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====== Crossfire FAQ ======

FIXME - numerous formatting corrections (i.e. linkification) and content updates still necessary

===== Chapter 1 - Introduction =====
Crossfire is a multiplayer graphical arcade and adventure game made for the X-Windows environment. It has certain flavours from other games, especially Gauntlet (TM) and Nethack/Moria. Any number of players can move around in their own window, finding and using items and battle monsters. They can choose to cooperate or compete in the same "world."

===== Chapter 2 - Installation Questions =====

==== 2.1 What do I need to run Crossfire? ====

You need a [[:client]], and to choose a [[:server]] to connect to. There are a number of public servers that you can play on, you will be able to choose one of these from the metaserver list when you start a client. Each server has it's own 'world' so if you want to play the same character over a period of time, you will want to pick one server and stick to it. 

Alternatively you can run your own server, see section 4 of the FAQ for how to do this.

==== 2.2 Where do I get a client? ====

Go to the [[http://crossfire.real-time.com/clients/index.html|Crossfire Client Page]] and choose a client that is suitable for you.

There are 2 'official' clients which are developed as part of the main crossfire project.

  * [[:jxclient]]
  * [[client:gtk:gtk2:glade_layouts_in_pictures|gtk2 client]]

There are also a number of unofficial clients which you can use as long as they speak the crossfire protocol, but you'll need to contact the developers of those for support.

Note that many *nix distributions include crossfire in their package repositories, so you can get a client from there too. (although these may be released some months after the main project)

==== 2.3 Is there a client for Windows? ====

Yes, there is. Visit the [[ http://crossfire.real-time.com/clients/win32_gtk.html|Win32 GTK Client]] page to find out more. 

The [[jxclient|JX Client]] is also available and runs under Windows.

==== 2.4 How do I get the files? ====

The official releases of crossfire can be downloaded from the web (2.4.1). \\
If you want to be on the bleeding edge then try checking out from svn (2.4.2).

=== 2.4.1 Via HTTP ===

Primary:
  * [[http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=13833]]

Secondary:
  * [[ftp://ftp.real-time.com/pub/games/crossfire]] 
  * [[ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/debian/pool/main/c/crossfire/]] 

=== 2.4.2 Via SVN ===
Bear in mind that the SVN repository contains new features being added constantly, so it may at times contain additional bugs (or even not compile at all). If you want to use it, and are experiencing any FIXME 

The general commands to check out a module (archtypes, client, maps, server map editor, et al) had been the following: 
  * ''svn co https://crossfire.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/crossfire/arch''
  * ''svn co https://crossfire.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/crossfire/client''
  * ''svn co https://crossfire.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/crossfire/maps''
  * ''svn co https://crossfire.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/gridarta''
  * ''svn co https://crossfire.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/crossfire/server''
Since the [[:sourceforge:SourceForge Migration]] the URLs have changed :
  * ''svn co https://svn.code.sf.net/p/crossfire/code/arch''
  * ''svn co https://svn.code.sf.net/p/crossfire/code/client''
  * ''svn co https://svn.code.sf.net/p/crossfire/code/maps''
  * ''svn co https://svn.code.sf.net/p/crossfire/code/server''
**Note:** It is also possible to use the native **%%svn://%%** protocol :
  * ''svn co svn:%%//%%svn.code.sf.net/p/crossfire/code/arch''

==== 2.3 How can I get help compiling Crossfire on my platform? ====

Server compile instructions can be found at http://wiki.metalforge.net/doku.php/crossfire_compile_guide

Client compile instructions can be found at http://wiki.metalforge.net/doku.php/crossfire_client_compile_guide

If you still have problems, try mailing the [[faq#the_crossfire_mailing_lists|Crossfire mailing list]] with your problem, make sure to include what system you are trying to compile on.  


===== Chapter 3 - Playing Crossfire =====


==== 3.1 Beginner's Questions ====

=== 3.1.1 Which initial stats are most important? ===
For detailed information about [[:characters]] visit the [[:characters|characters page]]
First, a summary of the seven [[:characters#Primary stats|primary stats]] are: 
  * **[[characters:str|Strength]]** ("STR") - a measure of the physical strength.  Can affect damage and how much can be carried without losing speed.  Also affects how often the character can attack. 
  * **[[characters:dex|Dexterity]]** ("DEX") - measures physical agility.  Helps the character avoid being hit.  Affects the Armour Class and the speed 
  * **[[characters:con|Constitution]]** ("CON") - measures physical health and toughness.  Affects the maximum Hit Points. 
  * **[[characters:int|Intelligence]]** ("INT") -  measures ability to learn skills and incantations (both prayers and magic). 
  * **[[characters:wis|Wisdom]]** ("WIS") -  measures the ability to learn/use divine magic.  Affects Maximum Grace. 
  * **[[characters:pow|Power]]** ("POW") -  measures magical potential.  Affects the maximum Spell Points. 
  * **[[characters:cha|Charisma]]** ("CHA") -  measures social and leadership abilities.  Affects the prices when buying and selling items. 

Primary stats have a "natural" range between 0 and ~20. The actual upper limit on each primary stat is set by the chosen character class (see character classes.) You can raise your primary stats by drinking potions up to your class natural limit. 

As for which stat is the most important - many would say Constitution.  One can never have enough Hit Points, and survival is a key aspect of they game.

