Clibanarius

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287 HP, 313 ticks to build.

In game[edit | edit source]

Clibanarius
Clibanarius — Vital statistics
Clibanarius

Graeco-Roman Imperial Era heavy cavalry. Has slightly less HP and speed than its precursors, but has drastically increased armour, damage, etc, as well as a "first-strike" attack that is devastating against units with no min range, or have point-blank range.

Prereq: Build time HP LOS Attack Attack speed Movement
speed
Upgrade of

31px Attrition

20s
(313t)
223 7 24 1.5s
(22t)
30 Companion TaP.png l Companionelite TaP.png
Cost Created from Armour Weapon range Specialty
Base Ramp Pop
Wealth: 50;
Metal.png: 60
Krateia.png: 5;
Metal.png: 3
1

Stable.png

19 0-1
  • "First strike" attack.
  • Bonus damage versus light infantry.
  • Defensive bonus versus Archers.
  • Attack penalty versus heavy cavalry, camel cavalry, and elephants.
Roundel hellenic.png Roundel rome.png

Overall strategy[edit | edit source]

Camels may have been imports or war booty from invaders, but there is nothing in Egyptian history to suggest that the tactics of a foreigner are taboo. If the sons of Seqenenre Tao and Ahhotep refused to eschew the use of Hyksos chariot tactics, why should the Ptolemies avoid the use of Arabian camels in warfare?

In Warbirth, Clibanarii are this idea of adaptation in essence thus put into practice, providing Greece and Rome with a powerful late-game medium cavalry unit that is ideal for punishing cavalry civs, while allowing other Egyptian units - namely, their artillery and mercenaries to then seize the day. Their (relatively) cheap cost, and their good defensive parameters (not to mention horse cavalry's aversion to coming near them) make Clibanarii a veritably valuable asset in the Imperial Era when so many other factions are starting to recruit more and more cavalry units. They aren't as efficient as traditional light cavalry units when they perform forage, reconaissance, and raiding, but in vast numbers they can be used to overwhelm super-heavy cavalry (such as the much-dreaded Sassanian Persian Grivpanvar), and have enough speed to run away from units such as fast horse archers (like the all-new Turkish Archer mercenaries that can be expected from factions such as Rome or China), leaving your Composite Bowmen to instead function as a deterrent against them.

Use these units how you want, since they are a form of medium cavalry but always be wary of heavy infantry types, such as Persian Athanatoi or Chinese Changmao - in fact it can be argued that the most dangerous units for Clibanarii are the Persian Daylamiyan, so your camel companies shouldn't be sent into battle without support, unless as either a last-ditch effort, or as a lightning blitz on an unprepared foe.

Unit summary[edit | edit source]

  • Clibanarii are an effective medium cavalry unit that is versatile enough for use in many situations.
  • Clibanarii are often best used to support other units (eg artillery) but need backup if facing enemy anti-cavalry measures.
  • Units with good armour piercing damage or with a strong anticav bonus are best used against Clibanarii.

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

It originally was meant to have 287 HP, but its HP score was switched around with the Excubitor.
Equally, its armour has been buffed up to 28 from 14 - the Germanic Thegnoz Gautu now has 14 Armour instead.