v0.31:Lever

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

v50.14 · v0.47 · v0.34 · v0.31.25 · v0.28 · v0.23 This article is about an older version of DF. More Info · V

A lever is a building constructed from one Template:L on an empty tile. Once in place, it can be linked to one or more other devices such as Template:Ls, Template:Ls or Template:Ls, permitting you to control these other devices by ordering the lever pulled through its q menu. A free dwarf will get assigned the job of pulling the lever. This dwarf might be a long way away, and the delay in pulling the lever can result in Template:L.

Template:Ls are like levers, but triggered by creatures or fluids rather than by giving an order to a dwarf. If you are trying to trigger a trap, the delay in getting the lever pulled might prove very Template:L, so a pressure plate may be a better choice. More on trap design Template:L.

When a lever is linked with one or more devices (Template:Ls, Template:Ls, Template:Ls, etc.), pulling the lever activates that secondary system. What "activates" means depends on the linked device:

• Template:Ls open and close,
• Template:Ls collapse, potentially causing a cave-in. (Pulling the lever again won't put it back, cave-in or not.)
• Template:Ls raise and lower, or retract and extend, depending on the type of bridge.
• Template:Ls open and close,
• A Template:L engages and disengages (disengaged assemblies can't support other machinery),
• Template:Ls are deconstructed, releasing their content (single-use only), and
• Template:Ls raise and lower.

Different objects take different amounts of time to respond to activation; generally this is only a brief pause but it can be enough for a charging Template:L to cover more than a few tiles.

Linking

One Template:L is required to construct a lever, and then two more are required to link the lever with a device. The link is made by selecting the lever with q, choosing the type of object you want to link the lever to, and then using - and + to choose the particular object. The list is chronological by order of construction, most recently designated last, and the map will recenter on each object as you scroll through the list.

Then you can choose what specific mechanisms you want to use to connect the device to the lever. The quality of a mechanism affects the accuracy of traps, but not the speed of activation. The first mechanism you choose is for the device end, the second for the lever end. This is important when working with Template:L.

A lever can be linked to any number of objects, and each object can have any number of levers controlling it.

There is no way to de-link an object without disassembling either object or lever ^[Verify]. When using a lever for a single-use purpose (cages or supports), the mechanism in the lever will remain in the lever, but the object and its mechanism will deconstruct. In this manner, a single lever might accumulate many mechanisms.

Labeling

There is no built-in indication of what a lever does, and pulling them to see what will happen can be immensely Template:L. Using the Template:L function is the most foolproof way of labeling levers; colour-coding of levers can give some indication too.

However, it is possible to ascertain whether or not a building has been linked to a lever by finding the building under R "View Rooms/Buildings" and then selecting t "Zoom to building items". A device that is actuated by a lever not only lists the components of the building but will also include a mechanism item. Viewing the lever itself this way will display one mechanism for each building the lever is linked to. (But it is not possible to ascertain which lever is linked to which buildings.)

V · T · E Buildings
Workshops • Furnaces
Rooms	Barracks • Bedroom • Dining room • Dormitory • Jail • Meeting hall • Hospital • Office • Sculpture garden • Tomb • Zoo
Furniture	Animal trap • Anvil • Armor stand • Bed • Bin • Box • Bucket • Cabinet • Cage • Coffin • Restraint • Seat • Statue • Table • Weapon rack
Access	Door • Floodgate • Bars • Grate • Floor hatch • Bridge • Road • Window
Constructions	Fortification • Floor • Stairs • Ramp • Wall
Machine & Trap parts	Axle • Gear assembly • Millstone • Screw pump • Water wheel • Windmill • Lever • Pressure plate • Trap • Support
Other Buildings	Archery target • Kennel • Shop • Siege engine • Trade depot • Wagon • Well
Related Articles	Design strategies • Bedroom design • Cave-in • Computing • Furniture industry