Carronade
Carronade is a Commerce Age Dock upgrade that increases War Ship damage. It strengthens the fleet’s ability to win naval engagements, but it does not improve Fishing Ships or every attack made by a ship, so its value depends on the military role of the fleet.
Research profile
- Age
- Commerce Age
- Civilization
- Asians; Europeans; Federal Americans
- Research location
- Dock
- Research time
- 60 seconds
- Wood cost
- 350
- Coin cost
- 350
- Effect
- War ship damage +25%
- Next technology
- Percussion Lock
Effect
The technology is available to Asians, Europeans and Federal Americans at the Dock. Research takes 60 seconds and costs 350 Wood and 350 Coin. It increases War Ship damage by 25%. Carronade is a prerequisite for the Fortress Age technology Percussion Lock, which improves the Broadside attack further.
Research condition
Available in the Commerce Age at Dock. Research time: 60 seconds. Cost: 350 wood, 350 coin. Civilization-specific building access can vary.
Research decision
Research it before a naval engagement when several War Ships can benefit and the sea is an important objective. If the opponent has no fleet or your ships are only fishing and transporting, the same resources may be better spent on land units or defenses. Consider the follow-up only when the fleet can use its Broadside.
A fleet damage upgrade with a follow-up
Carronade provides 25% more damage to War Ships, not a general bonus to fishing or transport vessels. Its 60-second research time means it should be started ahead of a planned naval contest rather than after the enemy fleet is already firing. The Commerce Age Dock research costs 350 Wood and 350 Coin. It is also a prerequisite for Percussion Lock in the Fortress Age, which improves Broadside; that follow-up is useful only if the fleet can bring its Broadside attack to bear.
When the Dock investment pays off
Research Carronade when several War Ships can benefit and controlling water has a concrete purpose, such as protecting transports, defending a coastline or holding a naval route. A single isolated ship gains less strategic value if the opponent can avoid the fight or attack the land economy instead. Compare the research with adding another ship or land units, and protect the Dock while it researches. If the fleet is only fishing, the technology's War Ship bonus does not improve the Food economy.