In Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, building castles provides defensive benefits, acts as a production center for unique units, can control key map locations, and generate a zone of control to protect your economy and population from enemy attacks.
Strategic Advantage
Building castles in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition provides a significant strategic advantage for players. Castles are formidable defensive structures that help protect your territory from enemy attacks. They have high hit points and can withstand a lot of damage, making them a reliable defensive stronghold. Additionally, castles are equipped with powerful ranged units such as archers, crossbowmen, and unique civilization-specific units like Longbowmen or Chu Ko Nu, which can effectively fend off enemy troops.
Control of Resources
Castles in Age of Empires II also play a crucial role in controlling valuable resources on the map. By strategically placing castles near critical resource locations such as gold mines or stone quarries, players can secure these resources and deny access to their opponents. This control over essential resources not only strengthens your economy but also weakens the enemy's ability to gather resources, putting you at a significant advantage in the game.
Map Control and Vision
In addition to their defensive capabilities, castles provide players with map control and vision. When you build a castle in a strategic location, it grants you line of sight over a large area, revealing enemy movements and potential threats. This vision allows you to anticipate enemy attacks, plan your own offensives, and make informed decisions based on the information gathered. Moreover, controlling key points on the map with castles can limit the enemy's mobility and restrict their options, giving you a tactical edge in battles.
Production of Unique Units
One of the most significant benefits of building castles in Age of Empires II is the ability to produce unique units. Each civilization in the game has its unique castle units, such as the Teutonic Knight for the Teutons or the War Elephant for the Persians. These units are often powerful, with special abilities or attributes that set them apart from standard troops. By constructing castles and training these unique units, players can field diverse armies that can surprise and overwhelm their opponents in battle.
Prestige and Intimidation
Building castles in Age of Empires II also carries a symbolic and psychological impact on your opponents. Castles are imposing structures that exude power and authority, signaling to other players that you are a force to be reckoned with. The presence of castles in your territory can intimidate rival players, dissuading them from launching direct assaults and forcing them to adopt more cautious strategies. This psychological advantage can be leveraged to manipulate your opponents' actions, dictating the flow of the game in your favor.
Economic Benefits
While castles are primarily known for their military significance, they also offer economic benefits in Age of Empires II. Castles generate a trickle of gold over time, boosting your income and providing a steady stream of resources to fund your military endeavors. This gold income can be crucial in sustaining your army, researching technologies, or advancing to the next age. By strategically placing castles in key locations, players can establish a strong economic foundation that supports their overall strategy in the game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building castles in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition provides a multitude of benefits that can positively impact your gameplay experience. From bolstering your defenses and controlling vital resources to producing unique units and influencing your opponents' decisions, castles serve as crucial assets that can tip the scales in your favor. By understanding and leveraging the various advantages of castles in the game, players can enhance their strategic depth, assert dominance on the battlefield, and ultimately achieve victory in the world of Age of Empires II.