New Regional unit proposal: mounted crossbowman

[AbuzzJam4677680]

@Skadidesu

Mounted Crossbows were historically often deployed against cavalry

@DynasticPlanet5

originally crossbows were great at quelling nomadic horseman attacks. Part of how China fended off northern Hordes

Mounted xbowmen were deployed together with lancers+ light cavalry to charge at enemy heavy cavalry and pikes. Mounted Crossbowmen discharged a bolt before enemy lancers successfully attack friendly lancers. Friendly lancers can have number advantage to fight enemy lancers. The enemy lancers had ways to fight back actually. The lancers can pursue mounted crossbowman.

Mounted Crossbowmen could also open a gap in pike formation before lancer charge.

So it can have bonus damage vs pikes and cavalry. But we have mameluke with bonus damage vs cavalry in the game. Heavy cavalry can actually fight back mounted crossbowmen while pikemen cannot. So I choose anti-spear bonus for them.

@AbuzzJam4677680

The “Fechtbuch” by Hans Talhoffer (15th century book) specify how to fight against mounted crossbowmen on horseback.

Die Illenden. 
The pursuer

Wie sich ainer halten sol in der flucht mit dem armprost.
Just so should one behave in the flight with the crossbow.

Der wyl den under das pfert Renen. 
This one then means to run beneath the horse.

Hie hatt der den geschossen und stoszt Im den Spiesz mit dem Armbrost hinweg und würt In ergryffen by dem halsz.
Here this one discharges, and then thrusts the lance at him, with the crossbow away, and grasps him about the throat

Hie wyl der den Recht empfahen mit dem Spiesz. 
Here this one means to receive the one on the right with the lance. 

Wie sich ainer halten sol mit dem Spiesz gegen ainem mit ainem Armbrost.
Just so should one with the lance behave against one with a crossbow.

From the book, mounted crossbowmen would charge and shoot at heavy cavalry. Shoot while at the side of heavy cavalry. Hit and run heavy cavalry.

There is a modern literature of ‘The Horse of Premodern European Culture’

For field battle, mounted crossbowmen were placed on the flanks of lancers and light cavalry.

Pierto Monte mentioned in his work ‘Collectanea’ that mounted crossbowmen are useful against German or Swiss pike block if bombard is absent.

Mounted xbowmen were used together with knight and loght cav to fight pikes/ heavy cavalry charge.

@DynasticPlanet5

Part of how China fended off northern Hordes

This is true. But Chinese mounted crossbowmen seemed to be a bit different. What I find is only against Xiongnu and Khitan heavy cavalry. But no evidence against pikes yet. I still need more time to research Chinese mounted crossbowmen.