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=head1 CFPlus - a Crossfire+ and Crossfire game client. |
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|
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=head2 What's Crossfire+ - Basic Game Concepts |
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|
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In the words of Frank Tore Johansen, the author of the original Crossfire |
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game: |
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|
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"Crossfire is a multi-player graphical arcade and adventure game made for |
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the X Windows systems environment. It has certain flavours from other |
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games, especially gauntletand the rogue-like games. Any number of players |
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can move around in their own window, finding and using items and battling |
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monsters. They can choose to cooperate or compete in the same world." |
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|
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In the years of development that have followed, Crossfire has grown to |
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encompass hundreds of monsters, thousands of maps to explore, an elaborate |
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magic system, over 15 character types, a system of skills, and many, many |
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artifacts and treasures. |
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|
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Crossfire+ is freely distributed under the General Public License (GPL) |
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and the code may be obtained from L<http://crossfire.schmorp.de/>. |
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|
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=head1 Getting Started |
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|
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First of all, don't be daunted by the apparent complexity of Crossfire - |
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in reality, Crossfire is quite easy to play and character generation is |
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simple. Later on, when you have some experience playing the game, you may |
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wish to read the full manual. |
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|
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=head2 User Interface Basics |
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|
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# very short description of all ui elements |
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|
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=head2 Start Playing |
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|
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When starting the client you will see a window in the middle of the screen: |
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|
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=for image sc_login.png |
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|
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There are several settings there: |
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|
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=over 4 |
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|
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=item B<Host:Port> |
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|
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In the I<Host:Port> entry you can enter the server hostname followed by |
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a colon with the port. The port is per default 13326 if you just enter |
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the hostname. |
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|
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Below the entry there is a button I<Server List>. If you click on it you |
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will get a server list: |
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|
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=for image sc_login_srvlist.png |
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|
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You can choose from the aviable servers there. |
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(B<Note:> At the time of this writing (2006-07-23) only I<cf.schmorp.de> supports |
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all features that are offered by CFClient). |
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|
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=item B<Username> |
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|
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Here you have to enter the character name you would like to play |
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with. |
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If you are playing for the first time, type any name you like; this will |
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be your character name for the rest of the life of that character. |
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As you don't have a character yet you have to create a new |
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character. It will be explained below at the L<intro/Getting Started/Character Creation>. |
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|
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=item B<Password> |
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|
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Next, type in any password. Remember: |
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you will need to remember the same password again to play that character |
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again! You can use B<Save Config> (see the buttons on the top of the window) to save your settings, |
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including name and password, but if it gets lost recovery is difficult, so remember your |
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password or write it down at a safe place. |
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|
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One more note: it's not a good idea to use "real" passwords to your |
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computer accounts! Doing so may make your system vulnerable to |
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unscrupulous Crossfire server administrators. |
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|
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=back |
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|
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Enter the desired I<Username> and I<Password> and click on I<Login> now. |
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|
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Next you will see: |
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|
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=head2 Character Creation |
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|
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=for item sc_char_create.png |
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|
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Your next step will be to generate random (primary) stats for your |
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character (to see the stats, you might have to open the B<Stats Window> |
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using the button at the top of the screen). |
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|
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Hover with the mouse cursor over the stats (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Pow and Cha) |
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to see what they mean or what they do. |
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|
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Or look at L<intro/Character Stats>. |
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|
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You can let the dices reroll your stats with the I<Roll Again> button, you can |
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I<Swap Stats>. |
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You aren't limited to the number of times you can roll your stats - so have fun. |
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Notice that the stats are always arranged that the B<Str> stat has the highest value, the |
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B<Cha> stat has the lowest. You may rearrange the order of these values |
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when you decide that you have rolled some decent stats. Two points: you |
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can never roll a character with better stats than an average of straight |
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15's, and you can't roll higher than 18 in a stat. |
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|
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Finally click on I<Accept> stats when you think they are fine. |
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|
