This article is about the technology in Age of Empires II. For the technology in Age of Empires, see Ballistics (Age of Empires). |
Ballistics is a technology in Age of Empires II available at the University. Once researched, it improves the accuracy of non-gunpowder archers, ships, and all defensive buildings such as Castles, towers, Town Centers, etc when firing at moving targets. Despite being gunpowder-based, Turtle Ships and Bombard Towers also benefit from the technology.
Without Ballistics researched, all ranged units will miss a shot at any unit that is not standing still or moving directly towards (or slowly away from) them, because they always fire at the spot where the targeted unit is at the moment of the shot. Naturally, if that unit is moving, they will miss the shot (unless they get a lucky miss thanks to not having Thumb Ring). So it is of prime importance to research Ballistics for any player and civilization, because it significantly improves the effectiveness not only of archers, but also of Castles and towers.
Civilizations bonuses[]
- Chinese: Ballistics is 10%/15% cheaper in the Castle/Imperial Age.
- Italians: Ballistics is 33% cheaper.
- Romans: Ballistics benefits Scorpions.
- Spanish: Receive 20 gold after researching Ballistics.
Team bonuses[]
- Malians: Researching Ballistics is 80% faster.
- Portuguese: Researching Ballistics is 25% faster.
Changelog[]
The Conquerors[]
- Spanish: Ballistics affects the projectiles of Cannon Galleons.
The Forgotten[]
- Spanish: Cannon Galleons always fire with Ballistics-like accuracy, even without Ballistics researched. So essentially, the Ballistics technology does not affect them anymore.
Definitive Edition[]
- Portuguese: With update 42848, all technologies are researched 30% faster.
Lords of the West[]
- Italians: With update 44725, Ballistics is 33% cheaper.
History[]
“ | Missile weapons grew increasingly important as the Middle Ages proceeded, culminating in the development of firearms and cannons. Before these innovative weapons there were longbows, crossbows, and a variety of siege engines throwing rocks, spears, and arrows. Practical men studied how these missiles performed in flight and worked to improve velocity and accuracy. This was the science of Ballistics, the study of the motion of projectiles in flight. This experience led to improvements throughout the age as part of the arms race among weapons, armor, fortification, attack, and defense. | ” |
—Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings manual |
Trivia[]
- With Ballistics researched, against moonwalking units (a bug where the unit faces the opposite direction of movement), ranged units/buildings fire in the direction the unit is facing, not in the direction where the unit is actually going.
- Both Ballistics and the Portuguese unique technology Arquebus allow Bombard Towers to hit moving targets. Therefore, if Arquebus is researched, Ballistics has no effect on Bombard Towers.
- The technology icon depicts a Bombard Cannon attacking a Castle, in the game Bombard Cannons are not affected by Ballistics, and Castles do not move.