The Best Cavalry Charges?

[Kugutsu]

Does the number of ranks of cavalry make a difference? If you have a single line, does it cause less charge damage than a double or more line? ie does depth of formation make a difference?

[Enguerrand de Sarnéac]

I thought it was only the first two that mattered. Besides, it the minimum you can spread out (unless people die in the front ranks; the soldiers of the last rank will swap to the first) It's also the case for infantery, I think.

[antisocialmunky]

Does the number of ranks of cavalry make a difference? If you have a single line, does it cause less charge damage than a double or more line? ie does depth of formation make a difference?

You want them as long and thin as possible against as wide a target as possible(which means front or back). The main damage of the charge is done by the first two lines. If its thicker than two, then some of the units behind will spend their charges and other will not. You want as many of them to hit as possible which is why I suggest using them against the long side of a unit if you're going for a formed charge. If you hit them on the side, weird stuff can happen and your horses tend to wrap around a not be able to fling people around.

[LennStar]

You want them as long and thin as possible against as wide a target as possible(which means front or back). The main damage of the charge is done by the first two lines. If its thicker than two, then some of the units behind will spend their charges and other will not. You want as many of them to hit as possible which is why I suggest using them against the long side of a unit if you're going for a formed charge. If you hit them on the side, weird stuff can happen and your horses tend to wrap around a not be able to fling people around.

And with a long line (against smaller units) your horses go around and attack the last few from behind.
Bad idea if it's a big unit or surrounded by friends, then your horses have to retreat through the enemys line.

In RTR I loved to crush with cataphracts into the back of phalangites. Tigh Units get everything of the charge bonus. Lots of flying soldiers A timed attack also was very effective, its not as good in BE - at least with the units I have. (Attack from behind, enemy turns, attack on the now-back at the time of the turn. rightly timed they never even have time to fight back. I called it "Kavallerie-Quetsche" in german, but don't ask me for an english phrase that contains the same feeling. Not hammer and anvil, but two hammers )