ViewVC Help
View File | Revision Log | Show Annotations | Download File
/cvs/deliantra/Deliantra-Client/resources/pod/intro.pod
(Generate patch)

Comparing deliantra/Deliantra-Client/resources/pod/intro.pod (file contents):
Revision 1.1 by root, Tue May 23 23:14:46 2006 UTC vs.
Revision 1.9 by elmex, Sun Jul 23 13:09:41 2006 UTC

1=head1 Pclient is a Crossfire+ and Crossfire game client. 1=head1 CFPlus - a Crossfire+ and Crossfire game client.
2 2
3=head2 Features 3=head2 What's Crossfire+ - Basic Game Concepts
4
5In the words of Frank Tore Johansen, the author of the original Crossfire
6game:
7
8"Crossfire is a multi-player graphical arcade and adventure game made for
9the X Windows systems environment. It has certain flavours from other
10games, especially gauntletand the rogue-like games. Any number of players
11can move around in their own window, finding and using items and battling
12monsters. They can choose to cooperate or compete in the same world."
13
14In the years of development that have followed, Crossfire has grown to
15encompass hundreds of monsters, thousands of maps to explore, an elaborate
16magic system, over 15 character types, a system of skills, and many, many
17artifacts and treasures.
18
19Crossfire+ is freely distributed under the General Public License (GPL)
20and the code may be obtained from L<http://crossfire.schmorp.de/>.
21
22=head1 Getting Started
23
24First of all, don't be daunted by the apparent complexity of Crossfire -
25in reality, Crossfire is quite easy to play and character generation is
26simple. Later on, when you have some experience playing the game, you may
27wish to read the full manual.
28
29=head2 User Interface Basics
30
31# very short description of all ui elements
32
33=head2 Start Playing
34
35When starting the client you will see a window in the middle of the screen:
36
37=for image sc_login.png
38
39There are several settings there:
4 40
5=over 4 41=over 4
6 42
7=item Fullscreen Map 43=item B<Host:Port>
8 44
9PClient can uses a fullscreen map, which greatly enhances how much of the 45In the I<Host:Port> entry you can enter the server hostname followed by
10game world you can see. 46a colon with the port. The port is per default 13326 if you just enter
47the hostname.
11 48
12=item Persistent Map Cache (Crossfire+ only) 49Below the entry there is a button I<Server List>. If you click on it you
50will get a server list:
13 51
14PClient can persistently cache all map data it received from the 52=for image sc_login_srvlist.png
15server. This not only allows it to display an overview map, but also
16ensures that once-explored areas will be available the next time you want
17to explore more.
18 53
19=item Hardware acceleration 54You can choose from the aviable servers there.
55(B<Note:> At the time of this writing (2006-07-23) only I<cf.schmorp.de> supports
56all features that are offered by CFClient).
20 57
21Unlike most Crossfire clients, PClient take advantage of OpenGL hardware 58=item B<Username>
22acceleration. Most modern graphics cards have difficulties with 2D
23acceleration, while 3D graphics is accelerated well.
24 59
25=item No arbitrary limits 60Here you have to enter the character name you would like to play
61with.
62If you are playing for the first time, type any name you like; this will
63be your character name for the rest of the life of that character.
64As you don't have a character yet you have to create a new
65character. It will be explained below at the L<intro/Getting Started/Character Creation>.
26 66
27Unlike other Crossfire clients, pclient does not suffer from arbitrary 67=item B<Password>
28limits (like a fixed amount of face numbers). There are still limits, but 68
29they are not arbitrarily low :) 69Next, type in any password. Remember:
70you will need to remember the same password again to play that character
71again! You can use B<Save Config> (see the buttons on the top of the window) to save your settings,
72including name and password, but if it gets lost recovery is difficult, so remember your
73password or write it down at a safe place.
74
75One more note: it's not a good idea to use "real" passwords to your
76computer accounts! Doing so may make your system vulnerable to
77unscrupulous Crossfire server administrators.
