What do you upgrade at the blacksmiths?

[GrizzGolf]

Well what do you guys upgrade?

[WhiteMagick]

Regardless of civ I always research the range upgrades because it affects castle range.

And then it will depend on the units I am using i.e. based on the civ.

[FireStar]

This. Also defens first than offensive techs. A unit which last longer can do more damage.

[conqueror060]

Originally posted by FireStar:

This. Also defens first than offensive techs. A unit which last longer can do more damage.

This! Especially in Castle Age Knight Rush the defensive upgrades of the cavalry is crucial!
I'm always researching the arrow attack/range upgrade (i definately love civs which have Bracer available)

[KaRma]

Depending on your estrategy and map:

Map arabia - flank:
---Usually, u will do archers so u need firstly +1attack/+1 range
---If u have to do skirmishers for defending archers, firstly +1/+1 armor
---if u do scout rushing: +1/+1 armor and bloodlines

Map arabia - Pocket (castle age)
---Usually u will do knights: +1/+1 armor
------> if u have to attack archers, firstly +2/+2 armor
------> if u have to kill vils, firstly +1 attack

Map arabia - Pocket (castle age): Mayans, incas, aztecs
--- U will do eagles: +2/+2 armor and +2 attack

[WSlord]

Yes, I tend to plan like 155 for my nation strats (per usual infantry usually gets upgraded the least), but the range upgrades are necessary for much like for what has been said of defence a units that lives longer does more damage, the unit that shoots further does more damage too and gets more shots in, plus essential for any defensive line. Though if the game panders and you have nice gold well, best to get all the upgrades.

Anyone done a defence versus offence upgrade test? Just curiouse now of that difference for example a frankish knight with +1 attack versus a frankish knight with +1 armor.

[Nova]

Everyone has said, and I'll repeat, different upgrades for every map and every strategy.

Though, as a quick summary:

Melee units: (almost) Always take defense first (scale / chain / plate) especially if the unit you are utilizing is a counter unit. Massed halbs do significantly better with the defense upgrades and still get their massive bonuses versus cavalry units which dwarfs the upside of the offensive upgrades, and same with Camels versus Calvary, though you'll definitely want both in this instance. Get both, but get defensive first.

Ranged units: (almost) Always take offense first (fletching / bodkin / bracer) even if the unit you are using is a counter unit because of the additional range it provides the unit. It's less important for counter units to take the defense option because they're less likely to get chipped down by ranged harassment (skirms don't need to get as close) and it will allow them to trade at range with the units they're countering as much as possible. Ships and your defensive buildings benefit from *only* the attack and range upgrades, so if you're using a tower rush or have a lot of castles it's a big benefit.

The main exception is Gunpowder units. Gunpowder units like Hand cannons, Janissaries, and Conquistadors gain no benefit from the offensive techs but DO gain benefits from the armor technologies. If you're primarily using this type of unit as your main ranged compliment to your army then it's perfectly fine to get the defensive technologies first (though you'll generally want the range for skirmishers that you will be likely to deploy to defend them against Archers later...)

[AromaticTreeRoots]

Originally posted by Nova:

Everyone has said, and I'll repeat, different upgrades for every map and every strategy.

Though, as a quick summary:

Melee units: (almost) Always take defense first (scale / chain / plate) especially if the unit you are utilizing is a counter unit. Massed halbs do significantly better with the defense upgrades and still get their massive bonuses versus cavalry units which dwarfs the upside of the offensive upgrades, and same with Camels versus Calvary, though you'll definitely want both in this instance. Get both, but get defensive first.

Ranged units: (almost) Always take offense first (fletching / bodkin / bracer) even if the unit you are using is a counter unit because of the additional range it provides the unit. It's less important for counter units to take the defense option because they're less likely to get chipped down by ranged harassment (skirms don't need to get as close) and it will allow them to trade at range with the units they're countering as much as possible. Ships and your defensive buildings benefit from *only* the attack and range upgrades, so if you're using a tower rush or have a lot of castles it's a big benefit.

The main exception is Gunpowder units. Gunpowder units like Hand cannons, Janissaries, and Conquistadors gain no benefit from the offensive techs but DO gain benefits from the armor technologies. If you're primarily using this type of unit as your main ranged compliment to your army then it's perfectly fine to get the defensive technologies first (though you'll generally want the range for skirmishers that you will be likely to deploy to defend them against Archers later...)

Yes. Yes. Yes. this is correct. ^^^^^^^
those are the top priority, and when you get large numbers of units, especially late game imperial age, you really want any unit your using to be fully teched. (some techs not in blacksmith get pretty expensive though.)

[GrizzGolf]

Thank you for the answer guys!

[Diema]

I always take Fletching first regardless of civ, followed by Forging immediately if I'm using a Cavalry or Infantry civ. After that, I focus purely on defense bonuses like most others have already said at least until I have Plate or Ring for my main units of choice. Ideally, I try to research Plate/Ring and Bodkin Arrow at the same time, but when this is not possible I prioritize Plate/Ring. Only after Plate/Ring (and Bodkin if applicable) is done do I put any more resources towards offensive upgrades.

EDIT: Not saying this is correct strategy in all cases by any means, but this is what I do 99% of the time.