Editing v0.34:Wall

{{quality|Exceptional|13:50, 7 March 2011 (UTC)}}{{av}}


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.

== Digging ==
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.

== Construction ==

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.

The important thing to remember is that all walls, floors and anything built with the {{K|b}}-{{K|C}} keys are LIFO - "Last In, First Out". That means that the very last designation you make will be the very first thing your masons will work on next! Once you master this concept, it can be used to your advantage, but only if you can plan ahead.

It is also important to remember that you cannot build on top of a constructed floor, but you can build a wall on top of another constructed wall, even though the upper surface of a wall is otherwise indistinguishable from a constructed floor. 

Constructed walls cannot be engraved, but can be carved into [[fortification]]s ({{K|d}}esignate - c{{K|a}}rve fortifications). Unlike constructed fortifications, those created from walls retain an implied [[floor]] on the level above. As usual, the fortifications 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.

When building walls, your masons will carry the rocks themselves. A useful tip when building defences is to first make a rock stockpile nearby, and only allow one type of rock in it. After it fills up, build only as many walls as there are rocks in the stockpile. Wait for your haulers to refill the stockpile, then build the next section of the wall.

=== Building Walls in damp conditions ===
When trying to build walls in damp conditions (such as when getting through an Aquifer in a soil layer), you need to make sure that the area to be built on *and* the area the dwarf needs to stand on to build from are at 1/7 or 0/7 when you set the order to build the wall.

If the area the dwarf needs to stand on is 2/7 when the wall is designated to be built, then the dwarf will try to build the wall by standing in the space the wall will occupy, and will never complete the work.

If there are multiple areas, then at least one must be at 1/7, and the dwarf may ignore those which were at 2/7 or greater, even if they subsequently drop to 1/7 or dry out entirely.

== Removing Walls ==

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.

== Notes ==
* 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.

== Bugs ==
*Dwarves have a bad habit of attempting to construct walls from the wall's tile. This results in an error message "[[Main:Dwarf cancels construction of Wall: Creature occupying site|Dwarf cancels construction of Wall: Creature occupying site]]", and the construction of the wall will be suspended. See the link above for an explanation and workarounds.


{{Buildings}}
{{Category|Buildings}}
{{Category|Constructions}}