Part 18

Each upgrade to the workshop allows storage of 5 more parts. A level 3 shop can hold parts for three engines.

Battering Rams are the first engine available, dealing more damage to gates than walls. They require no ammunition. You may need 1 or 2 on most maps. They are susceptible to enemy archer fire.

Siege Towers allow troops to scale enemy walls. One unit is needed to operate the tower, and another must stand on top, limiting inside troop capacity to half your army. To open an enemy gate from inside, select one unit and right-click the gate; the unit will work the mechanism. If the unit leaves or is destroyed, the gates close again.

Catapults attack from a distance using boulders, doing more damage to walls than gates. They require stone ammunition and come with 10 boulders. Refuel them with a stone ammo cart created at the storehouse. Ammo carts are ox-drawn and carry stone. If you have at least 10 stone, you can make another cart. Ammo carts do not need protection but can be stolen. To refuel, have the ammo cart near the catapult; it will refuel automatically. When empty, the cart returns to the storehouse to refuel. Ammo carts are not selected with the 'Select Military' button on the minimap (the small map in the corner of the screen showing troop locations).

When assaulting an enemy wall, use about 3-4 catapults and 2-3 ammo carts each. If using catapults, do not use rams. Decide whether to attack the gate or the wall. Catapults are more useful attacking walls due to low gate damage.

Mounted catapults are defensive weapons built on stone towers. They work automatically without needing staff and fire at any siege weapon in range, which is usually further than enemy catapults. They appear more powerful than regular siege engines.

Mounted catapults cost 200 gold and 5 iron and require ammunition like regular catapults. Use 1-2 carts per catapult if being sieged, as they are closer to your storehouse.

Mounted catapults cannot be attacked directly and are considered invincible.

If the enemy starts building mounted catapults on their walls, it becomes very difficult to assault their city. If this happens, use 4-5 catapults with 2-3 ammo carts each. Save the game before assaulting.