v50 Steam/Premium information for editors
  • v50 information can now be added to pages in the main namespace. v0.47 information can still be found in the DF2014 namespace. See here for more details on the new versioning policy.
  • Use this page to report any issues related to the migration.
This notice may be cached—the current version can be found here.

Difference between revisions of "Advanced marksdwarf training guide"

From Dwarf Fortress Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Removed mention of {{bug|2706}} since it is fixed as of version .50.08 when I tested it.)
 
(55 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Quality|Exceptional|21:40, 11 May 2015 (UTC)}}
+
{{migrated article}}
Marksdwarves are fairly buggy, and often refuse to use archery ranges, or stand in front of them, and fail to fire their crossbows. This guide goes into details explaining known bugs, and getting your Marksdwarves to train properly, as well as going into details regarding various ranged weaponry.
+
{{Quality|Unrated}}
 +
{{av}}
 +
[[Marksdwarf|Marksdwarves]] can be tricky to equip and [[training|train]] properly for the uninitiated - they often appear to refuse to use their [[crossbow]]s at [[archery range]]s. This guide goes into details explaining known bugs, and getting your marksdwarves to train properly, as well as going into details regarding various ranged weaponry.
  
== Understanding Ranged Weaponry ==
+
== Understanding ranged weaponry ==
 
+
In vanilla ''Dwarf Fortress'', the raws define three types of ranged weapons, each with their own skill and ammo.
In vanilla Dwarf Fortress, the raws define three types of ranged weapons, each with their own skill and ammo.
 
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
Line 31: Line 32:
 
|}
 
|}
  
Of these, dwarfs can only craft crossbows and bolts. Bows and blowguns are gained either through trade or recovery from downed enemies. If playing a modded game, replace crossbow in the following with one of the above weapons, and proper ammo type.
+
Of these, dwarves can only craft crossbows and bolts. Bows and blowguns are gained either through trade or recovery from downed enemies. If playing a modded game, replace crossbow in the following with one of the above weapons, and proper ammo type.
  
== Equipping Your Marksdwarfs ==
+
== Equipping your marksdwarves ==
  
=== The Minimum Outfit ===
+
=== The minimum outfit ===
 
At a minimum, each dwarf requires the following to successfully use the crossbow.
 
At a minimum, each dwarf requires the following to successfully use the crossbow.
 
* One crossbow
 
* One crossbow
 
* One quiver
 
* One quiver
* One stack of bolts for each marksdwarf to fire
+
* One stack of bolts for each marksdwarf to shoot
  
A quiver is equipped on the upper body slot. Due to a bug, sometimes a marksdwarf will fail to pickup a quiver if wearing heavy armor. A workaround for this is given below. Wood and metal bolts are generated in stacks of 25. Bone bolts are generated in stacks of 5.
+
A quiver is equipped on the upper body slot. Due to a bug, sometimes a marksdwarf will fail to pick up a quiver if wearing heavy armor, a workaround for which is given below. Wood and metal bolts are generated in stacks of 25. Bone bolts are generated in stacks of 5.
  
 
=== Crossbows ===
 
=== Crossbows ===
Crossbows can be made with wood or bone at a bowyer's workshop, or out of metal at a metalsmith/magma forge. Metal crossbows can be forged out of copper, bronze, bismuth bronze, iron, steel, or adamantine. Quivers must be made of leather at a leatherworks. The base material of a crossbow appears to have no effect on the lethality of ranged bolts. However, when marksdwarves end up in melee, they will use their crossbow as a hammer, thus it is recommended to make dense metal crossbows.
+
Crossbows can be made with wood or bone at a bowyer's workshop, or metal at a metalsmith/magma forge. Metal crossbows can be forged out of copper, bronze, bismuth bronze, iron, steel, or adamantine. Quivers must be made of leather at a leatherworks. The base material of a crossbow appears to have no effect on the lethality of ranged bolts. However, when marksdwarves end up in melee, they will use their crossbow to bash.  This bash attack utilizes the hammerdwarf skill and deals blunt damage, thus it has been suggested to make dense metal crossbows.
  
=== Quivers and Bolts ===
+
=== Quivers and bolts ===
Please note that bolts are assigned to a ''squad'', not to individual dwarves.  If you have a squad of 10 marksdwarves, you need to assign ''at least'' 250 bolts to the squad.  500 is better.
+
Please note that bolts are assigned to a ''squad'', not to individual dwarves.  The number of bolts assigned to a squad will be divided evenly between all occupied squad positions. (For example, if you have a squad of 10 marksdwarves, you need to assign ''at least'' 250 bolts to the squad for each position to equip 25 bolts.)  
  
