Elite Cataphract
CavalryBase values, before Blacksmith upgrades. The Blacksmith raises attack and armour for infantry, cavalry and archers — Blast Furnace, for instance, gives "+2 Attack for infantry & cavalry". Late in a game, the real numbers are higher.
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Cataphract
Castle Elite Cataphract
ImperialThe coach's briefing
The Elite Cataphract gains significant stat boosts: 150 HP and 12 attack. Combined with Logistica tech (+6 trample damage), you become a true infantry-deleting machine. Your anti-pike armor becomes even more relevant as Halberdiers barely dent you. In late game, Elite Cataphracts supported by Skirmishers form one of the most well-rounded compositions.
STRONG AGAINST
You win these trades cost-effectively.
WEAK AGAINST
Avoid these fights or bring support.
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Strategic Analysis
Tactical Identity
The Elite Cataphract with Logistica is an **infantry annihilator**. The trample damage turns every attack into splash damage, devastating infantry blobs.
Tactical Playbook
Logistica Splash
With Logistica, every attack deals 6 damage to adjacent enemies. Dive into infantry balls and watch them melt.
150 HP Tank
+40 HP over base means you survive much longer. Combined with anti-pike armor, you're incredibly durable.
Mixed Army Core
Pair with Skirmishers to cover your archer weakness. The combo has no hard counter.
Critical Point
**Heavy Camel Riders still hurt**. Their +18 bonus ignores your anti-pike armor. Avoid Camel civilizations or bring Halberdiers of your own.
Understanding The Stats
The Elite upgrade makes the Cataphract a true powerhouse with massive HP and enhanced infantry-killing potential.
Massive HP
+40 over base. You can trade into almost anything and come out ahead.
Higher Attack
+3 damage. With +12 vs Infantry = 24 damage per hit to infantry.
Logistica Synergy
Every attack splashes 6 damage to nearby enemies. AoE in cavalry form.
Same Anti-Pike
Still takes only +10 from Halberdiers instead of +32. Pike lines ineffective.
Coach's Tip
150 HP is Paladin-level durability. 12 attack + 12 bonus = 24 vs infantry. You kill Champions in 3 hits, they need 12 hits on you.
Mechanics & Bonuses
Attack Bonuses
| Target | Bonus Dmg |
|---|---|
| Infantry | +12 |
Armor Classes
Cavalry
Takes heavy bonus damage from Pikemen/Halberdiers and Camels.
Unique Unit
Vulnerable to units with bonus damage vs this class.
Key Upgrades
Feudal Age
Castle Age
Civilizations
* 1 civilizations have access to this unit.
AoE Coach analysis
Context & meta
Elite Cataphract is the Byzantine elite cavalry unit, made to drive through infantry lines. It costs 70 food and 75 gold, trains in 20 seconds, and has 150 HP, 12 attack, 2 melee armor and 1 pierce armor. Its speed is 1.35 and its line of sight is 5. The cost is heavy in gold, but the unit brings a large health pool and a clear target preference. It is a front-line cavalry piece that wants room to charge, a route through the enemy screen, and enough support to prevent archers from firing without pressure.
History & balance
The Cataphract represents the image of armored cavalry used to break infantry formations. Its elite form makes that image especially readable: large health, solid contact damage, and a role that becomes strongest when the army can keep moving through the target. Yet the game keeps the old strategic warning intact. Armor and mass do not erase distance. A cavalry line that cannot reach the archers is spending its gold on a threat the opponent can simply walk away from. The approach decides the result.
In pro play
Send Elite Cataphracts through the unit type they are meant to punish, then keep them moving toward the next valuable contact. The 1.35 speed is enough to create pressure, but the 20-second train time and 75-gold price punish fights where the cavalry is surrounded before support arrives. Use a screen to protect the approach, focus one infantry group, and pull damaged units out instead of allowing every enemy archer to shoot the same target. Reserve the expensive gold stream for a plan that keeps producing after the first charge.
How to counter it
The classic mistake is meeting Elite Cataphracts with infantry because their large HP pool makes the screen look solid. The official help gives the categories: Infantry as a strength, and Archery as a weakness. In practice, Elite Mamelukes carry a real bonus against Cavalry, while ranged units exploit the Cataphract's lack of range by firing as it approaches and retreating through space. Keep the army spread enough to avoid a single contact wiping the line, and use terrain to deny the charge route. Facing Elite Cataphracts without knowing what to produce or when? AoE Coach reads your matchup and gives you the composition + timing.