Hippagretai

"For we alone of all the Greeks have learned to be free, and not to be subject to others." -Plutarch, Sayings of the Spartans

Despite their slightly better stats compared to other Greek cavalry units, particularly the Hippeis and Prodromoi, Spartan Hippagretai are in effect terrible units, owing to Sparta's lack of genuine horsemanship skills. True, they are in effect an elite unit -- but so are most cavalry. Hippagretai have better attack and armour than Hippeis, yet have lower hitpoints, speed and a handicap facing enemy cavalry - with one glaring exception which will be mentioned later. In battle against dedicated anti-horse units, particularly units such as elephants, camels, pikemen or even Persian Javidan, the value of Hippagretai falls completely to zero.

As a result, Hippagretai aren't necessarily the best units for attacking other cavalry. What they are good for, however, is functioning as a conventional officer unit, as well as running down enemy light infantry - and Hippagretai are fairly good at it, owing to their better armour and arms. Just remember to look out for dedicated anti-cavalry units, and you can use these units to easily trash an enemy. Hippagretai (along with their Mora subordinates) are best used on land maps, against enemies with little cavalry support, such as the Italian or Indian factions, or even Aigyptos which has just as bad cavalry - Hippagretai may be slower than mnost horse cavalry, but they are still useful for wiping out enemy chariotry, and it is this end that they are best used. Otherwise you are probably better off using Taxiarchs for command, and your Hippakontistai and Oulamotai for cavalry operations.