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[squeakyReaper]

If I understand this correctly, then I am a brilliant person.

Ramps can be built, but that doesn't mean they're usable in all circumstances.  If you have a ramp that doesn't connect to an adjacent and upward load bearing tile, then it's useless, right?  So riddle me this:  would THIS work?

../IX

The / is an upward ramp.  The I is a support.  The X is a constructed wall.

Assuming the / isn't adjacent to any other wall, if I collapse the support, would that make the ramp unusable?  I'm wondering because essentially, this would give me a one way lock to my buildings.  If an invader is coming, pull the lever and the support will collapse.  Since there are no other building destroyable things nearby, and no way to go upwards, everyone would be safe...  correct?  If this is incorrect, please tell me what you'd suggest.  I know this isn't terribly efficient since supports are one shot, but I'll find ways around THAT later.

[NecroRebel]

If I understand this correctly, then I am a brilliant person.

Ramps can be built, but that doesn't mean they're usable in all circumstances.  If you have a ramp that doesn't connect to an adjacent and upward load bearing tile, then it's useless, right?

No, if a ramp doesn't connect to an adjacent and upward wall it doesn't work.So...

So riddle me this:  would THIS work?

../IX

The / is an upward ramp.  The I is a support.  The X is a constructed wall.

No; the ramp would be completely useless, even when the support was in place, because supports aren't walls.

Assuming the / isn't adjacent to any other wall, if I collapse the support, would that make the ramp unusable?  I'm wondering because essentially, this would give me a one way lock to my buildings.  If an invader is coming, pull the lever and the support will collapse.  Since there are no other building destroyable things nearby, and no way to go upwards, everyone would be safe...  correct?  If this is incorrect, please tell me what you'd suggest.  I know this isn't terribly efficient since supports are one shot, but I'll find ways around THAT later.

In order to make a completely safe entrance, you need to take advantage of the fact that building destroyers cannot destroy things on a different z-level than themselves. In other words, if you have a down-ramp or down-stair covered by a hatch or bridge, building destroyers wouldn't be able to penetrate it. Like this:

Code: [Select]

Profile view:

WWH__
__/WW
With Ws as walls, _s as floors, and the H as a hatch. Forbid the hatch, and non-lockpickers can't get through from left to right. If the H is a bridge instead (controlled by level, of course), even lockpickers would be kept out flawlessly.

[squeakyReaper]

Curses.  I was hoping that ramps would be wall-like...  though knowing that building destroyers work like that is of course very important information.  Thanks.

[zilpin]

You can still get clever with levers and supports for fortress access though.

Top view

Code: [Select]

    W
  F W
rW HWr
  F W
    W

r is a ramp at z level below.
W is a wall at z level below.
H is a floorhatch.
F is a constructed floor, with a support under it.

Link the lever to the floorhatch and two supports.  This will accomplish what you want.
Only 1 floor and support is needed, but two is given for illustration.  The important thing is that no floor, wall, or other construction will keep them stable when the supports are pulled.
The floorhatch could be a floor instead.  I like having the extra buffer.


Personally, I just use a stair up to a floorhatch or two, attached to a lever.  It acts like a small instant-drawbridge.