=== 3.1.2 What do the other stats mean? ===

The [[:characters#Secondary stats|secondary stats]] are: 

  * **score** - The total accumulated experience of the character. score is increased as a reward for appropriate player action and may decrease as a result of a magical attack or character death. The score starts at a value of 0. 
  * **level** - A rating of overall ability whose value is determined from the score. As the level of the character increases, the character becomes able to succeed at more difficult tasks. level starts at a value of 0 and may range up beyond 100. The value of the stat which appears in the stat window is sometimes known as the overall level. 
  * **hit points** ("Hp") - Measures of how much damage the player can take before dying. Hit points are determined from the player level and are influenced by the value of the character CON. Hp value may range between 1 to beyond 500 and higher values indicate a greater ability to withstand punishment. 
  * **mana** ("Sp") - Measures of how much "fuel" the player has for casting incantations. Mana is calculated from the character level and the value of the character POW. Mana values can range between 1 to beyond 500. Higher values indicate greater amounts of mana. 
  * **grace** ("Gr") - How favored the character is by the [[gods]]. In game terms, how much divine magic a character can cast. Character level, WIS and POW effect what the value of grace is. During play, grace values may exceed the character maximum; grace can take on large positive and negative values. Positive values indicate favor by the gods. 
  * **weapon class** ("Wc") - How skilled the characters melee/missile attack is. Lower values indicate a more potent, skilled attack. Current   weapon, user level and STR are some things which effect the value of Wc. The value of Wc may range between 25 and -72.  
  * **damage** ("Dam") - How much damage a melee/missile attack by the character will inflict. Higher values indicate a greater amount of damage will be inflicted with each attack. 
  * **armour class** ("Ac") - How protected the character is from being hit by any attack. Lower values are better. Ac is based on the character class and is modified by the DEX and current armour worn. For characters that cannot wear armour, Ac improves as their level increases. 
  * **armour** ("Arm") - How much damage will be subtracted from successful hits made upon the character. This value ranges between 0 to 99%.   Current armour worn primarily determines Arm value. 
  * **speed** - How fast the player may move. The value of speed may range between nearly 0 ("very slow") to higher than 5 ("lightning fast"). Base speed is determined from the DEX and modified downward proportionally by the amount of weight carried which exceeds the Max Carry limit. The armour worn also sets the upper limit on speed. 
  * **attack speed** - Appears in parentheses after the speed in the stat window. This quantity is how many attacks the player may make per unit of time. Higher values indicate faster attack speed. Current weapon (specifically, weapon speed - which you want to be a __low__ number) and user DEX effect the value of attack speed. 
  * **food** - How full the character's stomach is. Ranges between 0 (starving) and 999 (satiated). At a value of 0 the character begins to die. Some magic can speed up or slow down the character digestion. Healing wounds will speed up digestion too.
 
=== 3.1.3 Which race and class is best? ===

The official website has a entire page [[http://crossfire.real-time.com/guides/character/recommendations.html | Race & Class Recommendations]] designated to answering this question, but it's also summarized here.

Recommendations for selecting a race & class before starting

The big question, "I'm new. Which race and class should I play?"

Selecting a compatible race and class combination can make the difference between repeat & numerous deaths or level progression/accomplishments and a positive "newbie" experience.

This guide is to help you pick a compatible race and class combination with a summary as to why. Or for those seeking a challenge - a combination that may prove enjoyable in a different way.

NOTE: This guide is meant to provide someone who is new to Crossfire the best starting chance to the path of success.

The "safest" combination of race(s) & classes to start out with and learn how to play are:

  * Human paladin or warrior
  * Half-orc warrior
  * Northman warrior

Why?

  - The stat bonuses. Half-orcs and Northman favor the fighter class, but provide an initial penalty to the spell casting classes (which includes prayers). The human has no stat modifiers, but does not have penalties either.
  - No spell path restrictions. These races and classes do not have restrictions on spell access *until* your character selects a god/cult to follow or worship.
  - Neither race or class has any restrictions on equipment or other gear. They can wield or use any weapon and armour. Once again, which cult/god your character chooses to worship will have an affect on this.
  - Neither race or class makes you vulnerable to any particular attack type such as fire for a wraith or troll, etc. This can be a hard learning curve when first starting out.

Also, when starting out, it's easiest to learn how to play Crossfire as one of the warrior/fighter classes. The core skills (movement coordination, attack strategies, map & level progression) apply to all classes, but have a shorter learning curve with the "melee" classes. Learning and using spells (especially offensive spells) is a step up from these core skills. After all, once the spell caster runs out of grace or spell points - they are going to have to fight their way out to safety.

=== 3.1.4 How do I save my position? ===

Whenever I use the save command it seems to work fine but when I quit the gave the player is deleted! What gives?
 
The save command is to provide an emergency backup in case of a game crash. To save your player at the end of your game session you must find a "Bed to reality" and  move your player over it and apply it ("A"). These beds can usually be found in the inns and taverns dotted around the maps (especially in cities). This prevents you just saving anywhere and forces you to finish what you are doing and return somewhere safe. 

=== 3.1.5 When will my player advance a level? ===

Your player will advance when his score reaches the following values for the first 10 levels: 

|^Level ^Exp |
| Level 1 | 0| 
| Level 2| 2000 |
| Level 3| 4000 |
| Level 4| 8000 |
| Level 5| 16000 |
| Level 6| 32000 |
| Level 7| 64000 |
| Level 8| 125000 |
| Level 9| 250000 |
| Level 10| 500000 |

Visit the [[http://crossfire.real-time.com/exp.html|Experience Table]] page to see a complete list of required experience for levels 1 to 110 using both the Classic System and Harder/Metalforge System.
 
=== 3.1.6 Help! I keep dying, what should I do?  ===

**TIPS on SURVIVING** 

Crossfire is populated with a wealth of different monsters. These monsters can have varying immunities and attack types. In addition, some of them can be quite a bit smarter than others. It will be important for new players to learn the abilities of different monsters and learn just how much it will take to kill them. This section discusses how monsters can interact with players. 

Most monsters in the game are out to mindlessly kill and destroy the players. These monsters will help boost a player's score, after he kills them. When fighting a large amount of monsters in a single room, attempt to find a narrower hallway so that you are not being attacked from all sides. Charging into a room full of Beholders for instance would not be wise, instead, open the door and fight them one at a time. 