30 78
31=back 79=back
32 80
33=head1 Usage 81Enter the desired I<Username> and I<Password> and click on I<Login> now.
34 82
35=head2 The Map 83Next you will see:
36 84
37The map is always displayed in the background, behind all other windows and UI elements. 85=head2 Character Creation
38 86
39#TODO# middle-click scrolls 87=for item sc_char_create.png
40#
41# keys:
42#
43# a apply
44# keypad moves, kp_5 applies ranged attack to self
45 88
46Starting to type enters the I<completion mode>. In that mode, you can type 89Your next step will be to generate random (primary) stats for your
47abbreviations or commands and have them executed as soon as they match a 90character (to see the stats, you might have to open the B<Stats Window>
48valid command. This is best explained by a few examples: 91using the button at the top of the screen).
49 92
50Typing B<climb> will display a list of commands with I<climb> in their 93Hover with the mouse cursor over the stats (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Pow and Cha)
51name, such as I<ready_skill climbing> and I<use_skill climbing>. 94to see what they mean or what they do.
52 95
53You can abbreviate commands by typing only the first character of every 96Or look at L<intro/Character Stats>.
54word (or even characters within the word - the client will try to make
55a good guess, as long as the characters are in order). For example,
56typing I<iwor> will likely select I<invoke word of recall>, while I<ccfo>
57will select I<cast create food>. Likewise, I<rscli> will likely select
58I<ready_skill climbing> and I<usl> will give you I<use_skill levitation>.
59 97
60You can enter space and other text as arguemnt to the command. For 98You can let the dices reroll your stats with the I<Roll Again> button, you can
61example, C<cfoo waybread> will expand to C<cast create food waybread>. 99I<Swap Stats>.
100You aren't limited to the number of times you can roll your stats - so have fun.
101Notice that the stats are always arranged that the B<Str> stat has the highest value, the
102B<Cha> stat has the lowest. You may rearrange the order of these values
103when you decide that you have rolled some decent stats. Two points: you
104can never roll a character with better stats than an average of straight
10515's, and you can't roll higher than 18 in a stat.
62 106
63=head2 The map overview 107Finally click on I<Accept> stats when you think they are fine.
64 108
65#TODO# 109The next you will see after accepting the stats will be the race selection:
66 110
67=head2 The Status area in the lower right corner 111=for image sc_char_create_race.png
68 112
69#TODO# 113On the top right a text is displayed that explains the current selected race.
114If you rearrange the windows like this:
70 115
71=head2 The I<Statistics>/I<Stats> window 116=for image sc_char_create_race2.png
72 117
73#TODO# 118You will also see the face of the selected race. Click on I<Next Race> and read all
119the descriptions until you find the right race for your new character.
120Keep in mind that the races also affect the L<intro/Character Stats>.
74 121
75=head1 FAQ 122After you clicked I<Accept> you will see this:
123
124(I choosed a Halfling for now)
125
126=for image sc_new_char.png
127
128The dragon on the right is another player that is currently logging in or creating his character.
129
130Now go to the south (you can move your character by with the keypad or the cursor keys).
131You will enter a hall similar to this:
132
133=for image sc_new_char_hall.png
134
135Step onto the first cell before the teleporter and the description of the character class
136will be displayed in the message window:
137
138=for image sc_new_char_class.png
139
140While each class has its particular strengths and weaknesses, in summary
141its just a fact that some classes are easier to play than others.
142
143For beginning players, the "simple fighter" characters are the easiest
144to play successfully. The B<Dwarf>, B<Human>, and B<Warrior> are among
145good earlier choices. As you gain experience with using Crossfire+ you
146may wish to branch out into other "fighter" characters such as the
147B<Thief> or B<Elf>, or try your hand at playing "spellcaster" characters
148like the B<Wizard>, B<Mage>, B<Cleric> or B<Priest>. The "exotic" races
149(e.g. B<Fireborn>, B<Quetzalcoatl> and B<Wraith>) and the B<Monk> class
150are the hardest classes to master.
