Ship's Howitzers
Ship’s Howitzers is an Industrial Age Dock upgrade that converts Monitors and Ironclads into their Heavy variants. It improves the durability and damage of these large naval units, extending their role in late-game coastal fighting.
Research profile
Effect
Research at the Dock takes 60 seconds and costs 400 Wood and 400 Coin. The Heavy Monitor and Heavy Ironclad variants have 25% more hit points and 25% more damage than their standard forms. This is a direct upgrade to the affected ships rather than a bonus for the entire naval roster.
Research condition
Available in the Industrial Age at Dock. Research time: 60 seconds. Cost: 400 wood, 400 coin. Civilization-specific building access can vary.
Research decision
Research before a late naval engagement or coastal siege when Monitors or Ironclads are already in the fleet and can be protected. The long research time and cost are harder to justify if the opponent controls the shore or if no heavy ships are available. Escort the upgraded ships so their investment can be used.
Eligible civilizations and ship upgrades
In the Industrial Age, Ship’s Howitzers is researched at the Dock for 400 Wood and 400 Coin over 60 seconds. Asian, European, and Federal American civilizations can research it. It upgrades Monitors to Heavy Monitors, increasing their hit points and damage by 25%. In the Definitive Edition, the United States and Mexico use the same technology to upgrade Ironclads to Heavy Ironclads, also with 25% more hit points and damage.
Fleet planning
This is a focused improvement for the heavy ships listed above, not a general naval bonus. Build or plan to build the eligible ships before spending on the research, and protect them while they operate near the coast. Imperial Monitor and Imperial Floating Battery upgrades can follow for the relevant fleet, so consider the Dock’s later research path when managing the long Industrial Age investment.