This article is about the scenario editor unit in Age of Mythology. For other uses, see Cataphract. |
The Cataphract was originally planned to be the unique unit for Hades in Age of Mythology, but is only available in the Scenario Editor since release.
Strengths and Weaknesses[]
- Strong against
- Infantry
- Archers
- Siege Weapons
- Weak against
- Heroes
- Anti-cavalry infantry (less of a threat than normally)
- Anti-cavalry cavalry
Upgrades[]
Hit points | Medium Cavalry: +10% Heavy Cavalry: +15% Champion Cavalry: +20% |
Attack | Medium Cavalry: +10% Heavy Cavalry: +10% Champion Cavalry: +10% |
Armor | Copper Mail: +10% hack Bronze Mail: +10% hack Iron Mail: +10% hack Copper Shields: +10% pierce Bronze Shields: +10% pierce Iron Shields: +10% pierce |
Line of Sight | Medium Cavalry: +1 Heavy Cavalry: +1 Champion Cavalry: +1 Oracle (Apollo): +6 |
Creation speed | Levy Cavalry: +25% Conscript Cavalry: +25% |
History[]
โ | Cataphracts are strong against infantry. Originally refering to any armored soldier (including ships) the word "cataphract" was eventually reserved for heavily armored horses, particularly those used by the Sassanids or Byzantines. The elite cataphract of the Greek[sic] Byzantine Empire wore chain mail armor on both himself and his mount. These men could shoot composite bows from the saddle or engage the enemy with a spear or sword. They could out-range or evade enemy foot troops, or out armor enemy light cavalry. The Greek Byzantine army had a tradition of good horsemanship because much of their territory was plains or steppe, and the empire was sufficiently wealthy to provide the training and Cataphract's expensive equipment. | โ |
—In-game history section |
Trivia[]
- The Greek/original Cataphract uses the same textures and models as Achilles, suggesting the cataphract was supposed to be a base unit.
- At one point the Cataphract wore iron armor instead of golden/bronze armor.
- The Cataphract was originally planned for Hades, but replaced with the Gastraphetes because it made "No sense to have a cavalry unit for an archer 'civilization'". The developer even went on the record saying the Gastraphetes was the last human soldier created for Age of Mythology.
- Despite being called a "Cataphract", the design is more accurate to that of a Hippeis (a Greek Knight).