Game Info
Unique unit of the Assyrian civilization. Replaces the Catapult.
- Common traits:
- Attack bonus vs cities (200%)
- No defensive terrain bonuses
- Special traits:
- Sapper: Grants a 50% city attack bonus to units within 2 hexes
- Cover I promotion
- Extra strength (12
Melee strength vs. 7 Melee strength 8 Ranged strength) - Extra sight (+1)
- Melee City attack only
Strategy
The Siege Tower is one of the most interesting siege units in the game. First, it is a melee siege unit (unlike the Catapult it replaces), so it must move next to an enemy city before it can attack. Once in place, however, it is devastating. Not only does it have a powerful city attack of its own, but it also confers a 50% bonus versus cities to any of your land units (including other Siege Towers) within 2 hexes of it. Moreover, it has a Cover I promotion which helps it resist ranged damage more efficiently.
Complement a Siege Tower with melee or ranged units, and make sure it reaches its target before getting killed, and cities will fall much more quickly. As this unit loses the Sapper and all other advantages when upgraded to a Trebuchet, it is often beneficial to retain at least one Siege Tower in later eras for faster city-taking. However, be advised that more powerful city defenses in later eras will be able to destroy a Siege Tower much more quickly.
Historical Info
The oldest known siege towers date to their use by the armies of the neo-Assyrian Empire c. 9th century BC. Bas-reliefs from the reign of Ashurbanipal II depict siege towers at the walls of enemy towns. At the time, mud-brick walls were generally sufficient protection against the ancient armies of Mesopotamia, but siege towers used by the Assyrians allowed them to overwhelm enemy towns quickly and efficiently, providing their empire with a means to grow virtually unchecked for three centuries.