Cavalry Cuirass
Cavalry Cuirass is a Commerce Age upgrade that improves the durability of Heavy Cavalry. Because these units often operate near the enemy frontline, additional health can help them survive an engagement or withdraw after a charge. It is a defensive statistic upgrade, not a direct increase to cavalry damage.
Research profile
- Age
- Commerce Age
- Civilization
- Africans; Europeans; Federal Americans; Haudenosaunee; Japanese; Lakota
- Research location
- Arsenal (Africans, Europeans, Federal Americans, Japanese) ; Longhouse (Haudenosaunee) ; Teepee (Lakota)
- Home City Card
- "New Ways" (Haudenosaunee and Lakota)
- Research time
- 30 seconds
- Wood cost
- 0
- Coin cost
- 300
- Effect
- Heavy cavalry hit points +10%
Effect
Research takes 30 seconds and costs 300 Coin. Heavy Cavalry gain 10% hit points. Many civilizations research it at the Arsenal; Haudenosaunee use the Longhouse and Lakota use the Teepee. The exact building access depends on civilization and release.
Research condition
Available in the Commerce Age at Arsenal (Africans, Europeans, Federal Americans, Japanese) , Longhouse (Haudenosaunee) , Teepee (Lakota). Research time: 30 seconds. Cost: 300 coin. Civilization-specific building access can vary.
Research decision
It is most relevant when Heavy Cavalry make up a meaningful share of the army and will be exposed to sustained attacks. Research does not remove their class-based vulnerabilities, so use suitable screening and avoid treating the health increase as a replacement for counters or retreat paths.
Civilization-specific research routes
In the Commerce Age, Africans, Europeans, Federal Americans, and Japanese use the Arsenal; Haudenosaunee use the Longhouse and Lakota use the Teepee after sending the New Ways Home City Card. African research costs 300 Influence, while the standard listed cost is 300 Coin and 30 seconds. The Definitive Edition removed the original 100 Wood cost; older game data can therefore show 100 Wood plus 300 Coin.
Effect and army role
Cavalry Cuirass adds 10% hit points to Heavy Cavalry. It improves how much damage these units can absorb during a charge or withdrawal, but it does not raise their attack or remove their vulnerability to anti-cavalry units. Research it when heavy cavalry will remain active long enough to benefit, and continue to use screening, target selection, and retreat paths.