Spahi

The Spahi is a heavy cavalry unit unique to the Ottomans  in Age of Empires III. It is the second strongest melee cavalry unit, after the Mahout Lancer.

Overview
The Spahi are only available from the Home City. They are effective against enemy light infantry and artillery, but can be countered by heavy infantry and some counter cavalry units. The Spahi fights with a mace, and deals damage over a certain area rather than a single unit. It is considered one of the most effective units in the game and can even defeat Cuirassiers in melee combat.

Spahis have a special trait; like the Explorer and his dog, they can regenerate hit points, allowing them to last longer in a game. Unfortunately, they can only be sent from the Home City, resulting in the maximum amount of 43 Spahis (3 with The Grand Vizier for the Ottoman Industrial Age politician and 40 from the Home City (22 during Industrial and another 18 during Imperial).

Upgrades
Spahis are automatically upgraded in Ages.
 * ages fortress.jpg Veteran Spahi (+20% hit points and attack)
 * ages industrial.jpg Guard Spahi (+30% hit points and attack)
 * ages imperial.jpg Imperial Spahi (+50% hit points and attack)

Home City cards
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;" ! sab="1148" | Click for a list of related Home City cards
 * - sab="1147"
 * - sab="1149"
 * sab="1150" |

Ottomans

 * }
 * }
 * }

History
"The Spahis were cavalry for two different nations. Their name derives from a Persian word for soldier, "sipahi." They were elite cavalry in the Ottoman army, performing much the same duties as the janissaries, only mounted. There were more spahi than any other cavalry in the Ottoman army. They were also Algerian cavalrymen that fought for the French in Africa. These cavalrymen revolted when the French wanted them to leave Africa to aid France in the Franco-Prussian wars. Mounted soldiers, they wore baggy pants and riding boots. Long, heavy cloaks, turned out to show the lining, draped them shoulder to calf, and they covered their heads with turbans. Armed chiefly with swords, they also carried firearms and spears."