Skythioi Basilikoi Somatophylakes
(Royal Scythian Bodyguards)In a few words, these are the finest cavalrymen in the West, taking into account the western Scythians, from the Pontic Steppe to Thracian and Germanic lands. These elite nobles are not only skilled with their kontos lances, but are more versatile warriors, using bows, longswords and sagaris axes.
Far from being simple, ignorant barbarians, the various steppe tribes had a great cultural wealth. Living in an area stretching from the Caspian Sea to the northern shores of the Black Sea; the Greeks called them 'Scythians' and the Persians 'Saka', while a western group became known as the Sarmatians. Wearing trousers marked them as barbarians as far as the Greeks were concerned, before their tall, pointed caps and swarthy appearances were even considered. Looks apart, they were, however, exceptional horsemen, highly-skilled with composite-recurve bows and deadly hand-to-hand fighters. Grave goods suggest that Scythian women were as warlike as their men, and probably fought alongside them in battle. This may well be the origin of the Greek myths of Amazon warrior women.
Unit Name Skythioi Basilikoi Somatophylakes |
Main Unit Key Scy_noble_bodyguards |
Land Unit Key Scy_noble_bodyguards |
Naval Unit Key barbarian_transport |
Soldiers 120 |
Category Cavalry |
Class Missile Cavalry |
Custom Battle Cost 2717 |
Recruitment Cost 2717 |
Upkeep Cost 543 |
11 |
├ Missile Weapon cbow4 |
├ Projectile cbow4 |
├ Missile Damage 11 |
├ Missile Ap Damage 0 |
└ Base Reload Time 11 |
Accuracy 20 |
Range 170 |
Reload 32 |
Shots Per Minute 8 |
Ammunition 15 |
Melee Attack 44 |
9 |
├ Melee Weapon alance4 |
├ Weapon Damage 9 |
├ Weapon Deadliness 0 |
├ Armour Piercing Yes |
├ Bonus vs. Cavalry 0 |
├ Bonus vs. Elephants 0 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 2 |
Charge Bonus 35 |
48 |
├ Base Defence 32 |
├ Shield none |
└ Shield Defence 16 |
24 |
├ Armour carm12 |
├ Armour Defence 24 |
└ Shield Armour 0 |
20 |
├ Man Entity medium_heavy |
├ Man Health 20 |
├ Bonus Hit Points 0 |
├ Mount saka_horse_half_cataphract |
├ Mount Entity rome_horse_heavy_shock |
└ Mount Health 0 |
Base Morale 60 |
Abilities
Skythioi Basilikoi Somatophylakes- Stamina (poor)
Governs how fast the unit tires and restores fatigue, and is dependent on type of unit, weight and approach to combat. - Cantabrian Circle
The unit fires whilst riding in a circle that increases reload skill - Flying Wedge
The unit assumes a wedge formation that increases charge speed and bonus - Concentrate Fire
The unit fires its missiles towards a spot causing damage to everyone in the area of effect
Attributes
- Disciplined
This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often. - 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
- Long range
- Fast rate of fire
- Fast moving
- Good damage but low armour penetration
- Very weak in melee
- Poor morale
Requires Buildings | |
---|---|
Lv. 0 |
Stables
(rom_BARBARIAN_enclosure_stables_3) Level 2 |
Lv. 1 |
Horse Ranch
(rom_BARBARIAN_enclosure_stables_4) Level 3 |
Faction Availability | |
---|---|
Grand Campaign | |
Imperator Augustus |