Steppe Lancer

— The Book of Han

In game

Steppe Lancer — Vital statistics
	Toughened medium cavalry unit capable of knocking out other light cavalry units, and swarming heavy cavalry. Strong versus light infantry Weak versus heavy infantry
Prereq:	Build time	HP	LOS	Attack	Attack speed	Movement speed	Upgrades to
N/A	13.1s (200t)	95	7	16	2s (30t)	32
Cost			Created from	Armour	Weapon range	Specialty
Base	Ramp	Pop
: 50	: 3	1		3	Melee	Bonus damage versus light infantry. Defensive bonus versus Archers and light cavalry. Attack penalty versus heavy cavalry, camel cavalry, and elephants.

Overall strategy

While they may be deficient in armour, Steppe Lancers instead make up for it with added offensive power and hitpoints, thus making them ideal as a form of medium cavalry. They may not exactly be elite units, but the skills of their riders, as well as their crude armour make Steppe Lancers a terror for most enemy light cavalry not prepared to deal with them. Only dedicated heavy cavalry, such as the Saka Sahiya Hadabara, can hope to make any gains if pitted against them.

Unit summary

See also

Lancer Magyar Noble Cavalry Horseman

Semitic Battle-Chief Renegade Chinese Warlord Mistophor Archigos Hurrian Warlord Anatolian Warchief

Light Chariot Chariot War Chariot (Intiau-Chianki) Werryt Maryannu

History

Central Asia had long been the home of various nomadic tribes based on the practice of animal herding and horses. Humans had inhabited the region ever since the prehistoric period. In the centuries before Genghis Khan's conquests, various Turkic and Mongol-Tungusic tribes inhabited the steppes, almost living 'in the saddle' by moving their herds and flocks from one place to another on the steppes to graze the animals. Such a lifestyle naturally necessitated horsemanship skill for travelling long distances to lead and guard flocks, as well as martial skills to help protect livestock from predators and raiders alike, As a result, some of the world's first true equestrian peoples emerged out of Central Asia.