Wolf character

[xTERM]

Wolfs are very similar to dogs, so they can look like 'd'. But 'w' is the first letter of the word "wolf", and as I know, Dwarf Fortress use this symbol for wolfs. However, 'w' is a "worm" too.

[Etinarg]

I vote for a big C, since all are canines.

[purestrain]

I vote for "use graphics"

[Krice]

Nethack's way is actually quite good, because you know what monster family the creature is by its letter. If you mix letters (w could be worm or wolf) there can be more confusion. But then if you have only one monster family for a letter it could be done (w is always a wolf and no worms exist (unless they have different letter)).

[Nahjor]

Agreed; if you've got a letter representing more than one creature, they should all be related. All the big RLs do this, don't they?

[Fenrir]

Doesn't Dwarf Fortress use '~' for worms? You could try that. I prefer monsters to have unique symbols or colors, but, if you're having more conflicts like this, what Krice said sounds like the best way to deal with it.

[Z]

Rogue and some of Jeff Lait's 7DRLs have simple rule: one creature for each letter.

Yes, monsters are usually grouped by type in roguelikes, not by their first letters.

Are there any examples of choosing letters based on something else than the first letter of a monster's name or type name? I think I've seen somewhere something about choosing a letter which looks similar, like choosing S for S-shaped beasts and Y for horned beasts. Well, Crawl does these two, but I am not sure whether this is the reason.

And demons in Larn are denoted with digits. And named something like "second type demon", etc.

[Slash]

I say one letter per monster type, with the exception of orthogonal variations, which may use different colors.

Also, wolfs and dogs are pretty different

[Vanguard]

If you're going to have dogs, wolves, and worms all in the same game, it's better to put dogs and wolves under the same letter, separate from worms.

[Anvilfolk]

Yeah, don't forget color coding. Not that I've seen wolves in Stone Soup, but a regular worm is a red w, I wouldn't be surprised if a grey w or W was a wolf.

[corremn]

Also, wolfs and dogs are pretty different

Dogs are wolfs. They are both canis lupus, i.e same species.

Edit:
Ok thought I better look that at, dogs are a sub species, Canis lupus familiarus. What ever a sub species means. 
They still expbit the same behaviour and look the same.

[Fenrir]

They still exhibit the same behavior and look the same.

I take offense to this!

[Omnivorous]

To put it like this.. In a fantasy world, I do not have much respect for stray 'd'ogs. I stomp on 'w'orms while running through the dungeons too without giving much thought about the life I just took.. As for 'w'olves though, even though I bash those that attack me to shreds quite easily, there's something special about wolves. I have much more respect for them.

To use 'd' for wolf would be a joke in my opinion.

The 'w'orms in Crawl are colored pink/orangeish, the 'w's there feel like worms because of this.

In ADoM however, I am pretty sure 'w' = wolf.

Wolf trumps dogs and worms!

[corremn]

On second though worms suck. (no pun intended).  However if you are talking about a blind spiked chitinous covered monstrosity with rows upon rows of sharp teeth glistening with acidic slime bursting from the ground ready to devourer any hapless adventurer in its path, then move over doggies, worms rock!

[Z]

No, in ADOM wolves are 'd'. Including the mighty werewolf kings.

And in Crawl, w-shaped monsters (worms) are called 'w', and monsters looking a bit like 'h' (hounds and wolves) are called 'h'.