Elite Ballista Elephant
CavalryBase 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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Ballista Elephant
Castle Elite Ballista Elephant
ImperialThe coach's briefing
You now have 280 HP and 10 attack. 280 HP is massive - one of the highest in the game. The upgrade costs 1000F/500G. Your piercing bolts now deal more damage per pass-through. With Bloodlines, you reach 310 HP. Nearly unkillable without dedicated counters.
STRONG AGAINST
You win these trades cost-effectively.
WEAK AGAINST
Avoid these fights or bring support.
Just lost against this unit?
Your coach names the counters during the match — not once the game is over.
Strategic Analysis
Tactical Identity
The Elite Ballista Elephant becomes a **near-unkillable siege tank** with devastating piercing attacks.
Tactical Playbook
280 HP
One of highest HP units. Tanks everything.
11 Attack
+2 damage. More devastating line shots.
Pass-Through
Still pierces multiple enemies. Even more damage potential.
Critical Point
**Same counters apply**. Monks, Halbs, and Heavy Camels still destroy you.
Understanding The Stats
The Elite upgrade massively boosts HP and attack for supreme siege tanking.
Massive HP
+70 HP. One of highest in game.
Higher Attack
+2 over base. More piercing damage.
Same Range
Still good positioning range.
Same Speed
Still elephant slow.
Coach's Tip
11 pass-through damage on a line of 5 archers = 55 damage total per shot. Devastating vs clumped ranged units.
Mechanics & Bonuses
Attack Bonuses
| Target | Bonus Dmg |
|---|---|
| Building | +4 |
Armor Classes
Cavalry
Takes heavy bonus damage from Pikemen/Halberdiers and Camels.
Elephant
Vulnerable to units with bonus damage vs this class.
Siege
Vulnerable to units with bonus damage vs this class.
Unique Unit
Vulnerable to units with bonus damage vs this class.
Key Upgrades
Feudal Age
Civilizations
* 1 civilizations have access to this unit.
AoE Coach analysis
Context & meta
Elite Ballista Elephant is the Khmer siege cavalry unit with a ranged pass-through attack. It costs 100 food and 80 gold, trains in 25 seconds, and has 280 HP, 10 attack, 0 melee armor and 3 pierce armor. Its range is 5, speed 0.8, and line of sight 7. The official help says it can destroy trees, is strong against Infantry and Ranged Soldiers, and is weak against Cavalry and Siege Weapons. The unit combines a huge health pool with a slow delivery route: it wants a clear lane where one projectile can pass through several targets before cavalry or siege reaches it.
History & balance
The Elite Ballista Elephant makes the Khmer siege-and-elephant identity visible in one silhouette. It is not a normal elephant carrying a ranged weapon for convenience; the pass-through attack turns the enemy formation itself into the target. That design creates a sharp battlefield question. If the opponent clumps infantry or ranged soldiers, the elephant gains value with every line it pierces. If the opponent brings cavalry or siege, the large body becomes a slow, expensive route that is easier to intercept. The unit is memorable because its strengths and its counter both begin with formation geometry.
In pro play
Place Elite Ballista Elephants where the opponent has to pass through a narrow approach. The 5 range and pass-through attack reward a straight firing lane, while 280 HP lets the front survive long enough for the back line to keep shooting. Their 0.8 speed means rally points, walls, and escorts matter before the fight starts; do not send one ahead of the group to be surrounded. Queue them from active Castles, protect the 80-gold investment, and turn the formation when cavalry appears. Against ranged armies, make the opponent choose between spreading out and giving up ground.
How to counter it
The classic mistake is answering Elite Ballista Elephants with more infantry or ranged units and letting the pass-through attack work on a packed line. The official help gives the categories: Infantry and Ranged Soldiers as strengths, and Cavalry and Siege Weapons as weaknesses. In practice, Halberdiers have a real bonus against Cavalry, and Heavy Camel Riders also carry a real cavalry bonus; use them to close from several angles while siege threatens the slow formation. Keep the screen spread so one shot cannot pay for itself repeatedly. Facing Elite Ballista Elephants without knowing what to produce or when? AoE Coach reads your matchup and gives you the composition + timing.