Cataphracts (RTW Unit)

Cataphracts (RTW Unit)
Class	Heavy Cavalry
Unit Size	108
Weaponry	Spear, Mace
Morale	8
Melee Attack	7
Ranged Attack	N/A
Defence	23
Charge Bonus	9
Accuracy	N/A
Range	N/A
Ammunition	N/A
Region	Global
Recruitment Cost	940
Upkeep Cost	190
Turns to Build	2
Unit Limit	None
Building Requirements	Elite Cavalry Stables
Technology Requirements	None
Attributes	Can hide in forests

Cataphracts are extremely heavily-armoured shock cavalry who can turn a battle with one thunderous charge.

Overview

Cataphracts are extremely heavily-armoured cavalry who can turn a battle with one thunderous charge. They are the ultimate in shock cavalry, an armoured battering ram to crash into an enemy position and sweep aside all who stand against them. They are armed with heavy lances for the initial charge and maces for use in close combat. They wear armour that is almost unmatched for weight and protection, and their horses are similarly armoured. On the move they are a wall of metal bearing down on enemies, tipped with razor-sharp spear points. Their armour is their main strength, but it also means that these troops can be quite ponderous and slow moving. That said, sheer weight means that they can often break through (or ride over) an enemy line without too much trouble.

Details

Cataphracts are basically tanks on legs. They have masses of armour: both horse and rider are covered in it. They have a good attack, massive defence a punishing charge, high morale and are highly trained. They are armed with spears which are brutal on the charge but they also have secondary AP maces which you can get them to use by alt+right clicking the target. This is the better bet against heavily armoured cavalry and infantry as they will slaughter then easily with AP weapons. You can also charge, as they have a devastating charge and then pull back and charge again. They will absolutely destroy non armour piercing units taking almost no damage.

Of course they almost completely resist missiles with all that armour, besides pila and other armour piercing missiles. This unit can almost do anything except charge elite Phalanxes from the front and fight against anything that pierces armour. Be extremely careful against anything with an armour piercing attack, like infantry or cavalry axemen because these enemies deal almost double damage against them.

They are overall the strongest cavalry in Rome Total War that can be recruited.

Factions

Armenia

Parthia

Seleucid Empire