Jinete de Bolas

Their special ability allows melee and slower units to catch and kill enemy units. This ability works in a similar way to the ability of Shu White Feather Guards. It does not stack if two or more Bolas Riders target the same unit. It is usually better to use the attack move or the patrol move to allow each Bolas Rider to target different units when fighting medium-sized or large armies, rather than targeting single units, particularly when pairing them with foot archers or infantry. Bolas Riders can also be employed as regular Cavalry Archers, being able to perform hit-and-run tactics and raids, but with the advantage of the snaring ability and gold returns from each unit killed. However, their lower hit points and lack of Parthian Tactics make them more vulnerable in many situations, particularly against their counter units, such as Elite Skirmishers. Genitours are not as effective as Elite Skirmishers due to taking bonus damage, but will still be cost-effective and can force a fight more easily. Furthermore, their base attack is lower than that of the Cavalry Archer, and with the lack of Thumb Ring, their damage output after their initial charge attack is considerably lower than that of the Cavalry Archer, especially against units with high pierce armor, like Eagle Warriors. Against foot archers, the effectiveness of Bolas Riders will depend on if they have Malon researched. Without it, they will fair relatively poorly against foot archers, but with it they can start to trade reasonably well if the archers are clumped together thanks to the pass-through damage. However, patrolling the Bolas Riders into a group of foot archers such as Arbalesters will tend to end poorly due to their shorter range. Foot archer unique units to avoid include Genoese Crossbowmen (due to their bonus damage against cavalry) and Rattan Archers (due to their high pierce armor). Their attack bonus against cavalry, combined with the snare ability, makes them a good option against other cavalry, as they are able to slow down their movement speed while dealing more damage to these units. They can even be used against Camel Riders to a certain extent, though Camel Riders still pose a major threat in close combat. However, in order to be effective, Bolas Riders have to be used in large numbers to maximize the amount of mounted units that can be slowed down. Malon is very relevant, as it allows them to do pass-through damage, becoming a major threat to even large groups of cavalry, though Savars, Sicilian Cavaliers with Hauberk (that take less bonus damage) and Tiger Cavalry (especially if they have attack and hit point improvements researched) can defeat them sooner if are in close combat. Despite performing very well against mounted units, other mounted archers can pose a threat to them, including Japanese Cavalry Archers (due to the additional bonus damage against archers), Camel Archers, Genitours, Ballista Elephants, and Elephant Archers (especially the Bengali ones, since they take less bonus damage). Despite being one of the few units that can counter Mamelukes with their speed and range advantage, these can still be a major threat at close range. Cataphracts negate all of their bonus damage, making Bolas Riders weak against them, but they still can be snared, leaving the Cataphracts vulnerable to other units, especially with Malon researched. Bolas Riders will not use their charged attack against siege weapons, and coupled with their low base attack and shorter range, they do poorly against Mangonels and Scorpions. The Shrivamsha Rider's shield will also consume their charge attack and slowdown ability without suffering the effects. Bolas Riders synergize well with all of the Mapuche unit roster, as they allow Barracks and Archery Range units to force fights against units with faster movement speed. In the Kona's case, both units work well when raiding. When combined with the Kona, the Bolas Riders' attack will allow the Kona to get their increased attack against damaged units; this is even better after researching Malon, as this technology provides pass-through damage to Bolas Riders. The Mapuche should consider the Bolas Rider for a Fast Castle build order followed by a Bolas Rider rush. In addition, Butalmapu decreases their cost by 15%, making them a very cost-effective unit in the late game. === Comparison with the Cavalry Archer === The following comparison shall be done with the Lithuanian Cavalry Archer line, since it has all relevant technologies except Parthian Tactics and no bonuses. Realistically, a Cavalry Archer play is possible with at least Lithuanian-level Cavalry Archers, with minor exceptions due to civilization bonuses offsetting a statistically worse Cavalry Archer, like those of the Koreans. The following table considers all relevant technologies except armor technologies and Conscription researched in the respective Ages. Said technologies are ignored since both unit lines have those technologies, and their effect of them is also equal. Hence, the Cavalry Archer in this comparison has Bloodlines, Husbandry, Thumb Ring, and Bracer which the Mapuche, and hence the Bolas Riders, lack. On the other hand, the Bolas Rider has its civilization bonus and both of its unique technologies. { line line 22px Rate of Fire 22px Speed 1.5 Other Fires a projectile shot every 30 seconds that has +2 (+3 Elite) attack and slows targets by 15% for 10 seconds per military unit killed civilization bonus Malon Deal 30% pass-through damage Cost Training time 34 seconds 34 seconds 22px Hit points 22px Attack 5+2 6+2 22px Range 4+2 4+2 Attack bonus +2 vs mounted units+2 vs rams +2 vs Spearman Attack delay 0.76 0.9 Accuracy 90% Upgrade costand time 45 seconds 50 seconds Cost with Butalmapu Training time 28 seconds 27 seconds 22px Hit points 22px Attack 6+3 7+4 22px Range 5+2 4+3 Attack bonus +3 vs mounted units+2 vs rams +4 vs Spearman Attack delay 0.76 0.88 Accuracy 95% }