Bay 12 Games Forum

I tried playing it with the ascii as I have enjoyed other ascii games, but I only started to get into DF when I had a graphic set. Now I have a graphic pack that has been heavily modified to suit my tastes. 

Does anyone else check out different forts on dfma?  I gotta say that graphics make a fort clear to understand and look much better then plain ascii.  (Also, graphics is the way to go with dfma because you cannot use the look function to figure out what something is)

All I need is sprite based graphics.  Would anyone have care about or enjoyed chrono trigger or any final fantasy game if they only were in ascii?

Introducing Quickfort, a template based construction tool for Dwarf Fortress.

Quickfort is a utility for Dwarf Fortress, built with AutoHotKey, that helps you build fortresses from "blueprint" .CSV files (comma separated values). These files are easily created and edited in an app like Excel. Most building-oriented DF commands are supported through the use of multiple .CSV files to describe the different phases of DF construction (designation, building, stockpiles, and making adjustments).

Located at: http://www.bay12games.com/forum/index.php?topic=35931.0

Extremely, EXTREMELY, useful!  Heck, you don't need to use a paint program anymore if you plan it in excel.

Saw this posted to reddit and had to share. (Note: I didn't draw this) 

Now, the author says it is a viking vs a shark, but I think we all know better. The guy is using an axe, he has a giant beard, looks short and is a bad-ass by fighting a shark. He is obviously a dwarf.


Found at the deviant page, http://sharpwriter.deviantart.com/art/Viking-vs-Shark-135361212 just in case they don't allow direct linking.

Looks like no one posted a link for you yet.

I am currently using quickfort, http://sun2design.com/quickfort/ , where you use excel to create a spreadsheet drawing of what you want to dig out.  I love it and have used it to plan a central shaft fortress, aka resident evil complex.

I highly recommend it

There is also mass dumping of the object onto a stockpile square... this is in addition to the atom smasher solution.

With respect to the issue of the Player's role in DF: Other games addressed this with the player being a god, this would work for Dwarf Fortress as well. 

The player has created a world, in how ever many hours and recreates.  The player then sleeps only to awaken when his world has matured in his leave.  Like any god in our history, the player decides to interfere/intercede on a chosen people.  The people have a priest/prophet that comes to them and says that he is the holder of truth and calls on others to follow him.  The followers have different backgrounds, but decided to follow the enlightened one in his quest to build a fortress, 6 dwarfs follow the priest into the wilderness....

We, the players, are the Blood God Armok.....  after all, how much virtual blood has been spilled by the citizens "following" your orders?   

In the beginning of the fortress, the original 7 dwarfs, (although 12 might work as well  ) share a common belief.  As the fortress grows in renown, more people arrive.  With the nobles arriving, they are only there because of the wealth.  That is why they give their own orders, their own ideas and demands.  While the priest/player, has almost total control, they still have to listen to the rich and influential.  Like many retreats, with the wealth generated by the fort, the outside world takes notice and no longer leaves the retreat alone; it now has to deal with the outside world.  A religious order is created, with customs, practices and buildings.... all player directed. The possible purpose of the religious orders in the game is to maintain or increase the players influence over his people (and to keep the nobles in check).


Anyway, I think I have written enough to make a good argument that the player is god. Every other player has his/her own take of the player's role in the game. But that is the great thing about DF, it is a game that creates stories from the player's interaction with it. For that, I am thankful.  Thanks Toady!

I normally place the meeting area for my dwarfs outside so that they don't get cave adaptation.  Yet, I still want to provide them a sheltered area so I will also build a roof over their little heads so I prevent 'caught in the rain' bad thoughts.

However, the access to the newly constructed roof was an up stair constructed upon a naturally dug down stair.  That wasn't desirable because the downstairs couldn't be used anymore.  So, I removed the constructed up stairwell so that I could replace it with an up/down stairwell.

....well, it turns out that up stair was the only thing holding up the entire roof over the meeting area.  So, it collapsed.  Also, the meeting area was over the living quarters and dinning hall.... so anyone who was  on break, eating or sleeping was instantly killed.  Worse, all the beds were destroyed, which prevented anyone who did survive from being nursed back to health. 

In all total, over 25 dwarfs died by this one mistake, including a legendary glass maker and the dwarfed named for me as I was playing a Bloodline game.  Woops.

You do know that the flow calculations done for magma pipes and rivers are one of the reasons why it is recommend to not have them.  Hence, the previous poster suggestion of having a magma pool and using an aquifer. It allows for higher frame rates. (But, I prefer unlimited magma to FPS)

Also, you should look at the wikipedia page for a couple of locations.  I remember there was one location/map where there was a magma pool situated between two or three massive rivers, but I think the temperature was warm.... and probably not obsidian.

On that note, you don't need obsidian stone when you have unlimited water and magma as you can create your own.  This is both fun and dangerous.  I highly recommend it.


I'll post again with a couple of maps that are fun for your purpose.