Mangudai Élite

thumb|left Mangudai are effective against slow-moving units, such as Monks, Villagers, and infantry. They can also take down unsuspecting archers. With bonus damage dealt to rams, Mangudai can also be used to counter them effectively from behind fortifications. However, despite their attack bonus against them, attacking (massed) Scorpions and Mangonels is not recommended unless there are enough Mangudai to destroy the machine in one volley and they can be micromanaged to dodge the projectiles. Camel Riders and Mamelukes are a threat. However, these units have low pierce armor and hence take a lot of damage themselves. Elite Skirmishers and Light Cavalry can also be dangerous to Mangudai in sufficiently large numbers. Enemy heavy cavalry (especially the Savar) and specific units such as Genitours and Japanese Heavy Cavalry Archers, can also defeat an equal value of Mangudai without any other support. Mangudai are usually paired with Hussars, Steppe Lancers, and siege weapons, because they all benefit from the Mongols' civilization bonuses and unique technology Drill, respectively. Mangudai also have pretty low attack delay, meaning micromanaging them is much easier than Cavalry Archers. They have +% hit points over Cavalry Archers, meaning keeping them alive is much easier too. Despite the official description, Mangudai attack slower than Cavalry Archers. However, since Thumb Ring grants a bigger Rate of Fire boost to Mangudai, they become slightly better in attack speed.