Quivers can hold between 25 and 49 bolts, and dwarves will pick up multiple stacks if necessary to reach a number in this range. In other words, dwarves will continue picking up stacks of bolts until they've got at least 25 in their quiver (or they run out of squad-assigned bolt stacks). Bolt stacks are collected in last-in-first-out order (LIFO); that is, dwarves will always go for the newest bolts in your fortress, even if there is an ammo stockpile three steps away from them. Each squad with marksdwarves must be assigned ammo; as they deplete it, Dwarf Fortress will automatically add additional ammo to the squad if there are some in the fortress, again following the principle of LIFO.
+
Quivers can hold between 25 and 49 bolts, and dwarves will pick up multiple stacks if necessary to reach a number in this range. In other words, dwarves will continue picking up stacks of bolts until they've got at least 25 in their quiver (or they run out of squad-assigned bolt stacks). Bolt stacks are collected in last-in-first-out order (LIFO); that is, dwarves will always go for the newest bolts in your fortress, even if there is an ammo stockpile three steps away from them. Each squad with marksdwarves must be assigned ammo. As they deplete it, the game will automatically add additional ammo to the squad if there is some in the fortress, again following the principle of LIFO.
  
=== Avoiding 'Equipment Mismatch' Issues ===
+
=== Avoiding equipment issues ===
Miners, wood cutters, and hunters have a default uniform. When these labors are enabled, a dwarf will carry the equipment appropriate to that job, making it unavailable for the military, and causing issues if that dwarf is then drafted. In general, it's safe to put miners and wood cutters in ranged squads, and hunters in melee squads, as this prevents them from equipping the same type of item twice.
+
The mining, wood cutting, and hunting labors have an "invisible uniform" that conflicts with military equipment. When these labors are enabled, a dwarf will drop all assigned military equipment when going off duty, and when ordered back on duty they spend extra time collecting their equipment, and may ultimately report without some equipment. For that reason, it is recommended that you disable mining, wood cutting, and hunting on all military dwarves.
  
When drafting hunters, clear their labors, and '''confirm''' that your hunter has put his quiver and crossbow away. If you don't, he'll generate equipment mismatches. Furthermore, a mismatch may be cause when a marksdwarf grabs a quiver that was once used by a hunter which still has bolts in it. This can be resolved by looking at the dwarf in the {{K|k}} menu, then open his inventory, find the quiver, and forbid the bolts in it. He'll dump them, and properly reload.  
+
An "[[equipment mismatch]]" error sounds dire, but it's just a diagnostic message telling you that a dwarf's assigned equipment changed while the dwarf was en route to pick up the previously-assigned equipment. In almost all cases the dwarf will automatically collect the newly-assigned equipment without player intervention. One reported cause of frequent equipment mismatch spam is ammo stored in bins.
  
If you don't use hunters, you may want to remove their bolt assignments from the ammunition screen.
+
== Setting your marksdwarf's barracks ==
  
== Setting your Marksdwarf's barrack ==
+
=== Understanding possible training activities ===
 +
The first rule of marksdwarf training is that you do '''not''' assign them a normal [[barracks]] if you wish them to utilize the [[archery target]] for Archer and Marksdwarf XP - if they are assigned to a barracks, they will train as hammerdwarves with their crossbows vs. actually shooting bolts at the archery target. Furthermore, as the game gives precedence to melee training, they will almost never use an archery range, even if one is assigned, if they have a choice.
  
=== Understanding Possible Training Activities ===
+
When training, a dwarf has four possible options, which they will take in roughly this order:
The first rule of marksdwarf training is you do *not* assign them a normal barrack. If they have that, they will prefer to train as hammerdwarves with their crossbows vs. actually shooting bolts. Furthermore, as the game gives precedence to melee training, they will almost never use an archery range even if one is assigned if they have a choice.
+
* Squad Training (Lead/Watch demonstration)
 +
* Individual Combat Drill
 +
* Spar (requires Competent Fighter skill)
 +
* Archery Training
  
When training, a dwarf has four possible options, which they will take in roughly this order:
+
Squad training and sparring require multiple dwarves (and yes, marksdwarves '''will''' spar as long as they are Competent Fighter skill level, training their melee skills while doing so). Except for archery training, dwarves require a standard barracks to conduct any of the above activities. Notably, it is possible to actually train marksdwarves via demonstration, both Crossbow and Archery skills being trainable this way. By combining this with training orders, it is possible to make archery training the only valid option, and thus get them to train consistently.
  - Squad Training
 
- Individual Combat Drill
 
- Spar
 
- Archery Training
 
  
Squad training and sparring require multiple dwarfs (and yes, marksdwarves *will* spar as long as they're novice hammerdwarves, training their melee skills while doing so). Except for archery training, dwarves require a standard barracks to conduct any of the above activities. Notably, it is possible to actually train marksdwarves via demonstration, both Crossbow and Archery skills are trainable via demonstrations. By combining this with training orders, it is possible to make Archery Training the only valid option, and thus get them to train consistently.
+
=== Building archery ranges ===
 +
Thus, the first step is to build a room with a bunch of archery targets, it is recommended to build one archery target per filled squad position (multiple marksdwarves cannot train at the same archery target concurrently). The room must be large enough that the marksdwarf has a one-gap space between them and the target; some people just make their "barracks" 10x10, and put an ammo stockpile in it. Notably, (and this is a change from previous versions) the dwarves ''must'' be able to walk up to the target; placing a channel in front of it will prevent them from training.
  
