Drangiana (Imperator Augustus) Shock Cavalry

Median Cataphracts

The 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 Median Cataphracts

Main Unit Key Atr_Persian_Cataphracts

Land Unit Key Atr_Persian_Cataphracts

Naval Unit Key persian_transport

Soldiers 90

Category Cavalry

Class Shock Cavalry

Custom Battle Cost 1150

Recruitment Cost 1150

Upkeep Cost 100

Melee Attack 46

Weapon Damage 34

├ Melee Weapon rome_lance_elite

├ Melee Damage Base 18

├ Melee Damage Ap 16

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 10

├ Bonus vs Elephants 13

└ Bonus vs Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 70

Melee Defence 7

├ Base Defence 7

├ Shield none

└ Shield Defence 0

Armour 90

├ Armour cataphract

├ Armour Defence 90

└ Shield Armour 0

Health 145

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health 60

├ Bonus Hit Points 15

├ Mount cataphract_horse

├ Mount Entity rome_horse_super_heavy

└ Mount Health 70

Base Morale 65

Abilities

• Trample
  Charges are more effective for an extended time.
  Charge bonus
  Exertion: fatigue
• Use the Whip
  Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
  Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• Encourage
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• 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

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

• Very good charge
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Heavily armoured
• Slowest cavalry
• Good morale

Requires Buildings
Lv. 0	Royal Stables (east_military_stables_heavy_3) Level 2
Lv. 1	Nisean Stables (east_military_stables_heavy_4) Level 3

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Media Atropatene Arachosia Aria Drangiana Media Parthava Persia Sagartia Ardhan Kartli Cappadocia Eastern Rebels
Imperator Augustus	Media Atropatene (Imperator Augustus) Ardhan (Imperator Augustus) Kartli (Imperator Augustus) Cappadocia (Imperator Augustus) Eastern Rebels (Imperator Augustus) Characene (Imperator Augustus) Drangiana (Imperator Augustus) Palmyra (Imperator Augustus) Paradene (Imperator Augustus) Persia (Imperator Augustus)