Part 7

Learn about The Settlers Level 6 Duke/Duchess promotion (catapults) and Level 7 Archduke/Archduchess promotion, plus building defense.

Level 6 - Duke/Duchess

Requirements: 90 Settlers, 9 Buildings with Banners, Level 4 All

Rights: catapults, carpenter, candle maker, blacksmith

Needs: nothing new

Notes: This promotion unlocks catapults, which are useful for destroying stone walls quickly. If catapults are not needed, this promotion offers no other significant benefits, though decorations are included.

Level 7 - Archduke/Archduchess

Requirements: 150 settlers, 30 rich buildings, 30 fully decorated buildings, level 4 All

Rights: none

Needs: nothing new

Notes: This promotion provides no new rights or benefits. The requirement of 150 settlers is difficult to reach and may coincide with increased plague outbreaks. Achieving 30 rich buildings and 30 fully decorated buildings is also very challenging and primarily requires time. This promotion is generally pursued only for completion.

The Buildings

Except for the castle, storehouse, and cathedral (which are pre-built at the start of each map), all other buildings must be constructed from scratch and require wood or stone. To build, you place a plot of land, and a settler will bring the necessary materials to construct the building or an extension for an upgrade. Plots can be rotated using Control plus the mouse wheel and will automatically align to nearby trails or roads. Once built, the settler becomes a permanent resident, except for those building castles, storehouses, cathedrals, or walls. All buildings have health and can be attacked by catapults or soldiers with torches, even stone castles. If a building catches fire, residents will attempt to extinguish it using water from the marketplace. You can expedite this by clicking the burning building and selecting the button to call nearby settlers. After a fire, residents will automatically repair damaged buildings, which does not appear to cost resources. Damaged walls can also be repaired.

Defense and Roads

Walls enhance settlement defense by slowing down or deterring enemy troops from reaching critical structures like the storehouse, cathedral, or castle. Gates allow allied passage but block enemies. If enemies breach walls or use siege towers, they can open gates from the inside. When building walls, you can drag wall sections from a gate or existing wall. A special icon appears when building near impassable terrain, allowing the wall to meld with it for a seal. Failing to create a seal may allow enemies to bypass the wall.

Wooden Wall/Gate

Also known as a wooden palisade. The gate costs 10 wood, and each wall section costs 1 wood. Wooden walls can be attacked by rams, catapults, and soldiers with torches. Troops cannot stand on wooden walls, and no weapons can be mounted on them.

Stone Wall/Gate

The stone gate costs 16 stone. It can be upgraded with a Stone Trap for 100 gold and 5 stone, which damages enemies attempting to enter. Stone wall sections cost 1 stone each. Stone walls can only be attacked by rams or catapults. Troops, especially archers, can stand on stone walls for defense. Wall towers between wall sections can be upgraded with mounted catapults (costing 200 gold and 5 iron). These mounted catapults have a large attack range, can target siege engines, come with 10 stones of ammunition, and can be resupplied by ammo carts. A stone wall with mounted catapults is highly effective against attacking siege engines, often causing the enemy AI to retreat. While rare, enemy catapults may target mounted catapults, sometimes resulting in a mutual destruction.