parthian armoured horse archer

[cedgaz]

hi i was wondering why should you buy Partian cataphracts if partian armoured horse archers is cheaper, has the same armor, the same charge and has a bow. The cataphract has AP but it think that the bow is way more useful

[russia almighty]

Because, the Cataphracts have a better secondary; the secondary of Armored horse archer has a really low attack value, like 4. The Regular Ole Cataphract's is way higher and has the AP trait.

Anyway, the Armored horse archer (if your talking about the full cataphracted one) are just to represent ....cataphracts with one set up, bows and lances, vs. lance and mace or sword.

[Theodotos I]

Still, the ability to shoot from long range makes the horse archers better, in my opinion. As I will state in my upcoming Pahlavan unit's guide, anything with a bow is better . I've seen the Shivatir-i Zrehbaran kill dozens of enemies with their bows, then close with lance, by which time the enemy was so demoralized that they broke and ran. By comparison, sending the regular or noble cataphracts in resulted in me losing half my horsemen, regardless of their AP ability.
BTW, does anyone know why the Noble Cataphracts are listed as missile cavalry, and have a quiver strapped to their leg, yet they have no bow . That's puzzled me for a long time. Anyway, just my two cents, Pahlava rocks!

[cedgaz]

thanks

[Digby Tatham Warter]

Still, the ability to shoot from long range makes the horse archers better, in my opinion. As I will state in my upcoming Pahlavan unit's guide, anything with a bow is better . I've seen the Shivatir-i Zrehbaran kill dozens of enemies with their bows, then close with lance, by which time the enemy was so demoralized that they broke and ran. By comparison, sending the regular or noble cataphracts in resulted in me losing half my horsemen, regardless of their AP ability.
BTW, does anyone know why the Noble Cataphracts are listed as missile cavalry, and have a quiver strapped to their leg, yet they have no bow . That's puzzled me for a long time. Anyway, just my two cents, Pahlava rocks!

I agree good sir, as I found out the same thing. The other aspect is those heavy horse archers soon rack up the chevrons, making the bow extra nasty when shot into the back of some poor fellow.
But I do add a noble cataphract to a half stack, just for effect, I just don't send em in, until their comrades quivers are empty.

[Watchman]

Having massacred my share of Pahlavan catas with assorted cheap-ass axemen, both horse and foot, I believe I should point out the lance by its lonesome sucks rocks for melee. Especially against unarmoured enemies with AP.

The archer-lancers may be just as good for the charge, but the melee catas are way better at actually killing stuff up close and personal. Note, incidentally, that the Pahlava get a close-combat cata with a nifty longsword too - much better for carving up lighter opponents than the mace.

[Tristuskhan]

Another reason to use Cataphracts is fatigue. Armoured Horse Archers must run to empty their quivers efficiently and are often tired when the time comes for the charge.
Keeping fresh Catas to deliver the first blow is sensible. Use the tired Armoured Horse Archers to support them.