Being an enthusiastic player of Dwarf Fortress, I’ve come to realize the true value of different tools and strategies in the game. Among them, the unassuming Stepladder stands out as a tool that often gets overlooked.
In this article, we will explore the significance of Stepladders, learn how to build them, and discover what to do if a dwarf encounters an unpleasant situation where they’re stranded on a tree after using a Stepladder.
By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the importance of Stepladders and how to handle such situations in the game.
The Importance of Stepladders
Stepladders play a major role in Dwarf Fortress as they help in effectively harvesting fruits from trees. When there’s a fruit-bearing tree within a designated plant gathering zone, dwarves automatically bring and place a stepladder beneath it.
Stepladders can be positioned anywhere, without needing support from a tree trunk. They allow dwarves to reach and gather fruit from trees that are up to two levels above the ground.
After gathering the fruit, dwarves conveniently drop it to the ground instead of taking the time to haul it to a food stockpile, allowing any passing dwarf to collect and transport it efficiently to the desired location.
This process saves time and ensures the smooth flow of fruit harvesting in your fortress.
Constructing Stepladders
Crafting stepladders in Dwarf Fortress provides you with options to choose from, as they can be made from either wood or metal, offering flexibility in construction.
Carpenters, working at a carpenter’s workshop, are skilled in creating wooden stepladders, while metal stepladders are forged by Metal Crafters at a forge. To make a wooden stepladder, a single log of wood is all that’s needed, while metal stepladders require two metal bars.
Keep in mind that the choice of metal used for crafting will impact the quality and durability of the stepladder. Each metal has its own unique properties, so it’s worth considering which metal will best suit your needs when creating a metal stepladder.
By considering the materials available and their respective qualities, you can ensure that your dwarves have reliable stepladders for their tasks.
Managing Stepladders
Efficiently managing your stepladders in Dwarf Fortress requires designating suitable storage areas specifically for them. To do this, it is important to set up furniture stockpiles that have the “other large tools” category enabled.
These designated stockpiles will be able to store your stepladders conveniently. To keep track of your stepladders and effectively manage them, you can access the tools section of the stocks screen. This section provides an overview of your available stepladders, allowing you to monitor their quantity and whereabouts.
By setting up appropriate storage areas and regularly checking the tools section in your stocks screen, you can ensure that your stepladders are well-managed, easily accessible, and ready for use whenever they are needed.
Leaving Stepladders on the Surface
In Dwarf Fortress, it is absolutely fine to leave stepladders on the surface without designating a specific stockpile for them. By not assigning a dedicated stockpile for stepladders, you avoid generating unnecessary hauling jobs for your dwarves.
This approach saves your dwarves the effort of constantly moving stepladders to a designated storage area and enables them to concentrate on more important and pressing tasks within your fortress.
It provides a streamlined workflow, allowing your dwarves to focus their efforts on critical activities instead of spending time on non-essential hauling tasks.
So, feel free to let your stepladders remain on the surface without a dedicated stockpile, and let your dwarves focus on what truly matters.
Benefits of Stepladders
Using stepladders in Dwarf Fortress offers immense benefits, particularly when it comes to effectively feeding your entire fortress. By establishing multiple large plant gathering zones and employing skilled herbalists, you can guarantee a consistent supply of fruits.
The expertise of your herbalists, coupled with the convenience provided by stepladders, creates a powerful system for sustaining your fortress’s food needs.
With well-designed plant gathering zones and the use of stepladders, your herbalists can efficiently harvest fruits from trees. This ensures a steady influx of nutritious food to keep your dwarves well-fed and content.
The combination of skilled herbalists and the accessibility provided by stepladders creates a reliable system for meeting the dietary requirements of your entire fortress.
Dealing with Dwarves Stuck on Trees
In certain situations, a dwarf in Dwarf Fortress might find themselves in an unpleasant situation when they climb up a tree to get fruits, only to get stuck because another dwarf takes away the stepladder.
If you come across such a scenario, there are two potential solutions to consider. Each solution has its own advantages and trade-offs, so choose the one that best suits your priorities.
The first solution is to construct stairs beneath the stranded dwarf. By building stairs, you provide the dwarf with a means of escape from the tree. This allows them to safely descend and continue with their tasks.
The second option is to cut down the tree altogether. This action will release the trapped dwarf. However, cutting down the tree will result in the loss of any remaining fruits on it.
This approach may be a quicker way to rescue the dwarf, but it comes at the cost of sacrificing the remaining harvest.
Preventing Dwarf Being Stuck on Tree
To avoid encountering the above-mentioned situation altogether, it is recommended to disable the gathering of tree fruits within your designated gathering zones.
This measure helps prevent dwarves from attempting to climb trees in order to collect fruits, thereby eliminating the risk of them getting stuck when another dwarf removes the stepladder.
By disabling tree fruits within the gathering zone settings, you ensure that dwarves focus solely on gathering other types of plants or resources, rather than risking their safety by climbing trees.
To implement this preventive measure, access the settings of your gathering zones and specifically exclude tree fruits from the list of items to be collected. By doing so, you create a safer environment for your dwarves, minimizing the need for rescue operations and the potential loss of resources.
Conclusion
Stepladders play an integral role in Dwarf Fortress by facilitating the efficient harvesting of fruits from trees. These tools can be constructed from wood or metal, and their proper management is important for optimizing their utility.
While the occasional predicament of a dwarf getting stuck on a tree after using a stepladder may arise, there are effective remedies such as building stairs or cutting down the tree.
By understanding the significance of stepladders and implementing strategies to mitigate potential issues, you can ensure the smooth operation and prosperity of your fortress in Dwarf Fortress.
