Dromon
ShipBase values, before Blacksmith upgrades. The Blacksmith raises attack and armour for infantry, cavalry and archers — Blast Furnace, for instance, gives "+2 Attack for infantry & cavalry". Late in a game, the real numbers are higher.
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Dromon
ImperialThe coach's briefing
The Dromon is available to Byzantines, Armenians, Goths, Huns, and Romans. It has 12 range - almost Cannon Galleon level - in Castle Age. 8 attack with fire damage and building bonus makes it excellent for shore bombardment. Slower than Galleys but devastating from range.
STRONG AGAINST
You win these trades cost-effectively.
WEAK AGAINST
Avoid these fights or bring support.
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Strategic Analysis
Tactical Identity
The Dromon is your **Castle Age siege ship**. It brings Cannon Galleon-like range before Imperial Age.
Tactical Playbook
Extreme Range
12 range in Castle Age is unmatched. Outranges everything except Castles.
Shore Bombardment
Attack bonus vs buildings makes Dromons excellent at destroying shoreline structures.
Fire Damage
Deals fire damage that can spread to grouped units. Devastating vs clumped ships.
Critical Point
**Slow at 1.15 speed**. Galleys can kite you if not supported. War Galleys at 1.36 speed will close and overwhelm you. Mix with faster ships.
Understanding The Stats
The Dromon is a unique siege warship with exceptional range for its age.
Castle Age Range
Nearly Cannon Galleon range in Castle Age. Huge advantage.
Fire Attack
Deals fire damage. Spreads to grouped targets.
Building Bonus
Effective shore bombardment capability.
Slow Speed
Slower than War Galleys. Needs escort.
Coach's Tip
125 HP is good but not exceptional. Your value is range and fire damage, not tanking. Stay at maximum range.
Mechanics & Bonuses
Attack Bonuses
| Target | Bonus Dmg |
|---|---|
| Building | +34 |
Armor Classes
Ship
Takes bonus from Heated Shot, Fire Ships, and Demolition Ships.
Galley-type ship
Vulnerable to units with bonus damage vs this class.
Key Upgrades
Castle Age
Imperial Age
Civilizations
* 5 civilizations have access to this unit.
Other Units
AoE Coach analysis
Context & meta
The Dromon is an anti-building siege warship with a long-range blast attack: 125 HP, 8 attack, 1 melee armor, 6 pierce armor, 12 range, 1.15 speed and 14 line of sight. It costs 175 wood and 150 gold and takes 65 seconds to train. The official help gives the categories: strong versus buildings and weak versus units at close range; it cannot attack enemies that reach it. The high range and blast profile make it a shoreline weapon, while the slow production and 1 melee armor mean the hull must be protected. It is strongest when it fires from a prepared position and weakest when forced into a ship-to-ship brawl.
History & balance
The Dromon gives the naval game a siege layer that is not tied to a conventional cannon. Its 12 range, blast attack and building role turn a defended shoreline into a target map: Docks, towers and coastal structures can no longer assume that water distance is safety. The game places the unit with Armenians, Byzantines, Goths, Huns and Romans, so it is a regional tool rather than a universal fleet upgrade. The 65-second train time keeps its arrival meaningful. A Dromon fleet is an announcement that the player is attacking infrastructure as well as ships, and that announcement should shape the defender's response before the first building falls.
In pro play
Use Dromons behind a screen and give them a target order before the fight begins. Their 12 range and 14 line of sight let them pressure a Dock, tower or shoreline building from safety, but 125 HP and 1.15 speed do not forgive a late retreat. The 175-wood, 150-gold price and 65-second training time make every hull worth preserving, so do not expose them to a fast close-range fleet merely to finish a low-value building. Let mobile ships deny the approach, focus one structure, then move when the opponent changes angle. The best Dromon timing is the moment the enemy has committed to defending the coast and cannot reach the siege ships without losing the shoreline.
How to counter it
The classic mistake against Dromons is defending buildings with buildings and allowing the siege ships to fire without a close-range threat. The official help gives the categories: strong versus buildings and weak versus units at close range. In practice, Fast Fire Ships and Fire Ships attack the Dromon blind spot; Galleys can add ranged damage while the screen closes. Split the approach, focus the siege hull, and then return to the shoreline. Do not chase a Dromon under towers after the building is safe. If Dromons keep destroying your coast and you do not know what to build or when, AoE Coach reads your match-up and gives you the counter composition and timing.