Barricades

## Background

Hundreds of flesh-eaters smash against the barricades night after night. The only thing keeping the infected from reaching the the survivors and tearing them apart are sheets of plywood and planks from the hardware store nailed over the windows and doors. The weaker infected are effectively held off, for now...

## Overview

Common infected tend to run through doorways and jump through windows in pursuit of, or in search of, survivors. Doors may hold them off for a short while, but glass windows are easily broken. Barricades are extremely effective at strengthening an entryway and holding off walkers and runners to keep survivors inside a building safe. Sheets of plywood and planks of wood can be nailed over windows and doorways as a semi-permanent defensive measure to bar infected from entering... but this also means anybody inside is barred from leaving.... at least until the barricades are removed or broken. Some barricades are stronger and hold off infected longer than others but require more rare materials and higher skills to construct, while some are cheap to make and are good enough as a temporary measure to simply buy a survivor some precious time. Each type of barricade differs in stats from the last, and the dynamic barricading system allows for endless possible combinations of barricades to be built. For example, while a board or two nailed over a window can hold off the infected for just enough time to gather one's possessions and make an escape through the back door, a fully-barricaded window with wooden boards and steel bars welded on either side can hold for quite a while.

## Strategy

* Non-horde infected will eventually lose interest or give up on attacking barricades after a while, but only if they lost sight of the survivor for some time. Blacking out a window/door with a drape or blinds and remaining quiet on the other side helps with this. Horde infected are frenzied and are much less likely to give up their assault.
* One can tell that a wooden barricade is about to break because it will begin to audibly crack and sound like it's breaking apart. This will give the survivor anywhere between 4-7 seconds before it will fully break. Metal barricades breaking will sound slightly different, but the concept remains the same.
* A barricade's health goes down exponentially when attacked by larger numbers of infected. The greater the number of infected that are attacking a barricade (no matter if it's walkers or runners), the faster a barricade is broken. A walker or two may have extreme difficulty in breaking through a single wooden board, but a horde of common infected can demolish much stronger barricades in moments, given enough are actually attacking it. Barricades that transform a passageway into a wall, like stacks of sandbags or bricks, remain impenetrable because the infected do not even register that there is a passageway there.
* Careful barricade placement matters: barricading the outside of a window is better than barricading the inside for two reasons: firstly, this protects the window - the infected will have to break the barricades first before the window, which are hard to replace and make a loud noise when broken. Secondly, the physical position of how the boards or plywood are nailed in mean that they have more durability from the outside and they have to actually be broken, where from the inside the board and the nails may just be pushed out of the wall with enough force. This means that sometimes, the barricade won't be broken and will simply fall off and still be salvageable, along with the nails. The difference in barricade health from outside to inside is not usually immediately obvious unless observed closely. The outside should always be barricaded first if possible, but for the strongest and longest lasting barricades, a combination of both inside and outside barricading is ideal.
* Barricading a window with anything is a double-edged sword: while it will keep infected from entering, this also usually means that it will no longer become accessible as a point of entry or exit for survivors, too. The more complex the barricade, the longer it will take to destroy or un-barricade to regain access. Some windows are big enough that boards can be nailed onto it but still remain accessible. However, take note that in most cases if a window is accessible to survivors, it is also a place that infected can get in.
* Take note of which way a door swings open by looking at the hinges - barricading it at all on the hinge-side means that the door will become inaccessible as an entry/exit point for survivors and impossible to open unless the barricade is broken or removed. Barricading it on the non-hinge side means that the door can still be opened, and if the barricades are placed high enough, survivors can simply crouch under them to get past. This is not the most effective barricade to keep infected out, but it creates another layer they have to destroy while still allowing survivors traversal through it. Crawlers can get past these barricades and some infected may just crouch under as well, but it may slow down the others and buy some time.
* A skill high in construction allows for the creation of **open bar barricades**, which are great for doors that swing towards the inside. These types of barricades stop doors from swinging open when the barricade is in the **down position**, but the bar can easily be swung to the **up position** to allow passage through. The downside to this method is that the door is still susceptible to being completely destroyed from the outside, no matter if it swings open or not. Doing this to an already strong door like a steel door makes the passageway essentially impenetrable.
* Keeping an entrance or two unbarricaded or at least lightly-barricaded is smart as it allows for a quick escape point if it is determined that the building cannot be defended and must be evacuated. Make this point of entry/exit the one that is hardest for infected to reach or see - usually being a back door. An additional strategy if one wants the entryway slightly protected but doesn't want to go through the process of unbarricading is to forego barricading it in favor of simply blocking it with a large piece of furniture that can quickly be moved out of the way.
* Adding barbed wire or razor wire to barricades can slow down and deal damage to attacking infected. While these additions won't kill the infected, they can weaken attackers enough that they will be easily killed by other means. Barbed/razor wire may not do much of a difference against hordes, which may just rip them off easily, but it may buy survivors some extra time. Also, these additions can help dissuade human attackers from attacking barricades.
* The strongest of barricades can essentially turn passageways like doorways or windows into walls that are impenetrable against all infected, even hordes. Stacks of sandbags or bricks, metal crates against the outsides of windows or the outsides of doors are some examples.
* Blocking entrances with furniture can buy some time, but won't protect the other side of the door or window.

