Dwarf Fortress is the incredible game of storytelling and procedural generation that inspired many gaming giants we know today. One thing you will be doing the most is issuing building orders to your dwarves to build up your fortress, or set traps, or construct workshops. Whatever the reason, things constantly need to be build. So it may be infuriating when your dwarves won’t prioritize important buildings. Can you prioritize buildings in Dwarf Fortress?
Why Dwarves don’t prioritize buildings
In Dwarf Fortress, it can be really frustrating to see perfectly find dwarves standing around doing nothing, even when there are a million jobs around them. When you have important buildings to get up and running, and nothing is getting done, you may look to other games and try to find a ‘prioritize’ order. Only to find none exists.
This is because Dwarf Fortress doesn’t operate like other games. Your Dwarves aren’t robots that will constantly work and work, they want a break, or they may simply be procrastinating. You get to set up orders, but you don’t get to micromanage in some aspects. Your Dwarves have autonomy and they will do as they please.
This element may be frustrating, but try to embrace it as it is a pivotal part of the game’s storytelling mechanic.
Related: Dwarf Fortress – How to Encrust Furniture and Other Items
Possible solutions
There are some methods that may help get things done quicker, however.
Firstly, when it comes to orders, new ones take precedence over the old, so try not to throw dozens upon dozens of orders at them because the older ones will get left behind. Issue orders gradually and as your Dwarves are available.
Secondly, if the building material is stone, then you’ll need to make sure you have dwarves assigned as masons to encourage them to perform masonry tasks. If the building material is wood, make sure you have carpenters assigned, and so forth. The material of the buildings do matter and are job specific. Dwarves with relating jobs will be more encouraged to get those jobs done.
Lastly, you could burrow the dwarves where the constructions are happening to almost force them to work on those buildings first, as they will be tied to their burrow.
Enact any or all of these strategies, and hopefully your dwarves will be more encouraged to work!
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Published: Jan 5, 2023 06:11 am