P&S Light Cavalry

[jcspqr]

Light cavalry in Pike & Shotte is variously listed as either; Light Horse, Light Skirmishing Horse, or Skirmishers.

OK.  I assume this means those listed as "skirmishers" can only be deployed in skirmish formation. 

I also assume that this means that those listed as "Light Skirmishing Horse" can deploy as either formed up cavalry or as skirmishers, and further can change between such formations via a reformation.

So where does that leave "light horse?"   Presumably they are just not heavy horse and cannot skirmish?

What is the consensus?

[Friends of General Haig]

Hi jcspr,

P&S does get a bit confusing with terminology like this, but here is my interpretation.

Light Cavalry are a troop type.  Their key distinction is that they move 12” per move, rather than the 9” for other Cavalry.

Skirmisher is a ‘special rule’ that can be added as an attribute to a unit. Skirmishing is a formation, which has many bonuses / penalties described through the rules.  Such units can change formation in to a Skirmish formation, and can change back. (My interpretation of p28 Changing Formation.)

As with most things I think you should be guided by how you think troops operated historically.  For example you could decide that Croat cavalry in the TYW should always be in Skirmish formation and not allowed to change back and forth between ‘formed’ and skirmish.  This certainly passes the “keep it simple” test.

Hope this helps.