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Editing Siege engine
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{{av}}{{buggy}} | {{av}}{{buggy}} | ||
− | A '''siege engine''' in ''Dwarf Fortress'' is half building, half heavy weapon, and includes both the '''catapult''' and the '''ballista'''. Both are capable of launching hazardous projectiles at a tremendous range (more than a screen-width, around 80 to 100 tiles for a catapult and between 130 and 200 tiles for a ballista). A [[ballista arrow]] can kill or injure each creature in its path indiscriminate of friend or foe, but a stone launched from a catapult cannot harm [[dwarf|dwarves]] or [[animal trainer|tamed animals]]. | + | A '''siege engine''' in ''Dwarf Fortress'' is half building, half heavy weapon, and includes both the '''catapult''' and the '''ballista'''. Both are capable of launching hazardous projectiles at a tremendous range ''(more than a screen-width, around 80 to 100 tiles for a catapult and between 130 and 200 tiles for a ballista).'' A [[ballista arrow]] can kill or injure each creature in its path indiscriminate of friend or foe, but a stone launched from a catapult cannot harm [[dwarf|dwarves]] or [[animal trainer|tamed animals]]. |
Unlike what the name may imply, siege engines are only deployed defensively, and no [[siege]] will use them against you (although the use of siege engines against your fort is [http://bay12games.com/dwarves/dev.html planned for future versions]). | Unlike what the name may imply, siege engines are only deployed defensively, and no [[siege]] will use them against you (although the use of siege engines against your fort is [http://bay12games.com/dwarves/dev.html planned for future versions]). | ||
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The player determines when (or if) each engine is actively firing or not; when active, a single engine is crewed by a single [[siege operator]]. | The player determines when (or if) each engine is actively firing or not; when active, a single engine is crewed by a single [[siege operator]]. | ||
− | Ballistae require specially-made [[ammo]] | + | Ballistae require specially-made [[ammo]] — [[ballista arrow]]s, made from [[wood]]en [[log]]s at the [[siege workshop]] (and optionally tipped with [[metal]] [[ballista arrowhead]]s that have been made at a [[forge]] by a [[weaponsmith]]). Catapults use simple [[stone]] as ammunition. Catapults respect [[economic stone]] restrictions and cannot fire [[clay]] at all. |
[[File:siege-engines.jpg|thumb|230px|right|Three types of common siege engines.]] | [[File:siege-engines.jpg|thumb|230px|right|Three types of common siege engines.]] | ||
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− | In order to build a siege engine, you first need to produce (at least) three catapult or ballista parts in the [[siege workshop]]; catapults are made from any 3 '''catapult parts''', and ballistae are made from any 3 '''ballista parts'''. All parts are made from any type of wood at the siege workshop. Beyond that, "parts" are generic - there are no particular "sub-types" of parts beyond the distinction between those for the two different engine types. The quality of the parts determines the overall rate of fire (and maybe accuracy) of the engine - the best are made with 3 masterwork parts{{verify}}. This won't make up for an untrained siege operator, but every little bit helps | + | In order to build a siege engine, you first need to produce (at least) three catapult or ballista parts in the [[siege workshop]]; catapults are made from any 3 '''catapult parts''', and ballistae are made from any 3 '''ballista parts'''. All parts are made from any type of wood at the siege workshop. Beyond that, "parts" are generic - there are no particular "sub-types" of parts beyond the distinction between those for the two different engine types. The quality of the parts determines the overall rate of fire (and maybe accuracy) of the engine - the best are made with 3 masterwork parts{{verify}}. This won't make up for an untrained siege operator, but every little bit helps. |
Once you have the parts, you may then build the respective siege engine like any other building, selecting the parts that you wish to construct that particular engine with. It is not known whether the skill of the dwarf assembling the siege engine has any effect, but the quality of the parts certainly has: siege engines put together from [[quality|masterwork]] parts have a much higher rate of fire.{{verify}} | Once you have the parts, you may then build the respective siege engine like any other building, selecting the parts that you wish to construct that particular engine with. It is not known whether the skill of the dwarf assembling the siege engine has any effect, but the quality of the parts certainly has: siege engines put together from [[quality|masterwork]] parts have a much higher rate of fire.{{verify}} | ||
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==Special considerations== | ==Special considerations== | ||
− | * Both catapults and ballistae have narrow fields of fire | + | * Both catapults and ballistae have narrow fields of fire - they will only shoot at creatures directly "in front" of them, and so cannot target anything off at an angle. They can be turned 90 degrees, but that often will not solve the problem. Highly skilled operators will always fire ''perfectly straight'', but shots fired by unskilled operators will randomly veer off to either side, resulting in a field of fire roughly 19 degrees across. |
− | * Both catapults and ballistae aim and fire only along one z-level. While ammo from both may drop down z-levels, they do no damage to creatures there. This also means that no "head room" is necessary | + | * Both catapults and ballistae aim and fire only along one z-level. While ammo from both may drop down z-levels, they do no damage to creatures there. This also means that no "head room" is necessary - ammo just flies out, never up. |
− | * Catapults have a minimum range | + | * Catapults have a minimum range - at least 30 tiles. |
* Catapults can and will fire over any creatures between them and their target. | * Catapults can and will fire over any creatures between them and their target. | ||
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* Neither are affected by [[fortification]]s. | * Neither are affected by [[fortification]]s. | ||
− | * [[Siege operator]]s are civilians and | + | * [[Siege operator]]s are "civilians", and as such they will run in fear if enemy units come too close to them. "Too close" varies somewhat, but may be as far as 10 tiles. |
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===Safety Warning=== | ===Safety Warning=== | ||
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Ammo storage can be on the same level, or via [[stairs]] or [[ramp]]s on another [[z-level]]. Expand the room as desired for more storage. Also note that ballista arrows are stored in [[Stockpile#Furniture_Storage|furniture stockpiles]], not ammo stockpiles. | Ammo storage can be on the same level, or via [[stairs]] or [[ramp]]s on another [[z-level]]. Expand the room as desired for more storage. Also note that ballista arrows are stored in [[Stockpile#Furniture_Storage|furniture stockpiles]], not ammo stockpiles. | ||
− | An alternate strategy could be to place a [[floodgate]] or retracting [[bridge]] in the center of the 3x3 hallway, and activate it during times of crisis so that the Goblins are forced to fight in two separate 1x1 corridors rather than a single 3x3 corridor. If the corridors are further lined with spike traps and weapon traps, this combined defense can assure your | + | An alternate strategy could be to place a [[floodgate]] or retracting [[bridge]] in the center of the 3x3 hallway, and activate it during times of crisis so that the Goblins are forced to fight in two separate 1x1 corridors rather than a single 3x3 corridor. If the corridors are further lined with spike traps and weapon traps, this combined defense can assure your dwarfs that any attempts to assault your base will be very, very bloody. |
− | A drawbridge can be combined with the channeled area to provide a practice area, as discussed above. The channels would be accessible from the battery area via a staircase, keeping the | + | A drawbridge can be combined with the channeled area to provide a practice area, as discussed above. The channels would be accessible from the battery area via a staircase, keeping the dwarfs below/behind the lines of fire at all times. |
==Catapults as stone movers== | ==Catapults as stone movers== | ||
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'''See Also:''' | '''See Also:''' | ||
:*[[Defense design]] | :*[[Defense design]] | ||
− | :*[[cross-training# | + | :*[[cross-training#Army corps of engineers|Army corps of engineers]] |
{{buildings}} | {{buildings}} | ||
{{Category|Buildings}} | {{Category|Buildings}} | ||
{{Category|Fortress defense}} | {{Category|Fortress defense}} |