Dwarf Fortress Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Engraving

2026-06-04T18:26:46Z

SerenaOculis: /* Floor engraving bug */ new section

==Wall Engraving Value==
The article currently claims that wall engraving values are based on the value of the '''most common building material''' within the room. I've looked at a disassembly of the function that determines room value, and I cannot find any evidence that it does such a thing - on the contrary, the code appears to use the value of the wall's own material, exactly the same as it does for floor engravings (and exactly the same as it behaved in versions 0.47.05 and earlier). --[[User:Quietust|Quietust]] ([[User talk:Quietust|talk]]) 22:11, 9 September 2025 (UTC)

== Floor engraving bug ==

Anecdotally, the bug mentioned at the bottom of the page is not only still present, but also applies to all types of engraved floors, not merely ice ones.
[[User:SerenaOculis|SerenaOculis]] ([[User talk:SerenaOculis|talk]]) 18:26, 4 June 2026 (UTC)

Giant cave spider

2026-06-01T20:16:38Z

SerenaOculis: /* Farming silk */

{{Quality|Exceptional}}
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'''Giant cave spiders''' (also known as GCS) are large and extremely dangerous [[creature]]s who inhabit the deeper layers of [[cavern]]s. They are far different from your regular [[cave spider]]s; those are just treats for your [[cat]]. Giant cave spiders are as big as [[grizzly bear]]s and will make treats ''of'' cats, [[dwarves]], and the occasional careless adventurer.

You can find giant cave spiders in, obviously, [[cave]]s, caverns and most underground areas. They are '''the''' most dangerous creature in the caverns, excluding some [[forgotten beast]]s, as they [[No Pain|feel no pain]], [[No Stun|cannot be stunned]], can [[syndrome|envenomate]] creatures and have the ability to shoot [[web]]bing to ensnare their prey, with a range of 5 squares. If you see a giant cave spider in [[adventurer mode]], an announcement, "You've spotted a Giant Cave Spider!", will appear.

Giant cave spiders are not a rarity, with dozens present in the underground caverns, deep below the surface. They can be extremely hard to kill. They do not pose a big threat to a fortress when undisturbed, but when a dwarf ''does'' disturb one, [[Armok]] bless the soul of the unlucky dwarf. On occasion, however, a lucky dwarf might pound one to death within a few attacks by punching its skull into its brain, which can be a godsend after an unfortunate cavern breaching exercise.

Webs are quite useful when they aren't being used in an attack against you. Giant cave spider [[silk]] is worth twice as much as plant-derived textile and, given the [[silk farming|proper setup]] and victims, can be produced in endless amounts. Giant cave spiders are [[building destroyer]]s and will topple [[wood]]en [[furniture]] on sight.

Giant cave spiders give live birth and do not lay eggs, contrary to what one may expect. They also can't be gelded.

Some dwarves [[Preferences|like]] giant cave spiders for their ''mystery''.

==Fighting==
Giant cave spiders fight by throwing impressively large amounts of web at their enemies and biting them. Once an enemy is webbed, they are left immobilized for several moments, leaving them completely open to attack. Because the AI prioritizes attacks to the head if there is a good chance to hit, the spider will proceed to bite the victim on the head, which is generally fatal to dwarves or other similarly-sized creatures.

Giant cave spider venom appears to be a neurotoxin which causes progressive [[syndrome|paralysis]] and is usually fatal due to suffocation as the victim's diaphragm succumbs and ceases to function. The venom's effects set in relatively quickly, with complete paralysis after 720 seconds (10 [[time|time units]]). Larger dwarves will sometimes recover from this and resume breathing, assuming they are only bitten once. If not, death usually occurs after 1300 seconds (19 time units). In terms of Fortress mode, and depending on the speed of the victim, the venom will paralyze an infected dwarf within two steps and cause death by suffocation soon after.

Giant cave spider venom is only deadly on relatively small (read: dwarf-sized) creatures. It only tends to induce mild paralysis of members of large creatures such as giants, meaning a giant cave spider cannot typically kill large creatures. However, it will incapacitate and exhaust them very well.

==Killing a GCS==
The web attack of a giant cave spider not only covers a wide area but also has a very short cooldown period, and as such, the creature is easily able to spam it and is able to take out entire [[squad]]s with little trouble, making melee combat extremely risky. Ranged combat with [[crossbow]]s is much safer in comparison, as marksdwarves can out-range a cave spider's web, though this does not make it flawless; marksdwarves have the tendency to charge at their foes (and as such, right into the webs) while the giant cave spider can quickly charge at them itself, plus their large size means they can usually shrug off multiple bolts before going down. The safest method to attack a giant cave spider is either to ambush it in a chokepoint (where your dwarves may get to hit it before it can web all of them), by firing bolts through [[fortification]]s or by shooting it while it is distracted fighting something else (such as your unlucky melee squad). Pray your squads do not waste time attacking the spider's limbs and go straight for the head, before the spider does the same to them.

Due to giant cave spiders only attacking the head of a webbed dwarf, a few dwarves armored with [[steel]] helmets should be a match for a lone GCS. The coding for all creatures sets headshots as the number one priority if possible, and the web ensures that a headshot is indeed always possible. You may want to avoid using untrained dwarves for this, though, because the spider will still counterattack if the dwarf misses, potentially landing a blow on an unprotected area of the dwarf. One way to minimize this problem is to make the dwarf wear full armour (the GCS will still latch on with its bite, however, helm or no, and can still kill a dwarf by shaking them by the head).

Fortunately (or unfortunately...), giant cave spiders tend to take time to kill their prey, giving you time to kill the GCS and save the dwarf, if you are so inclined of course. However, you may not be able to save the dwarf from the GCS's venom.

Another strategy is to use large [[Animal trainer|trained]] animals to kill the GCS; two [[giant black bear]]s, [[giant grizzly bear]]s, or [[giant polar bear]]s will usually kill a GCS. The giant grizzly bears have the advantage that they can be trained for war, potentially increasing their aggression. Other animals that can kill a GCS very effectively include:
*[[Giant alligator]]s
*[[Giant lion]]s
*[[Giant tiger]]s

Clever use of [[trap]]s can also make short work of a giant cave spider before it reaches your fortress. Stone and weapon traps can severely injure, if not kill, the spider before it reaches your front lines, hopefully slowing it down and increasing the chances of your squads killing it before it can kill them.

