Horseman (Civ5)

Horseman
Mounted unit of the Classical Era
Introduced in Civilization V
Cost
Production	75
Production	75
Stats
Combat strength	12
Combat strength	12
Moves	4
Moves	4
Required
Technology	Horseback Riding
Resource	Horses
Upgrades to
Knight
Knight
Camel Archer
Camel Archer
Mandekalu Cavalry
Mandekalu Cavalry
Naresuan's Elephant
Naresuan's Elephant
Keshik
Keshik
Conquistador
Conquistador
Notes
No defensive bonuses Can move after attacking Penalty attacking cities 33

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Game Info

Fast and powerful Classical Era mounted unit. Requires Horses.

• Common abilities:
  • Can Move After Attacking
  • Penalty Attacking Cities (33)
  • No Defensive Terrain Bonuses

Strategy

The Horseman is the first true melee cavalry unit, combining speed with a powerful attack. It has 4 Movement like all cavalry, but unlike the Chariot Archer it can use its full Movement in rough terrain. The Horseman packs a punch with decent weapons combined with the speed and strength of the horse; it can move after attacking, making it ideal for hit-and-run tactics, and also for attacking badly positioned enemy ranged units, then retreating before the enemy can retaliate.

A civilization that has Horsemen can quickly cut through Barbarian encampments, scores of Warriors, Archers, and even Swordsmen. You can also use the Horseman's mobility and decent Combat Strength to explore the land and deal with any dangers single-handedly. However, like other mounted units, it doesn't receive defensive bonuses from terrain (although terrain combat bonuses acquired via promotions still apply), and its weapons are quite useless against the solid ramparts of cities. Also, as a mounted unit, the Horseman remains vulnerable to attacks from Spearmen, Pikemen, and the like, so keep it away from these.

For the Mongolian and Arabian civilizations, it might be more worthwhile to build Chariot Archers instead of Horsemen. Instead of Knights, their Horsemen upgrade to Keshiks and Camel Archers respectively, which are ranged mounted units. If upgraded to either of them, a Horseman that has earned Shock and/or Drill promotions would not be able to use their bonuses in offense until upgraded further to Cavalry.

Civilopedia entry

The first horses used effectively in battle pulled chariots. The nomadic people of Central Asia were riding horses by 2000 BC, perhaps earlier. While certainly horsemen were employed to carry messengers and scouts, they did not become effective fighting platforms until the development of dual stirrups combined with a solid saddle (to distribute the rider's weight when standing in the stirrups). The earliest effective dual stirrups/saddle combination is found in China and dates from approximately 300 AD, and over the next four centuries it spread across Asia and into Europe.

The earliest fighting horsemen were armed with spears and swords. As technology advanced and bigger and stronger horses were bred, horsemen were equipped with ever more powerful weapons and heavier armor, culminating in the classic knight of the Middle Ages, the king of the medieval battlefield.

Unofficial custom card

Custom homemade card featuring the Horseman

See also

• Horseman in other games