### Barricades vs. different infected types:

**\*For information about different infected types vs. unbarricaded doors and windows, see the respective infected type's main page\***

* Even the most flimsy or basic barricades are bane to wasters. Just a single board over a window can hold off a lone waster for a long time, sometimes even indefinitely. Add an extra one and a few more wasters can reliably be kept from entering. However, a horde of wasters can present a greater danger to weak barricades.
* Walkers are stronger than wasters, but not much faster in their attacks. Weaker barricades can still hold off lone or few walkers for reasonably long, but can't be expected to hold off hordes of walkers for long. It is also important to note that strong walkers deal more damage to barricades than regular walkers.
* Runners are stronger and more troublesome towards barricades but can still be kept at bay long enough for them to lose interest with strong enough and well-built barricades.
* Metamorphs can cause heavy damage to barricades due to their strength and speed, and weaker barricades won't last for long against them before getting destroyed or pulled off. Particularly strong barricades made of sturdy materials can effectively hold off at least a few of them, however.
* Fester explosions are violent enough to blow weaker barricades off of windows and doors entirely, and sometimes even destroy them. Being close to a window or doorway where a fester can still see the player can still lead to self-detonation, so it is important to cover windows with drapes or blinds, get out of sight, and stand clear from the entryway.
* Retches deal no more damage to barricades than walkers do, but if they detect a survivor on the other side of one, may still attempt splatter the barricade with vomit. Intact glass windows prevent this attack from harming survivors on the other side. Otherwise, they will attack barricades in the same manner that walkers do.
* Heralds rarely attempt to attack barricades, only doing so when curious or they aren't actively engaging a survivor - or running from one. When they do, they do about as much damage as metamorphs do.
* Furies can deal heavy damage to barricades with their claws. Stronger barricades may hold them at bay, but it is important to stay out of sight to make the fury lose interest and therefore lessen the amount of time the powerful infected type is attacking the barricades.
* Threshers are extremely strong and can destroy almost any barricade with a singular strike, but they are far too large to fit through doors and windows. They will usually give up on survivors they can't reach, but staying in a Thresher's sight or being near a barricade and provoking the Thresher may cause the infected to destroy it - which may let other, smaller infected get through.
* Pariahs also do not fit through most doorways or windows, making most interior areas safe from them. However, they are strong enough that they can smash through the strongest of barricades just a few strikes in an attempt to get to a survivor they are pursuing, and this can potentially let any nearby infected flood into the building. \*Their attack range also means that they can hit survivors even if they are within a few feet of a doorway. \* (move last sentence into Pariah main page\*

