Dragoons: Totally Useless or Sort-Of Useless?

[Alfred Packer]

Whenever I read about Cavalry being good in the beginning and useless (except for rebel stomping later), I assume Dragoons, in spite of their modest fire ability (and the ability to add Art to them) fall in the Cavalry area.

What are dragoons good for? I've used them occasionally, but never enough to really sort out if they are any good in game. Usually, I use Cavalry with Hussar attachments, since I think the speed is more important than any punch, as far as cav is concerned, but there might be an interesting strategy for Dragoons I've just never thought of.

So. Dragoons: Do you use them or not?

 

[unmerged(41229)]

I don't think I've used them for a LONG time....

I'm not really quite sure what they are good for and I have been playing for a few years.

 

[unmerged(94026)]

So. Dragoons: Do you use them or not?

no. I prefer inf+tank :rofl:

 

[Cinéad IV]

Early on, a division of cavalry + curiassiers paired with a division of dragoons + artillery can make for quite a powerful, and highly mobile force.

By the start of the 20th century, however, you probably shouldn't have dragoons or cavalry in your army, other than for fighting uncivs. They become utterly useless against regular divisions.

 

[unmerged(81390)]

Dargoons with artillery rock in early/middle game, they bring artillery and don't slow down the army.

Without cannons or in late game however, they suck!

 

[unmerged(106891)]

I think Dragoons capture provinces quicker. Moreover, they gain control of a province quickly after the battle is won.

 

[Lord Finnish]

They have cool name, that's why I use them

 

[unmerged(81390)]

I think Dragoons capture provinces quicker. Moreover, they gain control of a province quickly after the battle is won.

I'm fairly certain they do not.

 

[likk9922]

I think Dragoons capture provinces quicker. Moreover, they gain control of a province quickly after the battle is won.

IIRC, they don't gain control of a prov faster. Having more troops does that. They just get to the prov quicker.

 

[Dysken]

As for people hatin on the cavalry. They are very useful in getting to a province first. Ensuring you get to fight as the defender in the coming offensive battles. Also very useful at breakthroughts.

 

[unmerged(760)]

dragoons have medium shock and fire values which make them generalists: usable for both anti-rebel-duties and killing enemy soldiers at the price of efficiency. also they come with a high speed value, which none of the other high-fire-value-units have and which is probably their biggest asset - so to speak.
but, they are awfully expensive esp when equipped with artillery and as cavalry they become obsolete in mid-game when it comes up to fight a stack of (enemy) units due to the higher moral levels.

so what i do is relying on cavalry for rebel control (wins by shock value, thus saving on lives) and early wars. then comes the time of infantry for wearing down enemies with their growing killing potential (fire value). and the old cavalry regiments can still be perfectly used for controlling the rebel crowd and waging colonial wars.