# Candlebury's guide to building in multiple Z levels!
**URL:** https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708
**Category:** The Bunker
**Created:** [August 15, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708 "2013-08-15T21:32:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@John\_Candlebury](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/John_Candlebury)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/1 "2013-08-15T21:32:09Z")
Are you tired of being limited to a single Z level base? Really need to build that underground complex? Too impatient to wait for the devs to implement Z levels?
Wait no more! I proudly present my method for tunneling into the depths.
What do I need?
> The Debug Menu
> A cheaters attitude
So how do I do it
> Use the editor to create a downward stair/rope/ramp
> Create sinkhole trap
> Fall into sinkhole (may take several attempts of walking over the sinkhole)
> Edit upward stairs on the tile where you fell
> ???
> UNDERGROUND FORTRESS!!
Hope it hasn’t been posted before
---
### Author:  [@John\_Candlebury](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/John_Candlebury)
#### Post date: [August 17, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/2 "2013-08-17T01:31:26Z")
I think they are found in the extremely rare trapdoor spider burrows
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### Author:  [@KA101](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/KA101)
#### Post date: [August 17, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/3 "2013-08-17T03:41:08Z")
> [@John Candlebury](#):
>
> I think they are found in the extremely rare trapdoor spider burrows
They’re not unknown in swamps, either. That’s one of the nastier risks, as with those…you either have a 30’ rope and get lucky casting it…or Game Over! Press Spacebar…
---
### Author:  [@MarkB](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/MarkB)
#### Post date: [August 17, 2013, 9:37am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/4 "2013-08-17T09:37:48Z")
> [@John Candlebury](#):
>
> I think they are found in the extremely rare trapdoor spider burrows
Yeah, I managed to find one the other day - the trapdoor spider had cleverly positioned some soldier corpses in its web, which I looted. I was fine going in, but fell through on my way out.
Fortunately, it had left a climbable exit into another web.
---
### Author:  [@madoobler\_sauce](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/madoobler_sauce)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/5 "2013-08-18T02:47:53Z")
How exactly do I ‘create’ a sinkhole trap?
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### Author:  [@John\_Candlebury](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/John_Candlebury)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2013, 2:51am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/6 "2013-08-18T02:51:06Z")
Enter the debug menu, use the map editor, press “t” for traps, search for sinkhole.
> [@KA101](#):
>
> [quote=“John Candlebury, post:2, topic:2708”]I think they are found in the extremely rare trapdoor spider burrows
They’re not unknown in swamps, either. That’s one of the nastier risks, as with those…you either have a 30’ rope and get lucky casting it…or Game Over! Press Spacebar…[/quote]
And the reasons to never enter the swamps keep growing!
---
### Author:  [@Labtop\_215](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Labtop_215)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/7 "2013-08-18T03:59:13Z")
> [@madoobler\_sauce](#):
>
> How exactly do I ‘create’ a sinkhole trap?
You need a shovel clearly.
[size=1pt]And the menu tile editor.[/size]
---
### Author:  [@Aggrons\_shell](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Aggrons_shell)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/8 "2013-08-18T04:15:42Z")
> [@Labtop\_215](#):
>
> [quote=“madoobler\_sauce, post:5, topic:2708”]How exactly do I ‘create’ a sinkhole trap?
[size=1pt]And the menu tile editor.[/size][/quote]
Decoded \>:D
---
### Author:  [@Zireael](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zireael)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2013, 8:32am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/9 "2013-08-18T08:32:48Z")
I wish we had legitimate means to build a basement…
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### Author:  [@Iosyn](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Iosyn)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2013, 12:42pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/10 "2013-08-20T12:42:58Z")
> [@Zireael](#):
>
> I wish we had legitimate means to build a basement…
I wish more houses had basements. I’ve not seen any lately and I could use a stash of weed/arms/gear or whathaveyou right about now. Might want to think about tweaking the house basement spawnrate up a notch or three.
