Bay 12 Games Forum

Dwarf Fortress => DF Gameplay Questions => Topic started by: Skorpion on May 18, 2010, 04:23:21 pm

Title: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Skorpion on May 18, 2010, 04:23:21 pm
So. Three items.
Wood offends the elves, but bauxite is magma-proof for the trap. And pitchblende is radioactive!

Metals are valuable and flaunt your wealth, but you could also make it of coke or charcoal or potash.

What do you think? I can't decide.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Spider on May 18, 2010, 04:46:16 pm
bauxite sounds good. the red color hides the bloodstains until you have access to magma to clean it properly.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Xelek on May 18, 2010, 04:56:01 pm
I second the bauxite, it's dark red and magma proof, what more could you ask for?
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Tarran on May 18, 2010, 05:01:00 pm
Platinum, it's magma safe, and it also does say "I'm more wealthy then you!" to the traders.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: aorsmith on May 18, 2010, 05:16:49 pm
does having a extremely expensively made depot actually affect the trade rates and stuff?
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Tarran on May 18, 2010, 05:18:58 pm
Quote from: aorsmith on May 18, 2010, 05:16:49 pm
does having a extremely expensively made depot actually affect the trade rates and stuff?
Not that I know of.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: backflip on May 18, 2010, 05:23:31 pm
Too bad it can't be made of bone.  That'd be a great way to make a lasting impression.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Tarran on May 18, 2010, 05:28:15 pm
Quote from: backflip on May 18, 2010, 05:23:31 pm
Too bad it can't be made of bone.  That'd be a great way to make a lasting impression.
Elf1: Hmm, this depot seems strangely familiar.

Elf2: Haven't we been here before?

Elf1: No. This is the first time. Our diplomat was here before though.

Dwarf: Hello traders! How about some elf bone rings? Only 10 bucks!
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: backflip on May 18, 2010, 05:48:16 pm
Elf1: The dwarves are maniacs!  Their trade depot is made from the bones of our kin!
Elf2: But they have socks....
Elf1: The skull of our diplomat is hanging right above you!
Elf2: Spider silk socks...
Elf1: Sod the worthless diplomat, let's trade!
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: blackmagechill on May 18, 2010, 08:48:05 pm
Microline. I build temporary ones out of wood until I can import the microline if it isn't directly available. Microline is the best rock.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: orbcontrolled on May 19, 2010, 12:47:07 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Shangurath on May 19, 2010, 01:04:31 pm
What does trade depot material affect in trade?
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Quietust on May 19, 2010, 01:07:05 pm
Quote from: blackmagechill on May 18, 2010, 08:48:05 pm
Microline. I build temporary ones out of wood until I can import the microline if it isn't directly available. Microline is the best rock.

There is no such thing as "microline", since it's spelled "microcline". Please, people, get it right.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Skorpion on May 19, 2010, 01:09:17 pm
Quote from: Shangurath on May 19, 2010, 01:04:31 pm
What does trade depot material affect in trade?

Absolutely nothing, but it impresses your dwarves if they like that material.

Really, I'm just asking this for the sake of something to talk about, and to see what everyone else makes theirs out of.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: orbcontrolled on May 19, 2010, 01:09:58 pm
Quote from: Shangurath on May 19, 2010, 01:04:31 pm
What does trade depot material affect in trade?
Nothing, but it's fun to pretend that the poor oblivious traders are being intimidated when they enter our forts.  :)
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Quietust on May 19, 2010, 01:10:58 pm
Quote from: Skorpion on May 18, 2010, 04:23:21 pm
bauxite is magma-proof for the trap. And pitchblende is radioactive!

If you're playing v0.31, then both bauxite and pitchblende are magma-proof, so pitchblende is a clear winner.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Deathworks on May 19, 2010, 01:11:53 pm
Hi!

Thus far, I always used green glass blocks for my permanent trade depot - the green being a rare color (for building material) and on the other hand green glass blocks easily available on my maps. If possible, I would have preferred microcline, but that was not always guaranteed, so I picked the green glass blocks as a cheap and easy substitute.

Deathworks
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Hamster Man on May 19, 2010, 01:19:27 pm
I have to third the Pitchblende. It's radioactive, so it glows in the dark.

And promotes super powers.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: The_Fool76 on May 19, 2010, 01:38:36 pm
Someone needs to mod in elf-souls as a workable material. >_>

Personally though I tend to build mine out of whatever stone the room was carved from so it blends in.
(Surface depots tend to be wood)
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Bedsheet on May 19, 2010, 01:49:44 pm
Quote from: Quietust on May 19, 2010, 01:07:05 pm
Quote from: blackmagechill on May 18, 2010, 08:48:05 pm
Microline. I build temporary ones out of wood until I can import the microline if it isn't directly available. Microline is the best rock.

