is it practical to use Trebuchets as base defenses?

[Baron Young]

when on the offensive, Trebuchets are used because of their insane range. the only counter (if you don't plan to send cavalries outside of your gates) to that range are Trebuchets themselves. BUT the projectiles are slow and it is horrendously inaccurate, not to mention each Trebuchets take up 1 population slot, therefore they're hardly any use against rapidly moving targets. probably the ONLY advantage is that you get to deploy your Trebuchets already unpacked, while the enemies approaching your doorstep need time to unpack theirs. back to the question, is it practical to place a few Trebuchets around your watchtowers and whatnots?

[Mr_F0NG]

You should never leave trebuchet's as static defenses. But when you have enemy trebs firing on your castle, it's a good idea to deploy your own trebs and fire back at them if you can't kill them any other way. In accurate yes, but in 3 shots it will kill them and possible save your life :)

[mmmcheesywaffles]

They are effective against the AI. As Coffee says you move them up when needed. I also use them against troops when they gather on opposite shore lines just out of return fire range. Every hit takes out or seriously weakens a unit costing Gold. It also keeps the AI busy while you gather your own troops for an attack.

A favourite tactic against the AI is to build a kill zone of 3 castles full of archers on one side of a river. Then worry the enemy coastal patrols until they send an attack into the kill zone ;) If they launch a major attack and lose all their troops, I then launch my own attack across the river in ferries and take out thier major structures. The AI sees the trebs on the coast and tries to send cavalry to kill them :D

Another similar tactic can be when fighting on island maps or maps with water based choke points.the trebs will take out any static ships that attack your castles from just outside your castles defensive fire.

In both cases keep a few villagers nearby in a tower if needed. They can be sent in to repair if the onslought is too big.

[Xinnobun]

It's impractical because the trebs won't fire on units unless ordered. If you want long distance defense, then make bombard cannons instead.

[Baron Young]

dayyyyyum i was trying to think of a way of having long range defenses without micromanaging, thanks anyway

[mmmcheesywaffles]

Originally posted by Xin`ಠ:

It's impractical because the trebs won't fire on units unless ordered. If you want long distance defense, then make bombard cannons instead.

Originally posted by Baron Young:

dayyyyyum i was trying to think of a way of having long range defenses without micromanaging, thanks anyway

Actually, if you are stopping the building of structures near your base then the trebs will fire without you micromanaging.

I use them that way to stop enemy ports being built near waterways I want to control. Depending on the map it is a good way to keep masses of ships away from a river that runs up near my base. So long as they are out of fire ship range they will usually survive long enough for me to kill off other ships.

However, Bombards are usually far better and easier to move around. They will at least try to evade incoming fire too.

[jfrl1991]

If you are playing with the Britons or Japanese, research their unique techs and trebuchets will become a good defense against anything far from them.

[Ashina]

Originally posted by jfrl1991:

If you are playing with the Britons or Japanese, research their unique techs and trebuchets will become a good defense against anything far from them.

But those tech comes at the Imperial age,if that even matters XD.
Britons Trebuchets are 100% Accurate after the Warwolf tech,and also has splash damage of 1 Tile,so in a bunch up fight,it can kill at least 3 units in a single shot.

Japanese Trebuchet are dangerous if the Player is Fast handed,Japanese Trebuchet can actually fire,repack,and dodge enemy trebuchets.

Celtic Trebuchet are kinda the 3rd best,but their bonus of Siege Weapon fires/Reload 20% Faster means that they could have a step up with other siege units,like Mangonel,and Scorpion.

[Xinnobun]

Originally posted by Silver:

Japanese Trebuchet are dangerous if the Player is Fast handed,Japanese Trebuchet can actually fire,repack,and dodge enemy trebuchets.

Although on paper it sounds awesome, but nobody will have the time to intensively micro the trebs this much. If you want to save your trebs, then repair with villagers is a more logical way. Theres more important things to micro/macro like your army.

The fast unpacking/repacking is more for a very aggressive play. A Blitzkrieg.

[Ashina]

Originally posted by Xin`ಠ:

Originally posted by Silver:

Japanese Trebuchet are dangerous if the Player is Fast handed,Japanese Trebuchet can actually fire,repack,and dodge enemy trebuchets.

