This is also topic to discuss.
Let's look at it this way:
1 soldier cost:
a) sword:
- iron (iron ore + coal) + coal
b) shield
- iron (iron ore + coal) + coal
c) beer (wheat + water)
base resources:
4 x coal
2 x iron ore
1 x wheat
1 x water
1 cavalary cost:
a) sword:
- iron (iron ore + coal) + coal
b) shield
- iron (iron ore + coal) + coal
c) beer (wheat + water)
d) horseshoe:
- iron (iron ore + coal) + coal
base resources:
6 x coal
3 x iron ore
1 x wheat
1 x water
Cavalry is expensive than infantry about
2 coals and 1 iron ore... and much of time of course :)
HP:
1. Infantry
Infantry Private: 3 HP
Infantry Private first class: 4 HP
Infantry Sergeant 5 HP
Infantry Officer 6HP
Infantry General 7 HP
2. Calavary (in your suggestion)
Calavary Private: 4 HP
Calavary Private first class: 5HP
Calavary Sergeant 6 HP
Calavary Officer 7 HP
Calavary General 8 HP
Tactic:
1. I agree with you, if map has more iron ore than gold, better build cavalry.
2. Enemies fortress is faraway than opponent storehouse/HQ. You might as first send infantry. If you don't kill everyone, you can send cavalry to fast attack, which kill rest of them (Calvary speed x2) before soldiers arrive to the castle.
3. Cavalry also quickly arrive to your military buildings.
4. Probably there will be more strategy.
We can also use horses to other roles...
What do you think about scout on horse? Then player can quickly penetrate the nearest area.