How steep is the learning curve, really? I tried following the Your First Fortress thing and was confused as hell. A lot of the icons on the screen were flashing between 2, 3 even four different ones. Gameplay over graphics, but this needs to be less confusing. Is there an up to date graphics pack? so dogs are dogs and not d's?

The learning curve, if it were a slope, would be as close to a straight vertical line as possible.

Flashing generally indicates one of two things.
-Two flashing creature symbols means one of those creatures (the one outlined in yellow) is lying down and the other one is standing over it. This is how creatures get past each other in one-square hallways.
-Other symbols indicate states that apply to the creature they flash over. In the wiki there's a guide to what those symbols mean.

And grif is pretty correct about that BUT! and this is an important but! stick with it because you'll soon be pissing off elves and breaking penises* like never before!

*with the martial arts mod

I would say pretty damn steep, but don't worry, it get's easy once you've learnt everything.



Which I haven't.

That's not a learning curve nor does it illustrate what you're saying. Needs more downward curve hurr.

So are there any graphic sets/ tile sets that you would recommend? and how do you install them?

Mac version if it makes a difference

I really don't care.

My latest fortress:
http://mkv25.net/dfma/map-2712-shottrampled

It's my longest running one so far, so i'm pleased. I've got a flooding chamber in the main tunnel to my fortress, its useful for getting rid of elves, and unwanted dwarves and pets, so on.

AHAH! you've just reminded me I was making my own graphics set... thanks?

anyway I would recommend the Dystopian Rhetoric or Sphr tile set. http://dwarf.lendemaindeveille.com/inde ... t_Tilesets

My version aims to be better than both or these... and more complete? (every creature in every state; baby, child, adult, skeletal, zombie), those I guess you can't really judge your own work.

i understood this graph to be an indication of how much you have to internalize. it plateaus at the point where you understand what's going on and how to manipulate it, which requires a lot of effort to get there. so no, it doesn't need more downward curve.

Octyl, while robolee did link to a graphic tileset, it is not complete like he said and doesn't replace the background, as in trees, grass, walls etc.

http://mayday.w.staszic.waw.pl/df.htm

This is a compilation of different tilesets to make one complete one, it is a full version of DF, up to date I'm fairly certain, and requires to installation. However, if you want to move your saves from your old DF folder no this new one, go where you have DF, cut/copy the folder called saves, then stick it in the new graphical DF you downloaded.

re: the graph

Well, it's just that the derivative isn't continuous, which makes me mildly angry. And you continue to learn about the game constantly, so at least have a shallow slope at the end. And I personally think that it should follow the standard x=y^2 curve to some extent, but that's just subjectivity creeping in.

Also, yes, the game takes a great deal of time to learn, especially since there's so much stuff you can do. The wiki helps.

Tried one of those no installation ones, didn't work on mac. also all the 16x16 require 1280x400. Too big for my monitor. I can't wait till i have my proper gaming PC...

you can try this one, best GFX pack IMHO
http://mayday.w.staszic.waw.pl/df.htm

♥♥♥♥ you mister Icantdeletemyownmessageswheniwantto!

graphic sets are okay if you need them but generally are more trouble than they're worth especially since it never ends up looking too great.