Fortified Wagon
Fortified Wagon is an immobile artillery mercenary with a 26-range Bombard attack and Deflection ability. It functions as a placed gun rather than a weapon that can follow the army.
Recorded values
Role, availability & values
It is hired through a Tavern, Monastery, Saloon, Palace or Lombard, depending on civilization. Its recorded movement speed is zero, and its bombard attack deals area damage; the ability is listed as Deflection in the unit profile.
Matchup & timing
Choose the firing position before hiring or deploying it, with a protected approach and clear targets. Treat it as a fixed siege asset: if the front moves or an enemy reaches it, it cannot reposition like mobile artillery.
Hiring and emplacement
The Fortified Wagon is a fixed artillery mercenary rather than a mobile cannon. It costs 500 Coin, uses five population, trains in 60 seconds and has 250 hit points, 50% ranged resistance, 32 line of sight and zero speed once deployed. Its Bombard attack reaches 26 and deals area damage, while Deflection is its listed special ability. The stationary firing position must therefore be chosen before hiring: place it behind a defensive line with a clear view of targets and enough protection from cavalry or melee units. It cannot follow a moving army or escape a flank, so an exposed emplacement can be lost even when its attack is strong. Hiring access varies: Europeans use the Tavern, Asians the Monastery, Americans the Saloon, Africans the Palace and Italians the Lombard. These buildings provide different mercenary and economic options, so check the current roster before planning around the Wagon. Five population and a Coin price of 500 make it a large investment; compare it with mobile artillery if the battle front is likely to move. Use it to hold a chokepoint, defend a siege position or punish an opponent who must approach through its firing arc. Do not place it where friendly units block the line of fire. Its fixed role is distinct from an ordinary Fortified Wagon building unit or transport wagon; this entry describes the immobile mercenary artillery in The Baltic Powers content.
Fixed artillery matchups
A Fortified Wagon should be deployed where its Bombard range can cover an approach without exposing the immobile unit to a flank. Its five-population cost and zero speed make it unsuitable for a mobile push, but a protected position can anchor a defense or siege line. Use allied infantry to prevent cavalry from reaching it, and move the army around the emplacement when the front advances. Tavern, Monastery, Saloon, Palace and Lombard access reflects the mercenary systems of different civilizations; check which one is available before committing 500 Coin.
Counterplay
Since the Fortified Wagon cannot move, the opponent can answer it by changing the battlefield, attacking from outside its firing arc or sending fast units around the screen. Protect its flanks and do not invest in the mercenary when the map requires constant relocation. A fixed gun is strongest at a chokepoint or prepared defense where the enemy must enter its range.
Hiring timing
The 60-second hire time means the Fortified Wagon should be called before a defensive position is under immediate attack. Place it behind a screen, where its stationary 26-range Bombard can support a siege or protect a chokepoint.
Defending a firing position
A Fortified Wagon needs infantry on every exposed side. Its 32 line of sight can reveal an approach, but the unit cannot rotate away from a flank or retreat. Place it where terrain narrows enemy movement and keep a second line ready if the opponent attacks the emplacement directly.
Recruitment routes
The Wagon’s recruitment path depends on faction: Tavern, Monastery, Saloon, Palace or Lombard. Those buildings have different mercenary menus, so do not infer access from the unit’s name alone. Confirm the Fortified Wagon is actually offered before saving 500 Coin, then place it where the immobile gun can defend the approach.
Mobile emplacement with stance-dependent resistance
The Fortified Wagon can change its unit stance, and its resistances differ by mode. In the documented profile it has 50% ranged resistance while Limbered and 75% ranged resistance plus 30% siege resistance in Bombard mode. This makes stance selection part of its defense: move in Limber mode, then deploy when the wagon needs to hold ground or fire.
Deploy only when the position is secure
Bombard mode improves protection from ranged and siege attacks but limits mobility. Do not deploy where melee units can surround the wagon or where the opponent can simply move its army away. Use a front line to secure the area, switch modes for the task and retreat before the enemy reaches the position. Its role and access vary by civilization or scenario, so check the applicable build limit and unit profile.