For beginners, there are several maps designed for them. Find these areas and clear them out. All throughout these levels, a player can find signs and books which they can read by stepping onto them and hitting 'A' to apply the book/sign. These messages will help the player to learn the system. 

One more note, always keep an eye on your food. If your food drops to zero, your character will soon die, so BE CAREFUL! 

**NPCs** 

Non Player Character are special monsters which have "intelligence." Players may be able to interact with these monsters to help solve puzzles and find items of interest. To speak with a monster you suspect to be a NPC, simply move to an adjacent square to them and push the double-quote, ie. ". Enter your message, and press . You can also use 'say if you feel like typing a little extra. 

Other NPCs may not speak to you, but display intelligence with their movement. Some monsters can be friendly, and may attack the nearest of your enemies. Others can be "pets" in that they follow you around and help you in your quest to kill enemies and find treasure. 

**SPECIAL ITEMS** 

There are many special items which can be found in Crossfire, of these the most important may be the signs. 

  * **Signs** - Signs often have messages that might clue you in on quests and puzzles or even refer you to NPCs. It is your job as a player to make sure you read every sign to make sure you do not miss things. 
  * **Handles and Buttons** - These items can often be manipulated to open up new areas of the map. In the case of handles, all a player must do is apply the handle. In the case of buttons, the player must move items over the button to "hold" it down. Some of the larger buttons may need very large items to be moved onto them, before they can be activated. 
  * **Gates and locked doors** - Gates are often tied to a handle or button and can only be opened by manipulating the the handle/button. Doors that are locked can either be smashed down by attacking the door or by using keys which can be found throughout the game. 
  * **Pits** - Pits can be doorways to new areas of the map too, but be careful, for you could fall down into a pit full of ghosts or dragons and not be able to get back out. 
  * **Break away walls** - Are a common occurrence in Crossfire. These type of walls can be "destroyed" by attacking them. Thus, sometimes it may be worth a player's time to test the walls of a map for "secret doors." 
  * **Fire walls** - Will shoot missiles at players. Some firewalls can be destroyed others cannot. 
  * **Directors and Spinners** - These odd items will change the direction of any item flying over them, such as missile weapons and spells. 

CAUTION: Some items are perishable.
 
If for instance you shoot a fireball into a room full of scrolls, you will notice them going up in smoke! So be careful not to destroy valuable items. 

  * **Books/scrolls** - This is how players can obtain magical spells, sometimes a player can learn the spell, other times they cannot. There are many, many different types of books and scrolls out there. 
  * **Wands/Rings** - Again many different types, rings can be worn to add/remove different immunities. 
  * **Artifacts** - These are the real treasures of the game.
  * **Weapons/Armor** - Tons of items, it is up to you as the player to figure out which work better then others. 

=== 3.1.7 How do I use a container? ===

A container is a generic term for a bag, chest, keyring, quiver, pouch, chest, etc. Here is how you interface with such a container:

Middle click or apply the container - that will make it active, meaning any and all items that are picked up will be inserted in the container. The text //active// will appear next to the container icon in your inventory.

Middle click or apply the container again - this will open the container and display all the items that are currently in the container.  The text //open// will then appear next to the container icon in your inventory. Right click on each of the items in the container to remove them (as in place them back in your regular inventory.)

Middle click or apply the container yet again - this will close the container and "hide" all the contents of the container from your inventory window, freeing up display space.

Basically, as you middle click or apply the container it will go from closed -> active -> open -> closed.

  * This is incorrect, at least for GTK1 windows client - middle click will cycle closed -> active -> open -> active. To close, you must click on the 'close' button at the bottom of the inventory window.

=== 3.1.8 How come items won't stack into a single pile? ===

Take for instance, you have 5 longswords but they appear in multiple piles such as 3 longswords and 2 longswords.

There are multiple reasons why items may not initially stack into a single pile.  Some of the items may be cursed (or worse) or magical and so they stand out - this should be a nice hint for you.  

Other times, the items will not stack for non-obvious reasons.  Some ways around this is to pick up all the items in question and then drop them again - did they merge into a single pile that time?

Sometimes leaving all the items in a pile on (for instance) the floor of your apartment can help the stack to merge.  This may take a while though.

While such an issue can be annoying, the items in question are all valid items and not something that requires immediate DM intervention to resolve or investigate.

=== 3.1.9 How do I identify items? ===

There are multiple methods to identify items.  They include:

  * **skills**
    A character can learn skills which allows one to identify items and in some cases craft items too (ie, blacksmithing lets one craft armour at a forge.)  These skills are either granted to a character due to their race or class.  Other skills can be learned by successfully reading a skill scroll.  Regardless of how these skills are acquired, the easiest method is to bind all of them to a single key stroke.  Here's the list:

 use_skill sense magic;use_skill sense curse;use_skill literacy;use_skill alchemy;use_skill smithery;use_skill woodsman;use_skill bowyer;use_skill jeweler;use_skill thaumaturgy

Note: The skills are limited as to what they will identify.  For instance, thaumaturgy will ID rods, staffs and wands but will not work on (for instance) bows, armour, books, potions, et al.

  * **spells**
    The sorcery spell known as identify allows one to use the spell on any and all unidentified items.  There are also scrolls of the spell, Identify which works the same way.  There is also a rod, which is part of a quest, that will also invoke the identify spell.  Higher level casting of the spell will identify more items per casting.

Note: Unlike the skills, identify magic will work on any and all unidentified items.

  * **tables**
    Some (okay, nearly all) magic shops contain Identify Tables that will identify the top most unidentified item in your inventory stack -- for a price.  It is a fixed cost per item and can very quickly add up.  The table will identify cursed items, non-magical items and magical items.  It is entirely possible to spend your hard earned fortune to identify items only to sell them to a shop and not make any profit.

=== 3.1.10 Why am I losing one point of food every second? ===

When you’re restoring spell points (SP), grace or hit points (HP), your food consumption increases. Items that are +Regeneration also increase food consumption rate.

