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[orius]

I found what looks like an ideal solution to keeping beehives in a secure location where building destroyers can't path to them and keeping the fort's beekeeper relatively safe from harm.



Here we have a constructed building with fortifications that has a single beehive installed.  This building is completely sealed from the outside with walls, floors and a roof, and the only way in is underground through the fortress.  As you can see, the game lists the hive as having outdoor access.  I noticed in an earlier fort that bees can fly through fortifications, so I've been wondering if beehives can be safely kept behind them and still be functional.  This seems to be the case.  When I took the screenshot, the outer bridge that seals up my fort from the outside was open, but after closing it and sealing the fort, the hive still listed outdoor access.  I placed a second hive 1 tile south and east of this first one so it wouldn't be adjacent to any fortifications and it also lists outdoor access, but I have a better idea than this construction I have set up.

Presenting the Bee Tower:

Code: [Select]

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It's simple.  Just a 5x5 square with fortified walls, with hives in a 3x3 square inside and stairs in the very center.  Since you only want a single beekeeper in a fort with the beekeeping bugs, you only really need a 1x1 stairwell.  Optimal output is at 40 hives since production slows down at 41 hives, and with 8 hives per level with this setup, you can stack 5 of these levels on top of each other.

[Girlinhat]

Can't you just build a box of walls?  Anything in the center will be exposed to the outside because there's no roof, and archers won't peg your beekeepers.

I've not meddled much in bees though, does that not work?

[KodKod]

Can't you just build a box of walls?  Anything in the center will be exposed to the outside because there's no roof, and archers won't peg your beekeepers.

I've not meddled much in bees though, does that not work?

Wouldn't that allow flying building destroyers in?

[Girlinhat]

Hmm, fair point.

[KodKod]

Anyway, thanks for the effort, orius.

I like to make use of bees a lot since they're an almost completely autonomous industry that requires very little management and generates a decent amount of food and alcohol, but I've usually just built them right outside before, leaving them at the mercy of trolls.

I'd like to see more people use bees. Bees are the dolphins of the sky.

[Dunamisdeos]

That's.... REALLY useful to me. Been trying to think of a way to do this on the back burner of my mind. thanks =)

[geail]

For added security (to protect against marksgoblins) couldn't you put another wall around the fortifications (with a space between them)?

[Girlinhat]

I must be sleepy, that solution didn't occur to me.  An extra wall would solve everything.

[KodKod]

Sleepy? At this time? Insomnia some more!

[orius]

Can't you just build a box of walls?  Anything in the center will be exposed to the outside because there's no roof, and archers won't peg your beekeepers.

I've not meddled much in bees though, does that not work?

Like KodKod said, flyers.  I don't know how many flying building destroyers there are, but I plan my forts with some degree of paranoia.  It's kept me somewhat safe.

Also, since it's a vertical design, it helps with efficency, especially if the bottom of the stairwell is close to food storage areas, screw presses, kitchens, etc.

For added security (to protect against marksgoblins) couldn't you put another wall around the fortifications (with a space between them)?

You could probably do that if you wanted.  My plan is to just call all the dwarves into the main defensive burrow when a siege strikes; these constructions aren't part of the burrow.  Maybe turn beekeeping off on the beekeeper while a siege with archers shows up too.

Anyway, it looks like the bees are flying in and out of the fortifications without any problems.  I just set this up, so the hive isn't ready to split, but it looks like it's working the way I want.

[GavJ]

But what about flying archers (e.g. goblin bowmen on mounts)!? They can get inside your first curtain wall, and then shoot at the bees!

THOSE POOR BEES!

[KodKod]

But what about flying archers (e.g. goblin bowmen on mounts)!? They can get inside your first curtain wall, and then shoot at the bees!

THOSE POOR BEES!

Would you want to be that one goblin who pissed off hundreds of thousands of angry, murderous bees?

I don't think so.

IDEA! Weaponise bees: Our arrows bees will blot out the sun!

[orius]

Hives hold something like 15000 bees each.  I'm not worried.

[NonconsensualSurgery]

Bees don't seem to mind if they're buzzing around at the bottom of a 20-z vertical tunnel.

You could conceivably farm bees in hell.

[Descan]

Yeah, usually I just stick 'em in a channeled-and-floored ditch and they seem happy. I get honey, usually.