Why are chariots so effective in killing cavalry? ( Is it historically correct?)

[Brennus]

Celtic Might!

Possibly the weight of the chariot itself? Although that's unlikely since Celtic chariots were renowned for being of light build.

Do they inflict damage whilst stationary or walking, as opposed to being at full gallop?

[Kikaz]

I don't see the issue with them having 1 lethality. On the battlefield, they produce extraordinarily lackluster results roughly 70% of the time. Aside from that, they often knock down enemy soldiers without killing them, usually more often than actually killing them.

[athanaric]

Do they inflict damage whilst stationary or walking, as opposed to being at full gallop?

Even in RTW with its idiosyncrasies, standing chariots are dead meat. That's why so many players hate Casse bodyguards: In theory, they're very dependable, with 16 morale, command "aura", fear effect, good stamina, and a huge stack of javelins for ammo. In reality, they like to die at every corner, even more readily than Scythed Chariots (which are far better armoured, thus it's logical).

I don't see the issue with them having 1 lethality. On the battlefield, they produce extraordinarily lackluster results roughly 70% of the time. Aside from that, they often knock down enemy soldiers without killing them, usually more often than actually killing them.

I concur; they don't need to be nerfed any further in this respect. The most kills come from running down routers, anyway.

[ARCHIPPOS]

hmmmmm, playing at medium battle difficulty i have found chariots to be quite fragile. Casse chariots are annoyingly easy to kill when stationary.Also they die from Javelins quite easily.In my KH campaign i have come across Pontus scythed chariots quite a few times.Their charge can prove dangerous (but hey all charges are supposed to be).After the initial shock though and once engaged in melee they die like flies.Take in notice that contrary to normal cavalry they cannot withdraw and charge again (they get overrun due to their large turning radius).Effective against cavalry ??? Are you talking about some low-tier hippakontistai ??? Because Greek mercenary generals, medium hippeis or even prodromoi chew scythed chariots up taking around 15% casualties (provided they charge first of course). I suppose even horse archers can prove devastating against chariots because they are faster, more manouverable with better stamina and they carry lots of missiles... i have never tried that though :) All in all i'ld say chariot performance is quite realistic in EB.They're a fragile war machine with many tactical limitations and some advantages if used correctly.You wanna see overpowered chariots play the Britons in RTW.Their bows and arrows were outrageously effective. extra long range too. Kinda felt like having snipers on land rovers...

[Apázlinemjó]

hmmmmm, playing at medium battle difficulty i have found chariots to be quite fragile. Casse chariots are annoyingly easy to kill when stationary.Also they die from Javelins quite easily.In my KH campaign i have come across Pontus scythed chariots quite a few times.Their charge can prove dangerous (but hey all charges are supposed to be).After the initial shock though and once engaged in melee they die like flies.Take in notice that contrary to normal cavalry they cannot withdraw and charge again (they get overrun due to their large turning radius).Effective against cavalry ??? Are you talking about some low-tier hippakontistai ??? Because Greek mercenary generals, medium hippeis or even prodromoi chew scythed chariots up taking around 15% casualties (provided they charge first of course). I suppose even horse archers can prove devastating against chariots because they are faster, more manouverable with better stamina and they carry lots of missiles... i have never tried that though :) All in all i'ld say chariot performance is quite realistic in EB.They're a fragile war machine with many tactical limitations and some advantages if used correctly.You wanna see overpowered chariots play the Britons in RTW.Their bows and arrows were outrageously effective. extra long range too. Kinda felt like having snipers on land rovers...

I guess you've never faced human player with chariots before. :P

[vartan]

I think it was Apaz who tested it, but anyone with experience can tell you: Chariot armies defeat Kataphract armies, with devastating unbelievable results.

[ARCHIPPOS]

I think it was Apaz who tested it, but anyone with experience can tell you: Chariot armies defeat Kataphract armies, with devastating unbelievable results.

waaaaaat ??? are you guys serious ???

[Apázlinemjó]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It was 3 Cidainh vs 5 AI Grivpanvar. Though, taking 5 down in a multiplayer battle is impossible, since humans are smarter than the AI and they wouldn't try to hammer down the chariots like they were infantry.

Edit: Had a few runs with ASM, 3 Cidainh could take 3 Grivpanvar down, however the chariots were easily defeated by HAs and after that by hoplites. Lol.

[Apázlinemjó]

Celtic Might!

INDEED!

Chariots are deadly against cavalry (but if you use unorthodox tactics, you can beat them ), but very weak against tightly packed infantry, archer and skirmisher units.

By the way, Cidainh might be a bit OP'd, they have high morale (16), more soldier/unit compared to scythed ones, no running amok feature, they inspire friendly troopers and scare foes, they are cheaper than most cavalry and scythed, their lethality is 1. Actually their only drawback is the low armour value, but who cares when you get so many bonuses. But again, a simple Peltastai could make short work of them, Lol.

Edit: Whoops, I was slow. Anyway the whole thing is different in MP, chariots can be match-winner or match loser units there, it depends who uses them, how, on what terrain and against who.

[athanaric]

But again, a simple Peltastai could make short work of them, Lol.

Or just about any kind of spearmen. In EB, I find that melee troops are better at killing chariots than javelineers are. I once had a unit of Milnaht destroy an Eleutheroi Cidainh bodyguard unit with zero losses on my side (though admittedly, the fight was in a gateway )

[Apázlinemjó]

Or just about any kind of spearmen. In EB, I find that melee troops are better at killing chariots than javelineers are. I once had a unit of Milnaht destroy an Eleutheroi Cidainh bodyguard unit with zero losses on my side (though admittedly, the fight was in a gateway )

In MP battles the trick card is Thracian Peltastai, their rain of javelins is just devastating against chariots (I know this from my own experience :P). Or for easterners, horse archers, chariots cannot gallop that fast and their lack of armour makes them easy targets for arrows.

Edit: Also you can beat them with heavy cavalry too, but it needs a bit more micromanaging.