Confused about unit tech tree and helicopters

[hitesh_no1]

A bit confused how and why light cav got mixed with helicopters. Killing the realism a bit. Why did the devs decide to squish those unit types together.
Light cav should fast moving tracked and armoured recon Vehicles.
Also there really need more filler vehicles for cavalry. CIV5 may have done this a bit better.

[BlackSmokeDMax]

Modern armies call their attack helicopters cavalry.

[Skumboni]

Light cavalry did not usually attack on horseback. They rode to the scene and proceeded on foot as infantry. Air cavalry flies to the site and proceeds on foot. So, it is the correct unit progression.

[grognardgary]

Note the job of lr cavalry and Helicpters is the same scouting, US cav hasn't been horse back since WWII. During that time frame it became know as armored cavalry During the '80's armored cav lost it infantry component and gained an attack helicopter element. Most other armies followed suit though pure helicopter battalions exist as well. The US uses what are called regimental combat teams of combined arms tank infantry and helicopters supported not infrequently by massive amounts of artillery and air units including helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.

[hitesh_no1]

Originally posted by grognardgary:

Note the job of lr cavalry and Helicpters is the same scouting, US cav hasn't been horse back since WWII. During that time frame it became know as armored cavalry During the '80's armored cav lost it infantry component and gained an attack helicopter element. Most other armies followed suit though pure helicopter battalions exist as well. The US uses what are called regimental combat teams of combined arms tank infantry and helicopters supported not infrequently by massive amounts of artillery and air units including helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.

Well that sort of makes sense and i think i go by the UK understanding of light cav which tends to be light vehicles. Probably not the same in other countries.

[jmerry82]

Helicopters and tanks replacing the role horse-mounted cavalry filled in earlier eras ... that's been a thing in Civ games forever, because it has some basis in reality.

Allowing you to directly upgrade horse-mounted cavalry to helicopters and tanks, keeping the promotions? That's pure gameplay mechanics with no basis in reality.

[BlackSmokeDMax]

Originally posted by jmerry82:

Helicopters and tanks replacing the role horse-mounted cavalry filled in earlier eras ... that's been a thing in Civ games forever, because it has some basis in reality.

Allowing you to directly upgrade horse-mounted cavalry to helicopters and tanks, keeping the promotions? That's pure gameplay mechanics with no basis in reality.

2nd paragraph is a key thing to remember in relation to all Civ games, they were originally based on a board game, so not really a simulation at heart.