Is speed the be-all, end-all? Mobility has always been an important factor in determining the combat effectiveness of an army, from olden times to the present day. During the Han Dynasty, General Huo Qubing led an army deep into the northern part of the Gobi Desert to defeat the Xiongnu Worthy Prince of the East and was the most accomplished general in the Khentii Mountains. During the Three Kingdoms period, Xiahou Yuan was said to have relied on a strategy of traveling 500 miles in three days and 1,000 miles in six days. Still today, a significant part of modern warfare is using mobility to gain a tactical and strategic advantage against enemies. To many, Genghis Khan and his army of Mongol riders were the kings of mobility during the ancient era, and nothing exemplifies this more than their historic sweep across Eurasia.

Yet the bravery of an army is closely tied to the logistical support that they receive. So how did the nomadic Mongol riders launch large-scale battles again and again, with almost no logistical support?

I: The Mongol Lifestyle

The rise of the Mongol cavalry is thanks in large part to the use of stirrups. During the early Mongolian period, there were not many iron weapons or heavy armor. After stirrups were developed, the accuracy of arrows fired from horseback increased, which improved their ability to wage what we now know as guerrilla warfare. Although Mongolian horses were not as large and sturdy as the European horses of the time, they were far superior when it came to endurance, and had a great advantage when it came to long-distance campaigns. Additionally, the nomadic Mongols did not have homes, per se. The only things that they “owned” were their horses, cattle, and sheep. The only supplies they needed could be found in pastures and at water sources. As for homes and permanent abodes, they were simply too wary of enemy raids to want them.

II: Mongol Food Culture

The Mongols subsisted mostly on meat and dairy products, which they obtained directly from the livestock they brought with them on their campaigns. The Mongols did not care much for crops. When marching over long distances, the Mongols would carry light-weight and energy-rich jerky, and cheese and would eat while on horseback. An enemy can learn a lot about your army if they find your cookware, but since the Mongols did not need to make fires or use utensils, this danger was obviated. They were, in a sense, ghosts to their enemies.

III: Mongolian Marches

Civilizations based around agriculture tended to use fewer horses, and their armies relied mostly on infantry to accomplish their goals. Oftentimes, there would be only one soldier on horseback for every twenty infantry. On the contrary, the Mongol armies primarily used horses, to the point where each soldier sometimes had three of his own. During their marches, the Mongol cavalry would switch horses to maximize their marching speed. When their supplies of cheese and dried meat were exhausted, they could easily hunt for more. And if there were no more prey to eat, they could simply eat their excess horses. Thus, the Mongol armies were experts when it came to balancing supply acquisition with their need to march.

IV: Mongols in Battle

The power of the Mongolian horseback archers is unquestionable. Marco Polo noted that they would never let themselves get drawn into normal melee combat, but would always ride at a distance and fire arrows at their enemies. European riders were used to charging with lances, but this tactic proved useless against the Mongols, as they always kept just outside reach. Once the European riders were exhausted, they became easy pickings for the durable Mongol riders. The battle won, the Mongols would carry out large-scale looting, and the spoils of war would become each Mongol's personal property. In many cases, they would continue their marches immediately after the victory, never breaking pace.

In the end, the romanticized notion of the horseback archer is not a mere legend, but a tactic that had great strategic value in the ancient era. Prior to the start of Season 2, Myth of Empires introduced new bows and crossbows, and also strengthened the power of throwing weapons against heavy armor. Thanks to the increased growth rates of the season servers, all players can try their hand at becoming skilled horseback archers. The battles in Season 2 are only going to get more intense, so start practicing your riding and shooting skills now!