Are people ITT seriously advocating a nerf for cavalry?
I've played a few generations as cavalry, because I think it's really fun - not because it's overpowered. If anything, I would almost say that it's UNDERpowered. That's right. Nearly every horse dies in 1-2 hits. For example, I can't even count the number of times that I've been killed by throwers recently. They kill my horse with one axe, then me with one more before I can even stand. It's absolutely ridiculous. Right now, any ranged players of any kind are able to deny cavalry access to huge portions of the battlefield. Some horses, like the courser and arabian, are able to mitigate this disadvantage because they're very strong in one area, but most horses are laughably weak. I WANT to play cavalry this generation, but if the past week is any indication I'll definitely have to re-spec to infantry. I'm just too vulnerable as cavalry.
THIS is what's causing people to resort to using shameless tactics like backstabbing and AFK killing. There's just nothing else that they can do. As things are now, there are only a very small number of players that cavalry stand any sort of chance against. Anyone with a weapon whose length is >~110, or with a ranged weapon, can dispatch charging horses with ease. For example, I run around with a longsword and am virtually immune to cavalry. I one-shot their horse with a stab to the face and kill them before they even hit the ground. Again, it's ridiculous. Even most one handed weapons can beat them with a simple side-step and right swing. In my opinion, every horse from the destrier on up needs at least another 10-20 points of hp/armor. ESPECIALLY the heavy horses. Those suckers should be able to take a real beating - and that's about all they should be able to do. As things are now, that's the only thing that they CAN'T do. Reduce their speed and charge stats and increase their durability significantly so that they can actually be used as intended. They shouldn't be running all over like the light horses or knocking people down like some kind of big stupid bowling ball, they should be trotting or walking through the thick of battle, alongside the footmen. That's their niche. A little faster than infantry, but less agile and unable to block attacks to the horse.
So, in summation, at the moment:
- cavalry are weak against ranged AND infantry
- cavalry are strong against unaware and AFK players
- heavier horses need more durability
- heavier horses need less speed and much less charge
P.S. nerf ranged
Edit: Also, I like how heavy horses' legs are vulnerable and I think that it would be a great way to provide a weak point for new, tougher heavy horses - although I think that the hitbox for legs is just a little too big right now.