Monastery (Age of Empires II)


 * For the related buildings in other games of the series, see Monastery (Age of Empires III), Church, or Temple.

In Age of Empires II the Monastery is a building for training and upgrading Monks. It becomes available in the Castle Age. Monks can deposit relics in the Monastery, where they will provide an unlimited trickle of Gold.

Tactics and Placement
Monasteries serve mainly as a monk production building, as monks are important for supporting and healing troops a player will normally build at least 2 monasteries for that purpose. In case the player is intending to use their monks for offensive purposes like for example while performing a MUSH (Monk Rush) the player must have at least 3 ( preferably 4) since the production of monks is slow while the unit itself have slow movement.

Some technologies in the Monastery also helps against Monks or are supportive for troops (Faith, Herbal Medicine and Heresy) so is advisable to have also a Monastery even if the player doesn't need the use of monks, and have to confront the opponent's monks.

Monasteries can't be converted even if Redemption is researched, due to the "Capture the Relic" game mode and the victory condition given below.

Monasteries also have the ability to hold the relics and gathering all of them is a victory condition in many game types. If the players intend this kind of victory he or she must first make several fortifications ( See Turtle) and place their monasteries in a well defended area, so the player must prepare for a siege and have in handy anti-siege units like melee cavalry, ranged units and supporting units, while also have several towers, walls and castles protecting the monasteries. If the player have many relics but not all of them it is also valuable to protect their monasteries as the relics on monasteries provide a trickle of gold, that can make a huge difference in the late game when the gold mines are gone.

History
''Monasteries were closed religious communities to which particularly devout priests, scholars, and believers withdrew for a life of prayer, study, and service. Monastic life was embraced by several religions, including Christianity and Buddhism. Residents of monasteries became known as monks. In parts of Dark Age Europe, monasteries were the only remaining centers of learning. Irish monks, for example, were instrumental in preserving much ancient knowledge and spreading it back into Europe as the Dark Ages waned. Over time monasteries grew rich in donated land. They became very important local institutions as a source of educated men who could serve as administrators. They also provided health care and emergency relief from their stockpiles of food.''

Units

 * Monk
 * Missionary (TC, Spanish only)

Research

 * Fervor: Increased monk speed.
 * Sanctity: Increased monk health.
 * Redemption: Convert most buildings and siege weapons.
 * Atonement: Convert enemy monks.
 * Herbal Medicine (TC): Garrisoned units heal much faster.
 * Heresy (TC): Your units die when an enemy monk converts them.
 * Illumination: Monks recover faith faster.
 * Block Printing: Increased monk conversion range.
 * Theocracy (TC): When a group of monks convert a unit, only one must rest.
 * Faith: Increased conversion resistance for all units.

The Aztecs, Saracens and Spanish have access to all monastery technologies. The Byzantines and Teutons only lack Herbal Medicine. The Italians and Japanese only lack Heresy. The Malians and Portuguese only lack Illumination. These civilizations will be excluded to the table below.

Civilization Bonuses

 * Aztecs: Each Monastery technology provides +5 hit points to Monks.
 * Byzantines: Monasteries have 30%/40% more hp in Castle/Imperial age. Town Watch (+4 LOS for buildings) is free.
 * Chinese: Monasteries technologies and improvements cost, -15% Castle age, -20% Imperial age.
 * Malians: Monasteries costs 15% less wood.
 * Spanish: Monasteries are built 30% faster and can create Missionaries.

Team Bonuses

 * A team containing Aztecs: Relics garrisoned in Monasteries provide +33% Gold