1h cav advice sought

[Phew]

So I'm thinking about retiring at lvl 33 (18/21 1h/throwing hybrid right now). I can't hit anything with my +3 heavy throwing axes, and losing 2 ammo made it even worse. I think riding might be a fun change of pace (never had a cav char, except single player warband). I exclusively play siege, although if I could ride, battle might be more appealing. The siege map rotation is getting more cav-friendly too.

Since I know NOTHING about cav, here are my questions:
-Build. Looking at 21/18, 5 or maybe 6 riding. I assume this is fine
-Horse. I assume bumpslashing is the way to go for 1h cav, rather than high maneuver and hope I can weave away from people and slash them. What's the lowest charge damage horse that can bump effectively? Horse would be +3. I hear Destrier sucks for bumping now; is that true? I don't care about the bump damage, I just don't want to get reared whenever I run into someone. Padded or War Horse maybe?
-Weapon. I use a +3 Grosse, which is godly for infantry, but too short for cav I assume. Or is length less of an issue if I'm bump slashing? Do I have to get a 100+ length sword for cav usage?
-Are 1h cav on medium horses just fodder for Courser lancers and HX/HA on battle?

Thanks!

[Penitent]

-Build. Looking at 21/18, 5 or maybe 6 riding. I assume this is fine
Seems good.  I go for 18/18.  6 riding is what you want, not 5.

-Horse. I assume bumpslashing is the way to go for 1h cav, rather than high maneuver and hope I can weave away from people and slash them. What's the lowest charge damage horse that can bump effectively? Horse would be +3. I hear Destrier sucks for bumping now; is that true? I don't care about the bump damage, I just don't want to get reared whenever I run into someone. Padded or War Horse maybe?
Get anything that is Destrier and up.  Destrier is still a good, well balanced horse...especially at +3.  I would prefer barded, padded, or warhorse though.  All these horses bump well, but you're going to need to count on their durability more than anything.

-Weapon. I use a +3 Grosse, which is godly for infantry, but too short for cav I assume. Or is length less of an issue if I'm bump slashing? Do I have to get a 100+ length sword for cav usage?
You can actually use short weapons for cav.  I've gotten some nice kills using a steel pick.   In general though, you'll want something longer.  Get at least something as long as a nordic war/italian sword and you'll have a much easier time.

-Are 1h cav on medium horses just fodder for Courser lancers and HX/HA on battle?
watch out for lancer cav!  Don't try to take them on head-on of course.  Try to out maneuver and trap them.  If you get close enough to them, they can't do anything for a few seconds while you slash them.  You can take on or scare off HX/HA, but be careful.  Approach them and retreat from them on their "blind side" if you can.

1h cav is not strong against any other type of cav, so it may be best to avoid and go for the bump and slash.  Remember, a bump can be more effective than a slash if you are helping your friendly infantry.  Stay close to friendlies and offer tank-like support to them!

Charge 1h infanty with reckless abandon.  Approach 2h head-on with caution.  Never go for pole infanty head-on unless you have some reason to believe its ok.

[Phew]

Thanks Garison, good tips. Maybe I'll make a STF and mess around on a rouncey to check out the reach on the Grosse from horseback.

[Penitent]

Yeah, try it out.  With a shorter weapon like that, you have to get very close.  You may want to think "bump first, slash second."  Meaning that just try to bump them, and if you get a slash then bonus for you.  This will always ensure you're close enough.  The overhead slash works pretty well for this approach also.

The shorter weapons are easier to dodge, so getting unaware players is helpful.  Also, approaching at less than full speed will make you more maneuverable and can help you get wily guys.  I did ok using a broad 1h axe from horseback for a while, but it can be tricky.

I've got some experience in 1h cav, but I'm not expert.  It would be nice to see others chime in too!

[Joseph Porta]

Iron war axe for swag on horse bag, other then that ill leave it to the pros, allthough an 18/18 build is the best imo, alot of horses to choose from and overall nice balance, so you aint just a god on horse bag but aswell on foot. 

[GOBBLINKINGREATLEADER]

If you're looking into playing 1h/Shield cavalry than I suggest 21/15 as below. Five riding is the best amount for if you want to be good on horseback without sacrificing survivability and damage while on foot. I prefer the Destrier to the Barded Warhorse but that's just personal preference. I use a lot of bump slashing along with a lot of regular swings and stabs--I almost never use overheads from horseback; stabs are still good though. As far as weapon reach I have used everything from weapons like the Steel Pick all the way to the Paramerion and had success with all of them. You just need to change up your play style depending on the length of your weapon. If you use something like the Steel Pick or the Iron War Axe then you almost exclusively have to bump slash; no worries, bump slashing isn't difficult. Right now I use a Langes Messer and the length is fine for both styles.

(click to show/hide)

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

    Strength: 21
    Agility: 15
    Hit points: 60

    Skills to attributes: 2

    Ironflesh: 2
    Power Strike: 7
    Shield: 5
    Athletics: 5
    Riding: 5
    Horse Archery: 0
    Power Draw: 0
    Power Throw: 0
    Weapon Master: 5

    One Handed: 148
    Two Handed: 1
    Polearm: 1
    Archery: 1
    Crossbow: 1
    Throwing: 1

[Shemaforash]

I'd go for 18/18 if I was intending to stay around lvl 30. I'm aiming for lvl 33-34 or even 35 currently and I'm playing 21/18

[Duster]

21-15 wrecks butts, I'm on my way up to level 32 to do 24 15 ROHYPNOL build right now. I love the cataphract horse and the destrier. The longer 1hs are simply better for killing, and I almost exclusively use morning stars and longswords with a shield in start battles now.

[Phew]

Thanks for all the tips. I'm still on the fence about retiring vs. continuing to play past 33 as 1h/throwing. I stumbled onto some +3 War Darts, and they have brought some freshness to throwing for now, so maybe I'll stick with it.