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Ala I Ulpia Contariorum Roma (Samnite Wars)Roma (Samnite Wars) Shock Cavalry

Ala I Ulpia Contariorum

(Roman Cataphracts)

One of the first Roman auxiliary cavalry units to be armed with the contus" (lance) and clad head to toe in scale armour. This elite unit was created by Emperor Hadrian to counter the Sarmatian nomads threatening the North Eastern borders."

The Iranians and Persians pioneered armoured cavalry and the Seleucids were the first western, Hellenised power to see their merit for battle. Antiochus III, 223-187BC, used cataphracts to great effect at Panium in 200BC. His Egyptian enemies, led by Skopas of Aetolia, placed cavalry on the army's flanks to shield the infantry in the centre. A single charge from Antiochus’ cataphracts entirely scattered the Egyptian horse, exposing the Egyptian infantry's flanks and rear. They were unable to defend themselves against the next mighty charge; the entire Egyptian army broke, and Skopas fled to Sidon. This retreat marked the end of Ptolemaic rule in Judea.

Ala I Ulpia Contariorum

Unit Name

Ala I Ulpia Contariorum

Main Unit Key

Aux_Cataphract_2

Land Unit Key

Aux_Cataphract_2

Naval Unit Key

pel_transport

Soldiers

100

Category

Cavalry

Class

Shock Cavalry

Custom Battle Cost

2002

Recruitment Cost

2002

Upkeep Cost

400

Melee Attack

33

Weapon Damage

9

├ Melee Weapon

alance3

├ Weapon Damage

9

├ Weapon Deadliness

0

├ Armour Piercing

Yes

├ Bonus vs. Cavalry

0

├ Bonus vs. Elephants

0

└ Bonus vs Infantry

2

Charge Bonus

37

Melee Defence

30

├ Base Defence

14

├ Shield

none

└ Shield Defence

16

Armour

22

├ Armour

carm11

├ Armour Defence

22

└ Shield Armour

0

Health

20

├ Man Entity

heavy_heavy

├ Man Health

20

├ Bonus Hit Points

0

├ Mount

cataphract_horse_greek

├ Mount Entity

rome_horse_spc_cataphract

└ Mount Health

0

Base Morale

65

Abilities

Ala I Ulpia Contariorum
  • Stamina (poor)
    Governs how fast the unit tires and restores fatigue, and is dependent on type of unit, weight and approach to combat.
  • Flying Wedge
    The unit assumes a wedge formation that increases charge speed and bonus

Attributes

  • Fire Whilst Moving
    This unit can fire when mounted and moving.
  • Hide (forest)
    This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
  • Resistant to Cold
    This unit tires less quickly in snow.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Transport
  • Very poor hull strength
  • Very slow speed
  • Weak ramming
Ala I Ulpia Contariorum
  • Very good charge
  • Low damage but average armour penetration
  • Weak in prolonged melee
  • Good morale
Recuitment Requirement
Maximum Number 1
Unit Resouces DEI_Pannonia
Requires Buildings
Ala I Ulpia Contariorum Lv. 1 Auxiliary Garrison
Auxiliary Garrison
(rom_ROMAN_military_main_aux_4)
Level 3