Quick Answer
For a balanced Late Roman army, start with a core of Late Roman Armoured Infantry and add a unit of Late Roman Cataphracts to deliver the shock. This combination gives you a solid anvil and a mobile hammer.
Why Combine Infantry and Cataphracts?
A Late Roman army in the Dark Ages period needs both staying power and striking force. Armoured infantry can hold a line and grind down enemy foot, while cataphracts provide the heavy cavalry charge that can break a flank or chase down skirmishers.
The infantry set offers flexibility to build Late Romans, Romano-British/Arthurians, or Germanic/Goths, which is handy if you want to field different historical forces from one box. The cataphracts, with their fully armoured horses and riders, are built for impact, not for prolonged melee.
Trade-Offs to Consider
Cataphracts are expensive in points and in cost per model, so they are best used as a smaller elite unit rather than the core of your army. Infantry are more numerous and can absorb casualties, but they lack the speed to react to fast-moving enemy units.
If you are on a budget, the infantry box gives you 36 figures, which is a great value for building a large part of your force. The cataphract box gives you 16 cavalry, which is enough for a solid unit but not a full army on its own.
Decision Rules for Building Your Late Roman Army
- Core Infantry First: Start with at least one box of Late Roman Armoured Infantry to form your main battle line. The 36 figures give you enough for a solid block of spearmen or swordsmen. Your infantry are the anvil; they hold the line and absorb enemy attacks.
- Add Cataphracts for Shock: Include one box of Late Roman Cataphracts (16 models) to act as your hammer. Use them to charge enemy flanks or break through weak points. Cataphracts are best used in short, decisive charges, not prolonged combats.
- Balance Points and Budget: If your game uses points, allocate roughly 60-70% of your points to infantry and 30-40% to cataphracts. If you are on a budget, the infantry box gives more models per dollar, so expand with infantry first. You can always add more cataphracts later as your army grows.
Product Facts
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Late Roman Armoured Infantry: This 28mm set builds 36 armoured warriors and includes parts to create Late Romans, Romano-British/Arthurians, or Germanic/Goths, with a command frame featuring characters like King Arthur. You get a versatile core unit that can represent multiple historical forces, and the command options give you leaders for your warband.
Late Roman Armoured Infantry
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Late Roman Cataphracts: This box contains 16 Late Roman Horse Cataphracts, heavily armoured cavalrymen on fully armoured horses. These are your shock troops, ideal for delivering a decisive charge or threatening enemy flanks.
Late Roman Cataphracts
Who This Combination Is For
Best for
- Players who want a balanced force that can hold its own in both melee and cavalry engagements.
- Hobbyists who enjoy building multi-part kits with lots of options for customisation.
Not for
- Players who prefer an all-infantry or all-cavalry army, as this guide focuses on a combined approach.
- Those on a very tight budget who need the most models for the lowest cost, since cataphracts are more expensive per model.
