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'''War machine''' is common term used for when referring either to ammo cart, ballista, first aid tent or catapult. Basically they are all special combat units which are available in most of the battles. The only exceptions are [[creature bank]]s and [[shipwreck]]s, where none of the war machines are used. They all have a special [[Artifacts#Artifact_slots|slot]] reserved just for a particular war machine.
'''War machine''' is a common term used for referring to either an Ammo Cart, Ballista, First Aid Tent or Catapult. Basically they are all special combat units which are available in most of the battles. The only exceptions are [[creature bank]]s and [[shipwreck]]s, where none of the war machines are used. Furthermore, Catapults are only used in siege combats. All war machines have a special [[Artifacts#Artifact_slots|slot]] reserved just for that particular war machine.


Typically war machines except catapults are bought from [[blacksmith]]s, which sell different war machine depending on the [[town type]]. Additionally, war machines can be bought from an adventure map location called [[war machine factory]], which sell all war machines except catapults. [[Stronghold]] has also special building [[ballista yard]], where a visiting hero can buy ballistas. All heroes have catapult with them, and if one is destroyed in the combat, a new one is automatically added to hero's catapult slot.
Typically, war machines except the Catapult are bought from [[Blacksmith]]s, which sell different war machine depending on the [[town]]. Additionally, war machines can be bought from an Adventure Map location called the [[War Machine Factory]], which sell all war machines (except Catapults). [[Stronghold]] has the special building [[Ballista Yard]], where a visiting hero can buy a Ballista. All heroes have the Catapult with them, and if one is destroyed in the combat, a new one is automatically added to hero's catapult slot.


All war machines are immobile and unaffected by [[luck]] and [[morale]] with the exception of ballista, which can have a lucky strike. Also, war machines do not affect the hero's [[movement]].
All war machines are immobile and unaffected by [[morale]] and [[luck]] with the exception of the [[Ballista]] and [[Cannon]]{{-wh}}, which can have a lucky strike. Additionally, war machines do not affect the hero's [[movement]]. On the battlefield AI considers [[Catapult]], [[Ballista]] and [[Cannon]]{{-wh}} as ranged units, ignoring the moment they can not be blocked.
 
'''War machines are immune to:'''
{|
! style="text-align:left;"|Spells !! colspan=2 style="text-align:left;"|Abilities
|-
| • {{Sn|Implosion}}|| • [[Aging]]||{{cn|Ghost Dragon}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Clone}}|| • [[Death cloud]]||{{cn|Lich|noname=}}{{cn|Power Lich|name=Liches}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Bloodlust}}|| • [[Death stare]]||{{cn|Mighty Gorgon}}
|-
| style="padding-right:20px;|• [[Mind spell]]s - ([[Berserk]], [[Blind]], [[Forgetfulness]], [[Frenzy]], [[Hypnotize]], [[Mirth]], [[Sorrow]])|| • [[Disease]]||{{cn|Zombie}}
|-
| style="padding-left:20px;"|• ''{{Sn|Berserk}} can be cast without any effect.''|| • [[Fear]]||{{cn|Azure Dragon}}
|-
| style="padding-left:20px;"|• ''{{Sn|Frenzy}} can be cast by the {{an|Orb of Vulnerability}} owner.''|| • [[Life drain]]||{{cn|Vampire Lord}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Death Ripple}} and {{Sn|Destroy Undead}}|| • [[Paralyze]]||{{cn|Scorpicore}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Slow}} and {{Sn|Haste}}|| • [[Petrify]]||{{cn|Medusa|noname=}}{{cn|Medusa Queen|name=Medusas}} {{cn|Basilisk|noname=}}{{cn|Greater Basilisk|name=Basilisks}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Teleport}}|| • [[Poison]]||{{cn|Wyvern Monarch}} {{cn|Sea Serpent|noname=}}{{cn|Haspid|name=Sea Serpent and Haspid}}
|-{{cn|
| • {{Sn|Resurrection}} and {{Sn|Sacrifice}}|| style="padding-right:20px;"| • [[Summon demons]]||{{cn|Pit Lord}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Counterstrike}}|| • [[Accurate shot]]{{-wh}}||{{cn|Sea Dog}}
|}
 