=== Building Archery Ranges ===
+
Once you build your range ({{k|b}}-{{k|A}}), you must define it as a room ({{k|q}}-{{k|r}}). Make it so it touches the far wall, and don't worry, range rooms can overlap. You have to do this for each archery target. Make sure the shooting direction is correct! In addition, your marksdwarf squad '''must''' at minimum have train set on each archery target with ({{k|q}}-{{k|t}}). Again, only one marksdwarf can use a target at any given time.
Thus, the first step is to build a room with a bunch of archery ranges. The room must be large enough that the marksdwarf has a one gap space between them and the target; I just make their "barrack" 10x10, and put an ammo stockpile in it. Notably, (and this is a change from previous versions) the dwarves *must* be able to walk up to the the target; placing a channel in front of it will prevent them from training.
 
  
Once you build your range, you must define it as a room. Make it so it touches the far wall, and don't worry, range rooms can overlap. You have to do this for each. Make sure the shooting direction is correct! In addition, your marksdwarf squad MUST at minimum have train set on each archery target. One dwarf can use one target at any given time.
+
[[File:Archery_target_setup.png|A properly setup archery target]]
  
[[File:Archery_range_setup.png|A properly setup archery target]]
+
Repeat this for each range; you will have 1-10 targets overlapping each other and assigned to your marksdwarf squad (in these screenshots, they are "The Delights of Gold")
  
 +
===The military management screen===
  
Repeat this for each range; you'll have 5-10 targets overlapping each other and assigned to your marksdwarves squad (in these screenshots, they are the "Home Guard")
+
This is by far the most difficult part - the {{K|m}}ilitary menu is confusing on the best days, but this guide will walk you through it. (To some people, this screen is designed upside down: the options to switch 'pages' or 'tabs' on this menu are at the bottom, and the specific detailed commands for the current page/tab are at the top. We will use 'page'.)
  
===The Military Management Screen===
+
Ignore the default page '''{{DFtext|p|2:1}}{{DFtext|: Positions|3:1:1}}''' page for now, because you want to make the right '''{{DFtext|n|2:1}}{{DFtext|: Uniforms|7:1}}''' for your marksdwarves.
  
This is by far the most difficult part. Fear the 'm' menu, for it eats children. The {{K|m}} menu is confusing on the best days, but this guide will walk you through it.
+
====Uniforms====
 +
Press {{K|n}} to bring up the uniforms screen. Do yourself a favor and just scroll down and {{K|d}}elete the default 'archer' uniform. It's wrong and will not work properly.
  
The first and default page is the positions page. Ignore it for now, because you want to make the right uniform for your marksdwarves. Press {{K|n}} to bring up the uniforms screen. Do yourself a favor and just delete the default archer uniform. It's wrong and will not work properly.
+
Create a new uniform with {{K|c}}.
  
Create a new uniform with {{K|c}} and add the following:
+
You will use the hotkeys seen on the 2nd row from the top of the {{K|m}} screen, and to create the following uniform:
- crossbow (do NOT use individual choice, ranged; you *will* end up with dwarves who think an axe is a ranged weapon)
+
* {{K|A}}rmor: leather armor
- shield (optional)
+
* {{K|L}}egs: leather legwear
- leather armor
+
* {{K|H}}elm: leather headwear
- leather headwear
+
* {{K|G}}loves: leather handwear
- leather legwear
+
* {{K|B}}oots: leather footwear
- leather handwear
+
* {{K|S}}hield: shields/bucklers
- leather footwear
+
* {{K|W}}eapon: crossbows (do NOT use individual choice, ranged; you '''will''' end up with dwarves who think an ''axe'' is a ranged weapon) :p
  