==Capturing==
Due to the considerable value of giant cave spider silk, many players attempt to capture a live spider and set up a [[silk farm]] to boost their fortress's economy. While simply opening a path to the caverns and lining it with [[cage]] [[trap]]s may eventually work, a much more effective method is to take advantage of one peculiar behavior of building destroyers: simply build a '''[[wood]]en''' [[door]] within the caverns and surround it with cage traps (to a distance of at least 2 tiles), and any giant cave spider (or [[giant cave toad]], [[giant olm]], [[cave crocodile]], etc.) that wanders relatively close enough to the door will immediately charge toward it and be captured. Or, if you have enough [[mechanism]]s, cages and dwarfpower to spare, cage trap all the cavern exits, on map edges and fortress entrance points – a good precaution in any case in order to keep things from wandering out and causing trouble.
[[File:giant_cave_spider.png|thumb|230px|right|Contains even more web! ''Art by kruggsmash]]
Another thing that can be done with a captured giant cave spider is turning it into a [[pet]]. They possess a pet value of 2,500, making them the most valuable animals in the game that aren't cave dragons or megabeasts. It's wasteful to simply [[butcher]] them for meat, as multiple spiders can be captured and bred in order to create a very formidable [[fortress defense]] force. The spiders are born adults and as such cannot be turned fully tame, but a skilled [[animal trainer]] will ensure they never revert into hostility.

Raiding [[kobold]] caves for livestock is an easy way to get tame giant cave spiders.

==Farming silk==
{{main|Silk farming}}
Giant cave spiders can be a very lucrative and nearly-inexhaustible source of [[silk]] [[thread]] for your [[weaver]]s. The general idea is to expose the spider to a target, causing it to spew [[web]]s - fairly easy. The trick is to have a system that can then, on demand, isolate the spider from those webs so they can be ''safely'' collected, and then allow the entire system to be reset to repeat the process. Well-designed silk farms can maximize safety and production and greatly increase fortress [[wealth]].

{{D for Dwarf}}
Contrary to popular belief, giant cave spiders will not enter a [[martial trance]] when struck from behind. There have been reports of them being slain by particularly feisty [[cat]] [[ranger]]s, [[butcher]]s, and [[necromancer]]s, however the mere possibility of cats having these [[skill#professions|professions]] has been heavily disputed.

{{gamedata}}
{{Creatures}}
{{Category|Animals}}
[[ru:Giant Cave Spider]]

Giant cave spider

2026-06-01T20:15:10Z

SerenaOculis:

{{Quality|Exceptional}}
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{{creaturedesc}}
'''Giant cave spiders''' (also known as GCS) are large and extremely dangerous [[creature]]s who inhabit the deeper layers of [[cavern]]s. They are far different from your regular [[cave spider]]s; those are just treats for your [[cat]]. Giant cave spiders are as big as [[grizzly bear]]s and will make treats ''of'' cats, [[dwarves]], and the occasional careless adventurer.

You can find giant cave spiders in, obviously, [[cave]]s, caverns and most underground areas. They are '''the''' most dangerous creature in the caverns, excluding some [[forgotten beast]]s, as they [[No Pain|feel no pain]], [[No Stun|cannot be stunned]], can [[syndrome|envenomate]] creatures and have the ability to shoot [[web]]bing to ensnare their prey, with a range of 5 squares. If you see a giant cave spider in [[adventurer mode]], an announcement, "You've spotted a Giant Cave Spider!", will appear.

Giant cave spiders are not a rarity, with dozens present in the underground caverns, deep below the surface. They can be extremely hard to kill. They do not pose a big threat to a fortress when undisturbed, but when a dwarf ''does'' disturb one, [[Armok]] bless the soul of the unlucky dwarf. On occasion, however, a lucky dwarf might pound one to death within a few attacks by punching its skull into its brain, which can be a godsend after an unfortunate cavern breaching exercise.

Webs are quite useful when they aren't being used in an attack against you. Giant cave spider [[silk]] is worth twice as much as plant-derived textile and, given the [[silk farming|proper setup]] and victims, can be produced in endless amounts. Giant cave spiders are [[building destroyer]]s and will topple [[wood]]en [[furniture]] on sight.

Giant cave spiders give live birth and do not lay eggs, contrary to what one may expect. They also can't be gelded.

Some dwarves [[Preferences|like]] giant cave spiders for their ''mystery''.

==Fighting==
Giant cave spiders fight by throwing impressively large amounts of web at their enemies and biting them. Once an enemy is webbed, they are left immobilized for several moments, leaving them completely open to attack. Because the AI prioritizes attacks to the head if there is a good chance to hit, the spider will proceed to bite the victim on the head, which is generally fatal to dwarves or other similarly-sized creatures.

Giant cave spider venom appears to be a neurotoxin which causes progressive [[syndrome|paralysis]] and is usually fatal due to suffocation as the victim's diaphragm succumbs and ceases to function. The venom's effects set in relatively quickly, with complete paralysis after 720 seconds (10 [[time|time units]]). Larger dwarves will sometimes recover from this and resume breathing, assuming they are only bitten once. If not, death usually occurs after 1300 seconds (19 time units). In terms of Fortress mode, and depending on the speed of the victim, the venom will paralyze an infected dwarf within two steps and cause death by suffocation soon after.

Giant cave spider venom is only deadly on relatively small (read: dwarf-sized) creatures. It only tends to induce mild paralysis of members of large creatures such as giants, meaning a giant cave spider cannot typically kill large creatures. However, it will incapacitate and exhaust them very well.

==Killing a GCS==
The web attack of a giant cave spider not only covers a wide area but also has a very short cooldown period, and as such, the creature is easily able to spam it and is able to take out entire [[squad]]s with little trouble, making melee combat extremely risky. Ranged combat with [[crossbow]]s is much safer in comparison, as marksdwarves can out-range a cave spider's web, though this does not make it flawless; marksdwarves have the tendency to charge at their foes (and as such, right into the webs) while the giant cave spider can quickly charge at them itself, plus their large size means they can usually shrug off multiple bolts before going down. The safest method to attack a giant cave spider is either to ambush it in a chokepoint (where your dwarves may get to hit it before it can web all of them), by firing bolts through [[fortification]]s or by shooting it while it is distracted fighting something else (such as your unlucky melee squad). Pray your squads do not waste time attacking the spider's limbs and go straight for the head, before the spider does the same to them.

Due to giant cave spiders only attacking the head of a webbed dwarf, a few dwarves armored with [[steel]] helmets should be a match for a lone GCS. The coding for all creatures sets headshots as the number one priority if possible, and the web ensures that a headshot is indeed always possible. You may want to avoid using untrained dwarves for this, though, because the spider will still counterattack if the dwarf misses, potentially landing a blow on an unprotected area of the dwarf. One way to minimize this problem is to make the dwarf wear full armour (the GCS will still latch on with its bite, however, helm or no, and can still kill a dwarf by shaking them by the head).

