As a grizzled RimWorld veteran with over 3,000 hours played, I‘ve seen my fair share of killboxes rise and fall. When the 1.4 update dropped, it changed everything. Mechanoid shields needed breaking. Breachers ignored front doors entirely. Sappers dug maze-like tunnels stretching across the map.
Most killbox setups buckled under the new threats. But not the Singularity Killbox.
I‘ve tested over two dozen killbox variants since 1.4 launched, from the Double Layer to the Urban Funnel and more. None match the Singularity‘s versatility and stopping power, even on the highest difficulties. It‘s the pinnacle of RimWorld defense, capable of halting everything short of Randy Random‘s most devilish raids.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll show you how to construct the perfect Singularity Killbox down to exact dimensions. You‘ll learn specialized tactics to counter any threat, from shielded Centipedes to maze-mining Sappers. Whether defending an icy boreal forest or arid desert colony, these advanced strategies will transform even the most vulnerable outpost into an impenetrable fortress.
Why Every RimWorld Colony Desperately Needs a Proper Killbox
Before diving into the specifics around constructing the Singularity Killbox, it‘s worth covering why having an optimized defensive zone should be every player‘s top priority…
Without a killbox funneling raiders into overlapping fields of fire, you force colonists to engage threats directly. This typically ends in disaster.
Pirates will swarm undefended sections of wall, blasting chunks open for breachers to pour through. Uncontrolled engagements allow snipers to pin down colonists behind minimal cover. Packs of angry huskies rushed from multiple angles quickly overwhelm all but the most skilled melee pawns.
These piecemeal defenses crumble against even average strength raids. Colonists throw themselves into the line of fire valiantly, but ultimately vainly. Each defensive stand cost you resources and hospital time at best, irreplaceable pawns at worst.
But the killbox changes everything.
By regulating enemy approach vectors to a narrow avenue of attack, you dictate engagement range, terms and pace. Your colonists turn away dozens with coordinated salvos, retreating behind barricades to reload and repair. The battlefield itself becomes a weapon against interlopers.
Well-drilled killbox defenders can eliminate entire siege camps without a single loss. Shielded mechanoids fall limp meters from your conduits and farms. Unprepared pirates wander dumbly to their fate with delusions of easy plunder.
The Singularity Killbox takes these fundamentals to their maximum potential. Against even 3.5x raids, a handful of shooters becomes an impassible bulwark. Your stories shift from "how did I lose my best crafter?" to "remember that time Jerry took out 12 centipedes with a shotgun?"
The principles behind the Singularity might seem complex at first, but master them and no raider shall pass.
Let‘s begin.
Constructing the Core Killbox Structure: Exact Dimensions
The foundation of every great killbox is a purpose-built structure channeling invaders into concentrated lanes of fire. The Singularity follows the same principle, with some specific tweaks.
Start by planning out a flat 15×17 tile space abutting an exterior wall section somewhere in your base periphery. Clear out any chunks, rocks or other obstacles to allow full movement.
On one 15-tile wide edge, construct the exterior wall pieces. I recommend plasteel for maximum durability, but steel suffices on most difficulties. Leave a one-tile gap in the center of this wall to create the primary killbox entrance.
Fig 1. Outer wall with entrance gap foundation
Next, build a line of widely spaced walls protruding perpendicularly from the gaps approximately 8 tiles into the zone. Think of these as the sides of the funnel, concentrating invaders into a tighter space.
Connect the funnel tips with another shorter wall, leaving a 3-tile gap at the end. Then, fill out both funnel wall segments with barricades spaced 1 tile apart. Barricades slow movement more than walls when enemies attempt to shoot past or punch through.
You should now have a 15×8 tile corridor ending in a 3-tile chokepoint gap.
Fig 2. Funnel dimensions from above
The last step is adding doors. Construct wooden doors spaced 1 tile apart lining the entire interior side of the funnel. Leave them held open for now. Later, we‘ll set colonists to control the doors during raids.
Wall off any natural rock or chunk in the remaining zone interior to create a flat surface.
We now have the complete foundational killbox structure complete!
Careful Pawn Placement and Killzone Control
Of course, a passive structure alone can‘t win battles. The true power of the Singularity Killbox lies in how it enables precise troop placements to maximize kill efficiency.
Start by building stools one tile offset from each inward-facing door. These serve as protected shooting positions for ranged colonists once raiders appear.
During raids, assign shooters to each stool. When enemies approach, they‘ll stand in the stool spots for enhanced accuracy firing over barricades thanks to a quirk in the AI peeking mechanics.
