Editing 40d:Fortification

{{quality|Exceptional|22:30, 19 September 2010 (UTC)}}{{av}} 
:''If looking for a guide on general fortifications as defense, see the [[Defense guide]] and/or [[Defense design]].

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[[Image:Crenellations.jpg|thumb|right|300px|'''Fortifications''' on top of a round tower.'']]

'''Fortifications''' are arrow slits used in the defense of your [[fortress]], ''(and which are more technically known as "crenellations")''. They are probably most commonly used along the outside [[wall]]s of your fortress and on the upper levels of constructed watchtowers so that [[Marksdwarf|marksdwarves]] and [[siege engine]]s can fire at enemies from within your walls. Much like real world embrasures on battlements, their utility is limited if the enemy is close and at the same height; their true power lies in shooting from above and at distance, as it is possible to shoot at targets on other z-levels.

Fortifications allow ranged attacks (including [[siege weapon]]s), fireballs/breath, [[water]], [[magma]], [[steam]], etc. to pass through. Archers firing through fortifications must pass a skill test of some sort if they are not standing directly next to the fortification.{{verify}} This test is more difficult from further distances.{{verify}}

==Building fortifications==
Fortifications can be [[Carve fortifications|carved]] from stone walls, or built like any other [[construction]].  They ''cannot'' be carved from [[soil]], though they can be constructed on soil, as described below.

=== Carving ===
Once you have chosen the wall you want to carve, [[smooth]] the stone along its length using {{K|d}} -> {{K|s}}.  After it has been smoothed, re-designate the same wall for fortifications using {{K|d}} -> {{K|a}}.  Stone smoothing and fortification require a [[dwarf]] with the [[Engraver]] labor.  

Built walls do not require smoothing before carving fortifications, regardless if they are smooth [[block]] walls (built from stone blocks) or rough block walls (build from raw stone).

Damaged (i.e. partially mined) rock cannot be used for fortifications. 

=== Construction ===
Fortifications can also be constructed from [[metal]], [[wood]], [[glass]] blocks, or [[stone]] (in lump or block form) using {{K|b}} -> {{K|C}} -> {{K|F}}. Construction of wooden fortifications require the [[Carpenter|Carpentry]] skill, fortifications made of glass or stone require the [[Mason|Masonry]] skill, and those made of metal require [[Metalsmith]]ing.

Building fortifications does not include the floor on the level above. Constructing a wall and carving fortifications out of it does, however.

==Uses and strategies==
Fortifications are designed to allow your [[marksdwarf|marksdwarves]] to make pincushions of your enemies without exposing themselves to the dangers of melee, and providing them with cover from return fire. Obviously, their utility is derived entirely from their placement. It's a good idea to place fortifications above the Z-level that they will be defending, because otherwise ranged enemies could conceivably stand directly outside them and receive no penalty from them. Raising them above ground makes them inaccessible to enemies. 

It's helpful to make the room that the fortifications look out of a [[barracks]] or [[archery target|archery range]], along with an [[ammo]] [[stockpile]], to ensure that there are always [[military]] dwarves milling about at all times, ready to fire upon any attackers that threaten the fortress.

Beware that submerged fortifications will '''not''' block the passage of aquatic (or amphibious) creatures - wall [[grate]]s and vertical [[bars]] work, but they are vulnerable to [[building destroyer]]s.

Curiously, a fortification carved into a tile at the very edge of the map will allow water (but '''not''' magma) to drain through it and off of the map.

== See also ==
* [[Defense guide]]
* [[Defense design]]

{{Buildings}}

{{Category|Military}}
{{Category|Fortress defense}}