Post
by davidsharpe » Sat Apr 30, 2011 6:21 am
Hello Barry
I have a question about dice calculation in combat.
Two exemples
A 24 models british light dragoons (Drilled elite) charging a square in column of squadrons:
6 dice (number of models) doubled (charging in this formation) so 12, then reduced by 75% for charging a square, so 3 dice ! OK it s easy.
1 But A 24 models Veteran cuirrassier charging a square in column of squadrons:
6 dice (numbers) doubled (charging) so 12, then +2 (veteran) so 14, then +2 (cuirrassier) so 16, then reduce by 75% (charging square) so 4 dice !
2 Or do we calculate ?
6 dice doubled so 12 then reduced by 75% so 3 dice then +2 (veteran) So 5 dice, then +2 (Cuirrassier) +2 so 7 dice!
1 seems more logical but erases the differences between high quality heavy cavalry and average light cavalry (which is quite historical against a square)
2 Gives high quality heavy cavalry an edge over ordinary cavalry against square.
William asked a key question:
The problem is not that square cannot be broken (or very rarely) but the consequences
(in losses to cavalry) of close combat with Square.
Take an exemple: an infantry batallion drilled 24 models in square charged by our cuirrassier.
Infantry has 6 dice
Cavalry has 4 dice (version 1) or 7 dice (version 2)
The problem is not the first round losses but if there is a second round !
Because it would mean at least 8 or 10 losses to cavalry, (4 and 4 or 6 losses)
(yes a possible perfect draw is possible leading to 2 losses, but it would be rare)
A second round would give only 1 die to our cuirrassier (9 dice, 5 +2+2, halved (because disordered so 3 dice quartered so 1 die)
Facing infantry 3 dice
So an unwinnable situation for cuirrassier.
And a losing CC penalty of 4, 6 or 7 losses.
So will our Cuirrassier escape a second “murderous “ Close combat round ?
Surprinsingly our cavalry needs to lose (hit differential of 3 or more) in first round to have to test resolve and perhaps RUN !
But being veteran, (+2) it has only 16% to disengage (50% if it is drilled, 66% if it is recruit)
The lower quality cavalry, the better chance to escape losses in CC.
What are the probabilities to have a test of resolve because a WIN/lose situation
in first round ?
My maths expertise is gone with the wind of time but you need a hit difference of 3 or more.
In our exemple the dice difference is less than 3
4 dice against 6 (version 1)
7 dice against 6 (version 2)
But i can say that most of the time we ll get a draw with a difference of 1 or 2
Leading to NO resolve test for losing CC, and a...second round.
It s what i ve played : most of the time cavalry against square lose nearly half it s strength before disengaging.
A simple CC is breaking cavalry.
Yes, Barry, the possibilities are numerous, but the probabilities favors deeply this situation again and again.
Conclusion
A cavalry attacking has few probabilities to fight an infantry NOT in square,
And very few probabilities to disengage without being badly mauled and useless for the battle.
In game terms, like the missile analogy, Cavalry in RTE looks like a “fire and forget” weapon, with low efficiency.
In historical terms, it s not satisfactory at all, William said us why:
There is never any CC against a square, cavalry “bounce” and evade contact, losses are from fire and few.
you have contact and a real melee when cavalry penetrates the infantry formation,
normally this means infantry is doomed,
but it could become a bloody melee for both infantry and cavalry (as in RTE CC) as in 4 Bras 1815 between 5e lancier and 42nd highland caught in forming square process, cav penetrated the formation, but highlanders kept their nerves and closed the square around a group of lancers !!!
Then killed them all.
Many losses to both lancers and Kilted men. Near 150 for the highlanders, a unknown number for the lancers.
This is the situation simulated by RTE
But This situation was rare, against an already formed square cavalry did never contact it.
Losses would be from infantry fire, and not very numerous because infantry would have few time to fire, few to fire, many bullets would hit the same target (horses are big walls protecting those behind) and moving speedily targets.
Conclusion:
I agree with Ray, Square are immune against cavalry, unless Infantry loses its nerves on resolve test being charged, RTE simulate it in a great way !
But i agree with William, cavalry Close combat against square is not realistic, it s consequences are too bloody for cavalry and for infantry too.
Infantry would have none or very few losses, and cavalry just 2 , maximum 3 losses.
As a player, i would not use cavalry in battle in such conditions, apart keeping them as a menace in being.
D
"British infantry ? In Duel, it s the Devil !"
Général Foy to Napoléon in the morning of june the 18th, 1815.