=== 3.1.11 How do I equip/unequip or lock items? ===

Middle click an item to put it to use.  Middle clicking a scroll will read the scroll.  Middle clicking a weapon will wield the weapon (or display a message about why you can't wield the weapon.) Middle clicking a food item will eat or consume the food item. 

Locked items can not be dropped accidentally, to lock an item shift & left click on it. To unlock the item, shift & left click on the item again.  Items that are locked will show an asterisk (*) next to it in your inventory.

=== 3.1.12 Is there any way to copy and paste text in the GTK client? ===

Yes. You can copy and paste in the command line (aka, the text input box.) To copy text from the information windows (such as the chat window), select it, then middle click on the command line, and the text will be copied to the command line. This is the case with the GTK clients for *nix and MS Windows(tm).

=== 3.1.13 How do I pick up or drop a certain number of items instead of the whole stack? ===

Sometimes there may be a stack of items on the ground or in one's inventory, and it is desirable to pickup or drop a specific number of items instead of all of them.  Before using the mouse or a command to manipulate the stack of items, specify how many by entering the number in the "Count" spin-button control found in various clients.

For a command-line equivalent:

  'get 10 platinum

==== 3.2 Advanced Questions ====

=== 3.2.1 How do I create my own magical weapons? ===

This is done via a series of scrolls that you may find or buy in shops. The procedure is done in following steps:
  - "Mark" the weapon you want to enchant by either shift & middle clicking on it or 'mark <weapon_name> (ie, 'mark long sword)
  - Use (as in read) the **Prepare Weapon** scroll (by middle clicking on the scroll) to lay a magic matrix on your weapon, see the details, below, on how to use diamonds as a requirement for preparing the weapon 
  - Then use any of the other enchantment scrolls (listed below) to add enchantments you want

Note that some of these scrolls will also require a "sacrifice" to be made when they are read. To sacrifice an object just stand over it when you read the weapon scroll. 

Scrolls for weapon enchantment are:
 
  * **Prepare weapon** - Diamonds are required for the sacrifice. The item can be enchanted the square root of the number of diamonds sacrificed. Thus, if 100 diamonds are sacrificed, the weapon can have 10 other enchant scrolls read. 
  * **Improve damage** - There is no sacrifice. Each scroll read will increase the damage by 5 points, and the weight by 5 kilograms. 
  * **Lower (Improve) Weight** - There is no sacrifice. Each scroll read will reduce the weight by 20%. The minimum weight a weapon can have is 1 gram. 
  * **Enchant weapon** - This does not require any sacrifices, and increases the magic by 1. 
  * **Improve Stat** (ie, Strength, Dexterity, etc) - The sacrifice is the potion of the same type as the ability to be increased (ie, Improve Strength requires strength potions). The number of potions needed is the sum of all the abilities the weapon presently gives multiplied by 2. The ability will then be increased by 1 point. Thus, if a sword is Int +2 and Str +2, then 8 potions would be needed to raise any stat by one point. But if the sword was Int +2, Str +2, and Wis -2, then only 4 potions. A minimum of 2 potions will be needed. 

WARNING: Something to keep in mind before you start enchanting like crazy - you will add to the item power of the weapon with each enhancement.  It is entirely possible to enchant the weapon above your level and you won't be able to use it!

=== 3.2.2 How do I enchant Armour? ===

Enchantment of armour is achieved with the Enchant Armour scrolls.  Each time you successfully use a scroll, you will add a plus (+1) value and reduce the item some fractional amount of weight. 

You may only add enchantments up to the max allowed in the server's config.h (#define ARMOR_MAX_ENCHANT) file.  By default, this is +5.

=== 3.2.3 How does encumbrance work? ===

Armour, weapons, shields will encumber a wizard and cause spell  failure. Light equipment causes no failure at all whereas heavy equipment causes mondo failures. 

The reasoning is that the bulkiness of objects, not their weight exactly, is what causes failures. So the basic idea of encumbrance is that items get in the way more than they weigh down. Unfortunately, our only measure of "getting in the way" was the weight. 

Encumbrance points are tallied only from applied objects. Weapons  give 3x their weight in kg in encumbrance points. Shields give 1/2 their weight in kg in encumbrance points. Armour gives its weight in encumbrance points. 

There's an allowance of encumbrance points which all players get before they start losing incantations, this was about 35-45, not too much.
 
The formula works like this: You make a roll of 1-200. You compare it to a failure threshold. This threshold is: encumbrance + 
incantationlevel - caster level - 35 

For example, lets say a 4th level wizard is casting a 5th level incantation . The wizard is wearing plate mail (100 kg), a 20 kg shield and wielding a 15 kg weapon. His encumbrance is 100 + 10 + 45 = 155. Thus, his threshold for failure is 155 + 5 - 4 = 156 or just about 3/4 failure rate. 

There is no special bonuses for using magical equipment, although, it is clear that magical armour and weapons make things better through their weight. 

Some items will have numerical values such as +1, +2, +3, etc. trailing their names. These magic values indicate that the item  is enchanted, and in some way may be better or (if the value is negative) worse than ordinary run of the day items of its kind. 

=== 3.2.4 How does partial resistance (pr) work? ===

Partial Resistance (pr) is how much damage will be subtracted from successful hits made upon the character by the listed attacktype. For non damaging attacktypes, the resistance value affects saving throw and reduces duration. Higher values are better.

=== 3.2.4.1 Why don't the partial resistance (pr) values add up correctly? ===

Partial resistance uses the following formula:
  * resistance given by item = missing points to 100 * item's percentage

So if you have 20% resist cold, and wear a ring 50%, you get ( 100 - 20 ) * 50% = 40 points more, that is 60% cold resist.
Or, with 45% resist fire, a 60% resist fire ring would give ( 100 - 45 ) * 60% = 33, for a total of 78% fire resist.