Some spells are effective for [[Ballista]] and [[Cannon]]{{-wh}} only:
{|
| • {{Sn|Fortune}} and {{Sn|Misfortune}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Bless}} and {{Sn|Curse}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Slayer}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Precision}} ''(can be cast on {{cn|Catapult}})''
|}


== Usage ==
=== Ammo Cart ===
=== Ammo Cart ===
{{War machine
{|  border=0 style="float:right; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px;"
  | Image    = [[Image: Ammo cart.png]]  
|-
| {{War machine
  | Image    = [[Image: Ammo cart.png]]
  | Name      = Ammo cart
  | Name      = Ammo cart
  | No_attack =  
  | No_attack =  
Line 14: Line 53:
  | No_damage =  
  | No_damage =  
  | Health    = 100
  | Health    = 100
  | Cost      = 1000
  | Cost      = 1000 {{G}}
  | No_shots  =  
  | No_shots  =  
}}
}}
|}
Ammo Сart provides unlimited [[shots]] for creatures with [[ranged attack]]s. The shots start to decrease right after the Ammo Cart is destroyed. Despite the fact that The Ammo Cart is not used during a creature bank or shipwreck battle, it still provides unlimited ammo. In damage calculations Ammo Cart goes as level 1 unit, its [[AI Value]] is 400.


Ammo cart provides unlimited [[Shots|ammuntion]] for creatures with [[ranged attack]]s.
Sold by the blacksmith of
*{{town|Inferno}},
*{{town|Stronghold}},
*{{town|Tower}}.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>


=== Ballista ===
=== Ballista ===
{{War machine
{|  border=0 style="float:right; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px;"
|-
| {{War machine
  | Image    = [[Image: Ballista.png]]
  | Image    = [[Image: Ballista.png]]
  | Align    = left
  | Align    = left
Line 27: Line 74:
  | Attack    = 10
  | Attack    = 10
  | Defense  = 10
  | Defense  = 10
  | Damage    = 8–12
  | Damage    = 2–3
  | Health    = 250
  | Health    = 250
  | Cost      = 2500
  | Cost      = 2500 {{G}}
  | Shots    = 24  
  | Shots    = 24  
}}
}}
|}
A ballista is a missile weapon that, like ranged units, shoots projectiles toward enemy troops, but is unable to [[retaliation|retaliate]] against attacks. It has a basic damage range (of 2–3) like creatures, but the damage calculation is different. The formula for the calculation of damage is (2–3)*(hero's attack + 1). The [[Artillery]] and [[Archery]] secondary skills increase this damage. The ballista acts at the end of every combat round, followed only by the [[first aid tent]], and can be controlled when a hero has learned any level of Artillery. Contrary to what its in-game statistics indicate, a ballista has unlimited shots (fixed in {{hota}}){{-wh}}.


A ballista is a missile weapon that, like ranged units, shoots projectiles toward enemy troops, but is unable to [[retaliation|retaliate]] against attacks. Its minimum and maximum base damage can be calculated by multiplying the hero's attack skill plus one with, respectively, two or three. The [[Artillery]] and [[Archery]] secondary skills increase this damage, as does a hero's [[Attack Skill]]. The ballista acts at the end of every combat round, followed only by the [[first aid tent]], and can be controlled when a hero has learned Artillery. Contrary to what its in-game statistics indicate, a ballista has unlimited shots.
Ballistas can be bought from [[Blacksmith]]s in {{town|Castle}}, {{town|Dungeon}} and {{town|Conflux}} towns, and from [[Ballista Yard]]s in {{town|Stronghold}} towns. They can also be purchased from [[war machine factory|war machine factories]] on the adventure map. Heroes who [[Hero specialty|specialize]] in ballistas do typically bring one with them when hired (always in {{hota}}){{-wh}}. In damage calculations Ballista goes as level 5 unit, its [[AI Value]] is 600.
 
