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Tutorials

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v50.15 · v0.47.05
This article is about the current version of DF.
Note that some content may still need to be updated.
Of course, instead of trial and error you could also just read the wiki...

Dwarf Fortress started as a pretty complex game back in the days when it was 2D and barely had a quarter of the features it has now. It's easy to get overwhelmed when you first fire it up. Don't worry though, following a tutorial is a very easy way to learn the basics of the game in an afternoon.

Don't worry if you don't understand why you do things on your first run, even after reading the tutorial's explanation. If one particular thing bugs you, try starting a new fort and skipping it, then seeing what goes wrong! Especially in the current version, trial and error is great way of having lots of fun.

Installing and Running the Game

If you have not installed the game yet see Installation.

Learning Fortress Mode

Most of the tutorials were written for the older (40d) version of Dwarf Fortress. But nonetheless, they are still helpful. If you get stuck within a specific aspect of the game then search the wiki and don't hesitate to ask questions in the forum.

The following tutorials will walk you through world generation, embarking with your 7 dwarves, game basics, and building a full-fledged fortress.

Recommended tutorials and wiki articles

From Caravan to Happy Dwarves]] - This is a flowchart showing approximately what sequence of actions players usually take when starting up a new fort.

For v0.40:

For v0.34: (the previous version)

For the old versions: (but still really great for beginners)

Specific Elements

These are not necessarily tutorials, but they can help out with specific parts of the game.

Basics of World Generation

Basics of Embarking

Feeding Dwarves

There are several ways to feed your dwarves. Your initial supplies will run out, but fishing and plant gathering are easy ways to get additional food in a starting fortress. The default embark group starts with a fisherdwarf; you'll need a fishery workshop to clean the fish your fisherdwarf catches, to make them edible.

It is very important to have enough alcohol for your dwarves, so building a still is almost a requirement during the first year. Caravans bring some drinks, but not enough.

To ensure sustenance when the fortress grows, farming is the most reliable way. Above-ground farm plots are easy to set up (if you have soil on your map), but require seeds that can be obtained from gathered plants or by trading with humans or elves.

Buying food from caravans is a good way to prevent shortages.

See:

Mining and Minerals

  • The Non-Dwarf's Guide to Rock - A primer, explaining geology in so far as it is implemented in Dwarf Fortress. Note that DF geology is actually quite realistic, so knowledge of real world geology could make much of the game seem very familiar to you.

Defending Against Enemies

This is one of the most challenging aspects of the game, so if you feel confused even after reading all of this then you are not alone.

Adventure Mode

Currently the only tutorial for Adventure Mode is the Adventure mode quick start guide. Adventure mode is significantly less complex than Fortress Mode though, so that guide will probably be enough to get you started.

Also see the Adventure Mode Reference Guide.


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