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Revision 1.13 by elmex, Sun Jul 23 17:03:44 2006 UTC

1=for image banner.png
2
1=head1 Pclient is a Crossfire+ and Crossfire game client. 3=head1 CFPlus - a Crossfire+ and Crossfire game client.
2 4
3=head2 Features 5=head2 What's Crossfire+ - Basic Game Concepts
6
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.
30
31=head2 User Interface Basics
32
33# very short description of all ui elements
34
35=head2 Start Playing
36
37When starting the client you will see a window in the middle of the screen:
38
39=for image sc_login.png
40
41There are several settings there:
4 42
5=over 4 43=over 4
6 44
7=item Fullscreen Map 45=item B<Host:Port>
8 46
9PClient can uses a fullscreen map, which greatly enhances how much of the 47In the I<Host:Port> entry you can enter the server hostname followed by
10game world you can see. 48a colon with the port. The port is per default 13326 if you just enter
49the hostname.
11 50
12=item Persistent Map Cache (Crossfire+ only) 51Below the entry there is a button I<Server List>. If you click on it you
52will get a server list:
13 53
14PClient can persistently cache all map data it received from the 54=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 55
19=item Hardware acceleration 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).
20 59
21Unlike most Crossfire clients, PClient take advantage of OpenGL hardware 60=item B<Username>
22acceleration. Most modern graphics cards have difficulties with 2D
23acceleration, while 3D graphics is accelerated well.
24 61
25=item No arbitrary limits 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>.
26 68
27Unlike other Crossfire clients, pclient does not suffer from arbitrary 69=item B<Password>
28limits (like a fixed amount of face numbers). There are still limits, but 70
29they are not arbitrarily low :) 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.
30 80
31=back 81=back
32 82
33=head1 Usage 83Enter the desired I<Username> and I<Password> and click on I<Login> now.
34 84
35=head2 The Map 85=head2 Character Creation
36 86
37The map is always displayed in the background, behind all other windows and UI elements. 87=for item sc_char_create.png
38 88
39#TODO# middle-click scrolls 89Your next step will be to generate random (primary) stats for your
40# 90character (to see the stats, you might have to open the B<Stats Window>
41# keys: 91using the button at the top of the screen).
42#
43# a apply
44# keypad moves, kp_5 applies ranged attack to self
45 92
46Starting to type enters the I<completion mode>. In that mode, you can type 93Hover with the mouse cursor over the stats (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Pow and Cha)
47abbreviations or commands and have them executed as soon as they match a 94to see what they mean or what they do.
48valid command. This is best explained by a few examples:
49 95
50Typing B<climb> will display a list of commands with I<climb> in their 96Or look at L<intro/Character Stats>.
51name, such as I<ready_skill climbing> and I<use_skill climbing>.
52 97
53You can abbreviate commands by typing only the first character of every 98You can let the dices reroll your stats with the I<Roll Again> button, you can
54word (or even characters within the word - the client will try to make 99I<Swap Stats>.
55a good guess, as long as the characters are in order). For example, 100You aren't limited to the number of times you can roll your stats - so have fun.
56typing I<iwor> will likely select I<invoke word of recall>, while I<ccfo> 101Notice that the stats are always arranged that the B<Str> stat has the highest value, the
57will select I<cast create food>. Likewise, I<rscli> will likely select 102B<Cha> stat has the lowest. You may rearrange the order of these values
58I<ready_skill climbing> and I<usl> will give you I<use_skill levitation>. 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.
59 106
60You can enter space and other text as arguemnt to the command. For 107Finally click on I<Accept> stats when you think they are fine.
61example, C<cfoo waybread> will expand to C<cast create food waybread>.
62 108
63=head2 The map overview 109The next you will see after accepting the stats will be the race selection:
64 110
65#TODO# 111=for image sc_char_create_race.png
66 112
67=head2 The Status area in the lower right corner 113On the top right a text is displayed that explains the current selected race.
114If you rearrange the windows like this:
68 115
69#TODO# 116=for image sc_char_create_race2.png
70 117
71=head2 The I<Statistics>/I<Stats> window 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>.
72 121
73#TODO# 122After you clicked I<Accept> you will see this:
74 123
75=head1 FAQ 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:
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 196
87still be slow, though): 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
243Here is a quick explanation what all main information elements in the client gui mean:
88 244
89=over 4 245=over 4
90 246
91=item B<Video Mode> should be set as low as possible (e.g. 640x480) 247=item B<Gauges and Floorbox>
92 248
93=item Enable B<Fast & Ugly> mode 249=for image sc_gauges_and_floorbox.png
94 250
95=item Disable B<Fog of War> 251These are the gauges that display your Health, Spellpoints/Mana,
252Grace and Food. Please hover the mouse cursor above them and read the tooltips.
