Re: Jedi units. Why Kats?
For 1 they are double the size of Royal knights.
Re: Jedi units. Why Kats?
Yes, the size and the fact that Kataphracts are often commanded by 9 star Byzantine generals with additional VnVs. But I would't call them a Jedi unit anymore, this phenomenon has been much worse in 1.0.
Re: Jedi units. Why Kats?
You want to see real Jedi Generals? Play the BKB mod on late and use unit with only one guy(forget his name). He's only EVER been killed by archer shots off of castle walls.
Re: Jedi units. Why Kats?
Kats often come out of Constantinople with a nice armour upgrade and pumped up with some good Vices and Virtues as Brutal_DLX mentioned. I used to buy Kwazariams (sp) as mercs - they have virtually the same stats as kats, but were underwhelming simply because they lack all the bonuses.
Personally I fear the Varangians more in the early game. Kats can be stalled by spears, but VG just cut a swathe through the early Catholic units. I handle them like elephants in RTW - feed them a light unit to pursue and try to shoot them down. If all else fails throw everything at them at the end of the battle and hope they rout.