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The next you will see after accepting the stats will be the race selection: |
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|
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=for image sc_char_create_race.png |
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|
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On the top right a text is displayed that explains the current selected race. |
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If you rearrange the windows like this: |
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|
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=for image sc_char_create_race2.png |
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|
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You will also see the face of the selected race. Click on I<Next Race> and read all |
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the descriptions until you find the right race for your new character. |
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Keep in mind that the races also affect the L<intro/Character Stats>. |
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|
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After you clicked I<Accept> you will see this: |
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|
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(I choosed a Halfling for now) |
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|
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=for image sc_new_char.png |
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|
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The dragon on the right is another player that is currently logging in or creating his character. |
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|
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Now go to the south (you can move your character by with the keypad or the cursor keys). |
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You will enter a hall similar to this: |
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|
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=for image sc_new_char_hall.png |
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|
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Step onto the first cell before the teleporter and the description of the character class |
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will be displayed in the message window: |
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|
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=for image sc_new_char_class.png |
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|
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While each class has its particular strengths and weaknesses, in summary |
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its just a fact that some classes are easier to play than others. |
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|
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For beginning players, the "simple fighter" characters are the easiest |
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to play successfully. The B<Dwarf>, B<Human>, and B<Warrior> are among |
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good earlier choices. As you gain experience with using Crossfire+ you |
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may wish to branch out into other "fighter" characters such as the |
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B<Thief> or B<Elf>, or try your hand at playing "spellcaster" characters |
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like the B<Wizard>, B<Mage>, B<Cleric> or B<Priest>. The "exotic" races |
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(e.g. B<Fireborn>, B<Quetzalcoatl> and B<Wraith>) and the B<Monk> class |
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are the hardest classes to master. |
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|
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One more note: You will probably find any character class that has a low |
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natural B<Int> (for example, the B<Barbarian> class) will have a fairly |
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difficult time at higher levels. Skills, and most importantly, spells, |
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will be more difficult learn. Plan to spend a lot of loot on grimores, |
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prayer books and skill scrolls. |
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|
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If you found a class that you like step on the teleporter. |
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|
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=head2 The first dungeons |
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|
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Next you will land in the nexus: |
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|
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=for image sc_new_char_nexus.png |
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|
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Read the signs by stepping on them and read what they say. |
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These signs automatically display what they have to say in the message window. |
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Other signs you have to read by applying them. You apply something by middle-click |
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it in the floorbox: |
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|
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=for image sc_new_char_floorbox_apply.png |
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|
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Or you can use the I<spacebar> to apply the topmost thing you see in the floorbox. |
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|
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For now go to the north into the newbies house. Read all signs there and follow their |
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instructions. |
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|
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If you see NPC's there, click on them and you will enter the NPC dialouge: |
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|
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=for image sc_newbiew_npc_dialog.png |
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|
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The buttons on the right are options of what you can say to the NPC. You can also |
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click on the links in the text to ask the NPC about that. |
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|
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Another note about entering commands: |
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|
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In crossfire most things are command driven. You can enter commands in 2 ways: |
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|
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=over 4 |
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|
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=item B<Chat Box> |
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|
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=for image sc_chatbox.png |
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|
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If you plan longer chat sessions you maybe prefer this. |
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|
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=item B<Command Completer> |
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|
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Read the tooltip that occurs when you hover the mouse above the entry. |
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This completer can speed up commands a lot. |
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|
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=back |
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|
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Ok, i assume now that you finished the newbies house and you are back in the nexus. |
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Now walk to the left, to the exit to I<Scorn>, the main town in the world. |
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It's the main meeting place for most people on the server and it offers newbie |
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dungeons for the beginners. |
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|
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If you walk into the exit you will be teleported to scorn: |
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|
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To the west you see the two beginner houses. Step onto the first one: |
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|
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=for image sc_scorn_beginners_house.png |
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|
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Press spacebar to apply it to enter the house. Like the newbies house |
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in the nexus read all signs and follow their orders: |
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|
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=for image sc_inthe_beginners_house.png |
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|
