A theory on motorcycle riders/cavalry vulnerability

[Copper]

I find that cavalry and motorcycle riders are the most vulnerable units in the game. Loaded lorries, although quite vulnerable as well, still do not suffer from the absurd dangers of mounted transport.

My hypothesis is this:

H1: motorcycle riders and cavalry are impacted on by the mode of transport that is not capable of "movement on its own" such as trucks and halftracks. When a retreat result is scored on the combined rider/mount, the mount is unaffected, but the rider cannot retreat, and is thus eliminated. Thus trucks and halftracks may retreat, and are not subject to the same harsh results as a motorcycle rider or cavalry unit.

This would explain why motorcycles still exist after being fired upon but the riders perish.

This hypothesis does not stand when tank riders are concerned. Thus the mechanics of direct fire on tank riders must be different.

A second hypothesis is thus:

H2: tank riders, motorcycle riders, and cavalry all have a mounted defense of either half, or of "1".

A third hypothesis is:

H3: tank riders, motorcycle riders and cavalry all have a mounted defense of either half or of "1" AND are attacked by the hard target direct fire strength by AT guns and tanks.

This would explain why a T-34 carrying riders would be disrupted and retreat on a hard attack of 16 from a 4 SP StuG unit, while the infantry would suffer a 16-4 (half defense) or 16-1 (defense of 1) attack, resulting in the loss of an entire 6 SP unit. The same theory would apply to motorcyles and cavalry.

This theory then categorizes motorcycles and cavalry as "soft" while riders are "hard".

I'm not sure if any of this is right, but I sure would like to know how these results are calculated!!

Cheers!

Leto