Mahout Lancer

The Mahout Lancer is an Indian heavy cavalry unit featured in Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties. It is the strongest melee cavalry in the game.

Overview
The Mahout Lancer and Mahout Mansabdar are Indian units that cost considerable resources and population, but have a high hand attack with good area effect, and a huge number of hit points. Unlike the elephant cavalry in Age of Empires II, they are not slow. They have the same speed as some other heavy cavalry units, which is faster than infantry. The only drawback is its high cost and population slots but if used properly it can be very cost effective. Mansabdar units trained at the Charminar Gate also boost the attack and hit points of other similar nearby units (Mahout Only) by 10%, this aura is very weak in comparison to Unction for any players wishing to use aura effects.

The Mahout Lancer is a durable heavy cavalry unit that is good against light infantry and artillery, it should be used as a normal heavy cavalry unit. Like all the lancer cavalry units it also has a bonus against infantry units. It is not as effective against heavy infantry in melee and light cavalry units, but it can slay many before dying. The Indian Two and Three Mahout Lancer cards available in Fortress Age may be worth adding to a deck of cards. They also have elephant combats cards that increase hit points and damage.

A good way to counter them is to charge with artillery, then ranged cavalry, and finally heavy infantry, or use a lot of ranged cavalry to weaken them before using heavy infantry.

Upgrades
The overall stats for Mahout Lancer can be improved by sending improvement-based shipments. A default Mahout Lancer has already acquired the stats of a disciplined soldier with +20% stats, hence when trained, the unit is called "Disciplined Mahout".
 * Hit Points: +20% (1100)
 * Hand Attack: +20% (33)
 * Siege Attack: +20% (120)

Honored Mahout
Honored Mahout is the first upgrade for the Mahout Lancer. It is available for and  once Industrial Age is reached.
 * Hit Points: +30% (1375)
 * Hand Attack: +30% (42)
 * Siege Attack: +30% (150)

Exalted Mahout
Exalted Mahout is the second upgrade for the Yabusame. It is available for and  once Imperial Age is reached.
 * Hit Points: +50% (1834)
 * Hand Attack: +50% (56)
 * Siege Attack: +50% (200)

History
"Mahout is the traditional name for one who trains and handles a domesticated elephant, a practice that has occurred for more than 3,000 years. In Hindu culture, elephants were highly respected as a manifestation of the elephant god Ganesh, the god of good luck. Having elephants participate in a festival or procession was required for every celebratory occasion, and being the mahout who cared for a great elephant on such an occasion was a great honor. Often considered the natural predecessor of the modern-day tank, the elephant brought many unique elements to its role as a battlefield unit. Early successes had more to do with surprise and intimidation than battlefield effectiveness. Enemy horses or camels, whether frightened by the beast’s smell, or overwhelmed by its sheer size, proved powerless against the elephant. It trampled oncoming waves of infantry and knocked riders from their mounts, scattering ranks and causing general confusion. It had a similar effect on the human enemy, terrifying many men to the point of panic. Yet, as armies became more accustomed to fighting elephants in battle, the methods of how to defeat them became evident. The most famous event involving a triumph over elephants occurred in 1398, when the Mongol conqueror Timur invaded India to overthrow the Delhi Sultanate. At a loss for how to fight back against the Indian’s elephants, Timur prayed to Allah for guidance. Then, according to legend, he attached straw to the backs of the camels in his army and sent them out to fight. When the camels neared the elephants, Timur had his men ignite the straw. The sight of the stampeding, flaming camels spooked the elephants so badly that they ended up crushing many Indian troops in their rush to escape."