Towers start out as Sentry Towers. They have a significant <link="topic:line of sight">line of sight</link>, but cannot fire upon enemies.  With the Watch Tower improvement, Towers gain the ability to fire arrows. (Egyptians receive this improvement automatically.) The Guard Tower improvement further increases the range and strength of Tower attacks. The final Tower improvement, Ballista Towers, is available only to the Egyptians.

Tower ranged attacks cannot attack units directly beneath them. Research Boiling Oil to attack units beneath Towers, Fortresses, Hill Forts and Migdol Strongholds. Ranged attacks have difficulty hitting fast-moving targets, such as cavalry. Research Crenellations to improve the chance to hit such units.