There is no such thing as "microline", since it's spelled "microcline". Please, people, get it right.

   So what are you saying?
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Hamster Man on May 19, 2010, 01:51:40 pm
Quote from: Bedsheet on May 19, 2010, 01:49:44 pm
Quote from: Quietust on May 19, 2010, 01:07:05 pm
Quote from: blackmagechill on May 18, 2010, 08:48:05 pm
Microline. I build temporary ones out of wood until I can import the microline if it isn't directly available. Microline is the best rock.

There is no such thing as "microline", since it's spelled "microcline". Please, people, get it right.

   So what are you saying?

Dude, I think he just called you an elf!
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Skorpion on May 19, 2010, 02:01:50 pm
Quote from: Quietust on May 19, 2010, 01:10:58 pm
Quote from: Skorpion on May 18, 2010, 04:23:21 pm
bauxite is magma-proof for the trap. And pitchblende is radioactive!

If you're playing v0.31, then both bauxite and pitchblende are magma-proof, so pitchblende is a clear winner.

I'm so having pitchblende blocks imported, then.

Maybe I can wall the depot off with lead or platinum and call it a reactor.
'Dear elves: We apologise for drowning last year's caravan. However, the reactor depot went critical, and we had to perform emergency cooling.'
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: blackmagechill on May 19, 2010, 04:35:07 pm
Quote from: Skorpion on May 19, 2010, 02:01:50 pm
Quote from: Quietust on May 19, 2010, 01:10:58 pm
Quote from: Skorpion on May 18, 2010, 04:23:21 pm
bauxite is magma-proof for the trap. And pitchblende is radioactive!

If you're playing v0.31, then both bauxite and pitchblende are magma-proof, so pitchblende is a clear winner.

I'm so having pitchblende blocks imported, then.

Maybe I can wall the depot off with lead or platinum and call it a reactor.
'Dear elves: We apologise for drowning last year's caravan. However, the reactor depot went critical, and we had to perform emergency cooling.'
Emergency cooling, elves aren't worth magma.EDIT: Nevermind. I thought that said heating, which would be pretty funny except for the fact that nothing would be left.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Aklyon on May 19, 2010, 05:19:05 pm
Quote from: orbcontrolled on May 19, 2010, 12:47:07 pm
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Awesome idea.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Kogan Loloklam on May 19, 2010, 08:15:20 pm
Quote from: Skorpion on May 19, 2010, 02:01:50 pm
'Dear elves: We apologise for drowning last year's caravan. However, the reactor depot went critical, and we had to perform emergency cooling.'
This impressed me enough to let you know it impressed me.

I make my depots out of metal taken from the melted weapons of my invaders. Well, once I have a legendary architect and mason that is. Without those, it's made out of common rock. Sometimes several kinds.
I tend to favor Iron over copper, but whatever is attacking is what I work with. I don't generally kill traders though. Not even elf ones. They are my free garbagemen, taking away crap I don't want. My dwarves use only the finest dwarf-made materials, made right there in the fortress. Everything not made there is exported or melted down and reforged. Leave no imported wealth behind! Can't kill my garbagemen!

Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: snelg on May 20, 2010, 04:45:01 am
Quote from: Deathworks on May 19, 2010, 01:11:53 pm
Hi!

Thus far, I always used green glass blocks for my permanent trade depot - the green being a rare color (for building material) and on the other hand green glass blocks easily available on my maps. If possible, I would have preferred microcline, but that was not always guaranteed, so I picked the green glass blocks as a cheap and easy substitute.

Deathworks
:o
I need to know what maps you play, that might be missing microcline!

I can see why rare colours would be useful, making it easier to spot. It's something I will start doing for sure. Thanks!  :)
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Aklyon on May 20, 2010, 01:30:37 pm
pitchblende is quite differently colored from the rest.
can hardly ever find it, though.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Corona688 on May 21, 2010, 01:56:26 am
I build them from rose gold for the eyeblinding mauve.  Traders subjected to it for more than a season or two go insane.  Everyone tells me that's a complete coincidence but I know better.
Title: Re: Best material for trade depot?
Post by: Flaede on May 21, 2010, 02:02:46 am
Quote from: Kogan Loloklam on May 19, 2010, 08:15:20 pm
Can't kill my garbagemen!

This. Except I buy all elf cages with coolthings in them. Like tigermen.
But other than that, yeah, I don't really import much, except GEMS and SAND.
Mostly they are there to take crap away, since I don't use atomsmashers.