Where to Download the Game

First to download Dwarf fortress (DF for short), I will be using the Meph tileset launcher as I find the visuals it provides as well as the simplified configurations very user friendly. Also it should be noted unless I am mistaken Meph is working on the new tilesets to be used for the steam release.

• Meph Launcher Link.

The Launcher Set Up

When you first open the launcher you might be overwhelmed but all the options and in due time you may start experimenting with them but for not we will only be doing some basic changes, most of which will be optional:

For now the only settings we will be using are the Init tab(Optional), Balance tab(optional), Soundsense(optional), Therapist, and DFhack(optional)

1. Init Setup (Optional):

The launcher should have you on the init page by default, if somehow you jump/start on another tab just select init from top row just below the dwarf head(trust me, that’s a dwarf) icon that says armo.

Using the Drop down menu under graphics set TTF Font to Masterwork(optional). If you are color blind like myself you can use the drop down box beside color to change the color to color blind mode but I honestly found it harder to see with it. Else keep it spacefox, or change it to whatever color you like. Under FPS & Sound I’d recommend turning off FPS Display if you don’t want it hovering at the top of your screen during gameplay. This is where you can turn off DF’s sound by default if you intend to use Soundsense.

2. Setting up soundsense (SS) (Optional):

Click on soundsense, it should be the 8th option on the top bar. When it first runs it will tell ask you to find DF’s game log. That can be found in the DF folder inside Meph Tileset folder. Once you set that for Soundsense it will start to download the entire sound library for DF. The music/sound for DF is pretty limited so I recommend this step for more varied sound in your game. If you do set up soundsense turn off DF’s default sound else both DF and SS will play at the same time.

3. The balance tab (Optional):

Now this is not required but if you are new to DF and not a stubborn goat like myself I’d recommend making sure aquifer is turned off (red x beside it). It should be off by default but it’s nice to check. *Note: An aquifer is an underground infinite water source that can easily flood EVERYTHING underground. There are tricks on getting through them and using them to your advantage but for now I’d STRONGLY recommend turning them off to give you more options when embarking, or if you turn it on starting your fortress somewhere that specifically has no aquifers. Warning this guide does not handle how to deal with aquifers so if you choose to build your Fortress on top of one your on your own. I’m not heartless though so here is the wiki page on dealing with them:

• Aquifers.

4. Dwarf Therapist:

The Therapist tap is the 10th icon on the top of the launcher just before TileGenie and is ALMOST required to play DF. What it does is give you a nice clean layout and easy way to inspect your Dwarves and assign jobs to them. You can turn it on right now but we can’t actually use it will we have some dwarves, just make a note of where it is right now.

Note: Almost required is not really correct, DFhack does a nice job of making managing jobs inside the game fairly easy but I prefer the clean loadout Therapist provides.

5. DFhack (Optional):

DFhack does not have it’s own “icon” in the launcher other than the ability to hide it on the init page which I recommend you DO NOT do. When launching Dwarf Fortress DFhack will launch automatically so we won’t be doing anything with it for now. For more info on DFhack options check out the doc page:

• DFHack.