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Basic overview

The Bhakti allows you to build Tiger Claw units, which are light infantry units and therefore take the role of hand cavalry in an army. You are allowed to have 18 of these units for each Bhakti trading post that you control. The Bhakti appear on three standard maps; Silk Road, Deccan and Himalayas.

The unit – Tiger Claw

As said above, Tiger Claws are light infantry units. It is a class that only two civilizations (Chinese and Aztecs) normally get access to, but it still worth comparing the Tiger Claw to a similar unit - and there is little else to choose from aside the Aztec Coyote runner. Even though it is of a different class strictly speaking, the standard European Hussar does well against the same type of units. It is therefore also worth comparing the Tiger Claw to it, as the Hussar is more widely available and the Tiger Claw will most likely be replacing a unit like the Hussar most of the time.

Analysis

The Tiger Claw is more specialized than either the Hussar or the Coyote Runner, which is a common theme for most Asian cavalry and light infantry units. While it costs a lot less than the Hussar does, it does the same amount of damage to a ranged infantry unit, which hopefully is what you would be using both units against. As well as that the Tiger Claw is also reasonably strong at siege compared to similar units. However, the Tiger Claw can run into trouble against non ranged infantry units, and against other cavalry units it is rather cost ineffective. Be careful when you use these units and be sure you actually need them.

It is however important to note that the Tiger Claw is subject to a small oversight. Unlike the Coyote Runner, the Bhakti Tiger Claw does not have the Coyoteman class. This therefore means they receive full damage from a ranged infantry unit such as the Crossbowman or Skirmisher, but do not take extra damage when attacked by a ranged cavalry unit like the Dragoon or Cavalry Archer. Heavy infantry units like Pikeman and Musketeers get their standard bonus against these units because they still have the light infantry class.

Technology

Yoga

Cost: 200 food, 200 coin

Effect: Cavalry and infantry damage increased by 5%

Comments: Reasonably worthwhile. It might take some time before this technology actually pays for its cost however, so it might be wise to save it until the mid game. This technology boosts all types of infantry and cavalry damage, including ranged damage - so it is useful for a slight edge over your opponent, particularly if your civilization lacks upgrade cards in a particular unit type.

Reinforced Gauntlets

Cost: 300 wood, 300 coin

Effect: Tiger Claws gain +50% HP

Comments: If you invest largely in Tiger Claws this technology will pay itself off very quickly. Despite the huge boost, it still doesn’t change the problems the unit has against other types of cavalry, so you still need to be careful when using these units.

Vegetarianism

Cost: 100 wood, 100 coin

Effect: Berries are gathered 40% faster

Comments: Almost always worthwhile, especially because Bhakti appear on maps where hunts are slightly more scarce, this technology allows your villagers to gather berries at a rate of (roughly) 0.93 per second. That compares well with hunting, which gathers at 0.84 per second without any upgrades, and at 0.92 with hunting dogs. Unlike with hunting villagers, you don’t have to walk to a new hunt each time they run out on one animal, which costs you time. While the berries do not last forever, they become a safer and more efficient source of gathering food when it is difficult to hunt, and it makes it easier to get back into the game. A side note with this technology however: it won’t have any effect on villagers gathering from Japanese cherry orchards.

Summary

Tiger Claws are very capable of replacing hand cavalry but only for the purposes of defeating a mass of ranged infantry. They are rather ineffective when attacking anything else, and are limited in usefulness when your opponent does not have any ranged infantry. You can use them to raid instead in such situations. That said, the standard cavalry unit is generally the better choice as it is faster and more durable. It will take 13 hits for a Tiger Claw to kill a standard villager and it will take 12 hits to kill a standard Coureur. Although it does take a lot of hits to make a kill, it isn’t difficult to wrap Tiger Claws around a group of villagers allowing them to cut the villagers down effectively.

The HP technology does enable your Tiger Claws to be a bit stronger overall, but it is very expensive and they will still be unable to stand up against European heavy cavalry. If you grab this trading post and end up in trouble regarding hunting, vegetarianism can be a lifesaver.