Horseback Riding

Learn the basic art of mounting, dismounting, putting your steed on the gallop, firing from horseback and various other aspects related to combat. Once you learned how the basics, master the art of horseback riding as those brave gentlemen once did. You'll have a much easier time doing so should you give a quick read to what's going to follow.

A British Dragoon and his faithful steed.

Riding On Horseback

Let's get to the riding now, shall we? Hussars, Cuirassier and Dragoons all spawn readily mounted. Once you've had your pick at one of these classes, you'll find yourself on horseback. It is not a simple feat to handle these beasts but you'll get used to their ins and outs as you go by. Practice makes perfect.

Cavalry Controls

• PC: Hold [W]
• Console: Push Left Stick Up Holding the movement key or stick will take the horse from one gait to the other, gradually building up its momentum. An indicator to the left of your steed's health bar will reflect the pace at which the horse is moving

Full Gallop (Sprint)

• PC: Press [Shift]
• Console: Press Left Stick Click (L3) Pressing the sprint button once your steed reaches a full gallop will take it into a sprint, further increasing its speed. While at a sprint, your movement is limited as you grab the reins tightly. Tread carefully: this can place you at a disadvantage in battle, as you can only strike forward and cannot use your firearm.

Turning (Left & Right)

• PC: [A] and [D]
• Console: Left Stick Left/Right Should you need to make a turn, use these inputs to guide your steed. The responsiveness of your turn is often dictated by your current speed.

Strafe Mode

• PC: [Z] (Toggle)
• Console: D-Pad Down (Toggle) Horses travelling at a slower gait can enter strafe mode. While toggled, your horizontal inputs will cause the horse to step sideways rather than turn. This is perfect for "dressing the gaps" to keep your regiment in a neat, professional formation.

Slowing Down & Moving Backwards

• PC: [S]
• Console: Pull Left Stick Down Slowing down is often the key to survival. Holding this input will reduce your gait; if held long enough, your steed will eventually begin moving backwards at a slow pace.

Slow Stop

• PC: Hold [Ctrl]
• Console: Ease back on the Left Stick This allows you to reduce speed without the risk of accidentally reversing. Once the horse reaches its lowest speed, it will come to a complete halt and remain stationary.

Jumping

• PC: [Space]
• Console: A / Cross Navigate smaller defensive emplacements, fallen logs, and fences by jumping. Carefully time your approach and press the jump button at the right moment to clear the obstacle.

Halting the Horse (Rear)

• PC: Hold [F]
• Console: Hold B / Circle Should you find yourself in a pickle, firmly hold this input to pull on the reins. This will cause the horse to rear up and come to an immediate, complete halt. This is useful for emergency stops but leaves you momentarily vulnerable.

Cavalry Movement GIFs Gallery

Building momentum	Full gallop	Making a turn(s)	Building momentum
Slowing & back pacing	Slowing & halting	Steed jumping

Swimming

Go for a swim all the while remaining mounted. Controls here remain as usual but you are unable to engage in combat.

Steed swimming

Useful Steering

About Face

• PC: [S] + [Space]

• Console: [Left Stick Down] + [A / Cross]

Hold the backward input long enough for your steed to start moving at a slow pace. Once your steed is moving back, hit the Jump button. Your steed will perform a complete 180° turn. This is vital for making quick escapes or re-positioning in the heat of battle.

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Mounting & Dismounting

There are times where staying on horseback becomes detrimental, hence all cavalrymen are able to mount and dismount at will. Note that cavalrymen aren't the only ones that have the ability to ride horses; Infantry Officers are also able to mount any riderless horse.

• Dismounting: To dismount, ensure your horse is moving at a slow gait and press the Interact button. Keep your steed at a safe distance, as you never know when you may need to retreat.
• Mounting: Look at an ownerless horse and press the Interact button to climb back into the saddle. If your original horse is lost, any riderless horse on the battlefield is fair game.

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Control & Notes Reference

The following table summarizes the essential inputs for cavalry management across all platforms.

