## Idea: University tech that gives Bombards AoE damage

Age of Empires IV IV - Discussion
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What if there was a new University technology that converts Bombard damage into area damage (AoE)?

Main points:

  • This would be an expensive research, not a default upgrade.
  • It wouldn’t remove Ottoman uniqueness (they still get free Bombards + civ bonuses).
  • Regular Bombards already have lower base damage, so Ottomans would remain clearly stronger.

Goals of this idea:

  • Make Bombards more relevant for non-Ottoman civs
  • Add a real late-game decision (eco upgrades vs siege power)
  • Increase siege diversity (less Springald/Culverin only meta)
  • Bring some AoE3-style artillery feeling back, without breaking balance

Since it’s locked behind University + high cost, it becomes a strategic choice rather than something every player rushes.

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I wish the cannons were more “imposing” or more “menacing.”

A special upgrade for area damage, for all civilizations, would really be something I’d like to see.

I have no idea if this would “break” the game.
I don’t think so.

Especially since this area damage already exists in the game, but only a certain civilization possessed it.
Now, it would be a way to make it available to all civilizations, end for all types of cannons (though each would have a different area-of-effect effect), but it would require research.

Another thing that could be done is that the final shot that finishes off a unit should have a physics effect on its death.

It would be really cool to see units flying, rolling, falling sideways, and being thrown far away.

That would be a really cool death effect.

I hope to see this someday, still in AoE4.

Video comparing cannon death effects in AoE4 vs AoE3:

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