The Catapult is an Early Middle Ages artillery unit. It is the last unit to be unlocked in this age.
Compared to the Ballista, it gains +2 attack as well as slightly increased attack bonus on hills and bonuses against heavy units. Compared to other same age units, the Catapult has a very low attack and extremely low defense and movement, but like previous artillery units, they have the advantage of having the longest range. The Catapult is succeeded by the Trebuchet of the High Middle Ages.
Usage[]
The catapult is generally a less useful artillery unit of the Early Middle Ages. Although damage is average for an artillery unit, they have surprisingly low defense that can even be easily two hit killed by Bronze Age units. Generally this is not a problem as the Catapult can kill units from a distance without putting themselves at risk. They are also very effective against Iron Age units, as long as you have a good attack boost.
However, the introduction of Mounted Archers severely reduces their effectiveness, as they can often attack on the first turn dealing significant damage to the Catapult, as well as their usual counters: fast units and light units. Like previous age artillery units, they are still sometimes weak against heavy units because of their very high defense, despite the Catapult having attack bonuses against them, making the Catapult a general weak unit.
Against Same Age Units[]
Heavy Cavalry[]
The Catapult is weak against the Heavy Cavalry, especially as the Heavy Cavalry have very fast movement and much greater attack and defense, especially as the Catapult can only deal little damage against them whilst a single hit from the Heavy Cavalry can greatly reduce the Catapult's effectiveness, with a second hit killing them.
Mercenary[]
The Catapult is also weak against the Mercenary, due to the Mercenary's general good attack and defense and movement. However, unlike the Heavy Cavalry, heavy units such as the Armored Infantry can serve as meat shields protecting the Catapults whilst the Catapults can snipe the Mercenaries at a distance, due to the fact that the Mercenary does not have too much mobility. However, Catapults are ineffective against the Mercenary, usually doing around one hitpoint if they are in cover in forests unless you have an attack boost.
Mounted Archer[]
The fact that Mounted Archers have very good movement and range and can sometimes attack Catapults on the first turn, and given that the Catapults have very weak attack and defense, the Catapult should generally be avoided if you know the enemy has Mounted Archers. They deal significant damage to the Catapult, reducing their attack capabilities greatly. The Mounted Archer's somewhat high defense can also prevent the Catapult from effectively two hit killing them as well, unless you have a good attack boost.
Armored Infantry[]
The Catapult is somewhat effective against the Armored Infantry, because of their bonuses, but because of the Armored Infantry's high defense, the Catapult only deals small amounts of damage to them. The biggest advantage Catapults have over the Armored Infantry is their incredible range and the Armored Infantry's slow movement, meaning the Catapult is able to get in a lot of hits before the Armored Infantry can counterattack. If the Armored Infantry is not on plains or if Catapults are on hills, the damage increase will be significantly greater.
Bugs[]
Confirmed on PC: In battle sometimes the Catapult will quickly revert to facing a different direction than the way it was facing. For example, a catapult facing the enemy would flash to facing the other direction before reverting back to its original state. Does not have an effect on gameplay.
Image[]
Catapults in a group
Other Military Units[]
Legend: 
= Light Unit Class 
= Ranged Unit Class 
= Artillery Unit Class 
= Heavy Unit Class 
= Fast Unit Class