Massagetae Shock Cavalry

Saka Noble Armoured Lancers

Very few can withstand an attack by these heavily-armoured noblemen.

The Saka, as they were called by the Persians, were a steppe people who lived and died by their horsemanship. As in all warrior societies, the heaviest armour was reserved for use by the nobility of the tribes, and Saka nobility could be deadly indeed. As a people, they showed little inclination to bow to any outsider. In 512BC, King Darius the Great attempted to subdue the Saka, and marched into their steppe lands. It did him little good. The tribes avoided open battle, and raided whenever and wherever they pleased. Alexander the Great, almost two centuries later, eventually lured the Saka into battle at Jaxartes in 329BC. Even though Alexander won, he recognised that he could not tame them and released all his Saka prisoners in exchange for an oath to end their depredations. The Saka kept their word.

Abilities

Saka Noble Armoured Lancers

• Trample
  Charges are more effective for an extended time.
  Charge bonus
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• Expert Charge Defence
  This unit’s melee attack and damage are increased against charging enemies.
• 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 Cold
  This unit tires less quickly in snow.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Transport

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

Saka Noble Armoured Lancers

• Very good charge
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Heavily armoured
• Slowest cavalry
• Good 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)