A potion will on the other hand grants 90 or 95% total.

The only way to have immunity is thus to have straight 100%

Penalties cap your maximum resistance. Thus, if you have -30 modifier (race, item, cult, etc.) the max resistance you can obtain is 70. If it's -100, your max is 0.

=== 3.2.5 How does regeneration of hit/spell/grace points work? ===

Hit Points are slowly regenerated over time at a cost of Food Points. Items that are +Regeneration increase Hit Point Regeneration. Note, higher Regeneration rates cause faster Food Point consumption.

Spell Point regeneration is usually hindered by heavy equipment (such as all forms of armour, shields, and some weapons.) Identified items will list a value of "Spell regen penalty <value>" Items that are +Magic increase Spell Point Regeneration.

Grace Points are regenerated by the character actively praying. It is possible to obtain as much twice the normally allowed Grace Points by praying on an altar of the character's chosen god.

Certain races and classes can also tweak hit point and spell point regeneration rates.

=== 3.2.6 Why do I still take damage despite my partial resistance? ===

Certain attacks (spells, weapons, monsters, et al.) have more then one attack_type. For instance, Comet has the attack_types of Physical, Fire and Weaponmagic. Now, lets say your character gets hit by the Comet spell. Your character has a Armour score of 70 (30% of the Physical damage still get's through) You're wearing Dragon Mail +3 (allows for 40% resistance to Fire, so 60% of the damage gets through) but you have no protection from Weaponmagic - so you take 100% of the damage from that. For simplicity, if the Comet spell is capable of 100 points of damage, your character would lose 100 life points. 

What if you had resistance to Weaponmagic as well?

Then the whatever damage that would effect you the most would apply minus Partial Resistance.

=== 3.2.7 What is item_power? ===

See the [[dev:objects#item_power_item_power|item power field]].

=== 3.2.8 How does an Improvement Potion work? ===

As your character gains levels in various skills, they also receive a random number of health points (1-4), spell points (1-3), and grace (1-3.) As you can see, it is possible to only gain 1 point in each category when you level. By consuming multiple Improvement Potions, eventually those 1's will become 2's; 2's will become 3's and so on. Once you are Perfect (you will see this message after drinking 24 Improvement Potions), all these random numbers will be maxed out. Essentially, Improvement Potions allow you a second chance at "better numbers."

=== 3.2.9 How does shared or party experience work? ===

Party or shared experience works like this; The server creates a number of "shares" which is the total overall levels of every player in the party, plus 4 for each player. Then the experience is divided up by how many "shares" each group member adds to the total number. That means the experience of the monster has to be at least the sum of the party member levels added together plus 4 * N, where N is the number of members in the party.

Example:
(Level 109 + Level 11 = 120) + (4 (for the level 109 character) + 4 (for the level 11 character)) = 128; the party needs to kill monsters worth at least 128 XP in order to gain experience

If the monsters that the group is killing give too little (or low) experience to start with, rounding might cause you to be getting no experience.

Also remember that all members of the party need to be on the same map in order to "share" experience.

=== 3.2.10 What happens to Attuned, Repelled and Denied spellpaths work when I am wearing an item that grants Attunement? ===

FIXME - need to check for accuracy, update for clarity

Wearing multiple items that make you Attuned to a specific spell path do not stack.  Simply stated, you are Attuned -- there is no double Attuned, triple Attuned, etc.  The Attuned property only applies once.

Wearing items that make you Attuned and another item that is Repelled to the same spell path balance each other out.  You have "normal" access to that spell path.  Wearing yet another Attuned item will **not** make you Attuned to the spell path.  The Attuned property only applies once -- which is "against" the Repelled.

Any time you are Denied to a spell path, there is nothing that you can wear that will allow you to cast spells from that path.  Basically, Denied always over rules Attuned.

=== 3.2.11 How do I uncurse an item? ===

The scrolls of **Remove Curse** allows you to remove or unwear an item that is cursed, only if you have accidently worn or used said item.  It will not remove the cursed property of an item in your inventory or on the ground.

To remove the curse property of an item, certain conditions must be met.  

  - You need to follow a god or cult that grants Remove Curse (Devourers is the only cult that does not do this)
  - You need to be a sufficient level in praying to have your god/cult grant remove curse 
  - You need to pray on the cult/god altar for some amount of time (depends on praying level, luck, god/cult in question and persistence) for this to work -- this can range from a few seconds to several minutes.

Remove curse works on any and all items - from weapons to potions.  Make sure you have the cursed item in your inventory while praying on the altar though.

=== 3.2.12 How does a Potion of Life work? ===

A consumed Potion of Life restores lost or depleted stats (Str, Dex, Con, et al) due to player death or monster/weapon attack.  The potion *only* restores lowered stats - not experience.

How a Potion of Life works has now changed (2007-Apr-20; server r6071 for trunk and r6072 for branch). There are different types or kinds of Potion of Life.

  * Minor Potion of Life (New) 
  * Medium Potion of Life (New) 
  * Major Potion of Life (New) 
  * Supreme Potion of Life (the "old" potion) 

Which one you need (to restore depleted stats) depends on your character's overall level.

Summary:

If you are level 6 or higher, a Minor Potion of Life will not work on you.\\ 
If you are level 31 or higher, a Medium Potion of Life and a Minor Potion of Life will not work.\\
If you are Level 51 or higher, only a Supreme Potion of Life will work for you.\\

 
Summary, from a different perspective: 
 
| Character Level | What potions will work for you |
| Level 1-5 | All potions |
| Level 6-30 | Medium Potion of Life , Major Potion of Life and Supreme Potion of Life | 
| Level 31-50 | Major Potion of Life and Supreme Potion of Life |
| Level 51+ | Supreme Potion of Life (only) |

=== 3.2.13 What attacketypes stack between bows and arrows? ===

Magical attacktypes from a bow will only apply to non-magical arrows. 

