The Strengths & Weakness of 6Cv

I avoid selecting armies with double element cavalry or knights.
If one is not cognizant of the space* behind such an element in melee, recoiling can be a problem.
Further, fleeing from pike or spear under similar circumstances would make them an easy target on an opponent’s bound.

* Insufficient space can result from close proximity to bad terrain, board edge or a reserve line positioned too close to the combat.

I tend to think of cavalry being on the flanks where the +1 against foot isn't as useful, especially in armies such as Post-Mongel Samurai where mounted are limited in number to begin with.

However, last night one player expressed his view that the 6Cv had considerable advantage over 6Kn especially against enemy Bd. In addition 6Cv have an increased move compared to 6Kn and that they don't follow up in combat. Perhaps in historical situations the Samurai 6Cv are even more useful as mostly they are fighting only other Japanese armies.

It is one of the fascinating parts of DBA. With only 12 elements, and reasonably defined lists, these small choices are rather interesting.

I'm going to need to build the 6Cv elements for my Samurai just to try this out.

I was going to try my Byzantines at Historicon. Both the early and the Maurikians have lots of 6 cav figures. That being said, Tony won one event with Medieval Germans, I believe with 6 figure knights. 6 figure knights are excellent because they actually kill foot just by beating them, the despised term being 'quick kill.' Cavalry have to work their way down the line winning rolls until they can get a 6-2 or 6-1 by getting double overlaps. The 6 figure knight with a general, on the other hand, is a nightmare for blades.

As I have discussed, it is very easy to get bad going in 3 out of 4 sectors. This could leave a 6 figure cavalry army with little room to deploy.

In games against friends, I have lost a 6 figure cav on a bad dice throw. It counts as 2 elements lost, so now you are in trouble

Samurai are more able to exploit the extra combat factor because they have aggression zero, and the early Samurai have lots of Aux as well. Don't know which is stronger in an open environment.

The Byzantines were for a theme event. I would have gone with the Maurikians over Justinians to try to win terrain, and to have some spears to go against knights.

I like 6Cv, I like 6Cv generals even more - speed and survivability with additional punch, yes please

Taking a closer look at the rules there are further advantages for 6Cav.,especially when facing Pk or Sp elements in combat.Unlike 6Kn the 6Cav cannot be killed by Pk or Sp and the Pk do not receive the +1 for rear support.
Combat for 6Cav vs Pk starts at +4/+3 and an even +4/+4 vs Sp.

Also 6Cav are not QK by Sch Chariots when 6Kn are.

I too prefer the 6Kn but the 6Cav do have a greater survivability and greater speed.
I have come to tbe conclusion in Dba 3.0 that its better to have a combination of attacking elements that compliment each other rather than a line of the same elements.A mix of supported Pk with 6Kn and Bd in my League of Constance army has proved very successful against Historical opponents.