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Hey all,

Okay, can mounted models use a hand weapon in each hand for the +1 attack? In the BRT, Close Combat weapons section (page 56), it states that only infantry models benifit from having a weapon in each hand.

...In both instances, these rules only apply to warriors fighting on foot and not to cavalry and warriors mounted on monsters or chariots.

In addition the BRT reinforces the idea that cav cannot use a weapon in each hand as the next subtopic is labeled Fighting with two hand weapons (infantry)

I ask because there seems to be some idea that Pistoliers can use their pistols in hand-to-hand. I know they can stand-and-shoot with the brace of them, but in melee they get one attack at strength 3... or did I miss some sort of errata or update.

Thanks

Only models on foot can benefit from two hand weapons for an extra attack.

There was a change to the rules for pistols in close combat; they used to be able to be fired (in the first round only? Can't remember) for a S4 AP shot. That made Empire pistoliers quite a decent little combat unit against lighter targets.

Once upon a time, in the previous Empire Book, they could indeed fight with 2HW's.

However, I have found sticking a cheapy Hero slot (say, a Captain with Lance, Barding etc) gives them their combat oomph back. Although he benefits from the Fast Cav rules, he doesn't prevent the Pistoliers doing what they do best. And seeing how adept they are at nipping up flanks and that, you can deliver a crippling blow to your opponent seemingly from nowhere.

If I am not mistaken, if you put a hero mounted on a horse with barding they are no longer fast cavalry. I belive it is because the movement on the horses are lessened by 1. (Have to go at the slowest movement value.)

Nope! Nothing in the rules about it.

This does come up in certain Fast Cavalry options, for example Barded Outriders no longer count as Fast Cav. But the actual Fast Cavalry Rule explains what they do, but does not define what they are.

Ergo, bung a single, Barded Model into a Fast Cav unit, and you do not lost Fast Cav.

The joys of RAW.

You do, however, drop the march move of the unit from 16 to 14 inches.

Anyway, in the current edition Empire, if you are throwing your pistoliers into close combat, "ur doin it rong," as they say on the intarnets. Last edition, with the fusillade rule, I had no qualms about charging in with them, 'cause they could punch above their weight for the first round. Not anymore.

Which is precisely why they get a Captain. Combined with the benefits of a Flank, or even better, Rear Charge, they soon get to the point of auto-win, and with a minimum fuss. Not exactly a constant tactic, of course.

But the main benefit of the character is to disuage lighter troops engaging your Fast Cav, as they risk a bit of a kicking off the Hero choice....Blocked in by Skirmishers? charge straight through! Enemy Fast Cav trying to intercept? Hit them first!

And it's not even RAW I'm afraid. Nowhere in the Fast Cavalry rules does it state a required Armour Save to qualify as Fast Cav. It does cover characters joining them though, and again, no mention made. Anyways, you can always field the character sans-Barding if need be. His protection is less necessary than his hitting ability.

Perfectly legit. Of course, it makes that unit an even juicier target for your opponent's shooting and magic. And Pistoliers are already pretty attractive for shooters.