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Revision 1.14 by elmex, Mon Jul 24 08:37:26 2006 UTC

1=for image banner.png
2
1=head1 Pclient - a Crossfire+ and Crossfire game client. 3=head1 CFPlus - a Crossfire+ and Crossfire game client.
2 4
3=head2 What's Crossfire+ - Basic Game Concepts 5=head2 What's Crossfire+ - Basic Game Concepts
4 6
5# blurb 7In the words of Frank Tore Johansen, the author of the original Crossfire
8game:
9
10"Crossfire is a multi-player graphical arcade and adventure game made for
11the X Windows systems environment. It has certain flavours from other
12games, especially gauntletand the rogue-like games. Any number of players
13can move around in their own window, finding and using items and battling
14monsters. They can choose to cooperate or compete in the same world."
15
16In the years of development that have followed, Crossfire has grown to
17encompass hundreds of monsters, thousands of maps to explore, an elaborate
18magic system, over 15 character types, a system of skills, and many, many
19artifacts and treasures.
20
21Crossfire+ is freely distributed under the General Public License (GPL)
22and the code may be obtained from L<http://crossfire.schmorp.de/>.
23
24=head1 Getting Started
25
26First of all, don't be daunted by the apparent complexity of Crossfire -
27in reality, Crossfire is quite easy to play and character generation is
28simple. Later on, when you have some experience playing the game, you may
29wish to read the full manual.
6 30
7=head2 User Interface Basics 31=head2 User Interface Basics
8 32
9# very short description of all ui elements 33# very short description of all ui elements
10 34
11=head2 How To Get Started 35=head2 Start Playing
12 36
13# TODO: on first login, create character etc. 37When starting the client you will see a window in the middle of the screen:
14 38
39=for image sc_login.png
40
41There are several settings there:
42
43=over 4
44
45=item B<Host:Port>
46
47In the I<Host:Port> entry you can enter the server hostname followed by
48a colon with the port. The port is per default 13326 if you just enter
49the hostname.
50
51Below the entry there is a button I<Server List>. If you click on it you
52will get a server list:
53
54=for image sc_login_srvlist.png
55
56You can choose from the aviable servers there.
57(B<Note:> At the time of this writing (2006-07-23) only I<cf.schmorp.de> supports
58all features that are offered by CFPlus).
59
60=item B<Username>
61
62Here you have to enter the character name you would like to play
63with.
64If you are playing for the first time, type any name you like; this will
65be your character name for the rest of the life of that character.
66As you don't have a character yet you have to create a new
67character. It will be explained below at the L<intro/Character Creation>.
68
69=item B<Password>
70
71Next, type in any password. Remember:
72you will need to remember the same password again to play that character
73again! You can use B<Save Config> (see the buttons on the top of the window) to save your settings,
74including name and password, but if it gets lost recovery is difficult, so remember your
75password or write it down at a safe place.
76
77One more note: it's not a good idea to use "real" passwords to your
78computer accounts! Doing so may make your system vulnerable to
79unscrupulous Crossfire server administrators.
80
81=back
82
83Enter the desired I<Username> and I<Password> and click on I<Login> now.
84
85=head2 Character Creation
86
87=for item sc_char_create.png
88
89Your next step will be to generate random (primary) stats for your
90character (to see the stats, you might have to open the B<Stats Window>
91using the button at the top of the screen).
92
93Hover with the mouse cursor over the stats (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Pow and Cha)
94to see what they mean or what they do.
95
96Or look at L<intro/Character Stats>.
97
98You can let the dices reroll your stats with the I<Roll Again> button, you can
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.
106
107Finally click on I<Accept> stats when you think they are fine.
108
109The next you will see after accepting the stats will be the race selection:
110
111=for image sc_char_create_race.png
112
113On the top right a text is displayed that explains the current selected race.
114If you rearrange the windows like this:
115
116=for image sc_char_create_race2.png
117
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>.
121
122After you clicked I<Accept> you will see this:
123
124(I chose 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 two ways:
188
189=over 4
190
191=item B<Chat Box>
192
193=for image sc_chatbox.png
194
195If you plan longer chat sessions you maybe prefer this.
