Alani (Empire Divided) Missile Cavalry

Steppe Cataphract Archers

These heavily-armoured, mounted archers can fire from the saddle at pace.

The skill required to fire a bow from a moving horse is phenomenal. Ancient cavalry archers had to keep control of their mounts with their knees whilst using both arms to fire their bows, which took a great deal of practice and physical strength. Often lightly armoured, horse archers were the ideal skirmish troops, as they could quickly reach key areas of the battlefield to harass the enemy, but without getting so close that they were forced into melee. Nomadic tribes, such as the Sarmatians, were renowned for their skilled riders and used horse archers to great effect. The combination of skill and the deadly composite bow, which could puncture straight through armour, made their horsemen the dread of all those they encountered.

Abilities

Steppe Cataphract Archers

• 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

Transport

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

Steppe Cataphract Archers

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

Alani (Empire Divided) Units
General (3)
1.Alani Royal Horses
2.Noble Steppe Cataphracts Bodyguard
3.Steppe Cataphract Archers
Melee Infantry (5)
4.Alani Axemen
5.Alani Swordsmen
6.Armoured Axe Warriors
7.Armoured Steppe Warriors
8.Steppe Warband
Melee Cavalry (9)
9.Alani Axe Cavalry
10.Alani Horsemen
11.Alani Nobles
12.Alani Riders
13.Alani Royal Horses
14.Alani Royal Horses
15.Steppe Cavalry
16.Taifali Cavalry
17.Sarmatian Light Cavalry
Missile Cavalry (7)
18.Alani 'Amazonian' Archers
19.Alani Horse Skirmishers
20.Alani Noblewoman Archers
21.Steppe Cataphract Archers
22.Steppe Cataphract Archers
23.Steppe Horse Archers
24.Steppe Horse Skirmishers
Shock Cavalry (5)
25.Armoured Steppe Lancers
26.Noble Steppe Cataphracts
27.Noble Steppe Cataphracts Bodyguard
28.Noble Steppe Lancers
29.Steppe Lancers
Field Artillery (2)
30.Steppe Ballista
31.Steppe Bastion Ballista
Special (1)
32.Steppe War Dogs
Admiral (2)
33.Heavy Raider - Armoured Steppe Warriors
34.Medium Missile Raider - Steppe Slingers
Melee Ship (4)
35.Assault Raider - Steppe Warband
36.Heavy Raider - Armoured Steppe Warriors
37.Heavy Raider - Armoured Steppe Warriors
38.Medium Assault Raider - Alani Swordsmen
Missile Ship (3)
39.Medium Missile Raider - Steppe Slingers
40.Medium Missile Raider - Steppe Slingers
41.Missile Raider - Steppe Slingers