40d:Site finder

The site finder is a feature introduced in Dwarf Fortress 0.28.181.39d. It is a menu added to the embark screen that helps you searching for embark positions based on preferences. It can be invoked from the embark screen by pressing f.

The highlighted feature can be switched by using ↑ and ↓, the setting can be selected using ← and → or the analogous keys on the keypad (8 2 and 4 6).

A selection set to N/A will not influence the search, while a setting other than that does not guarantee a hit - it is quite possible that there is no 2x2 location with cave river, magma pool and chasm on your world map. The finder will then display a candidate that fits as many as possible of the selected settings in the desired size.

The search will take into account the whole world map.

More information on some of the settings can be found on the World Generation page.

X Dimension / Y Dimension

Range for either: 2 to 16

This setting controls the initial size of the embark rectangle. The finder searches the world map for the selected features using a rectangle of the selected size. A larger rectangle will usually lead to a higher chance of finding all selected features due to the site being larger, but will impact game performance (the larger the rectangle, the lower the FPS).

Savagery

Range: N/A, Low, Medium, High

These settings mean the same as the Benign, Neutral, Savage settings on the Regions page.

Evil

Range: N/A, Low, Medium, High

These settings relate to the Good, Neutral, Evil designations on the Regions page.

It also seems to be an average for the selected area: an area evenly divided between Good and Evil will show up on a search for "Medium", while "Good" will usually turn up a predominantly good area.

Elevation

Range: N/A, Low, Medium, High

If this is set to low, the result will be mostly flat land. Medium and high search for mountains/cliffs respectively.

Temperature

Range: N/A, Low, Medium, High

This corresponds^[Verify] approximately to Freezing/Cold, Temperate/Warm, Hot/Scorching (see Climate).

Rain

Range: N/A, Low, Medium, High

Selects the amount of rain/snow^[Verify] to expect (see Weather).

Drainage

Range: N/A, Low, Medium, High

This, along with other factors, determines the terrain type to look for. High drainage areas include glaciers and deserts.

Flux Stone

Range: N/A, No, Yes

Controls whether a candidate must have Flux stone.

Aquifer

Range: N/A, No, Yes

Controls whether a candidate must have an Aquifer.

River

Range: N/A, No, Yes

Controls whether a candidate must have a River.

Underground River

Range: N/A, No, Yes

Controls whether a candidate must have a River beneath the surface. With this, tower-caps can grow on the map.

Underground Pool

Range: N/A, No, Yes

Controls whether a candidate must have an underground lake (similar to an underground river, but without water entering and exiting the map). With this, tower-caps can grow on the map.

Magma Pool

Range: N/A, No, Yes

Controls whether a candidate must have Magma in a non-replenishing pool.

Magma Pipe

Range: N/A, No, Yes

Controls whether a candidate must have Magma with a replenishing source, ie. a Magma pipe / Volcano.

Chasm

Range: N/A, No, Yes

Controls whether a candidate must have a Chasm.

Bottomless Pit

Range: N/A, No, Yes

Controls whether a candidate must have a round bottomless pit (referred to as a "vent chasm" on this wiki's article about chasms). (This is not hidden fun stuff)

Other Features

Range: N/A, No, Yes

Controls whether a candidate must have *SPOILER WARNING* Hidden Fun Stuff (or possibly other features in the future?).