Press {{K|m}} to switch from "Partial matches" to "Exact matches" in the upper right. This appears to fix most of the issues that result in your dwarves not picking up quivers. You might be able to get away with over clothing however.
+
Navigation is ''tricky'', so let's do the first 3 selections together:
 +
# {{K|A}}rmor to show the {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} list of Armor items
 +
## Navigate {{K|→}} to the {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} list
 +
## Use the {{k|↑}}/{{k|↓}} and {{K|Enter}} to select "leather armor". You should now see "leather armor" listed under {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} list in the center of the screen.
 +
## Ok, that was the '''easy''' one. So follow these steps CLOSELY.
 +
# {{K|L}}egs to show the to show the {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} list of Leg items
 +
## Use the {{k|↑}}/{{k|↓}} and {{K|Enter}} to select "legwear". You should now see "legwear" listed under "leather armor" under {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} list. BUT... the green {{dftext|leather armor|3:1}} means it is the selection from that column.
 +
## Navigate back {{k|←}}/{{k|↓}} to highlight {{dftext|legwear|3:1}}
 +
## {{K|M}}aterial to reveal the material options that will appear under the {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} column.
 +
## Navigate {{K|→}} to the {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} list
 +
## Use the {{k|↑}}/{{k|↓}} and {{K|Enter}} to select "leather" material. You should now see {{dftext|leather legwear|3:1}} listed under {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} list in the center of the screen.
 +
# Now {{K|H}}elm to get your leather headwear
 +
## Use the {{k|↑}}/{{k|↓}} and {{K|Enter}} to select "headware". (It may be the first option, so just hit {{K|Enter}})
 +
## Navigate back {{k|←}}/{{k|↓}} to highlight {{dftext|headware|3:1}}
 +
## {{K|M}}aterial to reveal the material options that will appear under the {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} column.
 +
## Navigate {{K|→}} to the {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} list
 +
## Use the {{k|↑}}/{{k|↓}} and {{K|Enter}} to select "leather" material. You should now see {{dftext|leather headwear|3:1}} listed under {{DFtext| |7:7:1}}{{dftext|SELECTION|7:7:1}}{{DFtext| |7:7:1}} list in the center of the screen.
  
Here's what it should like if you did it right:
+
Be careful of hitting Enter at the wrong time and duplicating or deleting an entry. Here's what it should look like if you did it right:
  
 
[[File:Working_training_uniform.png|400px|Uniform that gets them training]]
 
[[File:Working_training_uniform.png|400px|Uniform that gets them training]]
  
 +
Now press {{K|m}} to switch from "Partial matches" to "Exact matches" in the upper right. This appears to fix most of the issues that result in your dwarves not picking up quivers. You might be able to get away with {{k|r}} "Over clting", which means the dwarves will wear this uniform over their current clothing.
 +
 +
At this point you have created the concept of a uniform, but you have not yet told your squad to wear this uniform.
 +
 +
Proceed to the next section.
 +
 +
===Positions===
 +
Now press {{K|p}} to go back to the positions menu. If you are creating {{K|l}} a new squad, it will prompt for a uniform, before showing a list of Vacant Squad positions and Candidates.
 +
 +
After selecting your recruits, switch to the {{K|e}} menu. Select your squad, then press {{K|U}} (that's capital U) to bring up the {{K|U}}niform selection screen.
  
Now press {{K|p}} to go back to the positions menu. When you create the squad, it will ask for a uniform. Normally, this works as you'd expect it, assigning the uniform to an entire squad. However, if done with the captain of the guard position, it will *only* assign to that spot. You can look at the top of the screen to see what your dwarfs will train as (i.e. 10/10 Marksdwarfs). If needed, after selecting your recruits, then switch to the {{K|e}} menu. Select your squad, and then a position, then press {{K|U}} (that's capital U) to bring up the uniform selection screen.
+
NOTE: If a position (for example, commander/captain) is highlighted when you hit the {{K|U}}niform selection screen, your selection will ONLY apply to that individual soldier.  
 +
Hit {{K|shift}} + {{K|enter}} to make sure you are assigning it to all positions in the squad.  
  
Highlight your crossbow uniform, and press {{K|shift}} + {{K|enter}} to assign it to all positions in the squad. If you then check the positions screen, at the top, it will say 10/10 marksdwarves, instead of 1/1 markdwarf 9/9 wrestlers, which is what will happen if you leave it on defaults.
+
You can also look at the top of the screen to see what your dwarves will train as (i.e. 10/10 Marksdwarves, instead of 1/1 markdwarf 9/9 wrestlers).
  
 
[[File:10_marksdwarves.png|400px|10/10 Marksdwarves]]
 
[[File:10_marksdwarves.png|400px|10/10 Marksdwarves]]
  
=== Handling Ammo ===
+
=== Handling ammo ===
 
We're almost done. Go to the ammo screen.
 
We're almost done. Go to the ammo screen.
 +
 +
(Note: This isn't possible in Steam version. There is no ammo screen)
  
 
[[File:ammo_screen.png|400px|Ammo]]
 
[[File:ammo_screen.png|400px|Ammo]]
  
If you're setting this by hand, here's what to know. Each squad needs the correct ammo. Bolts are assigned on a "per-item" basis, i.e., a given stack of bolts thats marked for training will only be used for training and via versus. Unfortunately, an old bug prevents this from working; if you have multiple ammo types, and some are set Training-only, and others are set combat-only, your marksdwarves *will* get stuck and fail to train, or fail to fire. The only way to get this to work is if all ammo assignments in the fortress are set to both "CT" in the UI.
+
If you're setting this by hand, here's what to know. Each squad needs the correct ammo. Bolts are assigned on a "per-item" basis, i.e., a given stack of bolts that's marked for training will only be used for training and vice versa.
 
