Culverins fill the same role as the Bombard, functioning as an anti-building siege unit. They are slightly more mobile, not having to pack or unpack, but cost slightly more. They also have a faster rate of fire and slightly more range but do less damage per shot, for an overall slightly smaller damage-per-second (DPS). However, for the French and Jeanne d'Arc, they have to compete with the Royal Cannon for the same role. In this regard, the Royal Cannon deals significantly more DPS than a Culverin against buildings while also being faster. However, it has less range and health and costs slightly more. It also does deal less DPS than a Culverin against infantry. If trying to destroy buildings, the Royal Cannon is almost always the better choice, but the Culverin may be more advantageous against large infantry armies.
Originally, Culverins dealt 75 base ranged damage. After Season Two Update 17718, this was improved to 85. With update 12.0.1974, this was reduced to 35, but the damage type was changed to siege damage.
Originally, Culverins dealt +200 bonus damage vs siege units only. With patch 11009, this bonus damage was applied to Ships as well. With Season Two Update 17718, the bonus vs siege was reduced to +100. With update 24916, the bonus vs ships was reduced to match the bonus vs siege (+100). With patch 9.2.628, both the siege and ship bonus was reduced to +60. With update 12.0.1974, the bonus against siege was removed, the ship bonus was increased to +230, and the culverin gained a +230 bonus against buildings and a +50 bonus against infantry. With patch 12.1.2454, the bonus against buildings was reduced to +215 and they gain a +35 bonus against elephants.
Originally, Culverins had 400 hit points and 12 ranged armor. After Season Two Update 17718 this was changed to 240 hit points and 20 ranged armor. The ranged armor was reduced back down to 10 with patch 9.1.370. With update 12.0.1974, the health was reduced to 200 and the ranged armor was replaced with 85% ranged resistance.
Originally, the College of Artillery bonus (Royal Culverins) was +20%, but incorrectly provided only +2% bonus damage (against siege, and later ships). It was corrected with the Season Two Update 17718. With Season Four update 6.0.878, it was increased to 30%.
Originally, Culverins attacked every 4.375 seconds. With patch 9.2.628, this was reduced to 3.375 seconds. With update 12.0.1974, this was increased to 3.625 seconds.
With patch 11.1.1201, the Culverin no longer needs to pack and unpack.
Originally, Culverins had a range of 12, cost 400 wood, 600 gold, and were available to the Malians. With update 12.0.1974, they have a range of 10.5, cost 325 wood, 550 gold, and are no longer available to the Malians.
With patch 12.1.2454, Culverins gained the Attack Ground ability.
Bombard
Culverin
Cannon
Hit points
Siege Works (+20%)
Chemistry (+25% bonus damage)
Movement speed
Greased Axles (+15%)
Military Academy (+33%)
Siege Carpentry (Grants Structural Reinforcements ability, 
Ayyubids)
Atabeg Supervision (+20%, 
Structural Reinforcements (+20 melee, +10 fire armor for 10 seconds, 
Attack speed
Valorous Inspiration (+35% for 20 seconds, 
Jeanne d'Arc)
Golden Age Tier 4 (-20%, 
Consecrate (-25%, requires Ordinance Company, 
Golden Age Tier 3 (+20%, 
Abbasid Dynasty and 
French and 
College of Artillery)
