Papal Lancer
The Papal Lancer is an Italian Fortress Age heavy Cavalry unit delivered in groups of three from the Basilica. It deals bonus damage to Infantry and its Deflection protects nearby allied Cavalry only. With Papal Arsenal, it gains a charged area Lance attack; plan its shipment before the engagement and screen it from anti-Cavalry units.
Recorded values
- Available
- Fortress Age · Basilica
- Training profile
- 60 sec · 3 population · 30 XP per unit
- Durability & mobility
- 700 hit points · 30% ranged resistance · 6.0 speed · 12 line of sight
- Support effect
- Deflects 25% of damage to nearby allied Cavalry only, except artillery · radius 12
- Idle regeneration
- 0.25% hit points per second after 3.5 sec idle
- Siege attack
- 30 base damage · range 6 · attack interval 3.0
- Hand attack
- 30 base damage · attack interval 1.5 · bonus damage: 1.5x vs. Infantry
- Trample attack
- 20 base damage · attack interval 2.0 · area of effect 3 · bonus damage: Same as hand attack
- Lance charge (charged)
- 60 base damage · range 4 · attack interval 1.5 · area of effect 2 · recharge 60 · requires Papal Arsenal card
- Experience bounty
- 30 XP for defeating the unit
Role, availability & values
Papal Lancers arrive from the Basilica in batches of three for 300 Food, 300 Wood and 300 Coin; the shipment takes 60 seconds and does not require an available Home City shipment card. Each uses 3 population and has 700 hit points, 30% ranged resistance and speed 6.0. The Lancer’s Deflection now protects nearby Cavalry only: it absorbs 25% of damage directed at eligible allied Cavalry within 12 range, excluding artillery. This makes the unit a mounted support as well as an anti-Infantry attacker. Its Papal Arsenal lance charge deals 60 damage over an area of two at range four, with a 60-second recharge. Keep the group with Cavalry it can protect and screen it from light ranged Cavalry and massed Heavy infantry.
Matchup & timing
Use the unit’s 6.0-speed movement to choose the approach, threaten an exposed flank, and pull away before anti-cavalry forces can surround it. Its listed attack bonus makes Infantry priority targets. Keep a clear retreat route and bring it back to the main army when the opponent protects the economy.
Italian heavy cavalry and charged attacks
Papal Lancer is Italian Heavy Cavalry available in the Fortress Age from the Basilica. The unit trains in 60 seconds, uses three population, has 700 hit points, 30% ranged resistance, speed 6.0 and line of sight 12. Its hand attack deals 30 damage every 1.5 seconds; the siege attack deals 30 at range six. The trample attack deals 20 damage every two seconds with an area of effect of three, while the charged Lance charge deals 60 damage at range four with an area of effect of two. These modes give the unit strong pressure when it reaches a target, but the long training time and three-population cost make losses expensive. Use the charge on a valuable target and trample against clustered units, then withdraw before anti-cavalry can trap the Lancer. Basilica access links the unit to Italy’s Papal roster, so the production building must be protected. Keep the Lancer with support and avoid sending it alone into a prepared defensive line.
Basilica production timing
The Papal Lancer takes 60 seconds to train at the Basilica and uses three population. Queue it before a planned engagement, not after the enemy has already reached the settlement. Its 700 hit points and 30% ranged resistance let it survive some approaches, but concentrated anti-cavalry can still remove it. The 60-damage charged lance attack is powerful at range four and area two; use it when the target is valuable and the Lancer can exit safely. Trample covers an area of three, while the 30-damage hand attack is the regular close option. Keep the unit with support and use the Basilica’s other Papal choices to build a balanced Italian force.
Charged lance timing
The 60-damage charge reaches four range and affects an area of two. Use it against a high-value target when the Lancer can safely disengage, and preserve the unit’s three-population investment.
Population and training cost
Three population and a 60-second queue make Papal Lancers expensive to replace. Use the charge and trample attack on a clear target, then withdraw rather than losing the unit to counters.
Heavy cavalry support
A Papal Lancer has 700 hit points and 30% ranged resistance, but its 60-second training time makes losses expensive. Keep it with supporting Italian units and avoid anti-cavalry lines.
Basilica roster
The Basilica trains Papal Lancers as part of Italy’s unique roster. Protect the single Basilica and keep the cavalry with supporting Papal units or standard Italian forces.
Combat mode choice
Use the hand attack for a regular target, the charged lance for a priority enemy and trample against groups. Keep the cavalry near support after its attack connects.
Italian Basilica heavy Cavalry
The Papal Lancer is a Fortress Age Italian unit trained at the Basilica. It takes 60 seconds to train, uses three population and has 700 hit points, 30% ranged resistance and speed six. Its 30-damage hand attack fires every 1.5 seconds and deals 1.5× damage against Infantry; the 20-damage Trample attack affects an area of three, and its Siege attack deals 30 damage. The high health lets it pressure a defended line and survive ranged fire better than many Cavalry units, but its population and long queue make it a major commitment. Keep other units available to protect the Basilica and replace losses.
Papal Arsenal Lance Charge
The Papal Arsenal Home City Card enables Lance Charge, a charged attack that deals 60 damage over an area of two at range four, with a 60-second recharge. The attack creates a strong opening against a compact Infantry formation, but the long cooldown means it should be saved for a decisive engagement. Close with a screen, activate the charge when the target is grouped, then withdraw if anti-Cavalry support arrives. The Papal Lancer’s ordinary anti-Infantry multiplier makes it a specialized assault unit; it is not a substitute for ranged units against artillery or for the army’s anti-Cavalry line. Train it when the available Food, Coin and population can support both the lancer and its escort.
Cavalry-only Deflection in the current rules
Papal Lancer Deflection is narrower than a general frontline aura. In the current Definitive Edition rules it absorbs 25% of damage aimed at nearby allied Cavalry within 12 range, with artillery excluded; it no longer protects every nearby unit. Keep the Lancers beside Cavalry whose survival matters instead of relying on them to shield Infantry or artillery. The long Basilica delivery also makes this support role something to plan before the engagement, not a response that can be added after a fight has begun.