Massagetae Missile Cavalry

Saka Cataphract Horse Archers

Heavy armour and arrows guide these skilled horsemen to victory.

Far from being simple, ignorant barbarians, the various steppe tribes had a great cultural wealth. Living in an area stretching from the Caspian Sea to the northern shores of the Black Sea; the Greeks called them 'Scythians' and the Persians 'Saka', while a western group became known as the Sarmatians. Wearing trousers marked them as barbarians as far as the Greeks were concerned, before their tall, pointed caps and swarthy appearances were even considered. Looks apart, they were, however, exceptional horsemen, highly-skilled with composite-recurve bows and deadly hand-to-hand fighters. Grave goods suggest that Scythian women were as warlike as their men, and probably fought alongside them in battle. This may well be the origin of the Greek myths of Amazon warrior women.

Abilities

Saka Cataphract Horse Archers

• Cantabrian Circle
  The unit fires whilst riding in a circle.
  Harder to hit, reload skill
• Precision Shot
  Improved missile weapon damage for an extended period.
  Missile damage
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• Resistant to Fatigue
  Fatigue has less of an effect on this unit.
• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
• Fire Whilst Moving
  This unit can fire when mounted and moving.
• Parthian Shot
  This unit can fire all around and not just in-front of itself.
• Resistant to Cold
  This unit tires less quickly in snow.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Transport

• Very poor hull strength
• Very slow speed
• Weak ramming

Saka Cataphract Horse Archers

• Long range
• Fast rate of fire
• Fast moving
• Good damage but low armour penetration
• Very weak in melee
• Poor morale

Massagetae Units
General (5)
1.Noble Horse Archers
2.Steppe Noble Lancers
3.Saka Cataphracts
4.Massagetae Royal Horse Archers
5.Royal Guard Archers
Melee Infantry (9)
6.Young Axes
7.Steppe Swordsmen
8.Royal Guard Macemen
9.Siracene Swordsmen
10.Steppe Axemen
11.Steppe Armoured Axemen
12.Caspian Axe Band
13.Heavy Caspian Infantry
14.Swords of Api
Missile Infantry (2)
15.Steppe Archers
16.Royal Guard Archers
Spear Infantry (7)
17.Steppe Spearmen
18.Tribesmen
19.Royal Guard Spearmen
20.Steppe Armoured Spearmen
21.Saka Noble Spearmen
22.Light Caspian Spears
23.Caspian Veteran Spears
Missile Cavalry (7)
24.Armoured Horse Archers
25.Steppe Horse Archers
26.Steppe Horse Skirmishers
27.Noble Horse Archers
28.Saka Cataphract Horse Archers
29.Saka Skirmishers
30.Massagetae Royal Horse Archers
Shock Cavalry (5)
31.Steppe Armoured Lancers
32.Steppe Lancers
33.Steppe Noble Lancers
34.Saka Cataphracts
35.Saka Noble Armoured Lancers
Field Artillery (2)
36.Steppe Bastion Ballista
37.Steppe Ballista
Admiral (2)
38.Medium Missile Raider - Steppe Archers
39.Heavy Raider - Steppe Spearmen
Melee Ship (4)
40.Medium Assault Raider - Young Axes
41.Persian Assault Teteres - Steppe Spearmen
42.Heavy Raider - Steppe Spearmen
43.Assault Raider - Tribesmen
Missile Ship (3)
44.Greek Missile Penteres - Steppe Archers
45.Medium Missile Raider - Steppe Archers
46.Missile Raider - Steppe Archers
Artillery Ship (1)
47.Roman Light Artillery Quinquereme - Eastern Ballista (Ship)