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v0.31:Controls guide

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Revision as of 10:01, 6 March 2011 by Shenzahn (talk | contribs) (→‎Civilizations, c: removed excess ")")
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This article is about an older version of DF.

This is a beginner's guide to Fortress Mode interface Template:L. This page assumes the default Template:L.

As a beginner it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the (View Unit - Preferences - Labor) submenu, the Query buildings menu, the Designate menu, and the Build menu.

Viewing menus

There are 5 menus for gaining more information about the map and the creatures that inhabit it. When used a yellow X-shaped cursor appears which you can move around the map using the numberpad to gain information.

Look Around, k

The look command shows you individual map tiles and what is standing/resting upon them. The menu displays Template:L, Objects, Template:L, Template:Ls in that order. You can use the + - keys to browse these things and press Enter to gain more detailed information.

You can also designate an item to be Template:L, Template:L, or Template:L from this menu, if it is allowed (You can't designate a loaf of bread to be melted, for example!).


View Units, v

The view command gives detailed information on creatures: a Template:L, an Template:L, a Template:L, etc. You do not need to place the cursor directly over the creature, information is given on the nearest creature. If multiple creatures are the same distance from the cursor (usually due to occupying the same tile), use v to cycle through them.

This command has several different menu views:

  • g General - Name, occupation, Template:L and Template:L.
  • i Inventory - Shows all the items the creature is carrying. Also shows the bloodstains, mud and goo that accumulates on creatures.
  • w Template:L - Shows the creature's health. Bright white means the body part is unharmed. Effects like "Thirsty" and "Unconscious" are also listed here.
  • p Preferences - This menu includes a number of sub-menus:
    • l Labor - This lists which types of Template:L the dwarf will accept. Very important for controlling their behavior.
    • e Work Dogs - Assign Template:L Template:L to this dwarf.
    • s Soldering and Hunting - Change the dwarf's Template:L and Template:L choices.
    • A Activate/Deactivate dwarf - Draft the dwarf into the Template:L.
    • z View Profile - Views a dwarf's profile. From here, you can view Template:L and Template:L, view his Template:L, and give him a custom nickname or profession title. (see also Template:L.)
    • R Royal Guard - Make the dwarf a Template:L, or remove him from the guard if he already is one.
    • C Fortress Guard - Make the dwarf a Template:L, or remove him from the guard if he already is one.

Query Rooms/Buildings, q

The query command allows you to suspend construction of a room or object, mark it for removal, or interact with its specific functionality.

  • If you query a Template:L you can change what tasks are being worked on, set a particular task to repeat or be suspended, or change who is allowed to use the workshop.
  • If you query a piece of Template:L you can define a Template:L from it (e.g. a Template:L into a Template:L, a Template:L into an Template:L, etc). Depending on the type of furniture there are additional options (e.g. a Template:L can be locked, a Template:L can be used for either Template:L or citizen burial).
  • You can also assign a Template:L to belong to a specific dwarf.
  • If you query a Template:L you can change what crops are being planted.
  • If you query a Template:L you can change what types of objects are stored there, how many Template:L are used, etc.


View items in buildings, t

The items command is used to see items that are inside buildings, such as Template:L, Template:L, and Template:L.

Squads, s

s This command is used to control your military squads. The options are:[Verify]

  • l Lock on squad - Instead of selecting the squad nearest the cursor this squad will remain selected.
  • p Add a patrol route - Add a series of points and the squad will walk around them.
  • x Delete patrol route - Self-explanatory.
  • s Station squad - The squad will congregate around the point you define. This is overridden if they have a patrol route.
  • z Zoom to commander - Self-explanatory.
  • +/- Lock on another squad - change which squad you have selected.

Order your Dwarves

These commands affect what your dwarves do. These also use the cursor.

Build, b

Use this command to build rooms, place Template:L, start Template:L plots, and such. In addition to a long list of items which can be scrolled through with the +/- keys, there are also a few sub-menus:

Designate, d

d Use this to mark stone to be Template:L out, trees to be cut, Template:L to be gathered, walls and floors to be smoothed or Template:L, and so on. You can also Template:L, Template:L, Template:L or hide items and rooms.

Stockpile, p

p Used to create Template:L.

Zones, i

i Mark an Template:L for drinking Template:L, Template:L, Template:L, a pit or pond, Template:L or Template:L collection. This interface is the reverse of designate and stockpile commands: you mark out the rectangular area first, and define what it does afterward.

Fortress Information

These commands take you away from the map, to an informational screen. Some of them also let you give orders.

Announcements, a

a This screen logs the announcements that appear at the bottom of the screen. Use it to see any you missed, or scroll up the early history of your fortress.

Civilizations, c

c A list of other civilizations that you have personally encountered (and thus within distance for Template:L or Template:L). Civilizations are marked with a P if you are at peace with them, or with a W if you are at war. Pressing Tab lets you check total exports and imports, and standing trade agreements.

Unit List, u

u A list of every creature on the map. Dwarves are listed first, then Template:L animals, then hostile creatures, then wild animals. Even dead creatures are listed here, so you can track your fallen dwarves.

  • c Zoom to Creature This takes you to View Creature mode, with the cursor centered on the selected creature.
  • v View Profile
  • b Zoom to Building Takes you to the Template:L associated with the the dwarf's current task. For hauling tasks, this is the destination Template:L.
  • m Manager Takes you to the Template:L screen.

Military, m

m This is the completely revamped military screen

Please fill in the blanks

Room List, R

R Lists all Template:L, Template:L, Template:L, and even Template:L in the fortress. For rooms, it includes the room's quality and the owner's name. It includes quick access to each room's q and t menus.

Artifacts, l

l A list of the Template:L your fortress has produced.

Nobles & Administrators, n

n Access the Template:L

Fortress Overview, z

z This screen is filled with useful information, like your fortress's net worth, and how much food and drink you have left.

See Template:L for more details.

Miscellaneous

Options & Orders, o

o Access the Template:L

Hot keys, h

h Define or redefine Template:L