

Sardi Horse Skirmishers
Difficult terrain is the greatest advantage to one who can swiftly traverse it.The Iolei were an ancient Nuragic tribe who lived on the island of Sardinia during the Bronze and Iron Ages. According to legend, recorded by Greek historians, their name can be traced back to Iolaus, a hero, who led the sons of Heracles to Sardinia and founded a colony there. The Sardinian people were content to live quietly in peace, keeping to the mountainous regions in central Sardinia, building nuraghe and subsisting on agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing. However, around 900BC Phoenicians began sailing to Sardinia, establishing trade routes and relations with local merchants. As Carthage grew and set its sights on conquest and empire-building, an expedition was launched in 540BC against the Iolei, led by Malco. The expedition failed, as the Sardinians used guerrilla warfare - their skill with the bow and knowledge of the arduous terrain drove the Carthaginians from the island. Subsequent invasions of Sardinia, first by Mago in 509BC (as a response to Iolean attacks on coastal cities) and later by his brother Hamilcar. Eventually, the onslaught proved too great and the Sardinians were overcome. Coastal Sardinia was occupied by Carthage, but the Nuragic people remained unconquered, retreating into the island's central mountain range. According to Strabo, the Iolei were never truly subjugated, even following the rise of the Roman Empire.
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Unit Name Sardi Horse Skirmishers |
Main Unit Key inv_iol_sardi_horse_skirmishers |
Land Unit Key inv_iol_sardi_horse_skirmishers |
Naval Unit Key pel_transport |
Soldiers 80 |
Category Cavalry |
Class Missile Cavalry |
Custom Battle Cost 850 |
Recruitment Cost 850 |
Upkeep Cost 170 |
Missile Damage 29 |
├ Missile Weapon rome_javelin_light |
├ Projectile javelin_light |
├ Missile Damage 20 |
├ Missile Ap Damage 9 |
└ Base Reload Time 10 |
Accuracy 5 |
Range 80 |
Reload 0 |
Shots Per Minute 6 |
Ammunition 7 |
Melee Attack 5 |
Weapon Damage 38 |
├ Melee Weapon rome_generic_sword_cav |
├ Melee Damage Base 34 |
├ Melee Damage Ap 4 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Bonus vs. Large 0 |
├ Bonus vs Elephants 0 |
└ Bonus vs Infantry 0 |
Charge Bonus 20 |
Melee Defence 40 |
├ Base Defence 10 |
├ Shield round |
└ Shield Defence 30 |
Armour 40 |
├ Armour cloth |
├ Armour Defence 10 |
└ Shield Armour 30 |
Health 70 |
├ Man Entity rome_infantry_light |
├ Man Health 40 |
├ Bonus Hit Points 5 |
├ Mount rome_hellenic_horse_sword_shield_m |
├ Mount Entity rome_horse_medium |
└ Mount Health 25 |
Base Morale 30 |
Abilities
No Ability
Attributes
- Resistant to Fatigue
Fatigue has less of an effect on this unit. - Guerrilla Deployment
This unit can deploy outside of the deployment zone. - Snipe
This unit remains hidden while firing. - Stalk
This unit can move hidden in any terrain.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Transport- Very poor hull strength
- Very slow speed
- Weak ramming
- Short range
- Fast rate of fire
- Fast moving
- Very good damage and armour penetration
- Large shield
- Very weak in melee
- Poor morale
Requires Buildings | |
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Stables
(inv_nur_agriculture_horse_3) Level 2 ![]()
Horse Ranch
(inv_nur_agriculture_horse_4) Level 3 |