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"Ranged siege weapon. Strong against units and ships, decent against buildings."
In-game description

The Ballista (plural: Ballistae) is a bolt-firing siege weapon in Age of Mythology. It is available to the Norse in the Mythic Age at the Hill Fort, and is strong against both units and buildings.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strong vs.
File:Grk-h-hippeus.png Hippeus • File:Grk-h-prodromos.png Prodromos • Spearman • Jarl • War Elephant • Berserk • Camel Rider • Huskarl • Hersir • Raiding Cavalry

Weak vs.
File:Grk-h-toxotes.png Toxotes • File:Grk-h-hypaspist.png Hypaspist • Cheiroballista • Chariot Archer • Throwing Axeman • Axeman

Technologies

General Technologies

Offense
Image	Name	Description
File:Shared-t-copper-weapons.png	Copper Weapons	+10% damage
File:Shared-t-bronze-weapons.png	Bronze Weapons	+10% damage
File:Shared-t-iron-weapons.png	Iron Weapons	+10% damage

Defense
Image	Name	Description
File:Shared-t-copper-armor.png	Copper Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
File:Shared-t-bronze-armor.png	Bronze Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
File:Shared-t-iron-armor.png	Iron Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
File:Shared-t-copper-shields.png	Copper Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability
File:Shared-t-bronze-shields.png	Bronze Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability
File:Shared-t-iron-shields.png	Iron Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability

Utility
Image	Name	Description
File:Grk-t-levy-infantry.png	Levy Infantry	-20% training time
File:Grk-t-conscript-infantry.png	Conscript Infantry	-20% training time

Myth Technologies

Image	Name	God	Description
File:Grk-t-phobos-spear-of-panic.png	Phobos' Spear of Panic	Ares	+1 divine damage
File:Grk-t-sarissa.png	Sarissa	Athena	+10% hack damage, +1 attack range
File:Grk-t-aegis-shield.png	Aegis Shield	Athena	-15% pierce vulnerability
File:Grk-t-oracle.png	Oracle	Apollo	+4 Line of Sight
File:Grk-t-dionysia.png	Dionysia	Dionysus	+5% hit points

Upgrades

Age	Upgrade	Cost	Effect
File:Infobox-age2.png Classical Age	File:Shared-t-medium-infantry.png Medium Infantry	File:Infobox-food.png 150, File:Infobox-gold.png 150, File:Infobox-time.png 20 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +10% hit points, +10% damage, +1 Line of Sight
File:Infobox-age3.png Heroic Age	File:Shared-t-heavy-infantry.png Heavy Infantry	File:Infobox-food.png 300, File:Infobox-gold.png 300, File:Infobox-time.png 30 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +15% hit points, +20% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Medium Infantry
File:Infobox-age4.png Mythic Age	File:Shared-t-champion-infantry.png Champion Infantry	File:Infobox-food.png 500, File:Infobox-gold.png 400, File:Infobox-time.png 40 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +20% hit points, +30% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Heavy Infantry

Relic Bonuses

Image	Name	Description
	Armor of Achilles	-5% hack vulnerability
	Canopic Jar of Imsety	+25% training speed
	Gaia's Book of Knowledge	+3.0 attack multiplier vs. Titans
	Pelt of Argus	+6 Line of Sight
	Thundercloud Shawl	-5% pierce vulnerability
	Gungnir, Odin's Spear	+5% attack

Gameplay

Ballistae fire several bolts which damage multiple units at a time and deal a fairly large amount of damage. They pack a good punch against ships, human soldiers, and even slow and engaged myth units. They aren't as effective as other siege weapons at destroying buildings, but can destroy them fairly quickly in groups. They have a minimum range, so they should be escorted with cavalry or infantry to protect them from units that get too close.

History

"The Ballista was another type of pre-gunpowder era artillery, mainly used against men in formation. It was a large bow mounted sideways. It used a winch and ratchet to create bow tension. The missile was usually a large metal, or metal-headed, bolt. Fired into a mass of men at ranges up to 1000 feet, bolts could disable several enemies. Ballistas could be placed on fixed mounts on walls or ships, or mobile-wheeled mounts for battlefield use. They were not particularly effective against fortified buildings and walls."
In-game compendium

Gallery

Trivia

During development, the Ballista was available to not just the Norse, but also the Greeks and Egyptians. However, the Egyptians' counterpart was removed (per the design shift in order to make all three civilizations more distinct), and the Greeks got an Oxybeles instead, before even that concept was merged with the Siege Tower to create the Helepolis.
- The icon used in the final game still depicts the original design of the Ballista/Oxybeles, despite the actual texture being changed.