+
By default the top slot reserves ammunition for hunters. If you don't have any hunters you may want to remove that reservation from the ammunition screen to free up those bolts for your military.
==== Switching Bolts Types Reliably ====
 
Forbidding/Dumping is respected by the game when assigning ammo, so you can use the stocks screen to dump wooden/bone bolts when you're not training, and then have them load metal bolts for fighting. The easiest way to just use wooden/bone bolts when you're training (setting both CT flags on it in the ammo screen), and when you need them to switch, delete the ammo assignment for the training bolts, dump them from the stocks screen (DFHack's enhanced inventory is useful from this), and add the new metal bolts to the screen. Reverse the process to get them to change back.
 
 
 
=== Squad Training Orders ===
 
  
 +
=== Squad training orders ===
 
Now, for the magic bit that gets them doing nothing *but* training. Open the schedule screen with {{K|s}} and look at the orders. The default is "Train, 10 minimium". '''This is WRONG!'''
 
Now, for the magic bit that gets them doing nothing *but* training. Open the schedule screen with {{K|s}} and look at the orders. The default is "Train, 10 minimium". '''This is WRONG!'''
  
Line 129: Line 158:
 
[[File:No_orders.png|400px|no_orders]]
 
[[File:No_orders.png|400px|no_orders]]
  
Press {{K|o}} to pull up the give order screen. Press {{K|o}} until 'Train' is set, and then press {{K|+}} so it shows minimum 1, like this. Then press shift-done to give the order. The screen will look like this:
+
Press {{K|o}} to pull up the give order screen. Press {{K|o}} until 'Train' is set, and then press {{K|+}} so it shows minimum 1, like this. Then press shift-enter to give the order. The screen will look like this:
  
 
[[File:Train_1.png|400px|train 1]]
 
[[File:Train_1.png|400px|train 1]]
Line 139: Line 168:
 
[[File:multiple_train_1.png|400px|Multiple train one orders]]
 
[[File:multiple_train_1.png|400px|Multiple train one orders]]
  
Copy and paste the order to all the months. You can also set Sleep in Barrack at need to increase their training time, though this will raise the stress levels of dwarves in the squad due to tired thoughts.
+
Copy and paste the order to all the months. You can also set Sleep in Barracks at need to increase their training time, though this will raise the stress levels of dwarves in the squad due to tired thoughts.
  
 
You're almost done. Activate your squad, and after they finish picking up equipment, watch your bolt supplies vanish as your marksdwarves do nothing *but* archery training.
 
You're almost done. Activate your squad, and after they finish picking up equipment, watch your bolt supplies vanish as your marksdwarves do nothing *but* archery training.
  
=== Why This Works ===
+
=== Why this works ===
Squad training and sparring require multiple dwarves (and yes, marksdwarves *will* spar as long as they're novice hammerdwarves). Training, minimum of 1 forces them to work solo. Since they don't have a normal barrack, they can't drill, which leaves Archery Training as the only possible way to train. Since reloading on marksdwarves continues to be erratic, they'll frequently report "No Orders" or similiar once they've finished archery training until the game notices that a given dwarf is out of ammo, in which case they'll go pick up more.  
+
Squad training and sparring require multiple dwarves (and yes, marksdwarves *will* spar as long as they're Competent Fighters). Training, minimum of 1 forces them to work solo. Since they don't have a normal barracks, they can't drill, which leaves archery training as the only possible way to train. Since reloading on marksdwarves continues to be erratic, they'll frequently report "No Orders" or similar once they've finished archery training; until the game notices that a given dwarf is out of ammo, in which case they'll go pick up more.  
 +
 
 +
Archery target training grants 5x less experience than live fire (6XP per bolt at archery target vs. 30XP per bolt on live targets), but no micromanagement, no hauling, one setup, and you can ignore it until you get that glorious announcement that Urist McMarksdwarf has become an Elite Marksdwarf.
 +
 
 +
== Stopping melee charges ==
 +
Do '''not''' use the [[Scheduling#Stations|station scheduling order]]!
  
Archery training grants less experience than live fire (8XP per bolt vs. 30XP), but no micromanagement, no hauling, one setup, and you can ignore it until you get that glorious announcement that Urist McMarksdwarf has become an Elite Marksdwarf.
+
When a dwarf has line of sight on an enemy, they'll do one of two things: run away; or run up and fight. While they're running up to the enemy, dwarves will shoot bolts if they have any, but then engage the enemy using their crossbows as hammers instead of shooting. Therefore, it's imperative that you create physical barriers which make it impossible for your marksdwarves to charge the enemy. Nothing else will suffice.
  
== Stopping Melee Charges ==
+
Some sources claim a Defend Burrows order may restrict marksdwarves to the area defined by the burrow. The full effectiveness of Defend Burrow orders at stopping a melee charge is unknown.{{verify}}
  
The short version: DON'T USE the [[DF2014:Scheduling#Stations|station scheduling order]]!
+
The easiest way to accomplish this is to use fortification pillboxes (also known as [[archery tower]]s), with a [[Scheduling#Orders|patrol order]] that causes them to break line of sight.
  