For instance, Arrows of Fire (attacktype: fire) with a Bow of Thunder (attacktypes: slow, paralyze) will only result in fire damage.

=== 3.2.14 How does lifesaving (i.e., Amulet of Lifesaving) work? ===

The item with the lifesaving property needs to be worn by your character.  When your character reaches 0 (zero) hit points, the item immediately casts the heal spell on you, thus restoring your hit points to full health. At this time, the item is also consumed.  Meaning, it only works once.   

=== 3.2.15 How do I access my command history? ===

Use the command ‘bind prevkey’ and then press the key that you wish to use to access your command history.  This is just like the up arrow under most command line interfaces (CLI)

=== 3.2.16 Where can I get blank spell scrolls? ===

You erase the writing and runes on existing scrolls by dipping them in a fountain.

Stand on any of the many fountains found within the game world. Use the mark (shift & middle click) command to specify the scrolls or stack of scrolls. Then use the dip ('dip) command to erase one of the scrolls. Repeat as necessary.

=== 3.2.17 Where do I get blank scrolls and books for taking notes? ===

You find them. You can write in scrolls that aren’t blank, but you can’t erase what is already written in a scroll. The library in northeast Scorn is a good place to find them.

=== 3.2.18 Where do I find a literacy scroll? ===

Post office sells them, so does Scorn library.

==== 3.3 Monster Problems ====

=== 3.3.1 How do I kill vampires? (or other, tough monsters) ===

How do I kill these suckers? Stakes don't touch them when wielded. 

Lightning, firebolt, burning hands, holy word, these spells work very nicely if you have enough spellpoints. Especially holy word, the 
vampire is sometimes running away. 

I dunno what the deal with stakes is. I honestly think you're better off with some artifact weapon such as Darkblade or Demonbane. 

I was zapping one vampire with my rod of firebolt and my rod of  small lightning for ages, and he just wasn't going down! Do I need to be 
more patient? They don't have THAT many hps though, at least, according to the spoilers... 

You will never kill a vampire with rods. A wand might do it. Vampires have a high constitution, and HEAL QUICKLY. You've gotta pour a large damage/time into the vampire quickly, via spells, or you'll never kill him. 

Rods take too long to regenerate, you can't cause damage fast enough with one. 

=== 3.3.2 I'm using the skill/ability Stealth, why do monster still detect me? ===

Player presence causes monsters to go from "sleep mode" to "attack mode." Each monster has a specified zone or (square shaped) radius that when a player enters, it will cause the monster switch modes. So, you want to be as far away from a monster as you can when you try to get past them using Stealth - which could be very difficult in a hallway that is only 3 squares wide...

Technical Note: The monster's WIS score determines how close a player needs to be before the creature wakes up. This is done as a square, for reasons of speed. Thus, if the wisdom is 11, any player that moves within the 11x11 square of the monster will wake the monster up. If the player has stealth, the size of this square is reduced in half plus 1.

==== 3.4 Solving Maps ====

=== 3.4.1 I'm on the starting map, what do I do now? ===

You should be in a city square with a few sign posts in the middle. Move over the signs and apply them ("a") to read what they say.  Other suggestions and ideas can be found in the Crossfire [[http://crossfire.real-time.com/guides/handbook/|Handbook]]. 

==== 3.4 Technical Problems ====

=== 3.4.1 Why is everything so slow or why am I lagging so badly? ===

Check the following:

  * Make sure your character is _not_ encumbered or heavily burdended. 
  * Check your movement speed (4th line down in the client stat area), it shows up as Speed: and you want those numbers to be high (greater then 1.0)
  * Check your Strength score and make sure you haven't lost any stats from death or monster attacks.
  * If you are still lagging and if no one else is lagging, then start troubleshooting your network connection.

===== Chapter 4 - Server Questions =====

==== 4.1 How do you start a server and also how do people play in that same game? ====

To start a server run:

<code>crossfire-server</code>

There are a number of options you can pass to this which you may find useful, pass ''-h'' to see the full list of these

if your server is intended to be public, then look at the metaserver section below for how to announce your server to clients. If you only want your server to be used privately, then give the ip address or hostname to the other players you want to permit to join.

To start a new client run: 

<code>crossfire-client-gtk2</code>

Then choose your server from the metaserver list (if it is a public server) or enter the hostname/ip address (if it is not) you may also use the server option to bypass the metaserver list, eg

<code>crossfire-client-gtk2 -server localhost</code> will connect directly to a server running on localhost

==== 4.2 Has the server been ported over to Windows? ====

 Yes.

SVN sources compiled under Windows, executable is here:
 [[http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=13833&package_id=99312]]

==== 4.3 How do I get my server listed in the metaserver? ====

===Original Metaserver===

After you installed your server, there is a file called ''settings'' in the ''share'' folder with the following settings: 

  * metaserver_notification off
  * metaserver_server crossfire.real-time.com
  * metaserver_host put.your.hostname.here
  * metaserver_port 13326
  * metaserver_comment Put a comment here 

Update the file with the following: 

  * metaserver_notification **on**
  * metaserver_server crossfire.real-time.com
  * metaserver_host **put.your.hostname.here**
  * metaserver_port 13326
  * metaserver_comment **Put a comment here**
 
Be sure to update the **host** and **comment** fields with the relevant information 

===Metaserver 2===

FIXME Add [[http://crossfire.real-time.com/metaserver2/meta_html.php|Metaserver 2 listing]] requirements.

