Dwarf Fortress Bug Tracker - Dwarf Fortress
View Issue Details
IDProjectCategoryView StatusDate SubmittedLast Update
0010827Dwarf FortressDwarf Mode -- Interface, Squad Schedulepublic2018-07-10 05:542018-07-12 21:25
ReporterFantasticDorf 
Assigned To 
PrioritynormalSeverityminorReproducibilityalways
StatusnewResolutionopen 
PlatformOSOS Version
Product Version0.44.12 
Target VersionFixed in Version 
Summary0010827: Military dwarves do not equip backpacks for burrow guarding duties
DescriptionUnless the dwarf is already wearing a backpack from being part of another squad or a transfer between existing squads without being unassigned and made to de-equip, they will not freshly equip backpacks ready for their new role guarding burrows while still designated to wear uniform whilst inactive.

This leads to worrying starvation issues where they wont leave the guarded burrow(s), because they presume there's food in their backpack (or in their barracks box?) and will not fetch provisions because they cannot store them.

((waterskins not tested but assumed to be the same on principle))

Steps To ReproduceCreate a squad with a military noble already fixed into position and change your schedules (because squads start with 'train' freshly created) to guarding burrows (draw out burrows to guard and confirm on schedule) after they have finished equipping (if any) equipment assigned to them in the military screen.

This can be done from embark supplies easily by bringing backpacks of your own at the start.

Then assign a second member to the squad set to guard all year round, they will not pick up a backpack availible to them without changing the schedule to a monthly activity where it is needed on active duty like training but still follow through with the task of guarding burrow zones.
Additional InformationMiscellaneous distractions in locations like socialising if zone & burrow intersect suggests because theres a lack of activity such as a dedicated 'sentry' or 'guard' action for them to follow like 'station' and that they are idling, so this is not taken as a serious overriding military task (when it is, and they are expected to be on alert to intercept trouble)

They haven't been seen to be observed being fed or feeding themselves from surrounding stockpiles within the burrows so negligently leaving them alone could cause them to starve to without a well placed monthly schedule break relieving them of duty until ordered to resume.
TagsNo tags attached.
Relationships
Attached Files
Issue History
Date ModifiedUsernameFieldChange
2018-07-10 05:54FantasticDorfNew Issue
2018-07-11 18:30fortunawhiskNote Added: 0038586
2018-07-12 14:46FantasticDorfNote Added: 0038590
2018-07-12 21:25fortunawhiskNote Added: 0038593

Notes
(0038586)
fortunawhisk   
2018-07-11 18:30   
I think I've replicated the scenario you specified and I see the same behavior. Embark with two backpacks, forbid one, create a burrow, create a squad, create a new alarm (or edit an existing one) that has the squad defend the burrow, and set the squad to that alarm. The first member of the squad will equip a backpack and then Defend Burrow. Adding new members to the squad cause them to Defend Burrow until they are starving, at which point they will leave to get food or hunt vermin to eat. That said, I think this mechanism is working as intended. The schedule has a 'minimum soldier count' that determines how many soldiers must follow the order. Surplus soldiers are treated as inactive and are free to do whatever (eat, drink, sleep, etc). You can see this in action by putting 3 soldiers in the squad and setting the Defend Burrow order minimum soldier count to two. When the backpack-less soldier gets hungry, they will leave to eat and the third soldier will activate and get a Defend Burrow order. The soldier with the backpack will get 'Get Provisions' order after consuming a meal, then return to station.
(0038590)
FantasticDorf   
2018-07-12 14:46   
Yes but the issue works regardless of how many are active/split inactive depending on the method the dwarf is enrolled into that squad with or without the backpack equipped. Your scenario makes sense but doesn't particularly pertain as really very relevant.

All 10 dwarves in the experience im referencing would have been supposed to be guarding because i did not change that setting so none of them would have a excuse to not equip the backpack and with uniformed when inactive they would keep the backpack on once equipped as long as they are in the squad. The captain with the backpack already equipped from direct squad to squad transfer during a paused game was fine, the new drafted in soldier with them doing the exact same schedule at the same time was starving due to no backpack while on duty.
(0038593)
fortunawhisk   
2018-07-12 21:25   
Sorry, I read your post as: Will my units starve to death if they don't equip a backpack? Let's try again. Same scenario: Embark with two backpacks, forbid one, create a burrow, create a squad, create a new alarm (or edit an existing one) that has the squad defend the burrow, and set the squad to that alarm. The first member of the squad will equip a backpack and then Defend Burrow. Adding new members to the squad cause them to Defend Burrow, without equipping a backpack. They will leave to get a backpack (if one is available and reachable) at the start of the next month if they have an active order on the schedule.
If that doesn't address your concern, could you upload a save that demonstrates the issue to DFFD ( http://dffd.bay12games.com/ [^] [^] ) and link it here?