When a dwarf has line of sight on an enemy, they'll do one of two things: run away; or run up and fight. While they're running up to the enemy, dwarves will fire bolts if they have any, but then engage the enemy using their crossbows as hammers instead of firing. The easiest way to prevent this is either use fortification pillboxes (also known as [[DF2014:Archery_tower|archery towers]]), with a [[v0.34:Scheduling#Orders|patrol order]] that causes them to break line of sight, or defend burrows orders, which will keep them in the area defined by the burrow and prevent them from running up to the enemy.
+
For patrol routes, marksdwarves will not reliably take a Pickup Equipment order as long as they have line of sight on their enemy; they will usually stand there and glare. Have them go through a door or something, and as soon as they lose sight of the goblin/forgotten beast/demon, they'll immediately go find bolts and reload.
  
For patrol routes, marksdwarves *will* not take a Pickup Equipment order as long as they have line of sight on their enemy. Have them go through a door or something, and as soon as they lose sight of the goblin/forgotten beast/demon, they'll immediately go find bolts and reload.
+
An alternative approach is to forego all of this scheduling stuff, and use direct move orders. Station (move) your marksdwarves to the spot where you want them to stand, making sure that this spot is physically separated from the enemy. Remember that each dwarf will actually select a random spot within 3 tiles of your station-spot, on the same Z level, and try to walk to that spot. Make sure every such reachable spot is on ''your'' side of the fortifications.
  
The full effectiveness at Defend Burrow orders at stopping a melee charge is unknown.
+
In all cases, you must remember that dwarves '''can and will climb''' walls or fortifications to reach the enemy.  To prevent marksdwarves from suicide-diving over the fortifications onto the killing ground below, build a roof (a [[floor]] on the next Z-level up) to physically block their vertical movement.
  
 
{{Military}}
 
{{Military}}
  
[[Category:DF2014:Military]]
+
{{Category|Military}}
 +
{{Category|Guides}}

Latest revision as of 21:07, 19 June 2023

This article is about the current version of DF.
Note that some content may still need to be updated.

Marksdwarves can be tricky to equip and train properly for the uninitiated - they often appear to refuse to use their crossbows at archery ranges. This guide goes into details explaining known bugs, and getting your marksdwarves to train properly, as well as going into details regarding various ranged weaponry.

Understanding ranged weaponry[edit]

In vanilla Dwarf Fortress, the raws define three types of ranged weapons, each with their own skill and ammo.

Ranged Weapons
Ranged Weapon Ranged Skill Melee Skill Ammo
Crossbow Marksdwarf Hammerdwarf Bolts
Bow Bowman Swordman Arrows
Blowgun Blowgunner Swordman Darts

Of these, dwarves can only craft crossbows and bolts. Bows and blowguns are gained either through trade or recovery from downed enemies. If playing a modded game, replace crossbow in the following with one of the above weapons, and proper ammo type.

Equipping your marksdwarves[edit]

The minimum outfit[edit]

At a minimum, each dwarf requires the following to successfully use the crossbow.

  • One crossbow
  • One quiver
  • One stack of bolts for each marksdwarf to shoot

A quiver is equipped on the upper body slot. Due to a bug, sometimes a marksdwarf will fail to pick up a quiver if wearing heavy armor, a workaround for which is given below. Wood and metal bolts are generated in stacks of 25. Bone bolts are generated in stacks of 5.

Crossbows[edit]

Crossbows can be made with wood or bone at a bowyer's workshop, or metal at a metalsmith/magma forge. Metal crossbows can be forged out of copper, bronze, bismuth bronze, iron, steel, or adamantine. Quivers must be made of leather at a leatherworks. The base material of a crossbow appears to have no effect on the lethality of ranged bolts. However, when marksdwarves end up in melee, they will use their crossbow to bash. This bash attack utilizes the hammerdwarf skill and deals blunt damage, thus it has been suggested to make dense metal crossbows.

Quivers and bolts[edit]

Please note that bolts are assigned to a squad, not to individual dwarves. The number of bolts assigned to a squad will be divided evenly between all occupied squad positions. (For example, if you have a squad of 10 marksdwarves, you need to assign at least 250 bolts to the squad for each position to equip 25 bolts.)

Quivers can hold between 25 and 49 bolts, and dwarves will pick up multiple stacks if necessary to reach a number in this range. In other words, dwarves will continue picking up stacks of bolts until they've got at least 25 in their quiver (or they run out of squad-assigned bolt stacks). Bolt stacks are collected in last-in-first-out order (LIFO); that is, dwarves will always go for the newest bolts in your fortress, even if there is an ammo stockpile three steps away from them. Each squad with marksdwarves must be assigned ammo. As they deplete it, the game will automatically add additional ammo to the squad if there is some in the fortress, again following the principle of LIFO.

Avoiding equipment issues[edit]

The mining, wood cutting, and hunting labors have an "invisible uniform" that conflicts with military equipment. When these labors are enabled, a dwarf will drop all assigned military equipment when going off duty, and when ordered back on duty they spend extra time collecting their equipment, and may ultimately report without some equipment. For that reason, it is recommended that you disable mining, wood cutting, and hunting on all military dwarves.

