Sacred Band of Astarte
These elite lancers are the best cavalry unit of the antique world and feared amongst their opponents.Carthaginian citizens were rarely called to military service because their armies were mostly legions of mercenaries and levied troops. Only men from the wealthiest and most powerful families, such as Hannibal Barca and his brothers, got the opportunity to serve. The army was, in many ways, their family’s private army rather than belonging to Carthage. Modelled after Macedon’s revered Companion cavalry, the noble horsemen of Carthage were a drilled and disciplined force that rode the finest African and Spanish horses. In the 3rd century BC they were rightly considered to be amongst some of the finest heavy cavalry in the world.
Unit Name Sacred Band of Astarte |
Main Unit Key Car_Sacred_Cav |
Land Unit Key Car_Sacred_Cav |
Naval Unit Key greek_transport |
Soldiers 90 |
Category Cavalry |
Class Shock Cavalry |
Custom Battle Cost 1250 |
Recruitment Cost 1250 |
Upkeep Cost 100 |
Melee Attack 34 |
34 |
├ Melee Weapon rome_lance_elite |
├ Melee Damage Base 18 |
├ Melee Damage Ap 16 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Bonus vs. Large 10 |
├ Bonus vs Elephants 13 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 0 |
Charge Bonus 66 |
39 |
├ Base Defence 39 |
├ Shield none |
└ Shield Defence 0 |
90 |
├ Armour cataphract |
├ Armour Defence 90 |
└ Shield Armour 0 |
135 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_heavy |
├ Man Health 60 |
├ Bonus Hit Points 15 |
├ Mount rome_hellenic_horse_lance_vh |
├ Mount Entity rome_horse_very_heavy_shock |
└ Mount Health 60 |
Base Morale 60 |
Abilities
Sacred Band of Astarte- Diamond
The unit moves into a diamond-shaped attack formation.
Charge bonus, melee attack
Acceleration, melee defence - Trample
Charges are more effective for an extended time.
Charge bonus
Exertion: fatigue - Use the Whip
Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
Exertion: fatigue
Attributes
- Disciplined
This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often. - Encourage
This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies. - Hide (forest)
This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close. - Resistant to Heat
This unit tires less quickly in the desert.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Transport- Very poor hull strength
- Very slow speed
- Weak ramming
- Very good charge
- Low damage but average armour penetration
- Weak in prolonged melee
- Good morale
Faction Availability | |
---|---|
Grand Campaign | |
Hannibal at the Gates | |
Imperator Augustus |