One-time Cavalry Charge

[zxh]

I just realized that in real combat, the cavalry charge could only take place once, since impacting a dense infantry formation with a lance, though could impale several men, must result in the lance getting broken or stuck.

Is there any mod to address this realism?

[Avatar]

Leaving aside the lance argument specifically, theres a reason why even modern police forces use cavalry to disperse mobs. Try holding your ground while a line of horses and riders are coming towards you with swords waving.

On the technical side, I think making such a mod would be problematic and would basically kill cavalry since any savvy general would simply stick a line of peasants in the way to absorb the lance charge before sending in their own cavalry to take target practice.

[Aeratus]

Leaving aside the lance argument specifically, theres a reason why even modern police forces use cavalry to disperse mobs. Try holding your ground while a line of horses and riders are coming towards you with swords waving.

That's because modern mobs aren't much better peasants.

Real infantry could deal with cavalry, even by attacking the legs of the horses. At Tigranocerta, the Roman Legionaires were order to attack the thighs and legs of the horses of Armenian cataphracts, because those were the only parts of the horse and rider that wasn't armored.

[Double A]

They lose their lance. So what? Cavalry with swords are still effective. You just have to be more clever with them, like have them hit the flanks and withdraw.

Leaving aside the lance argument specifically, theres a reason why even modern police forces use cavalry to disperse mobs. Try holding your ground while a line of horses and riders are coming towards you with swords waving.

On the technical side, I think making such a mod would be problematic and would basically kill cavalry since any savvy general would simply stick a line of peasants in the way to absorb the lance charge before sending in their own cavalry to take target practice.

A line of peasants with pikes.

[TWWolfe]

Cavalry solved this by having attendants ride with them to carry several extra lances. they would charge, then retire and get another lance before making a second charge.

[Double A]

And that.