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Anti-unit siege weapon. Fires bolts that pierce multiple units.
Age of Empires II description

The Scorpion is a light siege unit in Age of Empires II that can be trained at the Siege Workshop. The Scorpion fires large arrow-like bolts. It is effective against groups of enemy units as the bolts cause damage to multiple units in a straight line, although only the targeted unit gets full damage; all other units hit only get half damage. Unlike Mangonels, they do not damage friendly units. This can make all the difference in a pitched close quarters battle.

Tactics[]

Scorpions are effective against slower, lower-health units, but they usually need to be used in large groups. Foot-archers are the primary exception to this, where a single Scorpion has a tactical advantage. Infantry and archers tend to be the units its slower-moving bolts have maximum efficiency against. Scorpions perform worse against Eagle Warriors, Woad Raiders, and cavalry, which can dodge its missiles and/or close the gap quickly, and Huskarls, Ghulams, and Eagle Warriors, who have higher pierce armor which can resist the Scorpion bolts. Scorpions, like most siege units, should be well protected, as their slow speed makes them vulnerable to attack. They are often paired with Pikemen to deal with enemy cavalry. This combination is often seen with the Celts and Slavs, who have bonuses for both units. They can also be paired with Genoese Crossbowmen, which help protect them against cavalry, and can also assist against other units, unlike Pikemen.

When used properly, Scorpions can be quite devastating. A medium-sized group of Scorpions can decimate whole armies of infantry and archers, and will even hold out against cavalry in sufficient numbers. Scorpions tend to be countered by Mangonels. Khmer (and their allies' Scorpions) are less vulnerable to Mangonels, as their Scorpions outrange them. Scorpions are also vulnerable to longer ranged units such as Bombard Cannons and Longbowmen.

Comparison to the Mangonel[]

General:

  • Scorpions deal pierce damage, as opposed as the Mangonel's melee.
  • Scorpions do damage in a straight line, while Mangonels attack a single, small area. The amount of total damage against a group of units will largely depend on formation and enemy micromanagement.

Mangonel Advantages

  • The Mangonel has a much bigger base attack and its Area of Effect generally allows it to hit more enemies than the Scorpion.
  • In addition to its superior damage per shot, Mangonels have bigger bonus damage against both buildings and siege.
  • The fact that Mangonels deal melee damage makes them very effective against all other siege units in the game, including the Scorpion (since siege units have high pierce armor and low melee armor). At the same time, the Scorpion's pierce damage makes it very ineffective at destroying siege units.
  • The Mangonel has two upgrades, which increases its power much more than the one upgrade available for the Scorpion. The upgrades significantly increase the Mangonel's attack and health, as well as increasing its range by +1. The same does not happen for the Heavy Scorpion, which only gets a slight increase in health and attack from its upgrade.
  • Scorpions cannot attack ground, making them hard to micromanage against an agile unit. In contrast, a cleverly managed Mangonel may hit fast-moving units.
  • Mangonels do not have attack delay; Scorpions have significant attack delay.
  • Mangonels have more hit points, especially their upgraded versions.

Scorpion Advantages

  • Scorpions do not damage friendly units, but Mangonels do. Mangonels need careful control throughout almost any battle or they are likely to deal heavy damage to the player's own troops. In contrast, Scorpions can be effective even with very little micro-management. As such. Scorpions can be argued to be more suitable for beginner players than Mangonels.
  • Scorpions cost only about half as much as Mangonels (Scorpions cost in total 150 resources, while the Mangonel costs 295, although the latter is less gold-intensive).
  • Scorpions attack nearly twice as fast as Mangonels.
  • While Scorpions have a shorter range (7) than upgraded Mangonels (8), the scorpion projectiles continue moving 3 tiles ahead of its maximum range, allowing them to hit units 10 tiles away (11 if having with Siege engineers).
  • The Heavy Scorpion upgrade does not cost gold (800 food, 900 wood) and is much cheaper than the combined cost of the Onager (800 food, 500 gold) and Siege Onager (1,450 food, 1,000 gold) upgrades.
  • Scorpions have one extra pierce armor (although each upgrade on the Mangonel grants +1 pierce armor each).
  • Scorpions have a minimum range of 2, while the minimum range of Mangonels is 3. This influences the unit's survivability.
  • Scorpion bolts reach their targets faster than Mangonel payloads, and are thus harder to manually dodge.