Ballistas can be bought from [[Blacksmith]]s in [[Castle]], [[Dungeon]] and [[Conflux]] towns, and from [[Ballista Yard]]s in [[Stronghold]] towns. They can also be purchased from [[war machine factory|war machine factories]] on the adventure map. Heroes who [[Hero specialty|specialize]] in ballistas typically bring one with them when hired.


'''Heroes with Ballista specialty:'''
* {{H2|Christian|Knight}}
* {{H2|Torosar|Alchemist}}
* {{H2|Pyre|Demoniac}}
* {{H2|Arlach|Overlord}}
* {{H2|Gurnisson|Barbarian}}
* {{H2|Gerwulf|Beastmaster}}
* {{H2|Ranloo|Death Knight}}{{-wh}}


'''Heroes with specialty ballista:'''
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
* [[Christian]] the [[Knight]]
* [[Torosar]] the [[Alchemist]]
* [[Pyre (Hero)|Pyre]] the [[Demoniac]]
* [[Arlach]] the [[Overlord]]
* [[Gurnisson]] the [[Barbarian]]
* [[Gerwulf]] the [[Beastmaster]]
 
=== First Aid Tent ===
=== First Aid Tent ===
{{War machine
{|  border=0 style="float:right; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px;"
|-
| {{War machine
  | Image      = [[Image:First aid tent.png]]  
  | Image      = [[Image:First aid tent.png]]  
  | Name      = First aid tent
  | Name      = First aid tent
Line 54: Line 104:
  | No_damage  =  
  | No_damage  =  
  | Health    = 75
  | Health    = 75
  | Cost      = 750
  | Cost      = 750 {{G}}
  | No_shots  =  
  | No_shots  =  
}}
}}
|}
'''First Aid Tent''' heals 1-25 [[health|hit points]] of the top creature in target allied stack. The amount of health restored is affected by [[First aid|First Aid secondary skill]], which also gives the player control over the tent rather than being chosen by computer. First Aid Tents act last at the combat round. Tents can be bought from [[blacksmith]]s of {{town|Rampart}}, {{town|Fortress}} and {{town|Necropolis}} towns, or from a [[War Machine Factory]] adventure map location. Typically, heroes with [[hero specialty|First Aid specialty]] start with a First Aid Tent (always in {{hota}}){{-wh}}. Oddly enough, [[Necropolis]]' heroes cannot learn [[First Aid]], even though their blacksmith produces first aid tents. In damage calculations First Aid Tent goes as level 1 unit, its [[AI Value]] is 300.


First aid tent heals up to 25 points of [[health|hit points]] of the top creature in target allied stack. The amount of health restored is affected by [[first aid]] secondary skill, which also gives the player control over the tent rather than being chosen by computer. First aid tent acts last at the combat round. Tents can be bought from [[blacksmith]]s of [[rampart]], [[fortress]] and [[necropolis town]]s, or from a [[war machine factory]], an adventure map location. Typically heroes with first aid [[Hero specialty|specialty]] start with a first aid tent.
'''Heroes with First Aid specialty:'''
 
* {{H2|Rion|Cleric}}
'''Heroes with first aid specialty:'''
* {{H2|Gem|Druid}}
* [[Rion]] the [[Cleric]]
* {{H2|Verdish|Witch}}
* [[Gem]] the [[Druid]]
* [[Verdish]] the [[Witch]]


