Gate (Age of Empires II)

Gates are one of the fortifications in Age of Empires II. They act as an entrance, automatically opening to let friendly units through but preventing enemy units from coming through, unless the enemy follows close behind the ally. Locking a Gate will prevent this but will keep it shut at all times therefore keeping all units out. This makes city walls much stronger, as it allows units to move in and out of walled areas without leaving gaps.

Gates can be built on existing walls. Gates have more hit points and armor than walls, making them significantly harder to raze. Their greater surface area, however, makes them far more vulnerable as more units can attack them at once. So Gates are usually the spot in a wall that is attacked by enemy troops.

Stone Wall Gates are upgraded when the player upgrades its walls to Fortified Walls and are affected by the same technologies and bonuses that benefit walls.

See also: Palisade Gate

Further Statistics
Civilization Bonuses=
 * Byzantines: Gates have 20%/30%/40% more HP in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age, Town Watch is free.
 * Spanish: Gates are built 30% faster.
 * Chinese : Technologies that benefit Gates are 10%/15%/20% cheaper in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age.
 * Incas: Gates cost 15% less.
 * -|Team Bonuses=
 * A team containing Mayans: Gates cost 50% less.
 * -|The Forgotten Changes=
 * Koreans: Gates are built 25% faster.

History
"Gates were built into walls to allow access to a fortification. Because gates could be the most vulnerable part of a defensive position, extra care was taken to make them strong. A common type of gate was the portcullis, a heavy metal grid that was raised by a winch. The portcullis was in place by grooves in the stonework of the gateway and by its own weight. A long narrow passage, open from above, was usually placed behind the portcullis. Attackers who managed to get past the gate would then remain vulnerable to fire from soldiers in the narrrow passage."