Blockade
Blockade is a naval technology in Age of Empires III that restricts the opponent’s ability to use Home City shipments while the relevant effect is active. It is an economic and timing disruption tool rather than a direct attack upgrade.
Research profile
- Age
- Imperial Age
- Civilization
- All
- Research location
- Capitol (Europeans and Mexicans) ; Town Center (Africans, Asians and Native Americans) ; State Capitol (United States)
- Research time
- 1 second
- Coin cost
- 100 per enemy unit
- Effect
- Enemies cannot receive Home City shipments
Effect & research conditions
The access, cost and duration depend on the civilization or scenario that provides Blockade. Check the active card or technology description before relying on a specific restriction. The effect matters only when the opponent is using Home City shipments and the blockade can be maintained under the match rules.
Research condition
Available to All from the Imperial Age. Research it at Capitol (Europeans and Mexicans), Town Center (Africans, Asians and Native Americans), or State Capitol (United States).
When to research
Use Blockade when the opponent’s shipment timing is central to an expected push or recovery. Coordinate it with naval control and an attack that can exploit the delay. If the opponent has little shipment progress or the effect can be removed quickly, prioritize a more direct military option.
Disrupt a shipment timing window
Blockade is valuable when it interrupts a shipment the opponent needs at a specific moment. Watch the shipment indicator and naval state, then apply the effect before the opponent’s army arrives. It does not damage units or buildings, and it cannot substitute for control of the water or a follow-up attack. Verify the active version’s duration and access route because those details determine whether the disruption lasts long enough to matter.