Mercinary armies..

[jrexchandler]

A story of conquest and cowardace...

I'm the English, and The year is 1120.. for the past few years I've noticed the Almohads building up armies in Navarre and Aragon..

The Almohad king and I have been allies for 30 years. They even helped me destory the last French army in Tolouse and left the territory to me afterwards.

I have large standing armies of spearmen, feudal men-at-arms, and urban militia led by princes in both Aquitane and Tolouse. I wanted to suppliment these armies with some artillery and light cavalry, so I decided to hire some mercenaries. I ended up with two catapults, a unit of mounted crossbows, and one other unit of light cavalry.

In 1126, the Almohads broke our alliance by invading Aquitane with their King leading the army.

As the battle began, the invaders had a unit of around 60 archers set off by themselves covering the middle of the battlefield. I needed to get rid of them. So, I sent the mercenary mounted crossbows into their flank to attack in melee. This happened just about the time that my footmen attacked the main line of their army. I also had 3 units of swordmen marching in reserve up to the main line.

After killing 12 archers, and losing 2 (TWO&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif of their own number, the mounted crossbows broke and routed.... right through my main line and my reserves. Well, the sight of the mercenaries running had a great impact on my other troops and en masse they broke and routed. Thank god I had the catapult and my prince back because if they had broken all would have been lost.

After a while, I managed to rally and reform my army and we ended up capturing and killing the Almohad King and his only heir.

But, I'm still trying to find out why the mounted crossbows ran after only 2 casualties. I know that their missle troops and best not engaged, but they were fighting an understrength archer unit

Any ideas?

Rex

[PanthaPower]

The most important question is, who was your general? Was he a mighty warrior with command rating 7, a mercenary general with low command rating or a general with 'Good Runner' vice? Even a 9 command rating general will suck with a good runner vice. Especially if the opponent has a gegenral with excellent vices, good command and lots of valour.

[jrexchandler]

Hmm... my general was my eldest prince. He's only got a 4 star command rating, and his V&V's are Mighty Warrior and Hard Sums, so that shouldn't have any effect.

I think that the Almohad king had a 6 star command rating.

Rex

[PanthaPower]

Hmm, was there a thread on it's flank? If units are threatened on two sides, the valour drops. Well, so many reasons why they could route. I guess you will only know for sure if you have a replay of the game...

[Exile]

It takes a unit with high morale to operate isolated behing the neemy lines and far from support and it's own commander. Mounted crossbows to not have great morale, it's more a job for knights.

I've had the same thing happen to me when I sent horse archers/light calvary behind the enemy unsupported.

[ToranagaSama]

Quote[/b] (jrexchandler @ Jan. 02 2003,11:47)]Hmm... my general was my eldest prince. He's only got a 4 star command rating, and his V&V's are Mighty Warrior and Hard Sums, so that shouldn't have any effect.

I think that the Almohad king had a 6 star command rating.

Rex
Along with v&v, the questions is how many stars/valour did the crossbow cav have?

With a 4 star general, I believe that's 2 stars for the Cav? Units with 0 or 1 star will do much the same,

What were the Cav doing before they attacked? Were they tired?

[YunDog]

Yadida
they were too far away from your main army and got frietened I see units that I sent chasing fleeing enemy wavering heaps because the army is spread all to cr@p - Spanish Jinettes are great for this job they travel far and then even route but they rally as soon as they are no longer chased and can harrass the enemy again - as the enemy they are a curse - so are turconian horsemen - Ohh I hate those little &*^% they run just far enough away and when you tired and walking back they charge you in the ass
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

I agree about the mercinaries they are spineless dogs