196
197=item B<Command Completer>
198
199=for image sc_command_completer.png
200
201Read the tooltip that occurs when you hover the mouse above the entry.
202This completer can speed up commands a lot.
203
204=back
205
206Ok, I assume now that you finished the newbies house and you are back in the nexus.
207Now walk to the left, to the exit to I<Scorn>, the main town in the world.
208It's the main meeting place for most people on the server and it offers newbie
209dungeons for the beginners.
210
211If you walk into the exit you will be teleported to scorn:
212
213To the west you see the two beginner houses. Step onto the first one:
214
215=for image sc_scorn_beginners_house.png
216
217Press spacebar to apply it to enter the house. Like the newbies house
218in the nexus read all signs and follow their orders:
219
220=for image sc_inthe_beginners_house.png
221
222After you finished that house, enter the second house and finish it.
223
224After finishing those two houses there are multiple dungeons for newbies.
225The best for you to start is the I<Newbie Tower>:
226
227=for image sc_scorn_newbie_tower.png
228
229To the north there is the I<Drinking Fountain> a well that you can enter.
230The first parts of the dungeon there are also very nice.
231
232=for image sc_scorn_drinking_fountain.png
233
234Explore Scorn, there are many dungeons in the houses. Be careful when meeting
235new monsters, ask questions on the server via the I<chat> command and read the
236documentation here for further information about some topics.
237
238Before doing further exploration you maybe want to know how to see your progress
239and where to see what level you are and what your current stats are.
240
241=head2 Displayed information
242
243The most important dialog is the I<Playerbook>, it can be opened by clicking
244on the I<Playerbook> button on the top of the window or by pressing I<Tab>.
245There are also shortcuts to them on the keys I<F2> to I<F5>. (I<F1> brings up this help).
246
247Here is a quick explanation what all main information elements in the client gui mean:
248
249=over 4
250
251=item B<Gauges and Floorbox>
252
253=for image sc_gauges_and_floorbox.png
254
255These are the gauges that display your Health, Spellpoints/Mana,
256Grace and Food. Please hover the mouse cursor above them and read the tooltips.
257On the bottom of the gauges the maximum value is displayed and on the top
258the current value.
259
260Below the gauges there is the experience and level displayed. The level is increased
261once you reached a certain amount of experience points.
262
263Below that there is the range slot. It displays the currently selected range weapon
264that you can fire with ctrl+<direction>. This could be a bow or a spell.
265
266=item B<Statusbox>
267
268=for image sc_statusbox.png
269
270It displays all the current status messages that occur while playing.
271For example what you hit, if you gained experience, if someone entered
272the game or if someone said something. The status messages will disappear over time.
273B<Note:> Most status messages are also displayed in the message window, for example
274chatters and if someone entered/left the game.
275
276=item B<Skill list>
277
278If you press I<F3> or open the playerbook via the I<Playerbook> button on the top
279of the window and select the I<Skills> tab, you will see this:
280
281=for image sc_skill_list.png
282
283It displays all the skills you have and displays the experience points and level you gained in each.
284
285=item B<Statistics>
286
287If you want to see what stats and resistancies you currently have, go to the I<Statistics> tab in the
288I<Playerbook> (for example by pressing I<F2>).
289
290=for image sc_statistics.png
291
292Resistancies protect you from a certain type of attack.
293
294=item B<Spellbook>
295
296If you want to see what spells you have learned yet, go to the I<Spellbook> tab in the
297I<Playerbook> (for example by pressing I<F4>).
298
299You wont see there any spell if you just started, but if you learn a spell, it will show up there.
300
301If you have learned some spells it should look like this:
302
303=for image sc_spellbook.png
304
305=back
306
307=head2 After playing
308
309If you are tired or want to take a break from playing, you have to find a I<Bed to Reality>.
310The I<Wanderers Inn> is the best place to find such a bed for a newbie:
311
312=for image sc_wanderers_inn.png
313
314Go into it and find a I<Bed to Reality>:
315
316=for image sc_bed_to_reality.png
317
318If you apply it your character will be saved. Your score will also be displayed and your rank
319on the hiscore list.
