ahugeUSMCfan
Infantry
posted 28 March 2010 06:15 PM EDT (US)
Lancer cavalry is much more effective than in Empire. Not only their charge bonus, but their melee stats are much better. If you can beat the enemy cav, then they are very effective at charging at the enemy infantry's backs, more so tehn other cavalry.
Gnarlyhotep
Infantry
posted 29 March 2010 01:56 PM
EDT (US)
2 / 13
I'll give the motion a 3rd support.
I found that using 2 units of lancers in supporting roles to be absolutely devestating. Charge both in on the target (one head on, one flanking, if possible) and then leave one in combat, while regrouping another a little bit away. Send the regrouped unit in for another charge, then withdraw the one that was left in combat. Stand good odds of shattering even a high quality veteran unit with this tactic, without exposing the lancers to too much opportunity for counterattack.
Gnarlyhotep
Infantry
posted 29 March 2010 03:13 PM
EDT (US)
4 / 13
It is a bit tricky, and does tend to get one of the units a bit beaten up on the initial charge. If you can get both around the flanks, so the infantry is focused on your infantry, that's pretty much routing them on the initial charge.
But let's face it, we've all been in situations where you're forced to give your cavalry the order to go light brigade on someone, in order to save the tactical situation.
ahugeUSMCfan
Infantry
posted 29 March 2010 03:36 PM
EDT (US)
5 / 13
That actually a pretty nice strategy, gnarlyhotep. Except instead of headon, you could charge at both flanks and catch them while there're turning. Lose a lot less horses then.
Gnarlyhotep
Infantry
posted 29 March 2010 04:29 PM
EDT (US)
6 / 13
Oh I agree, I should have stated that's a non-optimal last ditch solution. The AI does seem to be infuriatingly good at turnign to face charges though. (to say nothing with how fast the AI is able to get it's skirmishers to deploy stakes).
Also the caveat that with AI cavalry, you're not going to be able to get both flanking (which is mostly where this tactic pays big dividends).
Gnarlyhotep
Infantry
posted 29 March 2010 07:10 PM
EDT (US)
9 / 13
Yeah, that would work better. As crue said, everything's so damn delicate and getting it all set up for those maneuver can be tricky.
I've been working a lot harder at getting different unit types supporting eachother more directly. Much more of an emphasis on combined arms than was evident in ETW.