GUIDE · TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY
Ironclad siege-survival support
Ironclad gives siege engines a better chance to survive when enemy melee units reach the line. Treat it as protection for valuable siege in a contested frontline, not as a substitute for an escort.
Overview
Ironclad gives siege engines a better chance to survive when enemy melee units reach the line. Treat it as protection for valuable siege in a contested frontline, not as a substitute for an escort.
Plan and execution
Research Ironclad when Mangonels, Onagers, or other siege pieces are central to an upcoming push and the opponent has mobile units that can dive through the screen. Keep infantry or cavalry between the engines and the enemy, and use the armor to buy time for a retreat or counterattack if the line is breached. It can also help siege survive limited melee contact while firing from a protected position.
Risks and adaptation
Ironclad cannot prevent a focused surround or remove minimum-range problems. Siege remains slow and valuable; maintain a screen and pull it back when the opponent’s melee mass arrives instead of relying on armor to win the fight.
- Focus
- Protecting siege against melee dives
- Signature / category
- Plan and execution
- Release / context
- Age of Empires II system
- Region
- Technology strategy
- Classification
- Technology strategies