Quote Originally Posted by Germaanse Strijder
Kataphractoi themselves are a pretty mediocre heavy cavalry unit. Compare to chivalric knights who have +2 attack, +4 morale and can move much faster.
But they tend to come from Contstantinople, which often has a high armour bonus and does it also have +1 valour bonus for kats? Also, you tend to see kats long before you meet chiv. knights (at least if you play early as I do).

However, I agree that the high command Byz generals are formiddable - they can turn slav warriors into fiercesome opponents.