Fortunately (or unfortunately...), giant cave spiders tend to take time to kill their prey, giving you time to kill the GCS and save the dwarf, if you are so inclined of course. However, you may not be able to save the dwarf from the GCS's venom.

Another strategy is to use large [[Animal trainer|trained]] animals to kill the GCS; two [[giant black bear]]s, [[giant grizzly bear]]s, or [[giant polar bear]]s will usually kill a GCS. The giant grizzly bears have the advantage that they can be trained for war, potentially increasing their aggression. Other animals that can kill a GCS very effectively include:
*[[Giant alligator]]s
*[[Giant lion]]s
*[[Giant tiger]]s

Clever use of [[trap]]s can also make short work of a giant cave spider before it reaches your fortress. Stone and weapon traps can severely injure, if not kill, the spider before it reaches your front lines, hopefully slowing it down and increasing the chances of your squads killing it before it can kill them.

==Capturing==
Due to the considerable value of giant cave spider silk, many players attempt to capture a live spider and set up a [[silk farm]] to boost their fortress's economy. While simply opening a path to the caverns and lining it with [[cage]] [[trap]]s may eventually work, a much more effective method is to take advantage of one peculiar behavior of building destroyers: simply build a '''[[wood]]en''' [[door]] within the caverns and surround it with cage traps (to a distance of at least 2 tiles), and any giant cave spider (or [[giant cave toad]], [[giant olm]], [[cave crocodile]], etc.) that wanders relatively close enough to the door will immediately charge toward it and be captured. Or, if you have enough [[mechanism]]s, cages and dwarfpower to spare, cage trap all the cavern exits, on map edges and fortress entrance points – a good precaution in any case in order to keep things from wandering out and causing trouble.
[[File:giant_cave_spider.png|thumb|230px|right|Contains even more web! ''Art by kruggsmash]]
Another thing that can be done with a captured giant cave spider is turning it into a [[pet]]. They possess a pet value of 2,500, making them the most valuable animals in the game that aren't cave dragons or megabeasts. It's wasteful to simply [[butcher]] them for meat, as multiple spiders can be captured and bred in order to create a very formidable [[fortress defense]] force. The spiders are born adults and as such cannot be turned fully tame, but a skilled [[animal trainer]] will ensure they never revert into hostility.

Raiding [[kobold]] caves for livestock is an easy way to get tame giant cave spiders.

==Farming silk==
{{main|Silk farming}}
Giant cave spiders can be a very lucrative and nearly-inexhaustible source of [[silk]] [[thread]] for your [[weaver]]s. The general idea is to expose the spider to a target, causing it to spew [[web]]s - fairly easy. The trick is to have a system that can then, on demand, isolate the spider from those webs so they can be ''safely'' collected, and then allow the entire system to be reset to repeat the process. Well-designed silk farms can maximize safety and production and greatly increase fortress [[wealth]].

{{D for Dwarf}}
Contrary to popular belief, giant cave spiders will not enter a [[martial trance]] when struck from behind. There have been reports of them being slain by particularly feisty [[cat]] [[ranger]]s, [[butcher]]s, and [[necromancer]]s, however the mere possibility of cats having these [[professions]] has been heavily disputed.

{{gamedata}}
{{Creatures}}
{{Category|Animals}}
[[ru:Giant Cave Spider]]

Talk:Siege

2025-11-18T00:38:26Z

SerenaOculis: /* Goblin Squads */ new section

== Goblin Squads ==

does anyone have any information on how goblin squads work post-v53. actually, does anyone have any info on v53 anyway? the wiki is barren in that sense - great picks and battering rams are mentioned nowhere and this page up until a few moments ago still talked about goblin siege tactics as if they just blindly charged into your fort - which is, uh, not ''strictly'' true anymore

Talk:Siege

2025-11-18T00:36:48Z

SerenaOculis: Created blank page

Siege

2025-11-18T00:31:31Z

SerenaOculis: /* Goblin sieges */ minor thing to my previous update. are great picks even mentioned in the weapons page? i believe not, but it's likely that if they did have a presence in the wiki they would be there...

{{Quality|Exceptional}}
{{av}}
[[File:df_goblin_siege.png|thumb|220px|right|Brutal battle during a small siege.]]
{{Translation
| dwarven = zokun
| elvish = thima
| goblin = etosp
| human = rislu}}
:''For catapults and ballistae, see [[Siege engine]].''
'''Sieges''' are large-scale assaults on your fortress by other [[civilization]]s, and a step beyond [[ambush]]es. Sieges are drawn from moving units advancing towards the fortress, whether from an army, a bandit group, or a necromancer's [[Tower (necromancy)|tower]]. They are announced with a full-screen message that differs depending on the attacking race, and the main screen showing the {{DFtext|SIEGE|6:4:1}} tag at the top for the duration of the siege. In the premium version, it looks like this: 
[[File:siege_icon.png]] 

A siege's objective is to exterminate every [[dwarf]] in your fortress, or die trying. It is possible to be sieged by all civilized races, with the exception of [[kobold]]s and subterranean [[animal people]]; these two never go beyond ambushes. Enemy civilizations will begin to send sieges against your fortress once its [[population]] reaches 80 members, with the exception of the undead, who may attack at any time.

[[Caravan]]s will not arrive at an already-besieged fortress, but will, unfortunately, arrive if a siege is not broken quickly enough - it is possible to miss out entirely on a civilization's caravan for the year this way. Even if they do arrive before the siege, the attackers may kill them or chase them off if they can reach them. '''Consider this when deciding how you set up your [[trade depot]] and how heavily reliant your economy is on imported goods.'''

A civilization will be unable to lay siege if it can't ''reach'' your fortress site, that is, armies need to physically move to the location of your fortress; they are normally allowed a 30-tile radius of interaction (towers have 10 tiles), beyond which sieges are impossible. Specifically, you will never get sieges if you embark on an [[island]], or in a valley which is completely surrounded by [[mountain]]s. If you want to make sure that a certain civilization will be capable of laying siege to you, then look at the "neighbors" view of the embark site finder when selecting your fortress site.

