The Knight is countered by Pikeman, Halberdier and Camel Rider. It is a cavalry unit of the Knight Line, and it wins against Archer, Battering Ram and Bombard Cannon.
Knight stats
| | 100 |
|---|---|
| | 10 / 1.8s |
| | 0 |
| | 0 |
| | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 1.35 |
| | 4 |
| | 30s |
What counters the Knight?
The Knight is weak against Spearman-line, Camel Riders, and Monks.
Hard counters deal bonus damage against this unit — they beat the Knight 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 | Strong attack bonus vs. cavalry |
| | hard | Attack bonus vs. cavalry |
| | hard | Strong attack bonus vs. cavalry |
| | hard | Conversion – Knights are expensive and worth it |
| | hard | UU (Saracens) – Ranged anti-cavalry with massive bonus |
| | soft | UU (Berbers) – Ranged, but no bonus vs. cavalry |
| | soft | UU (Gurjaras) – dodges projectiles, but no bonus damage |
What does the Knight counter?
The Knight is strong against Infantry and Foot Archers.
One representative per unit line — the whole line behaves the same way in this matchup.
-
Archer hard -
Battering Ram hard -
Bombard Cannon hard -
Mangonel hard -
Scorpion hard -
Skirmisher hard -
Steppe Lancer hard -
Eagle Scout soft -
Militia soft
Unique units the Knight beats
-
Gbeto hard -
Huskarl hard -
Mounted Trebuchet hard -
Rattan Archer hard -
Samurai hard -
Tarkan hard -
Chakram Thrower soft -
Condottiero soft -
Elite Throwing Axeman soft -
Flemish Militia soft -
Ghulam soft -
Hussite Wagon soft -
Jaguar Warrior soft -
Karambit Warrior soft -
Kona soft -
Liao Dao soft -
Shotel Warrior soft -
Throwing Axeman soft
Other units the Knight beats
-
Siege Tower hard -
Slinger hard -
Trebuchet hard -
Champi Runner soft -
Champi Warrior soft
Civilizations that improve the Knight
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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