Scythia

[Deus ret.]

But I have a question: Are those Scythian Nobles really that good?

I mean, I have always hired Sarmatian Mercenaries during my Parthian campaign, but despite that impressive Charge Bonus, they still die so fast upon impact without taking much lives with them!

Welcome to the guild, Elephant! Just let me spread my humble opinion.

First, if you don't charge Sarmatians right at a unit's front, be sure they will take lives with them. No dishonor to my Sarmatians!! Admittedly they die quickly (also due to them being a preferred target for enemy archer fire), but they are a unit of premium shock cavalry. Usually a flank charge into a pinned average unit should be enough to rout them. If not, turn away and re-charge!

Secondly, the Nobles ARE that good: With them, you have a unit of not-too-expensive and retrainable Sarmatians (which requires just lvl 2 stables) as well as the possibility to build them in a town with a Kolaksay shrine. Adding the Armourer bonus will provide them with a nice boost: +4 each to attack and defence, including 1 armor to better withstand archer fire. They totally RULE!

If people kept on saying they are so good, how the hell do you use those guys anyway? They sometimes just won't charge, and is left to fight the enemy with the measly hand-to-hand damage!

Alas, you're right ...this is a commonly known rtw bug ... its worst effects should be offset when you switch off group commands, ordering every unit to charge (and re-charge, Sarmatians et al. are not made for a prolonged melee) separately.