Question: Is meele cavalry (yellow) just bad?

[Exodus]

They are the only unit type that doesn't feature an unlockable unit in the tech tree and only feature a total of three different units throughout the entire game. Compared to every other unit in the game. It's just so weird to me that CA would just neglect one unit that way, while giving
at least some love to all the others.

I guess by extention that also means you should avoid hiring Commanders (yellow generals)? Or am I missing something?

[Nanox]

The goodside of melee cav is that they can stay in a prolonged fight unlike shock cav. Also they can withstand more missile fire.

Commanders can be quite good dont use them as much but they can give your troops some buffs.

[Baanth]

They've got uses. Great for massive spear walls. Commanders have 900% charge resistance buff and 900% Ranged Damage Resistance buff.

[Dukie]

Yeah against archer units they are brilliant; especially when you general have got a missle dodge buff unlocked as well. That way they can just charge head on into achers without breaking a sweat or loosing much of their units. When you use them right they can be brilliant.

[Metadragon]

There is a unit actually. They are kind of an emergency stopgap in the battle line. They still have a decent charge bonus and most importantly they have SHIELDS which means they can bear down on bows and crossbows with minimal losses and if they get interdicted they can survive breaking away and continuing their attack.

That said they lack armor piercing so they can hold lines but they wont beat units on the line. And their charge bonus is much less. Still useful but not nearly as devastating.

I tend to put Two high tier yellow cav in and then use the rest of the slots for bows or swords with shields. Axes if you got them.

My fav tactic that hasn't failed me yet is shield and spears holding a line while an entire retinue of lancers kills all their archers and opposing cav and then yellow cav bring in the flanks while the red cav slams the back with what men they have left. Vanguard and Champion Generals hit hard and stay in the fight just as long their purple brothers.