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### Author:  [@Zireael](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zireael)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2013, 12:56pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/11 "2013-08-20T12:56:28Z")
> [@Iosyn](#):
>
> [quote=“Zireael, post:9, topic:2708”]I wish we had legitimate means to build a basement…
I wish more houses had basements. I’ve not seen any lately and I could use a stash of weed/arms/gear or whathaveyou right about now. Might want to think about tweaking the house basement spawnrate up a notch or three.[/quote]
I’ve found a cool basement myself, lots of arms and ammo. I’ve made it my base.
---
### Author:  [@vivat](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/vivat)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2014, 7:03am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/12 "2014-08-14T07:03:45Z")
where to get right algorytm of building basement in the building?
which instruments do i need? what i need to do? step by step
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### Author:  [@Zireael](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zireael)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2014, 7:31am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/13 "2014-08-14T07:31:26Z")
I don’t think you can build a basement yet.
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### Author:  [@KA101](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/KA101)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2014, 8:15am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/14 "2014-08-14T08:15:38Z")
> [@Zireael](#):
>
> I don’t think you can build a basement yet.
It’s dangerous to dig alone! Take this.
KA101 hands Zireael and vivat each a Pickaxe, entrenching tool, hatchet, hammer, 8 2x4s, a long rope, and Construction 5
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### Author:  [@Arek\_PL](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Arek_PL)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2014, 9:07am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/15 "2014-08-14T09:07:07Z")
its possible to dig donwnstairs i entered sacrofagus by diging stairs near elevator (get ANBC suit before that or you will die) you need to read some books like bird house or home repairs
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### Author:  [@vivat](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/vivat)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2014, 9:28am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/16 "2014-08-14T09:28:06Z")
KA101 thanks 🙂
but which command i need? simply use pickaxe? or from Building menu (shift-8) i need some? exactly what i need except tools?
offtopic: LOL!!! i sometimes not may build correct phrases and use translator and that’s what he told me with a completely innocent translated russian phrase
"but most importantly, what I have to imagine a directive to command me to have sex in the middle of last appeared icon “\>” " :)))))))))))))))))))))
hmm. but none the less - what i need to say myself to have icon “\>” on the floor or my garage?
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### Author:  [@John\_Candlebury](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/John_Candlebury)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2014, 1:44pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/17 "2014-08-14T13:44:43Z")
A year and the thread is still going! Fabulous. 😃
Anyhow I still do this when building basements as I can’t be arsed enough to find pickaxes.
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### Author:  [@vivat](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/vivat)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2014, 2:11pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/18 "2014-08-14T14:11:03Z")
ooh c’mon!
not so long ago - only one year from the beginning.
the main thing - that is still valid.
🙂
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### Author:  [@FunsizeNinja123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/FunsizeNinja123)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/19 "2014-08-14T18:14:56Z")
Make pickaxes!
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### Author:  [@KA101](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/KA101)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708/20 "2014-08-14T21:40:40Z")
[quote=“vivat, post:16, topic:2708”]KA101 thanks 🙂
but which command i need? simply use pickaxe? or from Building menu (shift-8) i need some? exactly what i need except tools?
offtopic: LOL!!! i sometimes not may build correct phrases and use translator and that’s what he told me with a completely innocent translated russian phrase
"but most importantly, what I have to imagine a directive to command me to have sex in the middle of last appeared icon “\>” " :)))))))))))))))))))))
hmm. but none the less - what i need to say myself to have icon “\>” on the floor or my garage?[/quote]
Construction menu: “Dig Downstair” goes from z=0 to z-1, whereas “Mine Downstair” (needs a jackhammer rather than a pickaxe) goes from z-1 or lower. Skill 5 to dig and 6 to mine. You’re gonna be a while at it, though–it’s a several-hour project.
(Fabrication 7 needed to forge a pickaxe, Ninja, and it’s only in two books.)
[Next page](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/candleburys-guide-to-building-in-multiple-z-levels/2708.md?page=2)