Meta Month Part 1 - Armored vs Social Knights (aka Knights vs Cavaliers)

[korsriddare]

The peculiar thing about Fire Emblem I first noticed was the differentiation between knights and cavaliers when I thought both should be considered knights (or, dismounted/mounted knights). Of course, after playing through, the conversations indicate both are 'knights' setting wise, and just different game-mechanics wise.

The cavalier looks like

Comments

[mark_asphodel]

and consider which one would likely catch fire if a fireball is tossed both ways.

Not true, depending on the universe. FE11 specifically mentions knights succumbing to fires that started inside of their armor, so physical protection may not equate to magical protection at all. Something to consider, anyway.

[korsriddare]

True, though such a spell is probably not a fireball?

[mark_asphodel]

It doesn't specify. I'd assume it was one of the higher-level fire spells, but all we can genuinely get from that is that plate armor doesn't necessarily serve as a protection against fire magic.

Also, I'd think metal armor would be terrible if any lightning-based magic is involved.

[korsriddare]

Definitely not necessary.

And yes, against lightning based magic it would likely be quite terrible.

[korsriddare]

I have actually thought of it, but I did not put it as a straight up equivalent. Field guns is absolutely penetrative, even against plate armor. Magic, I would imagine, might be dependant on the spell used. Perhaps more accurate than the field guns of its age.

[wolfraven80]

A mass formation of infantry in a spear wall might not fare very well when mages on the other side toss a fireball into the midst.

I guess there's also the question of how common mages are. Since being a mage would require years of study I would assume they're more likely than not be in the service for the rulers. In Magvel anyway there was supposed to be have been 800 years of peace. If they were fighting bandits, mercenaries, and putting down rebellions then they might not have expected to face mages often.