Building Your Squad: A Guide to Creating Military Units in Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress is a game that takes you to a whole new world of adventure, strategy, and creativity. Set in a fantasy world, you control a group of dwarves as they build a fortress, create underground cities, and defend their homes against all sorts of creatures. One of the most important aspects of the game is warfare, and to win battles, you need a well-trained squad of soldiers. In this article, we’ll explore how to make a squad in Dwarf Fortress and give you some tips to help you create a formidable army.

To start, you’ll need to select some dwarves to train as soldiers. Not all dwarves are suited for combat, so you’ll want to choose those with a high strength stat (which affects their melee attacks), as well as proficiency in weapon skills. You can check the dwarves’ skills by going to their information screen and looking for the “military skills” section. Once you have your squad members selected, you’ll want to create a barracks where they can train. This should be a room with beds, weapon and armor storage, and a training weapon rack. You can assign the squad to train in this room by selecting the “military” menu and setting a training schedule. With these basics in mind, let’s get into the details of creating an effective squad.

How to Create and Manage Squads in Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress is a game of strategy and management, and one important aspect of this game is the creation and management of squads. Without a strong military presence, your fortress is vulnerable to attacks from goblin hordes, werebeasts, and other types of creatures. To ensure your fortress’s safety, it is important to create and manage your squads effectively. In this article, we will teach you how to create and manage squads in Dwarf Fortress.

Creating a Squad

The first step in creating a squad is to select a group of dwarves that meet certain criteria. Generally, you want your squad members to have high combat skills, good physical attributes, and the right equipment to fight. To create a squad, you need to go to the military screen by typing “m” and selecting “m” again. From the military screen, you can select the “S” option to create a new squad.

Assigning Uniforms

Once you have created a squad, the next step is to assign uniforms. Assigning uniforms ensures that your squad members have the right equipment to fight and are protected against enemy attacks. You can assign uniforms from the military screen by selecting the “U” option.

Training Your Squad

Before you send your squad into battle, it is important to train them. Training improves their combat skills, accuracy, and speed. You can train your squad by selecting the “T” option from the military screen.

Selecting a Leader

Every squad needs a leader to direct them in battle. A leader can be assigned by selecting the “V” option from the military screen. The leader of a squad should have high leadership skills and good combat abilities.

Setting Squad Orders

To control the movements and actions of your squad, you need to set squad orders. Squad orders can be set from the military screen by selecting the “O” option. You can give your squad orders to move, attack, defend, or station.

Assigning Combat Roles

To make your squad more efficient in combat, you can assign specific combat roles to each squad member. Some dwarves may be better at ranged combat, while others may be better at melee combat. To assign combat roles, you can use the “R” option from the military screen.

Scheduling Training and Combat

To ensure that your squad members are not exhausted and are always prepared for battle, you can schedule training and combat schedules. Training schedules allow your squad to train at specific times, while combat schedules allow your squad to rest or engage in combat. You can schedule training and combat from the military screen by selecting the “S” option.

Adding and Removing Squad Members

As your fortress grows, you may need to add more members to your squads. You can add new squad members by going to the military screen and selecting the “A” option. If a squad member is no longer fit for combat, you can remove them from the squad by using the “R” option.

Checking Squad Status

To ensure that your squads are always battle-ready, you need to check their status regularly. You can check your squad’s status by going to the military screen and selecting the “Z” option. From here, you can see the status of each squad member and their overall combat readiness.

Using the Military Map

The military map is a useful tool that helps you visualize your fortress’s defenses and your squad movements. You can access the military map by using the “z” key and selecting the “m” option. The military map allows you to see your squad positions, enemy movements, and fortress defenses.

In conclusion, creating and managing squads in Dwarf Fortress is essential for the survival of your fortress. By following these tips and tricks, you can create strong and efficient squads that are ready to defend your fortress against any threat. Remember to always train your squads, assign combat roles, and check their status regularly to ensure their readiness. Good luck and have fun!

How to Make a Squad in Dwarf Fortress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a squad in Dwarf Fortress is crucial for defending your fortress against invading goblins, giant cave spiders, and other monsters. In this section, we’ll guide you through the steps to make a squad and explain the basics of squad management.

Step 1: Select Military

The first step in making a squad is to select the “military” option from the main menu. This will bring up a submenu with several options, including “view squads,” “create squads,” and “assign uniforms.” Select “create squads” to begin forming your squad.

Step 2: Choose a Leader

Before creating a squad, you need to choose a leader. The leader will give orders to the squad and determine its overall strategy. You can choose from a list of available dwarves or assign a custom leader by selecting “custom squad leader” and then choosing a dwarf.