<div style="clear:both;"></div>
=== Catapult ===
=== Catapult ===
{{War machine
{|  border=0 style="float:right; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px;"
|-
| {{War machine
  | Name      = Catapult
  | Name      = Catapult
| float      = left
  | Image      = [[Image: Catapult.png]]
  | Image      = [[Image: Catapult.png]]
  | Align      = left
  | Align      = left
Line 77: Line 131:
  | Shots      = 24  
  | Shots      = 24  
}}
}}
|}
The Catapult only appears on the battlefield when [[siege attack]]ing enemy towns with [[wall]]s, which requires the town to have a [[fort]], [[citadel]], or [[Castle (structure)|castle]]. Its main use is to attack and destroy the walls in order to enable ground troops to attack the defenders. The Catapult can also attack and destroy the [[arrow tower]]s of citadels and castles. The [[ballistics]] secondary skill enhances the performance of the Catapult. Basic ballistics gives the player control over the Catapult making it possible to aim at particular parts of the siege structures. During a siege, the Catapult shoots after the arrow towers, but before any other troop. In damage calculations Catapult goes as level 1 unit, its [[AI Value]] is 500.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
=={{hota}}==
===Cannon===
{|  border=0 style="float:right; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px;"
|-
| {{War machine
| Name      = Cannon
| float      = left
| Image      = [[Image: Cannon.png]]
| Align      = left
| Attack    = 20
| Defense    = 10
| Damage    = 4–7
| Health    = 250
| Cost      = 4000 {{G}}
| Shots      = 8
}}
|}
Cove War Machine. Bought in the blacksmith of [[Cove]] or in a [[Cannon Yard]].  The formula for the calculation of damage is (4–7)*(hero's attack + 1). It costs 4000 gold.
* Is put in the Ballista slot of a hero. It cannot be put in a backpack.
* Assault battle machine. Only attacks by shooting. Is not blocked by standing next to an enemy unit. Can attack enemy troops and fortifications. One does not need to destroy the cannon to win the battle. No experience is given for its destruction.
* Is put in place of Ballista during battle. Does not participate in the battle on the side of the defender during the siege, as well as the battles in vaults and banks. Moves at the same time as Ballista (before the First Aid Tent). Controlled by the AI.
* In damage calculations, Cannon goes as level 6 unit, its [[AI Value]] is 875.
'''Effect of Artillery skill'''
* <span style="color: #0000C0">None.</span> All features work as described above.
* <span style="color: #0000C0">Basic.</span> Gives you control of the cannon. Aimed shot with increased damage on the fortifications.
* <span style="color: #0000C0">Advanced.</span> Gives you control of the cannon. Double damage on unit, aimed shot with increased damage on the fortifications.
* <span style="color: #0000C0">Expert.</span> Gives you control of the cannon. Triple damage on unit, aimed shot with maximum damage on the fortifications.
'''Heroes with Cannon specialty:'''
* {{H2|Jeremy|Captain}}
== Ballista vs. Cannon ==
Here a table showing the average damage of a Ballista and Cannon with and without Artillery skill. Note that the Cannon has 20 Attack and 8 shots while the Ballista has only 10 Attack but 24 shots:
{| class="wikitable" style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|- style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center;"
! rowspan="4" style="font-weight:normal;" | Hero  Attack
! colspan="8" | Average damage
|- style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center;"
| colspan="4" style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Ballista (10 Attack)
| colspan="4" style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Cannon (20 Attack!)
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Base
| colspan="3" style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Artillery
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Base
| colspan="3" style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Artillery
|-
| style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Basic
| style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Advanced
| style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Expert
| style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Basic
| style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Advanced
| style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Expert
|-
| 0
| 2.5
| 3.75
| 8.75
| 10
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 5.5
| 11
| 16.5
|-
| 1
| 5
| 7.5
| 17.5
| 20
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 11
| 22
| 33
|-
| 2
| 7.5
| 11.25
| 26.25
| 30
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 16.5
| 33
| 49.5
|-
| 3
| 10
| 15
| 35
| 40
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 22
| 44
| 66
|-
| 4
| 12.5
| 18.75
| 43.75
| 50
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 27.5
| 55
| 82.5
|-
| 5
| 15
| 22.5
| 52.5
| 60
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 33
| 66
| 99
|-
| 10
| 27.5
| 41.25
| 96.25
| 110
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 60.5
| 121
| 181.5
|-
| 15
| 40
| 60
| 140
| 160
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 88
| 176
| 264
|-
| 20
| 52.5
| 78.75
| 183.75
| 210
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 115.5
| 231
| 346.5
|-
| 25
| 65
| 97.5
| 227.5
| 260
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 143
| 286
| 429
|-
| 30
| 77.5
| 116.25
| 271.25
| 310
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 170.5
| 341
| 511.5
|-
| 35
| 90
| 135
| 315
| 360
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 198
| 396
| 594
|-
| 40
| 102.5
| 153.75
| 358.75
| 410
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 225.5
| 451
| 676.5
|-
| 50
| 127.5
| 191.25
| 446.25
| 510
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 280.5
| 561
| 841.5
|-
| 60
| 152.5
| 228.75
| 533.75
| 610
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 335.5
| 671
| 1006.5
|-
| 70
| 177.5
| 266.25
| 621.25
| 710
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 390.5
| 781
| 1171.5
|-
| 80
| 202.5
| 303.75
| 708.75
| 810
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 445.5
| 891
| 1336.5
|-
| 90
| 227.5
| 341.25
| 796.25
| 910
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 500.5
| 1001
| 1501.5
|-
| 99
| 250
| 375
| 875
| 1000
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 550
| 1100
| 1650
|}