An "equipment mismatch" error sounds dire, but it's just a diagnostic message telling you that a dwarf's assigned equipment changed while the dwarf was en route to pick up the previously-assigned equipment. In almost all cases the dwarf will automatically collect the newly-assigned equipment without player intervention. One reported cause of frequent equipment mismatch spam is ammo stored in bins.

Setting your marksdwarf's barracks[edit]

Understanding possible training activities[edit]

The first rule of marksdwarf training is that you do not assign them a normal barracks if you wish them to utilize the archery target for Archer and Marksdwarf XP - if they are assigned to a barracks, they will train as hammerdwarves with their crossbows vs. actually shooting bolts at the archery target. Furthermore, as the game gives precedence to melee training, they will almost never use an archery range, even if one is assigned, if they have a choice.

When training, a dwarf has four possible options, which they will take in roughly this order:

  • Squad Training (Lead/Watch demonstration)
  • Individual Combat Drill
  • Spar (requires Competent Fighter skill)
  • Archery Training

Squad training and sparring require multiple dwarves (and yes, marksdwarves will spar as long as they are Competent Fighter skill level, training their melee skills while doing so). Except for archery training, dwarves require a standard barracks to conduct any of the above activities. Notably, it is possible to actually train marksdwarves via demonstration, both Crossbow and Archery skills being trainable this way. By combining this with training orders, it is possible to make archery training the only valid option, and thus get them to train consistently.

Building archery ranges[edit]

Thus, the first step is to build a room with a bunch of archery targets, it is recommended to build one archery target per filled squad position (multiple marksdwarves cannot train at the same archery target concurrently). The room must be large enough that the marksdwarf has a one-gap space between them and the target; some people just make their "barracks" 10x10, and put an ammo stockpile in it. Notably, (and this is a change from previous versions) the dwarves must be able to walk up to the target; placing a channel in front of it will prevent them from training.

Once you build your range (b-A), you must define it as a room (q-r). Make it so it touches the far wall, and don't worry, range rooms can overlap. You have to do this for each archery target. Make sure the shooting direction is correct! In addition, your marksdwarf squad must at minimum have train set on each archery target with (q-t). Again, only one marksdwarf can use a target at any given time.

A properly setup archery target

Repeat this for each range; you will have 1-10 targets overlapping each other and assigned to your marksdwarf squad (in these screenshots, they are "The Delights of Gold")

The military management screen[edit]

This is by far the most difficult part - the military menu is confusing on the best days, but this guide will walk you through it. (To some people, this screen is designed upside down: the options to switch 'pages' or 'tabs' on this menu are at the bottom, and the specific detailed commands for the current page/tab are at the top. We will use 'page'.)

Ignore the default page p: Positions page for now, because you want to make the right n: Uniforms for your marksdwarves.

Uniforms[edit]

Press n to bring up the uniforms screen. Do yourself a favor and just scroll down and delete the default 'archer' uniform. It's wrong and will not work properly.

Create a new uniform with c.

You will use the hotkeys seen on the 2nd row from the top of the m screen, and to create the following uniform:

  • Armor: leather armor
  • Legs: leather legwear
  • Helm: leather headwear
  • Gloves: leather handwear
  • Boots: leather footwear
  • Shield: shields/bucklers
  • Weapon: crossbows (do NOT use individual choice, ranged; you will end up with dwarves who think an axe is a ranged weapon) :p

Navigation is tricky, so let's do the first 3 selections together:

  1. Armor to show the  SELECTION  list of Armor items
    1. Navigate to the  SELECTION  list
    2. Use the / and Enter to select "leather armor". You should now see "leather armor" listed under  SELECTION  list in the center of the screen.
    3. Ok, that was the easy one. So follow these steps CLOSELY.
  2. Legs to show the to show the  SELECTION  list of Leg items
    1. Use the / and Enter to select "legwear". You should now see "legwear" listed under "leather armor" under  SELECTION  list. BUT... the green leather armor means it is the selection from that column.
    2. Navigate back / to highlight legwear
    3. Material to reveal the material options that will appear under the  SELECTION  column.
    4. Navigate to the  SELECTION  list
    5. Use the / and Enter to select "leather" material. You should now see leather legwear listed under  SELECTION  list in the center of the screen.
  3. Now Helm to get your leather headwear
    1. Use the / and Enter to select "headware". (It may be the first option, so just hit Enter)
    2. Navigate back / to highlight headware
    3. Material to reveal the material options that will appear under the  SELECTION  column.
    4. Navigate to the  SELECTION  list
    5. Use the / and Enter to select "leather" material. You should now see leather headwear listed under  SELECTION  list in the center of the screen.

