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v0.31.12 · v0.28.181.40d · v0.23.130.23a This article is about the current version of DF. More Info

"Weapon" can refer to either the manufactured weapons used by dwarves and other creatures for either combat or specific labors, or natural weapons like fists and breath attacks used for creature-specific methods of combat.

Contents 1 Manufactured weapons 1.1 Notes about manufactured weapons 1.1.1 Weapons as tools 1.2 Dwarf-manufactured weapons 1.3 Foreign weapons 1.4 Ammunition 1.4.1 Notes about ammunition 1.4.2 Ammunition table 2 Natural weapons 2.1 Types of natural weapons 2.1.1 Striking natural weapons 2.1.2 Other natural weapons

[edit] Manufactured weapons

These weapons are constructed by dwarves or other intelligent races. There are many types of weapons, but not all may be manufactured in Fortress Mode.

[edit] Notes about manufactured weapons

• If you find your dwarves wearing more than one weapon - or any unwanted armor, for that matter - one way to get rid of them is to dump the weapon from their v-i screen. This does not always work as they may re-equip. Another option is to remove any weapons and/or shields listed on their military equip screen. This too does not always work. At least "left-handedness" seems to not pose a problem.

• Using weapons is much more effective than unarmed combat- an untrained swordsdwarf with an iron weapon can defeat a grand master wrestler, provided neither is wearing armor.

• Larger weapons with more heft tend to do more damage. How damage is calculated is currently not fully understood, and this is an area requiring more research.

• Weapons and ammunition with the "foreign" attribute must be either imported by either traders or invaders, or acquired from strange moods.

• Weapons originating from strange moods can be made from almost any material: while it is never normally possible to manufacture a bone spear, for example, a fey bone carver may produce one from a single rainbow trout bone.

• Wooden versions of melee weapons are labeled as "training weapons" and are made at a carpenter's workshop. All training weapons have a blunt attack type, even if the weapon they are based on is typically edged.

• Crossbows can be made of metal, wood, and bone. Metal crossbows are made by a weaponsmith at a forge, while wood and bone crossbows are made by a bowyer at a bowyer's workshop. The material of a crossbow does not affect firing ability, only melee damage. A dwarf's marksmanship skill is only affected by the core quality of the bow. This may be a consideration when deciding which dwarf you want outfitting your marksdwarves: a legendary bowyer is a better choice than a proficient weaponsmith.

[edit] Weapons as tools

Hunters, Woodcutters and Miners use weapons for their work and if need be will also fight using them. Hunters seem to be limited to crossbows while miners and woodcutters use picks and axes respectively.

[edit] Dwarf-manufactured weapons

Type	Size	Attack Type	Skill Used	Metal	Wood	Bone	Stone
Battle Axe	800	Edge	Axe	Yes	Yes	No	No
Crossbow (Melee)	400	Blunt	Hammer	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Mace	800	Blunt	Mace	Yes	No	No	No
Pick	500	Edge	Mining	Yes	No	No	No
Short Sword	300	Edge	Sword	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Spear	400	Edge	Spear	Yes	Yes	No	No
War Hammer	400	Blunt	Hammer	Yes	No	No	No

[edit] Foreign weapons

Type	Size	Attack Type	Skill Used	Metal	Wood	Bone	Stone
2H Sword	900	Edge	Sword	Yes	No	No	No
Blowgun (Melee)	150	Blunt	Sword	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Bow (Melee)	300	Blunt	Sword	Yes	Yes	No	No
Flail	500	Blunt	Mace	Yes	No	No	No
Great Axe	1300	Edge	Axe	Yes	No	No	No
Halberd	1200	Edge	Axe	Yes	No	No	No
Large Dagger	200	Edge	Dagger	Yes	No	No	No
Long Sword	700	Edge	Sword	Yes	No	No	No
Maul	1300	Blunt	Hammer	Yes	No	No	No
Morningstar	500	Blunt	Mace	Yes	No	No	No
Pike	800	Edge	Pike	Yes	No	No	No
Scimitar	300	Edge	Sword	Yes	No	No	No
Scourge	300	Edge	Whip	Yes	No	No	No
Whip	100	Blunt	Whip	Yes	No	No	No

[edit] Ammunition

Ammunition is fired from ranged weapons like crossbows and blowguns, and is stored in ammunition stockpiles. Ammunition may also refer to the stones and ballista arrows fired from siege engines: For more information about these weapons, see the siege engine article.

[edit] Notes about ammunition

• Ammunition for foreign weapons like bows and blowguns is also considered foreign and cannot be manufactured in the fortress.

• All ammunition has the "EDGED" attack type.

[edit] Ammunition table

Type	Size	Skill Used	Metal	Wood	Bone
Bolt (Crossbow)	50	Marksman	Yes	Yes	Yes
Arrow (Bow)	50	Bowman	Yes	Yes	No
Blowdart (Blowgun)	10	Blowgunner	Yes	Yes	Yes

[edit] Natural weapons

Natural weapons are incredibly varied, but may be divided into a few basic types. Every creature in the game has natural weapons of one sort or another. A short description of natural weapons and damage considerations follows.

[edit] Types of natural weapons

[edit] Striking natural weapons

The basic natural weapons, every creature has an array of basic natural weapons. Damage done by these weapons depends greatly on the respective size of the combatants and the strength and striking/kicking/biting skill of the attacker.

Natural weapons in this category can include but are not limited to punching with the fists, biting with the teeth, scratching with the nails,and kicking.

[edit] Other natural weapons

The various syndrome delivery methods fall under this category, including breath weapons, poisonous blood, venomous bites, and so on. With the exception of some breath weapons, these attacks do not rely on size for damage calculation. For more information, see the syndrome page. For specific information on breath weapons, see the breath attacks section of the syndrome page.