Cavalier

The Cavalier is a heavy Cavalry unit that is an upgrade of a Knight and is only featured in Age of Empires II. The Technology that upgrades Knights to Cavaliers is available for and  at the Stable once Imperial Age is reached.

It is only unavailable to Aztecs, Mayans, Indians, Incas and Saracens.

Tactics
The Cavalier is a heavy, strong, but quick cavalry unit. The Cavalier is more powerful than the former Knights, and it is still very effective at destroying siege units and archers. The Cavalier can be further upgraded into the Paladin.

The Cavalier is not a very common unit, as they can be upgraded to the Paladin in the same Age. However, it is very important to note that not every civilization is able to research the Paladin upgrade (namely East Asian Civilizations for example). Also, Cavaliers are already quite powerful without being upgraded to Paladins, so the upgrade may not be necessary to some players.

Civilizations bonuses

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

Team bonuses

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

History
''There was a hierarchy among knights based on feudal rank and fighting prowess. A lowly knight might achieve great social standing through battlefield commendation, tournament victory, or marriage. Elite knights were made members of important orders, like the Order of the Garter or of the Golden Fleece. Such elite men were known as chevaliers or cavaliers. The first cavaliers were selected for their political power and fighting prowess. As the centuries passed, the orders became more of a social elite.''