Engineering

Lore & Background

The practice is deeply tied to the resourcefulness required in this unforgiving environment. High-level engineering allows for complex automated systems, such as pumps that draw water from deep aquifers, while turrets and other defenses can be built with lower skill levels—though higher skill may improve build speed or quality. It represents a shift from mere survival to sustainable living, enabling independent settlements to establish footholds in hostile territories. The skill is often revered by those who understand that while weapons win battles, engineering wins wars of attrition.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across the salt flats, carrying grit that stung exposed skin. Kael wiped sweat from his brow, his hands blackened with grease and soot as he wrestled a rusted piston into place on the water pump. 'Hold it steady,' he grunted to the young apprentice beside him, his voice rough against the gale. With a final wrench turn, the machine shuddered to life, a rhythmic thrum that vibrated through the metal floorboards of their makeshift settlement. It was a small sound in the vast silence of the wasteland, but to Kael, it was the heartbeat of their survival.

Reader's Guide

Engineering requires no specific physical stats to begin learning, making it accessible to almost any unit regardless of strength or agility. Acquisition occurs naturally through practice; simply assigning a character to build or repair structures will incrementally increase their proficiency over time. In terms of utility, higher engineering levels drastically reduce the time required for construction and improve the quality of repairs, ensuring buildings withstand environmental degradation and enemy attacks more effectively. It is essential for expanding settlements, as only characters with sufficient skill can construct advanced facilities like factories or defensive turrets. Lore-wise, this skill signifies a character's dedication to community building rather than individual glory. While warriors fight on the front lines, engineers are the quiet architects of safety, ensuring that when the fighting stops, there is still a home to return to.

Did You Know?

• Repairing damaged buildings requires an Engineering Research Bench or appropriate materials/tools, not just the Engineering skill alone.
• Turrets can be constructed with lower Engineering skill levels; higher skill may affect build speed or quality but is not strictly required.
• Engineering skills are not lost through injury, dismemberment, or brain damage in the base game.
• Nomads are a wandering faction without permanent or mobile base-building mechanics; they do not rebuild mobile bases after traversing dangerous terrain.