Torsion Engines is a technology in Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms that is unique to the Ethiopians and can be researched at the Castle once the Imperial Age is reached. Once researched, it increases the blast radius of most Siege Workshop units by 0.45 tiles. It does not affect Siege Towers or Battering Rams, but it does affect Capped Rams and Siege Rams, granting them +0.5 blast radius instead of 0.45 (see Gallery for comparison). It also grants +0.3 (0.1 base increased to 0.4 tiles) projectile width (radius) for the Scorpion line.
Strategy[]
Torsion Engines is a very helpful upgrade that benefits almost all siege machines the player can build. The Mangonel and Scorpion lines gain the most out of Torsion Engines due to allowing both units to provide even more damage to massed units. AS a result, they are some of the most formidable units of their type. Bombard Cannons and, to a lesser extent, Siege Rams, also appreciate Torsion Engines. The main drawback to this technology is its prohibitive cost, making it only viable in the late game.
Team bonuses[]
- Portuguese: Researching Torsion Engines is 25% faster.
Changelog[]
Definitive Edition[]
- Initially, Scorpion projectile collision size is 0.3 tiles. With update 36906, Scorpion projectile collision size is 0.5 tiles. With update 42848, Scorpion projectile collision size is 0.4 tiles.
History[]
A Torsion Siege Engine is a type of artillery that utilizes torsion to launch projectiles. They were initially developed by the ancient Greeks, specifically Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great, and used through the Middle Ages until the development of gunpowder artillery in the 14th century proved them obsolete, essentially all non-battering ram/siege tower siege units utilize torsion. It should also be noted that increasing the blast range is inaccurate, as torsions allowed their users to fire and reload faster.
The Kingdom of Kush (founded 1070 BC) improved military organization and logistics in Nubia. Siege warfare was vastly developed with the creation of siege engines by the 8th century BC, Siege Towers and Battering Rams were used during the siege of Hermopolis. Kush was succeeded by a number of Christian kingdoms after its collapse in the 4th century AD. The organization of the armies and navies of these kingdoms was largely based on that of their predecessor.