Action	PC Control	Xbox Control	PlayStation Control
Mount / Dismount	[E]	[X]	[Square]
About Face	[S] + [Space]	[LS Down] + [A]	[LS Down] + [Cross]
Rear Up / Jump	[Space]	[A]	[Cross]
Kick (Horse)	[F]	[B]	[Circle]
Change Gait (Speed)	[W] / [S]	[LS Up] / [LS Down]	[LS Up] / [LS Down]

** Note: Only classes with the Horseback Riding ability (Cavalry and Officers) can mount steeds. If you are playing as a standard Infantry, you will not see the prompt to mount.

** Note: You will be forcefully dismounted if your steed makes contact with certain defence structures such as the Chaveux De Frise (S)! 

Dismounting

Mounting

Mounted Combat

Cavalrymen possess high mobility, swiftness, and lethality. Whether it's with a sword or firearm, the cavalry brings swift and sudden death to the battlefield. Each cavalry class brings its own speciality: Cuirassiers and Dragoons are skilled with carbines (firearms with a shorter range than your average musket), while Hussars are quicker and proficient in melee.

Basic Controls: PC & Console

To effectively pilot your mount and engage the enemy, familiarize yourself with the following controls:

Action	PC (Keyboard & Mouse)	Console (Controller)
Movement	W, A, S, D	Left Stick
Look / Aim Direction	Mouse	Right Stick
Equip Sword	3 or Mouse Wheel	D-Pad Down or Y Button
Attack (Strike/Stab)	Left Click (Hold to wind up)	RT (Hold to wind up)
Cancel / Switch Attack	Right Click	LT
Gallop / Sprint	Left Shift	Left Stick (Press)

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Mounted Swordsmanship

If you favour the Hussar class, you’ll find yourself engaged in close-quarters combat more often than not. Success on horseback requires timing your swings with the momentum of your horse.

Equipping Your Weapon

To draw your blade, press [3] or use the [Mouse Scroll Wheel] on PC. On consoles, use the [D-Pad] or the [Y / Triangle] button to cycle to your melee weapon.

Striking and Stabbing

Once your sword is drawn:

1. Direct your strike: Move your [Mouse] or [Right Stick] in the desired direction (Left, Right, or Up for an overhead).
2. Wind up: Hold [Left Click] or [RT].
3. Release: Let go of the button as you pass an enemy to deliver the blow.

Tip: Speed increases your damage. A strike delivered at full gallop is significantly more lethal than one delivered while stationary.

Cancel/Switch Attack: [Right Click] / [LT]

If you misjudge your approach or an enemy moves, you can cancel your current wind-up to readjust your angle. Press [Right Click] or [LT] to reset your stance, allowing you to quickly choose a new striking direction.

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Mounted Marksmanship

For Cuirassiers and Dragoons, your horse serves as a mobile firing platform.

• Aiming: Hold [Right Click] or [LT] to steady your carbine or pistol.
• Firing: Press [Left Click] or [RT] to fire.
• Reloading: You generally must be stationary or moving at a slow walk to reload effectively. Press [R] or [X / Square] to begin the reload process.

** Note: You cannot block with your sword in a traditional way if you're on horseback.

Mounted Swordsmanship

Mounted Marksmanship

Carbineers make use of their firearm on horseback as you would whilst playing an infantryman. Hold [Right Click] to aim, press [Left Click] to fire then [R] reload. The speed at which you travel on horseback will be restricted to the slower gaits whilst reloading.

Aiming, Firing, & Reloading: There is no difference in how the cavalry class aim, fire, and reload.

1. Aiming - [Right Click]
2. Fire! - [Left Click]
3. Reloading - [R]

** Note: Mounted or not, you will still be restricted to a slow gait/walk while reloading.

Mounted Marksmanship

Reloading on horseback

Trampling Infantryman

Horses are mighty beasts! Blocking their path is of little to no use and you'll find yourself injured or killed in the process. Horses travelling at a faster gait will deal greater damage to those unfortunate infantrymen. Should you be enough in good favour to remain alive after the fact, you will no longer have your weapon equipped. Wait a short while to come to your senses after the knockback and equip your weapon using the scroll wheel or number keys.

Highlights:

• Trampling over infantry will slow the speed of your horse.
• Players trampled will have their weapons unequipped. They will have to wait for a brief moment to equip their weapon again using the number keys or mouse scroll wheel. On console, use the [D-Pad] or the [Y / Triangle] button to cycle to your melee weapon.

Trampling an infantryman