| This article is about the unit in Age of Empires. For the similar unit in Age of Empires II, see Cataphract (Age of Empires II). |
The Cataphract is the upgrade of the Heavy Cavalry in Age of Empires. It is the strongest hand cavalry in the game besides hero units. To upgrade the Heavy Cavalry to a Cataphract, 1,600 food and 750 gold is required after Metallurgy is researched. Only a certain number of civilizations have the ability to train this unit. Cataphract deals +5 damage bonus against all melee infantry units except for Academy units.
Strategy 
Edit
While a somewhat handy unit just by itself, the cost of the upgrade is so ridiculously high that many players find it pointless to research, as it generally does not pay off. In Death Matches, Cataphracts are considered to be a good way for non-chariot civilizations to take on Catapults.
Upgrades Edit
Tool Age Edit
- Toolworking: increases attack by 2
- Leather Armor Cavalry: increases armor by 2
Bronze Age Edit
- Nobility: increases HP by 15%
- Metalworking: increases attack by 2
- Scale Armor Cavalry: increases armor by 2
Iron Age Edit
- Metallurgy: increases attack by 3
- Chain Mail Cavalry: increases armor by 2
| Stable Tree | ||
|---|---|---|
Civilizations Edit
The Cataphract is a unit available only to some civilizations.
| Available | Unavailable |
|---|---|
Civilization bonuses Edit
- Macedonians: Cataphracts have +2 Line of Sight and are four times resistant to conversion.
- Yamato: Cataphracts cost 25% less resources.
Changelog Edit
Definitive Edition Edit
- +20 HP, +1 armor, +1 pierce armor; upgrade cost to 1600F, 750G (previously 2000F, 850G).
- After CU9, All cavalry line units (Cavalry, Heavy Cavalry and Cataphract) got +1 pierce armor. Cataphract also got +20 HP
History Edit
"The cataphract was an improvement on ancient heavy cavalry represented by Alexander the Great’s Companions. The Companions wore only helmets, greaves, and cuirass (breastplate). Cataphracts wore chain mail that covered more of the body and often armored their horses partially also. This gave greater protection against arrows and hand-to-hand weapons. Cataphracts were very expensive to equip, however, and appeared in the armies of only the most warlike and wealthy cultures."
Gallery Edit
| Units in Age of Empires | |
 Age of Empires | |
|---|---|
| Priest · Villager · Trade Boat · Merchant Ship · Fishing Boat · Fishing Ship · Light Transport · Heavy Transport | |
| Infantry | Clubman · Axeman · Short Swordsman · Broad Swordsman · Long Swordsmen · Legion · Bowman · Improved Bowman · Composite Bowman · Hoplite · Phalanx · Centurion |
| Cavalry | Scout · Cavalry · Heavy Cavalry · Cataphract · Chariot · Chariot Archer · Elephant Archer · Horse Archer · Heavy Horse Archer · War Elephant |
| Siege | Stone Thrower · Catapult · Heavy Catapult · Ballista · Helepolis |
| Navy | Scout Ship · War Galley · Trireme · Catapult Trireme · Juggernaught |
 The Rise of Rome | |
| Armored Elephant · Camel Rider · Fire Galley · Scythe Chariot · Slinger | |
