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Author Topic: Is it possible for someone to hunt without using a crossbow?  (Read 873 times)

DanielTDS

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Is it possible for someone to hunt without using a crossbow?
« on: April 05, 2014, 02:43:08 pm »

As says the name of the topic, I would like to know if I can have someone using the ambusher skill to hunt without using a crossbow, instead, any weapon like a sword, axe and so on.

OBS: I know I can send my military to kill specific creatures and this could be a way around this problem. But I want the units to act just like hunters, return their kill and do this kind of job automatically.

If not, there is any modding way I can do that? I think this could have been possible by standard because it's so natural in my opinion.
« Last Edit: April 05, 2014, 03:47:50 pm by DanielTDS »
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neblime

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Re: Is it possible for someone to hunt without using a crossbow?
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2014, 07:27:33 pm »

nope, i'm afraid not.  No one will hunt without a crossbow, a quiver and ammunition (in vanilla anyway).  The military works perfectly fine though, your hunters will return already dead kills with no equipment.
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Matoro

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Re: Is it possible for someone to hunt without using a crossbow?
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2014, 06:04:46 am »

Would dwarves hunt with bows & arrows if there was no crossbows? How about civ without crossbows? COuld they be modded to hunt with bows or blowguns?
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FrankMcFuzz

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Re: Is it possible for someone to hunt without using a crossbow?
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2014, 07:17:41 pm »

No it's not possible for hunter civillians to hunt with a bow.
But yes, it's possible to hunt without a crossbow.

You can use a squad of melee dwarves. When they kill a creature, they will act as if killing a goblin, and proceed to kill the rest of the targets or go back to the barracks.

The military will not return the kill. You need to enable "dwarves gather refuse from outside" and have a refuse stockpile. Then, a random hauler dwarf will show up to drag the corpse to the stockpile. Then a random butcherer will take it from the stockpile and butcher it, taking the remains back to the stockpile. Then the tanner will ETCETERA ETCETERA.

This is easily the safest way to have a meat industry, because you're not sending out hunters with their kids and cats and SUPPLE DWARF BODIES, you're sending idiots in metal shells well-trained professionals out to hunt so they're not susceptible to ambush or siege.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2014, 07:20:21 pm by FrankMcFuzz »
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DanielTDS

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Re: Is it possible for someone to hunt without using a crossbow?
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2014, 09:56:35 pm »

No it's not possible for hunter civillians to hunt with a bow.
But yes, it's possible to hunt without a crossbow.

You can use a squad of melee dwarves. When they kill a creature, they will act as if killing a goblin, and proceed to kill the rest of the targets or go back to the barracks.

The military will not return the kill. You need to enable "dwarves gather refuse from outside" and have a refuse stockpile. Then, a random hauler dwarf will show up to drag the corpse to the stockpile. Then a random butcherer will take it from the stockpile and butcher it, taking the remains back to the stockpile. Then the tanner will ETCETERA ETCETERA.

This is easily the safest way to have a meat industry, because you're not sending out hunters with their kids and cats and SUPPLE DWARF BODIES, you're sending idiots in metal shells well-trained professionals out to hunt so they're not susceptible to ambush or siege.

Ok. So it appears this is the only way of doing so. But your answers made me think: If I would do things this way (sending military to kill), how could I do that in a effective way? It seems my military can't catch up some creatures even if not wearing armor. So, to be direct: how can I make my military dwarfs walk faster? Is there any way I can train them on that matter? I ask this because I never had any sucess in killing a creature by sending my military because the critters run faster than them.

This is why I made my first question. I was thinking if it was possible for someone wielding an axe to act like an ambusher and suddenly chop off a creatures's head by an surprise attack (just as hunters do: they stay low until they find a target and get near it to attack)

Thanks for you help!
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Urist McRas

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Re: Is it possible for someone to hunt without using a crossbow?
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2014, 08:32:54 am »

You have to train soldiers, most important skill is armor user. Use a danger room. It is an exploit, but training them properly will take years and by that time you either solve food supply problem or starve to death.

Also you can try attacking aggresive creatures, so you don't have to run after them. Though they are usually much stronger, so beware.

I was thinking if it was possible for someone wielding an axe to act like an ambusher and suddenly chop off a creatures's head by an surprise attack (just as hunters do: they stay low until they find a target and get near it to attack)
No, only hunters use ambusher skill.
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greycat

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Re: Is it possible for someone to hunt without using a crossbow?
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2014, 09:03:37 am »

So, to be direct: how can I make my military dwarfs walk faster?

Train their agility attribute, and their Armor User skill.
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Bumber

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Re: Is it possible for someone to hunt without using a crossbow?
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2014, 05:47:38 pm »

So, to be direct: how can I make my military dwarfs walk faster?

Train their agility attribute, and their Armor User skill.
And strength.
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FrankMcFuzz

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Re: Is it possible for someone to hunt without using a crossbow?
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2014, 05:57:59 pm »

So, to be direct: how can I make my military dwarfs walk faster? Is there any way I can train them on that matter? I ask this because I never had any sucess in killing a creature by sending my military because the critters run faster than them.

The quickest way to get this strategy moving is Selective Militarization. By that I mean, you will need to go through each GCS fodder promising warrior and check their personal screen. In the category that says things like "They are strong BUT THEY ARE FLIMSY" look for dwarves that say "They are X agile". In leather or light armour, these dwarves can outrun most land animals. Any weapon strikes on this animal will slow it down, letting the squad swarm them for the kill.

Dwarves who do a lot of running and combat will gradually level this skill up naturally.
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