Carthage Shock Cavalry

Sacred Band of Astarte

These elite lancers are the best cavalry unit of the antique world and feared amongst their opponents.

Carthaginian citizens were rarely called to military service because their armies were mostly legions of mercenaries and levied troops. Only men from the wealthiest and most powerful families, such as Hannibal Barca and his brothers, got the opportunity to serve. The army was, in many ways, their family’s private army rather than belonging to Carthage. Modelled after Macedon’s revered Companion cavalry, the noble horsemen of Carthage were a drilled and disciplined force that rode the finest African and Spanish horses. In the 3rd century BC they were rightly considered to be amongst some of the finest heavy cavalry in the world.

Abilities

Sacred Band of Astarte

• Diamond
  The unit moves into a diamond-shaped attack formation.
  Charge bonus, melee attack
  Acceleration, melee defence
• 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

Transport

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

Sacred Band of Astarte

• Very good charge
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Weak in prolonged melee
• Good morale

Carthage Units
General (2)
1.
2.Sacred Band of Astarte
Command (1)
3.General's Bodyguard
Melee Infantry (6)
4.Libyan Infantry
5.Mob
6.Libyan Elite Infantry
7.Sacred Warrior Brothers
8.Carthaginian Infantry
9.Dido's Chosen
Missile Infantry (3)
10.Libyan Javelinmen
11.Libyan Peltasts
12.Carthaginian Archers
Pike Infantry (1)
13.African Pikemen
Spear Infantry (13)
14.Citizen Militia
15.Carthaginian Hoplites
16.Late Carthaginian Hoplites
17.Late Libyan Hoplites
18.Libyan Hoplites
19.Sacred Band
20.Carthaginian Spear Champions
21.Armored Hoplites
22.Veteran Hoplites
23.Phoenician Hoplites
24.Elite Phoenician Hoplites
25.Sacred Band of Baal Hammon
26.
Melee Cavalry (3)
27.Carthaginian Cavalry
28.Carthaginian Heavy Cavalry
29.Phoenician Heavy Horses
Shock Cavalry (2)
30.Noble Cavalry
31.Sacred Band of Astarte
Elephant (3)
32.African Elephants
33.African War Elephants
34.Hanno's Pride
Fixed Artillery (4)
35.Carthaginian Giant Ballista
36.Carthaginian Polybolos
37.Carthaginian Bastion Scorpion
38.Carthaginian Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (7)
39.Carthaginian Bastion Ballista
40.Carthaginian Ballista
41.Carthaginian Scorpion
42.Carthaginian Heavy Onager
43.Carthaginian Bastion Onager
44.Carthaginian Onager
45.Snake Pot Ballista
Melee Ship (7)
46.Assault Tetreres - Carthaginian Hoplites
47.Fire Pot Dieres - Libyan Hoplites
48.Assault Dieres - Libyan Hoplites
49.Assault Tetreres - Late Carthaginian Hoplites
50.Fire Pot Dieres - Late Libyan Hoplites
51.Assault Dieres - Late Libyan Hoplites
52.Assault Hexeres - Sacred Band
Missile Ship (9)
53.Scorpion Penteres - Libyan Javelinmen
54.Tower Penteres - Libyan Javelinmen
55.Missile Penteres - Libyan Javelinmen
56.Raiding Hemiolia - Libyan Javelinmen
57.Heavy Tower Hepteres - Libyan Javelinmen
58.Missile Hepteres - Libyan Javelinmen
59.Scorpion Trieres - Libyan Javelinmen
60.Missile Trieres - Libyan Javelinmen
61.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Libyan Javelinmen
Artillery Ship (2)
62.Light Artillery Penteres - Carthaginian Ballista (Ship)
63.Artillery Penteres - Carthaginian Onager (Ship)