== Structure of a siege ==
*Siege forces usually consist of several "squads". Using the [[goblin]]s as an example, each squad consists of several goblins of one military class (swordsman, lasher, etc.), and often one "squad leader" (typically an Elite or better, which need not be the same class as the squad being led).
*Occasionally, a squad will be mounted – this means each of its members will be riding a suitable [[creature]], though the creatures typically vary between members. The squad leader can be mounted even if their squad is not. These mounts can change the combat dynamics, since some can fly, are [[building destroyer]]s, or have substantially different combat traits from their riders. For more info on mounted units, and the [[fun]] they can unleash upon an ill-prepared defender, see: [[Mount]].
*Invaders can bring large rams, construct ways into your fortress as well as mine through rock to reach it. Trolls can also bring pickaxes to do this.
*Invaders can climb [[wall]]s and pits. This can be quite [[fun]] if your fort defense relies on the same kinds of walls and pits as previous versions.
*In the pause menu, your retiring option will change from "retire your fortress" to "succumb to the invasion". Choosing this option will lead to the siege succeeding and the dwarves being killed.
*After being sufficiently "successful" at defending against the siege (killing sufficient attackers, waiting them out, or some combination thereof), the attackers will retreat. All of the remaining squads and groups will head for the map edges and leave, typically favoring the edge they entered from. Once all of the remaining attackers have decided to retreat, the {{DFtext|SIEGE|6:4:1}} tag will go away.
*It is possible to have multiple sieges at the same time. If the attacking civilizations are at war with each other, they will start to fight with each other as well.
*You can turn off sieges and [[megabeast]]s altogether by changing "civilizations can attack" and "megabeasts can attack" to NO in the difficulty settings.
*Depending on how your fortress is set up, [[winter]] can be the worst time for a siege due to any outside water being frozen. If your fortress is surrounded by a moat, or is meant to be blocked off by water in some way, your enemies will simply walk over the [[ice]] and climb over any walls into your fortress.

=== Difficulty ===
{{main|Difficulty}}
On normal difficulty, the intensity of enemy attacks directly corresponds to your [[fortress]]'s title. Once sieges are possible, 25% of invasions will be sieges instead of [[Ambush|ambushes]].

On hard difficulty, the trigger conditions for enemies are roughly halved, allowing more invaders to attack earlier. The frequency of sieges instead of ambush increases to 50%.

By default, a max of 120 soldiers and 40 monsters can attack your fortress during a siege.

{| style="margin: 1em auto; border-spacing: 0;"
|- style="vertical-align: top; padding: 0 1em"
|
{| class=wikitable
|+ Normal enemies
! colspan='2' | Fortress Title
! Pop
! Created Wealth
! Exported Wealth
! Invaders

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='background-color:#000; padding:2px 6px' | {{Raw Tile|Ω|#555|#000}}
| '''Outpost'''
| style='text-align:right' | -
| -
| -
| None

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='background-color:#000;' | {{Raw Tile|Ω|#777|#000}}
| '''Hamlet'''
| style='text-align:right' | 20
| 5,000☼
| 500☼
| Ambush only

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='background-color:#000;' | {{Raw Tile|Ω|#999|#000}}
| '''Village'''
| style='text-align:right' | 50
| 25,000☼
| 2,500☼
| " "

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='background-color:#000;' | {{Raw Tile|Ω|#bbb|#000}}
| '''Town'''
| style='text-align:right' | 80
| 100,000☼
| 10,000☼
| Sieges (10 regulars)

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='background-color:#000;' | {{Raw Tile|Ω|#ddd|#000}}
| '''City'''
| style='text-align:right' | 110
| 200,000☼
| 20,000☼
| Sieges (40 regulars, 5 monsters)

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='background-color:#000;| {{Raw Tile|Ω|#fff|#000}}
| '''Metropolis'''
| style='text-align:right' | 140
| 300,000☼
| 30,000☼
| Sieges (120 regulars, 40 monsters)
|}
|
{| class=wikitable
|+ Hard enemies
! Pop
! Created Wealth
! Exported Wealth
! Invaders

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='text-align:right' | -
| -
| -
| None

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='text-align:right' | 15
| 2,500☼
| 250☼
| Ambush only

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='text-align:right' | 30
| 12,500☼
| 1,250☼
| " "

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='text-align:right' | 40
| 50,000☼
| 5,000☼
| Sieges (20 regulars, 1 monster)

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='text-align:right' | 55
| 100,000☼
| 10,000☼
| Sieges (60 regulars, 10 monsters)

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='text-align:right' | 70
| 150,000☼
| 15,000☼
| Sieges (120 regulars, 40 monsters)
|}
|}

== [[Goblin]] sieges ==
[[File:The last stand by ncorva.jpg|thumb|250px|We hear the drums, they are coming... ''Art by ncorva'']]
{{dftext|A vile force of darkness has arrived!|5:1}}

Formerly, the tactics used by the goblins were no more sophisticated than charging in an open march toward your fortress, and attempting to kill your dwarves; however, as of version 53 (also known as the ''siege'' update), their tactics are much more varied. Goblin sieges often include groups of [[troll]]s and [[beak dog]]s, but may also include things like [[ogre]]s, or [[cave dragon]]s (along with some other "Subterranean" and evil "Fantasy" creatures), that can [[Building destroyer|break buildings]] and smash workshops. Trolls in particular are especially problematic, as they are able to wield [[weapon|great picks]] to dig through your defenses (and to tunnel through the ground if need be), as well as carrying [[block]]s they can use to bridge over your moats and open otherwise unavailable avenues for attack. Goblins may also bring fighters belonging to other races (previously kidnapped as children by [[snatcher]]s), and if you're really lucky, they may be commanded by something particularly [[Demon|fun]]. Goblin sieges usually involve [[mount]]ed squads, some of which can fly over whatever defenses you might have set up to stop them, and battering rams, which they can utilise against your defenses.

Interestingly, the goblin civilization lacks the {{token|SIEGER|e}} token, while large-scale attacks by them nevertheless activate the {{DFtext|SIEGE|6:4:1}} state. This suggests that the token doesn't regulate the overall ability to send out sieging forces, but merely enables large attacking forces to set up camp and try to wait out a fort – the behavior often seen in human sieges – instead of charging in blindly like a pack of fools (THIS INFORMATION MAY BE OUTDATED AS OF V53). Goblins are also the only race who can siege your fortress without their civilization being explicitly at [[war]] with your own, presumably because their evil nature makes them disregard diplomacy entirely.

== [[Elf|Elven]] sieges ==
{{dftext|An ambush! Curse all friends of nature!|4:1}}

It is possible to have elven attacks as well, but that usually requires some effort on the part of the player, or for your starting civilization to have a pre-existing conflict with a nearby elven one - you can check this when you embark while looking at nearby civilizations, where it will read {{DFtext|WAR|4:1}} next to the elf civilization, though it seems to be entirely dependent on how world gen plays out, and embarking at a time when a war is happening. Another, possibly simpler (and more amusing) way to elven siege is to blatantly provoke them. If you don't want to be attacked by elves you should not offer them wooden goods or goods stored in wooden barrels or bins. You might also avoid clearing too much woodland, as elves will be offended if you do so. Unless you want to be attacked by them, don't send squads to [[Mission|raid]] their sites in the civilization screen.

