Cataphract (Age of Empires)

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

Tool Age

Stable

Scout

Bronze Age

Camel Rider

Chariot

Cavalry

Iron Age

Heavy Cavalry

War Elephant

Scythe Chariot

Cataphract

Armored Elephant

Civilizations Edit

The Cataphract is an uncommon unit, and only these civilizations can train them:

Civilization bonuses Edit

Macedonians: Cataphracts have +2 Line of Sight and are four times resistant to conversion.
Yamato: Cataphracts cost 25% less resources.

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."

Age of Empires
Units in 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
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