How to kill Kataproktai?

[DukeofSerbia]

Missles lots of missles. Missles cav works even better as Kataproktai are slow.

In my current Egypt campaighn I use that tactic - 6 desert archers fire on kataphraktoi + faris merc + 2 bulgarian brigands merc.

Simon Appleton - Arbalesters are not aviable before 1204 and longbow merc, too.

Today in Egypt campaighn - I killed whole unit with archers but one (Byzantium Emperor - 8 stars) fought against camel warriors (my generall - 6 stars), Gulham bodyguard (prince) + 2 Italian Infantry on hill and he alone routed my general and whole army routed after that - how frustrating! But I killed him in next battle with two princes.

And why Bizantium princes when they mature always have at least 4-5 stars in early period?

[Kralizec]

The command rating of maturing heirs is determined by the command rating of their father, usually minus 1 or 2 stars.

Pin with spears, then shoot them in the back with javelins, crossbow type weapons or napta if they're available. Otherwise a rear charge with powerful cav like the royal bodyguards should take care of them. Having the kats tire out beforehand helps a lot, too.

[p_nutter]

Pin and flank.

Let some spears take the inevitable charge, and send something with a good attack (even if it has bad defence) to hit them in the sides or in the back if you can.

Militia sergeants might be your best Katank-flanking unit, or maybe Italian infantry can be the attack as well as defence. Pin with one on hold position/formation, and charge in another on engage at will - Italian infantry can do everything.
Mounted sergeants might also work, but you should repeatedly charge and pull back.

Try a ballista. It can't stop the whole unit, but if you can kill the leader with it, then you don't have to fight a jedi, and Katank leaders are always uber-generals with 6 stars, killer instinct virtues, etc, so killing them really decreases the effectiveness of the unit.
(Not to mention routing all the peasants, vanilla spearmen and slav warriors that the Byz fill their armies with for some reason).

Dismounted CKs can walk into the front of charging Katanks and shred them, but I guess we're talking about the early period here.

One more thing: check your inns. You might find something useful which you can't build yourself - mounted XBows (oddly available in Early even though the 2-legged version is not ), vikings, javelins, or maybe even camels.