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v0.31:Time
| This article is about an older version of DF. |
Time in Dwarf Fortress is can be a somewhat complicated subject, but learning the ins and outs of the system is essential for modders and can be of great use to players, as time tracks everything from syndromes to crop growth.
Breakdown
Time is measured in unnamed units, which are often colloquially referred to as "Time Units." A time unit is equal to one second in adventurer mode.
The average human (with 1000 speed attribute) takes 10 time units to move one square, the average dwarf (with 900) around 11. Template:L take 40 time units to raise/lower, and other delayed mechanical actions (like Template:Ls, Template:Ls, and resetting Template:Ls) take 100 time units.
In fortress mode, a time unit is roughly equal to 1.2 minutes. There are 1200 time units in a day, 28 days in a month, and 336 days in a year. A year in fortress contains 403200 time units.
Syndromes
Syndromes use time units. A syndrome that lists its effect as starting at "5" means that for all but the fastest characters, you will begin feeling the effects as soon as you take a step. "50" means 50 time units (or about five steps), and "500" reliably suggests that you'll be able to stagger all the way back to the hospital before your brain pours out of your ears.
Plants
Plants use a tag called GROWDUR. The GROWDUR value is generally set to 300 or 500, which is actually 30000 or 50000. 1 growdur = 100 time units.
Fortress Mode
Days pass more quickly in Fortress Mode than Adventurer, specifically, 72 times more quickly. It takes an average dwarf 92.4 minutes to take a single step in Fortress Mode.