Castle

Lore & Background

Beyond its military utility, the Castle served as a symbol of royal authority. Within its thick walls, generals could rally their forces, repairing wounded soldiers and storing supplies while waiting for reinforcements. The psychological impact on an enemy army seeing a Castle looming over the horizon was often enough to break morale before battle even began.

Reader's Guide

The Castle is a defensive structure built in the Castle Age, requiring significant wood and gold resources to construct. It possesses high hit points, making it difficult for standard units to destroy quickly without siege support. Its primary combat role involves garrisoning infantry or archers, which can then fire upon enemies from within the safety of the walls. When fully upgraded with technologies like 'Masonry' or 'Fletching,' the Castle deals increased damage and provides a defensive bonus to surrounding units. It excels at countering siege weapons; a single well-placed Castle can dismantle an enemy's battering ram or trebuchet before they reach critical infrastructure. Training times for garrisoned units are not applicable as it is a structure, but the time to build varies by civilization efficiency. To unlock its full potential in later ages, players must research specific defensive technologies that increase range and damage output against specific unit types.

Did You Know?

• The Castle was historically one of the few structures capable of effectively countering early siege engines like battering rams.
• In many historical contexts, garrisoned troops inside a Castle could fire arrows or bolts through arrow slits without exposing themselves to enemy fire.
• Different civilizations in the game often have unique upgrades that modify how their Castles function, such as increased range or damage against specific unit classes.