Quote Originally Posted by Lazy O View Post
Wrong, heavy cavalry was using mail by that time . Savaran used Mail, lamellar, and large chest plates on top of their armor, along with sophisticated arm and leg protection .
That much is correct. I should refocus my statement and note that it was the later Sassanid times when having less armor became more popular.

Quote Originally Posted by antisocialmunky
I rather just make them undisciplined so when one breaks, they all break (when engaged) like now.
You need to have their base morale low enough that they crack quickly when impacted by a powerful charge. Discipline will be low as well, and cataphracts will be relatively more expensive.