Ballista

Siege unit The Roman unique unit. (Replaces Catapult)
Game speed Quick - Regular - Epic - MarathonQuick - Regular - Epic - MarathonQuick - Regular - Epic - MarathonQuick - Regular - Epic - Marathon
	5075 112 225
	8
	2
	Strength: 10 Range: 2
Technology	Mathematics
Resource	Iron
Upgrades to	Trebuchet
Notes	May not melee attack bonus vs. cities 200 No defensive bonuses Limited visibility Must set up for range attack

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A Roman Unique Unit, it may not melee attack, receives a bonus vs cities (+10%), but gets no defensive bonuses, limited visibility, and must set up to range attack. Replaces the weaker Catapult.

StrategyEdit

The Roman Ballista is the strongest ranged unit in the ancient/classical era. It is a siege unit that must set up prior to being fired and has limited visibility by itself. The use of Legions can greatly increase the effectiveness of the Ballista as well as the use of cavalry units like the Horseman. Using the Legions unique ability to build roads you can greatly reduce the travel time of Ballistae as you move them towards your enemy. Without the Engineering technology, a Ballista on a road can move one tile, set up, and fire within the same turn (effectively mirroring the actions of an archer). Ballistae are useful for siege and combat, and are the strongest units to use in city garrisons against rival armies before the Trebuchet.

HistoryEdit

The Roman Ballista was an advanced catapult that fired stones or wooden missiles at the enemy. Constructed of wood reinforced with heavy iron plates, the ballista was surprisingly accurate in the hands of trained operators. It had a maximum range of perhaps 500 yards, but its practical range was significantly shorter, especially against a fortified position. Julius Caesar used them to great effect in his German and British campaigns.