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This article is about the technology in Age of Empires II. For the technology in Age of Mythology, see Masons. |
Masonry is a technology in Age of Empires II that can be researched at the University. Once researched, it strengthens all buildings (except Walls and Gates) by providing +10% hit points, +1 armor, +1 pierce armor, and +3 building armor, making every building stronger, particularly against attacks from infantry and cavalry. Architecture is the further upgrade of this technology.
Note that building armor doesn't protect against all kinds of bonus damage against buildings, it reduces the bonus damage from siege weapons, ships, Villagers, Tarkans, War Elephants, and Camels, but not from infantry or archers.
Masonry is available to all civilizations except for the Aztecs, Byzantines, and Vietnamese. The Byzantines, however, have building hit point bonuses that increase with each Age, primarily negating the fact they cannot research either Masonry or Architecture.
Civilization bonuses
- Chinese: Masonry is 15%/20% cheaper in Castle/Imperial Age.
Team bonuses
- A team containing Malians: Researching Masonry is 80% faster.
Changelog
The Age of Kings
- Masonry costs 175W/150S.
The Conquerors
- From patch 1.0c onwards, Masonry costs 150F/175W.
History
Europeans of the Dark Ages and later had to relearn the techniques of masonry exhibited by the Roman ruins that surrounded them. Roman bridges and aqueducts stood for many centuries after the Roman Empire was gone, but the barbarian immigrants could not repair or duplicate these structures. The craft of masonry was gradually reclaimed and then advanced. The great achievements of European masonry in the Middle Ages were the cathedrals that appeared across the region.
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