Elves ambush using stealth squads rather than siege, to hide their numbers and locations. It should be noted, however, that unlike goblin ambushes which cap at four squads, elves can come in '''massive''' numbers, atop mighty (and [[Butcher|tasty]]) [[unicorn]]s or other [[elephant|exotic beasts]] (like unaligned/mundane/giant animals, and good-aligned creatures). Fortunately, unlike goblins and humans, who wear heavy armor and wield [[metal]] weapons that can cause considerable damage, the elves are very weak in battle - their weapons and arrows are made of [[wood]], which will simply bounce off any standard metal armor, and they march into battle wearing easily breakable wooden armor, or even nothing but [[cloth]] robes and trousers.

== [[Human]] sieges ==
[[File:human_siege_preview.png|thumb|250px|right|Being taller helps with war-related things. ''Art by by John Gilbert (1817 - 1897 CE)'']]
{{dftext|The enemy have come and are laying siege to the fortress.|5:1}}

Humans may also siege you if you let their [[diplomat]] die while visiting your fortress; if too many of their trade wagons get destroyed, if you trade with an elven nation the humans are at war with, or if you raid their sites. Humans sometimes set up a camp near the map edge they arrived on, harassing wandering dwarves and waiting for you to come to them instead of blindly charging toward your fortress.

Humans often ride mundane animals, such as [[horse]]s, [[camel]]s (of both varieties), or war [[grizzly bear]]s, and may bring along further war animals like trained [[cheetah]]s, or even [[elephant]]s. Be aware that human siegers know about all [[trap]]s that their diplomats have seen before; even their war animals are immune to those traps. If you have had a human diplomat in your fort, assume that your traps are useless against the invaders unless they were built after their last visit. A removed and rebuilt trap counts as "new", even if it's the same type of trap in the same tile.

== [[Necromancer]] sieges ==
{{dftext|The dead walk. Hide while you still can!|5:1}} 
{{dftext|Forms twisted from their nature, legion of the night. What hope remains?|5:1}}

Necromancers will only be able to siege you if you embark in an area near a [[Tower (necromancy)|tower]]. If no tower is present in the neighbors list, no necromancers will ever besiege your fortress unless you attack them first.

Necromancers will besiege your fortress by sending [[undead]] to your fort or even coming themselves. Either way, undead sieges are a guaranteed source of [[Fun]]. The undead units will arrive from all sides of the map, slowly meandering towards your fortress. Undead sieges may arrive with as few as one zombie to as many as fifty or more—and if a necromancer is present with them, anyone that dies in or near battle (or lying somewhere near it) is likely to be revived as a new zombie, complete with all the skills, attributes, and equipment it had in life. The undead in general are serious enemies, that one cannot treat like goblin garbage. A legendary squad can take down unarmed zombies in equal numbers, but the large numbers that necromancers can bring are unmatchable. To make things worse, "elite" zombie fighters may carry ''weapons and armor'', a truly terrifying thought were there ever one.

While normally human, goblin and elven invaders usually do not have access to [[steel]] (with elves not using metal weapons/armour at all), if the original necromancer of the group (the one who was given the slab during worldgen) was a dwarf, it is not uncommon for the undead invaders to use steel. Yes, that means being invaded by steel-clad elven zombies with steel swords, for example.

It is recommended that you have <s>many traps</s> every single trap with the best available materials you could possibly build set in advance, and when the undead legions arrive, '''shut down everything'''. Be sure to shut down all of your [[butcher's shop]]s, crypts, and [[refuse]] [[stockpile]]s, as necromancers can reanimate armies of body parts to destroy your fortress from the inside. Be also careful with [[fishery]] workshops, as reports of [[mussel]] [[shell]]s rising from the dead are fairly common. Necromancers will raise any [[corpse]] or corpse part that they see, and simple proximity to undead can cause things like [[skin]] and [[hair]] to rise and attack the unfortunate butcher. It doesn't really matter how many zombies arrive; if you are not prepared, you will probably get slaughtered, as one zombie can easily become two zombies, then four, then eight and so on. If the zombies cannot attack your dwarves immediately, they will simply mill about on the surface until something living (wild animals included) comes too close or until they are all destroyed. Like other sieges, it is also possible to wait out necromancer sieges, though this can take a year or more. When fighting zombies that used to be your own dwarves, be sure not to let anyone who knew that dwarf fight them—it generates a strong negative [[thought]] on top of the reduction to sanity caused by fighting the living dead. Use [[Attack type|blunt]] weapons whenever possible—a mangled corpse is one that will stay dead, and with no functioning organs to damage, the only other way to stop them is through decapitation or bisection.

Undead sieges can attack your fortress at any time, including before the second spring's elven caravan arrives, or even before the first dwarven caravan arrives in the fall of your first year (thus preventing its arrival). The number of undead sent will depend on your wealth and population, and early sieges tend to have as few as three undead—but can cause very much cheesy [[fun]] if a lone necromancer accompanies them (which isn't uncommon).

(If [[experiment]]s are brought along, the latter message will be shown. Sometimes these "sieges" of experiments will be very small, consisting of only a few experiments and no necromancer.)

== [[Dwarf|Dwarven]] sieges ==
{{dftext|The enemy have come and are laying siege to the fortress.|5:1}}

Dwarves of a different entity from yours will normally not interact with your fortress. However, should the player [[Mission|raid]] the sites of another dwarven civilization, or refuse to give a petitioned [[legendary artifact]] if requested, the other dwarves may declare war on yours, leading to dwarven sieges. It isn't possible to be attacked by dwarves of your own entity.

Dwarves employ tactics similar to those of humans during sieges, and employ war beasts and cavalry equivalent to their own or to those used by goblins, as they have access both to above-ground and subterranean resources. Enemy dwarves can be particularly [[fun]] to face due to them possessing access to everything the player has, including the likes of steel equipment, and due to being able to enter [[martial trance]]s much like your own dwarves.

== [[Bandit]] sieges ==
Roving bandit groups near by your fortress may also besiege it, happening potentially as early as ''the first year'', making them an excellent source of surprise [[fun]].