Be careful of hitting Enter at the wrong time and duplicating or deleting an entry. Here's what it should look like if you did it right:

Uniform that gets them training

Now press m to switch from "Partial matches" to "Exact matches" in the upper right. This appears to fix most of the issues that result in your dwarves not picking up quivers. You might be able to get away with r "Over clting", which means the dwarves will wear this uniform over their current clothing.

At this point you have created the concept of a uniform, but you have not yet told your squad to wear this uniform.

Proceed to the next section.

Positions[edit]

Now press p to go back to the positions menu. If you are creating l a new squad, it will prompt for a uniform, before showing a list of Vacant Squad positions and Candidates.

After selecting your recruits, switch to the e menu. Select your squad, then press U (that's capital U) to bring up the Uniform selection screen.

NOTE: If a position (for example, commander/captain) is highlighted when you hit the Uniform selection screen, your selection will ONLY apply to that individual soldier. Hit shift + enter to make sure you are assigning it to all positions in the squad.

You can also look at the top of the screen to see what your dwarves will train as (i.e. 10/10 Marksdwarves, instead of 1/1 markdwarf 9/9 wrestlers).

10/10 Marksdwarves

Handling ammo[edit]

We're almost done. Go to the ammo screen.

(Note: This isn't possible in Steam version. There is no ammo screen)

Ammo

If you're setting this by hand, here's what to know. Each squad needs the correct ammo. Bolts are assigned on a "per-item" basis, i.e., a given stack of bolts that's marked for training will only be used for training and vice versa. By default the top slot reserves ammunition for hunters. If you don't have any hunters you may want to remove that reservation from the ammunition screen to free up those bolts for your military.

Squad training orders[edit]

Now, for the magic bit that gets them doing nothing *but* training. Open the schedule screen with s and look at the orders. The default is "Train, 10 minimium". This is WRONG!

Default Training Order

Press x to delete the order. The schedule screen will change to show no scheduled orders.

no_orders

Press o to pull up the give order screen. Press o until 'Train' is set, and then press + so it shows minimum 1, like this. Then press shift-enter to give the order. The screen will look like this:

train 1

after giving train 1 order

Now do it again, until you have as many orders as total members of your squad (using a macro will allow you to repeat the process easily). You can give more than 5 orders, you just have to scroll in the orders screen to see it. When you're done it should look like this, after doing it 10 times.

Multiple train one orders

Copy and paste the order to all the months. You can also set Sleep in Barracks at need to increase their training time, though this will raise the stress levels of dwarves in the squad due to tired thoughts.

You're almost done. Activate your squad, and after they finish picking up equipment, watch your bolt supplies vanish as your marksdwarves do nothing *but* archery training.

Why this works[edit]

Squad training and sparring require multiple dwarves (and yes, marksdwarves *will* spar as long as they're Competent Fighters). Training, minimum of 1 forces them to work solo. Since they don't have a normal barracks, they can't drill, which leaves archery training as the only possible way to train. Since reloading on marksdwarves continues to be erratic, they'll frequently report "No Orders" or similar once they've finished archery training; until the game notices that a given dwarf is out of ammo, in which case they'll go pick up more.

Archery target training grants 5x less experience than live fire (6XP per bolt at archery target vs. 30XP per bolt on live targets), but no micromanagement, no hauling, one setup, and you can ignore it until you get that glorious announcement that Urist McMarksdwarf has become an Elite Marksdwarf.

Stopping melee charges[edit]

Do not use the station scheduling order!

When a dwarf has line of sight on an enemy, they'll do one of two things: run away; or run up and fight. While they're running up to the enemy, dwarves will shoot bolts if they have any, but then engage the enemy using their crossbows as hammers instead of shooting. Therefore, it's imperative that you create physical barriers which make it impossible for your marksdwarves to charge the enemy. Nothing else will suffice.

Some sources claim a Defend Burrows order may restrict marksdwarves to the area defined by the burrow. The full effectiveness of Defend Burrow orders at stopping a melee charge is unknown.[Verify]

The easiest way to accomplish this is to use fortification pillboxes (also known as archery towers), with a patrol order that causes them to break line of sight.

For patrol routes, marksdwarves will not reliably take a Pickup Equipment order as long as they have line of sight on their enemy; they will usually stand there and glare. Have them go through a door or something, and as soon as they lose sight of the goblin/forgotten beast/demon, they'll immediately go find bolts and reload.

An alternative approach is to forego all of this scheduling stuff, and use direct move orders. Station (move) your marksdwarves to the spot where you want them to stand, making sure that this spot is physically separated from the enemy. Remember that each dwarf will actually select a random spot within 3 tiles of your station-spot, on the same Z level, and try to walk to that spot. Make sure every such reachable spot is on your side of the fortifications.

In all cases, you must remember that dwarves can and will climb walls or fortifications to reach the enemy. To prevent marksdwarves from suicide-diving over the fortifications onto the killing ground below, build a roof (a floor on the next Z-level up) to physically block their vertical movement.

Military and defense
F.A.Q.
Guides
Managing soldiers
Design tips
Invaders