Flail Elephant

The Flail Elephant is a Indian heavy cavalry siege unit that excels at taking down buildings in Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties.

Overview
The Flail Elephant is an Indian unit that has a very high siege attack, and a massive ranged resistance, with the ability of demolishing buildings in seconds, but is weak in combat against any other military units, even light infantry.

Flail Elephants are very effective at taking out buildings such as Forts and Town Centers incredibly quickly, sometimes before the enemy is able to react. However its not recommended to use them in masses even if they are fully upgraded, as they are slow and expensive, and can sometimes be killed with ease. It also is highly not recommended to send Flail Elephants in the open without being defended by Heavy Infantry. They can easily fall prey to Heavy Infantry, Cavalry, and even Light Infantry.

Upgrades
The overall stats for Flail Elephant can be improved by sending improvement-based shipments.

Disciplined Flail Elephant
Disciplined Flail Elephant is the first upgrade for the Flail Elephant. It is available for and  once Fortress Age is reached.
 * Hit Points: +20% (390)
 * Hand Attack: +20% (6)
 * Siege Attack: +20% (96)

Honored Flail Elephant
Honored Flail Elephant is the second upgrade for the Flail Elephant. It is available for and  once Industrial Age is reached.
 * Hit Points: +30% (487)
 * Hand Attack: +30% (7)
 * Siege Attack: +30% (120)

Exalted Flail Elephant
Exalted Flail Elephant is the third upgrade for the Flail Elephant. It is available for and  once Imperial Age is reached.
 * Hit Points: +50% (650)
 * Hand Attack: +50% (10)
 * Siege Attack: +50% (160)

History
"Although there are few accounts to substantiate its existence, the flail elephant was said to have been a cavalry and siege unit fielded with the early armies of Sri Lanka. It would enter battle whirling a heavy iron chain that had been affixed to its trunk, becoming both a terrifying and entirely unapproachable force."

Trivia

 * It is, together with the Ram, the only hand Siege Unit, and the only unit with a siege R.O.F. of 1.5.
 * Besides the aura underneath it, the Mansabdar and Honor/Exalted Flail Elephant can be difficult to distinguish due to having the same identical features.