Bandit groups are drawn from any entity with the {{token|BANDITRY|e}} and {{token|LOCAL_BANDITRY|e}} tokens. In unmodded games, these are [[goblin]]s, [[human]]s and [[kobold]]s, though other races (even [[dwarves]]) have been reported. Their announcement messages are the same as the messages for regular sieges of their race. Bandit sieges are generally smaller than a later-game full-blown siege, more similar in size to goblin [[ambush]]es, as there are fewer units from which to draw combatants. Bandits tend to be poorly equipped and skilled, some being recruits with no weapons or armour (''as would be expected of such matters of war'').

== Bugs ==
* Amphibian invader mounts drown their riders. {{Bug|926}}
* Occasionally sieges will not end with all invaders being dealt with. In such cases the siege seems to end after several months by itself. {{Bug|10075}}

{{Military}}
{{category|Fortress mode}}
[[ru:Siege]]

Siege

2025-11-18T00:30:22Z

SerenaOculis: /* Goblin sieges */ i'm surprised no one has edited this yet - i didn't want to do it myself, due to my limited knowledge of the subject, but my lack of edits forbids me from opening a talk page to discuss this, so i guess i kinda had to. i would welcome any further edits to this page that can add information i do not currently have access to.

{{Quality|Exceptional}}
{{av}}
[[File:df_goblin_siege.png|thumb|220px|right|Brutal battle during a small siege.]]
{{Translation
| dwarven = zokun
| elvish = thima
| goblin = etosp
| human = rislu}}
:''For catapults and ballistae, see [[Siege engine]].''
'''Sieges''' are large-scale assaults on your fortress by other [[civilization]]s, and a step beyond [[ambush]]es. Sieges are drawn from moving units advancing towards the fortress, whether from an army, a bandit group, or a necromancer's [[Tower (necromancy)|tower]]. They are announced with a full-screen message that differs depending on the attacking race, and the main screen showing the {{DFtext|SIEGE|6:4:1}} tag at the top for the duration of the siege. In the premium version, it looks like this: 
[[File:siege_icon.png]] 

A siege's objective is to exterminate every [[dwarf]] in your fortress, or die trying. It is possible to be sieged by all civilized races, with the exception of [[kobold]]s and subterranean [[animal people]]; these two never go beyond ambushes. Enemy civilizations will begin to send sieges against your fortress once its [[population]] reaches 80 members, with the exception of the undead, who may attack at any time.

[[Caravan]]s will not arrive at an already-besieged fortress, but will, unfortunately, arrive if a siege is not broken quickly enough - it is possible to miss out entirely on a civilization's caravan for the year this way. Even if they do arrive before the siege, the attackers may kill them or chase them off if they can reach them. '''Consider this when deciding how you set up your [[trade depot]] and how heavily reliant your economy is on imported goods.'''

A civilization will be unable to lay siege if it can't ''reach'' your fortress site, that is, armies need to physically move to the location of your fortress; they are normally allowed a 30-tile radius of interaction (towers have 10 tiles), beyond which sieges are impossible. Specifically, you will never get sieges if you embark on an [[island]], or in a valley which is completely surrounded by [[mountain]]s. If you want to make sure that a certain civilization will be capable of laying siege to you, then look at the "neighbors" view of the embark site finder when selecting your fortress site.

== Structure of a siege ==
*Siege forces usually consist of several "squads". Using the [[goblin]]s as an example, each squad consists of several goblins of one military class (swordsman, lasher, etc.), and often one "squad leader" (typically an Elite or better, which need not be the same class as the squad being led).
*Occasionally, a squad will be mounted – this means each of its members will be riding a suitable [[creature]], though the creatures typically vary between members. The squad leader can be mounted even if their squad is not. These mounts can change the combat dynamics, since some can fly, are [[building destroyer]]s, or have substantially different combat traits from their riders. For more info on mounted units, and the [[fun]] they can unleash upon an ill-prepared defender, see: [[Mount]].
*Invaders can bring large rams, construct ways into your fortress as well as mine through rock to reach it. Trolls can also bring pickaxes to do this.
*Invaders can climb [[wall]]s and pits. This can be quite [[fun]] if your fort defense relies on the same kinds of walls and pits as previous versions.
*In the pause menu, your retiring option will change from "retire your fortress" to "succumb to the invasion". Choosing this option will lead to the siege succeeding and the dwarves being killed.
*After being sufficiently "successful" at defending against the siege (killing sufficient attackers, waiting them out, or some combination thereof), the attackers will retreat. All of the remaining squads and groups will head for the map edges and leave, typically favoring the edge they entered from. Once all of the remaining attackers have decided to retreat, the {{DFtext|SIEGE|6:4:1}} tag will go away.
*It is possible to have multiple sieges at the same time. If the attacking civilizations are at war with each other, they will start to fight with each other as well.
*You can turn off sieges and [[megabeast]]s altogether by changing "civilizations can attack" and "megabeasts can attack" to NO in the difficulty settings.
*Depending on how your fortress is set up, [[winter]] can be the worst time for a siege due to any outside water being frozen. If your fortress is surrounded by a moat, or is meant to be blocked off by water in some way, your enemies will simply walk over the [[ice]] and climb over any walls into your fortress.

=== Difficulty ===
{{main|Difficulty}}
On normal difficulty, the intensity of enemy attacks directly corresponds to your [[fortress]]'s title. Once sieges are possible, 25% of invasions will be sieges instead of [[Ambush|ambushes]].

On hard difficulty, the trigger conditions for enemies are roughly halved, allowing more invaders to attack earlier. The frequency of sieges instead of ambush increases to 50%.

By default, a max of 120 soldiers and 40 monsters can attack your fortress during a siege.

{| style="margin: 1em auto; border-spacing: 0;"
|- style="vertical-align: top; padding: 0 1em"
|
{| class=wikitable
|+ Normal enemies
! colspan='2' | Fortress Title
! Pop
! Created Wealth
! Exported Wealth
! Invaders

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='background-color:#000; padding:2px 6px' | {{Raw Tile|Ω|#555|#000}}
| '''Outpost'''
| style='text-align:right' | -
| -
| -
| None

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='background-color:#000;' | {{Raw Tile|Ω|#777|#000}}
| '''Hamlet'''
| style='text-align:right' | 20
| 5,000☼
| 500☼
| Ambush only

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='background-color:#000;' | {{Raw Tile|Ω|#999|#000}}
| '''Village'''
| style='text-align:right' | 50
| 25,000☼
| 2,500☼
| " "

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='background-color:#000;' | {{Raw Tile|Ω|#bbb|#000}}
| '''Town'''
| style='text-align:right' | 80
| 100,000☼
| 10,000☼
| Sieges (10 regulars)

