CavalryTactics

[Infection]

Does anyone have new/interesting ways of using cavalry, in open battles, rather than just charge/retreat or charge/fight into infantry or archers? i mean it works pretty well but it gets kinda boring using the same tactic in every battle.
And while were on the subject of cavalry, how do you all use mounted archers? i can never seem to get them to work very well

[kosmosje1]

I use cavalery to pin enemy generals, and then bring in spearmen to kill. Alternatively, I use cavalery to kite a unit or two around the battlefield.

Horsearchers I usually use in flanking roles, letting them slowly move around to the back, attack archers, shoot at generals etc. I'm more of an infantry man.

[cracks2]

I think the Important factor is setting your army formation closer to the back of the battle field, this gives you more time and possibilities to use your cav and horse archers before the main battle begins.

I set all my Infantry and unmounted missile troops as far back as possible, I leave my HA close to the front line so they can attack on skirmish mode as the enemy advances. I leave my cav on far left or right of the field so when the enemy army marches they can quickly move round the back and pick off any artily what might be present, the main army usually advance much faster than the art leaving them vulnerable to cav attack and if they send a couple of units back to defend the art they make easy pickings.

Because of the bombardment of the HA the main enemy force usually continues forward to attack my front line, My cav if all went well is now positioned nicely behind the approaching enemy, after my art and archers have gave them all they got I send my Infantry in on the front line and directly charge the back with my cav. This is usually enough to make any army route the field and if they don't they don't stand much chance between an Infantry + cav sandwich.

This is one tactic for an aggressive army with an defensive force a different approach is needed!

[Old_Scratch]

Here's some tactics I don't see used often.

Heavy cavalry with an AP weapon can be useful as an anti-cavalry unit. Take for example huscarls. They aren't good at charging at all, so I'll try to give them the weapon upgrade and specifically seek out and destroy the enemy cavalry. Their axes should make short work out of most heavy cavalry. If possible I'll try to destroy the enemy cavalry before the main engagement begins so I can have free range of the battlefield.

Horse archers are quite deadly if you aren't afraid to use them in melee. If you're shooting at the enemy army, that means you're close to him and can make a quick charge on a weak spot and retreat before he can react. For example, I usually send my HA to the flank and then charge the closest enemy archer unit. If they are in skirmish I'll then just ride in front of his army and make his archers run around while I move my archers up and start shooting at his infantry and cav. If they don't move I'll repeat charge them until he does something about it. Usually just killing one unit of them is enough to take the ranged advantage.

If attacking his archers is impossible then I'll send my HA around the rear and try to shoot expensive targets like cavalry. Leave them in the rear whether they're shooting or not so when the main melee engagement starts they can easily rear charge his infantry and usually mass rout them. My favorite HA for this type of play is Jinetes, Vardiotai(sp?), Stecalcy.

[Sodbuster]

I have a tactic that's very useful in siege defense against enemy AI with no artillery. Start the fight with your cavalry unit or units (I don't recommend more than two units, and I don't recommend using generals) right up at the door the enemy is attacking. Wait until their siege engines have gotten close Sally out and attack the enemies carrying/pushing all of the siege engines except one (preferably ladders). Put all your defensive infantry at the top of the one ladder as the enemy will now focus their attack on that ladder and will leave the rest of the siege engines behind, but be prepared to lose a lot of cavalry if you're not quick.

The OP did ask for Open Battle strategy however, so I need to think of one I use and don't mind revealing. OK, here's one for HA users: try to keep your HA a little ways away from each other. It is easier to just put them all into one force, but splitting them is good because less of your units will get hit by archers; you will force the enemy cavalry to either focus on one group or split up to deal with you, making them less effective against your own heavy cavalry; you don't risk having your entire HA force surrounded or pinned; and you can harass separate positions or set up crossfires where you're hitting armored units in the sides and back. I find it's nice to have 4 or more units of HA and split them into two units of two, so I can hotkey them.

[Hobbes]

Does anyone have new/interesting ways of using cavalry, in open battles, rather than just charge/retreat or charge/fight into infantry or archers? i mean it works pretty well but it gets kinda boring using the same tactic in every battle.
And while were on the subject of cavalry, how do you all use mounted archers? i can never seem to get them to work very well

Check out my guide in the scriptorium!

[nemr]

in my battles with mongols in bridges, if my infantry rout I usually charge with my all cavalry

units((include general)) in enemy so they don`t pass to an open area

this give the infantry a time to return to battle field , and gain the victory