Bombard Tower

Bombard Towers are powerful defensive structures in Age of Empires II available in the Imperial Age. They are considered a Gunpowder Unit, so require Chemistry to be researched from the University, as well as its own "Bombard Tower" technology which costs and. Each Bombard Tower cost and  to build, and can only be built by some civilizations. They are available to the Byzantines, the Chinese, the Koreans, the Spanish, the Teutons, the Italians and the Turks.

History
''By the end of the Middle Ages the development of cannon had changed military engineering by making standard castles obsolete. Their high vertical walls were particularly susceptible to direct cannon fire aimed at their base. Millitary engineers responded by building new structures that were less susceptible to cannon fire and by mounting cannon within these structures to augument their defensive positions along coasts, at important river crossings, and at other strategic points. These new bombard towers swept the approaches to harbors and towns, making them more difficult to attack.''

Overview
Bombard Towers feature very high LOS and hit points, making them effective late game defense tactics. A Bombard Tower also has 120 attack, enough to one-hit-kill any infantry or archer and most siege weapons or severely damage heavy cavalry, but a low rate of fire and projectile speed. However, they can be out-ranged by Trebuchets, Elite Cannon Galleons and Bombard Cannons which are the only units that can destroy them effectively, along with rams. Like normal towers, Bombard Towers can garrison up to five units. However, garrisoning archers does not increase the attack, like in the case of standard towers. The Teutons make an exception: due their civilization bonus, they can garrison up to 10 archer-like units. A fully occupied Teutonic Bombard Tower with only Hand Cannoneers will shoot two cannonballs at once, to inflict a staggering 240 damage, enough to one-hit-kill almost any unit in the game.

Civilization Bonuses

 * Teutons: Bombard Towers can garrison at most 10 Archers or Infantry units at one time. This also doubles the maximum number of bullets that can be fired. Imperial age unique technology Crenellations allows garrisoned infantry to fire bullets.Allbombardtowersforgotten.jpg
 * Koreans do not need to research the "Bombard Tower" technology separately, rather they get it for free and instant once Chemistry is researched. Korean Bombard Towers also have +2 range compared to other Civilization's Towers.
 * Byzantines: Bombard Towers have 10%/20%/30%/40% more Hit Points in Dark/Feudal/Castle/Imperial age. Town Watch upgrade is free.
 * Turks: Gunpowder technologies cost -50%, Chemistry is free. Imperial age unique technology Artillery gives +2 range to Bombard Towers.
 * Spanish: Bombard Towers are built 30% faster.
 * Chinese: Technologies that benefits Bombard Tower are 10%/15%/20% cheaper in Feudal/Castle/Imperial age.

Changes in The Forgotten Expansion

 * Koreans: Build Bombard Towers and other defensive structures 25% faster.
 * Chinese: Castle age technology Great Wall improves the Bombard Towers hit points (+30%hp)