| Unit Information | Game Strategies | History |
 In the Extended Edition, this unit/building is affected by a damage bug.
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The Mahout is an Indian and Persian unique Elephant of the 
Medieval Age, available to upgrade from the War Elephant and are trained at the Stable.
Unlike other unique units, Mahouts do not replace any standard unit, but are a standalone unit entirely exclusive to the aforementioned nations.
Overview[]
When War Elephants become Mahouts, they gain +5 hit points and +1 attack strength, and functionally become ranged units (see notes). Additionally they gain the same damage modifiers for both damage dealt and received that are given to ordinary Ranged Cavalry. This has significant implications on unit matchups.
Mahouts have exceptionally high armor for a unit of their age, which can make them very resilient. The unit's new ranged attack also allows it to fire while moving, much like typical Ranged Cavalry. However, they also move as slowly as most Heavy Infantry -- slower than all other cavalry -- and are more expensive than other units.
Despite their high health, attack strength, and high armor, the damage modifiers conferred as Ranged Cavalry cause Mahouts to perform significantly differently than one might expect from their base stats.
They maintain their significant 100% damage bonus against Heavy Infantry, and when added to the damage bonus which Ranged Cavalry also receive, they're now able to kill each sub-unit in a squad of Pikemen in a single hit from any angle -- even if a nearby Patriot or General is boosting the latter's armor.
They now deal less damage to, and receive more damage from Light Cavalry, losing even-numbered fights against the unit of the same age despite previously dominating the matchup in the previous age.
Their matchup against Heavy Cavalry remains similar, beating Knights in even-numbered fights but losing when outnumbered 2:3, whilst continuing to significantly outperform Heavy Horse Archers in direct combat.
Against Light Infantry their performance deteriorates due to dealing reduced damage, roughly matching Elite Javelineers in 2:1 fights that would previously be won. They become outright countered outright by Foot Archers, losing even in even-numbered fights against Crossbowmen even with no kiting involved.
One consolation benefit of their new categorization is significantly increased damage against civilian targets, potentially making them formiddable raiders that are able to kill Citizens in two hits just like other Ranged Cavalry, whilst maintaining their unique resilience against low-damage structures such as Cities and early Towers provided by the unit's high armor value.
Given their high cost and eccentric combination of matchups, it can be difficult to find an effective role for Mahouts on the battlefield except against masses of enemy Heavy Infantry. In almost all other roles, other units perform similarly or better but at a lower cost.
Notes[]
- Mahouts, along with Gun Mahouts and Culverin Mahouts, do not have a functional melee attack independent of their ranged attack (contrary to what their attack animations imply). Although there's an attack animation and accompanying SFX, this melee attack does not deal any additional damage when used alongside the unit's ranged attack.
Trivia[]
- Mahouts will not utilise their "melee attack" if set to the stand ground stance, even if enemy units are within melee range. Instead, they will exclusively use their standard ranged attack unless their stance is changed or they are specifically told to attack a target.
- Mahouts, along with the rest of the Elephants, are the units with the most armor in the game, even surpassing Main Battle Tanks, which have a point less.
