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[highmax28]

I just built up 4 ballistas and I have no idea how to work them, I was just reccomended to build them cause theyre good for defence. The same guy refused to tell me howthey work becuse he wants me to figure it out... But, its been like a month now and I give up trying to figure it out, so how do they work? and is a catapult better?

[Haedrian]

Ballisatae are better than catapults, but require resources to make the bolts.

Generally you train the dorfs on catapults.

Here this article has a lot of info:

http://df.magmawiki.com/index.php/Siege_engine

[Sphalerite]

Ballistae and catapults are both nearly useless for defense.  Both of them only work when manned by civilian dwarves, who will flee if any enemy comes within about 25 spaces.  Both fire indiscriminately and only hit targets by luck.  Catapults fire any worthless rock, and can be a useful way to destroy unwanted stones.  When they actually manage to hit a living target, they might cause a bruise or broken bone on a good day.  Ballistae fire ballistae arroes, which take wood or metal to make.  When they hit, they actually can cause some damage, but the firing rate and general inconvenience of using them makes them really not worth the effort.

[Zoomulator]

Not to mention that they can only fire on the same z-level! I'd be happy if you could put one on top of a tower or something :/ but no dice

[Starver]

I don't use them, at the moment, but when I have I deal with the firing dwarves running away problem by having them fire down a corridor, which dips, immediately in front of the engine itself (and for 10-20 tiles away) so that the firing is down a longer corridor and by the time the enemy is close they're in some other aspect of my defence (sealable-off area, perhaps even a floodable one).

Also, I've used training catapults to send rocks down one or more long corridors (by arranging for them to hit a sheer wall and fall a Z-level, and then they are handy for either the next catapult or the industry at that spot).

In fact, I've combined the two, by arranging for a raisable bridge with a 'drop trap' area beneath over the 'dip' bit.  Probably more complex than anyone else would ever want, so I won't go into its detail, but it definitely does what I want.

You know, I don't think I've ever fired a ballista...  Made some ammo (back in 40D), but most (99%) of my effort has gone into setting up such preparations as the above training/transport/combat-ready catapult system combos (sometimes arrayed behind a ballista, so that it could be used) and...  hardly ever having to use them in anger.

[rephikul]

Ballistae and catapults are both nearly useless for defense.  Both of them only work when manned by civilian dwarves, who will flee if any enemy comes within about 25 spaces.  Both fire indiscriminately and only hit targets by luck.  Catapults fire any worthless rock, and can be a useful way to destroy unwanted stones.  When they actually manage to hit a living target, they might cause a bruise or broken bone on a good day.  Ballistae fire ballistae arroes, which take wood or metal to make.  When they hit, they actually can cause some damage, but the firing rate and general inconvenience of using them makes them really not worth the effort.

Just for clarification, these structures take a lot of efforts to be useful.
 + Both aim but have great difficulty doing so unless the enemies are super clustered. Firing accuracy increase with quality / skill, as expected.
 + The firing rate is improved by operator skill, part quality and in case of balista, ammo quality. The firing difference between a legendary set + operator and a plain one is HUGE, which come close to, if not faster then an untrained crossdwarf.
 + They are only useful in range and is considered civilian activity. This mean your whole fief can support in a siege. They'd automatically run when danger approach and that's good.

How to properly use siege engines:
Dig a zigzag path way toward your fort in front of the battery. Occasionally train your people. During siege, have your main troops man the balistas in the front and everyone else the catapults to the back. Barrages them with your 200 siege engines, soften them up. When they got close enough, send civilians to safety and activate your military.

Unfortunately I dont save any pictures of my old forts with these engines but I'd build one and report back later

EDIT: I still keep a blueprint around though. It should be self-explanatory.

[highmax28]

Just looknig at that, and partially understanding it (I think i got the jist of it however) cracks me up with how badass that is, to the point I'd want to see that in action