Well quality

[martinuzz]

What determines well water quality? My first well, with low quality dowsing rod, and n00b skills, was q35, but now, I found 2 wells which have only q10..

[jorb]

Water quality points. Random invisible points that distribute water quality across the map on map generation. We're not too happy about the system either.

[martinuzz]

Is there much variation, or are there large areas with the same water quality?

[jorb]

Define "much"? Yes, there is a fair amount of variation. Large areas are Q10.

[martinuzz]

Yeah indeed, 'much' is a bit vague.
In this case I was wondering if it was any good to search the direct area (say, one area map) for more wells, or consider relocating my claim to an area with higher quality water.

[jorb]

Hmmm. Define "direct area" . I don't remember offhand the exact formulas for how far the points radiate Quality -- it involves a fair amount of random -- but basically they have an epicenter of max quality, from which Q radiates out. If you get water from say a river tile -- where a Q point has effect, obviously -- and then follow that river a few tiles, you should get the hang of it. Q decreases by a few points every other or third or fifth tile or so. If it's water you're after I'd probably suggest looking elsewhere. Note, though, that nothing prevents two Q points from affecting the same area, in which case the strongest/closest one will be used (IIRC).

[sabinati]

wells should offer an improvement over the q point, i.e. if the natural water q of a tile that a well is q50 the well would provide q60 water or whatever bonus you and loftar think makes sense.

[martinuzz]

Aye, thanks for that info. Makes sense.