Artillery Foundry
The Artillery Foundry produces and upgrades siege units and artillery. It opens a response to fortifications and large infantry groups, with some European civilizations gaining access earlier.
Recorded values
- Cost
- 250 Wood
- Available
- Commerce Age (British, Dutch, Ottomans, Russians, and Swedes); Fortress Age
- Builder
- Settler and its counterparts, Artillery Foundry Wagon, Military Wagon, Envoy (with the "Peace of Münster" card), Grenadier (with the "Génie Troops" card), Janissary and, Azap (with the "Derbentler" card)
- Function
- Trains and upgrades siege units and artillery
- Construction
- 30 sec · up to 8 builders
- Structure
- 2,500 hit points · 12 line of sight · 4x4 footprint
Function
It costs 250 Wood and takes 30 seconds to build. British, Dutch, Ottomans, Russians and Swedes can access it in the Commerce Age; many other European and Federal American rosters receive it in the Fortress Age. Available units and upgrades depend on civilization.
Placement & timing
Build one when the opponent’s army or defenses justify adding artillery. Escort its slow units with infantry or cavalry screens, and research upgrades for the cannon line you will field.
Artillery production and civilization timing
The Artillery Foundry is the production and upgrade building for siege units and artillery. It costs 250 Wood and takes 30 seconds to construct; British, Dutch, Ottomans, Russians and Swedes can access it in the Commerce Age, while many other European and Federal American rosters receive it in the Fortress Age. The building has 2,500 hit points, a 4-by-4 footprint and line of sight 12. Settlers and several wagon or civilization-specific builders can construct it. Its value depends on the opponent: artillery can break defensive structures and punish dense infantry, while Culverins or other anti-artillery options answer enemy guns. The Foundry’s available roster and upgrades depend on civilization, so inspect the production panel before choosing a composition. Artillery units are expensive and vulnerable when caught by cavalry; escort them with infantry or cavalry screens and avoid leaving them alone near the front. Build the Foundry when scouting shows that siege or counter-artillery will affect the match, and research upgrades for the units you actually plan to field. Commerce Age access for selected civilizations can create an earlier timing opportunity, while others must first reach Fortress Age.
Choosing an artillery roster
The Foundry’s unit selection depends on civilization, so use the production panel to identify available cannons. Add anti-artillery support when the opponent fields guns and protect slow units from cavalry while they travel to the front.
Defend the artillery line
Keep artillery behind a screen and use Culverins or other available counters when enemy guns appear. The Foundry’s upgrades are most efficient when they match the unit types that will remain in the army.
Construction placement
Place the Foundry inside a defended base so production can continue while the army is away. Its slow artillery units should be rallied behind the frontline rather than directly into enemy range.
Technology timing
Research artillery upgrades before the major siege begins when possible. A Foundry built only after enemy defenses appear may not deliver units quickly enough to change the engagement.
When to add artillery
An early Commerce Age Foundry can create a timing attack for selected civilizations. Other rosters reach it later, so use the age transition to prepare the required Wood and an escort before production begins.
Artillery production and civilization access
The Artillery Foundry produces and upgrades siege units and artillery. It costs 250 Wood, takes 30 seconds to construct and has 2,500 hit points. British, Dutch, Ottomans, Russians and Swedes can access it from the Commerce Age in the recorded profile; many other European and Federal American rosters receive it in the Fortress Age. Settlers and their counterparts build it, with wagons or card-enabled units providing special construction routes. The available units and upgrades depend on the civilization, so inspect the roster before deciding which guns the Foundry will support.
Build for a clear siege or counter role
An Artillery Foundry is most useful when the opponent’s army or defenses justify adding artillery. Guns can threaten structures or grouped units, but their slow movement and vulnerability to cavalry mean they need an escort. Produce units that answer the map’s current problem and research upgrades for the cannon line that will actually be fielded. Do not spend Wood on a Foundry while the base lacks housing or core infantry production unless the timing demands it. Keep the building behind the line and maintain a route for reinforcements; losing the Foundry can prevent replacement of siege units during a push.