Cavalry

[til further notice]

I seem to not be able to use cavalry right. I try using it as a flanking force, or as a counter charging force, but they literally rout before they even touch any units, before they even get shots off.

So, because of that, all my cavalry ever does is sit on the edge of the map from being routed back and me just losing interest in trying to do anything good with them. Is there a way to use the cavalry that I'm just not getting? They absolutely refuse to attack anything.

[shoguntw]

I don't use cavalry agaisnt unbroken infantry formations, even on the flanks. I've been successful using cavalry to disrupt enemy artillery formations and to exploit breaks in the enemy line caused by my infantry. Basically I charge my infantry and cause a small localized rout and then throw my cav at the retrating enemy forces followed by whatever infantry can put up a fight and secure the gap.

There is a little bit of micro to make sure you keep hitting the charge button too, that works best for me to keep them in some knid of meele mode.

A quick note, I only use the cavalry you get at the beginning to hit artillery, they are too small for anything else really...

[ozkat (VegasOZ)]

Originally posted by icefenix:

I don't use cavalry agaisnt unbroken infantry formations, even on the flanks. I've been successful using cavalry to disrupt enemy artillery formations and to exploit breaks in the enemy line caused by my infantry. Basically I charge my infantry and cause a small localized rout and then throw my cav at the retrating enemy forces followed by whatever infantry can put up a fight and secure the gap.

There is a little bit of micro to make sure you keep hitting the charge button too, that works best for me to keep them in some knid of meele mode.

A quick note, I only use the cavalry you get at the beginning to hit artillery, they are too small for anything else really...

Excellent tactical advice in my view. This will do nicely until the Apache Gunship MOD arrives any day now...

VegasOZ

[Sneak]

Originally posted by Heartregis:

I seem to not be able to use cavalry right. I try using it as a flanking force, or as a counter charging force, but they literally rout before they even touch any units, before they even get shots off.

So, because of that, all my cavalry ever does is sit on the edge of the map from being routed back and me just losing interest in trying to do anything good with them. Is there a way to use the cavalry that I'm just not getting? They absolutely refuse to attack anything.

I have the very same problem anmd even when the enamy is retreating they still just turn around half way to the target,, the cavalry are next to useless

[Implied Facepalm Deadmeat]

Cavalry in this era are basically scouts. Apart from a few major skirmishes with other cavalry, cavalry basically are scouts. I use them to see what they enemy are doing and thats all.

Your cavalry are used to screen and scout the enemy, driving off enemy scouts and protecting your rear. I think it was apparent by generals of this age that these cavalrymen were not knights and did not charge battle lines.

[Sneak]

Originally posted by Chiba City Decker Deadmeat:

Cavalry in this era are basically scouts. Apart from a few major skirmishes with other cavalry, cavalry basically are scouts. I use them to see what they enemy are doing and thats all.

Your cavalry are used to screen and scout the enemy, driving off enemy scouts and protecting your rear. I think it was apparent by generals of this age that these cavalrymen were not knights and did not charge battle lines.

if this is how the game is programed , well that explains it then, thanks

[Captain Panda]

It's not really about how the game is programmed, it's just a reflection of the fact that when the ACW rolled around, the idea of Cavalry as a charging force(like in the napoleonic era) was over. Cavalry was then relegated to scouting / screening duties.

No Cavalry charge ever made would stand up against a brigade of ACW troops firing at them.

Like somebody else said, they are good for harassing the enemy artillery, and also for riding round the enemies flank, distracting them, drawing off their forces while your infantry performs most of the work.

[Sneak]

Originally posted by Captain Panda:

It's not really about how the game is programmed, it's just a reflection of the fact that when the ACW rolled around, the idea of Cavalry as a charging force(like in the napoleonic era) was over. Cavalry was then relegated to scouting / screening duties.

No Cavalry charge ever made would stand up against a brigade of ACW troops firing at them.

Like somebody else said, they are good for harassing the enemy artillery, and also for riding round the enemies flank, distracting them, drawing off their forces while your infantry performs most of the work.

yes i did understand what you ment thx ,and its nice to know because i can use them as they should be used from now on

thanks for info

[MaxiZzz]

Yes. just like some posters said above
Cavalry during Gettysburg was used mostly for scouting and harrassing.

[til further notice]

Thank you all for the replies. I suppose I'm just too used to Total War.

[COMRADE]

During the later days of the battle, you get command of Custer's or Stuart's cavalry units, they are actually quite useful in combat. During my Union playthrough Custer's unit had over 600 kills with only 100 losses.

[Implied Facepalm Deadmeat]

One thing to mention as some have mentioned before, cavalry could dismount and fight as infantry. I believe this happened alot in the first day, I believe the devs used skirmishers to represent dismounted cavalry. I would personally prefer if we could simply dismount cavalry and have them fight on foot.

It seems unfair and wierd to relegate cavalry to being near useless when them and Gen Buford et all used them so effectively as dismounted infantry on day 1.

It could be argued that their stalwart delaying action saved the Union itself on day 1.

[America]

The Union cav should at least be able to lay down a pretty thick rain of lead with their carbines though.

[Mashsmouth]

Is that with the later game cav? Videttes so far seem pretty useless. It seems more of a psychological thing than actual damage.

[Captain Panda]

Originally posted by Who Goes Thar:

Is that with the later game cav? Videttes so far seem pretty useless. It seems more of a psychological thing than actual damage.

Later in the game you get control of Custers / Jeb Stuarts cavalry, which are more numerous and could probably be used for more combat than the earlier units from Bufords cavalry.

[Captain Panda]

Originally posted by Chiba City Decker Deadmeat:

One thing to mention as some have mentioned before, cavalry could dismount and fight as infantry. I believe this happened alot in the first day, I believe the devs used skirmishers to represent dismounted cavalry. I would personally prefer if we could simply dismount cavalry and have them fight on foot.

It seems unfair and wierd to relegate cavalry to being near useless when them and Gen Buford et all used them so effectively as dismounted infantry on day 1.

It could be argued that their stalwart delaying action saved the Union itself on day 1.

Good point, and I definitely agree that you should be able to dismount cavalry.