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This article is about the technology in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. For the technology in Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome, see Tower Shield. |
Tower Shields is a technology in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition that is unique to the Lithuanians and can be researched at the Castle once the Imperial Age is reached. Once researched, it gives the Spearman and Skirmisher line units +2 pierce armor.
Strategy[]
Lithuanians don't have access to Plate Mail Armor, so Tower Shields is important for their Spearman line. With Tower Shields and all Blacksmith upgrades, Lithuanian Elite Skirmishers have the second highest pierce armor among non-siege units (10), matching the Elite Huskarl, the Elite Rattan Archer and the Inca Elite Eagle Warrior with Fabric Shields, only behind the Lithuanian Imperial Skirmisher (who the Lithuanians only have access to in team games with a Vietnamese ally), that has 11 pierce armor.
The technology should be treated as another Blacksmith upgrade. Considering its cost and usefulness, it should be researched after Ring Archer Armor, as that technology also gives 1 melee armor to the Skirmishers, while only costing 50 more gold and much less food.
Unfortunately, Tower Shields does not give a true advantage to the Lithuanians in trash wars. The extra pierce armor does not change how much damage their Elite Skirmishers will take from other Elite Skirmishers (even without Tower Shields, their natural pierce armor will already negate an Elite Skirmisher's base damage, while the bonus damage is not affected by pierce armor), while their Halberdiers lack Plate Mail Armor, so they will have 1 less melee armor compared to civilizations that have Plate Mail Armor. This is compounded by the Lithuanians lacking Blast Furnace, which further hinders their Halberdiers against non-cavalry units.
This means that, in a straight-up trash war, the Lithuanian Halberdier will lose in 1v1 against a fully upgraded enemy Halberdier; however, the fully upgradable Lithuanian Skirmishers can reach the front line quicker than other civilizations and try to engage the enemy Halberdiers, while the Lithuanian Halberdiers may focus on enemy buildings, villagers and Hussars.
Team bonuses[]
Portuguese: Researching Tower Shields is 25% faster.
Changelog[]
Definitive Edition[]
- Originally, Tower Shield cost 800 food, 200 gold and gave +1 pierce armor. With update 36906, it costs 500 food, 200 gold and gives +2 pierce armor.
History[]
Pillars of Gediminas, symbol of the Gediminids
Lithuanian infantry and missile troops often carried large shields, sometimes full-length shields called Tower Shields, which essentially looked and were used like Pavises, complete with a central ridge.
The Pavises used in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania often depicted their state symbol and coat of arms, the Pillars of Gediminas.
