Light Calvary

[Oxberger]

Any tips/strategies for using light calvary would be nice.

I only understand how to use heavy calvary and their purpose(break thru formations/flanking).

[homefry]

They're only good at getting at archers/artillary units and catching routing enemies.

I don't use them as the main attacking force.

[Tacticalwithdrawal]

Light cavalry are good for chasing down routing troops, for attacking missile troops and for getting enemy heavy cavalry to chase you all around the battlefield (you can use the same tactic to totally mess up the enemy infantry formations)

If you pin an enemy formation with infantry and charge light cavalry into the back of it they can be pretty good too

[Khassaki]

Light cavalry are good for chasing down routing troops, for attacking missile troops and for getting enemy heavy cavalry to chase you all around the battlefield (you can use the same tactic to totally mess up the enemy infantry formations)

If you pin an enemy formation with infantry and charge light cavalry into the back of it they can be pretty good too

Yes to all of the above, they are very effective and efficient at what they do, ripping up archers, artillery and anything fairly light is well within their means. They can also ride down HAs in cantabrian.

HAs or javelin light horse are infinitely superior though.

[Lord Firkraag]

Chasing down routers and cavalry archers... sometimes for flanking. I usually only use light cavalry when heavy cavalry is not available (like in cities with a merchant guild). I prefer cavalry archers that can double as light cavalry if required.

[Oploc]

Good against missle cav, but i prefer my own missle cav or troops instead. as for routing units? heavy cav, Make them rout first! XD

[Kahn]

I like to keep some light calvary around simply for the reason that there are times when the battle doesn't go the way I think it's going to go and I need to get some troops to a specific location.

It's usually not the perfect solution, but there have been times when stupid me has left some unprotected artillery units out in the middle of nowhere and the light calvary has saved them from a full-on rout.

They're the fastest thing you've got and sometimes speed is more important that power.

[Samir]

fake attacks where you pull the enemey into a good assault position for your main army.

Distraction for the heavy cavalry of your enemy

Cheap(er then some good units) sacrifices against enemy elite troops or heavy cavalry charges

Splendid ravagers and pillagers against support armies and reinforcements that the AI sends to the front

Rioters who cause a lot of economical damage in the enemies backyard, sieging small garrisoned cities, blocking ports and trade routes even causing cities to revolt (in combination with spies)

Fast on the campaign map causing a lot of troubles to the AI trying to get it (you can rip apart assault armies when they try to chase your riot unit through their empire)

Recon

[Metellus]

In addition to the points mentioned above, I use them to screen my heavy cavalry against enemy heavy cavalry, I don't like my heavy cavalry getting tangled up with enemy heavy cavalry since its meant to be there for charging infantry. So sometimes when enemy hvy cav is going for mine I'll charge my light cav into it to delay it and allow my own hvy cav to reform and either charge into the fray or pull back. However I am mindful of casualties to my light cav in these circumstances and withdraw them pretty soon.

Oh and they are great against horse archers, anybody complaining about HAs should try using more light cav.