Welcome to another Tip of the Week. This time we'll be discussing Siege Hammers and how useful they actually are.
In 2.01, Siege Hammers were utterly useless, really completely, because they would add zero damage and only deduct damage against units to an all-time low of 10 from 80. Now, however, they have been drastically improved to give Guardians 50 siege damage instead of 80 slash. Slash damage is far less effective vs. the Fortress than siege damage, about a factor 10 difference in strength. They will however suffer a damage penalty against units, but that's not why you would get Siege Hammers. First off, here are some statistics.
+
1000
Availability: Level 1 Forge Works
Research time: 30s
Individual cost: 300
Individual research time: 10s
Damage vs structures: 50 Siege
Damage vs units: 50 Slash
For those who know how powerful they are in BFME2 1.06, they are nearly as powerful in RotWK 2.02 except this time they do not suffer a major armor penalty, so they will last much longer.
Nevertheless, to surprise your opponent, upgrade your Guardians 10 seconds before they are be able to attack the Fortress clumped, so that when they are about to attack, they get Siege Hammers and your opponent is instantly surprised. Normally at this point, you'll get the Fortress down, because your opponent will think a couple of Guardians will be defeated in time. Use Rallying Call and the BattleWagon's leadership if you have it, put your Guardians in Aggressive Stance, and watch that Fortress go down in no time.
At about this distance should you upgrade your Guardians, no less.Buy Hammers when you think you can get a good hit on the Fortress and you have the resources to not immediately be broke. Otherwise it will be a setback rather than a nearly assured victory, because taking down the Fort at such an early point can be quite destructive.
Below are some pictures of two Guardians with Rallying Call, the BattleWagon's leadership and Siege Hammers against a Fortress, a combination easily gained as you already have a Forge Works for the Siege Hammers.
It only took them four hits to take the Fortress down! Even though you may think that it's way too expensive, if you creep while attacking beforehand, your economy will be booming and that's how I've won multiple games that I otherwise might not have won.
Well, that's for this week's tip. I hope you enjoyed reading it, found it informative and useful and I thank you for reading it.
Discuss this tip in our forumsUpdated June 22, 2010