151
152One more note: You will probably find any character class that has a low
153natural B<Int> (for example, the B<Barbarian> class) will have a fairly
154difficult time at higher levels. Skills, and most importantly, spells,
155will be more difficult learn. Plan to spend a lot of loot on grimores,
156prayer books and skill scrolls.
157
158If you found a class that you like step on the teleporter.
159
160=head2 The first dungeons
161
162Next you will land in the nexus:
163
164=for image sc_new_char_nexus.png
165
166Read the signs by stepping on them and read what they say.
167These signs automatically display what they have to say in the message window.
168Other signs you have to read by applying them. You apply something by middle-click
169it in the floorbox:
170
171=for image sc_new_char_floorbox_apply.png
172
173Or you can use the I<spacebar> to apply the topmost thing you see in the floorbox.
174
175For now go to the north into the newbies house. Read all signs there and follow their
176instructions.
177
178If you see NPC's there, click on them and you will enter the NPC dialouge:
179
180=for image sc_newbiew_npc_dialog.png
181
182The buttons on the right are options of what you can say to the NPC. You can also
183click on the links in the text to ask the NPC about that.
184
185Another note about entering commands:
186
187In crossfire most things are command driven. You can enter commands in 2 ways:
76 188
77=over 4 189=over 4
78 190
79=item The client is very sluggish and slow, what can I do about this? 191=item B<Chat Box>
80 192
81Most likely, you don't have accelerated OpenGL support. Try to find a 193=for image sc_chatbox.png
82newer driver, or a driver from your hardware vendor, that features OpenGL
83support.
84 194
85If this is not an option, the following Setup options reduce the load and 195If you plan longer chat sessions you maybe prefer this.
86will likely make the client playable with software rendering (it will
87still be slow, though):
88 196
89=over 4 197=item B<Command Completer>
90 198
91=item B<Video Mode> should be set as low as possible (e.g. 640x480) 199Read the tooltip that occurs when you hover the mouse above the entry.
92 200This completer can speed up commands a lot.
93=item Enable B<Fast & Ugly> mode
94
95=item Disable B<Fog of War>
96
97=item Increase B<Map Scale>
98 201
99=back 202=back
100 203
101=back 204Ok, i assume now that you finished the newbies house and you are back in the nexus.
205Now walk to the left, to the exit to I<Scorn>, the main town in the world.
206It's the main meeting place for most people on the server and it offers newbie
207dungeons for the beginners.
102 208
209If you walk into the exit you will be teleported to scorn:
210
211To the west you see the two beginner houses. Step onto the first one:
212
213=for image sc_scorn_beginners_house.png
214
215Press spacebar to apply it to enter the house. Like the newbies house
216in the nexus read all signs and follow their orders:
217
218=for image sc_inthe_beginners_house.png
219
220After you finished that house, enter the second house and finish it.
221
222After finishing those two houses there are multiple dungeons for newbies.
223The best for you to start is the I<Newbie Tower>:
224
225=for image sc_scorn_newbie_tower.png
226
227To the north there is the I<Drinking Fountain> a well that you can enter.
228The first parts of the dungeon there are also very nice.
229
230=for image sc_scorn_drinking_fountain.png
231
232Explore Scorn, there are many dungeons in the houses. Be careful when meeting
233new monsters, ask questions on the server via the I<chat> command and read the
234documentation here for further information about some topics.
235
236=head1 Getting Started (old)
237
238=head2 How to create a new Character
239
240When you start up Crossfire, you will be asked for a character name and a
241password (you may need to open the B<Server Setup> dialog for this using
242the button at the top of the screen). If you are playing for the first
243time, type any name you like; this will be your character name for the
244rest of the life of that character. Next, type in any password. Remember:
245you will need to remember the same password again to play that character
246again! You can use B<Save Config> to save your settings, including name
247and password, but if it gets lost recovery is difficult, so remember your
248password or write it down at a safe place.