253On the bottom of the gauges the maximum value is displayed and on the top
254the current value.
96 255
97=item Increase B<Map Scale> 256Below the gauges there is the experience and level displayed. The level is increased
257once you reached a certain amount of experience points.
258
259Below that there is the range slot. It displays the currently selected range weapon
260that you can fire with ctrl+<direction>. This could be a bow or a spell.
261
262The most important dialog is the I<Playerbook>, it can be opened by clicking
263on the I<Playerbook> button on the top of the window or by pressing I<Tab>.
264There are also shortcuts to them on the keys I<F2> to I<F5>. (I<F1> brings up this help).
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
98 304
99=back 305=back
100 306
101=back 307=head2 After playing
102 308
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=head1 Getting Started (old)
322
323=head2 How to create a new Character
324
325When you start up Crossfire, you will be asked for a character name and a
326password (you may need to open the B<Server Setup> dialog for this using
327the button at the top of the screen). If you are playing for the first
328time, type any name you like; this will be your character name for the
329rest of the life of that character. Next, type in any password. Remember:
330you will need to remember the same password again to play that character
331again! You can use B<Save Config> to save your settings, including name
332and password, but if it gets lost recovery is difficult, so remember your
333password or write it down at a safe place.
334
335One more note: it's not a good idea to use "real" passwords to your
336computer accounts! Doing so may make your system vulnerable to
337unscrupulous Crossfire server administrators.
338
339Your next step will be to generate random (primary) stats for your
340character (to see the stats, you might have to open the B<Stats Window>
341using the button at the top of the screen). You aren't limited to the
342number of times you can roll your stats - so have fun. Notice that the
343stats are always arranged that the B<Str> stat has the highest value, the
344B<Cha> stat has the lowest. You may rearrange the order of these values
345when you decide that you have rolled some decent stats. Two points: you
346can never roll a character with better stats than an average of straight
34715's, and you can't roll higher than 18 in a stat.
348
349When you roll your character, the stats displayed are the stats you will
350get as a human (which are unmodified). When satisfied, you can step
351through a number of races, each with special bonuses in stats.
352
353The manual shows how your basic stats will be changed by choosing a
354different race. The difference between the natural stat limit and 20
355indicates the bonus/penalty assigned to rolled primary stats. For example,
356a troll has a maximum strength which is 5 higher than 20-that means he
357will begin with an additional 5 points added to his strength roll. On the
358other hand, a troll can never get above 15 in intelligence. This means
359that your rolled character will have 5 less in intelligence if you choose
360that race. You should also note that any bonus to an ability can't raise
361the final number above your racial maximum, and no penalty can give you an
362ability score less then one; the lowest it can ever get is one.
363
364=head3 Selecting a class
365
366While each class has its particular strengths and weaknesses, in summary
367its just a fact that some classes are easier to play than others.
368
369For beginning players, the "simple fighter" characters are the easiest
370to play successfully. The B<Dwarf>, B<Human>, and B<Warrior> are among
371good earlier choices. As you gain experience with using Crossfire+ you
372may wish to branch out into other "fighter" characters such as the
373B<Thief> or B<Elf>, or try your hand at playing "spellcaster" characters
374like the B<Wizard>, B<Mage>, B<Cleric> or B<Priest>. The "exotic" races
375(e.g. B<Fireborn>, B<Quetzalcoatl> and B<Wraith>) and the B<Monk> class
376are the hardest classes to master.
377
378One more note: You will probably find any character class that has a low
379natural B<Int> (for example, the B<Barbarian> class) will have a fairly
380difficult time at higher levels. Skills, and most importantly, spells,
381will be more difficult learn. Plan to spend a lot of loot on grimores,
382prayer books and skill scrolls.
383
384=head2 Playing the game
385
386#TODO biggers house, binding keys etc.
387
388=head1 Hints for Beginning Players
389
390I'm done with class selection, now there are three ways to go, where
391should I go? It is a good idea to take the northern path into the
392teleporter leading you to the beginners house. You can learn some basic
393skills there before journeying onward. Once you are there, you will get
394many things explained to you. Make sure you investigate every place in
395that house.
396
397I'm on the starting map, what do I do now? You should be in a city square
398with a few sign posts in the middle. Move over the signs and apply them
399B<spacebar> to read what they say.
400
401For beginners, there are several maps designed for them. Find these areas
402and clear them out. All throughout these levels, a player can find signs
403and books which they can read by stepping onto them and hitting B<space
404bar> to apply the book/sign. These messages will help the player to learn
405the system. Probably the first, best area for a beginning player to start
406out in is "Beginners." This area is a small house located southwest of
407your starting location.
