What is your favorite unit?

[Avicenna]

Well, light lancers used properly can destroy the cataphracts. If the cataphracts continue shooting when charged by LLs, LLs can just retreat and charge again. If they choose to engage in melee, the faster LLs can lead them into spears. When they stop chasing, if they do, charge again.

Warman: I'm assuming all you're talking about are the Sassanids. If you are, their spearmen are rubbish, though admittedly better than the Limanentai (can't spell). The elephants, cataphracts and clibinarii are vital but not your core units, since they're so expensive and take so long to recruit.