I notice on the QRS that there are separate stats for loose and close chariots. However, I can't see any armies in the lists that have 'close chariots'?
What's the position?

It refers to move distances being different?

Sumerian battle carts.

Another question on chariots. A few lists have the choice pf 4 horse chariots which have armoured horses. What speed do they move at as according to the QRS a loose chariot will move at 5 BW whether is it armoured horses or not. Is this correct or should it be similar to cavalry where loose cavalry with armoured horses move at 4 BW instead of 5 BW?

Think that one has already been flagged and chariots with ArmHrs should be included on the Close Chariots line.

If not it has now 

If armoured horses slow down the unit then what about the 2-horse armoured horse chariots?
Not sure about this distinction between armoured horse chariots as the evidence is that all 2 or 4 horse chariots sported armoured horses when going into battle.
The distinction re the armoured horses is therefore irrelvant and should certainly not be considered as 'close order'

ArmHrs is a characteristic.  It is applied to very few chariots - Later Sargonid chariots are the only one I think.

As we have repeated regularly, the Characteristics should not be taken literally.  As indicated, many chariot horses were equipped with some form of protection.  This does not justify the ArmHrs characteristic.

The rationale for giving the Later Sargonid Chariots the ArmHrs characteristic is to reflect the heavy nature of the chariot and its crew.  This was right at the end of the chariot era when cavalry had already taken on the main roles that had previously been undertaken by chariots.  The chariot was tried as a shock weapon although the evidence suggests that this was abandoned relatively quickly, probably because the expense of equipping the chariots and training the crews was disproportionate to the benefits obtained.  The idea of the shock chariot didn't disappear entirely as the scythed chariot continued to be used by the Persian and Seleucid states.

Richard

Quote from: Player on December 12, 2019, 01:39:59 PM
Not sure about this distinction between armoured horse chariots as the evidence is that all 2 or 4 horse chariots sported armoured horses when going into battle.

Factually incorrect I believe.

not factually incorrect according to Stillman and Tallis in their 'ancient armies of the ancient near east' who say that it is highly likely that all chariot horses would have some form of protection/armour going into battle.

However, looking at, for example, the Balawat Gate and Chinese sources show chariotry with unarmoured horses in battle. Likewise depictions of Hittite chariots.

And Indian come to think of it.