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Eastern Cataphracts ParthiaParthia Shock Cavalry

Eastern Cataphracts

Nigh-on invulnerable within their armour, these warriors are a fearsome sight.

The Iranians and Persians pioneered armoured cavalry and the Seleucids were the first western, Hellenised power to see their merit for battle. Antiochus III, 223-187BC, used cataphracts to great effect at Panium in 200BC. His Egyptian enemies, led by Skopas of Aetolia, placed cavalry on the army's flanks to shield the infantry in the centre. A single charge from Antiochus’ cataphracts entirely scattered the Egyptian horse, exposing the Egyptian infantry's flanks and rear. They were unable to defend themselves against the next mighty charge; the entire Egyptian army broke, and Skopas fled to Sidon. This retreat marked the end of Ptolemaic rule in Judea.

Eastern Cataphracts Eastern Cataphracts Eastern Cataphracts Eastern Cataphracts Eastern Cataphracts
Eastern Cataphracts

Unit Name

Eastern Cataphracts

Main Unit Key

Eas_Cataphracts

Land Unit Key

Eas_Cataphracts

Naval Unit Key

pel_transport

Soldiers

80

Category

Cavalry

Class

Shock Cavalry

Custom Battle Cost

1060

Recruitment Cost

1060

Upkeep Cost

180

Melee Attack

40

Weapon Damage

25

├ Melee Weapon

rome_lance

├ Melee Damage Base

14

├ Melee Damage Ap

11

├ Armour Piercing

No

├ Bonus vs. Large

10

├ Bonus vs Elephants

10

└ Bonus vs Infantry

0

Charge Bonus

67

Melee Defence

17

├ Base Defence

17

├ Shield

none

└ Shield Defence

0

Armour

90

├ Armour

cataphract

├ Armour Defence

90

└ Shield Armour

0

Health

115

├ Man Entity

rome_infantry_very_heavy

├ Man Health

45

├ Bonus Hit Points

15

├ Mount

cataphract_horse

├ Mount Entity

rome_horse_super_heavy

└ Mount Health

55

Base Morale

60

Abilities

Eastern Cataphracts
  • 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

Attributes

  • Disciplined
    This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
  • 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
Eastern Cataphracts
  • Very good charge
  • Low damage but average armour penetration
  • Heavily armoured
  • Slowest cavalry
  • Good morale
Requires Buildings
Eastern Cataphracts Lv. 0 Royal Stables
Royal Stables
(east_military_stables_heavy_3)
Level 2
Nisean Stables
Nisean Stables
(east_military_stables_heavy_4)
Level 3
Garrison Buildings
Eastern Cataphracts x 2 Royal Stables
Royal Stables
(east_military_stables_heavy_3)
Level 2
Nisean Stables
Nisean Stables
(east_military_stables_heavy_4)
Level 3