Secondary weapon

**anubis88** · 11-12-2007, 02:24

Hi. i was wondering.... when you guys charge with your heavy cavalry into a battle line, after the momentum is gone and the melee begins, do you leave your cavalry wielding spears, or do you switch to maces, swords, itd? is there any difference at all?

**MarcusAureliusAntoninus** · 11-12-2007, 02:38

I don't usually let my cavalry fight for long, but when I do I'll switch to swords. The swords are much better than the spears. The only real advantage to the spears is they have a charge bonus, other than that they swords are superior. And if you have a unit with maces, those have AP too.

**Centurion Crastinus** · 11-12-2007, 05:12

I was under the impression that they switched to their secondary weapon automatically after the initial charge. Am I mistaken? Is their a little icon that I am supposed to press?

**MarcusAureliusAntoninus** · 11-12-2007, 05:23

ALT-attack will cause them to use their secondary weapon. If you ALT-right click on the enemy when you are far away, they will charge in with their spears and then switch to swords.

**mrtwisties** · 11-12-2007, 06:42

I'm a bit worried that my Saka general's bodyguard charges with their bows drawn, even if I alt + attack.

**hoom** · 11-12-2007, 06:49

Hmm, so far I've not really noticed significant difference between sword & spear for cav vs cav melee.
I know in theory the sword is supposed to be better.

Lay observance though, sword cav seem to have a bit of an issue in reaching to their enemy which may be somewhat negating better stats.

**TWFanatic** · 11-12-2007, 17:40

Originally Posted by mrtwisties

I'm a bit worried that my Saka general's bodyguard charges with their bows drawn, even if I alt + attack.

Turn off fire at will.

Always use alt. Alt makes a huge difference. If you want 100% proof that it is superior, test it over multiplayer.

**Labrat** · 11-19-2007, 22:40

Originally Posted by MarcusAureliusAntoninus

I don't usually let my cavalry fight for long, but when I do I'll switch to swords. The swords are much better than the spears. The only real advantage to the spears is they have a charge bonus, other than that they swords are superior. And if you have a unit with maces, those have AP too.

IIRC the two-handed lance also has an AP bonus. However since many Kontos/Xyston units wield a macheira or mace (that also confer an AP bonus) it's still better to use alt-attack.