Cavalry wedge : How best to use it ?

[_Tristan_]

The title says it all...

I'm big fan of cavalry from all TW games...

I've never made any use of the wedge capacity of cavalry as I didn't see the point...

Notably, in vanilla RTW, almost nothing could stand a cavalry charge...so why bother with a wedge ?

In MTW2, use of the wedge formation seems perhaps more useful...

My problem is how to use it ?

Do you target the first line of the enemy or the last ? Do you make a simple-click charge or double-click ? Which units are the best targets of the wedge (spears, swords, missiles...) ?

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Hi Tristan de Castelreng,
The wedge, or in R:TW at least, was best used, in my humble opinion, against tightly packed units that you deserately needed to break up! I always used it in the rear of almighty phalanxes to distrupt their formation and in the front of very weak spear-units. However, unfortuately, I lack M2:TW, so I cannot really advise you in that field. Sorry I can't help, good luck, cheers!

[FactionHeir]

I'd say you'd use them in M2TW on cavalry only when those are static. Then you'll at least kill a few without having your cav running past the bulk and getting themselves slaughtered.
Also helps in keeping formation when pursuing routers.

[Tyrac]

Wedge for head on frontal assaults. The wedge creates many "flanks" once it hits.
Flat line if you are attacking from the flank or rear.

[KyodaiSteeleye]

I don't tend to use it either, but it is useful in keeping cavalry units out of trouble as they're manouvering around the flanks of the enemy army - as their width is much reduced.

[adembroski]

Flanking a thin line... basically, when your target is small, or you want to ensure you focus your energy on one unit rather than being broken up into several.

A broad front is going to have a greater potential for causing casualties, but a wedge is going to focus attacks on fewer enemies, thus ensuring casualties... it's a more reliable killer, but wont cause as many instant-routes.

[_Tristan_]

Thx a lot for your answers...

I've been thinking along those lines but speaking of a frontal assault, and needing a how to..., how would you go at it ?

Target the first line or the unit farther back of the first line ? Which would ensure the main efficiency ?

My reason for asking is that I intend to field an all-cav army against an almost all-inf army and I want to charge those pests head on...

[Hoplite7]

In that case, you always attack the unit closest to your calvary. Often they have a line of crossbowmen, that's what you attack first. If you attack the infantry behind the crossbowmen, your charge will be broken up if a couple of retreating crossbowmen get in the way. A good charge into a line of non-spear infantry should result in 70-100% casualties.

For maximum effect, surround the enemy, and then charge. That way more units are charging rather than standing around at the back of your army doing nothing.

[Slaists]

In MTW I, a wedge was supposed to give +2 to attack and -2 to defense. It is not clear (from the descriptions in the manual) what are the implications in MTW II though.

[FactionHeir]

Charge the second row. This way those knights that didn't hit someone in the first row have something to stab at.

Charging first row, especially a moving one such as missiles, will usually result in your charge being much less effective than targeting a stationary target even with an obstacle in the way.

[Razor1952]

Apart from generally following above , I use it when I'm crammed for space(like on a narrow hill), or to avoid obstacles(crossing rivers, navigating thick forests), it seems though I'm not sure that wedge makes it easier to keep formation and charge better in these situations.

Generally though I love lining up in non wedge on a flat plane with no obstacles and demolishing the enemy, thats when I mostly see enemy soldiers flying in the air and hence gauge the charge as most effective.

[sableblack]

i think it is supposed to achieve 2 aims.
1stly disrupt enemy units for your follow up troops to take advantage of.
2ndly it transports your cavalry through the enemy lines. you then keep going about face and charge the enemy in the rear.
disrupt, follow up troops charge, charge in rear= rout.

[rosscoliosis]

I've pretty much only used it when my settlements are besieged. I send out my cavalry in wedge formation at a full run to smash into artillery crews, and units carrying ladders or rams, (a little harder with the ones pushing siege towers, but it can still work). Of course, the most important is artillery crews. Obviously most of the time your cavalry will eventually end up routing back into the settlement, but it makes it a lot easier to defend if your enemy no longer has artillery to knock down your walls and towers at his leisure. ;-)

[_Tristan_]

Charging first row, especially a moving one such as missiles, will usually result in your charge being much less effective than targeting a stationary target even with an obstacle in the way.

That seemed to me the way to do it but I wanted it confirmed before trying it in game... I love those horses and I can't stand to see them fall...