Are dragoons useless when you can get light dragoons?

**Blaudonner** · April 29, 2010, 04:50 PM

I've noticed that light dragoons are cheaper than standard dragoons, and they seem to be better at everything. Have I missed something or is recruiting new standard dragoons useless once you've got the option to recruit light ones?

**Rilder** · April 29, 2010, 05:19 PM

Well they are an improved version of the dragoons....

**♔Darmoth♔** · April 30, 2010, 12:26 AM

The only other thing about standard dragoons is that they gain an experience bonus when recruited from higher level military facilities in your major cities. So that's an additional +2 to accuracy, to reload skill, and plus +1 to melee, charge bonus, defense and +0.5 to morale for each chevron.

Also, when dismounted, the standard dragoons can employ the fire by rank drill, while the light dragoons are more like skirmishers.

**daniu** · April 30, 2010, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by Darmoth

Also, when dismounted, the standard dragoons can employ the fire by rank drill, while the light dragoons are more like skirmishers.

Yes, but nobody ever dismounts their dragoons...

so

Originally Posted by Blaudonner

is recruiting new standard dragoons useless once you've got the option to recruit light ones?

Yes.

**Scipio Africanus Maximus** · April 30, 2010, 10:58 AM

Two cents:
Dragoons seem like they'd be better used for defending forts. They can be dismounted and garrisoned or put on the walls while the light dragoon's advantage in mobility is pretty much negated. On the field, however, light dragoons seem better.

**Lumina** · April 30, 2010, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by daniu

Yes, but nobody ever dismounts their dragoons...

so

Yes.

I do.... I alway use them dismounted unless facing insane numbers.

Much higher rate of fire, and long ago they used to be able to GET IN SKIRMISH LINES!!! *sighs* They broke Light Dragoons with each new update the last removed their 90 range as well. Now they are not so useful anymore.

**Rilder** · April 30, 2010, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by daniu

Yes, but nobody ever dismounts their dragoons...

What? I do a fair bit actually...

Whenever I assault a fort and I have dragoons available I bring them around to the rear of the fort and while my men on one side commit to an assault and try and get the attention of the enemies main forces my dragoons dismount and scale the walls on their flank and diverts some of the enemies units from the main assault and can route the enemies artillery if they have any. Sneak them into one of those garrison-able buildings and the enemies screwed.

Don't assume people play the way you do, mate.

**daniu** · April 30, 2010, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Rilder

Don't assume people play the way you do, mate.

Yes, sorry.
I was thinking MP where opponents are not as easily outsmarted as the AI.

**~~removeduser_4536284751384~~** · May 03, 2010, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by daniu

Yes, sorry.
I was thinking MP where opponents are not as easily outsmarted as the AI.

dismounted regular dragoons are great vs mass well microed cavalry.

**daniu** · May 03, 2010, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by irelandeb

dismounted regular dragoons are great vs mass well microed cavalry.

Because they can't form squares?
What you're saying may be right, but I've never seen it happen and couldn't imagine how.

**Paleface Killer** · May 07, 2010, 01:11 AM

i thought regular dragoon can't fire from horseback?

**Condottiere SOG** · May 07, 2010, 01:38 AM

I recently had a group of dragoons crush two cavalry regiments and take a fort dismounted...carbine and sword...but I admit, I mod my units to have the abilities of actual units of the times. CA produce a vanilla game which pales by comparison.

Fires on the charge
fires in melee, horseback or no...
sword fights on foot and on horseback
uses firearms on foot like light infantry
completely aggressive to the end as dragoons were known to be...