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.