Ensemble Studios' Age of Empires 3 is one of the best real-time strategy games set in the Age of Discovery. With expansion packs The Asian Dynasties and Warchiefs adding to the number of civilizations, and by extension unit and building types, the roster is now stacked with options, and it can be difficult for players to know how certain units stack up against one another.
The release of a Definitive Edition as well as expanding to the Xbox Game Pass audience has brought in a new influx of players to the game, despite its original release dating back to 2005. One key component of any player's army during a game will inevitably be their cavalry. These highly mobile and powerful units can be utilized in a variety of ways to impact opponents both from close range and from distance.
10 Naginata Rider
Naginata Riders are a basic cavalry unit available to Japan and can be recruited from the Commerce Age (II) onwards. While they might not be very strong in their basic form, once upgraded fully they can go toe-to-toe with just about any other cavalry unit in the game.
Their long Naginata weapon is halfway between a lance and a sword, making for particularly deadly charges against enemy infantry units. Naginata Riders can be trained in the Stables and will cost 100 Food, and 100 Coin, with a training time of 40 seconds.
9 Cossack
The legendary Cossack unit is available to the Russian civilization from the Commerce Age (II) onwards. Ideal for conducting raids against enemy settlers and scouting parties, these fast-moving, saber-wielding horsemen are some of the most efficient and quick-to-produce cavalry units in the game.
Suited to close-range skirmishes, Cossacks can really excel when outnumbering the enemy, or when provided with sufficient support to take out enemy counter-attacks. Cossacks can be trained at a Stable, Fort, or Galleon for the price of 75 Food and 75 Coin, with a speedy 35 seconds to produce.
8 Hussar
Hussars are a versatile cavalry unit available to a number of European civilizations as well as the United States. They can be recruited from the Commerce Age (II) onwards and have the most hit points of any basic cavalry unit.
Much like the Russian Cossacks, they are better suited to raids against settlers and small scouting parties than for head-on confrontational assaults. Hussars will cost 120 Food and 80 Coin to produce and can be trained via Stables, Fortresses, and a variety of transport boats.
7 Uhlan
Uhlans are the basic cavalry for the German civilization and are slightly superior to their rival cavalry units in a number of ways. Available to Germany from the Commerce Age (II) onwards, Uhlans are more than capable of taking on most infantry or mounted enemies.
With more hitpoints and a 20% melee resistance over their counterparts, Uhlans are the superior cavalry when it comes to most basic European options. Trained at either Stables, Forts, or Galleons, Uhlans can also become available to the United States as mercenary units. At a cost of 50 Food and 100 Gold, they are one of the cheapest units to produce when it comes to the Food resource.
6 Black Rider
Black Riders are a mercenary unit in Age of Empires 3, available to all factions provided they have the facilities to recruit mercenaries. This unit will become available from the Fortress Age (III) onwards and is effective both from range and at close distances.
A powerful unit, ideal for taking down enemy heavy cavalry or shock infantry, can be recruited from a Tavern, Monastery, Saloon, Palace, Lombard, Galleon, and Stable. They will cost around 270 Coin but will take up to 47 seconds to produce.
5 Cowboy
Cowboys are another mercenary unit that all factions can recruit by pacifying them in the game world. These tough and agile ranged units can really make an impact on weakening enemy units and can travel around the map faster than any other mounted units.
Cowboys can also be trained using Saloons and will be available from the Commerce Age (II) onwards. They will cost 140 Coin to produce and have a bonus of 20% resistance against ranged attacks.
4 Dragoons
Dragoons are strong, ranged gunpowder units available to the British, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Maltese, and Mexican civilizations. They can also be recruited for the United States using the "Armand's Legion" Home City card.
Dragoons excel at weakening stronger enemy units and can outpace most melee cavalry units. As a result, deploying skirmisher tactics is the best way to make use of them. Dragoons are trained via Stables, Forts, and Galleons, and will cost 90 Food and 90 Coin.
3 Cuirassier
Cuirassiers are melee heavy cavalry units exclusively available to the French civilization in Age of Empires 3. While Cuirassiers can only attack from Melee range, they do a lot of damage in these scenarios due to their slashing attacks and are ideal for taking on large groups of enemies.
This unit is also available to the Maltese and Mexican factions, provided that they have requisite Home City cards equipped at the start of a game. Cuirassiers can be trained via Forts, Stables, Galleons and Commanderies. They will cost 150 Food and 150 Coins and will take roughly 55 seconds per unit to produce.
2 Sipahi
Sipahi are a heavy cavalry unit exclusively available to the Ottoman Empire. They will become unlockable from the Fortress Age (III) onwards and are particularly effective against enemy Infantry, Artillery, and Light Cavalry units.
Sipahi have the special trait of regenerating HP when not in combat, meaning that ultimately players will have to train and replace them a lot less than other units. This rare unit can only be acquired as a Home City shipment, or as an age-up reward when converting to the Industrial Age (IV).
1 Mahout Lancer
The Mahout Lancer is a heavy-mounted elephant unit available to the Indian and Ethiopian civilizations. As a melee unit, this menacing prospect is sure to crush all opponents on the field and will have no trouble whatsoever dealing with enemy infantry.
Similarly, the Mahout Lancer will not have much trouble against enemy light infantry or artillery units, provided they are within attacking range. The downside to the Mahout Lancer is the high cost of production. They can be produced from the Fortress Age (III) onwards via Caravanserais, Agra Forts, Galleons, and Palaces but will cost 400 Food and 250 Wood per unit.
Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition is available for PC in the Steam Store and Xbox Game Pass.