Sassanid Empire Shock Cavalry

Persian Cataphracts

Eastern cavalry had Hellenic and Persian influences, with the more eastern states favouring the cataphract - heavy armour that protected both the rider and horse. The cataphract has its origins early in antiquity, in what is now Iran. Cataphract cavalry was designed to be a hammer in the tactical toolbox of eastern generals, penetrating enemy formations before outflanking and exploiting the resultant chaos. This was helped by the use of the wedge formation to smash through enemy lines. The Sassanids famously fielded the 'Zhayedan', a force of 10,000 strong cataphract riders, as shock troops to quickly and effectively decimate their opponents.

Unit Name Persian Cataphracts

Main Unit Key att_est_persian_cataphracts

Land Unit Key att_est_persian_cataphracts

Naval Unit Key att_cor_light_rom

Soldiers 80

Category Cavalry

Class Shock Cavalry

Custom Battle Cost 425

Recruitment Cost 425

Upkeep Cost 210

Melee Attack 19

Melee Damage 10

├ Melee Weapon att_lance

├ Melee Base Damage 3

├ Armour-piercing Damage 7

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Attack Against Cavalry 10

├ Attack Against Elephants 0

└ Attack Against Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 200

Melee Defence 1

├ Base Defence 1

├ Shield att_none

└ Shield Defence 0

Armour 30

├ Armour att_mail_heavy

├ Armour Defence 30

└ Shield Armour 0

Health 218

├ Man Entity att_infantry_medium

├ Man Health 90

├ Bonus Hit Points 3

├ Mount att_est_persian_cataphracts_horse

├ Mount Entity att_horse_medium

└ Mount Health 125

Morale 34

Abilities

No Ability

Attributes

• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.

Strengths & Weaknesses

No Strengths and Weaknesses

Upgrade
Required Technology Cost 125 Upgrade To
Required Technology Cost 150 Upgrade To
Requires Buildings
Lv. 0	Cavalry Corral (att_bld_eastern_sassanid_military_cavalry_1) Level 0 Azadan Barracks (att_bld_eastern_sassanid_military_cavalry_2) Level 1 Azadan Compound (att_bld_eastern_sassanid_military_cavalry_3) Level 2 Royal Stables (att_bld_eastern_sassanid_military_cavalry_4) Level 3

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Abarshahr Abasgia Afrighids Aria Armenia Arran Atropatene Kartli Lazica Makran Parthia Persia Caucasian Rebels Eastern Rebels African Separatists Eastern Separatists Spahan Sassanid Empire Sassanid Separatists
The Last Roman	African Separatists (The Last Roman)