Cavalry Besieging Forts

[malthaussen]

Has this been fixed in 1.16? What is the rationale behind a single, isolated cavalry unit with no guns being able to "besiege" and rapidly "breach" a fortress? It seems that everytime the AI pulls this trick, the cavalry "besiegers" immediately rip down the fortress walls, apparently by spitting at them, while naturally the pitiful 2-division force inside the fortress squats under the command of a frozen 3-initiative general. Isn't this going just a little[I][/I] too far? Granted that raiders such as Morgan and Forrest could force the surrender of forces 2-3 times larger than theirs, one uncommanded cavalry regiment should not be able to "besiege" a fortress.

Meanwhile, US Grant with 8 batteries of artillery can't put a scratch in Island #10 after three turns besieging it. Something is wrong with this formula.

-- Mal

[Pat "Stonewall" Cleburne]

I don't think I've ever seen single units breach a fort before? If the AI is really bothering you, just pull the force (or a portion of the force) out of the structure. Even with an unactivated commander, you'll move to 100% control and force the cav unit into offensive posture.

[malthaussen]

I'll try that trick, I'm tired of having my forts besieged by cavalry.
Not only do they breach on just about the first turn of their siege, one single-cavalry regiment totally breached Fort Monroe in one game I played. Fortunately it didn't follow up with an assault by a real army.

I don't mind when the AI does clever things, but it getting away with something stupid like that really annoys me.

-- Mal

[Johnny Reb]

"one single-cavalry regiment totally breached Fort Monroe in one game I played."

Very valuable intel.
"Send word to General Longstreet to order a cavalry regiment to Fort Monroe post-haste!!!"

[malthaussen]

Those Reb horses are tough on masonry.

[Johnny Reb]

All seriousness aside, this is an interesting topic you submit.

I have been shying away from ordering cavalry in fort seiges opting to send them elsewhere, if feasable, where they may have more effect. I see here where my reasoning is flawed. Obviously cavalry can always dismount and provide a formidable force. So I suppose this is an explanation.

I'm interested in hearing the thoughts of the more knowledgeable and experienced players, which I am neither one!

[Pat "Stonewall" Cleburne]

I rarely ever even try sieges. If I can't take it in a lightning assault, I'd rather use my forces for other things. If they're in a structure without river access I might think about it, but i still don't like taking a large chunk of a department offline for siege duty.

[soloswolf]

...while naturally the pitiful 2-division force inside the fortress squats under the command of a frozen 3-initiative general.
-- Mal

I have never had the problems you mention (offensively or defensively), but I think you would have fewer issues if you did not have a corps camping out in a fort... Those men could be far better used in other arenas and that would likely remove some of the pressure you are keeping them there to defend against.