Power of Catapults

It just makes since that cav can't hit cats that are retreating doesn't it? Cav move first, they move to front line of cats. Cats move backward. Say that the cats have no equipment their base movement is 50. So a distance of 50 now separates the two. A cavalry then attacks but its range is only 40. Can't reach. Theoretically (if this is the reason for this) somebody with max shooting could hit a cat if they had 0 speed...but how often does somebody with max shooting attack somebody who has no speed at all?

I don't know if that's the reason but mathematically it makes sense that cavalry can't hit a retreating cat.

It just makes since that cav can't hit cats that are retreating doesn't it? Cav move first, they move to front line of cats. Cats move backward. Say that the cats have no equipment their base movement is 50. So a distance of 50 now separates the two. A cavalry then attacks but its range is only 40. Can't reach. Theoretically (if this is the reason for this) somebody with max shooting could hit a cat if they had 0 speed...but how often does somebody with max shooting attack somebody who has no speed at all?

I don't know if that's the reason but mathematically it makes sense that cavalry can't hit a retreating cat.

What you say definitely makes plenty of sense, however if it was the case it would hold true that every unit would be protected from Cav in this way, which obviously isn't how it goes down on the battlefield.

Now it's been a veeeerrrry long time since I've played this game, and there was a time when I had tested this, but I can't rightly remember.....I think cats are safe from every unit when retreating, not just the Cav. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but please, only if you have tested this and know for sure.

Also, I'd like to point out, that all units move before any units attack, even though it doesn't read that way on the battle report.

So are they? I haven't actually tried it but are all units safe from cav if they are moving backward?

Cavs are still my preferred unit. You need a considerable army and you will most likely take losses, however they are can easily wipe out cats. Cavs can take a beating and can move across most of the map in a single turn. Unless the cats have blockers, then they will most likely lose vs cavs.

You need max speed and defense to be effective though.

So are they? I haven't actually tried it but are all units safe from cav if they are moving backward?

Of course not. This ability is a singular benefit of catapults.

Here's the thing every situation is different the best idea is to learn about battle and movement and then spend time analysing situations so you know individual information for your account rather than leaching onto theories that apply in some situations especially with the inf/arch retreating. Just an idea

I like cats, cats are nice, and the cuddle with you near fireplaces, and they have this soft, silky fur.... Oh wait ahahaha wrong type of cat... Woops xD

Cats are defiantly, in my opinion, the best troop. Although cav vs cats alone cavs would defiantly win, well, i guess it depends on the number... and tech, because if you do 1 vs 1 with no tech, the cat will win, but if you do cav vs cat with 10 marching tech and 10 shooting tech the cav can reach cat in on round and attack, so the cav wins. So it really depends on the if's.

But over all i still like cats, cavs are good too. But cats are better with a meat shield...

Cats are your 'fail safe' army. They're not the best, but they're functional despite needing another unit to buffer or carry the load.
I usually suggest all new players start with a Cat/Inf army but there's a definitive reason why MOST of the experienced and long term Haypi players are beyond using Cat builds and that's because there's just no fun in it.
No pain, no gain as they say.

its true some experienced commanders will tell you that cat builds are dull and uninteresting, but the top and very most experienced commanders will tell you to experiment and find out what works best for your playing style, commanding style and stats