Axumite Desert Cavalry
Solid, fast cavalry trained on the flat desert of AxumThe thureos, a large oval-shaped shield, became common throughout the Hellenistic world from the 3rd century BC. Made from wood covered in hide, it differed from the earlier Greek hoplon in having a central handgrip, which was protected by a vertical spine running the length of the shield. This in turn could be further reinforced by the addition of a wide metal strip that protected the grip and the user’s hand. Inspired by the sub-rectangular and oval shields of the Celts, possibly through contact with the migrating Galatians, its usage seems to have spread through the Illyrian and Thracian tribes before it was adopted by the Greeks. Although large, the thureos was light in comparison to the traditional hoplon, and was adopted by heavily-armoured peltasts. Named after their shields, 'thureophoroi' could fight as common peltasts, skirmishing with javelins, but could also form up with their larger shields and longer spears in a similar fashion to a phalanx. The versatile and useful design of the thureos meant it was used by many armies, including the auxiliaries and cavalry of the later Roman Legions.
Unit Name Axumite Desert Cavalry |
Main Unit Key Afr_Cav1 |
Land Unit Key Afr_Cav1 |
Naval Unit Key persian_transport |
Soldiers 90 |
Category Cavalry |
Class Melee Cavalry |
Custom Battle Cost 570 |
Recruitment Cost 570 |
Upkeep Cost 75 |
Melee Attack 26 |
29 |
├ Melee Weapon rome_spear_cav |
├ Melee Damage Base 19 |
├ Melee Damage Ap 10 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Bonus vs. Large 10 |
├ Bonus vs Elephants 12 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 10 |
Charge Bonus 41 |
75 |
├ Base Defence 37 |
├ Shield caetra_fast_cav |
└ Shield Defence 38 |
69 |
├ Armour leather |
├ Armour Defence 47 |
└ Shield Armour 22 |
105 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_medium_fast |
├ Man Health 55 |
├ Bonus Hit Points 15 |
├ Mount rome_eastern_horse_spear_shield_l |
├ Mount Entity rome_horse_light |
└ Mount Health 35 |
Base Morale 50 |
Abilities
Axumite Desert Cavalry- Diamond
The unit moves into a diamond-shaped attack formation.
Charge bonus, melee attack
Acceleration, melee defence - Stampede
Charges are more effective for an extended time.
Charge bonus
Exertion: fatigue
Attributes
- Hide (forest)
This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close. - Resistant to Heat
This unit tires less quickly in the desert.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Transport- Very poor hull strength
- Very slow speed
- Weak ramming
- Good attack
- Average defence
- Low damage but average armour penetration
- Average morale
Faction Availability | |
---|---|
Grand Campaign | |
Hannibal at the Gates | |
Imperator Augustus |