TECHNOLOGY · CIVILIZATION-SPECIFIC
Ironclad
Siege weapons gain melee armor.
Overview
Siege weapons gain melee armor.
Effect and affected units
Ironclad changes siege weapon melee armor +4. Read the named target carefully: this effect applies only to the units, buildings, or economy described in its entry. This is the main reason to research it; compare the affected units with the army you expect to field.
Research cost and timing
Research is available in Castle Age at the Castle. The recorded cost is 350 Gold, and the research time is 60 seconds. Consider whether the upgrade will affect enough units or workers to repay that investment before the match is decided.
Matchup plan: 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 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 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
Effect and research timing
Siege weapons gain melee armor. Effect: Siege weapon melee armor +4. Research becomes available in: Castle Age; Research at: Castle; Research cost: 350 Gold; Research time: 60 seconds. This research is restricted to its named civilization, so it is part of that faction’s identity rather than a shared option. Its value depends on which units receive the effect and how often they take part in combat; timing it before a major engagement can improve the whole eligible group.
Research details
- Age
- Castle Age
- Research building
- Castle
- Cost
- 350 Gold
- Research time
- 60 seconds
- Effect
- Siege weapon melee armor +4
Research requirements and effects for this entry.
- Also known as
- Ironclad (Age of Empires II)
- Focus
- Unique technology · Teutons
- Signature / category
- Unique technology · Teutons
- Release / context
- Civilization research
- Region
- Civilization-specific
- Classification
- Unique technologies