Light cavalry

This article is about the unit class. For the unit in Age of Empires II, see Light Cavalry (Age of Empires II).

Light cavalry refers to a class of cavalry featured in all games of the Age of Empires series. Light cavalry in general possess quick speed and decent attack, but lack hit points and armor required for sustained combat. Most light cavalry units are used for exploring, hit-and-run-tactics, Villager disruptions, and scouting. Most ranged cavalry are light cavalry.

Age of Empires

In Age of Empires, these units can count as light cavalry, concerning their stats and roles:

•  Chariot
•  Chariot Archer
•  Heavy Horse Archer
•  Horse Archer
•  Scout

Age of Empires II

In Age of Empires II, the following units can be considered light cavalry:

•  Scout Cavalry -  Light Cavalry -  Hussar
•  Cavalry Archer -  Heavy Cavalry Archer
•  Mangudai -  Elite Mangudai
•  Magyar Huszar -  Elite Magyar Huszar
•  Genitour -  Elite Genitour
•  Camel Archer -  Elite Camel Archer
•  Arambai -  Elite Arambai
•  Kipchak -  Elite Kipchak

Age of Mythology

In Age of Mythology, light cavalry are used as mounted anti-cavalry units, however the Katascopos is good at exploring instead of anti-cavalry combat units. Light cavalry also includes mounted archers.

• Kataskopos
• Prodromos
• Chariot Archer
• Camelry
• Mounted Archer (with Tale of the Dragon)

In the early game builds they were another two light cavalry units, The Chariot and light cavalry.

Age of Empires III

In Age of Empires III, all the ranged cavalry are called light cavalry. It is not necessary that they will have low hit points or very fast speed. They are very good against other cavalry due to their multipliers, but often need protection to be effective due to their hit points. Units with bows fire twice as fast as their counterparts with firearms.

• Apache Cavalry
• Bow Rider (bow)
• Carbine Cavalry
• Cavalry Archer (bow)
• Comanche Horse Archer (bow)
• Conquistador
• Dragoon
• Howdah
• Keshik (bow)
• Musket Rider
• Rifle Rider
• Ruyter
• Siege Elephant
• War Wagon
• Yabusame (bow)
• Zamburak

In addition, these mercenaries are also included among light cavalry, being ranged cavalry (their ROF is 3.0 for the two European units, and 1.5 for the three Asian units):

• Black Rider
• Comanchero
• Manchu (bow)
• Wokou Horseman (bow)
• Yojimbo (bow)

Despite posessing a ranged attack, the Hakkapelit and the Harquebusier mercenary are considered heavy cavalry.