Quote Originally Posted by antisocialmunky View Post
That's because Khosrau I reformed the cavalry into light heavy lancer/horse archer hybrids and deemphasized the cataphracts.
Correct; later Sassanid armies were optimized for campaigning. He probably drew more of the Dhiqans into service to do so. Regardless, EBO armies seem to not greatly emphasize cataphracts as the main shock too, either, with plenty of hybrids employed where possible, and supporting lighter cavalry in wide use; at least that's the direction things seem to be heading in, especially with Hayasdan and Parthia, and I have little doubt that once I wrap up the Seleucids they will be greatly using the Medians as well.