After the server is installed and as needed, modify the following entries in the ''metaserver2'' file found in the ''share'' folder: 

  * metaserver2_notification off
  * metaserver_server crossfire.real-time.com
  * localhostname put.your.hostname.here
  * #portnumber 13327
  * html_comment Put a comment here 
  * text_comment Put a comment here
  * archbase Standard
  * mapbase Standard
  * codebase Standard
  * #flags

Update the file with the following: 

  * metaserver_notification **on**
  * metaserver_server http://crossfire.real-time.com/metaserver2/meta_update.php
  * localhostname **put.your.hostname.here (or IP address)**
  * portnumber **port number the server is listening on**
  * html_comment **Put a comment here**
  * text_comment **Put a comment here**
  * archbase **Single-word arch description.**  "Standard" is reserved for unmodified SVN.
  * mapbase **Single-word maps description.**  "Standard" is reserved for unmodified SVN.
  * codebase **Single-word code description.**  "Standard" is reserved for unmodified SVN.
  * flags **Server flag(s) as described in the file**
 
Be sure to update all fields with relevant information.  

==== 4.4 What port does Crossfire run on? ====

Crossfire needs TCP port 13327 open

Metaserver needs TCP port 13326 open

==== 4.5 How can I tell what version a server is running using Metaserver info? ====

Check the website for any of the available metaservers. In the Version column, you will see information such as:

  1.12-beta-r17660M 
  
  Or
  
  v1.75.0-1046-gc8d4b6
 
The first set of digits relates to the tagged release (i.e., 1.12 or 1.75.0)

The middle number of informationi (i.e. 1046) includes a commit number. FIXME - This is the number of commits since the tagged version release. That way the versions can still be sorted in chronological order

The last string of text indicates a subversion (marked with a 'r') commit (i.e. r17660M) while the letter 'g' indicates a git commit (i.e, gc8d4b6). Note: The project is no longer using subversion

To look up the specific git commit related to that version, exclude the letter 'g' from your search.
So release gc8d4b6 would be commit [[https://sourceforge.net/p/crossfire/crossfire-server/ci/c8d4b6aabeb3d9ef5b982bbc13b8b404f1269b0c/|c8d4b6]]

==== 4.6 Why when I try to launch the server, I see a message about the port already in use? ====

Check to see if the server is already running with this command:

  ps aux | grep cross

If you installed the server using one of the many distro specific packages, that will automatically start the server once the install is complete. 

===== Chapter 5 - Maintenance Questions =====

==== 5.1 How do I balance up the spells? ==== 

You need to edit the spell_params file in your libdir. Have a look in the file Crossfire/doc/spell_params.doc for more information. 

==== 5.2 How do I delete my character?? ====

Typing 'quit will permanently delete your character. This command works in all clients. With the GTK Client you can also select File -> Quit Character.


==== 5.3 How do I modify permanent experience or experience lost due to death? ====

IMPORTANT: Making this changes requires the server to be recompiled!

This change is made at the server level and requires admin access and other security rights on the server to do so.

Find the file called **settings** (located in lib/settings) and change //permanent_experience_percentage 50// to //permanent_experience_percentage 100// - This means Permanent Experience is now at 100%.  Which means no levels should be lost upon player death.  The attack type drain still causes a player to lose experience and levels though. 

Now find the file called **config.h** (located in include/) and change //#define PERM_EXP_GAIN_RATIO 0.50f// to //#define PERM_EXP_GAIN_RATIO 1.00f// and change //#define PERM_EXP_MAX_LOSS_RATIO 0.50f// to //#define PERM_EXP_MAX_LOSS_RATIO 0.00f//

Recompile the server for this change to go in to place.  Launch the server per normal methods.   

===== Chapeter 6 - Contact Questions =====

==== 6.1 What methods exist for contacting the members of the crossfire development team or playing community? ====

There are several approaches you can use, and which will be most appropriate will depend on the type of thing you are asking and who is able to respond, these are:

  * IRC
  * [[http://crossfire.real-time.com/discord/index.html|Discord channel]]
  * Mailing Lists
  * Web Forum
  * Sourceforge Tracker
  * <Mechanism for contacting dms on your server>

==== 6.2 The Crossfire IRC Channel ====

Crossfire development discussion takes place on the #crossfire channel on irc.freenode.org
If you are new to IRC Channels, then you will need to get an IRC client and use it to connect to the freenode server then 'join' #crossfire.

It would also be worth your while reading a [[http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/new2irc.html|guide to IRC]]

Note that the people who are active in this channel all live in different time zones, so there can be periods of several hours where nothing happens, if you have a question that doesn't get an immediate response, it may be too specialised for anyone who is currently active on the channel, so the mailing lists may be a better bet.

==== 6.3 The Crossfire Mailing Lists ====

There is the * [[http://mailman.metalforge.org/mailman/listinfo/crossfire|Crossfire Mailing List]] - when you see a reference to *the* mailing list, it means this one. This list is used for general discussion and questions, answers, and latest changes and updates. [[http://dir.gmane.org/gmane.games.crossfire.general|Gmane mirror]]

The Gmane mirrors hold the old messages to a list, and allow you to browse through them.

There are other mailing lists as well, which have more specific functions

  * [[http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/crossfire-maps|Crossfire Maps Discussion List]] - This list is for discussing issues related specifically to crossfire maps. [[http://dir.gmane.org/gmane.games.crossfire.maps|Gmane mirror]]

  * [[http://mailman.metalforge.org/mailman/listinfo/crossfire-announce|Crossfire Announcement List]] - This list is used to announce new versions of Crossfire. [[http://dir.gmane.org/gmane.games.crossfire.announce|Gmane mirror]]

  * [[http://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/crossfire-cvs|Crossfire SVN List]] - This list is used to announce SVN check-ins. [[http://dir.gmane.org/gmane.games.crossfire.cvs|Gmane mirror]]

Each list has it's own, unique email address to send messages to and can be found on the introduction or summary page found at the URLs above.

==== 6.4 The Crossfire Forum ====

The Crossfire forum can be found [[http://forum.metalforge.net/|here]]. The forum tends to contain less focused conversations than the mailing list, and is often closer to the IRC channel in character. Do note though that not all of the developers read the forum regularly, so if you have a technical question, then one of the other two options should be taken.

