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HomeHome / Total War: Rome II / Parthia / Units / Parthian Horse Archers
Parthian Horse Archers ParthiaParthia Missile Cavalry

Parthian Horse Archers

Leave a Parthian a bow and one eye, and he may yet conquer.

With raiding as a way of life for many tribes, mounted archery was established early in eastern culture, producing some highly effective warriors. While foot archers could carry long, powerful bows, a mounted archer was a formidable fighter thanks to his composite bow. Constructed from layers of wood, sinew and animal horn, the composite bow was a much more powerful weapon than its size alone would suggest. In the hands of an expert an arrow on target was entirely capable of piercing chainmail armour. It did, however, require strength and care to use: in particular, it had to be kept away from damp. Military campaigns were usually fought during the summer and autumn, so bows were used during arid months. Archers could rest their weapons during the winter, taking good care of them before the next campaigning season.

Parthian Horse Archers Parthian Horse Archers Parthian Horse Archers Parthian Horse Archers Parthian Horse Archers
Parthian Horse Archers

Unit Name

Parthian Horse Archers

Main Unit Key

Eas_Parthian_Horse_Archers

Land Unit Key

Eas_Parthian_Horse_Archers

Naval Unit Key

pel_transport

Soldiers

80

Category

Cavalry

Class

Missile Cavalry

Custom Battle Cost

430

Recruitment Cost

430

Upkeep Cost

90

Missile Damage

40

├ Missile Weapon

rome_composite_bow_horse

├ Projectile

arrow_composite_horse

├ Missile Damage

36

├ Missile Ap Damage

4

└ Base Reload Time

12

Accuracy

5

Range

125

Reload

23

Shots Per Minute

6

Ammunition

15

Melee Attack

10

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

15

├ Mount

rome_scythian_horse_sword_vl

├ Mount Entity

rome_horse_very_light_missile

└ Mount Health

20

Base Morale

40

Abilities

Parthian Horse Archers
  • 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 Heat
    This unit tires less quickly in the desert.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Transport
  • Very poor hull strength
  • Very slow speed
  • Weak ramming
Parthian Horse Archers
  • Long range
  • Average rate of fire
  • Fast moving
  • Good damage but low armour penetration
  • Very weak in melee
  • Very poor morale
Requires Buildings
Parthian Horse Archers Lv. 0 Light Horse Studs
Light Horse Studs
(east_military_stables_light_2)
Level 1
Cavalry Stables
Cavalry Stables
(east_military_stables_light_3)
Level 2
Arabaya Stables
Arabaya Stables
(east_military_stables_light_4)
Level 3
Garrison Buildings
Parthian Horse Archers x 2 Cavalry Stables
Cavalry Stables
(east_military_stables_light_3)
Level 2
Arabaya Stables
Arabaya Stables
(east_military_stables_light_4)
Level 3