Can someone tell us more about how forts work please?

[earlofbrigand]

The new patch and DLC looks amazing. Most of it makes sense except for the forts system. I suppose it will make a lot more sense once you play it - but it would be great if we (well, 'I', but I imagine there are more like me) could get more info on exactly how this fort system is supposed to work.

What are zones of control (is it the same in each province or does it operate in ever decreasing circles)?
Does everyone start with one, or only selected nations (esp the one province minors)?
Can you keep armies in them?
Do they have some relevance to trade? Which would make sense as forts traditionally defend something valuable

Those are just some questions straight off the bat - so if anyone out there has answers and hopefully, more info, that would be great.

P.S kudos to the Paradox team for their efforts - many games stand still and this 'paywall' stuff is just sour grapes. You can always do what you do with 90% of other games out there and keep on playing the original (i.e. what you paid for)

 

[Sunspawn]

The Dev Diaries have answers to most of these questions.

 

[earlofbrigand]

The Dev Diaries have answers to most of these questions.

It has 'answers' but only in the vaguest possible sense. The latest diary stated that changes have been made after in-game testing, so a more in-depth analysis is needed.

 

[TheChronoMaster]

Yes, it said that changes were made, and then outlined all those changes. Not sure what your issue is.

 

[Gwyn ap Nud]

To answer your questions, based entirely off of the dev diaries, ZoCs are areas around the forts into which enemy armies cannot pass until sieging the fort. Only selected nations start out with built ones, but all capitals get a +1 fort without ZoC. No you cannot keep armies in them. And they have not been stated to have any effect on trade.

 

[TheChronoMaster]

Well, I'd say they affect trade by allowing you to hold provinces, which in turn affect trade -- the forts don't give you trade power, they allow you to defend your trade power. If that makes sense.

 

[GlidingHamutaro]

Also it takes 3000 attackers to siege the fort for every 1000 defenders. Presumably provinces with no forts will be captured with much more ease now.

 

[Dunkoro]

You could say provinces without forts will be easier to capture; they'll be immediate to capture actually.

 

[Wizzington]

We did a livestream of Common Sense today, it should be coming up on the Paradox Extra channel tomorrow. I suggest checking it out when it does as we show off the fort system in action and it's really much easier to show than to explain.

 

[spinoza013]

http://www.twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive/v/5798325

10 mins in. forts explained

 

[Golladan]

You could say provinces without forts will be easier to capture; they'll be immediate to capture actually.

And immediately lost if you move away without sieging the fort protecting it.

Capturing them also isn't as important. They might mess with the economy, but barely provide any warscore.