Hellenikoi Kataphraktoi (Hellenic Cataphracts)

• EB1
• EB2

Hellenikoi Kataphraktoi (Hellenic Cataphracts)
Hellenikoi Kataphraktoi (Hellenic Cataphracts)
Primary Weapon	Type: spear Attack: 5 Charge: 44 Lethality: 0.4 Attributes: Armour Piercing
Secondary Weapon	Type: sword Attack: 10 Charge: 25 Lethality: 0.11 Attributes: Armour Piercing
Defence	Armour: 22 Shield: 0 Skill: 8
Recruitment	Soldiers: 25 Cost: 4021 Upkeep: 1005 Turns: 1
Mental	Morale: 13 Discipline: disciplined Training: highly_trained
Other	Hit Points: 1 Mass: 1 Attributes: Can board ships, Can hide in forest Formation: square Side/Back spacing: 1.5/4 Mount effects: elephant -1, chariot +2 Ownership: Arche Seleukeia, Baktria, Eleutheroi

Hellenistic Kataphraktoi (Hellenistic Cataphracts)
Hellenistic Kataphraktoi (Hellenistic Cataphracts)
Primary Weapon	Type: spear Attack: 12 Charge: 21 Lethality: 1 Attributes: Armor piercing
Secondary Weapon	Type: sword Attack: 7 Charge: 5 Lethality: 1 Attributes: Armor piercing
Defence	Armour: 17 Shield: 0 Skill: 8
Recruitment	Soldiers: 40 Cost: 3300 Upkeep: 825 Turns: 1
Mental	Morale: 7 Discipline: disciplined Training: highly trained
Other	Hit Points: 1 Mass: 1 Attributes: Can board ships, Can hide in forests, Inspires nearby units, Knight, Power Charge, Frightens infantry Formation: square Side/Back spacing: 3.7/3.7 Mount effects: elephant -3 Ownership: Arche Seleukeia, Baktria

EB1: The Hellenistic Kataphraktoi are armored in an expensive combination of lamellar armor and chain. They are to be used as heavy shock cavalry, but have staying power in melee because of the sheer weight of their armor.

EB2: An evolution of the heavy cavalry, the kataphraktoi incorporate influences from the advancements of the cavalry nations to the east. If the hetairoi are the hammer of the "hammer and anvil", then the kataphraktoi are a sledge hammer.

Description

After suffering heavy losses to the Parthoi and Armenioi Kataphraktoi, the Seleukid and Baktrian empires produced their own versions of these heavy horsemen, both adapting the tactics and style of warfare to Hellenic technology and using superior metalwork to make them even more heavily armored. They are armored in an expensive combination of lamellar armor and chain, with heavy felt sandwiched in the middle. The resulting armor is tough and flexible, but offers outstanding protection. They are to be used as heavy shock cavalry, and have staying power in melee because of the sheer weight of their armor. They are slightly heavier than their Parthoi counterparts, but lack the deadly maces that the Parthoi carry and also the élan of their elite Parthoi counterparts. Their horses are more heavily armored than those of the Hetairoi, but they lack the characteristic fierceness and discipline of the elite Diadochoi cavalry.

Historically, Hellenistic Kataphraktoi were at least as good as their Parthoi enemy, but most Seleukeis commanders did not quite understand how to use this cavalry. They won great victories over the Parthoi when supporting the tougher and more elite Hetairoi, compelling the Parthoi to settle for a peace treaty and suzerainty over some of the Seleukid eastern possessions. They passed into history when most of the unit was bribed by Pompeius during his conquest of the east. They formed the basis for the Romaioi Kataphraktoi of later ages.

Usage

Impressed by the Eastern Factions' Cataphracts, the Greek Factions of Baktria and Arche Seluekid create their own versions of these mighty horsemen. Heavy Armored and with a powerful charge, they should be used to bore a hole into the enemy lines, provided that they are properly weakened and their formation is disorganized.

Although they can last long in melee combat, without the powerful maces of their eastern counterparts, they are not as spectacular in dealing melee damage. They also suffer from having less morale compared to the Hetairoi (Companion Cavalry) and the Cataphracts of the Eastern Factions and may be more prone to flee if their fortune weighs heavily against them and as such the commander must think twice to what they must do.

EB1 Baktria Render