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.
Unit Name Steppe Horse Skirmishers |
Main Unit Key Ste_Horse_Skirm |
Land Unit Key Ste_Horse_Skirm |
Naval Unit Key barbarian_transport_small |
Soldiers 90 |
Category Cavalry |
Class Missile Cavalry |
Custom Battle Cost 380 |
Recruitment Cost 340 |
Upkeep Cost 70 |
30 |
├ Missile Weapon rome_wooden_javelin |
├ Projectile javelin_wooden |
├ Missile Damage 17 |
├ Missile Ap Damage 13 |
└ Base Reload Time 9 |
Accuracy 5 |
Range 75 |
Reload 18 |
Shots Per Minute 8 |
Ammunition 18 |
Melee Attack 13 |
35 |
├ Melee Weapon rome_steppe_sword |
├ Melee Damage Base 31 |
├ Melee Damage Ap 4 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Bonus vs. Large 0 |
├ Bonus vs Elephants 0 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 5 |
Charge Bonus 17 |
11 |
├ Base Defence 11 |
├ Shield none |
└ Shield Defence 0 |
27 |
├ Armour cloth |
├ Armour Defence 27 |
└ Shield Armour 0 |
95 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_light |
├ Man Health 50 |
├ Bonus Hit Points 10 |
├ Mount rome_hellenic_horse_sword_shield_l |
├ Mount Entity rome_horse_light |
└ Mount Health 35 |
Base Morale 35 |
Abilities
Steppe Horse Skirmishers- Precision Shot
Improved missile weapon damage for an extended period.
Missile damage
Exertion: fatigue - 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
- Short range
- Fast rate of fire
- Fast moving
- Very good damage and armour penetration
- Large shield
- Very weak in melee
- Poor morale
Requires Buildings | |
---|---|
Lv. 0 |
Horse Pens
(barb_agriculture_horse_2) Level 1
Stables
(barb_agriculture_horse_3) Level 2 |
Lv. 1 |
Horse Ranch
(barb_agriculture_horse_4) Level 3 |
Faction Availability | |
---|---|
Grand Campaign | |
Imperator Augustus |