Chariots

[Rex Somnorum]

In EBI, chariots were generally clumsy, difficult to manoeuvre and too expensive for what little combat power they offered. As a ranged unit, chariots also provided relatively low volume of fire compared to cheaper foot troops. Most chariots could serve best as a mere terror unit. DBM improved the situation somewhat; chariots are definitely more agile. How is the situation in EBII? For instance, how difficult is it for chariots to draw back after a charge? Has firepower changed?

On a side note, what sort of tactics did various "Celtic" charioteers use? Did they integrate chariots with other troop types or concentrate them into a separate striking arm?

[QuintusSertorius]

Chariots weren't used as cavalry, even by Celts in this period, but as "battle taxis". They'd get a lord to the fighting so he could dismount and do battle, and if need be remount and swiftly exit.

[Edorix]

It's not very clear. Caesar gives a very detailed description of British charioteers throwing javelins and then dismounting at the beginning of Book V of The Gallic War; but we have references elsewhere which dimly hint at a more varied picture. The Battle of Telamon has the Gaulish chariots engaging the Roman cavalry, and the same at the Battle of Mons Graupius according to Tacitus. A later part of Caesar's account of his British expedition has the chariots harassing his line on the march in the woods - in other words clearly highly manoeuvrable, I would speculate more throwing missiles than dismounting and running away.

[Tar-Andukanaro]

hello.....I was just about to ask exactly the same question.....In EBII we are going to have many more chariots than in EBI. i know that the Pritanoi are having generals on foot, but chariots are plenty.... Garamantine chariots, gallic chriots and the pritanoi are recruiting them also. Besides I supose the Seleukids will have them in some manner; finally we'll have the general of the Takshashila Satrapy faction also riding a chariot.....so any clues as how are they gonna be depicted in the game or how can we use them????In EBI I didn't know how to use them on the battlefield at all.....many times got bogged down iin the middle of infantry or cavalry......

[Ibrahim]

@Tar-Andukanaro What you ideally should be doing (with scythed chariots) is slam into the line, and then "thread through" the enemy: they should in turn be followed as closely as practicable by the infantry. That enemy should ideally be disorganized ahead of schedule as well--Scythed Chariots are pretty much psychological weapons: I'd suggest archers or javelineers for that. Throwing the scythed charioteers into a regular mass of the enemy will end the same way as it did in real life: utter disaster.

of course, do this right, and the enemy will be disorganized, and then the chariots will have torn massive wholes in the enemy line, and then the infantry could exploit the gaps, and rout the enemy.

as to the Celtic chariots: you skirmish with them. Have them hurl some javelins, then run away. I believe you've already seen the African examples, and should be able to say the same here about.

I will not comment on the Indian ones.

[moonburn]

charriots are shock and terror groups it sucks in sieges but hving them move arund the batlefield does help alot to break the enemies moral the keltic ones at least