Scout Cavalry (Age of Empires II)

For the related Age of Empires unit, see Scout (Age of Empires). The Scout Cavalry is a light cavalry unit that is featured in Age of Empires II. In a basic game as a European, Middle Eastern, or Asian civilization, the player starts off with a Scout Cavalry and they are able to be trained during the Feudal Age and after. The Cavalry has a weak attack, but they are quick and are effective against enemy villagers. The Scout Cavalry can also be upgraded to the Light Cavalry.

Tactics
Scout Cavalry are primarily used as scouting units, as they do not have a good enough attack to be an effective battle unit. Scout Cavalry are often good for harassing enemy Villagers during the Dark Age and the Feudal Age. Some cavalry civilizations like the Magyars, Huns and Mongols can perform a Scout rush with this unit. Scout Cavalry is automatically upgraded upon researching Feudal Age, gaining +2 attack, +2 line of sight and +0.35 speed. Starting from the Feudal Age, the Scout Cavalry's base speed is 1.55 units, meaning they are actually faster than their successors, Light Cavalry and Hussars, both of which have a movement speed of 1.50 units.

Civilizations bonuses

 * Celts herdables cannot be stolen within an Scout Cavalry's Line of Sight.
 * Spanish Blacksmith upgrades for Scout Cavalry don't cost gold.
 * Chinese: Technologies that benefits Scout Cavalry are 10%/15%/20% cheaper in Feudal/Castle/Imperial age.
 * Turks: Light Cavalry and Hussar upgrades are free.
 * Mongols: Light Cavalry Units have 30% more HP.
 * Magyars get Forging, Iron Casting and Blast Furnace for free that upgrades the attack for Scout Cavalry, Scout Cavalry is 10% cheaper.
 * Berbers Scout Cavalry is 20% cheaper in Castle and Imperial age

Team Bonuses

 * A team containing Huns: produce Scout Cavalry 20% faster
 * A team containing Teutons: Scout Cavalry are more resistant to conversion.
 * A team containing Mongols: Scout Cavalry +2 LOS.

The Conquerors Changes

 * Scout Cavalry gains 6 damage against Monks.

History
''The importance of fast horse units for scouting had been learned in ancient times and carried forward into the Middle Ages. Even Middle Age armies built around heavy knights maintained a force of lightly armored scout cavalry to act as the eyes of an army on the march. Scout cavalry employed horses bred for stamina and speed. They would range far in advance and to the flanks of an army to gather information about enemy movements. Scout cavalry were less useful in battle because the men wore little armor and light weapons. They were very useful, however, once an enemy was defeated and routing. Then scout cavalry were effective in running down fleeing survivors and capturing equipment, wagons, and prisoners.''