Stronghold walls, towers, moats and fire defenses
Build a castle that soldiers can actually use and enemies cannot bypass.
Edition covered
The original 2001 Stronghold military and economic game. Pictures show Stronghold HD, with the original visual style and interface improvements. Stronghold Crusader and the newer Definitive Edition campaigns are separate games.
Connect the wall walk
Stairs connect ground troops to walls. A visually complete curtain wall is not useful to archers if no route reaches it; test access before the next attack and keep gaps around buildings closed.
| Structure | Purpose | Setup check |
|---|---|---|
| Stone wall | Blocks ordinary ground movement | Close gaps and provide stairs |
| Tower | Elevated firing position | Provide access for archers |
| Gatehouse | Controlled entrance | Keep the approach covered |
| Moat | Delays or blocks the approach | Assign eligible troops to dig it |
| Stairs | Access to wall tops | Keep a walkable route from the ground |
Layer the entrance defenses
A gatehouse gives controlled access through the wall. Combine its approach with elevated fire, obstacles and a reserve near the lord instead of spending every stone on an unnecessarily long outer perimeter.
| Tool | Use | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch ditch | Burns an approach when ignited | Needs pitch and safe placement |
| Brazier | Allows nearby archers to ignite pitch | Must be near the firing position |
| Boiling oil | Engineer-operated wall defense | Requires an oil smelter and engineers |
| Well | Local firefighting | Needs workers and access |
| Killing pit | Concealed ground trap | A limited-use obstacle rather than a wall |
Treat pitch as a prepared trap
Pitch ditches need pitch and an ignition source. Keep friendly troops clear of the intended burning area; a fire trap that covers your own exit can prevent a safe counterattack.
Keep firefighters close
Enemy fire can spread through workshops and housing. Wells and water pots provide firefighting coverage, so protect them and avoid assuming a stone curtain wall makes the interior immune to fire.
Enemy fire can spread through workshops and housing. Wells and water pots provide firefighting coverage, so protect them and avoid assuming a stone curtain wall makes the interior immune to fire.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Publisher game and edition listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Publisher manual | shared.fastly.steamstatic.com |