Fire an extra projectile which deals 12 pierce attack, +4 vs elephants
-1 minimum range
Tactics[]
Heavy Scorpions move slowly, have a slow fire rate and a minimum range of 2. Because of this, they are effective against slower units such as infantry, archers, and Monks, where its slower-moving bolts have maximum efficiency. Heavy Scorpions perform poorly against Woad Raiders, Elite Eagle Warriors, Huskarls, and cavalry, which can dodge its missiles and close the gap quickly. Heavy Scorpions, like most siege units, should be well protected, as their slow speed makes them very vulnerable to attack. They are often paired with Halberdiers to deal with enemy cavalry. This combination is especially prominent with the Bulgarians, Celts, Chinese, Ethiopians, Khmer, Slavs, and Teutons, as all have either a civilization bonus or unique technology that benefit the strength of both.
The Heavy Scorpion upgrade grants +15 hit points, +4 attack, and +1 pierce armor. The upgrade's economical cost and large effect makes it a mandatory pick-up when Scorpions are used in a significant number.
When used in substantially high numbers, Heavy Scorpions can be quite devastating. A medium-sized group of Heavy Scorpions can decimate whole armies of infantry and archers in the blink of an eye, and even hold out well against cavalry in sufficient numbers. However, Heavy Scorpions are always vulnerable to longer ranged attacks such as that from Bombard Cannons. When maneuvered properly, Cavalry Archers, especially Mangudai can deal with Heavy Scorpions efficiently. Onagers are also very effective against Heavy Scorpions.
Since fully upgraded Heavy Scorpions have the same range as a fully upgraded Arbalesters, it is usually prudent to go for the cheaper and easier-to-mass Archery Range unit. However, civilizations that lack Bracer or Arbalesters (like the Celts, Franks, Slavs, and Teutons) may get greater benefits from the Heavy Scorpion.
Further statistics[]
Strengths and weaknesses
Strong vs.
Slow-moving units like most infantry, archers and elephants, especially when they are grouped tightly
Ethiopians: With update 36906, Torsion Engines' Heavy Scorpion projectile collision size was increased from 0.3 to 0.5 tiles. With update 42848, it was decreased to 0.4 tiles.
With update 111772, Heavy Scorpion hit points increased from 55 to 60 and melee armor increased from 0 to 1.
With update 125283, all Heavy Scorpions benefit from Ballistics.
History[]
“
The heavy scorpion was an improved version of the Scorpion. The heavy scorpion consisted of a heavier bow and frame, and could fire larger missiles.
”
—Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings manual
Trivia[]
The Heavy Scorpion in The Age of Kings makes a 'whoosh' sound when it fires its projectile, which it also shares with the Galleon. In The Conquerors and after, the sound no longer occurs and it makes the same sound as the regular Scorpion due to the file being missing in The Conquerors' files.
The Heavy Scorpion was said to be effective against massed cavalry and fortifications in the Age of Empires II manual, though during gameplay it performs in the exact opposite way, as Scorpions are too slow to deal significant damage to mounted troops, and buildings take very little damage from them, even when fielded in sizable groups.
Interestingly enough, Heavy Scorpions have a 0 melee damage value, meaning that Rams and Siege Towers take extra damage from them due to having -3 and -2 melee armor respectively. On top of that, Heavy Scorpions also have an attack bonus against Rams.
The Heavy Scorpion is based on the real-world Manuballista (also known as a Cheiroballista) which was an improvement to the existing Scorpio, being more portable and less resource-heavy.
Despite being named after the Scorpio, it is designed after a Ballista as elaborated in the Scorpion article.
If the projectile lands after the Heavy Scorpion is destroyed, it may cut down trees due to a bug.
The Byzantines, despite being the only civilization that actually used the Scorpio during the majority of the Middle Ages (until the Crusades where it had a comeback), do not have access to the Heavy Scorpion.
Available
Unavailable
Celts
Chinese
Dravidians
Ethiopians
Khmer
Romans
Slavs
Hit points
Furor Celtica (+40%, Celts only)
Siege Engineers (+20% against buildings)
Chemistry (+1)
Range
Ballistics (hit moving targets)
Ironclad (+4/+0, Teutons only)
Devotion (+1 min, +1 max)
Faith (+4 min, +4 max)
Heresy (die upon getting converted)
Attack speed
Movement speed
Tatars (+20% {+50% instead of +25%} damage from higher elevation)
Georgians (-20% {-40% instead of -25%} when fighting from higher elevation)
Teutons (+3 min, +1 max)
Burmese: Researching Devotion and Faith is 50% cheaper.
