Talk:Carrack/@comment-26842175-20160117093426/@comment-29433813-20181014190634

It may also make a difference, when opponents retaliate, from the shoreline.

For example, a fully-upgraded Elite Rattan Archer (with Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Bracer, and Chemistry, which give the ERA a total of 11 pierce damage) will deal 1 damage, per hit, instead of 2, against a Galleon bolstered by both Careening and Carrack (10 pierce armor). In this optimal case, including Carrack halves the incoming damage.

Carrack doesn't only triumph, in this matchup. In other cases, it could reduce damage by a similar 1/2, or 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, etc.

Armor and pierce armor are peculiar concepts in AoE2, as depending on how enemies' attack (and pierce attack) strengths dance around armor thresholds, armor levels can either excel, help, or prove useless.

Upgrading armor levels is like wearing a seatbelt during a terrible car accident: sometimes, useless; sometimes, life-saving.