Pontus Chariot

Scythed Chariots

Heavy scythed chariots developed during the Greco-Persian Wars as a response to armoured infantry and the phalanx. Although many cultures used them, the original idea was probably Persian or Indian. Others took up the idea, and Mithridates VI of Pontus had some success using scythed chariots against Bithynia during the Battle of the River Amnias in 89BC, at the start of the First Mithridatic War. They relied on their momentum and axle-mounted blades to break enemy lines, creating weak points to be exploited by cavalry. Even if the chariot horses instinctively veered off at the last moment, the long axle blades would carve an opening. If any still stood, there was a good chance confusion and panic in the survivors would set in. Both the horses and drivers eventually had quite heavy armour, reminiscent of later cataphract cavalry. When fighting against scythed chariots, the simplest thing to do was open ranks and allow them to pass through, before quickly closing up again. However, the introduction of the long sarissa countered their effectiveness somewhat better.

Unit Name Scythed Chariots

Main Unit Key Gre_Scythed_Chariots

Land Unit Key Gre_Scythed_Chariots

Naval Unit Key greek_transport_small

Soldiers 12

Category Cavalry

Class Chariot

Custom Battle Cost 820

Recruitment Cost 820

Upkeep Cost 110

Melee Attack 54

Weapon Damage 37

├ Melee Weapon rome_gladius

├ Melee Damage Base 31

├ Melee Damage Ap 6

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 0

├ Bonus vs Elephants 0

└ Bonus vs Infantry 5

Charge Bonus 32

Melee Defence 36

├ Base Defence 36

├ Shield none

└ Shield Defence 0

Armour 90

├ Armour cataphract

├ Armour Defence 90

└ Shield Armour 0

Health 140

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health 60

├ Bonus Hit Points 20

├ Mount rome_scythed_chariot_horse

├ Mount Entity rome_horse_very_heavy

└ Mount Health 60

Base Morale 65

Abilities

No Ability

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.

Strengths & Weaknesses

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

• Fast moving
• Very good charge
• Average in melee
• Good morale

Requires Buildings
Lv. 0	Field Engineer's Workshop (greek_military_siege_2) Level 1 Siege Engineer's Workshop (greek_military_siege_3) Level 2

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Pontus Pontic Nobles Egypt Egyptian Nobles Egyptian Rebels Seleucid Seleucid Nobles
Imperator Augustus	Pontus (Imperator Augustus) Egypt (Imperator Augustus) Egyptian Nobles (Imperator Augustus) Egyptian Rebels (Imperator Augustus)