Catapult only appears on the battlefield when attacking enemy towns with [[wall]]s, which requires the town to have either [[fort]], [[citadel]] of [[Castle (structure)|castle]]. Its main use is to attack walls and destroying them in order to enable ground troops to attack defenders. Catapult can also attack and destroy [[arrow tower]]s of citadels and castles. The [[ballistics]] secondary skill enhances the performance of the catapult. Basic ballistics gives the player over the catapult making it possible to aim particual parts of the siege structures. In siege, catapult shoots after the arrow towers, but before any other troop.
{{user commentary|
The Ballista is a war machine of some limited use, however it requires a high (25+) Attack skill before it starts dealing enough damage to justify its 2500 Gold cost. The [[Artillery]] skill can offset this somewhat, but comes with the high opportunity cost of omitting a potentially more useful [[secondary skill]] such as [[Offense]] or [[Armorer]]. The above restrictions generally limit the Ballista to might heroes with high Attack skill. Of the four towns that sell Ballistae, Barbarians from [[Stronghold]] are most likely to reach this skill - more defensive heroes such as those from [[Fortress]] will not be able to make use of the Ballista as efficiently.  


== Comments & debate ==
The First Aid tent is nearly useless, even with the (also nearly useless) [[First Aid]] skill at its top level. Its main limitation is that it cannot revive creatures that are already downed, so if used on anything less than a level 5 or so creature most of its healing goes to waste (e.g. healing Centaurs with 10 hp each - the Tent can restore a maximum of 9 hp per round, IF a single centaur is hanging on with a single hp left). The only case in which a First Aid Tent is useful is when a player somehow obtains a high-level creature early in the game, such as from a Refugee Camp. Setting a hero up with 1-2 high level creatures and a first-aid tent ensures that the healing is not wasted and allows the player to clear wandering monsters from the map more easily.  
First aid tent as well as ballista are quite useless war machines. Even with a hero specializing them like [[Christian]] or [[Gem]], neither one has much influence during battles. The damage of the ballista even with high level Christian or [[Orrin]] is typically measured in hundreds. As for first aid tent, it is mainly useful on 6th or 7th level creatures with lot of hit points. And even on them, it only manages to save one occasionally. The problem with ballista and first aid tent as well as with artillery and first aid secondary skill is, that there is always better options available. Rather than buying war machines, you could buy troops. [[Offense]] and [[armorer]] on the other hand are superior to [[artillery]] or [[first aid]].


