simply choose a random "eligible" (i.e. able to survive in your fortress's biome) creature from anywhere in the world, and make it instantly appear at your doorstep.

After an attack on a settlement in worldgen, megabeasts tend to be worshipped by dwarves, most likely out of fear and the hope that worshiping the megabeast may persuade it to not eat its worshippers (this currently does not work at all). The megabeast is listed as object of worship on the dwarves' relationship screen. This does not change your dwarves' behaviour when confronted with an object of worship, nor the megabeast's behaviour when bumping into its worshippers.

Attributes[edit]

The different types of large, unique creatures have similar, though slightly differing properties. These behaviors are mostly of interest to modders creating custom creatures.

Monster tokens
Attribute [MEGABEAST]
[SEMIMEGABEAST]
[TITAN] [FEATURE_BEAST] [POWER] [UNIQUE_DEMON] [DEMON] [NIGHT_CREATURE] Others
Rampages Yes Yes Yes
Exclude from Stockpile Yes Yes Yes Yes [EQUIPMENT]
Makes Friends in Worldgen No No No No [EQUIPMENT] can't
Can be Experiment No No No No [SUPERNATURAL], and castes with [FANCIFUL]
Defines Ages Yes Yes Yes Deities, forces, and positions with precedence 1
Worldgen Beast Yes Yes Yes [NIGHT_CREATURE_HUNTER] only
Worldgen Monster Yes Yes Yes Yes [NIGHT_CREATURE_HUNTER] only
Precludes Religious Worship No Yes Yes Impersonates Deity Impersonates Deity Yes Yes
Can be preferred pet No No No [EQUIPMENT] can't
Unknown to civilizations (?) Yes

Source: User:Putnam3145 on Kitfox Games Discord


See also[edit]

Military and defense
F.A.Q.
Guides
Managing soldiers
Design tips
Invaders