TECHNOLOGY · CIVILIZATION-SPECIFIC
Tower Shields
Spearmen and Skirmishers gain pierce armor.
Overview
Spearmen and Skirmishers gain pierce armor.
Effect and affected units
Tower Shields changes spearman and Skirmisher lines +2 pierce armor. 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 Imperial Age at the Castle. The recorded cost is 200 Gold, and the research time is 40 seconds. Consider whether the upgrade will affect enough units or workers to repay that investment before the match is decided.
Matchup plan: Tower Shields ranged-resistance transition
Tower Shields gives Lithuanian Skirmishers and the Spearman line a more durable role against ranged pressure, partly compensating for missing armor options elsewhere in the technology tree. It is most valuable when those units are already needed in the composition Against archers or Cavalry Archers, keep Skirmishers behind a melee screen and research Tower Shields when the upgrade will affect a sustained ranged engagement. Combine it with the appropriate Blacksmith improvements and use the added durability to hold a lane while cavalry or siege advances. Keep Halberdiers protected from non-cavalry units instead of assuming the same upgrade solves every frontline matchup Extra pierce armor does not make Skirmishers immune to massed fire, and it does not fix the Lithuanian Halberdier’s weaker melee defense. Do not research it before the ranged threat justifies the food and gold; compare it with other immediate upgrades that improve the army’s damage or survival
Effect and research timing
Spearmen and Skirmishers gain pierce armor. Effect: Spearman and Skirmisher lines +2 pierce armor. Research becomes available in: Imperial Age; Research at: Castle; Research cost: 200 Gold; Research time: 40 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
- Imperial Age
- Research building
- Castle
- Cost
- 200 Gold
- Research time
- 40 seconds
- Effect
- Spearman and Skirmisher lines +2 pierce armor
Research requirements and effects for this entry.
- Also known as
- Tower Shields (Age of Empires II)
- Focus
- Unique technology · Lithuanians
- Signature / category
- Unique technology · Lithuanians
- Release / context
- Civilization research
- Region
- Civilization-specific
- Classification
- Unique technologies