Caledones Melee Cavalry

Heroic Riders

The Celts held horses in high regard; they were prestige possessions, and revered for their strength and vitality. As a result Celtic cavalry, like that of many armies, was the preserve of the wealthy nobility. Developments in saddle technology gave horsemen a firm seat without the need for stirrups: four pommels held the rider's thighs and this, in turn, allowed greater movement when using a sword or spear. With this improvement, cavalry tactics emerged and two-man chariots declined; they were no longer the only fast-moving strike force. Some cavalrymen carried long swords and, in the same fashion as traditional chariot riders, were given to dismounting and fighting on foot. Celtic horsemen became a much sought-after mercenary force and, over the centuries, served in the Carthaginian, Egyptian and Roman armies.

Unit Name Heroic Riders

Main Unit Key Bri_Heroic_Riders

Land Unit Key Bri_Heroic_Riders

Naval Unit Key barbarian_transport_small

Soldiers 90

Category Cavalry

Class Melee Cavalry

Custom Battle Cost 940

Recruitment Cost 1030

Upkeep Cost 100

Melee Attack 38

Weapon Damage 32

├ Melee Weapon rome_celtic_spear_cav_elite

├ Melee Damage Base 21

├ Melee Damage Ap 11

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 17

├ Bonus vs Elephants 19

└ Bonus vs Infantry 5

Charge Bonus 55

Melee Defence 99

├ Base Defence 64

├ Shield cavalry

└ Shield Defence 35

Armour 87

├ Armour mail

├ Armour Defence 57

└ Shield Armour 30

Health 140

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health 60

├ Bonus Hit Points 20

├ Mount rome_celtic_horse_spear_shield_vh

├ Mount Entity rome_horse_very_heavy

└ Mount Health 60

Base Morale 65

Abilities

• Wedge
  The unit moves into a wedge-shaped attack formation.
  Charge bonus, melee attack
  Acceleration, melee defence
• Frenzied Charge
  Increases the effectiveness of the unit's charge for an extended period. The unit will suffer a large fatigue penalty after the charge is over.
  Charge speed, charge damage, acceleration
  Melee defence, fatigue

Attributes

• Expert Charge Defence
  This unit’s melee attack and damage are increased against charging enemies.
• 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 Cold
  This unit tires less quickly in snow.

Strengths & Weaknesses

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

• Very good attack
• Average defence
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Good morale

Requires Buildings
Lv. 1	Horse Ranch (barb_agriculture_horse_4) Level 3

Faction Availability
Grand Campaign	Brigantes Caledones Demetae Dumnonii Ebdani Iceni Iceni tribal council British Rebels
Caesar in Gaul	Cantiaci (Caesar in Gaul) Dumnonii (Caesar in Gaul) Briton Rebels (Caesar in Gaul)
Imperator Augustus	Brigantes (Imperator Augustus) Caledones (Imperator Augustus) Corieltauvi (Imperator Augustus) Demetae (Imperator Augustus) Dumonii (Imperator Augustus) Ebdani (Imperator Augustus) Iceni (Imperator Augustus) Iceni Elders (Imperator Augustus) British Rebels (Imperator Augustus)