The Sassanids (Empire Divided) Missile Cavalry

Persian Horse Archers

With raiding as a way of life for many tribes, mounted archery was established early in eastern culture, producing some highly effective warriors. While foot archers could carry long, powerful bows, a mounted archer was a formidable fighter thanks to his composite bow. Constructed from layers of wood, sinew and animal horn, the composite bow was a much more powerful weapon than its size alone would suggest. In the hands of an expert an arrow on target was entirely capable of piercing chainmail armour. It did, however, require strength and care to use: in particular, it had to be kept away from damp. Military campaigns were usually fought during the summer and autumn, so bows were used during arid months. Archers could rest their weapons during the winter, taking good care of them before the next campaigning season.

Unit Name Persian Horse Archers

Main Unit Key 3c_Sas_Persian_Horse_Archers

Land Unit Key 3c_Sas_Persian_Horse_Archers

Naval Unit Key 3c_pel_transport

Soldiers 80

Category Cavalry

Class Missile Cavalry

Custom Battle Cost 440

Recruitment Cost 440

Upkeep Cost 90

Missile Damage 40

├ Missile Weapon rome_composite_bow_horse

├ Projectile arrow_composite_horse

├ Missile Damage 36

├ Missile Ap Damage 4

└ Base Reload Time 12

Accuracy 5

Range 125

Reload 23

Shots Per Minute 6

Ammunition 13

Melee Attack 10

Weapon Damage 24

├ Melee Weapon rome_shortsword

├ Melee Damage Base 20

├ Melee Damage Ap 4

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Bonus vs. Large 0

├ Bonus vs Elephants 0

└ Bonus vs Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 4

Melee Defence 13

├ Base Defence 13

├ Shield none

└ Shield Defence 0

Armour 10

├ Armour cloth

├ Armour Defence 10

└ Shield Armour 0

Health 75

├ Man Entity rome_infantry_light

├ Man Health 40

├ Bonus Hit Points 15

├ Mount rome_scythian_horse_sword_vl

├ Mount Entity rome_horse_very_light_missile

└ Mount Health 20

Base Morale 40

Abilities

No Ability

Attributes

• Resistant to Fatigue
  Fatigue has less of an effect on this unit.
• 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 Heat
  This unit tires less quickly in the desert.

Strengths & Weaknesses

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

• Long range
• Average rate of fire
• Fast moving
• Good damage but low armour penetration
• Very weak in melee
• Very poor morale

Faction Availability
Empire Divided	The Sassanids (Empire Divided) Sassanid Pretenders (Empire Divided) Sassanid Secessionists (Empire Divided)