Village Defense

Village defense in Wanderfolk uses a three-ring formation system (melee, ranged, support) combined with 10 deployable trap types and up to 4 levels of fortification. When bandits raid or enemy villages attack, defenders automatically position around the village center while traps control approach routes.

Defensive Formation

Village defenders automatically form a three-ring formation around the village center:

The formation creates overlapping coverage — attackers must fight through the melee line while taking ranged fire, and any wounded defenders receive healing from the support ring.

Trap Types

Villages can deploy 10 types of defensive traps around their perimeter:

Damage Traps

Spike Pits are the highest single-target damage trap. Place them on approach paths where bandits are likely to walk.

Fire Bombs have the largest blast radius (48px) — good for hitting groups of attackers.

Magical Wards combine high damage (30) with a full-second stun — the best trap for stopping a charge.

Lightning Snares chain to up to 3 targets, making them effective against clustered groups.

Control Traps

Bear Traps immobilize a single target for 3 seconds — enough time for garrison fighters to close in.

Caltrops cover a huge area (40px radius) and slow attackers to 40% speed for 5 seconds. Excellent for perimeter control.

Net Traps are the longest stun (4 seconds) but deal no damage. Combined with ranged attackers, they’re devastating.

Frost Runes have the widest radius (56px) and the longest slow effect (6 seconds at 25% speed). Place them on main approach routes.

Utility Traps

Alarm Bells have the largest detection radius (120px) and are essential for night raids — they wake sleeping garrison NPCs and trigger the defensive response.

Warding Totems create an 80px zone of denial that deters enemies. Useful for blocking alternate routes.

Trap Placement

Traps are placed by military NPCs based on their role:

• Warriors/Guards — spike pits, bear traps
• Scouts — caltrops, alarm bells
• Temple Guards — magical wards, warding totems
• Warchief/Captain — fire bombs, lightning snares, frost runes
• Herbalist — net traps (poison-laced nets)

Larger garrisons deploy more traps. A village with a warchief, several warriors, and a temple guard will have a comprehensive trap network.

Ranged Defense

Defenders with ranged capability attack from the middle ring:

• Scouts — fast attack speed (800ms), lower damage
• Temple Guards — moderate attack speed and damage
• Elders — ranged fireball attacks
• Priests — ranged fireball attacks (when not healing)
• Herbalists — ranged fireball attacks

Ranged defenders are particularly effective against bandits who get slowed by caltrops or frost runes — they can’t close the distance while being pelted with projectiles.

Fortification Effects

Village fortification level affects defense in two ways:

1. Military power bonus — +5 per level, making the village harder to attack
2. Physical barriers — walls and palisades force attackers through chokepoints where traps are concentrated

How to Help

As a player, you can strengthen village defense:

• Fight alongside defenders — your combat contribution during raids is significant
• Bring companions — your party supplements the garrison
• Donate resources — contributing ore and wood helps villages build fortifications faster
• Build reputation — high reputation with military NPCs improves their combat effectiveness (see Companions for culture modifiers)
• Patrol the perimeter — intercepting bandits before they reach the village prevents damage entirely

Related Articles

• Military System — garrison strength, mercenaries, and the military power formula
• Bandits — the primary threat that triggers village defense responses
• Companions — recruiting NPCs to supplement village defenses
• Conquest — large-scale warfare where village defense determines survival