Kushans/Strategic Overview

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Although the Kushans and the Saka share some similarities with other groups like the Rong and the Xianyun, their military forces couldn't be more different. Where the Rong and Xianyun concentrate on light cavalry, the Kushans and the Saka however don't just have light cavalry, but also have a strong noble cavalry tradition, as well as vast numbers of mercenaries at their disposal. Some of these mercenaries, such as the Sogdians, are amongst some of the most powerful melee units in the game, able to crush many other lighter units on their own with ease.

Unlike the Xianyun, who concentrate on raiding cavalry and chariots, or the Rong who rely on cheap light cavalry and infantry, the Kushans prefer to rely on the power of their ranged weapons. Kushan warrior nobles — the Taxwaran Wazdatta — are endowed with superior war horses and are armed with powerful armour-piercing bows that can fire powerful shots at close range, making them highly effective cavalry skirmishers. Their only issue is their price — they may be more effective in combat, but that effectiveness comes at a price. So while the Xirong have their Qiang skirmishers, and the Xianyun their light cavalry traditions, the Kushans must rely heavily on the power of commerce and their economy to keep their armies at top strength.