Further statistics[]

Unit strengths and weaknesses
Strong vs. Massed Infantry and archers, Elephants, slow-moving units
Weak vs. Cavalry, fast-moving melee units, Magyar Huszars, Mangudai, Mangonels, Bombard Cannons, Eagle Warriors, Woad Raiders, Huskarls
Upgrades
Hit points UniqueTechImperialDE Furor Celtica (+40%, Celts only)
Attack ChemistryDE Chemistry (+1)
UniqueTechImperialDE Rocketry (+4, Chinese only)
UniqueTechImperialDE Torsion Engines (increases projectile width by 0.6 tiles, Ethiopians only)
UniqueTechImperialDE Double Crossbow (adds a half-strength projectile, Khmer only)
Firing Rate UniqueTechCastle-DE Ballistas (+33%, Romans only)
Range SiegeEngineersDE Siege Engineers (+1)
Accuracy BallisticsDE Ballistics (hit moving targets, Romans only)
Armor UniqueTechCastle-DE Ironclad (+4/+0, Teutons only)
Movement Speed UniqueTechImperialDE Drill (+50%, Mongols only)
Conversion defense Devotion icon AoE2DE Devotion (+1 min, +1 max)
FaithDE Faith (+4 min, +4 max)
HeresyDE Heresy (die upon getting converted)
UniqueTechCastle-DE First Crusade (+4 min, +4 max, Sicilians only)
Upgrades HeavyScorpionDE Heavy Scorpion

Civilization bonuses[]

Team bonuses[]

Changelog[]

AoE2-DLCicon-0 The Age of Kings[]

  • Scorpions have 5 range, a minimum range of 1, 6 pierce armor, an attack delay of 0.
  • Scorpions benefit from Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, and Bracer, gaining overall +3 attack and range of all three technologies.
  • Chemistry gives Scorpions +2 attack.
  • The Heavy Scorpion upgrade costs 1,000 food, 1,100 wood.

AoE2-DLCicon-1 The Conquerors[]

  • Scorpions have 7 range and a minimum range of 2.
  • Scorpions have an attack delay of 0.21 seconds (frame delay of 7).
  • Scorpions deal 0 melee damage.
  • Scorpions do not benefit from Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, or Bracer.
  • Chemistry gives Scorpions +1 attack.
  • Heresy introduced.
  • CivIcon-Celts Celts: Furor Celtica introduced. It gives Scorpions +50% hit points.
  • CivIcon-Chinese Chinese: Rocketry introduced.
  • CivIcon-Mongols Mongols: Drill introduced.

AoE2-DLCicon-2 The Forgotten[]

AoE2-DLCicon-3 The African Kingdoms[]

  • Scorpion projectile size increased: 0.025 → 0.1 tile (fixes their lack of pass-through damage).

AoEIIDE icon Definitive Edition[]

AoE2Icon-DynastiesIndia Dynasties of India[]

  • With update 61321, Scorpions are now resistant to armor-ignoring attacks similarly to buildings.
  • CivIcon-Portuguese Portuguese: With update 73855, technologies that benefit Scorpions are researched 25% faster for them as well as their allies.
  • With update 81058, the Heavy Scorpion upgrade costs 800 food, 900 wood.

History[]

The scorpion represents a light artillery weapon that fired large arrow-like bolts, small stones, or iron balls. These weapons came in a variety of sizes and looked like large crossbows. Scorpions might be mounted on tripods or more substantial wooden frames. They were used primarily in siege attacks but could also be deployed in a set position on a battlefield. They were useful against massed enemy troops, especially cavalry, and against fortifications.
Age of Empires II manual description.

Trivia[]

  • The Scorpion's model is actually based on the Ballista weapon.
  • The Scorpion is 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, 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, Scorpions also have an attack bonus against Rams.
  • In some Alphas, Scorpions were manned like the Bombard Cannon, using the original Age of Empires Ballista sprite to attack.
  • The Scorpion is based on the real-world Scorpio, and as such even reflects on its logistical aspects, being a cumbersome and expensive, and being limited to more of a sniper-role than a siege weapon.
  • Incidentally, despite it acting like a Scorpio, statistically and in-name, it is more of a Ballista.
  • If the projectile hits after the 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.

Gallery[]

Video overview[]

(Outdated)

