Unit Guide: Companion Cavalry
Unit Overview
- Type: Melee Cavalry (Lance & Sword)
- Era: Heroic
- Leadership Cost: 230
- Unit Size: 27 soldiers
- Speed: 9.8
- Damage Types: Primarily Piercing and Slashing
- Defensive Stats: Moderate across all damage types
The Companion Cavalry are elite Macedonian horsemen, renowned for their loyalty and battlefield prowess. They excel in delivering powerful charges and sustaining melee engagements, making them versatile assets in both offensive and defensive operations.
Traits & Formations
Traits:
- Mounted Spearblade: The Storm Pound ability lodges a spear in the target, causing bleeding damage over time. Once the spear is lost, the unit switches to short swords until resupplied.
- Sworn Guard: When within 30 meters of the hero, the unit gains increased movement speed, reduced damage taken, and enhanced recovery rates. These effects amplify over time but dissipate if the unit strays too far from the hero.
- Imperial Stormhammer: Emphasizes the unit’s role in hammer-and-anvil tactics, delivering devastating flank attacks to disrupt enemy formations.
Formations:
- Dispersed: A loose formation that reduces vulnerability to ranged attacks.
- Wedge: A tight, triangular formation designed to break through enemy lines effectively.
🛠️ Unit Orders
- Gale Strike (15s cooldown): The unit charges the target, dealing significant damage with their spears.
- Storm Pound (20s cooldown): The unit rushes to the target, leaps from their mounts, and strikes from above. The impact knocks enemies down, and the unit switches to swords for 20 seconds of melee combat.
- Zephyr Blade (20s cooldown): The unit adopts a defensive stance, lashing out with sword attacks to protect the hero. If distant, they retreat toward the hero, attacking enemies along the way.
- Conquest (35s cooldown): Enhances the hero’s movement speed and damage, doubles the base effect of Sworn Guard, and extends its influence across the entire battlefield for 18 seconds.
📈 Veterancy Paths
The Companion Cavalry offers two primary veterancy paths, each catering to different playstyles:
Top Path (Achilles’ Spear):
- Cold Blood: Increases piercing armor penetration.
- Rushing Thunder: Enhances piercing defense.
- Thick Armour: Boosts slashing defense.
- War Machine: Reduces Gale Strike cooldown.
- Pursue: Storm Pound also slows enemies.
- Melee Attack: Increases piercing damage.
- Razor-Sharp: Enhances Gale Strike‘s block break damage.
- Achilles’ Spear: Storm Pound inflicts bleeding damage over time.
Bottom Path (Achilles’ Wings):
- Hone: Increases slashing armor penetration.
- Rushing Thunder: Enhances piercing defense.
- Thick Armour: Boosts slashing defense.
- Blade Edge: Increases damage after switching to short swords.
- Open Ground: Reduces Zephyr Blade cooldown.
- Bloodbath: Increases slashing damage.
- Spirited Horse: Zephyr Blade deals increased damage to enemies affected by Storm Pound.
- Achilles’ Wings: Boosts movement speed and charge damage.
Note: Selecting a path depends on your preferred combat style—Achilles’ Spear focuses on sustained melee damage, while Achilles’ Wings emphasizes mobility and charge impact.
Recommended Vetline:
📜 Recommended Doctrines
These doctrines synergize well with the unit’s inherent strengths, bolstering both offensive and defensive capabilities.
🧠 Tactical Applications
Offensive Strategies:
- Flanking Maneuvers: Utilize Storm Pound to disrupt enemy backlines, causing chaos and opening opportunities for allied forces.
- Siege Assaults: Lead charges using Gale Strike to break through enemy defenses during sieges.
Defensive Strategies:
- Hero Protection: Employ Zephyr Blade to shield the hero from incoming threats, especially during retreats or regrouping.
- Holding Positions: Use Sworn Guard to maintain proximity to the hero, enhancing survivability and combat effectiveness.
Their versatility allows them to adapt to various battlefield scenarios, making them invaluable in both offensive pushes and defensive holds.
🔄 Comparison with Similar Units
When compared to other cavalry units:
- Caradoc’s Cavalry: Offers higher speed and agility but lacks the sustained melee capabilities of Companion Cavalry.
- Khevtuul Cavalry: Specializes in ranged attacks and mobility, whereas Companion Cavalry excel in close-quarters combat.
Companion Cavalry stand out for their balanced approach, combining impactful charges with effective melee engagement.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Companion Cavalry are a formidable T4 unit that, when utilized effectively, can turn the tide of battle. Their combination of durability, versatility, and tactical utility makes them a valuable asset in any commander’s roster. Investing time in mastering their formations, veterancy paths, and doctrines will yield significant dividends on the battlefield
For a visual demonstration and further insights, consider watching the following guide:
Companion Cavalry Unit Overview | Conqueror’s Blade Alexander