Has anyone given any thought to making a card for a horse? I know the game setting is late 1940's but the Germans did still use horses as did other armies even in that later years of the war. Just looking for ideas/feedback.

By that point, horses were being used as needed to move equipment, but combat troops dismounted, because fighting against modern weapons from horseback was suicide. That means a few Russian units still did, but nobody else felt crazy enough.

By 1947 for DUST, there would be even fewer people riding or towing units with horses, so there's little reason to add them.

If you really wanted to, you could add them as an Armor 1 unit that couldn't take advantage of cover if towing anything, and reduced cover by one level for riding infantry (with no Armor 3 or higher riders). Give them Fast, with it transfering to a riding unit, but not to a towed unit. Two actions to limber or unlimber towed equipment, and one action to mount or dismount. Riding infantry could only attack with rifles, pistols, and SMG's, as well as close combat weapons. Don't increase the number of wounds for the riding unit, as horse or rider going down was likely to result in the same thing, with the rider out of action. Put them at 5 points to add to a squad as a starting point, and see what you think.

mgentile7 said:

None at all. If anything they would just be mounted infantry and not to fight from and could be represented by giving a unit the Scout ability to simulate getting to the battlefield and taking up positions to fight on foot. Or give a unit Move 2 or Fast, but must spend an action to dismount to shoot.

Give those boys some demo charges!

Lska said:

Well, if you're going to go there, give them pole mines and let them joust with some armor...

Poles used horses and mounted troops against german tanks, and destroed some, so it's not such a dumb idea:P

I wouldn't go as far as Move 2, as they should be slower than rocket pack equipped troops. Fast or Scout would fit without being too much, though actual scouting from horseback was a trifle dangerous. Horses move faster than a man, but make the man a much more inviting target.

As for allowing demo charges, that would take some serious training for both the horse and the rider for it to work. Training a horse to handle rifle fire is one thing, but getting them to willingly close with big explosions would take a lot more, and could easily result in the riders getting hurt by panicking horses after their attacks. Riding by explosions is much easier than letting the horse know you're sticking something in front of it that will make the explosion. Horses would be smart enough to recognize the demo charge for what it was after very little time, and even less time for an explosive lance. Horses tend to be skittish, at best, around loud noises. I have friends that work with horses that laugh at the absurdity of explosive lancers in various games.

I'd suggested allowing riders to fire basic infantry weapons from horseback, because there were troops that did, but it would be far less accurate fire. DUST doesn't have a mechanic to show that, except perhaps to allow the target unit an increased level of cover, so troops in the open would count as being in light, and any cover would increase to heavy.

While there were a few machine guns that could possibly be fired from horseback without too much trouble (BAR, DP, & Bren perhaps), most would not work from the saddle. The increased recoil to compensate for while controlling the horse, as well as keeping up on ammo supply while firing, would make it problematic.

The Poles used cavalry against the Germans, but they were facing Panzer I's (just machine guns) and II's (a 20mm), and a very limited set of III's (37mm) and IV's (75mm short assault gun) with the weakest guns those tanks mounted. The Polish cavalry was incredibly brave, but largely ineffective against the lightest armor of the war in direct combat. They fought better when they had time to dismount and set up their heavier equipment.

The Poles had a very good anti-tank rifle for their cavalry, as well as anti-tank guns more than capable of defeating early German armor. Add to that their tenacity in defending their country, and the use of fire bombs whenever possible, and they fought magnificently, but couldn't bring enough to bear to stop the Germans because they simply didn't have enough.

What if the horses were ROBOHORSES? Or zombie horses? Kidding. I was kidding. But one man walkers might be neat. Like a cross between an ATV and a horse. I know that we have the light walkers, but I was thinking lower, smaller and, no mounted weapons. Just a thought.

-Jeff

Well by looking from a logical stance, why we invented car ? So we could go faster than horse. Horse had the advantage of no fuel and almost any terrain usage. Now we have walkers with unlimited fuel (at least i think so) and terrain capabilities of a human being (2 legs and stuff). So why going back to horse? Let's go further, we can have ultra-light walkers like honey but in samller versions and witchout weapons. I can't see why anyone would use horses then;)

I am not so sure logical should be a term applied to the technological progress found in the Dust world. Just say'n.

-Jeff

A small walker could be a reasonable mount for lots of weapons. They had special mounts for SMG's on motorcycles, and a walker with more mass might be stable enough to mount a machine gun or flamethrower, or to allow the driver to fire a rocket launcher without toppling.

Thanks guys for the feedback. I was mainly thining of a cheap fast way to move troops but I do like the idea of charging a tank!!!

Anyway if i get time ill work one out and post.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Speaking nice easy ways to move troops... the Russians were famous for their "Tank Riders", I wonder if we will see something like it. Not that would want to ride 40 feet in the air, but you get my meaning I hope. Just food for thought.

-Jeff

Hanomag said:

I think Dasant units would be a great feel for the Soviets. They took horrific casualties riding exposed, but they also accomplished a lot.

I did get some hanamogs and half tracks for troop movement I just liked the idea of a few old school units moving around on horse back. I thought it might add a little non-tech element to the game. Like a mech troop squad getting outflanked by a cav unit thats dismounts in great cover and pounds them due to brilliant tactical movement. Plus I lived in Texas for a long time and we loved are horses!!!

Again thanks for all the ideas!!!!!