I don't think they are a waste, atleast not for Yamato and afew other good econ civs. It's abit like the phalanx, but can be an anti-seige, but not like 50 catapults, but like two or three in a fire and run situation. Add to the catapracts afew horse archers you got a raid, add afew more- you got an army
If you like starting in the Iron Age, cataphracts are a good weapon for many other civs besides Yamato, like Macedonia and Persia. Agreed they are always expensive, and some may argue that camels can slaughter them, but I think the upgrade is SOME TIMES worth it, what counters camels... HAPPY GAMING
*The might of Carthage, victors from the Cedars of Lebanon to the Pillars of Hercules,
the great traders and the worlds greatest navy.
Prepare to be defeated!
*We are Macedonians, we don't convert that easily.
[This message has been edited by Caesar Constintine (edited 06-26-2001 @ 08:05 PM).]