Ballista and first aid tent can be used to absrob damage from [[chain lightning]], and the wandering creatures tend to attack war machines. However, war machines are also a (small) liability against [[dragon]]s' [[breath attack]], [[magog]]s' fireball attack or [[lich]]es' [[death cloud]]. Specially against dragons they provide "free attacks".
The Ammo Cart's unlimited ammunition is usually unnecessary, but is EXTREMELY useful in the few situations when it is needed. Most shooters in the game have enough ammunition to attack 12 times, with many carrying more. The few exceptions are Master Gremlins (8 shots), Medusa Queens (8 shots), and Medusas (only 4 shots!). With good Morale, these creatures run the risk of quickly depleting their ammunition over the course of a battle. This can be the difference between defeat and victory, particularly in a bloody castle siege. If the enemy Catapult can be destroyed and their flying units killed, even a single shooter with an ammunition cart can eventually drive of the enemy if the walls are still intact.  


Besides catapult, the only usable war machine is ammo cart. It is specially useful with [[master gremlin]]s and/or [[medusa]]s in the army, because they only have eight shots otherwise.
As every hero gets a Catapult free of cost which is only deployed for siege warfare, there is little choice involved in catapult usage other than targeting with the [[Ballistics]] skill.  
}}{{end of user commentary}}


[[Category: Combat]]
[[Category: Combat]]
__NOTOC__{{keywords}}

Revision as of 05:25, 5 June 2021

War machine is a common term used for referring to either an Ammo Cart, Ballista, First Aid Tent or Catapult. Basically they are all special combat units which are available in most of the battles. The only exceptions are creature banks and shipwrecks, where none of the war machines are used. Furthermore, Catapults are only used in siege combats. All war machines have a special slot reserved just for that particular war machine.

Typically, war machines except the Catapult are bought from Blacksmiths, which sell different war machine depending on the town. Additionally, war machines can be bought from an Adventure Map location called the War Machine Factory, which sell all war machines (except Catapults). Stronghold has the special building Ballista Yard, where a visiting hero can buy a Ballista. All heroes have the Catapult with them, and if one is destroyed in the combat, a new one is automatically added to hero's catapult slot.

All war machines are immobile and unaffected by morale and luck with the exception of the Ballista and Cannon Horn of the Abyss, which can have a lucky strike. Additionally, war machines do not affect the hero's movement. On the battlefield AI considers Catapult, Ballista and Cannon Horn of the Abyss as ranged units, ignoring the moment they can not be blocked.

War machines are immune to:

Spells Abilities
 Implosion Aging Ghost Dragon Ghost Dragon
 Clone Death cloud Lich Power Lich Liches
 Bloodlust Death stare Mighty Gorgon Mighty Gorgon
Mind spells - (Berserk, Blind, Forgetfulness, Frenzy, Hypnotize, Mirth, Sorrow) Disease Zombie Zombie
 Berserk can be cast without any effect. Fear Azure Dragon Azure Dragon
 Frenzy can be cast by the Orb of VulnerabilityOrb of Vulnerability owner. Life drain Vampire Lord Vampire Lord
 Death Ripple and  Destroy Undead Paralyze Scorpicore Scorpicore
 Slow and  Haste Petrify Medusa Medusa Queen Medusas Basilisk Greater Basilisk Basilisks
 Teleport Poison Wyvern Monarch Wyvern Monarch Sea Serpent Haspid Sea Serpent and Haspid
 Resurrection and  Sacrifice Summon demons Pit Lord Pit Lord
 Counterstrike Accurate shot Horn of the Abyss Sea Dog Sea Dog

Some spells are effective for Ballista and Cannon Horn of the Abyss only:

 Fortune and  Misfortune
 Bless and  Curse
 Slayer
 Precision (can be cast on Catapult Catapult)

Ammo Cart

Ammo cart
Defense  5
Health 100
Cost 1000 Gold

Ammo Сart provides unlimited shots for creatures with ranged attacks. The shots start to decrease right after the Ammo Cart is destroyed. Despite the fact that The Ammo Cart is not used during a creature bank or shipwreck battle, it still provides unlimited ammo. In damage calculations Ammo Cart goes as level 1 unit, its AI Value is 400.

