Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[smjjames]

Okay, since sieges just about always path along the long wall extending south (to the right in the pic), resulting in them taking a while to get down from the mountain and around to there, this presents a very good stragetic and tactical opportunity. So, I want to build a marksdwarf pillbox of sorts sticking out from the wall (I have the foundation down in the pic), however, I'm not sure if it's better to position the fortifications on ground level or one z-level above. I'm planning on channeling a bit around the edge to give a buffer zone.

The reason why sieges (ambushes and sometimes caravans) path along that wall is because I have part of the northern and eastern map edge blocked off with bridges, so if they spawn on the eastern edge of the map, they are forced to path this way.

Also, I think I may make it a bit bigger, but my question still stands.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Edit: To clarify my question, I'm asking whether it would work better if the fortifications were up one level or if they were on ground level.

[Martin]

Always 1 z-level up unless you have a moat around the base.

Generally only elite marksgobbos will shoot through fortifications at a distance. Regular ones usually need to be right up against the fortification. If you put it at ground level and don't have a moat, then the fortification will be used against you. Also, if you get a dragon or similar visit and he can path to the interior of the tower (even if it's an incredibly long distance) he'll use his ranged attack against the tower at ground level. Natural ranged attacks (fire breath, webs, etc.) don't work across z-levels (weapon ranged attacks do, however) so if you are 1 z-level up the only real threat is from the elite gobbos.

The downside to shooting down is that missed shots have less opportunity to hit other enemies. If you are shooting from ground level the missed shot will often fly far beyond the intended target and has opportunity to hit others. Just 1 z-level up it's not too bad because they are usually shooting at a shallow angle.

Since the enemy has an elevated position on that hillside, I'd build a tower with several levels - probably at least 3. You can then station dwarves on an appropriate level. Make sure there is a roof over their head, because if any regular marksgobbos show up at the top, they'll rain arrows/bolts down over the top of the fortifications.

[Simmura McCrea]

1 floor up, so goblin archers can't negate the fortification bonus by just walking up to it. However, this will drop the range of the dwarf by a few tiles, so ground floor with a channel works too.

[smjjames]

Well, I'm mainly intending to use it to attack the gobbos while they are en route and there is a very long LOS down south.

As for the hillside, I've already taken care of that (I have a shield wall around my fortress entrance. I have pics of it over in the Visual Fortress thread) and I was planning on roofing it off anyways. I could also use floors to protect from attacks from above and create a sort of shade.

I've used fortifications and marksdwarves before, so I know how they generally work.

[Skorpion]

I always stick them one level up. I figure it worked well enough for medieval castles, so I adopt it as best practice.