For the Empire: Total War unit, see 6-lber Horse Artillery (Empire: Total War)
6-lber Horse Artillery are a type of horse artillery in Napoleon: Total War.
Description[]
To keep up with fast moving cavalry, horse artillery batteries put entire gun crews on horseback or the horse-drawn limbers.
The cannon used by horse artillery lack range and firepower compared to other artillery pieces. This is considered unimportant; speed is all! Horse artillery units can move guns to a firing position, deploy, and then remove themselves with some despatch. They can be where they are needed to support and attack or break an enemy advance. They are a tactical reserve that any general will welcome, or a means to exploit a weakness in the enemy line.
Historically, Frederick the Great of Prussia observed that even the smallest artillery piece could be enough to break enemy defensive formations, leaving them open to subsequent attacks by infantry. He concluded that speed and mobility, rather than simple weight of shot, was important. This observation lead him to order the development of a ‘galloper’ gun, and a six-pounder that could be dragged at the gallop. Frederick’s contribution to military tactics was acknowledged by Napoleon himself, who considered the king a master tactician.
General Information[]
Mounted on horses, horse artillery are far more mobile than foot artillery. With the exceptions of France and the Kingdom of Italy with their Artillerie à Cheval and Guard Horse Artillery respectively, 6-lber Horse Artillery are the only horse artillery available to most factions.
6-lber Horse Artillery are very similar to 6-lber Foot Artillery statistically, with identical range and firepower and for the most part identical stats. They are generally somewhat cheaper to train and maintain, though costs vary among factions. In exchange for their superior mobility, 6-lber horse artillery limber and unlimber more slowly (as crews have to mount and dismount respectively); their larger profile thanks to their horses make them somewhat more vulnerable to enemy artillery, particularly if limbered. Like all artillery, horse artillery are vulnerable to artillery counter fire, muskets and rifles if unlimbered, and are extremely fragile when facing melee attacks--particularly if they are limbered.
All non-fixed artillery have an extremely high resistance to small arms fire while limbered, to the point where they are practically invulnerable. In a pinch, horse artillery may be used to absorb a volley of enemy fire in lieu of more vulnerable units. They are more suited to doing this than other artillery units due to their high maneuverability.
Among the playable factions in the Europe Campaign, only Austria doesn't have access to 6-lber horse artillery, considerably limiting the mobility of its artillery roster.
Statistics for this unit vary depending on faction; differences are posted below (identical statistics are not listed).
Faction | Accuracy | Reloading | Morale | Cost | Upkeep |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Great Britain | 65 | 35/95 | 3 | 590 SP/720 MP | 180 |
France | 65 | 40/99 | 3 | 600 SP/740 MP | 190 |
Prussia, Denmark | 55 | 30/90 | 3 | 540 SP/660 MP | 170 |
Spain | 60 | 35/95 | 3 | 700 MP | N/A |
Notes[]
Spain does not have access to 6-lber Horse Artillery in the Europe Campaign or The Peninsular Campaign, but can field them in custom battles.
Napoleon: Total War Artillery | |
---|---|
Cannons | 12-lber Foot Artillery • 18-lber Foot Artillery • 6-lber Foot Artillery • 6-lber Horse Artillery • 8-lber Foot Artillery • 9-lber Foot Artillery • Artillerie à Cheval • Artillerie à Pied • Grand Battery of the Convention • Guard Foot Artillery • Guard Horse Artillery |
Howitzers and Mortars | 10-lber Unicorn • 20-lber Unicorn • 5-In Howitzer • 6-In Howitzer • 7-lber Howitzer • Bombardment Mortars • Experimental Howitzer • Howitzers |
Other | Rocket Troop |