Cataphract (Age of Empires)

For the related Age of Empires II unit, see Cataphract (Age of Empires II). The Cataphract is the upgrade of the Heavy Cavalry in Age of Empires. It is the strongest hand cavalry in the game besides hero units. To upgrade the heavy cavalry to a cataphract, and  is required. This unit starts out with 180 hit points, 12 attack, 3 armor and +1 missile armor. Only a certain number of civilizations have the ability to train this unit.

Civilizations
The cataphract is an uncommon unit, and only these civilizations can train them:
 * Assyrians
 * Persians
 * Shang
 * Yamato
 * Choson
 * Macedonians

Civilization Bonuses

 * Macedonian Cataphracts have +2 line of sight.
 * Yamato Cataphracts cost 25% less.

Strategy
While a somewhat handy unit just by itself, the cost of the upgrade is so ridiculously high that many players find it pointless to research, as it generally does not pay off. In Death Matches Cataphracts are considered to be a good way for non-chariot civilizations to take on Catapults.

Upgrades
Tool Age Bronze Age Iron Age
 * Toolworking: Increases attack by 2 points.
 * Leather Armor: Increases armor by 2 points.
 * Metalworking: Increases attack by 2 points.
 * Scale Armor: Increases armor by 2 points.
 * Nobility: Increases hit points by 15%.
 * Metallurgy: Increases attack by 3 points.
 * Chain Mail: Increases armor by 2 points.