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After you finished that house, enter the second house and finish it. |
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|
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After finishing those two houses there are multiple dungeons for newbies. |
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The best for you to start is the I<Newbie Tower>: |
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|
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=for image sc_scorn_newbie_tower.png |
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|
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To the north there is the I<Drinking Fountain> a well that you can enter. |
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The first parts of the dungeon there are also very nice. |
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|
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=for image sc_scorn_drinking_fountain.png |
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|
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Explore Scorn, there are many dungeons in the houses. Be careful when meeting |
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new monsters, ask questions on the server via the I<chat> command and read the |
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documentation here for further information about some topics. |
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|
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=head1 Getting Started (old) |
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|
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=head2 How to create a new Character |
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|
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When you start up Crossfire, you will be asked for a character name and a |
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password (you may need to open the B<Server Setup> dialog for this using |
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the button at the top of the screen). If you are playing for the first |
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time, type any name you like; this will be your character name for the |
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rest of the life of that character. Next, type in any password. Remember: |
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you will need to remember the same password again to play that character |
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again! You can use B<Save Config> to save your settings, including name |
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and password, but if it gets lost recovery is difficult, so remember your |
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password or write it down at a safe place. |
| 249 |
|
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One more note: it's not a good idea to use "real" passwords to your |
| 251 |
computer accounts! Doing so may make your system vulnerable to |
| 252 |
unscrupulous Crossfire server administrators. |
| 253 |
|
| 254 |
Your next step will be to generate random (primary) stats for your |
| 255 |
character (to see the stats, you might have to open the B<Stats Window> |
| 256 |
using the button at the top of the screen). You aren't limited to the |
| 257 |
number of times you can roll your stats - so have fun. Notice that the |
| 258 |
stats are always arranged that the B<Str> stat has the highest value, the |
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B<Cha> stat has the lowest. You may rearrange the order of these values |
| 260 |
when you decide that you have rolled some decent stats. Two points: you |
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can never roll a character with better stats than an average of straight |
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15's, and you can't roll higher than 18 in a stat. |
| 263 |
|
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When you roll your character, the stats displayed are the stats you will |
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get as a human (which are unmodified). When satisfied, you can step |
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through a number of races, each with special bonuses in stats. |
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|
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The manual shows how your basic stats will be changed by choosing a |
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different race. The difference between the natural stat limit and 20 |
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indicates the bonus/penalty assigned to rolled primary stats. For example, |
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a troll has a maximum strength which is 5 higher than 20-that means he |
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will begin with an additional 5 points added to his strength roll. On the |
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other hand, a troll can never get above 15 in intelligence. This means |
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that your rolled character will have 5 less in intelligence if you choose |
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that race. You should also note that any bonus to an ability can't raise |
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the final number above your racial maximum, and no penalty can give you an |
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ability score less then one; the lowest it can ever get is one. |
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|
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=head3 Selecting a class |
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|
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While each class has its particular strengths and weaknesses, in summary |
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its just a fact that some classes are easier to play than others. |
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|
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For beginning players, the "simple fighter" characters are the easiest |
| 285 |
to play successfully. The B<Dwarf>, B<Human>, and B<Warrior> are among |
| 286 |
good earlier choices. As you gain experience with using Crossfire+ you |
| 287 |
may wish to branch out into other "fighter" characters such as the |
| 288 |
B<Thief> or B<Elf>, or try your hand at playing "spellcaster" characters |
| 289 |
like 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 |
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are the hardest classes to master. |
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|
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One more note: You will probably find any character class that has a low |
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natural B<Int> (for example, the B<Barbarian> class) will have a fairly |
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difficult time at higher levels. Skills, and most importantly, spells, |
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will be more difficult learn. Plan to spend a lot of loot on grimores, |
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prayer books and skill scrolls. |
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|
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=head2 Playing the game |
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|
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#TODO biggers house, binding keys etc. |
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|
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=head1 Hints for Beginning Players |
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|
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I'm done with class selection, now there are three ways to go, where |
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should I go? It is a good idea to take the northern path into the |
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teleporter leading you to the beginners house. You can learn some basic |
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skills there before journeying onward. Once you are there, you will get |
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many things explained to you. Make sure you investigate every place in |
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that house. |
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|
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I'm on the starting map, what do I do now? You should be in a city square |
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with a few sign posts in the middle. Move over the signs and apply them |
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B<spacebar> to read what they say. |
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|
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For beginners, there are several maps designed for them. Find these areas |
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and clear them out. All throughout these levels, a player can find signs |
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and books which they can read by stepping onto them and hitting B<space |
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bar> to apply the book/sign. These messages will help the player to learn |
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the system. Probably the first, best area for a beginning player to start |
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out in is "Beginners." This area is a small house located southwest of |
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your starting location. |
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|