Sold by the blacksmith of

Ballista

Ballista
Attack 10
Defense  10
Damage 2–3
Health 250
Cost 2500 Gold
Shots 24

A ballista is a missile weapon that, like ranged units, shoots projectiles toward enemy troops, but is unable to retaliate against attacks. It has a basic damage range (of 2–3) like creatures, but the damage calculation is different. The formula for the calculation of damage is (2–3)*(hero's attack + 1). The Artillery and Archery secondary skills increase this damage. The ballista acts at the end of every combat round, followed only by the first aid tent, and can be controlled when a hero has learned any level of Artillery. Contrary to what its in-game statistics indicate, a ballista has unlimited shots (fixed in Horn of the AbyssHorn of the Abyss.

Ballistas can be bought from Blacksmiths in Castle, Dungeon and Conflux towns, and from Ballista Yards in Stronghold towns. They can also be purchased from war machine factories on the adventure map. Heroes who specialize in ballistas do typically bring one with them when hired (always in Horn of the AbyssHorn of the Abyss. In damage calculations Ballista goes as level 5 unit, its AI Value is 600.

Heroes with Ballista specialty:

First Aid Tent

First aid tent
Health 75
Cost 750 Gold

First Aid Tent heals 1-25 hit points of the top creature in target allied stack. The amount of health restored is affected by First Aid secondary skill, which also gives the player control over the tent rather than being chosen by computer. First Aid Tents act last at the combat round. Tents can be bought from blacksmiths of Rampart, Fortress and Necropolis towns, or from a War Machine Factory adventure map location. Typically, heroes with First Aid specialty start with a First Aid Tent (always in Horn of the AbyssHorn of the Abyss. Oddly enough, Necropolis' heroes cannot learn First Aid, even though their blacksmith produces first aid tents. In damage calculations First Aid Tent goes as level 1 unit, its AI Value is 300.

Heroes with First Aid specialty:

Catapult

Catapult
Attack 10
Defense  10
Health 1000
Cost N/A
Shots 24

The Catapult only appears on the battlefield when siege attacking enemy towns with walls, which requires the town to have a fort, citadel, or castle. Its main use is to attack and destroy the walls in order to enable ground troops to attack the defenders. The Catapult can also attack and destroy the arrow towers of citadels and castles. The ballistics secondary skill enhances the performance of the Catapult. Basic ballistics gives the player control over the Catapult making it possible to aim at particular parts of the siege structures. During a siege, the Catapult shoots after the arrow towers, but before any other troop. In damage calculations Catapult goes as level 1 unit, its AI Value is 500.

Horn of the Abyss

Cannon

Cannon
Attack 20
Defense  10
Damage 4–7
Health 250
Cost 4000 Gold
Shots 8

Cove War Machine. Bought in the blacksmith of Cove or in a Cannon Yard. The formula for the calculation of damage is (4–7)*(hero's attack + 1). It costs 4000 gold.

  • Is put in the Ballista slot of a hero. It cannot be put in a backpack.
  • Assault battle machine. Only attacks by shooting. Is not blocked by standing next to an enemy unit. Can attack enemy troops and fortifications. One does not need to destroy the cannon to win the battle. No experience is given for its destruction.
  • Is put in place of Ballista during battle. Does not participate in the battle on the side of the defender during the siege, as well as the battles in vaults and banks. Moves at the same time as Ballista (before the First Aid Tent). Controlled by the AI.
  • In damage calculations, Cannon goes as level 6 unit, its AI Value is 875.

