Hi all, this is another building thread, but with a slight twist...ideas for optimizing our settlement. Optimizing can be from trading, size, defense, agricultural, etc. viewpoints. Here are the rules:

1. Post any assumptions. If you assume that certain objects don't contribute to the overall settlement size, tell us.

2. Tell us if you define things like size as the number of objects, or actual "size".

3. Try to be as clear as possible with descriptions.

4. Add in any other info. For example, if you're also looking at it from a defense viewpoint.

5. Be civil and open-minded with discussion!

I want to optimize all the settlements on the edges of the map to be heavily armed and defensible. That way I can become a warlord protecting his territories from invaders and I can force all the people of Boston to live under my rule.

Okay, so judging by how few people have replied, I wasn't clear with what I meant. I'll give an example.

So, I'll go with size.

Let's assume that only things like walls and other structures count towards settlement size. Let's also assume we want to make a structure easily defendable. Finally, let's assume that certain objects, like those that use electricity, don't count towards the size of a settlement

1. Make a tower, preferably next to a natural landmark. This will protect one of its sides.

2. Don't put in any walls. This would just waste precious building material.

3. Rather than walls, install machinery. These could function as walls, have a more "solid" look to them, protect you from incoming fire, and still have a function.

Maybe it's just lack of interest. I, for one, couldn't care less about this feature. If I wanted to build a city I'd play SimCity.

^^^^^^^^^^^^ salty crab over here

I kinda held back because I'm honestly not sure. I'm very interested in the feature, but I haven't evolved any ideas passed a based concept until I get my hands dirty.

I'm almost certain Youtube will be flooded with people and their epic settlement builds, which is also exciting for me. I'm easy to please, what can I say.

The idea of creating a self sufficient settlement over time is a feature I love. It makes me feel more invested in the wasteland rather than being a roving homicidal murder hobo.

with a shotgun...?

This is Fallout. Laser hobos are cooler than shotgun hobos.

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130722212926/planetterror/images/6/6c/Hobo_with_a_Shotgun_wallpaper.jpg

A lot depends on how things work, mechanically, and in terms of AI.

For example, suppose I build my entire settlement on stilts so that, at the ground level, there is nothing but vertical columns and stairs leading up to the actual buildings. This might make it hard for bandits to get into my houses, but what if they can knock the pillars down? A few well-placed rockets and my entire city tumbles to the ground!

If at all possible, I'd like to have some natural / impenetrable wall against which to place my settlement's "back".... I hate the idea of being attacked from multiple fronts (look out behind you! Ah!).... there was one picture of a settlement that appeared to be on a waterfront, I think some of it actually extending out over the water. As I recall, Fallout games don't let anyone attack ~underwater~ or while swimming at all, so that would be a great way to keep that side of the settlement safe, so we could focus on the other 180 - 270 degrees, or so,

Again depending on how sophisticated the system is, I'd like to set up a series of walls. That is, have an outer perimeter that's simple and cheap, to just slow them down and keep out molerats and feral dogs and such (chain link, dilapidated picket fence).... then have an interior, proper, wall that could stand some beating and would mainly serve to funnel foes through one or two main entrances (one of which may actually dead-end in a kill zone).

Then inside THAT layer have a 'last ditch' defense of turrets and random pieces of cover (and tall towers to shoot over the first two walls)....

I like how you think! I don't personally think we'll be able to knock down buildings in this game. At most, we might be able to shoot through thin cover or something. I'm personally wondering if it might be a good idea to turn our fences into homes. After all, we have a solid wall around the perimeter, turning that into the wall of a structure might be a good idea. So perhaps a building with a middle courtyard would be a good idea? Or maybe some combination of both?

I feel a lot of people who are hyping up this feature will be greatly disappointed, I see threads where people are saying they'll forego quests just to make a super settlement.

I feel this feature will be very limited until the mods start rolling in making it as appealing people are imagining it to be ...but hopefully I'm wrong and it's everything the majority of the masses want it to be...

Speaking off settlements... and because I don't really feel like I can answer just yet... Are there any news / videos / anything about settlements will work?

Greatly looking forward to it, but as the guy above me says, also trying to keep the expectations low.

I do not want Beth focusing on this TBH. Seems like a bs fluff feature. Not sure who these masses are. I think all the true followers of the series want a real FO game and not something like fluff. Things like this will detract from what the game is about.

What about Hobo with a Laser Shotgun?

^Best possible combination, right there.

I disagree. I am a true follower since the first Wasteland and this is a feature I have always wanted.

Not sure how this will detract from a game about living in a post apocalyptic wasteland. This feature allows us to live out our post apocalyptic warlord dream.

Neither of us are wrong, just different opinions.

Might as well argue over whether we prefer Lew Dewitt or Jimmy Fortune.

Some people will hate the feature, some will love it. As for me, I am greatly looking forward to this feature. If it works like it does in the E3 video, then I will be a happy camper.