Knight

"Heavy and Quick" - Age of Empires II Description The Knight is heavy cavalry unit available in Age of Empires II. They are one of the most powerful units in the game. A powerful Heavy Cavalry unit, their ability to slaughter Infantry, Archers, lesser cavalry, and Siege Weapons is unparalleled in the Castle Age, where they often form the primary fighting force. However they are still susceptible to certain weaknesses, such as overwhelming firepower, camels, or the cavalry banes, spears, pikes and halberds.

Tactics
The Knight, being the primary shock unit of most armies, is one of the most effective units to use to disrupt enemy villages, destroy colonies, or diminish an enemy garrison. With its high attack, HP, and natural armor, it can easily stand up against most, if not all, opposition. Its ferocity can only be matched in terms of both attack power and speed by the Camel, though a line of Pikemen could also serve as a good defense, provided they can catch them. The Knight can destroy a group of archers or siege weapons in seconds, though Long Swordmen and other Knights do hold a chance of fighting back. Spearmen/Pikemen/Halberdiers pose a great threat to Knights as well, so it is advised that a group of Archers accompany a group of Knights. Monks are also deadly units to be feared, as knights are easier to convert than most cavalry.

The Franks have a cultural bonus which grants their Knights, Cavaliers, and Paladins more hitpoints than those of other civilizations. Knights are usually the mainstay of the Frankish army.

Knights are best used in the early Castle Age, when they have little to no effective counters. Their presence weakens somewhat when unique units, Pikemen, Heavy Camels and siege weapons come into play. Knights and their upgraded counterparts still play a significant role in the late-game, however, particularly against archers and trebuchets.

Though Knights have no bonuses, they are effective against many units because of their raw strength.

Civilizations bonuses

 * Celts herdables cannot be stolen within a Knight's Line of Sight.
 * Spanish Blacksmith upgrades for Knights don't cost gold.
 * Chinese: Technologies that benefits Knights are 10%/15%/20% cheaper in Feudal/Castle/Imperial age.
 * Franks: Knights have 20% more HP.
 * Magyars get Forging, Iron Casting and Blast Furnace for free that upgrades the attack for Knights.

Team Bonuses

 * A team containing Huns: Produce Knights 20% faster.
 * A team containing Teutons: Knights are more resistant to conversion.
 * A team containing Franks: Knights +2 LOS.
 * A team containing Persians: Knights +2 Attack vs archers.

History
"The knight was a heavily armored and mounted warrior who have achieved certain minimums in training and position in Middle Age society. When made a knight, a warrior was often given land to support his military expenses in return for a pledge to serve his lord on campaign for so many weeks each year. By parceling out land in this manner, a high lord controlled a hierarchy of soldiers that could be called upon when needed. Knights spent most of their time fighting or training for fighting. They practiced war in tournaments, competing for prizes and honors. Because few others could afford the equipment and training for war, knights dominated Middle Age battlefields for centuries. The evolution of new tactics featuring pikemen, longbowmen, crossbowmen and primitive handguns brought the dominance of heavy cavalry to an end."

Trivia

 * Although knights are portrayed as wielding swords in this game, their main weapon for combat on horseback was the lance. By bracing himself against the stirrups, the knight could focus the whole momentum of his steed on the tip of the lance, dealing devastating damage in a cavalry charge.