Possible solution to professions

[YetiChow]

In most other rpg and sandbox/citybuilding games, you need to build tools before you can do most things (e.g. craft an axe before gathering wood). How do people feel about crafting basic tools such as a pickaxe, axe, shovel, hoe etc. They would be equipped like weapons (or maybe as well as weapons, although I'd prefer that townies either have a weapon or tool equipped), and if a townie has one then they would carry out the relevant orders (e.g. only townies with pickaxes mine unless there are no pickaxes available, in which case the current system is used).

This way you would be able to manage your tasks better without actually directly controlling the townies, and perhap get bonuses for better grade tools which speed up production.

Also, this would create a progession/evolution of sorts without confining players to a strict "tecnology tree". I don't like the idea of someone using their bear hands to tear down trees, dig iron ore and till fields - show me someone who can do any of these things in real life

[caprontos]

How do I get the materials to make the first tools?:P

But I don't know.. I like the idea someone made about giving them priorities that we could set different from the global one. I don't really want to see "Direct" control over townies. Soldiers are fine because.. Soldiers are suppose to just follow orders..

Civilians however need to be able to whatever. But as I said in the other topic like this.. I believe it is assumed all townies have all required tools.. Listen to the sounds they aren't using their hands.. There just isn't any animation for it yet.

[City Builder]

I think they way it *should* work is the following:

. When the game starts you see your Townies and a chest. Inside of the chest is a couple of necessary items, maybe 2 axes, a shovel, one or two hammers and some food.
. Since they are limited to having maybe only one axe, they'll need to create the work bench and make more axes, same for the shovel and hammers if you want more than one person to have them.

[kultrva]

I like the way it works in Dwarf Fortress: When you make a new map, you choose items to start with, each with point values associated with them and can take items up to the point cap.

This would be a good way to get tools working, maybe allow the player to take a couple axes, a couple pickaxes, some food, etc... when they start a new map, just enough stuff to get a settlement started.

[Military]

sword too! (or a big hulking sledge hammer)