Originally Posted by
Amnoriath
1. But of course it eventually does but lets just keep the basic recovery for argument's sake. At every short rest you are probably recovering a 2nd level slot even if you don't have max charisma because of carry over. By the value of slots it is better than Arcane Recovery and if you keep to 1st level slots this is better than the Sorcerer's because unless he is a really lucky Wild Magic Sorcerer the only kind of recovery of points doesn't happen until level 20 for them which is still less than a max Charisma.
2. In comparison to what? A Beastmaster can get 5 decent attacks off rather consistently and still has the versatility/skill of the Ranger. I am not saying it couldn't be better but there is a difference in making something that is more competitive and/or easier to play right in the general potential of the party as well as the tiers and making something that utter blatantly steps on someone else. The latter is what the Cavalier does as not only does it double the effective actions outside of attack but you can summon new ones with either no action cost to you or one of your attacks. The options in which can easily amount to a double move with a 2d12+56 damage for one of your attacks.
3. It isn't a matter that it is underpowered by the numbers just that given you have these high numbers and options it can cancel some of your effective options to incentivize enemies to pay attention to you. After all if your AC equals that of the highest in the game your disadvantage effective cancels disadvantage against others since engaging doesn't necessarily mean attack.