The rules (now written) cover three types of chariots - light, medium, and heavy, corresponding to Egyptian, Hittite, and Neo-Assyrian respectively.
Chariot, Light: A light chariot is an open, two-wheeled vehicle used for hunting, racing, or warfare. It is built for speed, with a lightweight frame of elm or ash covered by hide. The axle is set at the very rear of the body for maximum mobility and stability. The chariot’s wheels are about 2’6” in diameter. Its wheel track is about 5’9” wide, while its total length, including harnessed creatures, is 11’6”. The cab measures 3’3” wide, 1’8” deep, and 2’6” high, with room for two man-sized creatures, one of whom must be the driver. The cab includes three built in weapon-cases, with room for a composite bow, 3 javelins, and 20 arrows. A light chariot has AC 0 and 1 shp.
A light chariot may be pulled by one or two creatures whose normal loads add up to at least 40 stone. When used in war, light chariots are typically pulled by two light horses. The chariot can transport up to the harnessed creatures’ combined normal load at 3/4 the harnessed creatures’ movement rate, or up to the harnessed creature’s combined maximum load at 3/8 the harnessed creatures’ movement rate. The chariot may not exceed 180’ per turn in any case. Light chariots can only move through deserts, forests, mountains, or swamps if a road is available. Historical examples include the New Kingdom Egyptian chariot, the Mycenaean rail-chariot, and the Celtic chariot.
EXAMPLE: A light chariot is harnessed to two light horses (movement rate 240’ per turn, normal load 20 stone). The two light horses have a combined normal load of (20 + 20) 40 stone, and a combined maximum load of 80 stone. The light chariot can transport up to 40 stone at (240 x 3/4) 180’ per turn; or up to 80 stone at (240 x 3/8) 90’ per turn.
Chariot, Medium: A medium chariot is an open, two-wheeled vehicle used in hunting and warfare. The cab is constructed from slates of hardwood. The axle is set beneath the center of the cab, adding to strength of construction. The chariot’s wheels are about 3’ in diameter. Its wheel track is about 6’6” wide, while its total length is 13’. The cab measures 4’ wide, 3’ deep, and 3’ high, with room for three man-sized creatures, one of whom must be the driver. The cab includes three built in weapon-cases, with room for a composite bow, 3 javelins, and 20 arrows. The sturdily-built cab provides its occupants with a +1 AC bonus against attacks to the front and flank. A medium chariot has AC 1 and 1 shp.
A medium chariot may be pulled by two or three creatures whose normal loads add up to at least 60 stone. When used in war, medium chariots are typically pulled by two medium horses or three light horses. The chariot can transport up to the harnessed creatures’ combined normal load at 2/3 the harnessed creatures’ movement rate, or up to the harnessed creature’s combined maximum load at 1/3 the harnessed creatures’ movement rate. The chariot may not exceed 120’ per turn in any case. Medium chariots can only move through deserts, forests, mountains, or swamps if a road is available. Historical examples include the Hittite Anatolian-type chariot and the Mycenaean box chariot.
EXAMPLE: A medium chariot is harnessed to three light horses (movement rate 240’ per turn, normal load 20 stone). The three light horses have a combined normal load of (20 + 20 +20) 60 stone, and a combined maximum load of 120 stone. Based on these factors the medium chariot could transport up to 60 stone at (240 x 2/3) 160’ per turn; or up to 120 stone at (240 x 1/3) 80’ per turn. However, a medium chariot cannot exceed 120’ per turn, so its movement rate at normal load is capped to 120’.
Chariot, Heavy: A heavy chariot is an open, two- or four-wheeled vehicle used in warfare. The cab is constructed from slates of hardwood and reinforced with bronze. The axle is set beneath the center of the cab, adding to strength of construction. The chariot’s wheels are about 5’ in diameter. Its wheel track is about 7’ wide, while its total length is 15’. The cab measures 4’6” wide, 3’3” deep, and 3’9” high, with room for four man-sized creatures, one of whom must be the driver. The cab includes three built in weapon-cases, with room for a composite bow, 3 javelins, and 20 arrows. The armored cab provides its occupants with a +2 AC bonus against attacks to the front and flank. A heavy chariot has AC 2 and 2 shp.
A heavy chariot may be pulled by two, three, or four creatures whose normal loads add up to at least 80 stone. When used in war, heavy chariots are typically pulled by three medium horses or four light horses. The chariot can transport up to the harnessed creatures’ combined normal load at 1/2 the harnessed creatures’ movement rate, or up to the harnessed creature’s combined maximum load at 1/4 the harnessed creatures’ movement rate. The chariot may not exceed 90’ per turn in any case. Heavy chariots can only move through deserts, forests, mountains, or swamps if a road is available. Historical examples include the Neo-Assyrian chariot, Chinese Anyang-type chariot, and Classical Indian chariot.
EXAMPLE: A heavy chariot is harnessed to three medium horses (movement rate 180’ per turn, normal load 30 stone). The three medium horses have a combined normal load of (30 + 30 + 30) 90 stone and a combined maximum load of 180 stone. The heavy chariot can transport up to 90 stone at (180 x 1/2) 90’ per turn; or up to 180 stone at (180 x 1/4) 45’ per turn.