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Just wondered whether anybody had some general advice for dealing with Cavalry. I play Menites but any generic advice would be good. It seems odd in a game thats meant to be about the jacks the horse is still king.

It's an army game, really, so I like seeing the cavalry.

The thing with Cavalry is that they're hittable (Defense 13 or 12) and their large bases
create Line of Sight easily. Cavalry do best on the charge, and often an army with cavalry
will get first strike against an army without.

If they get stuck, they will probably try to use a Ride By attack order in order to attack and
reposition.

One way to deal with them is to bait them and counter-charge with something. If your
opponent has access to movement enhancing abilities this might be easier said than done.

If you have anything that can knock them down, use it. They can't get up and charge while leaving their downed buddies behind. Or just run something fast up and engage them. Exemplar Vengers are weaponmasters but not all cavalry are, and it's still weaker than their lance hits, in addition to robbing them of their trample attacks.

Spellbound wrote:If you have anything that can knock them down, use it. They can't get up and charge while leaving their downed buddies behind. Or just run something fast up and engage them. Exemplar Vengers are weaponmasters but not all cavalry are, and it's still weaker than their lance hits, in addition to robbing them of their trample attacks.

Weapon specialists, unfortunately :(

I still love em'.

Well, weapon specialist = weapon master with given weapon, right?

Yes, but it still makes me sad.

You really gotta deal with cavalry on your own terms or they will deal with you. As said before, you need to have something ready to sacrifice to them if you do not have any way to get the charge on them. I most recently used my nightmare for a turn one charge on the cygnar version of cav with mortenebra. They were done.

With Menites, you have a variety of cheap troops to throw out there. Zealots with a Monolith Bearer would work well, and with Greater Destiny, they're unkillable for a turn. Also, Zealots can do some Firebomb damage. As others have noted, their defense isn't great, and with the Warpriest's +2 to hit/damage, you can potentially take down a few.

The most important thing is to realize how they can function and what they can - and most importantly - can't do. Especially in regards to impact hits.

In general, Cavalry needs to charge to be effective. If you can deny them the charge in some way, you're thinking in the right direction.

Thanks a lot you've been very helpful.

Denying them their speed and or movement seems to be the best way to deal with them, iirc. If they can't run up and hit you, you're better able to get a charge on them beforehand. It nullifies their biggest strength and makes them more open for you to throw things at them.

I don't own any calv myself and I rarely play opposite them, but rough terrain slows them down, right?

yes, but the piper fixes that. Depending on your timing they may surprise you. For example, Protectorate Cavalry gain pathfinder if you damage one of them. Be careful.

If you can't get the charge, you might be better suited to running to engage. As others have said, most of the cavalry are lackluster once stuck in combat.

Barring that, upkeeps and spells that effect entire units are great against cav. Anything that can reduce their speed by even an inch will prevent their powerful charge bonuses.

Kill the leader and scare them off. Works on all of them that aren't fearless. Their high movement may take them off the table before they get chance to rally.