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[chucks]

Note: IIRC Toady dislikes the idea of "mounted dwarves".

I don't really, either.  A large body of fiction and folklore I've read about dwarves verbosely describes their dislike of horses and riding animals.

I can easily visualize dwarves using animals to pull carts, plows, wagons, coaches, etc.  I have a difficult time visualizing dwarven war chariotiers.

[Vattic]

I agree that it is the norm to either have dwarves with no mounts or have dwarves with inappropriate mechanical ones but if mounted combat makes it into the game wont dwarves lacking in this give them a significant disadvantage in battle?

[Pilsu]

Dwarves tend to live in the mountains, lack of cavalry is probably to be expected. Humans probably shouldn't have access to traps in turn

Why do dwarves have the same livestock as humans anyway? Having a little flavor wouldn't hurt

[Byakugan01]

Because it make sense for them to have at least some of the same animals? Dwarves didn't START out underground, or they would look like gollums with muscles. Or goblins, for that matter. That's where they typically LIVE, but by NO means the end the started digging from. However, sheep and goats would be excellent as dwarven livestock, particularly the later-goats doe well in rocky terrain. Mountain sheep (think bighorns) might be acceptable mounts, and they already menace with 2 spikes of goat/ram horn. Their ability to transverse difficult terrain would be invaluable to dwarves, and it would give them a reasonable mount, at least for scouting parties. Blunt fact is, there is little that isn't fantastical for them to ride other than boars, mountain sheep/goats, and ponies. And just because it isn't dwarfy doesn't QUITE cut it when we already have corpse-eating elves . Cavalry were a very important part of medieval engagements, and dwarves would be sorely lacking in their offensive capability if they didn't possess some kind of cavalry unit of their own.

 Hell, I typed up a pretty long suggestion about it here, but it died pretty fast. Hope this has better luck. Seriously, perhaps the strongest army in history was pretty heavy on cavalry-the Mongol horde. Dwarves would simply NOT be able to deny themselves the advantage, whether by hiring mercenaries to do it for them on a permanent basis-costly-or train their own-takes longer, but ultimately costs less in the long run. Boars can get to be pretty massive by the way-especially ones which are actually feral hogs.

[Pilsu]

How fast can a boar run? I'd wager dwarven cavalry would get slaughtered even if they did ride horses, the size difference is pretty crippling

Dwarves being lacking in the offensive capacity doesn't really bother me considering they live in impregnable self-sufficient mountain fortresses connected by a network of tunnels

[Byakugan01]

You forget, boars have a rather NASTY pair of tusks that are capable of doing serious damage-so much so that wolves prefer to leave boars alone and go after other prey is there is ANYTHING else they can eat. And while they may live in moutainhomes, they have to leave them to go to war or trade-and it's terribly inefficient to have foot soldiers walking alongside a caravan. Much better to have cavalry guarding the caravan, so as to counter raiders/bandits riding cavalry. And by the way, dwarves can and DO get involved in disputes during world gen, and will be traveling overland once the army arc is complete. Elves can ride unicorns, humans have horses, goblins ride LIZARDS (!!!), and you say there isn't a dwarven mount?

 The main advantage to cavalry though, is tactical mobility. They have the speed to perform maneuvers in battle that infantry simply DO NOT have. For instance, rapid hit and run strikes along multiple points of the enemy's flank-or better yet, their supply lines.  Size difference? If size difference was an issue, dwarves would loose their battles with humans and elves because of it. They simply can't hole themselves up in moutainhomes all day every time they run into trouble, or they would be unable to grow and expand.

 So in reality, cavalry of some sort strike me as pretty much a necessity. Especially if the enemy has heavily armored cavalry (knights) on their side, having a dwarven version would at least even the odds better. Crossbows are pretty short range compared to longbows, you know.

[Sabre_Justice]

Note: IIRC Toady dislikes the idea of "mounted dwarves".

I don't really, either.  A large body of fiction and folklore I've read about dwarves verbosely describes their dislike of horses and riding animals.

I can easily visualize dwarves using animals to pull carts, plows, wagons, coaches, etc.  I have a difficult time visualizing dwarven war chariotiers.

...actually, I can imagine Dwarves riding chariots rather than the animals themselves. They already have wagons after all, it's not too much of a stretch.

Besides, chariots are all kinds of awesome.

[Luke_Prowler]

I can also see Dwarfs using chariots or war wagons.

And for those who are saying that cavalry it some kind of uber-tactic, I should tell you of this weapon, its called a spear

[Neonivek]

for those who are saying that cavalry it some kind of uber-tactic, I should tell you of this weapon, its called a spear

No Calvalry was a super weapon even when you apply spears. Though using Spear Formations to stop Calvalry took a bit of time as well as Calvalry focused spears.

[Bloogonis]

Boars are Plains and Marsh creatures, not suited well to rocky terain, at least no verities that I'm aware of.

Bears on the other hand love the mountains and also, they like to eat... similar to dwarves. berries and booze (and doughnuts, I'll get you one day black bear!). Plus they like caves for hibernation purposes.

Now that would be fun! having Bears be mounts but have them go to the stables and sleep for the entirety of winter. about the building idea, a designate from an item would be best I think, and training handeled in the Kennel (maybe it should get a new name as it would be used for so much, I feel odd when I have three dragons in the Kennel )

[Craftling]

Boars, bears, ponies, donkey's and possibly giant eagles would all be sensible choices for dwarves to ride, it would just depend on the terrain.
Actually dwarves should TRY to ride anything that is bigger than them. Imagine riding and elf into war.

[Sabre_Justice]

Finally, a use for elves!

Heh, war goats?

[Byakugan01]

Finally, a use for elves!

Heh, war goats?

Try war RAMs. Ramming the enemy cavalry while the dwarf swings a gaint hammer at the head of the enemy rider...Imagine the Hammerer arriving on a war bighorn sheep.

Also, not to be picky, but cavalry were enough of a threat that the spear, which wasn't anti cavalry in and of itself, was refined into the PIKE-which *is* anti cavalry. And could also get ridiculously heavy. Chariots are probably the most dwarfy thing for an open field, or war wagons mounted with ballista. That would be the period equivalent of a TANK if magma isn't in the picture.

Urist cancels taunt elf: getting in war wagon.
Urist begins task kill_elf:Taunt:"Who's your daddy now?"

[Tormy]

Note: IIRC Toady dislikes the idea of "mounted dwarves".

I don't really, either.  A large body of fiction and folklore I've read about dwarves verbosely describes their dislike of horses and riding animals.

I can easily visualize dwarves using animals to pull carts, plows, wagons, coaches, etc.  I have a difficult time visualizing dwarven war chariotiers.

...actually, I can imagine Dwarves riding chariots rather than the animals themselves. They already have wagons after all, it's not too much of a stretch.

Besides, chariots are all kinds of awesome.

Hm this is a good idea. Dwarven chariots! Hell yeah!   

[Pilsu]

Are you seriously suggesting that a race living in the mountains uses vehicles with wheels? I wish you could see me slam my face to the desk

At least black bears have the Rule of Cool going for them. That and the inexplicable fondness of beer