Javelin thrower

[a_civilian]

Considering that with Defender (+10% withdrawal) the Illian cavalry are some of the best in the game, making it possible to get 95% withdrawal Horse Archers and Knights.

Actually it's capped at 85%: defensive horse archers cannot promote Flanking III.

(In general, any promotion that would take the unit over 85% is simply not available. This is true in Civilization as well.)

 

[Angel-Julia]

even with 85% withdrawal, it makes some great cavalry.and that extra flanking promotion saved can be used for CR etc.

i agree, Illian are supposed to be snow people, not horse people. i'd be happy if their cavalry line was nerfed, and their javelin line was restored to normallicy, or even strengthened past archers. it seems strange that a defencive snowborne civ would have great cavalry and pathetic city defenders.

 

[Azhral]

Wrong wrong wrong. A Horseman or Chariot can get Flanking 3, and then upgrade to a Horse Archer or Knight. You only need 10xp and with Defender or Horselord that gives them 95% withdrawal. I made a thread about this exploit a long time ago.