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ERA: Age of Empires Ardashir v. Severus Alexander |
Early Sassanid 231-233 A.D. Full source version |
CR: H:4, L:4 |
BP: 2 |
INIT: 6 |
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Core |
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Number |
Type |
Key |
FV |
Missile Prot |
Weapon |
Cost |
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1 |
Cataphracts(d!) |
Key |
6(2)0 |
+3 |
Lance |
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|
1 |
HC(d!) Clibanarii |
Key |
4(1)0 |
+2 |
Lance/bow |
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1 |
LC (Subjects) |
Key |
2(0)0 |
+1 |
Jav./bows |
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1 |
Scythed chariot |
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5(1)0 |
+1 |
Sharp blades |
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1 |
Elephant |
Key |
5(3)2 |
+1 |
Various |
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1 |
SI |
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2(1)1 |
+2 |
Bows |
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Bonus Units |
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2 |
Cataphracts(d!) |
Key |
6(2)0 |
+3 |
Lance |
16 |
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1 |
HC(d!) Clibanarii |
Key |
5(2)0 |
+2 |
Lance/bow |
15 |
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2 |
HC(d!) Clibanarii |
Key |
4(1)0 |
+2 |
Bows |
13 |
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2 |
HC |
Key |
3(1)0 |
+1 |
Bows |
10 |
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2 |
LC (Subject) |
Key |
2(0)0 |
+1 |
Javs./bows |
8 |
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2 |
LC (Nomads) |
Key |
2(0)0 |
+1 |
Javs./bows |
8 |
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2 |
LC (Arabs) |
Key |
2(0)0 |
+1 |
Javelins |
7 |
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4 |
LC (Native horse) |
Key |
1(0)0 |
+1 |
Bows |
6 |
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1 |
Elephant |
Key |
5(3)2 |
+1 |
Various |
12 |
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1 |
Scythed chariot |
5(1)0 |
+1 |
Sharp blades |
6 |
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3 |
SI |
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2(1)1 |
+2 |
Bows |
2 |
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3 |
SI |
|
3(1)2 |
+2 |
Slings |
2 |
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3 |
SI |
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3(1)2 |
+2 |
Javelins |
2 |
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2 |
LI (Kurds, Anatolians, etc.) |
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4(1)2 |
+1 |
Javelins |
7 |
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FT |
Key |
6(1)1 |
+2 |
Spears |
9 |
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4
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Levy |
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3(0)0 |
+0 |
Spears |
4 |
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Core Terrain: 1 GR |
Bonus Terrain (2 Max):
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This represents the Sassanid army that faced Severus Alexander. In the first battle, large quantities of armored infantry who put up a tough fight against the legionaries before losing are described. In subsequent battles, they did not appear apparently all having perished in the pursuit after the first battle. Every battle featured cataphracts, armored cavalry, lesser armored cavalry on the flanks of the armored cavalry plying their bows, horse archers, up to 1800 scythed chariots, lots of elephants, and lighter infantry.
The 3(1)0 clibanarii are the lesser armed cavalry assuming that they were different than the horse archers. 4(1)0 +1 Prot clibanarii may not be used with 3(1)0 +1 Prot clibanarii. They are intended as alternate simulations of the lesser armed cavalry who felt more comfortable with archery than the lance.
All Sassanid HC have impetus. No Sassanid HC or cataphracts are subject to obligatory charge. The cataphracts are described as holding their ground while the archers fired as if their feet were nailed to the ground.
Cataphracts may not outnumber Clibanarii. Clibanarii may not outnumber LC. The reported ratio of lesser armed cavalry to heavy armed cavalry was 9 to 1. That is impossible to achieve on the Armati scale while still recognizing the effectiveness of the heavy armed cavalry. I am assuming that the heavy armed cavalry consists of cataphracts at 400-500 men per unit while the lesser armed consist of both clibanarii and horse archers at 1400-1500 to preserve the ratio while simulating the reported effective use of the cataphracts.
As a tactical suggestion, the levy make an excellent second rank behind the foot. When used thus, they have some value by giving depth benefits against impetus to the foot. Historically, the Sassanids formed in three lines with the mounted troops in the first followed by the infantry, and backed up by the elephants. In the alternative, the cavalry was on the flanks with the elephants again placed to the rear.
5 Mar 05: All SI Bow changed from 2(0)0 to 2(1)1. Bonus Nomad FV typo fixed.