### Barricades vs. Humans:

* Human attackers like bandits or looters can still attack barricades. This happens most often during **bandit raids**. With no tools, they can only destroy **tier 1** any barricade type, and anything only nailed in with 2 nails/screws. With tools such as a crowbar, they can pull any wooden barricade straight off of a window or door, usually making it salvageable. With a sledgehammer, any barricade can be broken with time, however they tend not to be salvageable. With a welder or hacksaw, metal barricades can be removed quickly. Explosives or enough gunfire can also destroy any barricade. These rules also apply to the player character, should they want to remove or destroy barricades themselves. Otherwise, human enemies that do not have the sufficient equipment to break the presenting barricades will wait in the area until their target comes out or will give up and leave after a short time.

### Barricades vs. Vehicles:

Ramming a vehicle into any barricade enough times or with enough speed can usually break it easily, however the vehicle will usually be heavily damaged.

## List of barricades

Any barricade that can be nailed down requires a hammer. Any barricade that uses screws requires a power tool. Any metal bar or sheet requires welding. All barricading materials, save for nails and screws, are too large to fit in the conventional inventory, and can only be transported by hand or by vehicle.

#### Wooden boards:

Wooden boards are effective to create base-level barricades. All one needs is the boards, a hammer, and nails. The boards are relatively easy to find or easy to create out of other objects. Boards can block a window or doorway and come in three tiers: thin, regular, and thick.

* Thin wooden board - can be nailed to an entryway (meaning a door or window) with 2 nails/screws to form a weak barricade. 4 nails/screws increases the barricades health by 50% (1.5x barricade health). 1-3 can be created by scrapping a 2x4.
* Wooden board - can be nailed to an entryway with 2 nails/screws or 4 for extra barricade health. Stronger than Thin wooden board. 1-2 can be created by scrapping a 2x4.
* Thick wooden board - can be nailed to an entryway with 2 nails/screws or 4 for extra barricade health. Stronger than Wooden board. 1 can be created by scrapping a 2x4. Essentially a 2x4.

#### Plywood sheets:

Plywood sheets are another effective material to create base-level barricades. They are just about as easy to find as wooden boards. Covers up more surface area than boards, but has less barricade health. Despite lower health, they can be used to quickly block windows without blinds or drapes. Effectively used by putting over boards to bolster barricade defense and block infected sightlines. These can also be used to bolster door health by attaching them to doors. Additionally, thin wooden boards can be created out them with a saw.

* Thin plywood sheet - can be nailed to an entryway or directly onto a door with 4 nails/screws.
* Plywood sheet - can be nailed to an entryway or directly onto a door with 4 nails/screws. Stronger than Thin plywood sheet.
* Thick plywood sheet - can be nailed to an entryway or directly onto a door with 4 nails/screws. Stronger than Plywood sheet.

#### Wooden pallets:

Wooden pallets are heavy and difficult to transport, but are strong and readily available base-level barricades. They cannot be created out of other objects, but are easily found in many locations. A single one can cover up most windows. Nailing them makes them more stable, but they are heavy enough that they can be propped up against doorways and still be effective as a barricade. These barricades are stronger than both boards and plywood.

* Old wooden pallet - can be nailed to an entryway with 8 nails/screws, but can also be propped up.
* Wooden pallet - can be nailed to an entryway with 8 nails/screws, but can also be propped up. Stronger than Old wooden pallet.
* Sturdy wooden pallet - can be nailed to an entryway with 8 nails/screws, but can also be propped up. Stronger than Wooden pallet.

#### Metal bars:

Metal bars can be an incredibly strong barricading material, but the barricade will only be as strong as the weld that needs to be made to fasten it to the entryway. The barricader must have a minimum metalworking skill to create these barricades. They can be used to barricade windows and doors and the higher the metalworking skill of the barricader, the stronger the barricade will be. Otherwise, at the minimum metalworking level they will be slightly stronger than pallet barricades. They are found in select locations only but can sometimes be created out of other objects. They are difficult and time-consuming to both put together into a barricade, and disassemble.

