Sassanid elite calvalry with half horse armor

**juanplay** · March 26, 2015, 01:52 PM

I noticed that after patch 1 Sassanid elite cataphracts only have half of the horse armor. Dont know if this is a bug (im not using any mods) or a design decision by CA. Does anyone know?

**RGA** · March 26, 2015, 02:45 PM

It's normal. Cladding the horse fully will also increase the risk of overheating due to poor ventilation, not to mention the extra weight. A compromise would be having only the front half armoured.

**juanplay** · March 26, 2015, 05:40 PM

Except Ammianus Marcellinus describes both roman and Sassanid Clibanarii being completely armoured, both rider and horse.

**RGA** · March 26, 2015, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by juanplay

Except Ammianus Marcellinus describes both roman and Sassanid Clibanarii being completely armoured, both rider and horse.

Well, you cannot generalize anything about clothes and equipments in Ancient warfare, because back then nothing was standardized.

**Anna_Gein** · March 27, 2015, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by RGA

Well, you cannot generalize anything about clothes and equipments in Ancient warfare, because back then nothing was standardized.

Ammianus Marcellinus is probably right though. As far as I am aware, half barding armour was indeed used by Romans and Persians but in later times Due tu various reasons. You can find more about this subject in almost all books on Romano-Persian warfare during the VI / VII century like an Osprey book.

**juanplay** · March 26, 2015, 05:55 PM

Im not saying every heavy horse unit of the Sassanid army was completely armoured, but a significant amount were, problem is CA decided to take out the complete horse armor for the most Sassanid elite units who held the highest rank of nobility and could afford the most expensive armor..

**Aeratus** · March 26, 2015, 06:04 PM

I think the Gyan Avspar should have full barded horse rather than half barded ones. Grivpanvar and lower can have half-barded horses. Pushtighban can have the barding that the Gyan Avspar currently has. This makes sense because the ERE has a full barded horse despite having less armor than the Gyan Avspar.

Did they have it before the patch? If it disappeared with the patch, it's probably an oversight.

**RGA** · March 26, 2015, 06:20 PM

I checked the custom battle and the only fully cladded cataphracts are ERE clibanarii and Sassanid spahbed general. All others are only half armoured.

IMHO all cataphracts should be a mix of both types.

**Aeratus** · March 26, 2015, 08:50 PM

Actually, there are quite a few more units that have full horse barding. The Elite Sarmatian Cataphract also has a full horse barding; it is also one of the better-looking units aesthetically. Other than shock cavalry, the Hunnic Noble Horse Archers, the Sarmatian Cataphract Archer, and the Gray Hairs also have full horse barding.

The Gyan Avspar has the highest health and armor of any cavalry unit in the game. So if anyone should have a fully barded horse, it is them.

I would also agree that mixed-types would be good as well. CA really got lazy with variety in horse barding models.

**Ecthelion** · March 27, 2015, 12:15 AM

Full horse barding was not really a thing any more by this period.

It makes no real sense to begin with. The rear of the horse is not really what is being targeted when it's charging lockstep with other horses. Deleting the rear barding probably reduced the overall horse armor by 30% and similarly with production times and costs.

**Aeratus** · March 27, 2015, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Ecthelion

Full horse barding was not really a thing any more by this period.

It makes no real sense to begin with. The rear of the horse is not really what is being targeted when it's charging lockstep with other horses. Deleting the rear barding probably reduced the overall horse armor by 30% and similarly with production times and costs.

Full horse barding was used before, during and after this period, and used by many cultures.

Even with plate armor, the rear of the horse was still armored.

And the reason why? It looks cool, at least!

Here's another image from Dura Europos

This would have been close to what the Sassanids used.

Half barded Persian horses are now believed to be a misconception. There's a particular relief showing what appears to be a half barded horse, it seems now that it is a result of damage to the relief.

Half barding was used too. Here's probably the most well known example. It clearly shows that the rear was not armored.

**wulfgar610** · March 27, 2015, 01:02 AM

Half barded Persian horses are now believed to be a misconception. There's a particular relief showing what appears to be a half barded horse, it seems now that it is a result of damage to the relief.

**Charerg** · March 27, 2015, 02:31 AM

Keep in mind that the only Horse Bardings from the period (that I know of) are from Dura Europos. They're from the 3rd century, but I doubt there were huge changes in horse armour between this era and late Roman times. And they are full bards (one of iron and one of bronze was recovered):

The Bronze barding:

**Prof** · March 27, 2015, 09:35 AM

Nobody needs back protection, unless he runs from the battlefield!

**Rostam_e_Iran** · March 27, 2015, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Prof

Nobody needs back protection, unless he runs from the battlefield!

You never maneuver your units?
@op
Wow Just when I thought thing couldn't get any worse for the Sassanids they go make these guys look like some mediocre mid tier shock cav. The level of neglect towards this faction..........

While it seems aesthetic, will they be even more vurnable to projectiles from the rear?

I'm gona give Ca the benefit of doubt and say this is a mistake and will be added again.
Though CA, you keep out doing yourself, that's some talent.