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In this post I cover 6 fortifications you can use to enhance the appearance and presence of your castles.

This is the first post of a mini series of sorts on castle building. They may not come sequentially but I would expect another post that focuses on aesthetics (texturing, block types and other design decisions) and one that showcases the finished project.

Before I get into the list of fortifications I’m going to share the early progress on the castle we’ll see in the let’s play world.

Breaking ground

I started with identifying key land marks, the location of the chunk, paths, and the foundation. The choice of blocks for marking the foundation was based on blocks I had in excess that would provide contrast.

This was intended to help show the ratios and balance of the components of the build. And to ensure I wouldn’t have awkward corners or shapes to deal with as the build progressed. This concept started on paper as a top down view with dimensions roughed out, so I was really double checking the dimensions.

I liked how the blocks looked and decided I would select contrasting palettes; based on the blocks in the mock up, to help distinguish the parts of the castle.

I thought that it would visually break up what is a very small castle; however, It may just end up visually overwhelming. I’m going to try it out and we can decide if it’s a tool to be added to our repertoire.

After some building with 2 of the accidental palettes selections I was left with one light and one dark tower. These two towers had a strong contrast that needed something to bridge the palettes when I built the keep. I decided on tuff as the main colour in the centre of that palettes. Netherrack, as in the mock up above, was never on the table.

Common castle defence structures

All of the structures I talk about below are; or have been, considered in the building of the castle for our let’s play. Subscribe or check back over the next couple months to see which ones get implemented. If this is your first time reading, I am posting once around the 15th and once at the end of each month.

Many of the photos I used below come from previous Minecraft worlds; none of which I finished. They showcase some options to include or take inspiration from in your builds.

Portcullis

A portcullis is a structure with a recessed gate typically as part of a gatehouse. The ceiling of this recess has holes allowing defenders to pour hot oil or water on attackers attempting to knock in the main gate.

In minecraft lava, anvils, arrows or a trident make a great weapon. I’d save the mace for a higher fall from one of the other structures below.

Keep

It’s likely you are already adding a keep to your castle. The keep is the fortified tower or structure where the royalty shelter when the castle or settlement is under attack. It is a tall building that may be built into the castle walls or a separate structure within the castle complex. It will have sleeping quarters and other rooms you need for day to day living.

Due to the need to prioritize resilience and security over comfort; the keep may only be home to nobles during a siege. Many nobles had a separate living quarters that was their home during peace time.

Counter weight draw bridge

Many castle drawbridges are depicted as wooden platforms that are slowly hoisted vertical with comedic timing for the exiled or attacking antagonist. Those in the know (the majority in medieval times); however, have a solution to this.

The counter weight draw bridge can be withdrawn to its vertical position in a moment thanks to long cantilever arms that have a counterweight hidden within the gatehouse and chains connecting to the draw bridge.

A counterweight drawbridge gives a number of opportunities for detail. The long arms, chains and recesses where the cantilevers retract can add interesting detail to the castle exterior. If space doesn’t permit you can forget the recesses and even the other half of the cantilever and its counterweight.

Battlements

Maybe the defining feature of any castle? The jagged silhouette that allows both protection and strategic attack define any legitimate fortification. They can serve to communicate to others time periods and architectural or cultural themes. When square and less detailed we assume an ally, when pointed and intricate we assume a foe.

Machicolation

Their main role in minecraft is keeping the keyboard warriors out. In medieval times they served a similar role to that of the portcullis. A vertical attack point to discourage, mane or kill attackers at the base of the castle wall.

If you’ve been lucky enough to find a mace, they could be the perfect place to launch an attack. If not the same gravity based weapons used in the portcullis can be used.

Motte

Not to be confused with a moat that we all know from our castle stereotype.

The OG castle. A raised mound, sometimes natural, but more likely human made or at least human enhanced. Raising the fortification above a field improves line of sight, defenders weapons range and slows attackers approaching the walls.

Many heavily fortified structures had more humble beginnings and the motte may be a relic of that. A palisade (wooden defensive wall) may have been placed upon an elevated mound as a quickly erected strategic asset.

In minecraft a motte can add to a castle’s presence. If the castle is nestled within a settlement it can add height variation to your build and avoid this often centre piece from being lost in a sea of roof tops.

Bonus Tip

If you build with blocks that look good with a certain texture pack (endstone for example), you accept that if you stop using that texture pack, and upload a picture to the internet, people are going to question your block choice.

Once again thank you for taking the time to read this post! If you learned something new let me know with a comment or a like. Take care!