Index: binaries/data/mods/public/art/actors/props/units/weapons/rock_explosion.xml
===================================================================
--- binaries/data/mods/public/art/actors/props/units/weapons/rock_explosion.xml
+++ binaries/data/mods/public/art/actors/props/units/weapons/rock_explosion.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<actor version="1">
+  <castshadow/>
+  <group>
+    <variant frequency="1" name="rock">
+      <mesh>props/onager_projectile.dae</mesh>
+      <props>
+        <prop actor="particle/flame_large.xml" attachpoint="root"/>
+      </props>
+      <textures><texture file="gaia/stone_temperate_granite.dds" name="baseTex"/></textures>
+    </variant>
+  </group>
+</actor>
Index: binaries/data/mods/public/art/actors/units/athenians/siege_rock.xml
===================================================================
--- binaries/data/mods/public/art/actors/units/athenians/siege_rock.xml
+++ binaries/data/mods/public/art/actors/units/athenians/siege_rock.xml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
       <props>
         <prop actor="props/units/weapons/rock_flaming.xml" attachpoint="projectile"/>
         <prop actor="props/units/weapons/rock.xml" attachpoint="loaded-projectile"/>
+        <prop actor="props/units/weapons/rock_explosion.xml" attachpoint="explosion"/>
       </props>
       <textures>
         <texture file="structural/hele_siege.dds" name="baseTex"/>
Index: binaries/data/mods/public/globalscripts/Templates.js
===================================================================
--- binaries/data/mods/public/globalscripts/Templates.js
+++ binaries/data/mods/public/globalscripts/Templates.js
@@ -166,15 +166,18 @@
 			}
 			ret.attack[type].repeatTime = getAttackStat("RepeatTime");
 
-			if (template.Attack[type].Splash)
+			if (template.Attack[type].Splash) {
 				ret.attack[type].splash = {
 					"hack": getAttackStat("Splash/Hack"),
 					"pierce": getAttackStat("Splash/Pierce"),
 					"crush": getAttackStat("Splash/Crush"),
 					// true if undefined
 					"friendlyFire": template.Attack[type].Splash.FriendlyFire != "false",
-					"shape": template.Attack[type].Splash.Shape
+					"shape": template.Attack[type].Splash.Shape,
 				};
+				if (template.Attack[type].Splash.Delay)
+					ret.attack[type].splash.delay = template.Attack[type].Splash.Delay;
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
Index: binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/Attack.js
===================================================================
--- binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/Attack.js
+++ binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/Attack.js
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@
 				"<Hack>0.0</Hack>" +
 				"<Pierce>10.0</Pierce>" +
 				"<Crush>0.0</Crush>" +
+				"<Delay>1000</Delay>" +
 			"</Splash>" +
 		"</Ranged>" +
 		"<Slaughter>" +
@@ -149,6 +150,7 @@
 							"<element name='Hack' a:help='Hack damage strength'><ref name='nonNegativeDecimal'/></element>" +
 							"<element name='Pierce' a:help='Pierce damage strength'><ref name='nonNegativeDecimal'/></element>" +
 							"<element name='Crush' a:help='Crush damage strength'><ref name='nonNegativeDecimal'/></element>" +
+							"<optional><element name='Delay' a:help='Delay of the splash damage in milliseconds'><ref name='nonNegativeDecimal'/></element></optional>" +
 							Attack.prototype.bonusesSchema +
 						"</interleave>" +
 					"</element>" +
@@ -532,6 +534,7 @@
 			"isSplash": false,
 			"attackerOwner": attackerOwner
 		};
+		let delay = 0;
 		if (this.template.Ranged.Splash)
 		{
 			data.friendlyFire = this.template.Ranged.Splash.FriendlyFire != "false";
@@ -539,8 +542,10 @@
 			data.shape = this.template.Ranged.Splash.Shape;
 			data.isSplash = true;
 			data.splashStrengths = this.GetAttackStrengths(type+".Splash");
+			if (this.template.Ranged.Splash.Delay)
+				delay = +this.template.Ranged.Splash.Delay;
 		}
-		cmpTimer.SetTimeout(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_Damage, "MissileHit", timeToTarget * 1000, data);
+		cmpTimer.SetTimeout(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_Damage, "MissileHit", timeToTarget * 1000 + delay, data);
 	}
 	else if (type == "Capture")
 	{
Index: binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/Damage.js
===================================================================
--- binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/Damage.js
+++ binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/Damage.js
@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@
 	if (!data.position)
 		return;
 
+	let cmpProjectileManager = Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_ProjectileManager);
+
 	// Do this first in case the direct hit kills the target
 	if (data.isSplash)
 	{
@@ -111,10 +113,11 @@
 			"type": data.type,
 			"attackerOwner": data.attackerOwner
 		});
+		
+		//TODO: create cpp function to start the explosion animation definded in the unit's actor file
+		//cmpProjectileManager->PlayProjectileHitAnimation(data.attacker, data.position);
 	}
 
-	let cmpProjectileManager = Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_ProjectileManager);
-
 	// Deal direct damage if we hit the main target
 	// and if the target has DamageReceiver (not the case for a mirage for example)
 	let cmpDamageReceiver = Engine.QueryInterface(data.target, IID_DamageReceiver);
Index: binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/templates/template_unit_mechanical_siege_onager.xml
===================================================================
--- binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/templates/template_unit_mechanical_siege_onager.xml
+++ binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/templates/template_unit_mechanical_siege_onager.xml
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
         <Hack>0.0</Hack>
         <Pierce>15.0</Pierce>
         <Crush>35.0</Crush>
+        <Delay>2000</Delay>
       </Splash>
       <PreferredClasses datatype="tokens">Structure</PreferredClasses>
     </Ranged>