Video

List of Units

@@ Line 110: / Line 110: @@
 }}
-{{Quote|Infantry. Good against cavalry.|In-game description}}
+{{Quote|Ranged siege weapon. Strong against units and ships, decent against buildings.|In-game description}}
-The Hoplite is a Greek infantry unit trained at the [[Military Academy]] from the [[Classical Age]]. Hoplites are the standard infantry for the Greeks and usually form the backbone of their army.
+The Ballista (plural: Ballistae) is a bolt-firing siege weapon in Age of Mythology. It is available to the Norse in the Mythic Age at the Hill Fort, and is strong against both units and buildings.
-Like other basic infantry units, Hoplites are a soft counter against cavalry and as such supposed to be cost-effective against most cavalry units. Heavier cavalry such as [[War Elephant|War Elephants]] and [[Jarl|Jarls]] require hard counter units to be cost-effectively defeated.
 ==Strengths and Weaknesses==
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 220: / Line 220: @@
 ==Gameplay==
+Ballistae fire several bolts which damage multiple units at a time and deal a fairly large amount of damage. They pack a good punch against ships, human soldiers, and even slow and engaged myth units. They aren't as effective as other siege weapons at destroying buildings, but can destroy them fairly quickly in groups. They have a minimum range, so they should be escorted with cavalry or infantry to protect them from units that get too close.
-Hoplites are best used to counter cavalry units. However, in a skirmish, most cavalry units will simply be able to run away from them. Hoplites are quite versatile as they can defeat most other infantry units. However, like all infantry they are vulnerable to counter-infantry and ranged soldiers (except for Turmae).
-Hoplites are well armored, and, of the four standard infantry units, they have the most hit points - far more than the [[Spearman]] and [[Berserk]]. However, they are also the most expensive, slowest, and have the longest training time. This makes rushing with them more difficult, except for Zeus players, whose Hoplites move faster and do extra damage to buildings.
 ==History==
+{{Quote|The Ballista was another type of pre-gunpowder era artillery, mainly used against men in formation. It was a large bow mounted sideways. It used a winch and ratchet to create bow tension. The missile was usually a large metal, or metal-headed, bolt. Fired into a mass of men at ranges up to 1000 feet, bolts could disable several enemies. Ballistas could be placed on fixed mounts on walls or ships, or mobile-wheeled mounts for battlefield use. They were not particularly effective against fortified buildings and walls.|In-game compendium}}
-{{Quote|The predominate Greek soldier of antiquity was the Hoplite, named after the great round shield he carried into battle. Hoplites wore helmets, leg armor, and chest armor, and carried a great long spear. They fought in dense columns with the spear points from several ranks projecting out from the formation. They thus presented a formidable block bristling with spears held above the shoulder. In battle they would close with the enemy as a pushing wall of shields, stabbing with their spears over the shields. Men behind would push those in front and stab over them. This fighting was face-to-face and terrifying, requiring high skill and discipline. Battles were usually short but deadly. Before the rise of the Hoplite, most army fighting had been more long-range archery and posturing. The Greeks made war personal and intense, and Hoplites dominated ancient battlefields for centuries.|In-game compendium}}
 ==Gallery==
 ==Trivia==
+* During development, the Ballista was available to not just the Norse, but also the Greeks and Egyptians. However, the Egyptians' counterpart was removed (per the design shift in order to make all three civilizations more distinct), and the Greeks got an Oxybeles instead, before even that concept was merged with the Siege Tower to create the Helepolis.
-* The Hoplite went through a few design changes throughout the development. Originally, they would wear linothorax armor in their Champion upgrade.
+** The icon used in the final game still depicts the original design of the Ballista/Oxybeles, despite the actual texture being changed.
