Lithobolos (Bastion)
(Stone-Thrower)There is much to recommend a weapon that kills at such a splendid range.
At close targets, a ballista could be aimed effectively but accuracy came at a cost in range; it could fire around 500 metres. The machine used two torsion springs with levers inserted into twisted ropes made from animal sinew, giving incredible power for its size. Firing either solid shot or bolts, it was equally effective against infantry or cavalry, but could also be deployed to destroy light fortifications during sieges. Originally developed by the Greeks around 400BC, and based on the oversized Oxybeles composite bow, ballistae were widely used by many cultures of the period, including the Romans. Later Roman versions included adjustable caps that enabled crews to quickly alter the tension of each sinew bundle to provide balance and therefore improve accuracy.
Unit Name Lithobolos (Bastion) |
Main Unit Key Bri_Ballista_Bastion |
Land Unit Key Bri_Ballista_Bastion |
Naval Unit Key barbarian_transport_small |
Soldiers 40 |
Category Siege Engine |
Class Field Artillery |
Custom Battle Cost 2000 |
Recruitment Cost 2000 |
Upkeep Cost 400 |
69 |
├ Engine ballista_medium_bastion |
├ Missile Weapon rome_ballista_medium_bastion |
├ Projectile stone_ballista_bastion |
├ Missile Damage 39 |
├ Missile Ap Damage 30 |
└ Base Reload Time 28 |
Accuracy 5 |
Range 475 |
Reload 20 |
Shots Per Minute 3 |
Ammunition 40 |
Melee Attack 40 |
13 |
├ Melee Weapon falx1 |
├ Weapon Damage 13 |
├ Weapon Deadliness 0 |
├ Armour Piercing Yes |
├ Bonus vs. Cavalry 2 |
├ Bonus vs. Elephants 30 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 1 |
Charge Bonus 22 |
39 |
├ Base Defence 23 |
├ Shield none |
└ Shield Defence 16 |
4 |
├ Armour arm2 |
├ Armour Defence 4 |
└ Shield Armour 0 |
20 |
├ Man Entity heavy_medium |
├ Man Health 20 |
└ Bonus Hit Points 0 |
Base Morale 45 |
Abilities
Lithobolos (Bastion)- Stamina (average)
Governs how fast the unit tires and restores fatigue, and is dependent on type of unit, weight and approach to combat.
Attributes
- Cannot Run
This unit cannot run and will only move at walking pace. - Resistant to Cold
This unit tires less quickly in snow.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Light Transport- Very poor hull strength
- Very slow speed
- Weak ramming
- Very accurate
- Very long range
- Fast rate of fire
- Lower damage than other artillery
- Easily destroyed
Faction Availability | |
---|---|
Grand Campaign | |
Caesar in Gaul | |
Imperator Augustus |