==== 6.5 Sourceforge Tracker ====

There are a number of trackers on the sourceforge project page, These are:

[[http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=13833&atid=113833|Bugs]]
[[http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=13833&atid=363833|Feature Requests]]
[[http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=13833&atid=313833|Patches]]
[[http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=13833&atid=213833|Support Requests]]

The tracker is a good place for putting complex information, but in many cases it is worth following up with a short post to the mailing list, especially if your title won't alert a particular developer that this tracker item is something they should look at.

===== Chapter 7 - Contributing to Crossfire =====

==== 7.1 How do I create my own map? ====

 Assuming you've read the Map Guide and know what to do (and as equally important - what not to do!) download Gridarta and follow the documentation in there. Feel free to send any questions to the Crossfire-Maps mailinglist, the web forum or stop by the Crossfire IRC channel for help. 
 

==== 7.2 How do I get my map into the official distribution? ====

After testing, announce that you've created a map intended for official distribution on the  Crossfire-Maps mailinglist. Depending on the (file) size of the map, a diff may be created and mailed directly to the list or other arrangements may be made to make the map accessible via FTP (like on Sourceforge, for instance.) 
 

==== 7.3 I have a new idea of a spell/monster/PC/NPC/etc. ====

Send your idea to the  Crossfire-List mailinglist or stop by the #crossfire IRC Channel. In the past, people have always wanted to see a graphical representation of new races/spells/ monsters/etc. before really discussing implementation. 
 
==== 7.4 I found a bug, what should I do? ====

Can you replicate it? If so, use the bug tracker at [[http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=13833&atid=113833]] 

If the bug is tough to track down, see if anyone else is experiencing something similar by sending an email to the Crossfire mailing list or by asking on the Crossfire IRC Channel or by posting on the Crossfire Forum.


==== 7.5 What are the requirements for creating new graphics? ====

See the [[:arch:Graphics Guide]] for information relating to Crossfire art.



==== 7.6 I've created some new graphics, how do I test them? ====

Client Side:
  * Save the files in the gfx folder.  Graphics in the gfx folder override images from the server.

Linux/Unix Server: 

  - First, put or link the "arch" directory into your crossfire source directory: ".../crossfire/lib/arch" 
  - Next, if you've never run the /crossfire/configure script before then do it now 
  - Then cd into ''.../crossfire/lib'' and enter ''make collect; make''
  - This should rebuild the arch and image archive-files for the server 
  - Last, reinstall the server: cd into ''.../crossfire'' and run ''make; make install''

Download the archetype definitions from the CVS in the server source directory '<crossfire-source>/lib/arch'.

Modify the picture files you want to change (or create new archetypes if you want to add additional objects to the game)

Then, go to the directory ''<crossfire-source>/lib'', do a ''make collect.pl && perl ./collect.pl arch'' (make sure you did the configure step before). This will collect all archetype from arch directory

Finally do a ''make && make install'', this will build the image collection files and install them in the crossfire install directory. And don't forget to restart the server.

===== Chapter 8 - Big World Map =====

==== 8.1 What is the Big World Map? ====

The "old" map scale allowed for easy travel from one side of the world to the other (in less then a minute, actually) and was getting rather crowded. After discussion on the mailing list, it was decided to increase the scale and update the layout of the current world map.  Now, the Big World map is referred to or used as the standard mapset (.

==== 8.2 Where can I find out more about the Big World Map?====

The SVN Directory at Sourceforge is:
[[http://crossfire.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/crossfire/maps/branches/1.x/]] 

Additional link information is available on the World Map page:
 [[http://crossfire.real-time.com/world_map/index.html]]

==== 8.3 How can I download the Big World Map? ====

Use the following SVN Checkout command:

 ''svn co https://svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/crossfire/maps''

===== 9 Technical Help =====

The best way to get help or assistance is to login to the Crossfire [[http://crossfire.real-time.com/irc/index.html|IRC]]] or [[http://crossfire.real-time.com/discord/index.html|Discord]] channel for assistance on problems, general questions, gameplay discussion or other game related topics.

==== 9.1 Client Help ====

=== GTKv2 Client - could not load main window ===

Just in case you encounter an issue like this with the Windows GTkv2 Client.

Error message is "could not load main window, check that your layout files are not corrupt"

The gtk2 client on windows stores those settings in the client.ini file.

  - Make sure you download again or have the original client .zip file available
  - Exit your client if you have not done so already
  - Navigate to C:\Users\username\appdata\local\crossfire
  - Delete the client.ini file
  - Unzip the client .zip file again
  - Launch the client and it should work again now
  - Adjust your settings again to restore your preferred layout and other options

=== GTKv2 Client - all entered commands appear in the message window ===

If you see messages such as:

   east
   east
   north
   use_skill literacy
   south
   west

And so on. 

The option to echo commands to the message window has been enabled.

To disable this function: In the client window, click on Edit -> Preference -> remove the check in front of Show sent commands in message window -> click Apply button

To enable this function: In the client window, click on Edit -> Preference -> place a checkin front of Show sent commands in message window -> click Apply button

=== GTkv2 and JXClient - verbose output when walking over items ===

If you encounter numerous lines of text output when walking over items such as:

  1 NEWMODE
  1 DEBUG
  0 INHIBIT
  0 STOP
  .....
  0 FLESH
  0 CONTAINER
  1 CURSED
 
You are running in debug pickup mode. 

To disable: 'pickup -debug

To enable: 'pickup +debug
==== 9.2 Server Help ====

=== What does it mean when you see a message about skipping time in the server log file? ===

Example: skipping time over by 106 ms

This message is normally informative. Usually it means that the server tick overshot the amount of time it was supposed to take to process. The most common cause is that a map had to be saved or loaded, and the whole server stalled while that happened.
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