Cavalier (AoE2): Counters, Stats & Civ Bonuses

The Cavalier is countered by Halberdier, Heavy Camel Rider and Monk. It is a cavalry unit of the Knight Line, and it wins against Elite Steppe Lancer, Houfnice and Onager.

Class: Cavalry
Line: Knight Line
Available to: All civilizations
Cost: 60 75

The Knight Line

Knight
Cavalier
Paladin
Savar

Cavalier stats

Hit points: 120
Melee attack: 12 / 1.8s
Pierce attack: 0
Range: 0
Melee armour: 2
Pierce armour: 2
Speed: 1.35
Line of sight: 4
Training time: 30s

What counters the Cavalier?

Hard counters beat the Cavalier decisively and win even at a cost disadvantage — usually through bonus damage, area damage, conversion or a speed advantage it cannot escape. Soft counters win the fight too, but only with good numbers and positioning.

Halberdier hard Attack bonus vs. cavalry
Heavy Camel Rider hard Attack bonus vs. cavalry
Monk hard Conversion
Elite Mameluke UU hard UU (Saracens) – Ranged anti-cavalry
Elite Genoese Crossbowman UU hard Attack bonus vs. cavalry (+7)
Elite Kamayuk UU hard Attack bonus vs. cavalry (+12)
Flaming Camel UU hard Attack bonus vs. cavalry (+50)
Elite Camel Archer UU soft UU (Berbers) – Ranged, but no bonus vs. cavalry

What does the Cavalier counter?

One representative per unit line — the whole line behaves the same way in this matchup.

Elite Steppe Lancer hard Clearly wins the melee duel – more armor and HP
Houfnice UU hard Fast – siege weapons have almost no melee armor
Onager hard Melee – 0 melee armor, barely hits moving single targets
Siege Onager hard Melee – 0 melee armor, barely hits moving single targets
Siege Ram hard Rams have negative melee armor

Unique units the Cavalier beats

Elite Huskarl hard High melee damage
Elite Samurai hard Bonus only applies vs. infantry – cavalry closes in
Elite Tarkan hard Clearly wins the melee duel – more armor and HP
Elite Karambit Warrior soft Wins every duel – but massed Karambits trade cheaply