= Stone Thrower =

Learn how to build and use the Stone Thrower in Age of Empires IV. Understand its costs, stats, upgrades, and role in siege warfare.

Hey there! So, you're looking to get into the Stone Thrower in Age of Empires IV? Awesome choice for breaking down enemy defenses. Think of it as your heavy hitter for taking down walls and buildings.

Stats & Info:

• Prerequisites: You need to have built your Town Center, Barracks, Archery Range, and Siege Workshop first.
• Cost: It'll set you back 180 Wood and 80 Gold.
• Hit Points: 75 HP – it's not the toughest unit out there.
• Attack: 50 damage.
• Armor: 0 Armor – definitely keep it protected!
• Range: 10 tiles.
• Speed: Slow – you'll want to escort it.
• Special: Fires once every 5 seconds, has a small damage area, and a minimum range of 2 tiles.
• Build Location: Siege Workshop.

Upgrades & Related Tech:

• The Stone Thrower can be upgraded to the Catapult and then the Heavy Catapult, making it much more effective.
• Other siege units you'll encounter include the Ballista and Helepolis.
• Don't forget to research technologies that boost siege units:
• Alchemy: Increases attack strength.
• Ballistics: Increases accuracy.
• Engineering: Increases range.

Role in Gameplay:

Siege weapons like the Stone Thrower are your go-to for attacking military units, buildings, towers, and walls. While it's the weakest siege unit, it's essential for creating openings. Imagine trying to assault a heavily fortified town – the Stone Thrower is what you send in first to start knocking down those walls so your infantry can get in. If you're facing wooden structures, the fireballs it can launch (historically, at least!) are great for setting things ablaze and causing chaos among defenders.

A Little History (Why it Works):

The Stone Thrower itself is based on a real ancient weapon, invented around 400 B.C. by the Greeks. They used it like a giant lever to hurl heavy stones, sometimes wrapped in burning material, at enemy fortifications. The idea was to smash down walls for your army or to set wooden structures on fire. They were primarily used against fixed targets like cities and forts, which is exactly its role in the game – taking down static defenses.