Watch Tower (Age of Empires)

This article is about the building in Age of Empires. For the building in other games of the series, see Watch Tower.

Watch Tower
Building information
Introduced in	Age of Empires
Type	Tower
Civilization	All civilizations
Age	Tool Age
Population	4 (Hittites and allies only)
Use	Attacks enemies in range
Construction
Requires	Watch Tower (technology)
Stone	150
Build time	65 seconds
Statistics
Size	2×2 tiles
Hit points	125
Garrison	5 (only Villagers)
Pierce attack	5
Reload time	1.5
Range	6
Projectile speed	8
Melee armor	0
Pierce armor	3
Armor classes	Buildings and Fire Galley (+90) Defensive structures Towers
Line of Sight	8
Building evolution
Upgrades to	Sentry Tower
Upgrade cost	120 food, 50 stone
Upgrade time	30 seconds

“	A simple tower. Will shoot arrows at enemies within range.	”
—Age of Empires description

The Watch Tower is a tower in Age of Empires.

Gameplay

In order to be built, it must first be researched at the Granary for 50 food (unless starting a match from the Bronze Age). The Watch Tower can be upgraded in later Ages at the Granary. It is available to all civilizations. Watch Towers are more resistant against stone throwing siege weapons unlike other buildings, having 18 additional armor against them (meaning they will do 10 bonus damage instead of 28).

Watch Towers are a good defensive unit and can hold back early rushes if placed behind walls in early ages. Its effectiveness will dramatically decrease once the Bronze Age is reached so it is advised to upgrade it to the Sentry Tower as soon as possible. It is recommended to place them at higher elevations since the attack will be increased.

Since Return of Rome, like all towers, Watch Towers can also be used to shelter up to five Villagers when the base is under attack, which is especially more beneficial in the early game where loss of even a few Villagers can put the player behind. These garrisoned Villagers do not increase its combat power. No other unit can be garrisoned in towers.

Further statistics

Unit strengths and weaknesses
Strong vs.	Infantry, archers, ships
Weak vs.	Siege units
Upgrades
Construction time	Architecture (-33%)
Hit points	Architecture (+20%)
Attack	Alchemy (+1)
Range	Woodworking (+1) Artisanship (+1) Craftsmanship (+1)
Accuracy	Ballistics (hit moving targets)
Line of Sight	City Watch (+3)
Upgrades	Sentry Tower

Civilization bonuses

• Babylonians: Watch Towers have +60% hit points.
• Choson: Watch Towers have +2 range.
• Macedonians: Watch Towers are four times more resistant to conversion.
• Romans: Watch Towers cost -40%.

Team bonuses

• Babylonians: Watch Towers are built 10% faster.
• Choson: Watch Towers have +2 Line of Sight.
• Hittites: Watch Towers provide +4 population room.
• Palmyrans: Technologies which benefit or upgrade Watch Towers are researched 30% faster.

Changelog

Age of Empires

• Watch Towers have 3 attack, 5 range.
• Watch Towers have construction time 80 seconds and 100 hit points.

Definitive Edition

• Watch Towers have construction time 72 seconds.
• With update 38862, Watch Towers have 125 hit points.

Return of Rome

• Watch Towers have 5 attack, 6 range, and can garrison up to five Villagers.
• Team bonuses added:
  • Babylonians: Watch Towers are built 10% faster.
  • Choson: With update 93001, Watch Towers have +2 Line of Sight.
  • Hittites: Watch Towers provide +4 population room.
  • Palmyrans: Technologies which benefit or upgrade Watch Towers are researched 30% faster.
• With update 99311, Watch Tower build time decreased from 72 seconds to 65 seconds.

History

The tower discovered on the wall at the ancient site of Jericho served several purposes. It extended the visual range of look-outs that would be watching for the approach of raiders and other visitors. An early warning might have been the difference between a successful defense and the fall of the town. The tower was a superior firing position for archery. Bowmen shooting down had an advantage in range and penetration power of arrows versus enemies shooting up. Enemies sheltering at the bottom of the wall may have remained visible to archers in the tower. The tower itself was an independent bastion that could serve as the defensive position of last resort if the wall was carried. The Watch Tower was a simple tower, easily built, and intended mainly to give early warning.

Gallery

A Watch Tower in the Definitive Edition

A Watch Tower in the original game

Buildings in Age of Empires
Stone Age Starting Tool Age Bronze Age Additional Iron Age