Hobelar

The Hobelar

The Hobelar is the final upgrade of the light cavalry line and, along with the light cavalry, the fastest cavalry unit in AoCH.

Unit Statistics

Vital

Available to: Brittany, England, Flanders, Genoa (requires Guelfi), Scotland (requires Gaelicisation)

Trained at: Stable

Century: 15th

Cost: 80 food

Combat

HP:75

Attack: 8

Armor/Pierce Armor: 0/2

Special: +12 vs. priests.

Upgrades

Attack: Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace

Armour: Scale Barding Armour. Mail Barding Armour, Plate Barding Armour

Attack, armour, speed: Petite Ordonnance

Speed: Husbandry

Hit Points: Bloodlines

Synonyms

Brigandier (Brittany, Flanders)

Berroviere (Genoa)

Hobigiuir (Scotland)

Civs and Light Cavalry

Genoa: Enabled with Guelfi. +10HP, faster.

Scotland: Enabled with Gaelicisation. More HP.

All other civs: normal.

Commentary/Strategy

Hobelars are very versatile units, useful for raiding, charging priests and archers, and drawing enemy soldiers away from an area. They are fairly decent in battle and can take on some infantry, but they are very vulnerable to pikemen because of their lack of melee armor. Fortunately, they have the speed to run away from any battle they can't win. By far, however, their best uses are raids and any situation where speed is of the essence.

Historical Background

Hobelars were a type of light cavalry, or mounted infantry, during the Middle Ages, used for skirmishing. They originated in 13th century Ireland, and generally rode hobbies, a type of light and agile horse. Hobelars were used successfully by both sides during the Wars of Scottish Independence, with Edward Longshanks trying to gain advantage by preventing Irish exports of hobbies to Scotland. Robert Bruce employed the hobby for his guerilla warfare and mounted raids, covering 60 to 70 miles (96 to 112 km) a day.