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='background-color:#000;' | {{Raw Tile|Ω|#ddd|#000}}
| '''City'''
| style='text-align:right' | 110
| 200,000☼
| 20,000☼
| Sieges (40 regulars, 5 monsters)

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='background-color:#000;| {{Raw Tile|Ω|#fff|#000}}
| '''Metropolis'''
| style='text-align:right' | 140
| 300,000☼
| 30,000☼
| Sieges (120 regulars, 40 monsters)
|}
|
{| class=wikitable
|+ Hard enemies
! Pop
! Created Wealth
! Exported Wealth
! Invaders

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='text-align:right' | -
| -
| -
| None

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='text-align:right' | 15
| 2,500☼
| 250☼
| Ambush only

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='text-align:right' | 30
| 12,500☼
| 1,250☼
| " "

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='text-align:right' | 40
| 50,000☼
| 5,000☼
| Sieges (20 regulars, 1 monster)

|- style='background-color:#eee'
| style='text-align:right' | 55
| 100,000☼
| 10,000☼
| Sieges (60 regulars, 10 monsters)

|- style='background-color:#ddd'
| style='text-align:right' | 70
| 150,000☼
| 15,000☼
| Sieges (120 regulars, 40 monsters)
|}
|}

== [[Goblin]] sieges ==
[[File:The last stand by ncorva.jpg|thumb|250px|We hear the drums, they are coming... ''Art by ncorva'']]
{{dftext|A vile force of darkness has arrived!|5:1}}

Formerly, the tactics used by the goblins were no more sophisticated than charging in an open march toward your fortress, and attempting to kill your dwarves; however, as of version 53 (also known as the ''siege'' update), their tactics are much more varied. Goblin sieges often include groups of [[troll]]s and [[beak dog]]s, but may also include things like [[ogre]]s, or [[cave dragon]]s (along with some other "Subterranean" and evil "Fantasy" creatures), that can [[Building destroyer|break buildings]] and smash workshops. Trolls in particular are especially problematic, as they are able to wield [[great picks]] to dig through your defenses (and to tunnel through the ground if need be), as well as carrying [[block]]s they can use to bridge over your moats and open otherwise unavailable avenues for attack. Goblins may also bring fighters belonging to other races (previously kidnapped as children by [[snatcher]]s), and if you're really lucky, they may be commanded by something particularly [[Demon|fun]]. Goblin sieges usually involve [[mount]]ed squads, some of which can fly over whatever defenses you might have set up to stop them, and battering rams, which they can utilise against your defenses.

Interestingly, the goblin civilization lacks the {{token|SIEGER|e}} token, while large-scale attacks by them nevertheless activate the {{DFtext|SIEGE|6:4:1}} state. This suggests that the token doesn't regulate the overall ability to send out sieging forces, but merely enables large attacking forces to set up camp and try to wait out a fort – the behavior often seen in human sieges – instead of charging in blindly like a pack of fools (THIS INFORMATION MAY BE OUTDATED AS OF V53). Goblins are also the only race who can siege your fortress without their civilization being explicitly at [[war]] with your own, presumably because their evil nature makes them disregard diplomacy entirely.

== [[Elf|Elven]] sieges ==
{{dftext|An ambush! Curse all friends of nature!|4:1}}

It is possible to have elven attacks as well, but that usually requires some effort on the part of the player, or for your starting civilization to have a pre-existing conflict with a nearby elven one - you can check this when you embark while looking at nearby civilizations, where it will read {{DFtext|WAR|4:1}} next to the elf civilization, though it seems to be entirely dependent on how world gen plays out, and embarking at a time when a war is happening. Another, possibly simpler (and more amusing) way to elven siege is to blatantly provoke them. If you don't want to be attacked by elves you should not offer them wooden goods or goods stored in wooden barrels or bins. You might also avoid clearing too much woodland, as elves will be offended if you do so. Unless you want to be attacked by them, don't send squads to [[Mission|raid]] their sites in the civilization screen.

Elves ambush using stealth squads rather than siege, to hide their numbers and locations. It should be noted, however, that unlike goblin ambushes which cap at four squads, elves can come in '''massive''' numbers, atop mighty (and [[Butcher|tasty]]) [[unicorn]]s or other [[elephant|exotic beasts]] (like unaligned/mundane/giant animals, and good-aligned creatures). Fortunately, unlike goblins and humans, who wear heavy armor and wield [[metal]] weapons that can cause considerable damage, the elves are very weak in battle - their weapons and arrows are made of [[wood]], which will simply bounce off any standard metal armor, and they march into battle wearing easily breakable wooden armor, or even nothing but [[cloth]] robes and trousers.

== [[Human]] sieges ==
[[File:human_siege_preview.png|thumb|250px|right|Being taller helps with war-related things. ''Art by by John Gilbert (1817 - 1897 CE)'']]
{{dftext|The enemy have come and are laying siege to the fortress.|5:1}}

Humans may also siege you if you let their [[diplomat]] die while visiting your fortress; if too many of their trade wagons get destroyed, if you trade with an elven nation the humans are at war with, or if you raid their sites. Humans sometimes set up a camp near the map edge they arrived on, harassing wandering dwarves and waiting for you to come to them instead of blindly charging toward your fortress.

Humans often ride mundane animals, such as [[horse]]s, [[camel]]s (of both varieties), or war [[grizzly bear]]s, and may bring along further war animals like trained [[cheetah]]s, or even [[elephant]]s. Be aware that human siegers know about all [[trap]]s that their diplomats have seen before; even their war animals are immune to those traps. If you have had a human diplomat in your fort, assume that your traps are useless against the invaders unless they were built after their last visit. A removed and rebuilt trap counts as "new", even if it's the same type of trap in the same tile.

== [[Necromancer]] sieges ==
{{dftext|The dead walk. Hide while you still can!|5:1}} 
{{dftext|Forms twisted from their nature, legion of the night. What hope remains?|5:1}}

Necromancers will only be able to siege you if you embark in an area near a [[Tower (necromancy)|tower]]. If no tower is present in the neighbors list, no necromancers will ever besiege your fortress unless you attack them first.

Necromancers will besiege your fortress by sending [[undead]] to your fort or even coming themselves. Either way, undead sieges are a guaranteed source of [[Fun]]. The undead units will arrive from all sides of the map, slowly meandering towards your fortress. Undead sieges may arrive with as few as one zombie to as many as fifty or more—and if a necromancer is present with them, anyone that dies in or near battle (or lying somewhere near it) is likely to be revived as a new zombie, complete with all the skills, attributes, and equipment it had in life. The undead in general are serious enemies, that one cannot treat like goblin garbage. A legendary squad can take down unarmed zombies in equal numbers, but the large numbers that necromancers can bring are unmatchable. To make things worse, "elite" zombie fighters may carry ''weapons and armor'', a truly terrifying thought were there ever one.

