Editing v0.31:Wall

A '''wall''' is either a [[map tile]] or a [[construction]] that blocks access to [[creatures]] and [[Flow|fluids]]. The appearance of a constructed wall is similar to that of a [[smoothing|smoothed]] natural wall but it works the same as any filled tile composed of mountain rock, [[clay]] or [[soil]]. Walls either occur naturally (e.g. a Rough-hewn Andesite Wall), or can be constructed. With constructed walls it is possible to create multi-level [[building]]s such as [[tower]]s complete with roofs by creating [[floor]]s on the layer above. A wall fills the tile it is in and creates a walkable space above it.

As explained on the [[digging]] page, naturally occurring walls can be dug out using the {{Key|d}}esignations {{Key|d}}ig command, or c{{Key|h}}annel command.  These tasks are carried out by dwarves with the [[mining]] labor activated.

Natural walls can be designated for {{K|s}}moothing and {{K|e}}ngraving to improve the appearance and value of the wall.  These tasks are carried out by dwarves with the [[stone detailing]] labor activated.

Walls can be built ''en masse''. To do this, use the {{K|b}}uild -> {{K|C}}onstruction -> {{K|w}}all command. The keys {{K|u}},{{K|m}},{{K|k}} and {{K|h}} are used to change size. Walls may be built on any square which does not already contain a structure, provided your dwarves can reach an adjacent square (this includes building a wall over empty air next to a floor, allowing for the construction of inverted pyramids). Diagonals cannot be built from, nor will they support constructions.

Constructed walls cannot be engraved, but can be carved into [[fortification]]s ({{K|d}}esignate - c{{K|a}}rve fortifications). They will block movement, but not [[liquid]]s or small objects such as [[bolt]]s.

Normal walls are considered 'rough'. By using [[stone]], [[glass]], [[wood]], or [[metal]] [[block]]s, higher quality constructions can be built with increased value.  This can be particularly important when trying to maximize the value of a [[noble|noble]]'s [[room]].

As with all [[construction]]s, the material used dictates which [[labor]] is required to perform the construction.

To remove a wall, open the {{Key|d}}esignations menu and select {{Key|n}} Remove Construction. This task will be carried out by any unoccupied dwarf, including [[children]] and [[noble]]s.

 

 

When building walls to close off portions of caves or mines, masons have a habit of standing on the wrong side and trapping themselves within.  If this occurs, you can always have the mason remove a piece of the wall again to escape, using {{k|d}}-{{k|n}} to designate the removal as mentioned above.

 

 

Masons do not like to stand on a queued construction, though, and will try another position to get at their work.  Planning the order of construction with this in mind, one can often avoid entrapment.  If you want to override the mason's preferred side, designate another construction or other activity to occupy the space in question, then suspend that work.  The mason will then avoid working from that space if at all possible.  Remove the suspended job {{k|q}}-{{k|x}} after the desired construction is complete.

 

 

A sure-fire way to prevent a mason dwarf from walling himself on the wrong side is to place a door on the tile where you DON'T want him to end up. It might be necessary to build extra two wall tiles in order to install that door. One can then simply forbid the door and the dwarf will have no option but to pick the remaining side from which to complete constructing the wall. If built underground, the excess door will also work as an alarm system since building destroyers, namely Blind Cave Ogres and Forgotten Beasts, can and will destroy these doors, prompting a warning message, alerting the player to their presence.

 

* Walls do not have any effect on [[Noise|noise]].

* If a wall that is the only support for a structure is removed, it will [[Cave-in|collapse]], most likely hurting any dwarves on or around it.

*[[How do I construct a wall from a particular direction]]?