Fig 3. Shooter stools lined up beside doors
The key is controlling enemy movement through the funnel with your pawn placement. Enemies in the barricade/door corridor cannot effectively target colonists, but your shooters have clear lines of sight to fire back.
Use stun weapons like the Zeus hammer on shotgun and LMG-wielding pawns to slow enemy advancement when needed. Assault or recon armor helps survivability for colonists absorbing return fire.
Have a tough melee brawler with shield belt plug the final chokepoint, preventing enemies from spilling around the funnel. They should wear full marine armor for maximum durability.
Fig 4. Melee pawn holding the chokepoint closed
Now invaders bottleneck into a withering cascade of fire. The setup concentrates damage onto one target at a time, preserving ammo. Barricade placements prevent effective return fire. This allows a small squad to eliminate entire raids methodically.
Let‘s examine how to further intensify kill potential against different threats.
Dealing Death to Centipedes, Pirates and More
The Singularitylayout shines against massed enemy raids like mechanoid clusters. Some special tools and tactics make it utterly deadly, however.
Mechanoids
The key is stun-locking and shield destruction. Place EMP mortars behind protruding walls near chokepoint fighters. As mechanoids enter firing lines, pound them with EMPs to stun and shield break.
Kite shield-equipped enemies towards EMP blasts around corners with gunfire. Use miniguns to rapidly deplete shields so EMPs affect protected Centipedes.
Once mechs are disabled, concentrate fire to cripple movement. Go for leg shots then down the hull once immobile. Centipedes lack backup organs or part redundancy making this very effective.
Against airborne enemies like scythers, construct interior or exterior overhangs. Prevent vertical jump harassment of backline mortars and snipers. Barricade mazes outside further obstruct flyers.
Humanoids
Maximize casualties by utilizing the full door/barricade chokepoint mechanics. Have designated "door holders" control entry pace with held open commands.
Funnel pirates into staggered kill lanes utilizing corners for cover. Move melee pawns to bait enemies around turns into fire lanes. Cut off exit paths with door closures once engaged.
The enemy only has one approach vector – your fields of fire. Use ranged weapons with slower rates of fire to concentrate damage on single targets. While one reloads, another fires. No need to worry about ammo conservation or multiple approach vectors.
General Raiders
Always have a designated builder/repairer with high construction skill. As enemies start clustering on chokepoints, they‘ll focus fire vulnerable barricades/doors. Continual repairs prevent uncontrolled leaks into other areas.
Schedule recreation hours and meal times for shooter crews during expected raids. Nearby chess tables and nutrient paste dispensers prevent bored colonists from abandoning critical posts.
Field medic specialists further maximize survival rates. Have them follow chokepoint melee pawns to quickly rescue and stabilize downed fighters. Use shield belts, smokepop belts and zone restrictions to protect your responders.
Additional Advanced Tactics: Sappers, Breachers and More
While the Singularity Killbox slaughters standard raid approaches, some problematic cases require special handling. But have no fear – we can counter them with some clever manipulations.
Sappers
Sapper raids ignore killbox paths, instead bee-lining towards random wall segments. But we can manipulate their AI with some strategic bait placements.
Construct thinly-walled bunker corridors surrounding your base, honeycombed with traps. Leave intentional gaps everywhere. Sappers take the bait, re-pathing towards the traps and gaps.
Station colonists behind steel doors near the gaps. Once sappers mine into a held-open room, they redirect back towards the main killbox entrance. You control their approach vector once again.
Alternatively, build perimeter non-flammable walls 2 cells thick all around your colony. Sappers always target the thin rock chunks left behind. Eventually they hit a gap and funnel into your firing lanes.
Breach Raids
Breachers instantly destroy walls to access undefended interior regions. Counter them with mini-Singularity killbox setups built into multiple internal base sections.
Connect these interior killzones with additional wall mazes or barricades. This breaks breach raids into smaller groups as they permeate inwards. Engage separated enemy packs with independent squads.
If breaches still overwhelm defenses, enact final stand protocols in stockpiles or hydroponics wings. Have pawns equipped with incendiary launchers igniteRooms as invaders attack. Fight them in the flames and smoke.
Infestations
Hives often spawn in the maze-like barricade networks of many killboxes. Prevent this by honeycombing your zones with carefully placed devilstrand carpet.
Smooth all overhead mountain tiles. Set reconstruction and mining to disallow roofs where possible. Place animal sleeping spotsoptimally outside to further manipulate spawn logic.
