So... for reasons that aren't important here, I've been wanting to pick up a unit which happens to be classed as Mounted Polearm (with no ranged weapon). Every time I look at the QRS, though, I get really confused about what these guys are supposed to do?
MP gets charge claims exclusively against Cavalry with Short-Spear and unarmed Cavalry. So is it supposed to focus only on bullying horse archers?
But MP gets a melee claim against literally everything (including elephants lol). So it's supposed to be a general-purpose brawler?
Any guidance on what the design intentions are on Mounted Polearm? I'm at a total loss on what to do with these guys.
(Especially because I have access to CL+ME for only 15% more points.)
Thank you all for your advice! (Though... half-points for the advice of "leave them on the shelf." :P )
Remember that Mounted Polearm also get Shatter when charging.
They are essentially less effective chargers in many circumstances but once stuck are good.
I guess they are trying to represent Chinese cavalry who did have to fight a lot of horse archers - whether you think they get it right or not is anyone's guess as we don't have many descriptions of Chinese cavalry in action.
They add a bit of flavour perhaps. Although CL+ME are more effective, MP don't suffer from some of the drawbacks of CL in getting drawn into forced charges at 3BW and MP can control pursuits.
Richard
Mounted Polearm is a bit of an oddity but as Richard says adds a bit of flavour by being a bit different. I've used it with Han Chinese and Qidan and find it quite good value.
Thank you both for the replies and insights!
I've been looking for an excuse to try out MP flail-cavalry, and getting a grip on what to point them at should get me over the biggest stumbling block in the process.
(Second-biggest stumbling block is that no one makes flail-cavalry in 15mm, but I'll jump off that bridge when I come to it!)