I don't think I understand how to create settlement defenses. I've built several guard posts and a tower, but my "defense" rating is still zero. I built a flame trap and brifely had a rating of 3, but the flames went out and the rating went back down to zero.

I assume the flame trap needs to have a switch of some sort on it, but what about the fortifications? How do I get those to count?

Guard posts / towers may be worth it later, but not early on,

1. Guard post / towers provide zero defense unless hou actually assign a settler to man it. (Although if you do, one assigned settler will 'activate' the defense rating of all nearby posts/towers, kinds like one 1 settler will farm up to 6 food plants in proximity

2. Early on the machine gun amd heavy macbine gun are your best ones to raise - and they are self powered.

Unless you are swimming in extra settlers, i'd just turrets.

I just added two machine gun turrets to get past that. I did add that guard post first but that didn't help any. The turrets don't need any power or anything so they are good to go.

You have to walk up to a settler and assign them to the defensive post. So basically, click on settler, the go click on whatever you want them to man.

Ah, thanks for the quick replies everyone! I'll assign guards!