How to kill Kataproktai?

**econ21** · 10-03-2005, 11:33

Ordinary bows are probably not that good against kats, but arbalests, longbows and javelins etc are pretty good (not sure if they are all AP but they feel like it).

Italian spears should be able to hold the kats for a while, then you need something to kill them. Either a rear charge with your own knights or some infantry with AP. Halberdiers, even urban militia in a pinch.

Sometimes the Byzantines are just too strong to defeat in a single battle. In that case, whittle down their heavy cavalry in successive battles. Missiles are perfect for this - your whole melee army (cheap spears etc) can rout, but if you micromanage it, your missiles can keep firing until the bitter end. Often you can buy back your missiles, but the kats stay dead.

**Mr White** · 10-03-2005, 14:38

I think there's a guide on this (up in guides, where else). It was called something like 'how to kill high valour Kataproktai' or somthing similar. I believe the thread even has a replay how it should be done.

It involved two units of horsearchers (mounted xbows are preferred) to tire and shoot up the unit of kataproktoi.

**Mr White** · 10-03-2005, 14:45

I found the link:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=31627

I see 3 units of jinettes were used

**Graphic** · 10-03-2005, 14:51

What hapenned to katank?

**Mithrandir** · 10-03-2005, 16:53

Camels.

**Dutch_guy** · 10-03-2005, 21:15

Originally Posted by Mithrandir

Camels.

you really like your camels don't you

**Roark** · 10-04-2005, 01:27

Mithrandir took a nasty knock to the head a while back, and now all he can say is "camels"... We're all very worried.

**ichi** · 10-04-2005, 03:59

Originally Posted by Mr White

I think there's a guide on this (up in guides, where else). It was called something like 'how to kill high valour Kataproktai' or somthing similar. I believe the thread even has a replay how it should be done.

It involved two units of horsearchers (mounted xbows are preferred) to tire and shoot up the unit of kataproktoi.

Jinettes in one example, Turcoman HA in another, but any cav archers work well.

ichi

**Patron** · 10-04-2005, 05:19

You have to kill them using attrition.

Preparation 1: Destroy all enemy troops whilst engaging the kataphrakts with around 3 full units of expendable spearmen.

Method 1: arrow them as much as you can with horse arhcers, then use cavalry to charge into the exhausted katanks, if you feel you don't have enough cavalry to fulfil this task, then retreat and attack next year.

Method 2: Bring 2 units of armoured spearmen, engage the katanks with one group of armored spearmen after your suicide spearmen have finnished occupying the katanks, then charge into the rear of the katanks with your other group of spearmen, I mean get them quite them a distance away, beging charging and sandwich them. If you are churning out spearmen somewhere, box them in and after your formation is broken put all 4 units of spearmen into engage at will mode and let them do their work.

Method 3: Bring out 2 units of high morale heavy cavalry and charge into the rear of the katanks occupied by your spearmen early on in the battle, hope they win a glorious victory and slay the kataphrakts. If either the spear or heavy cavalry break, charge in with your 2nd group of cavalry to lance the scatterred kataphrakts, then retreat and charge again. Begin doing this with both groups of cavalry and get other units to try and prevent the kataphrakts from reforming to help the charging heavy cavalry. This is good against defence lvl 15 jedi kataphraktoi as it may be the only way to kill any of them.

**Kralizec** · 10-12-2005, 16:44

Using missiles is preferable to just pin-flank. The reason being that valour can make those Kataphraktoi really tough even when attacked from behind, but high valour never makes them tougher against missiles.

Quikest and probably easiest way is to pin with an expendable spear unit and then target with napta or javelin.

**Eternal Champion** · 10-12-2005, 17:01

In early you can't beat javelins for taking down heavy armor. Pin with spears and fire away, watch those fellas melt. As it has alreadty been said Kataproktai themselves aren't that bad it's the fact that the ones in SP are usually high valor royalty that cause the problem.

**Budwise** · 10-12-2005, 17:07

I think a good polearm unit would work great against them. All that armor just requires a can opener.

**Kralizec** · 10-12-2005, 17:20

Originally Posted by Eternal Champion

As it has alreadty been said Kataproktai themselves aren't that bad it's the fact that the ones in SP are usually high valor royalty that cause the problem.

Correction- high command royalty ;)
Command stars are definitely overpowered in MTW.

Kataphractoi themselves are a pretty mediocre heavy cavalry unit. Compare to chivalric knights who have +2 attack, +4 morale and can move much faster.