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HomeHome / Total War: Rome II / Massagetae / Units / Steppe Horse Skirmishers
Steppe Horse Skirmishers MassagetaeMassagetae Missile Cavalry

Steppe Horse Skirmishers

Born to ride, the Saka are notable mounted skirmishers.

Cavalry skirmishers relied on the speed of their mounts to close quickly with an enemy, attack, and then withdraw before any counterattack. This was the main role of cavalry in supporting hoplites, harassing enemy phalanxes and skirmishers and only pursuing foes already on the run. Most used javelins, and some attacked using the 'Cantabrian circle', where riders would circle in front of an enemy, taking it in turns to throw their javelins before galloping to the rear again. A few skirmishing riders carried swords and small shields to use if forced into a melee. Thracian cavalrymen often strapped their crescent-shaped pelte shield to their backs, giving them a little protection when they withdrew, a habit that sensible neighbours would have copied.

Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers Steppe Horse Skirmishers
Steppe Horse Skirmishers

Unit Name

Steppe Horse Skirmishers

Main Unit Key

Ste_Horse_Skirm

Land Unit Key

Ste_Horse_Skirm

Naval Unit Key

barbarian_transport_small

Soldiers

80

Category

Cavalry

Class

Missile Cavalry

Custom Battle Cost

390

Recruitment Cost

390

Upkeep Cost

80

Missile Damage

32

├ Missile Weapon

rome_javelin

├ Projectile

javelin_normal

├ Missile Damage

20

├ Missile Ap Damage

12

└ Base Reload Time

10

Accuracy

5

Range

80

Reload

18

Shots Per Minute

7

Ammunition

7

Melee Attack

9

Weapon Damage

24

├ Melee Weapon

rome_shortsword

├ Melee Damage Base

20

├ Melee Damage Ap

4

├ Armour Piercing

No

├ Bonus vs. Large

0

├ Bonus vs Elephants

0

└ Bonus vs Infantry

0

Charge Bonus

4

Melee Defence

13

├ Base Defence

13

├ Shield

none

└ Shield Defence

0

Armour

10

├ Armour

cloth

├ Armour Defence

10

└ Shield Armour

0

Health

75

├ Man Entity

rome_infantry_light

├ Man Health

40

├ Bonus Hit Points

10

├ Mount

rome_hellenic_horse_sword_shield_l

├ Mount Entity

rome_horse_light

└ Mount Health

25

Base Morale

30

Abilities

Steppe Horse Skirmishers
  • Cantabrian Circle
    The unit fires whilst riding in a circle.
    Harder to hit, reload skill

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

Light Transport
  • Very poor hull strength
  • Very slow speed
  • Weak ramming
Steppe Horse Skirmishers
  • Short range
  • Fast rate of fire
  • Fast moving
  • Very good damage and armour penetration
  • Large shield
  • Very weak in melee
  • Poor morale
Requires Buildings
Steppe Horse Skirmishers Lv. 0 Horse Pens
Horse Pens
(barb_agriculture_horse_2)
Level 1
Stables
Stables
(barb_agriculture_horse_3)
Level 2
Horse Ranch
Horse Ranch
(barb_agriculture_horse_4)
Level 3