So my current fortress attracted frost giant thieves, just as a drow caravan was rolling in. I had one pinned down inside a pond with 4 of my marksdwarves and a drow shadowsniper shooting at it. That thing took AGES to kill! I'm going to be frightened if I have to deal with a frost giant siege before I've even dug down to the caverns or gotten down to magma.
Also, I'm really liking the blast furnace at the moment. The startup is really steep if you don't have iron ore on your map, but that's the price to pay for how little micromanagement it takes and how ore-efficient its reactions are.
Really? They don't seem too hard to me. I have 6 prototype golems outside my entrance for the last 8 years, and they've held off 15+ sieges, including a frost giant (fuzzy blue yeti things ;P) ambush. Only about 20, but they fell as easily as stranglers.
Though, I've noticed the Jotun (another giant type - might be what you encountered) and 'Worldenders' (frost giants) are pretty resilient to range, from my experience. As well, range in general seems to suck due to the horrible hit chance, and if I recall, only 2(?) of 27 spots they can hit, is fatal, discounting bleeding which I don't think they do.
Yep. Blast Furnaces are great conveniences. Not unbalanced, or overpowered, simply convenient. they do what would take at least 5 smelters and I like to keep my areas tightknit and easy to navigate, so they're a god send.
Speaking of Golems, does anyone else think they're a tad op? Not the 'crafted' ones, as you need all the materials, lava, golem hearts, etc to even try to make some. I speak of the prototype golems from wagons. My wagon with a bunch (about 9 - I ordered them
) had a accident (gotta love when they walk into a 40+ archer ambush...), so I stuck them in my gateway as I always do, and well. I still have my original 9 all alive. The only time in my last fort I saw one die, was when one of them rushed out vs 20-30 guys solo. Other wise, they've massacred everything from Jotun's, to Minotaur (not a siege/ambush - not yet), Deep Drows, Goblins of all kinds, Ferric Elves, you name it, and are still going fine... just seems a tad offbalance.
I think the main issue with them is they don't 'bleed out' (machine, so yeah
) and basically any internal damage means squat. No organs, etc. Generally, I've NEVER seen one 'cut up' and lose an arm, or such. The only time they become 'useless' is when they are basically broken in every part, and can just push things to death, and even then, can often kill or maim
You can say 'well, don't use them then!' but why shouldn't I use something that is in game? if it's too strong for a normal fort, is that not an issue?
Or maybe I'm just to 'good' at DF... I know how to deal with everything too well. I mean, I'm in an undead, knockout-fever-dizzy weather biome that's a desert (no water/trees), not sure what else I can do to make it challenging without handicapping myself, or doing something nuts like opening all the caverns and the 'fun land!', then leave it unsealed into my base with an army trying to hold out... which I've done. And I held off all 4 areas and their 'fun' with just 5 web turrets, and some traps!
...but yes. I just think golems are a tad out of place for cost-to-power, especially as wagons often meet an unfortunate end outside of your control.