Although on paper it sounds awesome, but nobody will have the time to intensively micro the trebs this much. If you want to save your trebs, then repair with villagers is a more logical way. Theres more important things to micro/macro like your army.

The fast unpacking/repacking is more for a very aggressive play. A Blitzkrieg.

yea,but it's cool to know,and if the battle is small enough,you might want to do that.
But Imperial age battles are never small.

[Baron Young]

Originally posted by Silver:

Originally posted by jfrl1991:

If you are playing with the Britons or Japanese, research their unique techs and trebuchets will become a good defense against anything far from them.

But those tech comes at the Imperial age,if that even matters XD.
Britons Trebuchets are 100% Accurate after the Warwolf tech,and also has splash damage of 1 Tile,so in a bunch up fight,it can kill at least 3 units in a single shot.

100% accurate on stationary targets, the projectile is still slow though

you'll probably only have the upper hand in a Treb vs. Treb fight

[Ashina]

Originally posted by Baron Young:

Originally posted by Silver:

But those tech comes at the Imperial age,if that even matters XD.
Britons Trebuchets are 100% Accurate after the Warwolf tech,and also has splash damage of 1 Tile,so in a bunch up fight,it can kill at least 3 units in a single shot.

100% accurate on stationary targets, the projectile is still slow though

you'll probably only have the upper hand in a Treb vs. Treb fight

Black forest,and snake corridors.

[Ruinae Retroque Rursus]

I've found Trebs unreliable at killing anything except enemy Trebs.

And for some reason Huns have an accuracy bonus on trebs - why the heck does this exist? This means they'll nearly always win a 1v1 treb fight...
.... so fight them 2v1

If you want units dead grab a couple of Bombard Cannons, Onagers, or Monks. Or Bombard Towers, too.

If you're turtling and want to hold a frontier, by all means unpack some trebs by your towers to pelt the enemy trebs. Just don't expect them to hold against BBCs and Onagers, but do expect them to hit other trebs.

[Baron Young]

the title of this thread is now officially "is it practical to use Trebuchets as base defenses against Trebuchets?"

[mmmcheesywaffles]

Originally posted by aidenpons:

I've found Trebs unreliable at killing anything except enemy Trebs.

And for some reason Huns have an accuracy bonus on trebs - why the heck does this exist? This means they'll nearly always win a 1v1 treb fight...
.... so fight them 2v1

If you want units dead grab a couple of Bombard Cannons, Onagers, or Monks. Or Bombard Towers, too.

If you're turtling and want to hold a frontier, by all means unpack some trebs by your towers to pelt the enemy trebs. Just don't expect them to hold against BBCs and Onagers, but do expect them to hit other trebs.

Try leaving 3 trebs firing to ground where an AI opponent is gathering forces. Even if you eventually lose one or more trebs to a return attack, the target area will be spattered with the remains of your enemy units.

The advantage of the trebs is range. The AI will often not gather forces within the range of your other options.

Even a turtle sticks its neck out ot feed ;) After softening up the enemy I usually send in a small force to take out a few strategic buildings.

[Ruinae Retroque Rursus]

Originally posted by Baron Young:

the title of this thread is now officially "is it practical to use Trebuchets as base defenses against Trebuchets?"

That is practically the only thing they're good for as defenses... in my opinion.

Try leaving 3 trebs firing to ground where an AI opponent is gathering forces. Even if you eventually lose one or more trebs to a return attack, the target area will be spattered with the remains of your enemy units.

In that case it would just be much better to use Onagers or BBCs...

The advantage of the trebs is range. The AI will often not gather forces within the range of your other options.

yes, but you only need that range for whacking other trebs. To whack BBCs and Onagers use BBCs, Onagers, and BBTs.

After softening up the enemy I usually send in a small force to take out a few strategic buildings.

Why not send in a huge force to wipe 'em out? That's what I do :P

Trebs are also expensive and clog up your Castle time - you can't train any UUs. In contrast, Siege Workshops are cheap and you can mass-produce them and mass-produce the units (if you don't run out of gold[/i]).


Oh that's right Scorpions are a thing PAHAHAHAHA JOKE