Are War Chariots the strongest early game rush unit? Been playing some more Civ IV recently. For the most part I think the unique units are pretty balanced but playing my last game with War Chariots made me realize that these have to be the strongest early game unit, right?

Emperor difficulty, got lucky with horses next to capitol. Had \~7 war chariots before my opponent could link up copper. It was the most brutal/devastating early war that I can recall. The extra strength, and being immune to first strikes against archers is so strong. Didn't actually count how many turns the war lasted but those civs 3 cities were obliterated very quickly. Their biggest detriment has to be not having horses early/accessible.

I know Quechua are situationally strong and Praetorians are super strong but come a little later, but War Chariots definitely feel like the strongest early game rush unit.