Plate Mail Armor is a technology in Age of Empires II that can be researched at the Blacksmith once the Imperial Age is reached. Once researched, it increases infantry armor and pierce armor by +1/+2.
Plate Mail Armor is available to all civilizations except for the Goths, Huns, Indians, Khmer, and Magyars.
Civilization bonuses
- Chinese: Plate Mail Armor is 20% cheaper.
- Incas: Plate Mail Armor gives +1/+2 armor to Villagers.
- Spanish Plate Mail Armor costs no gold.
History
| “ | Armor made of large metal plates was the best defense obtainable against missiles and hand weapons. It was stronger and absorbed more energy. Large sheets of hammered steel were fashioned to fit the wearer's body. Making plate mail armor became an important craft. Specialists in Italy received orders for armor from all over Europe. The booty from battle or tournaments included valuable armor. Armor required regular oiling to prevent rust and this was the duty of squires indentured to knights. Plate mail armor appears ponderous today but was actually reasonably light and well designed for mobility. Athletic knights could perform handstands wearing armor. Knights could mount their horses without much difficulty and did not require cranes for a lift. | ” |
