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The perfect anti-archer unit in the early game.

The perfect anti-archer unit in the early game.

Mounted Sabre Militia is a light melee cavalry unit in Total War: Three Kingdoms. They are best when recruited in Commander and Vanguard retinues and will provide exceptional (and essential) front-of-the-line missile defense for troops to their rear.

  • Type: Light Sword (Melee) Cavalry
  • Base cost to recruit: 550
  • Base unit upkeep: 130

Description[]

In-game (vanilla units)

In-game (vanilla units)

As with other militia units, Mounted Sabre Militia are typically raised for short campaigns or emergency defense. As a result, they receive less weapon training than units specifically intended for heavy and continued use on the battlefield. As militia, they also lack thick and highly protective amour, and are outfitted in partial-leather garments paired with cheap, but durable, lightweight rattan or wicker shields.

These Mounted Sabre units carry Zhibeidao swords: reliable, long, straight-bladed weapons that are easily mastered. These weapons are highly effective at wounding or killing enemies by swiping and slicing at enemies below, especially those that are lightly armored. They lack the powerful charge of lance-wielding shock cavalry but are sufficiently protected to briefly engage in melee attacks on archers and other non-spear wielding troops.

General Information[]

Mounted Sabre Militia are the perfect counter units to archers since they have a very high ranged block chance as well as excellent ranged damage resistance. Damage resistance means that even if hit by an arrow they may not be seriously damaged. Keeping these units facing directly toward archer fire in loose formation allows them to soak up arrows with minimal losses. This keeps other units relatively safe from arrow fire.

Aside from being excellent arrow sponges, mounted sabre militia are heavy cavalry suited to riding into melee combat and fighting their for a prolonged amount of time. However, they are still the weakest yellow units, so they inevitably lose against most other cavalry. It is also always best to avoid frontal charges on enemy spear units as they are they will decimate these mounted units. They are well suited to fighting archers and most sword and axe-wielding infantry, however.

Commander characters with the Nobility Skill will automatically buff Mounted Sabre Militia units' already excellent Ranged Block Chance (85%) and shield stats (+5% armour) by +20% Ranged Block Chance. This is a principal reason to recruit these earth class units in Commander Retinues whenever possible.