408
409=head2 Flailing about with spells
410
411Some items are perishable. If you shoot a fireball into a room full of
412scrolls, you will notice them going up in smoke! So be careful not to
413destroy valuable items.
414
415=head2 Tips on surviving
416
417Crossfire+ is populated with a wealth of different monsters. These monsters
418can have varying immunities and attacktypes. In addition, some of them can
419be quite a bit smarter than others. It will be important for new players
420to learn the abilities of different monsters and learn just how much it
421will take to kill them.
422
423Most monsters in the game are out to mindlessly kill and destroy the
424players. Killing monsters will help boost a player's score. When fighting
425a large amount of monsters in a single room, attempt to find a narrower
426hallway so that you are not being attacked from all sides. Charging into a
427room full of Beholders would not be wise, instead, open the door and fight
428them one at a time.
429
430More advice can be found in the Survival Guide
431L<http://crossfire.real-time.com/guides/survival_guide/index.html>.
432
433=head2 Priorities for low-level characters
434
435The priority for characters below about 5th level is to gain some basic
436items. In this regard, better armour and better spells are best. Look for
437a quest among the various islands that will allow you to obtain mithril
438mail. Whenever you scrape together ~100-200 platinum pieces go shopping
439for armour and weapons (or spells). If you are a fighter type, try to have
440at least a +2 weapon, +2 helmet, +2 suit of armour, and +2 shield before
441you reach 5th level. For wizards, attempt to recover enough treasure to
442be able to buy up good attack spells. For priests, first thing to do is
443worship a god! Try to get the holy word prayer as soon as possible. Make
444sure your current god allows good potential use of this spell.
445
446For all classes, get access to the detect magic incantation as soon as
447possible. This will allow you to sort through the treasure you find while
448you're in the dungeon, and will save you time and money at the shops.
449
450=head2 Diseases
451
452Diseases are, well, diseases. They can be contageous or not, and can be
453contracted in a number of ways, and they vary greatly in their symptoms
454and dangerousness.
455
456Diseases have "levels". If you contract a disease and recover naturally,
457you're immune to that disease forever, provided the instance of the
458disease is of equal or lower level than your immunity.
459
460For example, you get a case of the flu cast by yourself at level 15. When
461you get over it, you're immune to any flu of level less than 16. When you
462become level 16 and cast the flu again, you are I<not> immune.
463
464Spells such as B<cure disease> or B<restoration> will remove a disease, but
465will not grant immunity.
466
467When cast as a spell, diseases's severity is level dependent. A 30th level
468cold is a I<lot> more severe than a level 2 cold.
469
470Undead are I<never> affected by any disease.
471
472Any priest player who isn't denied the path of wounding may learn and B<cast
473cause> B<cold>, B<flu>, B<typhoid>, B<anthrax> and B<leprosy> spells.
474
475Any priest with a high enough B<Wis> and with a religion that is attuned
476to wounding may learn to B<cast cause> B<smallpox>, B<white death> and
477B<red death> by praying at his altar.
478
479The I<damage> caused each round varies between 0 and the maximum listed
480for a disease. So you can inflict a I<mild> case of ebola, which would
481I<not> kill a monster, or a severe one capable of killing it.
482
483# TODO: disease table needs heavy reformatting
484anthrax, anthrax, Godpower
485arthritis, arthritis, Godpower
486disease_cold, cold, Godpower
487creeping_frost, creeping frost, Cold
488diarrhea, the runs, Physical
489ebola, Red Death, Godpower
490egg_disease, egg disease, Physical
491flaming_fart, flaming farts, Physical
492flu, flu, Godpower
493immolation, immolation, Fire
494incontinence, lack of bladder control, Physical
495insanity, insanity, Confusion
496leprosy, leprosy, Godpower
497bubonic_plague, Black Death, Godpower
498pneumonic_plague, pneumonic plague, Godpower
499rabies, rabies, Godpower + Confusion
500scurvy, scurvy, Physical
501smallpox, smallpox, Godpower
502tapeworms, tapeworms, Physical
503tooth_decay, tooth decay, Physical
504typhoid, typhoid, Godpower
505warts, warts, Physical
506
507=head1 Authors
508
509Parts of this document were originally compiled, edited, and written by
510Brian Thomas, Klaus Elsbernd, and John W. Klar. Additional information
511compiled by Maciej Kalisiak, Gorlin, Anton Oussik and Gene Alexander.
512
513Adapted for use by I<cfplus>, enhanced and corrected by Pippijn van
514Steenhoven, Marc A. Lehmann and Robin Redeker.
515

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