320
321=for image sc_score.png
322
323=head1 Getting Started (old)
324
325=head2 How to create a new Character
326
327When you start up Crossfire, you will be asked for a character name and a
328password (you may need to open the B<Server Setup> dialog for this using
329the button at the top of the screen). If you are playing for the first
330time, type any name you like; this will be your character name for the
331rest of the life of that character. Next, type in any password. Remember:
332you will need to remember the same password again to play that character
333again! You can use B<Save Config> to save your settings, including name
334and password, but if it gets lost recovery is difficult, so remember your
335password or write it down at a safe place.
336
337One more note: it's not a good idea to use "real" passwords to your
338computer accounts! Doing so may make your system vulnerable to
339unscrupulous Crossfire server administrators.
340
341Your next step will be to generate random (primary) stats for your
342character (to see the stats, you might have to open the B<Stats Window>
343using the button at the top of the screen). You aren't limited to the
344number of times you can roll your stats - so have fun. Notice that the
345stats are always arranged that the B<Str> stat has the highest value, the
346B<Cha> stat has the lowest. You may rearrange the order of these values
347when you decide that you have rolled some decent stats. Two points: you
348can never roll a character with better stats than an average of straight
34915's, and you can't roll higher than 18 in a stat.
350
351When you roll your character, the stats displayed are the stats you will
352get as a human (which are unmodified). When satisfied, you can step
353through a number of races, each with special bonuses in stats.
354
355The manual shows how your basic stats will be changed by choosing a
356different race. The difference between the natural stat limit and 20
357indicates the bonus/penalty assigned to rolled primary stats. For example,
358a troll has a maximum strength which is 5 higher than 20-that means he
359will begin with an additional 5 points added to his strength roll. On the
360other hand, a troll can never get above 15 in intelligence. This means
361that your rolled character will have 5 less in intelligence if you choose
362that race. You should also note that any bonus to an ability can't raise
363the final number above your racial maximum, and no penalty can give you an
364ability score less then one; the lowest it can ever get is one.
365
366=head3 Selecting a class
367
368While each class has its particular strengths and weaknesses, in summary
369its just a fact that some classes are easier to play than others.
370
371For beginning players, the "simple fighter" characters are the easiest
372to play successfully. The B<Dwarf>, B<Human>, and B<Warrior> are among
373good earlier choices. As you gain experience with using Crossfire+ you
374may wish to branch out into other "fighter" characters such as the
375B<Thief> or B<Elf>, or try your hand at playing "spellcaster" characters
376like the B<Wizard>, B<Mage>, B<Cleric> or B<Priest>. The "exotic" races
377(e.g. B<Fireborn>, B<Quetzalcoatl> and B<Wraith>) and the B<Monk> class
378are the hardest classes to master.
379
380One more note: You will probably find any character class that has a low
381natural B<Int> (for example, the B<Barbarian> class) will have a fairly
382difficult time at higher levels. Skills, and most importantly, spells,
383will be more difficult learn. Plan to spend a lot of loot on grimores,
384prayer books and skill scrolls.
385
386=head2 Playing the game
387
388#TODO biggers house, binding keys etc.
389
390=head1 Hints for Beginning Players
391
392I'm done with class selection, now there are three ways to go, where
393should I go? It is a good idea to take the northern path into the
394teleporter leading you to the beginners house. You can learn some basic
395skills there before journeying onward. Once you are there, you will get
396many things explained to you. Make sure you investigate every place in
397that house.
398
399I'm on the starting map, what do I do now? You should be in a city square
400with a few sign posts in the middle. Move over the signs and apply them
401B<spacebar> to read what they say.
402
403For beginners, there are several maps designed for them. Find these areas
404and clear them out. All throughout these levels, a player can find signs
405and books which they can read by stepping onto them and hitting B<space
406bar> to apply the book/sign. These messages will help the player to learn
407the system. Probably the first, best area for a beginning player to start
408out in is "Beginners." This area is a small house located southwest of
409your starting location.
410
411=head2 Flailing about with spells
412
413Some items are perishable. If you shoot a fireball into a room full of
414scrolls, you will notice them going up in smoke! So be careful not to
415destroy valuable items.
416
417=head2 Tips on surviving
418
419Crossfire+ is populated with a wealth of different monsters. These monsters
420can have varying immunities and attacktypes. In addition, some of them can
421be quite a bit smarter than others. It will be important for new players
422to learn the abilities of different monsters and learn just how much it
423will take to kill them.
