The Cavalier is countered by Halberdier, Heavy Camel Rider and Monk. It is a cavalry unit of the Knight Line, and it wins against Capped Ram, Elite Steppe Lancer and Houfnice.
Cavalier stats
| | 120 |
|---|---|
| | 12 / 1.8s |
| | 0 |
| | 0 |
| | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 1.35 |
| | 4 |
| | 30s |
What counters the Cavalier?
The Cavalier is weak against Spearman-line, Camel Riders, and Monks.
Hard counters deal bonus damage against this unit — they beat the Cavalier even at a cost disadvantage. Soft counters win the fight through cost-efficiency or mobility, without a dedicated bonus.
| Counter | Type | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| | hard | Attack bonus vs. cavalry |
| | hard | Attack bonus vs. cavalry |
| | hard | Conversion |
| | hard | UU (Saracens) – Ranged anti-cavalry |
| | soft | UU (Berbers) – Ranged, but no bonus vs. cavalry |
What does the Cavalier counter?
The Cavalier is strong against Infantry and Foot Archers.
One representative per unit line — the whole line behaves the same way in this matchup.
-
Capped Ram hard -
Elite Steppe Lancer hard -
Houfnice hard -
Onager hard
Unique units the Cavalier beats
-
Elite Huskarl hard -
Elite Samurai hard -
Elite Tarkan hard -
Huskarl hard -
Elite Karambit Warrior soft
Civilizations that improve the Cavalier
20 civilizations have a bonus or unique technology that affects this unit.
Bengalis
- Cavalry +2 attack vs. Skirmishers
Berbers
- Stable Units cost -15/20% in Castle/Imperial Age
Bulgarians
- Stirrups (unique tech): Cavalry attacks +33% faster
Burgundians
- Cavalier upgrade available in Castle Age
Burmese
- Manipur Cavalry (unique tech): Cavalry +4 attack vs. Ranged Soldiers
Cumans
- Mounted Units move +5/10/15% faster in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Dravidians
- Wootz Steel (unique tech): Infantry and Cavalry attacks ignore armor
Franks
- Mounted Units +20% HP starting in Feudal Age
Georgians
- Mounted Units regenerate 2/8/14 HP per minute in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
- Aznauri Cavalry (unique tech): Mounted Units take -20% population space
Gurjaras
- Mounted Units deal +20/30/40% bonus damage in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Jurchens
- Mounted Units and Fire Lancers attack +25% faster starting in Feudal Age
Khitans
- Ordo Cavalry (unique tech): Cavalry regenerates HP in combat
Lithuanians
- Each garrisoned Relic provides +1 attack to Knight-line and Leitis (maximum +4)
Malians
- Farimba (unique tech): Cavalry +5 attack
Mapuche
- Mounted Units generate +3 gold when defeating military units
Poles
- Szlachta Privileges (unique tech): Knight-line costs -60% gold
Romans
- Comitatenses (unique tech): Militia-line, Knight-line, and Centurions train +50% faster and receive a charge attack
Sicilians
- Hauberk (unique tech): Knight-line +1 melee/+2 pierce armor
Teutons
- Barracks and Stable Units +1/+2 melee armor in Castle/Imperial Age
Wei
- Ming Guang Armor (unique tech): Mounted Units +4 melee armor
The Knight Line
For the strategy behind these matchups — when to build counters, how to mix them and which civs do it best — see the Cavalry Counters guide.
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