Parthian Cataphracts

[Breiniak]

As most of us know, the Parthians have a special kind of cataphracts: the cataphract camels. These cataphract camels have the same stats as their horse counterparts, as well as the same cost. What they have extra, however, is the scare horses trait.

My question is: at what point, if any, are vanilla cataphracts at the advantage? They are equally fast, equally powerful. The only difference is that camels spawn in a spread out formation (which you can manually reorganize).
Why would one need horses while camels win from horses?


Any Parthian player who can clear this to me?

[atraps]

In vanilla RTW, horses have an attack penalty against camels, and camels have an attack bonus against horses. I cant remember exactly what the values are though. Camels also reduce horses' morale.

There are some drawbacks about camels though. They have a more spread out formation so they fight slightly less effective, and they move slower then horses.

[Amaranth]

they move slower then horses.

I think the same too.

[Cluny the Scourge]

As most of us know, the Parthians have a special kind of cataphracts: the cataphract camels. These cataphract camels have the same stats as their horse counterparts, as well as the same cost. What they have extra, however, is the scare horses trait.

My question is: at what point, if any, are vanilla horses at the advantage? They equally fast, equally powerful. The only difference is that camels spawn on a spread out formation (which you can manually reorganize).
Why would one need horses while camels win from horses?


Any Parthian player who can clear this to me?

Take one unit of camels mixed with regulars. That way you get the superior fighting power of horse, and the Frightened by Camels effect as well.

[Breiniak]

Yeah, camels start more spread out, but you can push them together (just as how you can spread your horses out for instance). I guess camels are generally less able fighters.

[Legio]

They are also more susceptible to spears than horses. They move slower and get disorganized more easily.

[atraps]

I guess camels are generally less able fighters.

True, most of the time its better to have horse cavalry units then camel cavalry units. Though it depends on what your against. If you know that the battle will be cavalry concentrated, then camels are the better choice.

[Prince_of_Macedon]

Moving to Battle Planning.

[Yojimbo]

As most of us know, the Parthians have a special kind of cataphracts: the cataphract camels. These cataphract camels have the same stats as their horse counterparts, as well as the same cost. What they have extra, however, is the scare horses trait.

My question is: at what point, if any, are vanilla horses at the advantage? They equally fast, equally powerful. The only difference is that camels spawn on a spread out formation (which you can manually reorganize).
Why would one need horses while camels win from horses?


Any Parthian player who can clear this to me?

Cavalry get -4 attack vs camels and camels get +2 against cavalry on top of that penalty. Camels crush cavalry completely. Even Numidian camel riders, much weaker camels can beat cataphracts. Cataphract camels are just crazy against cavalry

download and read my unit guide it has stuff like that in it link in sig[/shamelessplug]

They are also more susceptible to spears than horses. They move slower and get disorganized more easily.

thats because their mental stat is untrained, it affects how well they keep formation.

Camels also have lousy stats for fighting just about anything else.

[Breiniak]

Thanks Forlornhope, I just knew there were hidden parameters besides the general stats.

[Lord Thesaurian]

I am a diehard fan of Parthia, so I see where youre coming from. True, cataphract camels scare horses, so why recruit cataphracts? My answer may only be an opinion, but nonetheless: Cataphract camels should be kept for their main purpose - counter cavalry. Why? In my opinion, Cataphract camels are rather clumsy, and they tire faster and are slower than horses. Besides, the camels are looser-formed than horses, and therefore their wedge impact seems less effective. The great, thunderous, sweeping charge signature to the cataphracts doesent seem to be there as much in a camel charge. To each his own, but this is my opinion.