Migrants are a key way of growing your colony and increasing your overall dwarf population.
In Dwarf Fortress, immigration is a common occurrence when people move into your main fortress. Migration waves are almost always good news, as they allow your civilization to grow.
However, if you’re not properly prepared for them by having enough food, water, or beds, you will run into some issues.
In this guide, I will explain all ways to attract migrants in Dwarf Fortress to help grow your colony in the early game.
Attract Migrants via Immigration Waves in Dwarf Fortress
Immigration occurs in waves. The first two waves will occur when first establishing an outpost and during the second spring, one year after embarking.
The first group will have anywhere between 2-10 migrants, while the second one will feature around 10-20. These numbers are fairly random and do not depend on your fortress’ growth.
Later immigration waves will have their numbers depend on your fortress’ wealth (as shown by the Caravan). Also, keep in mind that you can get migrants as long as your local population is below 200.
If it goes above that, you will stop getting new migrants.
Request Migrants from Holdings
While playing through the game, certain sites (known as holdings) will choose (or be forced to) become linked with your Fortress.
Players are able to select any of their linked holdings and request migrants from there.
To manage your holdings, open the Civilization and World Info tab (hotkey ‘h’) and you’ll notice various civilizations, each with its own symbol and color.
Select any of the holdings and hold ‘r’ to create a ‘request workers’ mission. Select the workers you want to request, then go back to the mission screen and assign a messenger to send your request.
Keep in mind that if your selected workers end up leaving the holding before your messenger arrives, the request won’t be successful.
Attract Migrants by Signing Petitions
Occasionally, you will receive petitions from single visitors or armies. While there are various types of petitions that you can receive, only one is directly related to attracting migrants.
Specifically, players can receive a petition for long-term residency from a passing visitor. In the petition, the visitor will mention their purpose of stay and won’t do any other labor other than what they’ve indicated.
The reasons for long-term residency are the following.
- Eradicating monsters
- Entertaining citizens and visitors
- Soldiering
- Study
These long-term visitors can apply for citizenship after living in the fort for two or more years. Then, and only then, players will be able to assign any labor to them.
Wrapping up
To sum up, that’s everything you need to know on how to attract migrants in Dwarf Fortress.
Migrants come via immigration waves, after being requested from holdings, or as long-term visitors after signing a petition.
As long as you’ve got enough supplies, migrants are a great way to quickly grow your population and make your empire thrive.
If you’re fairly new to the game, consider checking out our guide on how to get and use flux stones. They are an essential material for getting steel.
How many residents does your fortress have? What’s your go-to method for attracting migrants? Let us know in the comments below.
He has a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, which allows him to always come up with a fresh approach to solving in-game puzzles and challenges, but also to create content that’s to the point, clean and easy to follow.
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