Egyptian cavalry

[Gilrandir]

I'm planning to start my first campaign as Eggies. Until now the only muslem faction I have played was the Turks. In it I relied upon Armenians and Ghulams as heavy cavalry units and on HA as light cavalry to chase routers (besides their obvious use as archers). In addition to those Eggies have Mamluk cavalry and Saharan cavalry. Is there any reason I should use them? Can they do something which the above mentioned cav units can't?

[drone]

Mamluks use maces, so they get the armour piercing attack. Not really useful in desert battles when it's best to just let the enemy armour cook, but nice against knights and heavy infantry. Saharans are just cheap fast cav, good for chasing routers and enemy archers, not much else.

The Egyptians don't get standard HAs, your missile cav consists of Faris and Mamluk HAs. Both of these are much better than the vanilla HAs, they are Elite with better morale and are actually competent in melee.

Once you start invading greener pastures, you can recruit Khwarazmian cav. Not as good on the charge as Armenian HC, but heavily armoured. The only problem is the high build requirements, but they will help against updated European units.



Oh. And Camels.

[Gilrandir]

Mamluks use maces, so they get the armour piercing attack.

The picture of them sports axes, not maces.

[drone]

The picture of them sports axes, not maces.

Could be, the other Charge 4 + AP cav is Gothics, which definitely use maces. But either way Mamluks get the AP bonus.

[Gilrandir]

Could be, the other Charge 4 + AP cav is Gothics, which definitely use maces. But either way Mamluks get the AP bonus.

Unit Guide also mentions axes. This is logical. I don't think muslem martial equipment included maces.

[LordK9]

Ah, yes; Gothics. Wanted to use them when Italian but never built up any one location enough to do that. Maybe when I get around to later periods I'll run into them (the AI doesn't seem to build them likely because Italy is usually confined to two islands after a bit) and use them. I found the Mamelukes best used with other units as they are a bit fragile.

[Trapped in Samsara]

Hi

In my experience Gothic Knights - just like Gothic Infantry - are too expensive, too slow and too easily exhausted.

Best regards
Victor

Sapere aude
Horace

[LordK9]

Out of curiosity, how do they compare to kata-tanks?

[Gilrandir]

Out of curiosity, how do they compare to kata-tanks?

They are definitely faster. For more precise information consult the Unit Guide. But, in my opinion, what makes kataphraktoi so special is the high valor bestowed upon them by the multi-star Byz generals.

[LordK9]

I found them wanting in the desert but, never did fight the Golden Horde - might be great fun having a cavalry battle with the Mongol heavies (although I suppose they'd better have numbers).