Metallurgy is a technology in Age of Empires that can be researched at the Storage Pit once the Iron Age is reached and Metalworking is researched. Once researched, it increases the attack of all melee units (except elephants) by +3.
Before Return of Rome, Metallurgy was also required to upgrade Heavy Cavalry to Cataphracts.
Availability chart[]
Available | Unavailable |
---|---|
Affected units[]
- Clubman
- Axeman
- Short Swordsman
- Broad Swordsman
- Long Swordsman
- Legionary
- Hoplite
- Phalangite
- Centurion
- Scout
- Chariot
- Scythe Chariot
- Cavalry
- Heavy Cavalry
- Cataphract
- Camel Rider
Civilization bonuses[]
- Choson: Since update 38862, Storage Pit technologies cost -40%.
Team bonuses[]
- Palmyrans: Researching Metallurgy is 30% faster.
Changelog[]
Age of Empires[]
- Researching Metallurgy is required to upgrade Heavy Cavalry to Cataphracts.
- Babylonians: Cannot research Metallurgy.
Definitive Edition[]
- Babylonians: Metallurgy added to the technology tree.
Return of Rome[]
- Researching Metallurgy is not required to upgrade Heavy Cavalry to Cataphracts.
Trivia[]
- The technology icon appears to be the inspiration for the icon of Gold Purification in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition - The African Royals.
History[]
“ | The use of iron spread throughout the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Asia during the first millennium B.C., and some areas became especially adept at the new science. Certain campgrounds added to the molten metal increased the strength of the resulting tools. New forging techniques also resulted in better tools. The best iron tool workers made superior weapons that were an important advantage in battle. | ” |
—Age of Empires manual |