Step 3: Create a Squad

Once you have selected a squad leader, you need to create a squad by selecting the “create squad” option. You can choose a name for your squad, select its size, and assign the number of dwarves that will be in the squad.

Step 4: Assign Weapons and Armor

Now that you have created a squad, it’s time to assign weapons and armor to each of the dwarves in the squad. To do this, select the “assign uniforms” option from the main menu. You can choose from a list of predefined uniform templates or create your own custom uniform.

Step 5: Train Your Squad

Once you have assigned uniforms, it’s time to train your squad. Select the “view squads” option from the main menu and choose the squad you want to train. From there, select the “schedule” option and set up a training schedule for your squad.

Step 6: Set Squad Orders

Now that your squad is trained, it’s time to set squad orders. You can set orders for your squad to patrol, guard a specific area, or attack specific targets. To set squad orders, select the “view squads” option from the main menu and choose the squad you want to order.

Step 7: Position Your Squad

After setting squad orders, it’s time to position your squad. Position your squad in a strategic location so that it can defend your fortress or attack enemies as needed. To position your squad, select the “view squads” option from the main menu and choose the squad you want to position.

Step 8: Monitor Squad Activity

It’s important to monitor squad activity to ensure that your squad is following orders and performing well. Keep an eye on your squad’s kill counts, hit ratios, and overall performance. To monitor squad activity, select the “view squads” option from the main menu and choose the squad you want to monitor.

Step 9: Upgrade Squad Weapons and Armor

As your fortress grows and your enemies become more dangerous, it’s important to upgrade your squad’s weapons and armor. Invest in better-quality weapons and armor to give your squad an edge in battle. To upgrade squad weapons and armor, select the “assign uniforms” option from the main menu and choose the squad you want to upgrade.

Step 10: Expand Your Squad

Finally, it’s important to expand your squad as your fortress grows and your enemies become more numerous. Assign more dwarves to your squad and create additional squads if needed. To expand your squad, select the “create squads” option from the main menu and create additional squads as needed.

Conclusion

Creating a squad is essential for defending your fortress in Dwarf Fortress. Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful and effective squad. Remember to train your dwarves and monitor their activity, upgrade their weapons and armor, and expand your squad as needed. With the right strategy and tactics, your squad will be unstoppable.

How to Equip and Train Your Squad

After setting up your squad, it’s time to equip them with the right gear and training to increase their chances of survival in battle. Here are the steps to follow:

Gear Up Your Squad

To gear up your squad, head to the stockpile screen by pressing “z” and mark the items you want your soldiers to equip. This includes armor, weapons, and shields. You can assign specific gear types to a particular squad by going to the military screen, selecting the “a” key, then choosing the squad and pressing “e” to equip them.

It is essential to note that only specific items can be used by soldiers based on their skill level, so check your soldiers’ weapons and armor proficiency before assigning gear.

Train Your Squad

Once your squad is equipped, it’s time to train them. Select your squad in the military screen and press “t” to assign a training schedule. You can set the intensity of training and the skills you want them to focus on.

It’s important to note that training should be done frequently to improve your squad’s fighting abilities. Soldiers’ combat skills also increase with experience from actual fighting, so make sure to set your squad up for battles.

Set Up Regular Drills and Maneuvers

Drills and maneuvers allow your squad to practice their skills in a controlled environment. Set up routine training sessions where your soldiers can hone their skills and learn new tactics.

Assign Leaders and Formations

Assigning leaders to your squad will help improve their combat efficiency. Leaders can take charge of the squad during battles and give out orders, allowing for more coordinated movements and attacks.

You can also set up formations for your squad by selecting the squad in the military screen and pressing “f.” You can assign specific formations such as a shield wall, staggered line, or a wedge.

Keep Your Squad Motivated

Your soldiers need to be motivated to perform well in combat. Ensure your squad is appropriately fed, clothed, and rested. Regularly spend time with them in socializing activities, such as dining and dancing, to increase their morale.

In conclusion, making a squad in Dwarf Fortress takes some effort, but a well-equipped and trained squad can improve your chances of success in combat and surviving in the game. Remember to gear up your soldiers, train them frequently, and keep them motivated by establishing good leadership and camaraderie.

Thanks for Reading!

We hope you found our guide on how to make a squad in Dwarf Fortress helpful. Remember, creating a strong squad is essential to your success in the game. Don’t hesitate to experiment and try out different combinations of skills and weapons in order to find the perfect balance for your fortress’s defense. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And be sure to come back for more tips and tricks on Dwarf Fortress!