Marksdwarves won't shoot through fortifications

[Vik]

I built a 2-storey tower outside my fort to defend from invaders, but whenever we come under attack and I put my marksdwarves in the tower they won't shoot anything no matter how close it comes. It is only 2 levels high, with the fortifications being on the top level, with a 3-by-3 interior, so unless they are standing on the stairs they should be able to shoot, but even if they aren't, and they aren't, they don't. What am I doing wrong?

[Kazaanh]

There is currently bug, if you deleted original "Ranged" squad uniform preset and applied to marksdwarfs they won't shoot at all or wont equipp bolts ever.

So if you mane a new uniform set, it won't work. You have to use original one from the default presets.

[AlP]

Originally posted by Kazaanh:

There is currently bug, if you deleted original "Ranged" squad uniform preset and applied to marksdwarfs they won't shoot at all or wont equipp bolts ever.

So if you mane a new uniform set, it won't work. You have to use original one from the default presets.

That's not true, stop spreading this misinformation.

There is no difference between the original uniform and any uniforms you create yourself. The bug is that the uniform must exist before you create the squad, or the bolts have to be crafted after you create the uniform or the squad.

[Helios]

Originally posted by AlP:

Originally posted by Kazaanh:

There is currently bug, if you deleted original "Ranged" squad uniform preset and applied to marksdwarfs they won't shoot at all or wont equipp bolts ever.

So if you mane a new uniform set, it won't work. You have to use original one from the default presets.

That's not true, stop spreading this misinformation.

There is no difference between the original uniform and any uniforms you create yourself. The bug is that the uniform must exist before you create the squad, or the bolts have to be crafted after you create the uniform or the squad.

I can vote for this if you have an existing squad and craft bolts they will use them

[Morkonan]

Originally posted by Vik:

... What am I doing wrong?

What is their behavior? Describe it. (Beyond "not firing") Do they have a path to the enemy and then choose to engage in melee? Make sure you don't allow them to do that, for now. (It will eventually be fixed, dunno when though.)

They are all fully equipped, with quivers and bolts?

How are they assigned to this area? Try making it that one small area with Defend Burrow order, then Station (And maybe a very tiny Patrol route, perhaps) and see if you note any differences. (A deviation of up to three tiles is common in certain order combos for dorf placement. ie: "Go To" does that on purpose.)

There was an issue mentioned on a recent dev stream with crossbowdorfs not targeting enemies standing right beside the fortification tile. I assume the floor your dorfs are firing from does not overlap the tile layer, below, (in an "overhang" fashion) simply from your description of its size? True? If so, is it possible the close targets to your dorfs are actually climbing on the tower? (Might be an intended target issue, though I think they should still be able to hit those climbing enemies?)

Second-row crossbowdorfs sometimes don't shoot at enemies they should. (Known issue, I think. Could be "skill related" too, if it involves firing through Fortifications.)

[LastChime]

Yeah what's their skill @? I thought they have to be at least novice to shoot through a fortification they're right next to.

[Vik]

Originally posted by Morkonan:

Originally posted by Vik:

... What am I doing wrong?

What is their behavior? Describe it. (Beyond "not firing") Do they have a path to the enemy and then choose to engage in melee? Make sure you don't allow them to do that, for now. (It will eventually be fixed, dunno when though.)

They are all fully equipped, with quivers and bolts?

How are they assigned to this area? Try making it that one small area with Defend Burrow order, then Station (And maybe a very tiny Patrol route, perhaps) and see if you note any differences. (A deviation of up to three tiles is common in certain order combos for dorf placement. ie: "Go To" does that on purpose.)

There was an issue mentioned on a recent dev stream with crossbowdorfs not targeting enemies standing right beside the fortification tile. I assume the floor your dorfs are firing from does not overlap the tile layer, below, (in an "overhang" fashion) simply from your description of its size? True? If so, is it possible the close targets to your dorfs are actually climbing on the tower? (Might be an intended target issue, though I think they should still be able to hit those climbing enemies?)

Second-row crossbowdorfs sometimes don't shoot at enemies they should. (Known issue, I think. Could be "skill related" too, if it involves firing through Fortifications.)

They stay in the tower, they don't path to go bash the enemy with their crossbows. No the tower doesn't overhang at all, the firing platform is the exact same size as the base, 5x5 with a 3x3 interior. When it happened, a goblin invader happened to move in closer to the tower. It was both distant from the tower (~10 tiles I think) and also approached the tile right next to the base of the tower. at neither time did my marksdwarves fire their crossbows at him. The goblin didn't climb as far as I was aware, it was mostly interested in killing my pasturing animals.

[Vik]

Originally posted by LastChime:

Yeah what's their skill @? I thought they have to be at least novice to shoot through a fortification they're right next to.

My marksdwarves are also my hunters, none of them are novices.

[Vik]

Originally posted by Kazaanh:

There is currently bug, if you deleted original "Ranged" squad uniform preset and applied to marksdwarfs they won't shoot at all or wont equipp bolts ever.

So if you mane a new uniform set, it won't work. You have to use original one from the default presets.

This is a bug, if you create a squad of marksdwarves and don't assign a uniform at the squad's creation they won't pick up bolts.

[Other]

Originally posted by Vik:

My marksdwarves are also my hunters, none of them are novices.

This might be the problem. Do they still have hunting turned on? The three civilian labors that require tools (hunting, mining, woodcutting) implement those tools with a hidden uniform that conflicts with anything military. Unfortunately even if their military uniform is compatible, they can't switch easily between civilian and on-duty, and can't use the same weapon for both.

[Diarmuhnd]

Originally posted by Vik:

... What am I doing wrong?

Further Reading on youTube had a video about this just today. Brb with the link, it should help oyu figure out why yours are not shooting. maybe.

edit: heres the youTube link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL-YSaldcfo

good luck

[Vik]

Originally posted by Other:

Originally posted by Vik:

My marksdwarves are also my hunters, none of them are novices.

This might be the problem. Do they still have hunting turned on? The three civilian labors that require tools (hunting, mining, woodcutting) implement those tools with a hidden uniform that conflicts with anything military. Unfortunately even if their military uniform is compatible, they can't switch easily between civilian and on-duty, and can't use the same weapon for both.

Oh maybe so, I'll try this out the next time I get sieged.