For other uses of the term, see Star Fort.
The Small Star Fort is a type of fort in Napoleon: Total War.
Description[]
A star fort is a cunning system of defensive positions with interlocking fields of fire.
These fortifications cover the city approaches with artillery forts, protecting it from assault. The defences allow a settlement to hold out a little longer when under siege. The star shape evolved so that no part of the defences would be "blind" to fire from somewhere within the fort. The layout of projecting bastions in a star fort creates interlocking fields of fire to destroy attackers as they approach over the sloping glacis. Anyone approaching the fort can be shot at from several directions; no attacker should reach the wall without coming under sustained and murderous attack from the defenders. The whole structure is, in fact, one massive killing zone for artillery weapons and defensive musketry.
Historically, the most notable creator of star forts was the French military engineering genius, Marshal Vauban (1633-1707); his name was virtually synonymous with the design. Despite his designs being over 100 years old by the time of Napoleon, they were still fearsomely hard to take. His defences at Verdun were still considered good enough to be used by the French army during the epic siege in 1916, during the First World War.
General Information[]
Small star forts are defensive fortifications that can be built to protect region capitals. Battles are fought as sieges instead of standard field battles; defenders have the advantage of being able to fight from strong walls that the attackers usually have to scale and overrun.
Within star forts are several buildings that defenders can garrison themselves into. In the center of the fort is the flag of the fort; should the attackers stand in the middle of the fort uncontested for a few minutes, then they win the battle, so if they have breached the walls and are trying to run to the point it is the top priority for defenders to keep them away.
Small Star Forts are unavailable in The Peninsular Campaign.