Surviving in Going Medieval requires careful planning, and defensive strategy is one of the most critical aspects of ensuring your settlement’s longevity. This guide will take you through an effective moat-based defense system, explaining how to funnel enemies into kill zones, optimize archer positions, and deal with potential siege weapons.

---

Building an Impenetrable Moat Defense

One of the most effective ways to control enemy movement is by constructing a moat or ditch around your entire settlement. The enemy AI is not advanced enough to jump across gaps, meaning they will be forced to follow whatever path you leave open. By directing them into a pre-planned killing field, you ensure maximum control over enemy movement.

Steps to Build a Moat

1. Dig a ditch completely surrounding your base, ensuring there are no weak spots.
2. Leave only one entry point, leading directly into your designated kill zone.
3. Avoid placing bridges or alternative paths; remove any unnecessary crossing points before raids occur.
4. Regularly check for gaps in the moat to ensure enemies cannot exploit them.

---

Creating an Effective Kill Zone

The kill zone is where you want all enemies to funnel into, maximizing your advantage over attacking forces.

Key Features of an Optimal Kill Zone

• Trap-Filled Pathways: Lining the enemy’s only access point with traps slows them down, causing damage before they reach your doors.
• Rows of Doors and Traps: Staggering multiple doors with traps in between forces enemies to continuously stop, making them easy targets.
• Battlements with Open Windows: Placing limestone windows set to ‘open’ provides full coverage of the approach, allowing archers to fire freely.
• Winter-Ready Design: Add braziers or insulation to keep archers warm in cold seasons, though raids rarely last long enough for temperature to matter.

---

Using Crossbows for Maximum Efficiency

Crossbows are incredibly powerful weapons in Going Medieval, capable of dealing massive damage with relatively few shots.

Optimal Archer Placement

• Position archers along battlements above the kill zone.
• Ensure they have full visibility of the enemy entry route.
• Use open windows rather than doors to maintain a clear line of sight.
• Keep archers close to their defensive posts to react quickly when a raid begins.

Even low-skill marksmen can make quick work of attacking forces with crossbows, as only a few hits are needed to bring down raiders. A well-placed team of archers can wipe out an entire attack before enemies even reach the first door.

---

Managing Siege Weapons and Countermeasures

While this strategy works against most standard raids, siege weapons such as trebuchets present a different challenge. If left unchecked, they will rain destruction upon your settlement.

How to Counter Trebuchet Raids

1. Identify siege weapon locations early by scouting enemy positions.
2. Use fast-moving melee fighters to disrupt siege crews.
3. Kill the main attacking force quickly, as siege operators will often abandon their weapons and join the main fight.
4. Reinforce vital structures with additional limestone walls to minimize damage.

While siege attacks are uncommon, they become more frequent as raider strength increases. Keeping a small rapid-response force to handle siege units can prevent unnecessary damage to your settlement.

---

Executing a Perfect Raid Defense

1. Monitor the map as soon as a raid is announced.
2. Remove any bridges or crossing points to force enemies into your kill zone.
3. Draft all settlers and position them on battlements.
4. Let the traps slow down enemy forces while archers fire from safety.
5. Watch for siege weapons and deploy a counterattack if necessary.
6. Speed up the game to watch your defenses demolish enemy forces.

Within seconds, a well-planned defense can eliminate entire raider groups without a single settler taking damage.

---

Final Thoughts: Why This Strategy Works

• Moats eliminate alternative entry points, ensuring enemies approach from only one direction.
• Traps and doors force raiders into predictable movement patterns, maximizing their vulnerability.
• Archers with crossbows deal massive damage, even with low skill levels.
• Trebuchet crews abandon their weapons when the main force is defeated, reducing the effectiveness of siege weapons.

By following this defensive strategy, you can protect your settlement with minimal risk and ensure your settlers stay safe from harm. Whether you’re new to Going Medieval or looking to refine your tactics, this setup will provide a reliable, effective defense against enemy raids.

Happy gaming, and may your walls stand strong!