Roman cavary vs Hellenistic cavalry.

[HuangCaesar]

What is the stat comparisson to the Roman best Roman cavalry(Extrodanarii and Praetoriani) to that of the best Hellenistic cavalry? I heard that the Extrodanarrii are best Roman cavalry but slightly inferior to the Theseleans. Why? In real life at the Battle of Heraclea, the Roman/Italian cavalry almost routed the Thesaleans under Phyrus only to be routed by Elephants. Also at the Battle of Magnesia, the Roman cavalry(along with only a few Pergames cavalry, but most Roman/Italian) routed the Hellenistic mercenary Cataphracts) on their right flank(Antiocus was busy attacking the Roman left flank with his Comapnions). I think the Roman cavalry is highly underrated an probally got a bad rap due to Cannae.

How does the Extrodanrii Equites compare to lets say Theseleans by stats and to lets say the Comapnions and Cataphracts?

[Entropy Judge]

What is the stat comparisson to the Roman best Roman cavalry(Extrodanarii and Praetoriani) to that of the best Hellenistic cavalry? ...
How does the Extrodanrii Equites compare to lets say Theseleans by stats and to lets say the Comapnions and Cataphracts?

http://europabarbarorum.heimstatt.net/ Short version: Praetorian Cavalry are well-armoured Skirmisher cavalry, ignore them. EE are statwise slightly inferior to Thessalians, but cheaper and with a larger AoR. They are a hair better than Greek Noble Cavalry, having +1 Morale. Hetairoi and Cataphracts significantly out-perform EE, but are commensurately expensive, and neither have the Stamina EE do.
*Checks Wikipedia*

I heard that the Extrodanarrii are best Roman cavalry but slightly inferior to the Theseleans. Why? In real life at the Battle of Heraclea, the Roman/Italian cavalry almost routed the Thesaleans under Phyrus only to be routed by Elephants.

Hm; just using Wikipedia, because I'm not entirely sure where to look for closer sources, I can think of a couple things. First, it implies that Pyrrus's cavalry were the ones actually beating the Roman/Allied cavalry, since he used them to attack the Roman formation and then withdrew. Secondly, it gives about 4000 total for the Epirote cavalry, and six thousand for the Roman and Allied cavalry, so if the Romans 'almost rout' Pyrrus's cavalry, it could well be because they had a significant numbers advantage.

Also at the Battle of Magnesia, the Roman cavalry(along with only a few Pergames cavalry, but most Roman/Italian) routed the Hellenistic mercenary Cataphracts)

Yes, when formed cavalry manage to attack a highly disorganized and confused opponent, the attacker tends to win.

I think the Roman cavalry is highly underrated an probally got a bad rap due to Cannae.

Actually, the Romans do have pretty good cavalry in the form of their Extraordinarii, it's just expensive (like most Heavy Cavalry) and the Roman strength is in Heavy Infantry. Combined with the fact that they're only recruitable at high Barracks levels in a few regions, and you typically get the suggestion that if you want good Cavalry as Rome, you should pick regionals (Brihentin and Illyrians), which are typically cheaper and easier to ship, or mercenaries (Curepos, Thessalians, and Thracian Medium Cavalry).

[HuangCaesar]

http://europabarbarorum.heimstatt.net/
Actually, the Romans do have pretty good cavalry in the form of their Extraordinarii, it's just expensive (like most Heavy Cavalry) and the Roman strength is in Heavy Infantry. Combined with the fact that they're only recruitable at high Barracks levels in a few regions, and you typically get the suggestion that if you want good Cavalry as Rome, you should pick regionals (Brihentin and Illyrians), which are typically cheaper and easier to ship, or mercenaries (Curepos, Thessalians, and Thracian Medium Cavalry).

How does Theseans compare to Comapnions?

Also during the Marian, how good are Gallic and Germanic cavalry? Which cav should I go for? The Thesseleans and Corpospos I can't recruit in barracks but only as mercenaries.

Imperial, the Ala are slightly better and Praetorians are the best right?

[Entropy Judge]

How does Theseans compare to Comapnions?

Thessalians vs Companions? Hetairoi have better Charge, Armour, Skill, and Morale. Same base Attack, though, and Companions are more expensive and have less Stamina.

Also during the Marian, how good are Gallic and Germanic cavalry? Which cav should I go for?

Never having reached the Marian Reforms myself ... the Gallic Auxiliaries are generally better than the Germanic ones. They both appear to be upgraded versions of their base cavalries (Leuce Epos and Reidonez); the Gallic auxilia have better range and more ammo for their Javelins, more Armour, and their Charge is actually effective and is AP, while the Germanics have better Attack for their Javelins and Spear, and have a better Shield/Skill.

The Thesseleans and Corpospos I can't recruit in barracks but only as mercenaries.

Yes, you'll note that I actually specifically referred to Curepos and Thessalians as Mercenaries. There was a reason for that. Also, spell better, please.

Imperial, the Ala are slightly better and Praetorians are the best right?

*Looks at stats* Nope. Praetorians are terrible and a waste of money. The Ala are upgraded Germanic Auxiliaries, and the Praetorians are a slightly different upgrade to the Germanic Auxiliaries. All the Praetorians have over the Ala is a stronger Javelin attack - at the cost of lower Range and less Ammo - four points of Armour, and two points of Morale. Given the price difference and the fact that Ala can be recruited in something like half the map, while Praetorians can only be recruited in one region, Praetorians are basically worthless.

[Petite Wolf]

How does Theseans compare to Comapnions?

Companions or Campanians? There's only a single letter difference, but they are entirely different units. Campanians belong to the Romans and are primarily skirmisher cavalry that would be completely melted by Thessalians in melee. (I went ahead and assumed you meant Campanians as you're asking for comparisons between Roman and Hellenistic cavalry.)

[Entropy Judge]

Campanians belong to the Romans and are primarily skirmisher cavalry that would be completely melted by Thessalians in melee.

I'm not too sure about that, actually (barring experimental evidence, of course - I'm just comparing the stats). Campanians may be 'Skirmishers,' but they're pretty beefy dudes, and their total Defense is the same as Thessalians, with the same Armour. If the Thessalians lead in with a charge, of course, yeah they'll melt ... but if the Thessalians are charging, the Campanians should be skirmishing and chucking javelins at them, which should take down a few. Both have AP weapons, and the Thessalians do have higher Attack, better Discipline and Morale ... but the Campanians should be able to put up a fight, or at the very least a decent delaying action.

[Petite Wolf]

Good point. I very rarely actually use Campanians in melee. Whenever I use them it's really just to skirmish and harass or to chase down skirmishers/archers. If I want cavalry for melee combat I'll typically get Equites Extraordinarii. But when it comes to comparing Thessalians to Campanians in melee, if it's just a simple "Hey, we'll both charge at each other and fight" then the Thessalians will murder them. However, if, like you said, it's more of a thing where the Campanians skirmish until the Thessalians are lower in number and tireder than they are, and then manage to engage without taking a charge from the Thessalians, then they might be able to put up a fight. The trick I suppose is engaging them without letting the Thessalians get the charge bonus, as if they do that the Campanians will take such a hit from it that they'll lose the battle outright. Or that is my take on it, at least.