Building
Windows and Shutters
What goes in every window frame, which glass blocks bullets, and when to use embrasures.
What goes in every window frame, which glass blocks bullets, and when to use embrasures.
Windows are entry points if left empty. Every window frame needs something in it. The right choice depends on your tier, whether you need to see out, and whether you need to shoot out.
Window frames require filling. You have five main options: wood bars, metal bars, glass windows, embrasures, and shutters. Each serves different defensive purposes.
Wooden Window Bars (100 wood, no blueprint required). Blocks entry. Does not block bullets. Temporary early-game solution only. You can shoot through it, enemies can shoot back. Replace with metal bars as soon as metal fragments arrive.
Metal Window Bars (150 metal fragments, WB1 blueprint). The standard mid-game window. You can shoot through it freely. Enemies can shoot back. Good for shooting floors, honeycomb cells, and defensive positions where you need access and line of sight. 500 health, costs 12 satchels to destroy.
Strengthened Glass Window (50 metal fragments, WB2 blueprint). Mid-tier glass. Blocks vision both directions. You cannot see out clearly and enemies cannot see in. Cannot be shot through from either side. Good for airlocks where you want privacy without wasting HQM. 350 health, costs 9 satchels to destroy.
Reinforced Glass Window (4 HQM, WB3 blueprint). The tough option. Blocks projectiles from both directions. You can see out but cannot shoot through. Enemies cannot shoot in. Use this on your TC room, loot room, and any window facing the main approach. Raiders cannot snipe your TC through it. 500 health, costs 12 satchels to destroy.
Metal Horizontal Embrasure (200 metal fragments, WB1 blueprint). Fixed shooting port. You fire out through a narrow horizontal slot. Blocks most incoming fire while giving you a firing angle. Common on shooting floors and defensive positions. 500 health, costs 12 satchels to destroy.
Metal Vertical Embrasure (200 metal fragments, WB1 blueprint). Same as horizontal but rotated 90 degrees. Use vertical when you need to track targets moving side to side. 500 health, costs 12 satchels to destroy.
Wood Shutters (200 wood, WB1 blueprint). Layer on top of window bars for additional cover. Open to shoot out, close to block line of sight. Important: shutters cannot be locked. Any player can open them from either side. Pair shutters with glass windows to prevent enemies from opening them from outside.
Wood shutters are vulnerable because anyone can open them. Put them on top of reinforced glass so even if someone opens the shutter, the glass behind it still blocks shooting.
Windows are independent of the wall tier they sit in. A reinforced glass window in a stone wall still costs 12 satchels to remove. Window bars do not add health to the wall they occupy. Plan accordingly.
| Window Type | Health | Satchels | Rockets | C4 | Blocks Vision | Allows Shooting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden Bars | 250 | 3 | 1 | 1 | No | Yes |
| Metal Bars | 500 | 12 | 3 | 2 | No | Yes |
| Strengthened Glass | 350 | 9 | 2 | 1 | Yes | No |
| Reinforced Glass | 500 | 12 | 3 | 2 | Yes | No |
| Metal Embrasure | 500 | 12 | 3 | 2 | No | Yes (narrow) |
| Wood Shutters | 200 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Yes (when closed) | No (when closed) |
Minimize windows on your external walls. Every window is a weak point and a potential entry vector. Windows are defensive tools and decoration, not liability that must exist. A base without windows is uglier but more defensible.
If you do use windows, place them on walls that face inward toward areas you control. Windows facing toward the outside or main raid path should be reinforced glass. Windows facing honeycomb or protected areas can be metal bars or embrasures.
TC room windows should always be reinforced glass. This prevents raiders from shooting through the glass to destroy your lights, locks, or trap wiring. The 4 HQM cost per window is worth it for the protection it gives your TC room.
Shooting floors and defensive positions benefit from metal embrasures and metal bars. These allow you to defend without fully exposing yourself. See the advanced building guide for shoot floor design.
Mistake one: Leaving windows empty. An empty window frame is a hole in your wall. Fill it with something. Even wooden bars are better than nothing.
Mistake two: Using metal bars on windows facing the main approach. Raiders can shoot through bars. Use glass on exposed windows.
Mistake three: Forgetting that shutters can be opened by anyone. Pair shutters with glass, not with bars, or shutters become a liability.
Mistake four: Using reinforced glass on internal windows. Reserve HQM for TC room external windows. Internal windows can use cheaper metal bars or strengthened glass.
Mistake five: Overcomplicating window defenses. Most bases do not need many windows. A well-designed base has minimal windows and maximum walls. Windows are defensive weaknesses you tolerate for visibility, not assets you should maximize.