Iberi Lanceari (Iberian Heavy Cavalry)

Iberi Lanceari (Iberian Heavy Cavalry)
Iberi Lanceari (Iberian Heavy Cavalry)
Primary Weapon	Type: spear Attack: 4 Charge: 43 Lethality: 0.33 Attributes: Armour Piercing
Secondary Weapon	Type: sword Attack: 9 Charge: 28 Lethality: 0.11 Attributes: Armour Piercing
Defence	Armour: 16 Shield: 2 Skill: 8
Recruitment	Soldiers: 25 Cost: 3815 Upkeep: 954 Turns: 1
Mental	Morale: 15 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: Iberia, Safot Softim biKarthadast

These men are shock cavalry, armed with spears and able to deliver a devastating charge attack.

Description

These hardy Iberians are among the choicest units available to a Carthaginian commander. They are a good all-purpose heavy cavalry, and they have a staying power on the battlefield that is simply unmatched by all but the most elite cavalry forces. They do not suffer from the same morale problems that the other Iberian troops in the service of a foreign power do since they are usually lavished upon by their commanders and their officers marry into Carthaginian or Liby-Phoenician families. They wear good quality mail armor and carry long Iberian style ovular shields. This combined with their use of a cavalry spear and falcata make them ideal cavalry for both the charge and fierce melee. These are probably the most versatile heavy cavalry in the world, and their status in the Carthaginian army proves this.

Historically, the Iberian heavy cavalry was the most instrumental unit aside from the African Infantry at the battle of Cannae. They showed their martial prowess to an extreme degree by driving both the Roman and Allied heavy cavalry off the battlefield, turning and proceeding to drive the Roman light cavalry off the battlefield, then turning once more to completely surround the Roman infantry. Most cavalry would have been content with simply chasing after the Roman heavy cavalry. It takes a great deal of discipline to turn thrice, all without a commander of note during the battle! After ten years of fighting in Italy two thirds of these men were still at Hannibal’s side!

Usage

The best heavy cavalry in Iberia, if not in the Western Mediterranean. They should destroy the enemy's heavy cavalry with the help of other light or medium cavalry then initiate a powerful charge towards the enemy battle line, then retreat and repeat the charges until the enemy breaks.

These heavy cavalry will form a powerful cavalry core in the Lusotannan army alongside medium and light cavalry if used well.

Iberi Lanceari AOR