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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
File:Grk-h-hippeus.png Hippeus • File:Grk-h-prodromos.png Prodromos •  Spearman •  Jarl •  War Elephant •  Berserk •  Camel Rider •  Huskarl •  Hersir •  Raiding Cavalry
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File:Grk-h-toxotes.png Toxotes • File:Grk-h-hypaspist.png Hypaspist •  Cheiroballista •  Chariot Archer •  Throwing Axeman •  Axeman
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Technologies
General Technologies
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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Gaia's Book of Knowledge | +3.0 attack multiplier vs. Titans |
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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
