Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

This may be a naive suggestion AND it's probably too late anyway, but
considering all the recent debate on cavalry functionality and
equipment and tactical evolution - and having to keep in mind
inherent morale (e.g. Numidian LC) factors and basic troop function,
it might just be good for one of the Four Horsemen to outline how the
FUNCTION and CAPABILITY of cavalry evolved over the timespan AND
geography of the Warrior rules.

Please be clear: I am not advocating mechanisms that make Late
Imperial Germans automatically slaughter Early Hebrews (as much as
they might like to...). What I am looking for is an ordered
evolution of cavalry functionalty. I do not have the expertise to be
an authority on this. But as a gamer, it now seems to be important.

So, can your current cavalry rules cover this?


Considering horse-borne troops only, there seem to be 5 main types:

0) Mounted infantry, which I'll ignore.

1) Dispersed open formation LC armed with missiles appropriate to
expected enemies and/or with JLS

2) Open formation LC with "Lance" only (help me: why did the
Prodromoi exist? What were they effective against?)

- From the postings, it seems that the better armour of the Italian
condotto CB LC is well matched by the elan (morale) of the (eg)
Numidian LC, making armour comparisons between non-historical
opponents irrelevant (ie accounted for in morale classes/h-2-h
weapons, I hope).


Here are two different classes altogether:

3) Loose horse, relying on missiles (even JLS at close range) to
break up the enemy BEFORE charging in.

4) Heavy Horse relying on IMPACT only, designed to crunch in without
softening up with missiles first. This would include SHC and all K

So tell me:

Are the distinctions of 3) and 4) valid?

Are these differences ALREADY simulated in the rules? (we are
looking at effect, not process, especially for impetuous loose
charging) If so, do you need to blatantly point out these things?
And
if not, do you need some rule about Impact Cavalry when charging.

(Lance at 1.5 ranks certainly gives Impact, but should xyston and
similar be allowed such power? Maybe I'm interpreting previous posts
wrong.)

Where does the kontos/xyston fit in? (vs couched Lance of later years)

Most importantly, is relative effectiveness factored in simply by the
weapon factors AGAINST various cavalry types? If so, it is a simple
way of addressing these issues. :)

The pure scientist within me would like a chart of all SIGNIFICANT
changes in cavalry function AND their effect on cavalry function.

My practical aspects would like it simplified to significant changes
in tactical function within well-defined eras and/or geographical
regions.

Ideally, you already have it under control, and it will only take a
few sentences to reveal your wisdom to my primitive world-view.

Just hoping your rules are satisfactorily cavalry-valid,

Terry.