Heavy Cavalry Archer

The Heavy Cavalry Archer is a heavy ranged cavalry unit that is featured in Age of Empires II. It is an upgrade from the Cavalry Archer.

They are available to all civilizations except for the Aztecs, Teutons, Mayans, Incas, Italians and Vikings.

Tactics
Tactics using Heavy Cavalry Archers is expensive as these units can take out enemy units in mass numbers, not in solitude. After training a dozen of these, they can be used to take out infantry effectively. The player must make sure they are at a distance away from infantry. This tactic does not usually work against cavalry, unless the cavalry can be killed in three or less volleys and should never be employed if the target is in mass numbers (although it can be used against several infantry). Archers in mass numbers, Skirmishers or Onagers are devastating against Cavalry Archers, so unless there is no other option they should not be used against those units.

Their armor gets upgraded through the Archer line but in terms of bonus damage against them they count as both Archer as well as Cavalry. Additionally, along with the Mangudai, they're also counted in a special 'Cavalry Archer' class against which (only) Elite Skirmishers deal additional bonus damage.

The most popular pairing involving Heavy Cavalry Archers is with Hussars, which is the preferred combination for the Mongols, Huns, Saracens, Magyars and Turks. While a few other cavalry and / or archer based civilizations can utilize this as well, it is not as effective for them. Arguably, it is also the signature attack technique of the Mongols since in addition to their excellent Hussars, Heavy Cavalry Archers fire rate is faster. Likewise, the Huns have cheaper Cavalry Archers and their Hussars are created quicker. Since the Heavy Cavalry Archers cost Wood and gold, the food can be invested in Hussars which can make melee support for the Cavalry Archer army in order to create a mobile yet devastating force.

Civilizations bonuses

 * Celts herdables cannot be stolen within an Heavy Cavalry Archer's Line of Sight.
 * Spanish Blacksmith upgrades for Heavy Cavalry Archers don't cost gold
 * Chinese: Technologies that benefits Heavy Cavalry Archers are 10%/15%/20% cheaper in Feudal/Castle/Imperial age.
 * Huns: Heavy Cavalry Archers are 25% cheaper in Castle Age, 30% Imperial Age
 * Mongols Heavy Cavalry Archers fire 20% faster
 * Saracens Heavy Cavalry Archers +3 attack vs buildings.

Team Bonuses

 * A team containing Britons produce Heavy Cavalry Archers 20% faster
 * A team containing Teutons, Heavy Cavalry Archers are more resistant to conversion.

The Conquerors Changes
Heavy Cavalry Archers lose 0.03 speed and gain 2 damage against Spearmen.

The Forgotten Changes

 * Heavy Cavalry Archers cost -5 gold
 * Huns: Cavalry archers cost -15% Castle age and -25% Imperial age.

History
"Cavalry archers could be a devastating force when skilled and properly used, but they were as susceptible to archery fire as their enemies. One innovation intended to make them less vulnerable was to equip them with helmets and chest armor. This created the heavy cavalry archer, which was less nimble than its unarmored counterparts but able to engage in combat while taking fewer casualties. The Byzantines made extensive use of heavy cavalry archers in the engagements with horsemen from Persia and great plains to their north."