Skythikon (M2TW Unit)
File:Skythikon thumbnail.jpgAsiatic Nomads, who serve the Byzantine Empire as horse archers, wearing little armour and armed with a composite bow.
Overview
Skythikon is the Byzantine term used to describe the mainly Cuman, Asiatic Nomads, who serve the Byzantine Empire exclusively as horse archers. Accustomed to being on horseback in the plains and steppes of Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region, these cavalrymen wear little armour and are armed with a composite bow and a small sword
Details
While weak compared to units such as the Vardariotai or the Byzantine Cavalry, both missile cavalry units available to the Byzantine Empire, the Skythikon are available at the lowest upgrade of a castle, meaning that no construction of special buildings is required. The Skythikon cost the same to recruit and maintain as the Byzantine cavalry, though they do have some noticeable differences between the two. Firstly, the Byzantine Cavalry is superior (though only minimally) in melee attack and defence stats as well as having armour, opposed to the Skythikon's lack of armour. On the other hand, the Skythikon is able to be recruited at smaller castles, removing the need to upgrade castle levels, though this advantage is only for early game, as well as having a faster mount. Overall, though, the Skythikon is more useful in the first 10 or so turns, though beyond that point their use becomes pointless, the Byzantine cavalry proving a better choice.