No, I'm sure that it was taken into account. Despite the low attack it is still much much better than any of the secondaries that heavy cav has. The .38 and or higher lethality is just that big of a number.
That's why against enemy AI cataphract cav your best bet would be to use Dahae skirmisher cavalry or light axemen for their high defense skill....still gotta watch out for the charge though.
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