Dwarf Fortress is finally on Steam and a new generation of players is going to find out that losing is fun! The indie colony management game is a cult classic that has been lovingly developed by brothers, Tarn and Zach Adams. In the game, players must lead a band of seven dwarves to pastures new to create their very own Dwarf Fortress. The incredibly complex game has many options available in terms of buildings, structures, and items, but which are the best ones to build first?
To succeed, the player must ensure that the dwarves have shelter, food, booze, protection, and recreation. There is no definitive way of starting a fortress because there are always factors to keep in mind. The environment, immediate threats, lack of certain supplies, and luck will all play a part in what the player chooses to build next.
7 Farm - Who Ever Heard Of A Dwarf Farming?
One of the first things players should think about when first settling in an area is food. Dwarves are a hungry race and, therefore, food is imperative. Luckily enough, in Dwarf Fortress, it is not difficult to find food if players know where to look or what to build.
At the start of the game, the dwarves will have some food and beer in their initial supplies, but these won't last forever, and a dwarf without food and beer is a force to be reckoned with. Players can get food from fishing, hunting, and farming, which is probably the best option to start with.
A farm can be built underground to start growing the iconic Plump Helmet mushroom. This is the easiest way to start supplying the fortress with food, so it's advised to build a farm as soon as possible. The benefit of the Plump Helmets is that they grow fast, can be eaten raw or cooked into meals, and can also be brewed into alcohol, which leads to the next structure in the list, a still.
6 Still - Plump Helmet Wine Is Better Than It Sounds
In Dwarf Fortress, the Dwarves love beer, even the children. They much prefer it to water, though, they will drink water at a push but to keep them happy players must ensure a steady supply of alcohol. Without booze, the Dwarves won't work as efficiently, so it is worth keeping some beer on standby.
It’s worth noting that as players progress into the game it is important to diversify the alcohol options, so the Dwarves don't become bored with what's on tap. There are other things to farm, such as wheat or pigtail, that can be then brewed into beer and ale. There are plenty of options! Players should look to get a Still and a Farm set up quite quickly, just to keep a steady stock of food and booze.
5 Carpenter Workshop - Wood You Pass The Hammer Please
To start building things, a Dwarf Fortress needs a carpenter's workshop. This workshop will be used by whichever Dwarf is set to Carpentry and said carpenter will be able to craft most types of furniture. The workshop is also useful to produce minor items like training weapons.
The carpenter's workshop can be built from any building material and must be built by a Dwarf with Carpentry labor enabled. Importantly, beds can only be made at a carpenter's workshop, which is why they are now next on the list!
4 Bedrooms - Dwarves Can't Sleep On Stones
Mining is hard work, and the Dwarves will need places to sleep. Sure, they can sleep pretty much anywhere, but that will incur negative moods, so to keep the happiness high, each dwarf will need a bed.
In the early game, it can be beneficial to create one room and set that as a dormitory, instead of individual rooms. This way, players can save space and time by providing a safe space to sleep with lots of beds without having to wait for a dwarf to mine out individual bedrooms. Eventually, though, dwarves should be assigned their own furnished bedrooms to keep morale high.
3 Stone Worker Workshop - People In Stone Houses
Stone, the true dwarven building material. A Stone worker's workshop will be handy for players to create stone objects, such as furniture and other structures. Building a stone worker's workshop also grants access to things like stone doors. Remember, open tunnels are often dangerous, so make doors and hatches to seal up any exploration tunnels!
Two things that can only be crafted at a stone worker's workshop are querns and millstones. Millstones can be used to grind up organic matter to make flour or dyes. However, millstones need a power source, such as a water wheel. In a pinch, a quern-stone may be the better option as a dwarf can use it to grind matter by hand. Similar to the carpenter workshop, players will need to assign the stone worker role to a dwarf who will then take on any masonry work. Another benefit is that players can use all the excess stone to make tradable items.
2 Recreational Space - So Much Room For Activities!
Dwarves will be happier if they have somewhere to discuss important dwarven matters, such as beard length and booze. Players need to create a safe space for the dwarves to meet, rest, and eat. At the beginning of the game, if there is no designated meeting space, the dwarves will congregate around the wagon, which isn't ideal.
So, to keep the dwarves happy and safe while idling around, create a room with a table and some chairs for them to relax in. Make sure it is also close to the food and water sources. This could also be used to house a bookkeeper, for now. The bookkeeper is an essential role that can be assigned to a noble dwarf. The bookkeeper dwarf will keep a record of all the stocks and resources, making it easier for players to stockpile and plan ahead.
1 Defensive Traps - Mind Your Head
Quite early on in the game, players will find out that the world is not a safe place for dwarves. There could be enemies lurking in every cavern or that will walk right through the player's fortress, if left unchecked. Some rudimentary traps should be set to keep all the dwarves safe in the early game, players won't have a working militia.
The most straightforward trap to construct is a stone-fall trap. This is a really simple way of protecting the fortress in the early days. It is an easier trap to make and the materials needed are readily available. A word of warning, though, these traps will usually only injure any enemy that triggers the trap. The dwarves will likely have to fight the injured intruder, but will at least have an advantage.
Dwarf Fortress is available on PC.