Units in Age of Empires II
CivilianMaleVillDE Villager · Tradecart aoe2DE Trade Cart · FishingShipDE Fishing Ship · Trade cog aoe2DE Trade Cog · King eu aoe2DE King
ReligiousMonk aoe2DE Monk
InfantryMilitiaDE Militia · Manatarms aoe2DE Man-at-Arms · Longswordsman aoe2DE Long Swordsman · Twohanded aoe2DE Two-Handed Swordsman · Champion aoe2DE Champion
Spearman aoe2DE Spearman · Aoe2-infantry-2-pikeman Pikeman · Halberdier aoe2DE Halberdier
Eaglescout aoe2DE Eagle Scout · Eaglewarrior aoe2DE Eagle Warrior · EliteEaglewarrior aoe2DE Elite Eagle Warrior
ArcherArcher aoe2DE Archer · Crossbowman aoe2DE Crossbowman · Arbalester aoe2DE Arbalester
Skirmisher aoe2DE Skirmisher · Elite skirmisher aoe2DE Elite Skirmisher
Hand cannoneer aoe2DE Hand Cannoneer
Cavalryarcher aoe2DE Cavalry Archer · Heavycavalryarcher aoe2de Heavy Cavalry Archer
Aoe2de DOI elephant archer icon Elephant Archer · ElephantArcherIcon-DE Elite Elephant Archer
CavalryScoutcavalry aoe2DE Scout Cavalry · Lightcavalry aoe2DE Light Cavalry · Hussar aoe2DE Hussar
Knight aoe2DE Knight · Cavalier aoe2DE Cavalier · Paladin aoe2DE Paladin
Camelrider aoe2DE Camel Rider · Aoe2 heavycamelriderDE Heavy Camel Rider
Battle elephant aoe2DE Battle Elephant · Elite battle elephant aoe2DE Elite Battle Elephant
Steppelancericon Steppe Lancer · Elitesteppelancericon Elite Steppe Lancer
Xolotlicon Xolotl Warrior
AoE2DE Armored Elephant icon Armored Elephant · AoE2DE Siege Elephant icon Siege Elephant
SiegeBattering ram aoe2DE Battering Ram · Capped ram aoe2DE Capped Ram · Siege ram aoe2DE Siege Ram
Mangonel aoe2DE Mangonel · Onager aoe2DE Onager · Siege onager aoe2DE Siege Onager
Scorpion aoe2DE Scorpion · Heavyscorpion aoe2DE Heavy Scorpion
Bombard cannon aoe2DE Bombard Cannon
Trebuchet aoe2DE Trebuchet
Petard aoe2DE Petard
Siegetower aoe2DE Siege Tower
War shipTransportship aoe2DE Transport Ship · Galley aoe2DE Galley · War galley aoe2DE War Galley · Galleon aoe2DE Galleon
Fire galley aoe2DE Fire Galley · Fireship aoe2DE Fire Ship · Fastfireship aoe2DE Fast Fire Ship
Demoraft aoe2DE Demolition Raft · Demoship aoe2DE Demolition Ship · Heavydemoship aoe2de Heavy Demolition Ship
Cannon galleon aoe2DE Cannon Galleon · Elite cannon galleon aoe2de Elite Cannon Galleon
AoE2 Dromon Dromon
Unique
ReligiousMissionaryIcon-DE Missionary · AoE2 WarriorPriest Warrior Priest
InfantryBerserkIcon-DE Berserk · Aoe2de Chakram Chakram Thrower · CondottieroIcon-DE Condottiero · Aoe2-icon-flemish-militia Flemish Militia · GbetoIcon-DE Gbeto · Aoe2de Ghulam Ghulam · HuskarlIcon-DE Huskarl · JaguarWarriorIcon-DE Jaguar Warrior · KamayukIcon-DE Kamayuk · Karambitwarrioricon-DE Karambit Warrior · AoE2 DE Legionary new icon Legionary · Aoe2-icon--obuch Obuch · SamuraiIcon-DE Samurai · Aoe2-icon-serjeant Serjeant · Shotelwarrioricon-DE Shotel Warrior · TeutonicKnightIcon-DE Teutonic Knight · ThrowingAxemanIcon-DE Throwing Axeman · Aoe2de Urumi Urumi Swordsman · AoE2 WarriorPriest Warrior Priest · WoadRaiderIcon-DE Woad Raider
ArcherArambaiicon-DE Arambai · CamelArcherIcon-DE Camel Archer · ChukoNuIcon-DE Chu Ko Nu · AoE2 CompositeBowman Composite Bowman · ConquistadorIcon-DE Conquistador · GenitourIcon-DE Genitour · GenoeseCrossbowmanIcon-DE Genoese Crossbowman · Imperialskirmishericon-DE Imperial Skirmisher · JanissaryIcon-DE Janissary · Kipchakicon Kipchak · LongbowmanIcon-DE Longbowman · MangudaiIcon-DE Mangudai · PlumedArcherIcon-DE Plumed Archer · Aoe2de ratha ranged Ranged Ratha · Rattanarchericon-DE Rattan Archer · SlingerIcon-DE Slinger · WarWagonIcon-DE War Wagon
CavalryBallistaelephanticon-DE Ballista Elephant · BoyarIcon-DE Boyar · Aoe2de camel scout Camel Scout · CataphractIcon-DE Cataphract · Aoe2de roman unique centurion icon Centurion · Aoe2-icon-coustillier Coustillier · Flaming camel icon Flaming Camel · ImperialCamelRiderIcon-DE Imperial Camel Rider · Keshikicon Keshik · Konnikicon Konnik · Leitisicon Leitis · MagyarHuszarIcon-DE Magyar Huszar · MamelukeIcon-DE Mameluke · AoE2 Monaspa Monaspa · Aoe2de ratha melee Melee Ratha · AoE2 Savar Savar · Aoe2de shrivamsha rider Shrivamsha Rider · TarkanIcon-DE Tarkan · WarElephantIcon-DE War Elephant · Aoe2-icon-winged-hussar Winged Hussar
SiegeAoe2-icon--houfnice Houfnice · Aoe2-icon-hussite-wagon Hussite Wagon · OrganGunIcon-DE Organ Gun
War shipCaravelIcon-DE Caravel · LongboatIcon-DE Longboat · Aoe2de Thirisadai Thirisadai · TurtleShipIcon-DE Turtle Ship
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