Editing v0.31:Fortification

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'''Fortifications''' are a special type of [[wall]]. They allow the passage of [[ammunition|projectiles]] [in and out] and liquids, [[mist]], [[steam]] and [[smoke]], but not [[creature]]s, making them an important part in a fortress's [[defense guide|defense]]. An archer must have a skill level of accomplished or higher to shoot through fortifications from a distance; otherwise they must stand directly next to the fortification to shoot through it. Creatures with a [FLIER] tag can of course fly over and avoid these walls. One can build [[floor]] tiles on the Z-level above, to make a roof against flyers.

Fortifications allow liquids to pass through in any direction except vertically -- they are open at the top, allowing liquids to be poured in from above, but they implicitly include a floor (even when constructed over empty space) so liquids will not fall out their bottom.

Note that goblin '''elite''' bowmen and crossbowmen have sufficient skill to ignore the distance from your fortifications; they will shoot right through every time and (likely) decimate your forces. This can be avoided without compromising the usefulness of a fortification network by constructing a thin 1-tile wide raising [[bridge]] just outside the fortification. Attach each bridge to a [[lever]] and pull the lever if an elite goblin poses a threat. The blocking bridge will cut off line of sight and prevent bolts from penetrating your defenses. This will likely [[fun|backfire]] if used on ground level, however, due to the presence of building destroyers during [[siege]]s.

Beware that fully submerged (i.e. 7/7 depth) fortifications will '''not''' block the passage of creatures that swim in water (or magma) - wall [[grate]]s and vertical [[bars]] work, but they are vulnerable to [[building destroyer]]s. A partially-submerged fortification (even with 6/7 depth) completely blocks the passage of creatures, despite the fortification being invisible. If the water is flowing though, it can push creatures through fortifications, even if they are not fully submerged (that is at least true at 2-3/7 depth).

The vertical (Z-level) version of fortifications are {{L|grate|floor grates}}.

Curiously, a fortification carved into a tile at the very edge of the map will allow water or magma to drain through it and off of the map.


In [[adventurer mode]] you can throw any item (such as bows, arrows, axes, hammers, shields, body armour, severed limbs, corpses, etc.) through the wall, but you cannot climb through them.

== Building Fortifications ==

Fortifications can be built one of two ways. Firstly, they can be carved from [[construction|constructed]] walls or [[smoothing|smooth]]ed natural walls by pressing {{K|d}}esignation and then C{{K|a}}rve Fortifications. The second way is through the [[construction]] [[menu]]: First press {{K|b}}, then {{K|C}} followed by {{K|F}}ortifications. As with most [[building]]s, this will require one unit of [[wood]], [[stone]], [[metal]], or [[glass]]. Note that constructed fortifications do ''not'' have walkable [[floor]]s above them, while carved fortifications do.

Carved fortifications must be carved by a dwarf with the Stone Detailing labor enabled. Constructed fortifications must be built by a dwarf with a corresponding labor to the material used.

{{buildings}}