-* Hoplites were also to use square shields, inspired by the Mycenaeans tower shields, some months before release. However, Ensemble Studios decided to revert back to them using Hoplon-type shields, most likely because they were more distinctive.
-==Video==
-==List of Heroes==
-{{Navplate
-|id=allregunits
-|subtitle=List of
-|title= Units
-|header1 = [[File:Icon Greek.png|55px]] [[Greeks]]
-|label2 =
-|list2 =
-|label3 = Non-Military
-|list3 = [[Villager Greek|Villager]] ● [[Kataskopos]]
-|label4 = [[Infantry]]
-|list4 = [[Hoplite]] ● [[Hypaspist]] ● [[Myrmidon]] ● [[Militia]]
-|label5 = [[Ranged Soldier|Ranged Soldiers]]
-|list5 = [[Toxotes]] ● [[Peltast]] ● [[Gastraphetoros]]
-|label6 = [[Cavalry]]
-|list6 = [[Hippeus]] ● [[Prodromos]] ● [[Hetairos]]
-|label7 = [[Siege Weapons]]
-|list7 = [[Petrobolos]] ● [[Helepolis]]
-|label8 = [[Ship|Ships]]
-|list8 = [[Trireme]] ● [[Pentekonter]] ● [[Juggernaut]]
-|label9 = [[Heroes]]
-|list9 = [[The Argo]]
-|label10 = [[Myth Unit]]
-|list10 = [[Pegasus]] ● [[Hippocampus]] ● [[Centaur]] ● [[Minotaur]]  [[Cyclops]] ● [[Nemean Lion]] ● [[Hydra]] ● [[Scylla]]  [[Manticore]] ● [[Colossus]] ● [[Medusa]] ● [[Carcinos]]  [[Shade of Hades]] ● [[Chimera]]
+==Video==
-|header11 = [[File:Icon Egyptian.png|55px]] [[Egyptians]]
-|label12 = Non-Military
-|list12 = [[Laborer]]
-|label13 = [[Infantry]]
-|list13 = [[Spearman]] ● [[Axeman]] ● [[Mercenary]]
-|label14 = [[Ranged Soldier|Ranged Soldiers]]
-|list14 = [[Slinger]] ● [[Chariot Archer]]
-|label15 = [[Cavalry]]
-|list15 = [[Camel Rider]]  ● [[War Elephant]] ● [[Mercenary Cavalry]]
-|label16 = [[Siege Weapons]]
-|list16 = [[Catapult]] ● [[Siege Tower]]
-|label17 = [[Ship|Ships]]
-|list17 = [[Kebenit]] ● [[Ramming Galley]] ● [[War Barge]] ● [[Lost Ship]]
-|label18 = [[Heroes]]
-|list18 = [[Pharaoh]]
-|label19 = [[Myth Unit]]
-|list19 = [[Anubite]] ● [[Serpent]] ● [[Sea Snake]] ● [[Sphinx]]  [[Wadjet]] ● [[Petsuchos]] ● [[Roc]] ● [[Scarab]]  [[Leviathan]] ● [[Scorpion Man]] ● [[Minion]] ● [[Phoenix]]  [[Phoenix Egg]] ● [[War Turtle]] ● [[Avenger]] ● [[Mummy]]
-|label20 = [[Animal of Set|Animals of Set]]
-|list20 = [[Baboon of Set]] ● [[Gazelle of Set]] ● [[Hyena of Set]] ● [[Giraffe of Set]]  [[Crocodile of Set]] ● [[Hippopotamus of Set]] ● [[Rhinoceros of Set]] ● [[Elephant of Set]]  [[Monkey of Set]] ● [[Arctic Wolf of Set]] ● [[Aurochs of Set]] ● [[Bear of Set]]  [[Boar of Set]] ● [[Caribou of Set]] ● [[Crowned Crane of Set]] ● [[Deer of Set]]  [[Elk of Set]] ● [[Lion of Set]] ● [[Polar Bear of Set]] ● [[Walrus of Set]]  [[Water Buffalo of Set]] ● [[Wolf of Set]] ● [[Zebra of Set]]
-|header21 = [[File:Icon Norse.png|55px]] [[Norse]]
-|label22 = Non-Military
-|list22 = [[Gatherer]] ● [[Dwarf]]● [[Ox Cart]]
-|label23 = [[Infantry]]
-|list23 = [[Berserk]] ● [[Throwing Axeman]] ● [[Huskarl]] ● [[Hirdman]]
-|label24 = [[Ranged Soldier|Ranged Soldiers]]
-|list24 = ●
-|label25 = [[Cavalry]]
-|list25 = [[Raiding Cavalry]] ● [[Jarl]]
-|label26 = [[Siege Weapons]]
-|list26 = [[Portable Ram]] ● [[Ballista]]
-|label27 = [[Ship|Ships]]
-|list27 = [[Longboat]] ● [[Dreki]] ● [[Dragon Ship]]
-|label28 = [[Heroes]]
-|list28 = [[Hero of Ragnarok]]
-|label29 = [[Myth Unit]]
-|list29 = [[Raven]] ● [[Troll]] ● [[Valkyrie]] ● [[Einheri]]  [[Kraken]] ● [[Mountain Giant]] ● [[Walking Woods]] ● [[Frost Giant]]  [[Battle Boar]] ● [[Jormun Elver]] ● [[Fimbulwinter Wolf]] ● [[Fenris Wolf Brood]]  [[Fire Giant]] ● [[Nidhogg]] ● [[Draugr]] ● [[Rock Giant]]  [[Fafnir]]
+==List of Units==
-|header30 = [[File:Icon Atlantean.png|55px]] [[Atlanteans]]
+{{Units}}
-|label31 = Non-Military
-|list31 = [[Citizen]] ● [[Oracle]]
-|label32 = [[Infantry]]
-|list32 = [[Murmillo]] ● [[Katapeltes]] ● [[Destroyer]] ● [[Fanatic]]
-|label33 = [[Ranged Soldier|Ranged Soldiers]]
-|list33 = [[Arcus]] ● [[Turma]]
-|label34 = [[Cavalry]]
-|list34 = [[Contarius]]
-|label35 = [[Siege Weapons]]
-|list35 = [[Cheiroballista]] ● [[Fire Siphon]]
-|label36 = [[Ship|Ships]]
-|list36 = [[Bireme]] ● [[Fire Ship]] ● [[Siege Bireme]]
-|label37 = [[Heroes]]
-|list37 =
-|label38 = [[Myth Unit|Myth Units]]
-|list38 = [[Automaton]] ● [[Promethean]] ● [[Promethean Offspring]] ● [[Caladria]]  [[Servant]] ● [[Carnivora]] ● [[Nereid]] ● [[Satyr]]  [[Stymphalian Bird]] ● [[Dryad]] ● [[Behemoth]] ● [[Centimanus]]  [[Man O' War]] ● [[Argus]] ● [[Lampades]] ● [[Tartarian Spawn]]  [[Spider Egg]]
-}}