Light Chariots

[Geffalrus]

I don't really play with these units much, but I was kinda under the impression that they were like other light cavalry, only lacking in a ranged attack, but compensating with the Superior trait. But apparently they can auto-drop heavy cavalry with a flank attack?

Are there other light cavalry types who can do that? Like light lancers? Or is that something special to light chariots for some reason?

[Paul59]

I don't really play with these units much, but I was kinda under the impression that they were like other light cavalry, only lacking in a ranged attack, but compensating with the Superior trait. But apparently they can auto-drop heavy cavalry with a flank attack?

Are there other light cavalry types who can do that? Like light lancers? Or is that something special to light chariots for some reason?

It's a special feature of Light Chariots. in fact they are not actually classified as "Light Troops". Some can shoot as well, it depends on their armament. The Indian and Elamite Light Chariots shoot.

[Athos1660]

29.4.1 : "Light chariots are not classified as light troops."

"Lighter skirmishing chariots, which can nevertheless deliver an effective charge against a weakened or outflanked foe." (p. 120)

"The lowland British tribes made much use of their extremely manoeuvrable light chariots, which drove rapidly about the battlefield inspiring terror in the enemy." (p. 22)

"Light chariots can attempt to evade charges." (p. 73)

"Mounted (...) include (...) Light Chariots" (p. 83). Thus :
- Impact +100 vs light foot, bowmen or mob (only in open terrain)
- Charge counting as on flank or rear

[Geffalrus]

Could be a little clearer - having to go all the way back to the glossary and then cross reference with rules earlier in the manual is a bit of a trek.

As an open suggestion, for this unit and many others, it might be helpful for all sorts of players if there was one extra line added in the Detailed Unit Info toggle tooltip that listed the units that the selected unit can successfully flank (aka autodrop cohesion). Yes, you can/will see that when you have the attack option (it will say that cohesion will autodrop), but that might be a bit too late if you've based your plans on a misconception. Additionally, the DUI tooltip can be used for your units AND the enemy's, while the attack option info only works for YOUR units. So for planning purposes, the DUI info can be crucial. Just a thought.

Otherwise, yikes, they have light horse mobility AND the ability to flank heavy units? That's terrifying. Need to be more careful around the Gauls I guess..........

[pompeytheflatulent]

They can't turn on the spot like light horse. In terms of mobility and capabilities they are comparable to light spear cavalry, but with much worse melee capacity.

[SnuggleBunnies]

But also very cheap. They're useful harassment troops, though they can't fight an enemy cavalry wing unsupported.

[Geffalrus]

Cheap auto-drop flankers that can move 5 spaces are nothing to sneeze at. And they have the cohesion check resistance of Superior.

[Cunningcairn]

Cheap auto-drop flankers that can move 5 spaces are nothing to sneeze at. And they have the cohesion check resistance of Superior.

I think they only move 4 spaces.

[pompeytheflatulent]

Cheap auto-drop flankers that can move 5 spaces are nothing to sneeze at. And they have the cohesion check resistance of Superior.

I think they only move 4 spaces.

Exact same movement as non-light cavalry. Except maybe a harder time with crossing large/deep streams? A big maybe on that last part.

On the other hand, since they don't have any melee capacity, they'll sometimes fall back after flank charging and disrupting an infantry unit, giving you a second flank charge.

[Geffalrus]

Exact same movement as non-light cavalry. Except maybe a harder time with crossing large/deep streams? A big maybe on that last part.

On the other hand, since they don't have any melee capacity, they'll sometimes fall back after flank charging and disrupting an infantry unit, giving you a second flank charge.

Gotcha.

[garymann]

Try the Ancient British Panzer divisions against the Romans, if you can strip away their cavalry support you can run rings round them with the light chariots combined with max slingers/LC.

[pompeytheflatulent]

Try the Ancient British Panzer divisions against the Romans, if you can strip away their cavalry support you can run rings round them with the light chariots combined with max slingers/LC.

Really fun match up. Keep in mind these Panzer divisions are definitely the early war ones with Panzer I and II's, NOT the late war overweight Panthers and Tigers that constantly broke their transmission before even getting to the battlefield.