Dock
The Dock is the shoreline hub for ship production and naval research. It costs 200 Wood, has 2,500 hit points, and can garrison up to 20 Fishing Boats, Canoes and related craft. Its value depends on usable water: it can turn Fish and Whales into an economy, launch warships or support a transport plan.
Recorded values
- Cost
- 200 Wood
- Available
- Exploration Age
- Builder
- Settler and its counterparts, Karelian Jaeger, Dock Wagon, Dock Rickshaw, Red Sea Wagon, Steamer
- Function
- Trains ships; Researches ship technologies
- Construction
- 20 sec · up to 8 builders
- Structure
- 2,500 hit points · 34 line of sight · 4x3 footprint
- Garrison
- 20 Fishing Boats, Canoes, War Canoes, Tlaloc Canoes, Fishing Canoes
Function
A Dock is available from the Exploration Age and takes 20 seconds to build with up to eight builders. It trains and researches the naval units and technologies available to the civilization and repairs nearby ships at 10 hit points per second within range 12. Garrisoned Fishing Boats can give it an anti-ship attack; the original release used 15 damage, while the current Definitive Edition profile uses 10. Fishing Boats committed to a garrison stop gathering, and the Dock cannot secure a broad sea lane without supporting ships.
Placement & timing
Scout the coastline and enemy Dock sites before spending 200 Wood. Build where the Fishing Ships can reach safe resources and where warships can respond to pressure; add fleet production only when it protects gathering, a crossing or a landing. Keep land troops available to defend workers and coastal structures.
Construction and functions
The Dock is an Exploration Age economic and military building that trains ships, researches naval technologies, and repairs nearby vessels. It costs 200 Wood, takes 20 seconds to build, occupies a 4 by 3 footprint, and has 2,500 hit points and line of sight 34. Settlers and civilization equivalents can build it, and several wagons or special units can construct it where their rules allow. Up to eight builders can work on a Dock. It can garrison up to 20 eligible small ships, including Fishing Boats, Canoes, War Canoes, and related variants. A Canoe takes three seconds to load. A Dock is therefore both a production hub and a repair point; placing it at a safe shoreline helps the player maintain a fleet without sending damaged ships far from the fight.
Naval production and technology
Docks train Fishing Boats and warships according to the civilization's roster. European, Asian, Federal American, and Native American civilizations use different ship names and technology lists, so the Dock is a shared building with civilization specific production. It can research improvements that affect ship hit points, attack, speed, or gathering efficiency, depending on the technology tree. These upgrades compete for Wood and Coin with land units and buildings, so research them when water control or fishing income will matter long enough to repay the cost. A Dock can also repair nearby ships by restoring 10 hit points per second within range 12. This allows a damaged vessel to withdraw, recover, and return to the battle instead of being sacrificed. Keep the Dock protected: losing naval production can leave the remaining fleet without a safe place to repair.
Shore defense and garrison attack
A Dock can fire an anti-ship attack when garrisoned by Fishing Boats. The current attack deals 10 damage at range 32 every three seconds, with half damage against Siege units. The original release used 15 damage, so older guides may show a stronger Dock defense. This attack supplements the fleet rather than replacing it. Fishing Boats committed to the Dock are not gathering while garrisoned, and an enemy can still attack the building or blockade the shoreline. Use the garrison defense when a small number of enemy ships approach a valuable harbor, then send warships to contest the water if the attack continues. The Dock's line of sight helps reveal nearby approaches, but cliffs, islands, and coastal terrain can block practical control. Place it where ships can enter and exit without becoming trapped.
Map strategy and economic tradeoffs
On water maps, an early Dock can unlock Fishing Boats, transport, and naval control. Fishing Boats provide renewable Food from Fish, while some ships can collect Coin from Whales. The economic value of a Dock rises when safe fishing grounds are available, but exposed boats need warship support or a retreat route. If the opponent controls the sea, consider defending one shoreline and protecting the Dock rather than building vessels that will be destroyed as soon as they launch. A second Dock may shorten production and repair travel on a large map, but its 200 Wood cost competes with early land production. A forward Dock can support a landing, yet it is vulnerable to artillery and land units reaching the coast. Choose a position with protected access to water and enough space for ships to maneuver.
Version and builder exceptions
The Dock is present across the game's major releases, with architecture sets and available ship lines changing by civilization and expansion. Asian civilizations use a distinct Dock architecture in Definitive Edition. Construction may come from a Settler, Dock Wagon, Dock Rickshaw, Red Sea Wagon, Steamer, Whaling Ship, or other special builder depending on the civilization or shipment. Some wagons transform into a Dock or Port at no ordinary resource cost; this is a special builder effect and should not be confused with the standard 200 Wood building cost. Check whether the scenario permits a Port or uses a unique harbor, and confirm the civilization's ship list before choosing a naval strategy.
Protecting fleet access
A Dock's repair and production functions are most useful when the fleet can retreat to it without passing through enemy fire. Place the building behind a friendly shoreline or on the side of an island that ships can approach safely. If the enemy controls the nearby sea, garrisoning Fishing Boats can add a defensive attack, but the boats stop gathering and the Dock can still be destroyed by land siege. Repairing a damaged warship for 10 hit points per second is valuable only if the vessel can reach the Dock and remain there long enough to recover. Build a second harbor when it meaningfully shortens repair distance or opens another coastline, not simply because Wood is available. Protect the builders and the ship path during construction; a Dock that is completed in an enemy controlled bay may never produce a useful ship.
Planning naval technology
Research the Dock upgrades that match the ship line already in use. Improvements to Fishing Boats pay back over time when protected fishing grounds remain available; warship upgrades matter when the player expects repeated naval fights. Avoid researching every option at once if Wood and Coin are needed for land production. The Dock can garrison a group while the fleet regroups, but the ships inside are not actively controlling water during that interval. Use the harbor to repair and reorganize, then return vessels to their assigned jobs.
Fishing Boat repair and storage
Garrisoning Fishing Boats can protect them from a short raid and allow the Dock's anti-ship attack to fire, but it pauses their gathering income. Use this when an enemy vessel is within range or when boats need shelter while the fleet regroups. Send them back to fish once the threat leaves, and do not leave every boat inside during a long quiet period. The garrison capacity of 20 is shared among eligible small craft, so leave room for a returning Canoe or War Canoe if the harbor supports those units.
Naval production, repair and Fishing Boat storage
The Dock constructs ships and supports a naval economy. Its repair ability works like a field hospital for ships but repairs only one vessel at a time, so a high-health Frigate takes longer to restore. Up to 20 Fishing Boats can garrison in each Dock, protecting the economy during a naval raid. Place the building on a defensible shoreline and keep the fleet close enough to use the repair service.
Balance fishing with warship production
Fishing Boats and military ships compete for Wood and Coin, so build the Dock for a clear map purpose. Secure the nearby water before expanding the fishing economy, and use garrisoning when an enemy fleet approaches. The Dock can repair but does not make a damaged ship invulnerable; escort it and prevent the opponent from controlling the shoreline. Check civilization-specific ship availability and limits before planning the fleet.