Developer Blog #35: Fortification Materials

[TerranUp16]

In a previous developer blog, you may have seen images of a trench and barricade network (one of those images is reprinted below). We just teased you a little and didn't explain the full purposes of those. But today, we're ready to talk just a little more on the subject.

As re-depicted below, we previously showcased concept metal trenches and barricades. The United Traders Coalition uses three materials to deploy its fortifications, and metal is only one of them. Earthworks and concrete round out the remaining two.

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United Traders Coalition fortifications are created by infantry equipping spades and digging earthworks. Only a simple subset of fortifications can be established in this manner, as really anything more complex than trenches and barricades requires either concrete or metal.

Concrete and metal both require construction shuttles. These materials are more advanced, and both are capable of supporting construction of and integration of more advanced structures such as pillboxes, covered trenches, etc... into a fortification network than earthworks alone can.

There are a few, key differences between concrete and metal, beyond just appearances. Concrete is cheaper and constructs faster, but degrades a little faster as well when under direct attack (for some fortifications, this rarely matters; for others, it could be key). Concrete and metal are both resistant to burrow attacks (attempts by burrowing mutants to surface at a location in a hostile manner), but concrete will fall to tunnel attacks (Mutant Network strategy whereby a shallow tunnel is built under a fortification, group of units, etc... and the tunnel is collapsed, instantly bridging the gap between the tunnel and surface)- although concrete does at least stand long enough during the attack that garrisoned infantry standing above the attack can relocate. Metal withstands this kind of assault unless it is so overpowering that all possible support for the metal platforms is encompassed and collapsed.

Concrete and metal are also more generally usable than for straight-up fortifications. They can also be used to cover the ground (like pavement) and to fortify structure/tower foundations, providing protection from the above-mentioned types of underground attacks. Simply, United Traders Coalition players can use earthworks, concrete, and metal to establish networks of fortifications that are varied, customized, and economically suited to their intended purpose.

-Rob (TerranUp16) Schwyzer, Lead Designer