Ratha

In practice, the Ratha are two separate units rather than one (ranged and melee), which can turn into the other by clicking on a button. Unupgraded Rathas have the same ranged attack as a Crossbowman and the same melee attack as a Knight. Because of this, they serve simultaneously as the Bengalis' replacement for the Cavalry Archer and Knight lines, which they have no access to. Unlike Knights, Rathas have the and the armor classes, even while fighting in melee mode, which makes them vulnerable to anti-archer units (such as Elite Skirmishers, Huskarls, and Ghulams) and Camel Archers. They are also slower than most mounted archers, and more difficult to mass because of having to be produced from Castles. Additionally, due to the vast number of technologies needed to get Rathas to full strength, it takes a long time and a lot of resources for them to reach their full potential. Since Bengalis lack the entire Knight line, the Ratha can be used as a wood-costing Knight, with 10% slower attack (Rathas attack 8% faster than Knights after Paiks), 3.7% slower movement, difficulty to mass, and vulnerability to anti-archer units, especially Skirmishers. Although Elephant Archers are more durable than common Cavalry Archers, they are 35.7% slower and demand much food. The Ratha does a better job at being Cavalry Archers, as they are cheaper and faster than Elephant Archers. However, the Elite upgrade only gives +10 hit points, slightly better accuracy, +1 pierce armor, +1 pierce attack in range mode, and +2 attack in melee mode, but the upgrade to Elite has no gold cost, making it much more affordable. The Ratha's starting armor is set at 3/2 for the standard and 3/3 in Elite forms, making it one of the tankier units. Additionally, it does 20% Area of Effect damage to surrounding units and buildings in melee mode, which adds more damage output compared to the equivalent Knight, though not as high as the damage done by Battle Elephants. Thanks to their trample damage, melee Rathas are strong enough to beat even generic Paladins in massed battles. However, Camel Riders still pose a major threat to them. === Ability === 200px200px The main advantage of the Ratha is that switching modes enables flexibility for dealing with different types of units. For example, in ranged mode, the Rathas are able to hit-and-run slower and non-ranged units, such as Champions or Halberdiers (though the player has to be cautious with Halberdiers if they cut distance); and in melee mode, they can better attack siege units and Skirmishers (they have +2 bonus damage vs Skirmishers in melee mode), due to the minimum range. Switching attack modes also enables the Ratha to better respond to units with good melee armor, but bad pierce armor, and vice versa; for example, it is more convenient to use Rathas in ranged mode against Teutonic Knights, which have a lot of melee armor, but are slow and have bad pierce armor; and in the case of Huskarls, it is better to switch to melee mode, since they have low melee armor, but much higher pierce armor.