Ratha
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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Ratha
Castle
Elite Ratha
ImperialThe coach's briefing
The Ratha is a 'Swiss Army Knife'. It can toggle between a sword (melee) and a bow (ranged). In melee mode, it acts like a Knight. In ranged mode, it acts like a tanky Cavalry Archer. It benefits from Archer Armor upgrades in BOTH modes. Use this versatility to kite infantry or dive siege.
STRONG AGAINST
You win these trades cost-effectively.
WEAK AGAINST
Avoid these fights or bring support.
Just lost against this unit?
Your coach names the counters during the match — not once the game is over.
Strategic Analysis
Tactical Identity
The **Versatile Mobile Unit**. Adaptability is its strength, allowing it to take favorable fights against almost anything except its hard counters.
Tactical Playbook
Mode Switching
Use 'B' hotkey to toggle. Fight Pikes with Bows, fight Skirmishers with... caution (see warnings). Dive Siege with Swords.
Armor Synergy
Research Archer Armor upgrades (Blacksmith). They provide Pierce Armor for BOTH melee and ranged modes.
Paiks
Unique Tech increases attack speed by 20%. Essential for late-game DPS.
Critical Point
Weak to **Skirmishers** in BOTH modes. It retains the 'Cavalry Archer' armor class even when using a sword, taking massive bonus damage.
Understanding The Stats
Stats vary by mode. High HP and unique armor class interactions define its durability.
Dual Mode
Melee: 10 Atk (Knight-like). Ranged: 5 Atk (CA-like). Shared HP pool.
Defensive Techs
Unusual: Uses Padded/Leather/Ring Archer Armor, NOT Cavalry Armor.
High Cost
Gold intensive. Requires a solid eco setup behind it.
Coach's Tip
Master the mode switch! Use ranged against Pikes and melee against Siege. The 'B' key is your best friend. Don't forget: Archer armor upgrades boost BOTH modes.
Mechanics & Bonuses
Attack Bonuses
| Target | Bonus Dmg |
|---|---|
| No damage bonus: this unit deals the same damage to every target. | |
Armor Classes
Cavalry
Takes heavy bonus damage from Pikemen/Halberdiers and Camels.
Cavalry Archer
Vulnerable to units with bonus damage vs this class.
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
The Ratha is the Bengali unique Mounted Archer that can switch between melee and ranged attacks. Its current profile is 100 HP, 10 attack, 3/2 armor, speed 1.3, line of sight 5, and a 0-4 range field for 60 wood/60 gold and 20 seconds of training. The official help gives the categories: Strong vs. Infantry; Weak vs. Skirmishers and Camel Riders. Bengali cavalry has +2 attack against Skirmishers, so the unit can change mode to survive contact while still needing respect for the counters that attack its mounted and archer classes.
History & balance
Ratha design is about choosing the right attack mode at the right second. A 20-second train time and 60 wood/60 gold price create a substantial investment, but 100 HP and 3/2 armor let the unit remain on the field when a normal mounted archer would retreat. The 0-4 range field is deliberately flexible: ranged attacks pressure infantry, while melee mode removes the minimum-distance problem when an enemy reaches the formation. Bengali bonuses add two Villagers at the next Age and +2 Cavalry attack versus Skirmishers, supporting a unit that wants time to switch rather than a single all-in volley.
In pro play
Use Rathas as a formation that can change its answer, not as archers that must kite forever. Keep ranged mode while infantry approaches, then switch to melee when a dive would otherwise stop the firing line; return to range as soon as the path is clear. Twenty seconds of training and 1.3 speed demand deliberate positioning, while 100 HP and 3/2 armor make a controlled retreat possible. Bengali Cavalry has +2 against Skirmishers, so do not panic when the natural counter appears: use the bonus and the mode switch to keep the group alive. Pair Rathas with a screen and punish units that cannot choose their distance.
How to counter it
The classic mistake is to leave Rathas in ranged mode while Skirmishers and Camels close, or to chase them with a single slow answer. The official help gives the weak categories: Skirmishers and Camel Riders. Elite Skirmishers carry +2 against Cavalry Archers, while Camel Riders carry +9 against Cavalry and +5 against Camels; both bonuses attack Ratha tags directly. Keep the two answers together, force melee mode on your terms, and focus the units that cannot switch away. If you keep losing to Rathas without knowing what to produce or when, AoE Coach reads your match-up and gives you the counter composition and timing.