424
425Most monsters in the game are out to mindlessly kill and destroy the
426players. Killing monsters will help boost a player's score. When fighting
427a large amount of monsters in a single room, attempt to find a narrower
428hallway so that you are not being attacked from all sides. Charging into a
429room full of Beholders would not be wise, instead, open the door and fight
430them one at a time.
431
432More advice can be found in the Survival Guide
433L<http://crossfire.real-time.com/guides/survival_guide/index.html>.
434
435=head2 Priorities for low-level characters
436
437The priority for characters below about 5th level is to gain some basic
438items. In this regard, better armour and better spells are best. Look for
439a quest among the various islands that will allow you to obtain mithril
440mail. Whenever you scrape together ~100-200 platinum pieces go shopping
441for armour and weapons (or spells). If you are a fighter type, try to have
442at least a +2 weapon, +2 helmet, +2 suit of armour, and +2 shield before
443you reach 5th level. For wizards, attempt to recover enough treasure to
444be able to buy up good attack spells. For priests, first thing to do is
445worship a god! Try to get the holy word prayer as soon as possible. Make
446sure your current god allows good potential use of this spell.
447
448For all classes, get access to the detect magic incantation as soon as
449possible. This will allow you to sort through the treasure you find while
450you're in the dungeon, and will save you time and money at the shops.
451
452=head2 Diseases
453
454Diseases are, well, diseases. They can be contageous or not, and can be
455contracted in a number of ways, and they vary greatly in their symptoms
456and dangerousness.
457
458Diseases have "levels". If you contract a disease and recover naturally,
459you're immune to that disease forever, provided the instance of the
460disease is of equal or lower level than your immunity.
461
462For example, you get a case of the flu cast by yourself at level 15. When
463you get over it, you're immune to any flu of level less than 16. When you
464become level 16 and cast the flu again, you are I<not> immune.
465
466Spells such as B<cure disease> or B<restoration> will remove a disease, but
467will not grant immunity.
468
469When cast as a spell, diseases's severity is level dependent. A 30th level
470cold is a I<lot> more severe than a level 2 cold.
471
472Undead are I<never> affected by any disease.
473
474Any priest player who isn't denied the path of wounding may learn and B<cast
475cause> B<cold>, B<flu>, B<typhoid>, B<anthrax> and B<leprosy> spells.
476
477Any priest with a high enough B<Wis> and with a religion that is attuned
478to wounding may learn to B<cast cause> B<smallpox>, B<white death> and
479B<red death> by praying at his altar.
480
481The I<damage> caused each round varies between 0 and the maximum listed
482for a disease. So you can inflict a I<mild> case of ebola, which would
483I<not> kill a monster, or a severe one capable of killing it.
484
485# TODO: disease table needs heavy reformatting
486anthrax, anthrax, Godpower
487arthritis, arthritis, Godpower
488disease_cold, cold, Godpower
489creeping_frost, creeping frost, Cold
490diarrhea, the runs, Physical
491ebola, Red Death, Godpower
492egg_disease, egg disease, Physical
493flaming_fart, flaming farts, Physical
494flu, flu, Godpower
495immolation, immolation, Fire
496incontinence, lack of bladder control, Physical
497insanity, insanity, Confusion
498leprosy, leprosy, Godpower
499bubonic_plague, Black Death, Godpower
500pneumonic_plague, pneumonic plague, Godpower
501rabies, rabies, Godpower + Confusion
502scurvy, scurvy, Physical
503smallpox, smallpox, Godpower
504tapeworms, tapeworms, Physical
505tooth_decay, tooth decay, Physical
506typhoid, typhoid, Godpower
507warts, warts, Physical
508
509=head1 Authors
510
511Parts of this document were originally compiled, edited, and written by
512Brian Thomas, Klaus Elsbernd, and John W. Klar. Additional information
513compiled by Maciej Kalisiak, Gorlin, Anton Oussik and Gene Alexander.
514
515Adapted for use by I<cfplus>, enhanced and corrected by Pippijn van
516Steenhoven, Marc A. Lehmann and Robin Redeker.
517

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