Vault of the King

* Level 1
* Level 2
* Level 3

The **Vault of the King** is a secondary resource, unit production, and upgrades building of Lothlorien. It can be constructed on one of the build plots of the Mirkwood Outpost. While it can't directly train units, it allows you to recruit Palace Guards at the Mirkwood Outpost's main citadel.

## Level Up

 **Worker's Tools**: Upgrades the building to rank 2. At rank 2, **economy buildings** produce 25% more resources and gain 500 additional hit points.

 **Forged Worker's Tools**: Upgrades the building to rank 3. At rank 3, **internal economy buildings** produce 20% more resources and gain 1000 additional hit points.

**The upgrades can be researched from the Forge**

## Abilities

**Resource Production** - This building produces resources. It produces **28**  every **12** seconds by default. This number can be modified through upgrades and abilities.

 **Supply Routes** - As you build more economy structures, their individual production becomes less efficient. Once you reach a certain threshold all economy structures will produce less.

* **5** economy structures or less: **100%** production
* **10** economy structures: **84%** production
* **15** economy structures: **69%** production
* **20** economy structures: **56%** production
* **30** economy structures: **49**% production
* **37** economy structures or more: **44%** production

**King's Guard** - The Vault of the King also provides a reduction to the cost of Palace Guards:

* 2 Vaults of the King: -20%
* 3 Vaults of the King: -30%

## Upgrades

This building can also research four upgrades that affect the other Mirkwood Outpost add-ons and units.

 **Wine from Dorwinion -** Increases the production of wine cellars by 25%. **Cost:** 1000

 **Protect the Borders -** Troopchambers will be manned with two elite archers of the king that shoot at nearby enemies. **Cost:** 500

 **Captain of the Watch -** Each Vault of the King is guarded by two individual Palace Guards and a Banner Carrier. The Banner Carrier grants nearby allies + 25% armor. **Cost:** 500

 **Thranduil's Mobilization -** The Mirkwood citadel can now use the "**Mobilization Order**" ability, which speeds up recruitment of all Mirkwood troops for a short duration. **Cost:** 750

## Unit Production

Although this building can't produce units, it is the main prerequisite for the player to be able to train Palace Guards in the **Mirkwood Outpost**. The other prerequisite is that the Forged Blade upgrade has been researched.

## Strategy

The Vault of the King unlocks the option to recruit Palace Guards, the elite pikemen of Lothlorien, and several options to upgrade the Mirkwood Outpost.

At least one should be built if you plan to focus on Mirkwood, as it provides upgrades ranging from guards for the outpost and improved resource production to a ability that enables the Mirkwood units to be recruited quickly, helping to overwhelm the enemy with the armies of Thranduil.

The building provides a discount for Palace Guards if two or three are built, making building more than one really useful against cavalry-centered strategies or factions, like Rohan. Lothlorien is a faction that is generally weak against cavalry, but the Palace Guards are amongst the best pikemen ingame, so a cheaper price for them can turn the tide against cavalry.