Effect of Artillery skill

  • None. All features work as described above.
  • Basic. Gives you control of the cannon. Aimed shot with increased damage on the fortifications.
  • Advanced. Gives you control of the cannon. Double damage on unit, aimed shot with increased damage on the fortifications.
  • Expert. Gives you control of the cannon. Triple damage on unit, aimed shot with maximum damage on the fortifications.

Heroes with Cannon specialty:

Ballista vs. Cannon

Here a table showing the average damage of a Ballista and Cannon with and without Artillery skill. Note that the Cannon has 20 Attack and 8 shots while the Ballista has only 10 Attack but 24 shots:

Hero Attack Average damage
Ballista (10 Attack) Cannon (20 Attack!)
Base Artillery Base Artillery
Basic Advanced Expert Basic Advanced Expert
0 2.5 3.75 8.75 10 5.5 11 16.5
1 5 7.5 17.5 20 11 22 33
2 7.5 11.25 26.25 30 16.5 33 49.5
3 10 15 35 40 22 44 66
4 12.5 18.75 43.75 50 27.5 55 82.5
5 15 22.5 52.5 60 33 66 99
10 27.5 41.25 96.25 110 60.5 121 181.5
15 40 60 140 160 88 176 264
20 52.5 78.75 183.75 210 115.5 231 346.5
25 65 97.5 227.5 260 143 286 429
30 77.5 116.25 271.25 310 170.5 341 511.5
35 90 135 315 360 198 396 594
40 102.5 153.75 358.75 410 225.5 451 676.5
50 127.5 191.25 446.25 510 280.5 561 841.5
60 152.5 228.75 533.75 610 335.5 671 1006.5
70 177.5 266.25 621.25 710 390.5 781 1171.5
80 202.5 303.75 708.75 810 445.5 891 1336.5
90 227.5 341.25 796.25 910 500.5 1001 1501.5
99 250 375 875 1000 550 1100 1650

User commentary

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Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.

The Ballista is a war machine of some limited use, however it requires a high (25+) Attack skill before it starts dealing enough damage to justify its 2500 Gold cost. The Artillery skill can offset this somewhat, but comes with the high opportunity cost of omitting a potentially more useful secondary skill such as Offense or Armorer. The above restrictions generally limit the Ballista to might heroes with high Attack skill. Of the four towns that sell Ballistae, Barbarians from Stronghold are most likely to reach this skill - more defensive heroes such as those from Fortress will not be able to make use of the Ballista as efficiently.

The First Aid tent is nearly useless, even with the (also nearly useless) First Aid skill at its top level. Its main limitation is that it cannot revive creatures that are already downed, so if used on anything less than a level 5 or so creature most of its healing goes to waste (e.g. healing Centaurs with 10 hp each - the Tent can restore a maximum of 9 hp per round, IF a single centaur is hanging on with a single hp left). The only case in which a First Aid Tent is useful is when a player somehow obtains a high-level creature early in the game, such as from a Refugee Camp. Setting a hero up with 1-2 high level creatures and a first-aid tent ensures that the healing is not wasted and allows the player to clear wandering monsters from the map more easily.

The Ammo Cart's unlimited ammunition is usually unnecessary, but is EXTREMELY useful in the few situations when it is needed. Most shooters in the game have enough ammunition to attack 12 times, with many carrying more. The few exceptions are Master Gremlins (8 shots), Medusa Queens (8 shots), and Medusas (only 4 shots!). With good Morale, these creatures run the risk of quickly depleting their ammunition over the course of a battle. This can be the difference between defeat and victory, particularly in a bloody castle siege. If the enemy Catapult can be destroyed and their flying units killed, even a single shooter with an ammunition cart can eventually drive of the enemy if the walls are still intact.

As every hero gets a Catapult free of cost which is only deployed for siege warfare, there is little choice involved in catapult usage other than targeting with the Ballistics skill.


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