249
250One more note: it's not a good idea to use "real" passwords to your
251computer accounts! Doing so may make your system vulnerable to
252unscrupulous Crossfire server administrators.
253
254Your next step will be to generate random (primary) stats for your
255character (to see the stats, you might have to open the B<Stats Window>
256using the button at the top of the screen). You aren't limited to the
257number of times you can roll your stats - so have fun. Notice that the
258stats are always arranged that the B<Str> stat has the highest value, the
259B<Cha> stat has the lowest. You may rearrange the order of these values
260when you decide that you have rolled some decent stats. Two points: you
261can never roll a character with better stats than an average of straight
26215's, and you can't roll higher than 18 in a stat.
263
264When you roll your character, the stats displayed are the stats you will
265get as a human (which are unmodified). When satisfied, you can step
266through a number of races, each with special bonuses in stats.
267
268The manual shows how your basic stats will be changed by choosing a
269different race. The difference between the natural stat limit and 20
270indicates the bonus/penalty assigned to rolled primary stats. For example,
271a troll has a maximum strength which is 5 higher than 20-that means he
272will begin with an additional 5 points added to his strength roll. On the
273other hand, a troll can never get above 15 in intelligence. This means
274that your rolled character will have 5 less in intelligence if you choose
275that race. You should also note that any bonus to an ability can't raise
276the final number above your racial maximum, and no penalty can give you an
277ability score less then one; the lowest it can ever get is one.
278
279=head3 Selecting a class
280
281While each class has its particular strengths and weaknesses, in summary
282its just a fact that some classes are easier to play than others.
283
284For beginning players, the "simple fighter" characters are the easiest
285to play successfully. The B<Dwarf>, B<Human>, and B<Warrior> are among
286good earlier choices. As you gain experience with using Crossfire+ you
287may wish to branch out into other "fighter" characters such as the
288B<Thief> or B<Elf>, or try your hand at playing "spellcaster" characters
289like the B<Wizard>, B<Mage>, B<Cleric> or B<Priest>. The "exotic" races
290(e.g. B<Fireborn>, B<Quetzalcoatl> and B<Wraith>) and the B<Monk> class
291are the hardest classes to master.
292
293One more note: You will probably find any character class that has a low
294natural B<Int> (for example, the B<Barbarian> class) will have a fairly
295difficult time at higher levels. Skills, and most importantly, spells,
296will be more difficult learn. Plan to spend a lot of loot on grimores,
297prayer books and skill scrolls.
298
299=head2 Playing the game
300
301#TODO biggers house, binding keys etc.
302
303=head1 Hints for Beginning Players
304
305I'm done with class selection, now there are three ways to go, where
306should I go? It is a good idea to take the northern path into the
307teleporter leading you to the beginners house. You can learn some basic
308skills there before journeying onward. Once you are there, you will get
309many things explained to you. Make sure you investigate every place in
310that house.
311
312I'm on the starting map, what do I do now? You should be in a city square
313with a few sign posts in the middle. Move over the signs and apply them
314B<spacebar> to read what they say.
315
316For beginners, there are several maps designed for them. Find these areas
317and clear them out. All throughout these levels, a player can find signs
318and books which they can read by stepping onto them and hitting B<space
319bar> to apply the book/sign. These messages will help the player to learn
320the system. Probably the first, best area for a beginning player to start
321out in is "Beginners." This area is a small house located southwest of
322your starting location.
323
324=head2 Flailing about with spells
325
326Some items are perishable. If you shoot a fireball into a room full of
327scrolls, you will notice them going up in smoke! So be careful not to
328destroy valuable items.
329
330=head2 Tips on surviving
331
332Crossfire+ is populated with a wealth of different monsters. These monsters
333can have varying immunities and attacktypes. In addition, some of them can
334be quite a bit smarter than others. It will be important for new players
335to learn the abilities of different monsters and learn just how much it
336will take to kill them.
