Mercenary Median Cataphracts
Mercenary. Hired from a regional pool, not recruited from a building.
Class: heavy · Category: cavalry · Men per unit: 32
Description
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.
Stats
| Rank in roster | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men per unit | 32 | ██········ 23% |
| Attack | 13 | ██████···· 57% |
| Charge bonus | 30 | █████████· 91% |
| Defence | 34 | ██████···· 55% |
| · armour | 15 | ████████·· 82% |
| · defence skill | 19 | ████······ 44% |
| · shield | 0 | █········· 0% |
| Morale | 14 | ████████·· 79% |
| Discipline | Normal | |
| Training | Highly trained | |
| Upkeep per turn | 1,093 dn | █████████· 93% |
Weapons
Its secondary attack is the stronger one: 15 against 13.
| Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 13 | 15 | Charge bonus | 30 | 24 | Type | melee · blade | melee · blade | Damage | piercing | slashing |
Defence
| Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 34 | — | Armour | 15 | — | Defence skill | 19 | — | Shield | 0 | — |
Condition and terrain
| Hit points | 1 | Mount | generals horse | Ground: scrub / sand / forest / snow | -2 / -1 / -8 / -1 | Charge distance | 40 |
| Formations | Square · Wedge |
Technical stats
| Time between blows (primary / secondary) | 2.5 s / 2.5 s | Extra fatigue in hot climates | 3 | Spacing between men: close / loose | 2 × 4.8 m / 3 × 7.2 m | Default ranks | 5 |
In battle: Good stamina · Powerful charge
Where to hire it
Mercenaries are hired from a regional pool, not recruited from a building. This unit is offered by 2 pools covering 9 regions, at 7,885–8,777 dn to hire and 3–4 experience.
Mercenary pools: Ekbatana · Media
At least one of those pools sells to any faction that has an army in range, with no faction restriction.
Some pools additionally restrict it to Seleucid Empire · Seleucid Rebels (Asia Minor) · Seleucid Rebels (Upper Satrapies).
The 9 regions where this unit appears in a mercenary pool
Kadousia · Matiane · Media · Notia Parthia · Pedias Atropatene · Rhagiane · Sagartia · Syromedia · Tracheia Atropatene