When hives do rarely spawn, blast them with EMP mortars from behind smokepop belts. The hives themselves block bug movement as you gun them down stuck in their birth chambers. Add flame turrets for bonus damage.
Recommended Loadouts: Rifles, Armor and Equipment
To fully optimize troop effectiveness, ensure you equip soldiers appropriately. Certain weapons and gear amplify the strengths of a shooter-heavy killbox defense.
Weapons
- Shotguns (pump/chain)
- LMGs
- Assault rifles
- Sniper rifles (long-range door holders)
The AI struggles shooting targets staggered behind barricades and doors. Shorter-ranged weapons like shotties and LMGS therefore excel, concentrating damage on enemies pinned at chokepoints.
Slower sniper rifles work well for colonists further back holding doors open. They have time to line up headshots.
Always have a few melee shieldbelt brawlers guarding chokepoints alongside gunners. Equip them with monoswords/hammers for bonus armor penetration and stuns.
Apparel
- Recon armor
- Marine armor
- Shield belts
- Smokepop belts
Durability and mobility determine survival. Recon armor outpaces marine armor in both while retaining formidable sharp protection at range. Use recon for shooters, marine for melee.
Shield belts give chokepoint holders extra durability against massed fire. Smokepop belts cloak rescue operations or emergency repositions.
Helmets are optional but provide vital protection against lucky ballistic face shots. Avoid recon/marine helmets – they slow movement. Simple steel helms suffice.
Equipment
- Bedrolls
- Nutrient paste/hopper
- Chess tables
- Animal sleeping spots
Place bedrolls, paste dispensers and recreation options right next to the shooter post line. This lets pawns quickly eat and destress during raid lulls without abandoning positions.
Animal sleeping spots placed strategically outside funnel predators and manhunters directly into killzones. Free meat delivery!
Fine tune these loadouts to counter specific threats as necessary. Breacher/sapper groups may necessitate more molotovs and frag grenades, for example. Adjust your builds to match the situation at hand.
FAQ: Common Killbox Construction Concerns
Constructing an effective Singularity Killbox takes precision. As you build your fortress foundations, refer to this troubleshooting guide to address frequent issues:
How do I stop enemies from breaking through the first barricade and shooting my pawns from angles?
Use secondary barricades and internal maze-like side tunnels to prevent straight wall shots of inward chokepoint spots. Restrict vision by honeycombing firing positions around corners.
Raiders keep attacking my solar panels/crops instead of pathing towards the killbox entrance. Why?
Leave "bait rooms" covered in traps leading up to the killbox entrance, with held-open doors inside. This tempts sappers towards paths into the firing lanes.
Also build non-critical structures around the exterior to absorb initial attacks. Sandbag walls especially provoke re-targeting. Just be sure to heavilty trap them!
Melee pawns keep getting downed by concentrated fire before my team can clear all enemies. What should I do?
Use multiple rotating melee blockade squads, withdrawing individuals at 50% health to use medkits and rest before rotating again. Also be sure to have field medic specialists responding.
How do I counter mass breach raids that split into smaller groups upon breaking walls?
Create interior mini-killboxes allowing enfilade fire on compartamentalized enemies that funnel deeper inward. This breaks a large raid into isolated smaller engagements your squads can handle.
For all other concerns around optimal weapon selections, armor choices or general tactical refinements, don‘t hesitate to drop a comment below! I‘m always seeking to improve the potency of the Singularity Killbox design through feedback and will respond to any queries.
Conclusion
The Singularity Killbox takes everything that makes killboxes great in Rimworld – concentrated fire lanes, controlled engagement pacing, durable structures – and maximizes it to new extremes with clever mechanics exploitation.
Once constructed following the exact layout standards I‘ve outlined step-by-step in this guide, no raid shall pass. All who enter will choke on withering shotgun blasts and be crushed against the inexorable barricades.
Master this setup, and you need never again fear the message "A group of raiders prepare for a seige" or the ominous sight of 20 centipedes cresting the horizon. Even Randy Random‘s most devilish raids become mild nuisance.
Ultimately, victories in RimWorld boil down to controlling engagement circumstances. The Singularity Killbox allows unmatched command of the battlefield itself. Defeat colossal mechanoid armies without a single loss. Turn backcharging hordes of manhunter thrumbos with ease.
Build your impenetrable fortress today. Relax inside without fear, confident that any interloper shall meet their demise inside the cold machinations of the perfect killbox engine.
And if any ever somehow make it past those barricades, hit me up immediately! Because such a feat would demand commemoration.
Until then – may loot drops rain as freely as invader blood inside your new Singularity Killbox. Let the mechanized slaughter commence!