Gate

A gate is a defensive structure that behaves like a section of wall while still allowing friendly movement through a perimeter. It automatically opens for the player and player-controlled vehicles when they approach, but remains closed against biters unless they can force it open by making the player stand close enough for the opening trigger to activate. In terms of durability, gates have the same defensive strength as a wall.

Normal gates open whenever a player is within a few tiles and is on foot or in a non-train vehicle. Train gates extend this behavior to rail traffic: they open for players driving trains in manual mode when the train is on the same track and close enough, and they also open for automatic trains whose planned path passes through the gate and that are within range. The opening distance depends on the speed of the approaching player or vehicle, so the gate begins opening early enough to avoid collisions. A walking player without speed boosts typically triggers a gate at about 4–5 tiles away, while a fast train can trigger it several tiles out. Once open, a gate stays open as long as a player or vehicle remains roughly 2–3 tiles away.

This speed-based behavior makes gates especially useful for securing entrances without disrupting movement, but it also means defenders need to be careful around active openings. A player standing just outside the open range may outrun the gate if they suddenly move with a large speed boost, such as exoskeleton equipment, and enemy forces can slip through if the gate is lowered at the wrong moment.

Gates can also be integrated with the circuit network. Connecting a red or green wire to a wall adjacent to the gate links the gate to the circuit network; the wall then displays a small yellow electronic box, and the gate’s settings can be viewed and changed by interacting with the wall. When wired, the gate can both receive control signals and emit a signal when a player or vehicle tries to open it. This makes gates useful for controlled rail crossings, player detection, and other automated security setups.