One of the most frustrating aspects of digging is only having a 1 cell radius, and no visibility downward.
Dwarfs, being born from the Mountains, should have some level of geology skill.
This is a realistic, limited scope request which could probably be implemented and tested in a single afternoon.
Proposal:
- New designation, which causes a Geologist (either a new skill, or re-use other stone related skills) to go to the location and test the earth.
- The designation can only be placed on reachable visible tiles, and can include floor.
- Based on skill level, she will reveal blocks deeper into the stone without excavating. Skill determines how long this takes, using the same scale used for mining. Only reveals 2 tile radius in all directions (including up/down), regardless of skill level.
- If a vein is discovered, or a vein was designated, the whole vein has a chance to be revealed only for Legendary Geologists. Higher skill, better chance.
Bonus: If a Miner has Geology skill, while mining they have a chance to automatically reveal the extra radius.
This would significantly and positively impact gameplay strategy, without destabilizing the game (due to the time it takes to study the rock, and limited distance it works).
Additionally, the amount of code change required is probably very low (if existing skills are recycled for this purpose).
Unfortunately, The Almighty Toad will never read this thread, so unlikely to ever get implemented.
But hey, there it is.