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=head2 Flailing about with spells |
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|
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Some items are perishable. If you shoot a fireball into a room full of |
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scrolls, you will notice them going up in smoke! So be careful not to |
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destroy valuable items. |
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|
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=head2 Tips on surviving |
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|
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Crossfire+ is populated with a wealth of different monsters. These monsters |
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can have varying immunities and attacktypes. In addition, some of them can |
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be quite a bit smarter than others. It will be important for new players |
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to learn the abilities of different monsters and learn just how much it |
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will take to kill them. |
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|
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Most monsters in the game are out to mindlessly kill and destroy the |
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players. Killing monsters will help boost a player's score. When fighting |
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a large amount of monsters in a single room, attempt to find a narrower |
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hallway so that you are not being attacked from all sides. Charging into a |
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room full of Beholders would not be wise, instead, open the door and fight |
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them one at a time. |
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|
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More advice can be found in the Survival Guide |
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L<http://crossfire.real-time.com/guides/survival_guide/index.html>. |
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|
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=head2 Priorities for low-level characters |
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|
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The priority for characters below about 5th level is to gain some basic |
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items. In this regard, better armour and better spells are best. Look for |
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a quest among the various islands that will allow you to obtain mithril |
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mail. Whenever you scrape together ~100-200 platinum pieces go shopping |
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for armour and weapons (or spells). If you are a fighter type, try to have |
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at least a +2 weapon, +2 helmet, +2 suit of armour, and +2 shield before |
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you reach 5th level. For wizards, attempt to recover enough treasure to |
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be able to buy up good attack spells. For priests, first thing to do is |
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worship a god! Try to get the holy word prayer as soon as possible. Make |
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sure your current god allows good potential use of this spell. |
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|
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For all classes, get access to the detect magic incantation as soon as |
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possible. This will allow you to sort through the treasure you find while |
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you're in the dungeon, and will save you time and money at the shops. |
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|
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=head2 Diseases |
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|
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Diseases are, well, diseases. They can be contageous or not, and can be |
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contracted in a number of ways, and they vary greatly in their symptoms |
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and dangerousness. |
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|
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Diseases have "levels". If you contract a disease and recover naturally, |
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you're immune to that disease forever, provided the instance of the |
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disease is of equal or lower level than your immunity. |
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|
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For example, you get a case of the flu cast by yourself at level 15. When |
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you get over it, you're immune to any flu of level less than 16. When you |
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become level 16 and cast the flu again, you are I<not> immune. |
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|
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Spells such as B<cure disease> or B<restoration> will remove a disease, but |
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will not grant immunity. |
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|
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When cast as a spell, diseases's severity is level dependent. A 30th level |
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cold is a I<lot> more severe than a level 2 cold. |
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|
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Undead are I<never> affected by any disease. |
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|
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Any priest player who isn't denied the path of wounding may learn and B<cast |
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cause> B<cold>, B<flu>, B<typhoid>, B<anthrax> and B<leprosy> spells. |
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|
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Any priest with a high enough B<Wis> and with a religion that is attuned |
| 391 |
to wounding may learn to B<cast cause> B<smallpox>, B<white death> and |
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B<red death> by praying at his altar. |
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|
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The I<damage> caused each round varies between 0 and the maximum listed |
| 395 |
for a disease. So you can inflict a I<mild> case of ebola, which would |
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I<not> kill a monster, or a severe one capable of killing it. |
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|
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# TODO: disease table needs heavy reformatting |
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anthrax, anthrax, Godpower |
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arthritis, arthritis, Godpower |
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disease_cold, cold, Godpower |
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creeping_frost, creeping frost, Cold |
| 403 |
diarrhea, the runs, Physical |
| 404 |
ebola, Red Death, Godpower |
| 405 |
egg_disease, egg disease, Physical |
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flaming_fart, flaming farts, Physical |
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flu, flu, Godpower |
| 408 |
immolation, immolation, Fire |
| 409 |
incontinence, lack of bladder control, Physical |
| 410 |
insanity, insanity, Confusion |
| 411 |
leprosy, leprosy, Godpower |
| 412 |
bubonic_plague, Black Death, Godpower |
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pneumonic_plague, pneumonic plague, Godpower |
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rabies, rabies, Godpower + Confusion |
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scurvy, scurvy, Physical |
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smallpox, smallpox, Godpower |
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tapeworms, tapeworms, Physical |
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tooth_decay, tooth decay, Physical |
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typhoid, typhoid, Godpower |
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warts, warts, Physical |
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|
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=head1 Authors |
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|
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Parts of this document were originally compiled, edited, and written by |
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Brian Thomas, Klaus Elsbernd, and John W. Klar. Additional information |
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compiled by Maciej Kalisiak, Gorlin, Anton Oussik and Gene Alexander. |
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|
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Adapted for use by I<cfplus>, enhanced and corrected by Pippijn van |
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Steenhoven, Marc A. Lehmann and Robin Redeker. |
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|
