 |
This article is about the technology in Age of Empires II. For other uses, see Ballistics. |
Ballistics is a technology in Age of Empires II available at the University. Once researched, it improves the accuracy of all defensive buildings,[note 1] Scorpion-like siege units,[note 2] Grenadiers, non-gunpowder archers, and non-siege ships when firing at moving targets.
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 or the projectile and unit are collinear[note 3]). 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.
Technically speaking, Ballistics affects the projectiles and not the units themselves. As such, converted units will have the effect of Ballistics depending on the new owner's research. Moreover, if two units share the same projectile, either both will be affected or neither will be.
Affects[]
The applicability of Ballistics is as follows:
- All foot archer units are affected.
- All mounted archer units including Arambai are affected.
- All buildings including Bombard Towers are affected.
- Grenadiers are affected. None of the other gunpowder units are affected.
- All warships except Turtle Ships, Dromons, and Cannon Galleons are affected.
- Only the arrow attacks of Lou Chuans are affected by Ballistics, not its trebuchet attack which it uses against buildings and siege weapons.
- The Fire Galley line and Spanish Cannon Galleons inherently have the effects of Ballistics.
- Scorpion-based siege units are affected. This means that (Heavy) Scorpion, (Elite) Ballista Elephant, and War Chariots are affected.
- Other siege units are unaffected, such as the Mangonel line, Rocket Cart line, Trebuchets, and Mounted Trebuchet.
- It does not affect any ranged projectile land units which only deal melee damage (viz. Chakram Throwers, Gbetos, Mamelukes, and Throwing Axemen).
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.
Notes[]
- ↑ viz Castles, towers, Town Centers, and Harbors
- ↑ viz the (Heavy) Scorpion, (Elite) Ballista Elephant, and War Chariots
- ↑ Some projectiles, like those of the Composite Bowman, Hand Cannoneer, Scorpion, and Chakram Thrower move in a straight line instead of a curve. As such, if the unit is moving in the same direction as the projectile, it will get hit even without the tracking effect of Ballistics.
Further statistics[]
| Civilization bonuses | |
|---|---|
| Resource cost |  Chinese (-10%/-15% in the Castle/Imperial Age) Italians (-33%)
|
| Other |  Spanish (receive 20 gold after researching Ballistics)
|
| Team bonuses | |
|---|---|
| Research speed |  Malians (+80%) Portuguese (+25%)
|
Changelog[]
The Age of Kings[]
The Conquerors[]
- Koreans: (Elite) Turtle Ships are affected by Ballistics.
- Spanish: Ballistics affects the projectiles of Cannon Galleons.
The Forgotten[]
- Spanish: Cannon Galleons always fire with Ballistics-like accuracy, even without Ballistics researched. Essentially, the Ballistics technology does not affect them anymore.
Rise of the Rajas[]
- Khmer: (Elite) Ballista Elephant projectiles are unaffected by Ballistics.
Victors and Vanquished[]
- With update 125283, (Heavy) Scorpion and (Elite) Ballista Elephant projectiles are affected by Ballistics.
Chronicles: Battle for Greece[]
- Koreans: With update 141935, (Elite) Turtle Ships are no longer affected by Ballistics.
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.
- The technology icon depicts a Bombard Cannon attacking a Castle. In-game, Bombard Cannons are not affected by Ballistics, and Castles do not move.
- The Scenario Editor building Fire Tower inherently has the effects of Ballistics since it shares its projectiles with the Fire Galley line.
- Before update 141935, Turtle Ships were affected by Ballistics, which was an anomaly for both siege units and gunpowder units. Since The Three Kingdoms, this anomaly is held by the Grenadier for the same reason.
