Cavalier

"Stronger than Knight. Fast and heavy cavalry."

- Age of Empires II description

The Cavalier is a heavy cavalry unit in Age of Empires II that can be trained at the Stable once the Imperial Age is reached. The Cavalier builds on the strengths of its predecessor, the Knight, with a 20% increase in both attack and hitpoints.

Cavaliers are available to all civilizations except for the Aztecs, Incas, Indians, Mayans, and Saracens.

Tactics
Cavaliers are a powerful and versatile addition to almost any army composition. Their high attack and speed make them great for raiding and flanking, coupled with high hitpoints and damage resistance to provide a perfect meatshield for ranged units and siege on the frontline.

Also suffering from the same pitfalls as the Knight, Cavaliers are hard-countered by Halberdiers/Pikemen and Camels, vulnerable to conversion by Monks and can be overwhelmed by massed Archers if used in small numbers.

Civilization Bonuses

 * Berbers: Cavaliers are 20% cheaper.
 * Burmese: Researching Faith is 50% cheaper.
 * Celts: Cavaliers can convert herdables even if enemy units are next to them.
 * Chinese: Technologies that benefit Cavaliers are 20% cheaper.
 * Franks: Cavaliers have +20% HP. With Chivalry researched, researching Husbandry and upgrading to Paladin is 40% faster.
 * Magyars: Forging, Iron Casting, and Blast Furnace are free.
 * Portuguese: Cavaliers cost 15% less gold.
 * Spanish: Blacksmith upgrades that benefit Cavaliers don't cost gold.
 * Vietnamese: Conscription is free.

Team Bonuses

 * A team containing Berbers: With Kasbah researched, researching Conscription is 25% faster.
 * A team containing Franks: Cavaliers have +2 LOS.
 * A team containing Huns: Cavaliers are created and upgraded 20% faster. Researching Bloodlines and Husbandry is 20% faster.
 * A team containing Persians: Cavaliers have +2 attack against archers.
 * A team containing Teutons: Cavaliers are more resistant to conversion.

The Conquerors

 * Heresy introduced.
 * Bloodlines introduced.

The Forgotten

 * Franks: Chivalry introduced.

Trivia

 * The Knight line is one of only four units in the game without any attack bonus (the other being the Militia, the Boyar, and the Turtle Ship).
 * In terms of attack (19), the Malian Cavalier outclasses a Paladin and is the second strongest non-unique cavalry unit in the game (only beaten by the Elite Battle Elephant (20)) and the third strongest overall, only beaten by the War Elephant (24).

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.''