337
338Most monsters in the game are out to mindlessly kill and destroy the
339players. Killing monsters will help boost a player's score. When fighting
340a large amount of monsters in a single room, attempt to find a narrower
341hallway so that you are not being attacked from all sides. Charging into a
342room full of Beholders would not be wise, instead, open the door and fight
343them one at a time.
344
345More advice can be found in the Survival Guide
346L<http://crossfire.real-time.com/guides/survival_guide/index.html>.
347
348=head2 Priorities for low-level characters
349
350The priority for characters below about 5th level is to gain some basic
351items. In this regard, better armour and better spells are best. Look for
352a quest among the various islands that will allow you to obtain mithril
353mail. Whenever you scrape together ~100-200 platinum pieces go shopping
354for armour and weapons (or spells). If you are a fighter type, try to have
355at least a +2 weapon, +2 helmet, +2 suit of armour, and +2 shield before
356you reach 5th level. For wizards, attempt to recover enough treasure to
357be able to buy up good attack spells. For priests, first thing to do is
358worship a god! Try to get the holy word prayer as soon as possible. Make
359sure your current god allows good potential use of this spell.
360
361For all classes, get access to the detect magic incantation as soon as
362possible. This will allow you to sort through the treasure you find while
363you're in the dungeon, and will save you time and money at the shops.
364
365=head2 Diseases
366
367Diseases are, well, diseases. They can be contageous or not, and can be
368contracted in a number of ways, and they vary greatly in their symptoms
369and dangerousness.
370
371Diseases have "levels". If you contract a disease and recover naturally,
372you're immune to that disease forever, provided the instance of the
373disease is of equal or lower level than your immunity.
374
375For example, you get a case of the flu cast by yourself at level 15. When
376you get over it, you're immune to any flu of level less than 16. When you
377become level 16 and cast the flu again, you are I<not> immune.
378
379Spells such as B<cure disease> or B<restoration> will remove a disease, but
380will not grant immunity.
381
382When cast as a spell, diseases's severity is level dependent. A 30th level
383cold is a I<lot> more severe than a level 2 cold.
384
385Undead are I<never> affected by any disease.
386
387Any priest player who isn't denied the path of wounding may learn and B<cast
388cause> B<cold>, B<flu>, B<typhoid>, B<anthrax> and B<leprosy> spells.
389
390Any priest with a high enough B<Wis> and with a religion that is attuned
391to wounding may learn to B<cast cause> B<smallpox>, B<white death> and
392B<red death> by praying at his altar.
393
394The I<damage> caused each round varies between 0 and the maximum listed
395for a disease. So you can inflict a I<mild> case of ebola, which would
396I<not> kill a monster, or a severe one capable of killing it.
397
398# TODO: disease table needs heavy reformatting
399anthrax, anthrax, Godpower
400arthritis, arthritis, Godpower
401disease_cold, cold, Godpower
402creeping_frost, creeping frost, Cold
403diarrhea, the runs, Physical
404ebola, Red Death, Godpower
405egg_disease, egg disease, Physical
406flaming_fart, flaming farts, Physical
407flu, flu, Godpower
408immolation, immolation, Fire
409incontinence, lack of bladder control, Physical
410insanity, insanity, Confusion
411leprosy, leprosy, Godpower
412bubonic_plague, Black Death, Godpower
413pneumonic_plague, pneumonic plague, Godpower
414rabies, rabies, Godpower + Confusion
415scurvy, scurvy, Physical
416smallpox, smallpox, Godpower
417tapeworms, tapeworms, Physical
418tooth_decay, tooth decay, Physical
419typhoid, typhoid, Godpower
420warts, warts, Physical
421
422=head1 Authors
423
424Parts of this document were originally compiled, edited, and written by
425Brian Thomas, Klaus Elsbernd, and John W. Klar. Additional information
426compiled by Maciej Kalisiak, Gorlin, Anton Oussik and Gene Alexander.
427
428Adapted for use by I<cfplus>, enhanced and corrected by Pippijn van
429Steenhoven, Marc A. Lehmann and Robin Redeker.
430

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines