<?xml version="1.0" ?><?encoding UTF-16?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="../xsl/unit.xsl"?><unit><full_name>steppe missile cavalry yancai uaezdaettae</full_name><dictionary>steppe_missile_cavalry_yancai_uaezdaettae</dictionary><category>cavalry</category><class>missile</class><voice_type>General_1</voice_type><soldier><name>steppe_cavalry_alannobles_dehbedasavara_roxolaninobles</name><soldiers>25</soldiers><extras>0</extras><mass>1</mass></soldier><officers><officer1>ebofficer_dracones</officer1></officers><mount>saddle horse light</mount><mount_effect>chariot +3</mount_effect><attributes>sea_faring, hide_forest, very_hardy, cantabrian_circle, mercenary_unit</attributes><formation><side_spacing>2</side_spacing><front_spacing>4</front_spacing><loose_side_spacing>4</loose_side_spacing><loose_front_spacing>6</loose_front_spacing><ranks>4</ranks><formations>square</formations></formation><stat_health><hit_points>1</hit_points><animal_hit_points>2</animal_hit_points></stat_health><stat_pri><attack>6</attack><charge>34</charge><missile_type>arrow</missile_type><range>190.4</range><ammo>40</ammo><weapon_type>missile</weapon_type><tech_type>archery</tech_type><dammage_type>piercing</dammage_type><sound>none</sound><min_delay>15</min_delay><lethality>1</lethality></stat_pri><stat_pri_attr>no</stat_pri_attr><stat_sec><attack>5</attack><charge>34</charge><missile_type>no</missile_type><range>0</range><ammo>0</ammo><weapon_type>melee</weapon_type><tech_type>blade</tech_type><dammage_type>piercing</dammage_type><sound>spear</sound><min_delay>200</min_delay><lethality>0.4</lethality></stat_sec><stat_sec_attr>ap</stat_sec_attr><stat_pri_armour><armour>8</armour><def_skill>13</def_skill><shield>0</shield><sound>metal</sound></stat_pri_armour><stat_sec_armour><armour>0</armour><def_skill>0</def_skill><sound>flesh</sound></stat_sec_armour><stat_heat>3</stat_heat><stat_ground><scrub>0</scrub><sand>0</sand><forest>-3</forest><snow>0</snow></stat_ground><stat_mental><morale>16</morale><discipline>disciplined</discipline><training>trained</training></stat_mental><stat_fire_delay>0</stat_fire_delay><stat_food>60, 300</stat_food><stat_cost><turns>1</turns><cost>3593</cost><upkeep>898</upkeep><upgrade_weapon>274</upgrade_weapon><upgrade_armour>405</upgrade_armour><custom_battle>3593</custom_battle></stat_cost><ownership>slave, armenia, parthia, pontus, gauls, britons, scythia, germans, dacia, spain, egypt, saba, romans_scipii, carthage, romans_brutii, numidia, romans_julii, thrace, greek_cities, macedon, seleucid</ownership><description><name>Yancai Uaezdaettae (Alan Nobles)</name><short>Yancai nobles can mount a terrible charge, but, not being as heavily protected as some other lancers, they need to time and place their attacks more carefully.</short><long>Elite
Disciplined
Hardy
Can Form Cantabrian Circle

Yancai Nobles represent one of the many variations of Central Asian cavalry that combine a long, two-handed lance and a composite bow. This offensive gear can be accompanied by very variable amounts of protection for both horse and rider, from no armour at all for either to full metal scale corselets and bardings. Yancai Nobles are relatively closer to the “light” end along this continuum, with unprotected horses and the riders wearing padded leather jackets with pieces of metal sewn over it. Consequently, they can suffer from missiles or protracted combat against heavier opponents. In exchange, what they wear gives good protection for a reasonable expense and, being relatively light, still allows these troops to rely on speed and agility. Their charges are furious and effective, but they should be repeated, rather than left them mired in melee.

Historically, armoured cavalry had a long tradition in Central Asia warfare being present in peoples like Massagetae, Sakae, etc. since long. Apparently, sometime in the 4th century BCE, probably due to the contact with hard-charging Makedonian cavalry during Alexander’s campaigns, this cavalry evolved into a troop type that, in different forms, would remain an integral part of warfare for centuries to come: the mounted lancer. The Yancai, a group of Iranian nomads probably related, if not descended from the Massagetae and who at I AD became the better known Alans, were practitioners of this style of warfare and contributed to its spread westwards.</long></description></unit>