This article is about the technology in Age of Empires II. For other uses of the term, see Architecture. |
Architecture is a technology in Age of Empires II that can be researched at the University once the Imperial Age is reached. Once researched, it strengthens all buildings (except walls, Gates, Farms, and Fish Traps) by providing +10% hit points, +1 melee armor, +1 pierce armor, and +3 building armor.
Note that building armor does not protect against all kinds of bonus damage against buildings; it reduces the bonus damage from units with an attack bonus against the building class only, such as siege weapons, ships, Villagers, Tarkans, and War Elephants. However, it does not reduce the bonus damage from units that only have an attack bonus against the standard building class, such as most infantry.
Combined with Masonry, buildings will have a total increase of +21% HP, +2 melee armor, +2 pierce armor, and +6 building armor. Despite lacking both Masonry and Architecture, the Byzantines have arguably the toughest buildings in the game due to their civilization bonus that gives all their buildings +40% HP in the Imperial Age.
Availability chart[]
Available | Unavailable |
---|---|
Civilization bonuses[]
- Chinese: Architecture is 15% cheaper.
- Italians: Architecture is 33% cheaper.
- Spanish: Receive 20 gold after researching Architecture.
Team bonuses[]
- Malians: Researching Architecture is 80% faster.
- Portuguese: Researching Architecture is 25% faster.
Changelog[]
The Age of Kings[]
The Conquerors[]
- With patch 1.0b, Architecture costs 300 food, 200 wood.
Definitive Edition[]
- Portuguese: With update 42848, all technologies are researched 30% faster.
Lords of the West[]
- Italians: With update 44725, Architecture is 33% cheaper.
History[]
ā | The rebirth of masonry allowed the architecture of the Middle Ages to advance as well. New techniques for vaulting and support made possible the great cathedrals that stand as icons for this age. The famous architectural feature of this age was the flying buttress. This new element shifted part of the great weight of a cathedral's roof onto supports outside the walls, allowing great airy vaults to open over the center of the church. Massive load-bearing pillars left long open spaces between which beautiful stained glass windows could be placed. | ā |
—In-game section |