* Weak metal bar - can be welded to an entryway with \_\_ power usage.
* Metal bar - can be welded to an entryway with \_\_ power usage. Stronger than Weak metal bar.
* Strong metal bar - can be welded to an entryway with \_\_ power usage. Stronger than Metal bar.

#### Metal sheets:

Functioning in the same manner as plywood sheets but stronger, metal sheets have less barricade health than metal bars but have more health than boards, plywood, and pallet barricades. Their superior surface area coverage can be used to block windows quickly but are much more suitable for bolstering existing barricades and strengthening doors. Traffic sign faces may be more easily acquired than other metal sheets, which are found in select locations only and difficult to fabricate. Like metal bars, metal sheets are difficult and time-consuming to both put together into a barricade, and disassemble.

* Flimsy metal sheet - can be welded to an entryway or directly to a door with \_\_ power usage. A piece of slightly rusty corrugated sheet metal in appearance.
* Metal sheet - can be welded to an entryway or directly to a door with \_\_ power usage. Stronger than Flimsy metal sheet. A flat steel sheet in appearance.
* Strong metal sheet - can be welded to an entryway or directly to a door with \_\_ power usage. Stronger than Metal sheet. A thick piece of diamond-pattern treadplate in appearance.
* Traffic sign face - can be welded to an entryway or directly to a door with \_\_ power usage. Same stats as Metal sheet but more easily found. Comes in many different appearance variations.

#### Wooden crates:

Wooden crates can be stacked in front of entryways to prevent access and make great, strong barricades against the infected. However, they are difficult to take apart once put together. These barricades take much more materials to make, but are stronger than base-level barricades. Unfinished wooden crate barricades can still slow down infected.

* Light wooden crate - can be stacked in 8 in front of a door using 10 nails/screws. Higher windows require more rows. Additional rows require 3 nails each.
* Wooden crate - can be stacked in 6 in front of a door using 7 nails/screws. Higher windows require more rows. Additional rows require 3 nails each. Stronger than Light wooden crate.
* Heavy wooden crate - can be stacked in 4 in front of a door using 4 nails/screws. Higher windows require more rows. Additional rows require 2 nails each. Stronger than Wooden crate.

#### Metal crates:

Metal crates function identically to wooden crates, but are stronger and require welding, rather than nails/screws. Like wooden crates, they are as difficult to take apart as they are to put together. Metal crates are very rare to find, but a metal crate barricade is one of the strongest barricades that can be made. Unfinished metal crate barricades can still slow down infected.

* Light metal crate - can be stacked in 8 in front of a door with \_\_ power usage. Higher windows require more rows. Additional rows require \_\_ power usage each.
* Metal crate - can be stacked in 6 in front of a door with \_\_ power usage. Higher windows require more rows. Additional rows require \_\_ power usage each. Stronger than Light metal crate.
* Heavy metal crate - can be stacked in 4 in front of a door with \_\_ power usage. Higher windows require more rows. Additional rows require \_\_ power usage each. Stronger than Metal crate.

#### Sandbags:

Sandbags can be used to create the strongest barricades for entryways - capable of essentially transforming a door or window into a wall, if stacked high enough. These barricades take forever to put together and take apart, and their materials are heavy and hard to find. However, no better barricade exists. A barricade built out of sandbags can stop any horde, no matter how large, as the entryway will no longer exist or be visible.

* Sandbag - a stack of 21 can block a door entirely. A stack of 18 can block most small windows.

## External barricades

External barricades are entirely separate from entryway barricades. External barricades are barricades that are meant to stop infected from passing through an area like a roadway or alley. These are large barricades usually in the form of fences or actual barriers made of heavy materials to prevent or at least control passage.

* Steel barrels
* Guardrails
* Spike barricades
* Jersey barrier
* Steel barrier
* Construction barrier (orange/white plastic jersey barrier)
* Metal sheets
* Military chain-link fence
* Wooden pallets
* Tire wall

## Notes

* Infected that attack barbed-wired or razor-wired barricades can be observed to wear off the skin on their hands and arms from the wire over time.