While normally human, goblin and elven invaders usually do not have access to [[steel]] (with elves not using metal weapons/armour at all), if the original necromancer of the group (the one who was given the slab during worldgen) was a dwarf, it is not uncommon for the undead invaders to use steel. Yes, that means being invaded by steel-clad elven zombies with steel swords, for example.

It is recommended that you have <s>many traps</s> every single trap with the best available materials you could possibly build set in advance, and when the undead legions arrive, '''shut down everything'''. Be sure to shut down all of your [[butcher's shop]]s, crypts, and [[refuse]] [[stockpile]]s, as necromancers can reanimate armies of body parts to destroy your fortress from the inside. Be also careful with [[fishery]] workshops, as reports of [[mussel]] [[shell]]s rising from the dead are fairly common. Necromancers will raise any [[corpse]] or corpse part that they see, and simple proximity to undead can cause things like [[skin]] and [[hair]] to rise and attack the unfortunate butcher. It doesn't really matter how many zombies arrive; if you are not prepared, you will probably get slaughtered, as one zombie can easily become two zombies, then four, then eight and so on. If the zombies cannot attack your dwarves immediately, they will simply mill about on the surface until something living (wild animals included) comes too close or until they are all destroyed. Like other sieges, it is also possible to wait out necromancer sieges, though this can take a year or more. When fighting zombies that used to be your own dwarves, be sure not to let anyone who knew that dwarf fight them—it generates a strong negative [[thought]] on top of the reduction to sanity caused by fighting the living dead. Use [[Attack type|blunt]] weapons whenever possible—a mangled corpse is one that will stay dead, and with no functioning organs to damage, the only other way to stop them is through decapitation or bisection.

Undead sieges can attack your fortress at any time, including before the second spring's elven caravan arrives, or even before the first dwarven caravan arrives in the fall of your first year (thus preventing its arrival). The number of undead sent will depend on your wealth and population, and early sieges tend to have as few as three undead—but can cause very much cheesy [[fun]] if a lone necromancer accompanies them (which isn't uncommon).

(If [[experiment]]s are brought along, the latter message will be shown. Sometimes these "sieges" of experiments will be very small, consisting of only a few experiments and no necromancer.)

== [[Dwarf|Dwarven]] sieges ==
{{dftext|The enemy have come and are laying siege to the fortress.|5:1}}

Dwarves of a different entity from yours will normally not interact with your fortress. However, should the player [[Mission|raid]] the sites of another dwarven civilization, or refuse to give a petitioned [[legendary artifact]] if requested, the other dwarves may declare war on yours, leading to dwarven sieges. It isn't possible to be attacked by dwarves of your own entity.

Dwarves employ tactics similar to those of humans during sieges, and employ war beasts and cavalry equivalent to their own or to those used by goblins, as they have access both to above-ground and subterranean resources. Enemy dwarves can be particularly [[fun]] to face due to them possessing access to everything the player has, including the likes of steel equipment, and due to being able to enter [[martial trance]]s much like your own dwarves.

== [[Bandit]] sieges ==
Roving bandit groups near by your fortress may also besiege it, happening potentially as early as ''the first year'', making them an excellent source of surprise [[fun]].

Bandit groups are drawn from any entity with the {{token|BANDITRY|e}} and {{token|LOCAL_BANDITRY|e}} tokens. In unmodded games, these are [[goblin]]s, [[human]]s and [[kobold]]s, though other races (even [[dwarves]]) have been reported. Their announcement messages are the same as the messages for regular sieges of their race. Bandit sieges are generally smaller than a later-game full-blown siege, more similar in size to goblin [[ambush]]es, as there are fewer units from which to draw combatants. Bandits tend to be poorly equipped and skilled, some being recruits with no weapons or armour (''as would be expected of such matters of war'').

== Bugs ==
* Amphibian invader mounts drown their riders. {{Bug|926}}
* Occasionally sieges will not end with all invaders being dealt with. In such cases the siege seems to end after several months by itself. {{Bug|10075}}

{{Military}}
{{category|Fortress mode}}
[[ru:Siege]]

Giant

2025-11-18T00:16:13Z

SerenaOculis: apparently giants are the only semi-megabeast with SLOW_LEARNER - i have added this as a small curiosity to the page

{{Quality|Superior}}
{{Creaturelookup/0
|image=giant_sprites.png
|portrait=giant_portrait.png
|wiki=Giant (mythology)
|vary=no}}
{{av}}
{{creaturedesc}}

'''Giants''' are massive [[fanciful]] [[creature]]s resembling oversized [[human]]s, and the largest of all [[semi-megabeast]]s. They inhabit [[Lair#Burrow|burrows]] and will attack fortresses once a certain amount of [[wealth]] is accumulated. Female giants are known as ''giantesses''.

When assaulting a fort, giants will [[Building destroyer|destroy building]]s and pummel any [[dwarf]] civilian unlucky enough to get in their path into mush. However, they are less of a threat than the likes of an [[ettin]] or a [[minotaur]], due to lacking their immunity to stunning, and proficiency with [[weapon]]s, respectively. Giants are intelligent creatures but do not naturally possess [[skills]], and also only learn them at half the rate of a civilized creature (unlike any of their semi-megabeast cousins), meaning their only real weapon is generally brute strength. That being said, giants are still the largest of their semi-megabeast kin and should be dispatched accordingly.

Despite their huge size, giants are as vulnerable to a [[cage]] [[trap]] as any other creature. Since they are intelligent, dwarves will not [[Animal trainer|train]] or [[butcher]] them, limiting their use to [[live training]] or decorating the fort by placing them somewhere to your liking.

Beware of giants and other [[semi-megabeast]]s who ''have'' managed to substantially increase their skills, which, by the way, is something no [[megabeast]] is able to do.

Some dwarves [[Preferences|like]] giants for their ''height''.

[[File:giant_preview.jpg|thumb|250px|center|Might have a few inches on you.]]

{{D for Dwarf}}
''Dwarf Fortress'' giants do not herd mammoths, nor do they make mammoth [[cheese]]. They also lack the ability to smash their foes a million feet into the air, nor are their toes (always) easy for the taking once they die. Contrary to popular belief, giants do not live at the top of beanstalks.

{{gamedata}}
{{Creatures}}
{{Category|Humanoids}}
{{Category|Semi-megabeasts}}