Caves

Based on game build 722832 | Last updated: 2026-04-22

Overview

caves.lua defines multiple cave level preset configurations for survival mode world generation. It registers level definitions using AddLevel(), AddWorldGenLevel(), and AddSettingsPreset() functions. The file includes three distinct cave presets: DST_CAVE (standard), DST_CAVE_PLUS (enhanced resources), and TERRARIA_CAVE (cross-over themed). Platform-specific naming is applied via IsConsole() check for PS4 builds. This is a configuration file that runs at world initialization to populate the level selection menu.

Usage example

-- This file auto-executes at world initialization - do not require() it
-- Preset IDs are referenced when creating custom worlds via level system APIs

-- Example: Reference preset ID in custom world configuration
local preset_id = "DST_CAVE_PLUS"  -- Use in AddWorldGenLevel or AddSettingsPreset calls

-- Presets appear in customization screen under STRINGS.UI.CUSTOMIZATIONSCREEN.PRESETLEVELS
-- Access via: STRINGS.UI.CUSTOMIZATIONSCREEN.PRESETLEVELS.DST_CAVE_PLUS

Dependencies & tags

External dependencies:

• STRINGS -- localization strings for preset names and descriptions
• IsConsole() -- platform detection function for console-specific naming
• AddLevel() -- registers level preset in survival mode
• AddWorldGenLevel() -- registers world generation level configuration
• AddSettingsPreset() -- registers settings preset for customization screen
• LEVELTYPE.SURVIVAL -- enum constant for survival game mode

Components used: None identified

Tags: None identified

Config table schema

The following fields define the structure of config tables passed to AddLevel, AddWorldGenLevel, and AddSettingsPreset. This file does not export a table via return statement - it registers presets via engine API calls.

Field	Type	Default Value	Description
id	string	---	Unique preset identifier (e.g., DST_CAVE, DST_CAVE_PLUS, TERRARIA_CAVE)
name	string	---	Display name from STRINGS.UI.CUSTOMIZATIONSCREEN.PRESETLEVELS
desc	string	---	Description from STRINGS.UI.CUSTOMIZATIONSCREEN.PRESETLEVELDESC
location	string	---	World location type (cave)
version	number	---	Preset version number (4)
overrides	table	---	World setting overrides (boons, cave_spiders, rabbits, etc.)
background_node_range	table	---	Background node distribution range

Main functions

This file contains no local function definitions. It registers preset data by calling external engine APIs (AddLevel, AddWorldGenLevel, AddSettingsPreset). These functions are part of the Don't Starve Together world generation system and are not defined in this file.

Events & listeners

None.