Stockpile

A stockpile is needed to store resources. The dwarfs start each new world with one stockpile and after reaching the engineering tech, they can make additional ones.

All resources are kept inside them, and there is no functional distinction between them while storing material. Stockpiles need a space of 3 empty foreground blocks in a horizontal line. The 3 blocks just bellow it can be replaced by other materials, but not simply removed by digging.

Access
Usually dwarfs access the stockpile content by passing in front of any stockpile — the initial or any of the additional ones. Each dwarf can deposit up to 5 items and take only 1 item from the stockpile at a time.

"On the left you can see the resources in your stockpile. Let's craft some tools for your dwarves. Drag pieces of wood from the stockpile slot to the slot on the crafting table."

- Game tutorial about the inventory and the crafting table.

Instant access
There are some ways to avoid the trip to the stockpile.

Special items — Some items don't require the dwarfs to move to the stockpile to access them, like: EQUIPMENT:

AMMUNITION:

POTIONS:

"Dwarves get fishing rods from your stockpile by themselves when they have to catch fish."

- Inventory's description about the fishing rod.

The equipment are accessed instantly when the dwarf need to perform certain tasks, like collect water, fish and dive. The ammunition are accessed instantly whenever the dwarf uses his/her ranged weapon. And the potions are accessed directly only by mages in combat, or when a low health dwarf approaches him/her.

Items in the equipment menu — All items available in the equipment menu are accessed immediately, without requiring the dwarfs to move to any stockpile, they will require though (excepting those above mentioned) the player to open the equipment menu and handle each item him/herself. Follow this logic all armors, weapons, tools and skill items, as well as the following potions:

Direct control — Any dwarf, while being directly controlled by the player, will have instant access to any item existing in the inventory without having to move to a stockpile. It'll require the player to pick the chosen item at the quick bar to give the order, and if the wanted item isn't still in the quick bar, the player will need to open the inventory menu to move it to there. This kind of instant access unfortunately only allows to pick items from the stockpile, and never to put anything there.

Magic collect — To collect things instantly, the player have the option to use the spell.

Initial stockpile
The initial stockpile is established in the center of the map, just after the world is generated and it is not removable. Usually players build their fortress around this stockpile to avoid goblins stealing items from it. Also, the player will have only this stockpile until he/she reaches tier 10 of the tech tree, which may be considered very late game; so, better to keep access to it clean and safe.

"Great job! Now wait for the resources to be carried to the stockpile."

- Game tutorial, after a tree has been cut.

Main portal
The initial stockpile is the connection/returning point of all and.

Improved portal

 * See the main article: Improved Portal.

The initial stockpile may be upgraded to. It changes nothing to the stockpile mechanics, but allow the player to start a multiplayer match search.

Additional stockpile
Additional stockpiles are removable and disassemblable. In both process, removing it from where it has been placed or disassembling it at the crafting table, 1/3 of the resources used to build it will be lost.

Ghost attacks

 * See the main article: Ghost.

will seek for any kind of stockpiles to pick items from it and throw them to the ground, making them unavailable to use. And if there is any fossilized gargoyle, the ghost will throw it out. The stone piece will turn then into a. A may help to scare them.